What fun! Kill or Be Kilt was a Highland novel with intrigue, fun family dynamics, and a romance that had been simmering away for about three years. Elizabeth and Ian finally dealt with their chemistry head-on and the results were well worth the wait.

“Gradh geal mo chridhe.”
She have him a look of amusement. “Gaelic, Laird Munro?”
He briefly closed his eyes and prayed for strength. “I needed to say the words in my own tongue first because I needed to find the courage to say…” He lifted his hand and gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. “Ye’re the bright love of my heart, Elizabeth.”

Although this can be read as a standalone, if you’ve read any of the other novels in the Highland Spies series you’ve undoubtedly seen the attraction between our hero and heroine. Grouchy Laird Munro and lovely Lady Elizabeth had been circling each other for a while so here we finally got to see how things would pan out for them.

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I received an ARC of 'Snow Wolf' from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't wait to start reading this book, I wanted to find out if Billy, Jenny, Iain & Skye find peace. Once again, I was quickly thrust into the Scotish highlands & into the lives of some characters I remember from 'Rogue Male' & 'Last Alpha'. This is book 3 in the "A Highland Shifter" series, I strongly recommend reading this series in chronological order.

Set in the same small town, we get to see how Iain & Jenny are slowly getting used to being shifters now, Billy is coaxing them in their training, Skye is still in college, but travelling to Iain whenever he has a particularly bad day. I was drawn into how their lives had changed since the pack became 3 & not just 2. I especially liked how you could read the struggle with balancing your human & your wolf. One moment your wolf wants to shift & the next, you feel like if you do...something bad may happen. Such a confusing time, when just recently there was only ever one. I really don't want to give anything of this storyline away.

I really loved what was going on in this story, & can't wait to read what comes next from Ruby Fielding.

I received an ARC of 'Rogue Male' from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

Upon starting this book, I was quickly thrust into the Scotish highlands & into the lives of some characters I remember from 'Last Alpha'. This is book 2 in the "A Highland Shifter" series, I strongly recommend reading book 1 'Last Alpha' before you start 'Rogue Male'.

Set in the same small town, but meeting new characters, listening (well in my head) to that Scotish brogue.... I was drawn into the book, experiencing the akwardness of that first kiss, the wondering if a certain someone likes me... What turns out to be a weekend surprise visit to a friend, turns into a whirlwind of possible love, new friendships, learning a towns secrets, changes... I'm not going to spoil anything for you, so you'll just have to read it your self.

I really loved this book, can't wait for the next in the series!

Another book I thought I had read. Boy was I glad that I didn't. Read this for the Julie Garwood group read, and it was delightful. Julie Garwood books are definitely comfort reads. She understands why we read romance, and one of the reasons is we want heroines who we can root for, that we fall in love with just as much as the heroes. Her heroines have this tangible sweetness that makes me want to hug them, root for them, and to fight with and for them. Gillian is no different. My heart hurt for her losses and I cheered her for her indefatigable will. To be honest, I did think she was a slightly too good for Brodick, although I did like him. Maybe that's a good thing, because the common dilemma for a romance fan is to like the hero more.

I have read the other two Highland Laird books and loved them. I don't know how this fell through the cracks! But it was perfect timing, because you need a pick-me-up sometimes when you've been reading for so long, and some of it's assigned reading. I am a die-hard romance lover, and while I enjoy other genres, I always come back to romance because it has the tried and true things that satisfy me as a reader. In this case, it's the great heroine and the story that completely immerses me and takes me away from my world--back to medieval Scotland. The romance is great, but there's so much more in addition to offer in this book.

One of the things that spoke to me strongly was the theme of family and loyalty. Gillian has lost more of her family, but she cleaves to that which is left. She lived with the hope of being reunited with her sister. Her uncle who raised her after the betrayal and death of her father has her unswerving loyalty. She faces great danger to keep him safe from her so-called guardian Baron Alford, who is essentially the Son of Satan. That doesn't mean she won't spare the time to protect a young Scottish boy who was kidnapped by Baron Alford's forces, even at the risk of her own life. She does it for because it's right, even if it's a great cost to her. Fortunately, her good deed leads her right where she needs to be, and into the sights and arms of Brodick, Laird of the Buchanans.

Brodick doesn't know what hits him (not unusual for a Garwood heroine). Before he knows it, he can't live without Gillian, even though he knows from the beginning that she's bound to return to England. He fights his love for her because he believes love makes him weak. Although he hypocritically demands Gillian's love as his due. Brodick takes her into his clan literally, and gives Gillian the family she's missing.

Brodick was a pretty good hero. Not good enough for Gillian, but I liked him. I didn't like that he tended to usurp Gillian's self-will, both because he believes he knows better, and also for her protection. He knew that she needed a protector, but the lie he told was a costly one, nearly losing the love of his life in the process.

This book has almost two romances for the price of one. The second romance between Ramsey and Brigid was fun, and it develops more slowly than the one between Gillian and Brodick. Most of the characteristic humor is evident in their interactions, since Gillian's situation is so serious, it doesn't leave as much time for humor.

Not only was the romance good, but it had genuine suspense. Gillian is in some very dangerous situations, and she makes it through between a combination of divine providence, will power, and intelligence. She hasn't had an easy life, but it's made her into the wonderful heroine she is. One who can't help but acquire the loyalty of those around her.

I was more than satisfied with this book. It took me a while to read, but that's sort of my life now. But every time I picked it up, I was deeply involved and enthralled. This was a long book, but when it ended, I wished for more. I did feel disappointment with the resolution of Gillian's search for her sister, but that's real life. And at least she found a new sister in Brigid. I can't help but give it five stars under those circumstances. Even with my increasingly stingy ratings, I can't argue myself down from there.