I've read this novel at least twice (13 and 11 years ago), and apparently have forgotten almost all of it. In fact, what I did remember as the climactic scene must belong to the second novel in the series, Burn Me Deadly. I can do better with the rest of the series (and not just because I actually wrote something about them—but I'm looking forward to taking another look at them in the coming months.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, I should introduce you to Eddie LaCrosse and his world. It's your basic Fantasy world—swords, rumors of sorcery, small kingdoms, and so on. Eddie's an ex-soldier, ex-mercenary, now "sword jockey" (basically a private cop). He's got a little more on his résumé, but you'll learn more about that as you dive in yourself. He's been hired by an old friend, the King of a neighboring country to clear his wife of the horrific murder of her son. She doesn't remember him, but when he meets her, Eddie realizes that he knew the Queen long before the King did.

Eddie's investigation takes him through multiple kingdoms, into the remains of a cult, and into a criminal network that rivals anything that Varys put together for efficacy or ruthlessness. At the same time he does this, Eddie takes a trip through his personal history, reliving the time he knew the Queen (and events leading up to that). The two storylines are interwoven to help Eddie solve what seems like a perfect crime.

Both in the narration, LaCrosse's character and the kinds of people we meet along the way, Bledsoe channels Chandler. LaCrosse is casually violent in a way that Marlowe indulged in a bit too often for me, and the (for lack of a better word) grotesque (in physical appearance and morality) criminals Eddie deals with in the latter parts of the book felt particularly Chandler-esque to me.

There's some things that happen at the end that point to Eddie coming to terms with parts of his past that he's been unable/unwilling to acknowledge existed. The character won't change as a result of this (at least not much), but I think it opens the door for some of his rougher edges to be rounded out. How well that actually happens, I'll have to see (I don't trust my memory enough right now)—but at the very least, Bledsoe made it possible for the character to grow and evolve here.

Rudnicki's narration didn't really work for me initially—there was a quality to his voice that just didn't click with me. But, I kept going because I liked the novel. Before the halfway mark, however, he'd won me over. I can't put my finger on it (either good or bad), but he sold the emotional moments, the humor, and Eddie's general attitude. Which is good enough for me.

It's hard for me to rate this one on its own terms—I remember liking it. I remember what Bledsoe does with the characters. And those things color my rating, leading me to probably giving this another half-to-whole star more than I would otherwise. But also, for the world. The merging of Fantasy and Hard-boiled genres in a way that's seamless and well-executed. I recommend this one and will be back for more soon.

Bookstooge posted about this book yesterday. It's probably worth a read (I'll read it later today, I didn't want his voice in my head as I wrote this).

For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle

An odd adventure story that proves you can find wonders in the most unexpected of places. I really enjoyed the mashup of reality and fantasy elements. The book seamlessly incorporates aspects of life in an Orthodox Jewish community in this fascinating story of a fierce heroine, trolls, and epic battles.

The simple coloring did not take away from the intricate artwork, interesting dialogue, and splendid use of light and shadow. It was so easy to get caught up in this story.

Mirka is such a fantastic character- brave, quick-thinking, and not without her flaws. While the book ended a bit abruptly for me, it did make me instantly want to read the next one. Well played. 

Highland Sword is a spectacular historical romance by May McGoldrick. Ms. McGoldrick has once again produced a well-written book populated with an outstanding cast of characters. Morrigan is wanted but continues to do what she thinks is best, often putting herself in danger. Aidan is a barrister and will be defending 2 innocent men. Morrigan and Aidan share a secret. Their story is packed with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. I loved this book from cover to cover and look forward to my next book by May McGoldrick. Highland Sword is book 3 of the Royal Highlander Series and reading books 1 & 2 would help you understand the back-story, it can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was expecting much of The Witcher. It's the one series my sister has been telling me for years to read. And with the recent Netflix series (that I still need to watch, possibly during the social distancing of COVID-19), it was finally time to give it a try.

So, Sword of Destiny, like it predecessor The Last Witch are prequel short story collections that tie in some of the questions I'm sure people would have had about the characters in the main series. While I like short stories from time to time, I felt like it was time for me to read a full Witcher book, rather than more short stories.

So, I'm reading the series in chronological order, but haven't decided yet if that is what works best. Either way, while I liked the stories I would have liked to see some more character development. I am still having this sort of strange feeling where I feel like I am reading a book based on a game, rather than the other way around.

Next book is full length, fingers crossed!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Uprooted from her home after her father's murder, Morrigan has fled to the Highlands. There, with her step-mother, step-sister, and their husbands, they continue to fight to get out from under the yoke of the English.

Aidan has soldiered for England and now as a barrister, he fights to bring justice to his fellow Highlanders. With his brother at his side, he works to establish rule of law in this turbulent time.

Politics, entrapment, spying, blackmail, and love come alive in the highlands.

Her insides burned with sadness, and rage.

Highland Sword is third in the Royal Highland series and would work best read after the first two. The connecting thread in the series is Cinaed Mackintosh (Highland Crown), he is the secret son of Queen Caroline and looked upon by rebel Scots as to be the true king and savior of Scotland against the harsh treatment of England. In book one, Cinaed marries Morrigan's step-mother and thus begins her connection to the plot thread. The beginning of this and a lot of the story focuses on the turmoil of Scotland at the time. Morrigan's father was killed in a raid where rebels were thought to be meeting. The authors center the misdeeds of the English on the character Sir Rupert Burney to help draw a clear picture of what was happening at the time. Sir Rupert appears in all three books and works as a spy master for the Home Office and abuses his power by blackmailing and orchestrating entrapments.

Her feelings for Aidan Grant were beginning to confuse her. She wanted some distance from him, but at the same time she enjoyed having him near. She was attracted and yet still afraid. Not afraid. Cautious.

Our hero comes into the picture as he is chasing down a man he thinks has worked for the Home Office and Sir Rupert and can give testimony against them, therefore saving his current clients from the noose. The man, Robert Sparrow, ends up being Morrigan's uncle and the source of a childhood trauma, he raped her when she was twelve years old. After a scuffle in an alleyway, Aidan and Morrigan meet and Aidan is intrigued by this woman who gave him a black eye. When Sparrow is moved to the castle Morrigan is staying at, he's dying of cancer, she is forced to confront her past.

The political climate and historical setting is done very well, you're going to have to enjoy stories leaning heavier on the historical part of historical romance. I loved the character of Aidan and how calm, strong, and easy he was with Morrigan. Unfortunately, we don't get a lot of him and the political threads did steal away from their romance; they just didn't spend enough time together for me. Aidan was constantly on the move trying to build his case for his clients and Morrigan was stretched thin herself. While Aidan was working to defeat Sir Rupert in the courts, Morrigan finds allies and turns a blackmail situation against her to her favor.

With one sweep of his hand, he cleared the desk. Books and papers crashed fluttered to the floor. He lifted her onto the edge.

The emotions between the two were felt, even though their time on page was too fleeting and left me wanting more. Morrigan's struggle with facing her past was dealt well in that it wasn't the center point of her character, it shaped her but didn't define her and I wish such villains were done more in this way. Her thoughts and feelings regarding not wanting to burden her family with knowledge of her pain and not be a detriment to Aidan's budding political career provided some deep emotional moments. There was a lot being said in this series, governments utilizing the law and courts in underhanded ways was the main message in this one, and I appreciated the historical details and weaving of real people, places, and events. This had an exceptional hero who I wish had more time to shine with the heroine as their relationship was sweet and flaring at times. If looking for a historical series that will give you plenty to go off and learn about on your own, Royal Highland does that, along with compelling and loving heroes and heroines.