Once Upon a Highland Christmas (Scandalous Scots, #0.5) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Title: Once Upon a Highland Christmas

Classification: Adult Fiction

Genre: Historical Romance

File Size: 1049 KB
Print Length: 149 pages
Publisher: Forever Yours (December 3, 2013)
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
ASIN: B00C102SZM
Author's Website: http://welfonder.com/
Notes: Received an eARC loan from the publisher

Once upon a time a clan renowned for its generosity and festive Yule celebrations lost its Christmas spirit. The once thriving MacNabs fell upon hard times as illness and hardship took hold. The biggest blow, however, was when the castle fell to Ralla the Victorious who took the lives of many before the castle was regained. Grief and sorrow cloaked the devastated clan and Archibald, the aging MacNab chieftain declared there would be no celebration and not a single sprig of holly could be found.

Breena and Grim are making it there mission to bring some much needed holiday cheer to the castle and attempt to heal a little of what was lost within.

A charming introduction to a new series called the Scandalous Scots by Sue-Ellen Welfonder. This novella sets the scene for what looks to be a marvelous new series. As I read the prologue, I smiled because although there was a lot of information to take in, it was done in the fashion which reflected stories of old, which made me feel that the 'Once Upon a Time' fairy tale type title was entirely appropriate though the phrase itself was never used within the text.

Breena O'Doherty is a fun character who has secretly admired Grim since she was rescued from her captors. Originally from Ireland, she doesn't think she's good enough for him because she's not of noble birth and is a former slave. In a raid on her village in Ireland, she was kidnapped while her entire family was killed. Taken in by the Scottish clan who rescued her, she's seen both Grim's fierce and savage warrior side and his gentler, more tenderhearted side that makes sure the older hounds within the clan are fed. The combination draws her to him.

Grim Mackintosh is a warrior who knows he doesn't have the prettiest of faces. That guy on the cover, yeah, that's not Grim--he's a large, fierce man whose beard has rings interwoven made from the steel of the swords of the warriors who've fallen to him in battle. He knows he tends to intimidate most woman and can't imagine a small, petite, spirited lass like Breena could return his feelings.

Overall, I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. A sweet read that left me with a contented grin on my face. I enjoyed, for once, seeing a couple fall for each other complicated only by their personal fears. There was twist at the end which could have changed everything, but ended up enhancing the magic of the story. I loved the contrast within Grim--the way he could be fierce in battle but have a kind and gentle disposition off the battlefield. Additionally, I admired how Breena was still willing to give love a chance after all that happened to her. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, I gave this one a FAN rating--the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice.

Seduction of a Highland Warrior (Highland Warriors, #3) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

• Title: Seduction of a Highland Warrior (The Highland Warriors)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Historical Romance
• Format: Paperback; 432 pages
• Publisher: Forever (January 29, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0446561797
• ISBN-13: 978-0446561792
• Author's Website: http://welfonder.com/

King Robert III ordered a trial by combat/battle to the death, to decide which three clans would reside in the land now held by the Mackintosh, Cameron, and MacDonald clans. After the combat, the King declared a truce between the remaining clans, and, if not upheld, the clan(s) causing trouble would be severely punished and banished to Hebridean Isle. A fate none wanted. 

That was the day three young woman decided to take matters into their own hands to ensure the peace endured. Lady Catriona, Lady Isobel, and Lady Marjory were each from different clans, and they made a pact to marry into another. It was their hope that by intermarrying, they could tie the clans together by blood, thereby, uniting them. Each woman picked a potential husband. Isobel had picked Kendrew Mackintosh to be her husband and had successfully won him. Likewise Lady Cationa had sought out and won the affections of James Cameron. Only Lady Marjory has yet to win her suit for Alsdair MacDonald.

Just before the trial by combat, Lady Isobel's brother, James, went to the Makers of Dreams hoping to find out the outcome of the battle before it took place. Instead, he been given a prophecy, "Peace will be had when innocents pay the price of blood and gold covers the glen."

Now it's Magory's turn to try to win her man, but could a prophecy yet unfulfilled signify that a union between her and Alsdair is ill fated and could break the delicate balance of peace which exists amongst the clans? Is she destined for her own happily ever after? 

This is the third book of the Highland Warriors trilogy. If you haven't read the first two books of the series, I recommend that you do. It would let you have a better understanding of the characters and events involved in this book. I personally feel you'd enjoy this book more by reading the two previous books in the series.

This books starts off with Alsdair having been away from the Glen of Many Legends for a year with no word. He thought he could quell his feelings for Marjory, but once he sees her again he realizes he was wrong. He and her brother are sworn enemies. To attempt a relationship with her could end very badly for all involved. It could invoke a war and bring about the King's wrath.

Marjory isn't positive of Alsdair's feelings for her. Anyone who see the two within eyesight of one another, however, would have no doubts about who either of them favors. That includes Majory's brother who is determined to prevent a union between the two from ever happening. With encouragement from her sister-in-law, Marjory attempts to seduce Alsdair and win her man. Before she gets very far, however, she has a dream that is so life like that when she awakens she can still smell the smoke. She worries it might be a warning about her future. For Majory has in her possession an amber necklace laced with gemstones that, according to legend, could aid the owner aid in times of trouble. Gifted to her by her sister-in-law, the necklace was once part of a collection which had been handed down through the generations by the MacDonald clan. It's said the amber gemstones had been a gift from Manannan Mac Lir, the mighty god of sea and wind. If the dream proves true, then her life may be in jeopardy. Before the dream could play out in it's entirety, she awoke. Could it be a sign her fate was not set in stone?


Overall, I gave this one a 4 out of 5 roses. I absolutely adore all the legends and lore Ms. Welfonder created for this series. I enjoyed how Alsdair attempts to try to do the right thing and leave Marjory alone, but she won't let him. I giggled at the advice Isobel was giving Marjory on how to go about seducing Alsdair. This was a very fun read. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of Series:

Early Review of Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors, #2) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

• Title: Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors 2)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
  
• Genre: Historical Romance
  
• Format: Paperback, 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (July 26, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0446561770
• ISBN-13: 978-0446561778 
• Notes: This one contains some violence and gore. 

In fall, King Robert III ordered a trial by combat/battle to the death, to decide which three clans would reside in the land now held by the Mackintosh, Cameron, and MacDonald clans. After the combat, the King declared a truce between the remaining clans, and, if not upheld, the clan(s) causing trouble would be severely punished and banished to Hebridean isle. A fate none wanted.

That was the day three young woman decided to take matters into their own hands to ensure the peace endured. Lady Catriona, Lady Isobel, and Lady Marjory were each from different clans, and they made a pact to marry into another. It was their hope that by intermarrying, they could tie the clans together by blood, thereby, uniting them. Each woman picked a potential husband. Isobel had picked Kendrew Mackintosh to be her husband, but for months he wouldn't even acknowledge her. That was about to change. She was determined to catch his eye at the Midsummer's Eve festival, a pagan type of festival held in honor of Odin, a Norse God.

Set in the backdrop of a land of legends, where the ghosts of dragons and dragon masters still roam, this story was magical. I love the fact that Ms. Welfonder created such a fantastical place. It had a bit of the feel of  'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to it because of the assistance of the Gods. I truly enjoyed watching Kendrew denying his attraction to Isobel. I enjoyed the interaction between the two, and  I loved how Isobel handled things with Kendrew. The heat between the two was sizzling, and the ring scene made me laugh. I also liked the story of Daire and Rodan, and how the tale was slowly revealed. This one did get a bit gory at the end, but I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses.      

Order series should be read:




1. Sins of a Highland Devil
2. Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel