Highland Scandal by Julia London

 

I can’t help but pick up a novel by Julia London when I’m in the mood for a lot of Scottish kilt and gown mixing.

Jack Haines, Earl of Lambourne, is on the run from a false accusation amongst the London nobility.

Lizzie Beale remains unwed and waiting for her knight in the highlands.

When Lizzie’s uncle captures Jack, Jack thinks he’s done for, and so does Lizzie.  Her uncle forces Jack and Lizzie into a hand-fasting for a year.  In other words, a pretend marriage for her uncles benefit. 

From this decree, a pot-pouri of trouble begins…Lizzie challenges Jack’s “rights” as a husband, Mr. Gordon arrives to take Lizzie away, and the most challenging situation is a secret.

The uncle has a reason for uniting his niece and a strange man.

Lizzie and jack quarrel, butt heads, and argue as they try to uncover her uncle’s devious endeavors.

Lizzie and Jack really get to know each other during this long and arduous time.  It’s tantalizing to follow their relationship and to watch the blunders and accidental camaraderie.  

 

Happy reading,

Dawn

Highlander in Disguise by Julia London

 I wasn’t sure reading a story about a highlander IN DISGUISE would come forth with the picture I have in mind of this hunky, beefy badass type I’m used to, but alas London made me want Grif Lockhart all the same.  Oh yeah, and I did root for Anna Addison, a witty and upstanding woman who knows how to stand tall for her rights.

Grif disguised his name and his powerful machine of a body into a party boy of London for a virtuous reason, which is very manly in itself.  I won’t tell you his reasoning as I’d like to keep you wondering.

Grif does need the help of a young maiden whom he makes a deal with, and she’s quite the deal maker.  After considerable deliberation over the barter, Grif agrees to “teach” Anna how to seduce a man well enough to get her choice interested in marriage.  If Anna is able to do this, she will reveal her secret, which will send Grif home with the conquest of his mission. 

It’s quite obscene to teach a woman flirtatious means when you (as in Grif) decide that the absolutely enticing drills should only be practiced and used on yourself.

Julia London simmers the usual role of a highlander amongst the parties, yet she knows when to show the true colors of the highlander-cunning, sexy, and powerful can never be mistaken in any costume.  Anna is more than just a party girl looking for a man.  She’ll only take him if he takes her as is. 

I just hope Grif realizes Anna will show hers if he shows his-real personalities, of course!

I canna for the life of me see how ye might pass on this scandalously romantic story.

Happy Reading, Dawn 

 

Review: THE BOOK OF SCANDAL by Julia London

What can wreck an already unstable relationship?  Rumors.

In the 1800’s, London abounds with rumors.  Nathan Grey’s estate is threatened by The Book of Scandal.  The book had been arranged by the Princess of Wales with intentions to name treasonous people to the king.  This included Evelyn, Nathan’s estranged wife.

Nathan and Evelyn had a young and arranged marriage.  The birth of a son had been grand news until the baby’s early death tore them apart.  The Earl and Lady had been so distraught and sunk into their own grieving that neither understood the other. 

Beautiful Lady Evelyn Lindsey left her husband for the finer things in London.  Unbeknownst to her, she is a subject in The Book of Scandal.  The fight for the throne can bring out the worst in possible heirs, and Evelyn’s life is threatened.  

Nathan knows he has to bring her back to their home, whether she likes it or not.

After Nathan abducts her and forces her home, imagine how surprised they both are when love invades their stubbornness.  Yet to admit they both made mistakes in the past provides for a tremendous hurdle.

Multiple love conflicts still present in today’s relationships prove a trial for their true love.  Julia London has such a gift of mingling historical facts with the so-real created characters that you may think you’re an audience to the Earl and Lady’s heated reunion.    

Enjoy!

Dawn

Review: The Year of Living Scandalously by Julia London

Scandals are no easier hidden in the nineteenth century as they are today.  Julia London takes us to the nineteenth century English countryside where Keira Hannigan poses as her cousin to temporarily run Ashwood Estates.  

Fortunately for Keira, the slowness of historical communications gives her an opportunity to fix the crumbling estate.  The threats to her identity trickle in and make her uneasy and hopeful of her cousin’s quick return.

The first threat came in the form of Declan O’Connor, a dashing Earl from her past.  He knows who Kiera really is, yet she convinces him to give her time and not reveal her deceit. 

The more Declan agrees to cover Kiera’s activities, the more he has to fight off his attraction, as does she.  And they aren’t very good at keeping their hands to themselves.

As the business of the estate is corrected, more people are involved and the mystery of the missing jewels is reopened.  Many begin to question Keira’s validity.  Declan is now tied to the lies and his heart won’t allow him to recede. 

The free spirits of both leave them to wonder if they can ever continue the fragile and untimely relationship they’ve accidentally broached when they attempt an escape. 

Julia London builds a scandalous path for Kiera and Declan to follow.  The passion in their hearts and minds lead them to an exciting finish.  I immediately purchased four more of London’s novels after I regretfully read the last page.    

Dawn