nerdette25's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
readwitray's review
3.0
I am probably one of Lynsays Sands biggest fans, but I was not a fan of this book.
I think when it comes to books with Scottish verbiage I need to listen to it because I have a hard time focusing on the story when I’m trying to make out what they are saying.
Other then that the storyline for both stories were good.
I think when it comes to books with Scottish verbiage I need to listen to it because I have a hard time focusing on the story when I’m trying to make out what they are saying.
Other then that the storyline for both stories were good.
jkirkl13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lizbeth12's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Sexy short stories by two paranormal authors in the same universe.
scarr77's review against another edition
3.0
The second half of this book is definitely the better written half (the book is two novellas sharing the same world and characters). However, both stories struggled from their shorter length. I think expanding both by a hundred pages or so would have added the needed depth. BUT that would have defeated the purpose of this book. So although it’s a bit uneven, overall I enjoyed the concept of two authors writing stories taking place in the same world with character connections. I also really like the world of this book. I am a highland ho soooo that’s not unexpected :)
dreamerfreak's review
4.0
Nightriders by Hannah Howell
★★★★
This story started out at a 3 star for me, but the more I read, the more the characters and unique mythology really grew on me. The almost overdone Scottish accent was a bit annoying, but I got pretty used to it.
Bridget is rescued by the MacNachton clan when her party is attacked by thieves and her guards murdered. The laird, Cathal MacNachton, having recently decided that for the good of the clan he needed to marry an Outsider, immediately fixates on her. He declares them engaged and leaves her no way to get out of it. Fortunately, she doesn't feel the need to try to hard anyway. Even though this is a short, the romance doesn't feel at all rushed.
The MacNachtons are obviously "other" right from the start, something closely approximating vampires, but different enough to be intriguing. No risen dead, here. The slow reveal of just what's so special about the Callan family, however, was just plain delightful, and one of the reasons I ended up raising the rating of this story. Well done!
The Highland Bride by Lynsay Sands
★★★★★
Connall MacAdie, Cathal's cousin, has also decided to marry an Outsider and thin the blood, but he can't rely on being able to rescue a likely lass. One person does come to mind when he starts to think hard on it though: Eva Caxton, an English girl he charmed briefly at court. He knows he brother is a greedy bastard, so he sends his men with an offer he can't refuse, money in exchange for a bride.
Eva is such a sweetie. I just wanted to cuddle her! She's hapless and a little naive and has never been loved and appreciated for who she is, yet she's determined to make the best of this marriage. After all, he paid for her, so surely she's worth something to him? The poor dear is clumsy and well-meaning and so sweet. I was just charmed through and through reading this romance.
I've always loved Lynsay Sands's trademark humor, and though it might have been toned down a notch in this story, it's certainly very present, and shines through in the most unexpected moments. And though Eva might be a bit of a klutz, she's also a heroine and a very fit match for a braw man like Connall. Loved this!
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
★★★★
This story started out at a 3 star for me, but the more I read, the more the characters and unique mythology really grew on me. The almost overdone Scottish accent was a bit annoying, but I got pretty used to it.
Bridget is rescued by the MacNachton clan when her party is attacked by thieves and her guards murdered. The laird, Cathal MacNachton, having recently decided that for the good of the clan he needed to marry an Outsider, immediately fixates on her. He declares them engaged and leaves her no way to get out of it. Fortunately, she doesn't feel the need to try to hard anyway. Even though this is a short, the romance doesn't feel at all rushed.
The MacNachtons are obviously "other" right from the start, something closely approximating vampires, but different enough to be intriguing. No risen dead, here. The slow reveal of just what's so special about the Callan family, however, was just plain delightful, and one of the reasons I ended up raising the rating of this story. Well done!
The Highland Bride by Lynsay Sands
★★★★★
Connall MacAdie, Cathal's cousin, has also decided to marry an Outsider and thin the blood, but he can't rely on being able to rescue a likely lass. One person does come to mind when he starts to think hard on it though: Eva Caxton, an English girl he charmed briefly at court. He knows he brother is a greedy bastard, so he sends his men with an offer he can't refuse, money in exchange for a bride.
Eva is such a sweetie. I just wanted to cuddle her! She's hapless and a little naive and has never been loved and appreciated for who she is, yet she's determined to make the best of this marriage. After all, he paid for her, so surely she's worth something to him? The poor dear is clumsy and well-meaning and so sweet. I was just charmed through and through reading this romance.
I've always loved Lynsay Sands's trademark humor, and though it might have been toned down a notch in this story, it's certainly very present, and shines through in the most unexpected moments. And though Eva might be a bit of a klutz, she's also a heroine and a very fit match for a braw man like Connall. Loved this!
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
izzy_happyfornow's review
1.0
Book club thoughts on this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pc_HeEslHY&list=PLEV2gVMzSaCciUekh83YPXr2M4jIsUNLt&index=1
amyiw's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, maybe a little north of 3 for both with Hannah Howell's being a better storyline and characters.
I would call this very standard fare old school, which at times can be really good but these are just passable good. A quick entertainment to be forgotten tomorrow, and for me that is quite possible. With the number of books I read, they really need to make an impression either really good or bad and this one just doesn't have that. Hannah Howell's has the "nightriders", who are night bound blood drinkers but not cursed or turned, dying out because of infertility, thought to be because of inbreeding but many, so when they come across a young high born lady of Scotland that has been set upon by ruffians, they save her and bring her back to the keep and their laird. He then decides that she must marry him because her reputation would be ruined after the time in the castle, at least that is what he tells her. She doesn't agree right away and there are forces that don't want to breed out of their pure blood lines. This danger becomes deadly by the end.
In Linsay Sands we have an agreed upon marriage of the other nightrider laird, who is inbred with the first family, with a young lady that is treated horribly by her brother. Her brother decides to shirk his responsibility to her in finding a good marriage with her dowry and instead sells her to the laird Connall. By the time she knows the truth about her new family, she is all in with the much better life and the man she has come to care for. When his life is threatened several times, she will do whatever she can, even if it is stumbling to a solution. This has a couple of laughs but it didn't make up for the many many trips and accidents our lady has. None were humorous and didn't add to her character or the story so was just annoying in the end. Oh well, most of Linsay's old HR usually have some better humor but the plot line is about the same. Without the humor this was just slightly entertaining.
So 3 for Sands' and 3.2 for Howell, both can do better and I've read better from both. I've had this on my shelf along with 4 more of this "series" of anthologies, and I'll probably read a couple more and see if they get better with time.
I would call this very standard fare old school, which at times can be really good but these are just passable good. A quick entertainment to be forgotten tomorrow, and for me that is quite possible. With the number of books I read, they really need to make an impression either really good or bad and this one just doesn't have that. Hannah Howell's has the "nightriders", who are night bound blood drinkers but not cursed or turned, dying out because of infertility, thought to be because of inbreeding but many, so when they come across a young high born lady of Scotland that has been set upon by ruffians, they save her and bring her back to the keep and their laird. He then decides that she must marry him because her reputation would be ruined after the time in the castle, at least that is what he tells her. She doesn't agree right away and there are forces that don't want to breed out of their pure blood lines. This danger becomes deadly by the end.
In Linsay Sands we have an agreed upon marriage of the other nightrider laird, who is inbred with the first family, with a young lady that is treated horribly by her brother. Her brother decides to shirk his responsibility to her in finding a good marriage with her dowry and instead sells her to the laird Connall. By the time she knows the truth about her new family, she is all in with the much better life and the man she has come to care for. When his life is threatened several times, she will do whatever she can, even if it is stumbling to a solution. This has a couple of laughs but it didn't make up for the many many trips and accidents our lady has. None were humorous and didn't add to her character or the story so was just annoying in the end. Oh well, most of Linsay's old HR usually have some better humor but the plot line is about the same. Without the humor this was just slightly entertaining.
So 3 for Sands' and 3.2 for Howell, both can do better and I've read better from both. I've had this on my shelf along with 4 more of this "series" of anthologies, and I'll probably read a couple more and see if they get better with time.
ajenkins979's review against another edition
3.0
first story in this book was ok, it took a while to get interested in, but I enjoyed it once it got going.
Second story. as much as I love Lynsay Sands, I did not enjoy this story. I was annoyed at the 2 main characters through most of the book. I just didn't connect
Second story. as much as I love Lynsay Sands, I did not enjoy this story. I was annoyed at the 2 main characters through most of the book. I just didn't connect