dumblydore's review
4.0
I am not one for Highland romances – mostly because the dialect/s just doesn't read well on print, but if they're read out loud by a Scots person I get along with them just fine!
rickijill's review
4.0
After Clockwork Princess, I needed a light, happy read. A friend recommended the Choc-Lit website, and Christina Courtenay in particular. I chose Highland Storm because I recognized the title as another friend read it recently. I was very pleasantly surprised although I didn't realize it was a sequel. It read like a standalone, and I enjoyed it very much.
I tend to be a literary snob, and I rarely read romances. This was not your typical romance. It was very plot-driven, and I would have enjoyed a bit more character development. But in all fairness, the hero might have been developed in book one.
Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross has been on a drunken binge for weeks. Brice had placed Elisabet on a pedestal. He loved the idea of her, but apparently he didn't really know her at all because while Brice was away in the far East on business, his younger brother Jamie seduces Elisabet and then marries her. Brice is devastated by both, so he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over Rosyth, the family estate.
Unfortunately for Brice, Rosyth is in terrible shape. The estate is bleeding money, and repairs haven't been made in years. Brice has only a few weeks to get feed in storage for the cattle before winter, but he needs the cooperation and trust of his clan before he can manage the task. Plus he needs to discover where the estate's money has gone.
Marsaili is the illegitimate daughter of the former laird. She works hard at being Rosyth's housekeeper: She doesn't want to take charity from Rosyth's kind, elderly mistress. Marsaili is beautiful and has unusual golden-red hair, but her looks are more of a hindrance to her because she's had to fight-off men since she was a young teen. So you can already see the set-up: A hurt hero who has serious trust issues and a beautiful woman who is leery of men. Marsaili has made it clear to everyone that she isn't interested in getting married, but she can't help the attraction she feels for the new laird.
But unfortunately Brice's investigation about his inheritance stirs-up more trouble than he bargained for: one enemy who wants Marsailie at all costs, and another who suspects all Scots are Jacobites and wants to persecute all he suspects of going against the crown. Again, the story is excellent, and the plot is fast-paced. The suspense kept me very interested, and I will definitely read more of Courtenay's books in the future.
I tend to be a literary snob, and I rarely read romances. This was not your typical romance. It was very plot-driven, and I would have enjoyed a bit more character development. But in all fairness, the hero might have been developed in book one.
Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross has been on a drunken binge for weeks. Brice had placed Elisabet on a pedestal. He loved the idea of her, but apparently he didn't really know her at all because while Brice was away in the far East on business, his younger brother Jamie seduces Elisabet and then marries her. Brice is devastated by both, so he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over Rosyth, the family estate.
Unfortunately for Brice, Rosyth is in terrible shape. The estate is bleeding money, and repairs haven't been made in years. Brice has only a few weeks to get feed in storage for the cattle before winter, but he needs the cooperation and trust of his clan before he can manage the task. Plus he needs to discover where the estate's money has gone.
Marsaili is the illegitimate daughter of the former laird. She works hard at being Rosyth's housekeeper: She doesn't want to take charity from Rosyth's kind, elderly mistress. Marsaili is beautiful and has unusual golden-red hair, but her looks are more of a hindrance to her because she's had to fight-off men since she was a young teen. So you can already see the set-up: A hurt hero who has serious trust issues and a beautiful woman who is leery of men. Marsaili has made it clear to everyone that she isn't interested in getting married, but she can't help the attraction she feels for the new laird.
But unfortunately Brice's investigation about his inheritance stirs-up more trouble than he bargained for: one enemy who wants Marsailie at all costs, and another who suspects all Scots are Jacobites and wants to persecute all he suspects of going against the crown. Again, the story is excellent, and the plot is fast-paced. The suspense kept me very interested, and I will definitely read more of Courtenay's books in the future.
susani90's review
3.0
[b:Highland Storms|11448421|Highland Storms (Kinross Saga, #2)|Christina Courtenay|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381127717s/11448421.jpg|16382263] by [a:Christina Courtenay|4112359|Christina Courtenay|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1366398488p2/4112359.jpg] is the second book in the Kinross Saga series. I have not yet read the first book, however, based on reading the second book you do not need to read the first book to continue.
This book is about Brice Kinross who is half Swedish and half Scottish, who went through a horrible betrayal by his brother and his childhood love. His father (Scottish) thought that it might be best for Brice to take up his heritage as the laird. In Scottland we also follow the story of a young housekeeper Marsaili Buchanan. As you can guess, there will be a love story between the two characters.
It was a nice story, nothing extraordinarily special but still entertaining.
3.25 stars
This book is about Brice Kinross who is half Swedish and half Scottish, who went through a horrible betrayal by his brother and his childhood love. His father (Scottish) thought that it might be best for Brice to take up his heritage as the laird. In Scottland we also follow the story of a young housekeeper Marsaili Buchanan. As you can guess, there will be a love story between the two characters.
It was a nice story, nothing extraordinarily special but still entertaining.
3.25 stars
katheastman's review
4.0
Having already read and enjoyed Christina Courtenay’s previous two novels, Trade Winds and The Scarlet Kimono, you’d think that I would have learned my lesson and left Highland Storms for a weekend when I had some uninterrupted reading time. But no, despite knowing that I find it incredibly hard to put one of her books down, I picked it up on a Tuesday evening and started to read. Although I did manage to put it down long enough to get some sleep on Wednesday night, my dreams were vivid, heather-coloured ones, full of dashing heroes running about brandishing dirks! And when I woke up on Wednesday morning and really should have been working, I reached for Christina’s book instead and spent the rest of the day in the Scottish Highlands.
One of the things I love about Christina’s writing is how quickly she draws you into the world of her books and Highland Storms is no exception. Rather than reading Brice Kinross’ story, I felt more as if I were taking the journey alongside him, as he leaves behind his family in Sweden for a new and uncertain future running the family estate in Scotland. I moved about the family home with him and felt as if I really knew it and could feel its stone beneath my hands. Christina’s descriptions are so good and work on all your senses. She’ll have you smelling the peat fires, the sweat of the horses and the hay in their stables; feeling the wind and water on your skin; and tasting the whisky warming your body after a night out on the hills. Your heart will positively pound as dirks are drawn, you’re taken captive and then later go on the run.
Highland Storms tells the story of Brice Kinross, the son of Killian and Jess from Trade Winds, and, coming from such impressive hero stock, Brice had a lot to live up to in order to convince in his own right. Happily, he’s different to his father but no less appealing, and I especially liked that Christina didn’t create a mini-me version of Killian but let Brice grow into his role on his own terms. I loved Marsaili’s character and how she is strong and capable while under attack, rather than simply being a damsel in need of a rescuer. Special mention also has to go to her wise and faithful protector, Liath, who was another of my favourite characters in the book.
I don’t want to give any more away about the storyline or the other characters involved but I can wholeheartedly recommend this as an engrossing read from an author who has become a firm favourite of mine.
One of the things I love about Christina’s writing is how quickly she draws you into the world of her books and Highland Storms is no exception. Rather than reading Brice Kinross’ story, I felt more as if I were taking the journey alongside him, as he leaves behind his family in Sweden for a new and uncertain future running the family estate in Scotland. I moved about the family home with him and felt as if I really knew it and could feel its stone beneath my hands. Christina’s descriptions are so good and work on all your senses. She’ll have you smelling the peat fires, the sweat of the horses and the hay in their stables; feeling the wind and water on your skin; and tasting the whisky warming your body after a night out on the hills. Your heart will positively pound as dirks are drawn, you’re taken captive and then later go on the run.
Highland Storms tells the story of Brice Kinross, the son of Killian and Jess from Trade Winds, and, coming from such impressive hero stock, Brice had a lot to live up to in order to convince in his own right. Happily, he’s different to his father but no less appealing, and I especially liked that Christina didn’t create a mini-me version of Killian but let Brice grow into his role on his own terms. I loved Marsaili’s character and how she is strong and capable while under attack, rather than simply being a damsel in need of a rescuer. Special mention also has to go to her wise and faithful protector, Liath, who was another of my favourite characters in the book.
I don’t want to give any more away about the storyline or the other characters involved but I can wholeheartedly recommend this as an engrossing read from an author who has become a firm favourite of mine.
blodeuedd's review
3.0
I had missed it when I started but soon realized it (yes I do not always pay attention), this is actually a sequel to Trade Winds that was released last years. But you do not need to read that book to read this one. This book is about Brice Kinross, the son of the main couple of Trade Winds.
Brice goes from Sweden to Scotland to take over as Laird. He is nice, a bit heartbroken, and looking for something. Our heroine, Marsaili, is trying her best to be good at her job, and not end up like her mother. Used and abused by men she could not say no to. The attraction is there when they meet, but it takes a while for them to realize it. Because nothing is never easy now is it.
The book is then about him taking over as Laird and dealing with that. Because the man who took care of the land embezzled the money, and Brice is trying to catch him in the act. The bad guy is such a gross creepy man who I just want to knee in the groin, well done on the bad guy. Seton, that bastard! He is going to make things hard for both of them.
The book has its share of danger, excitement, romance and the last 100 pages are truly the best in the book because the danger is always near. My heart is in my throat and I speed my way through them to see if there can be a happy ending for these too.
I would not call this historical romance, and neither fiction, it's a middle thing and it fits it well.
Conclusion:
I have read two books by her before and I must say that this one was my favorite because of those last pages, she sure kept it interesting and it sure was dark there for a while.
Brice goes from Sweden to Scotland to take over as Laird. He is nice, a bit heartbroken, and looking for something. Our heroine, Marsaili, is trying her best to be good at her job, and not end up like her mother. Used and abused by men she could not say no to. The attraction is there when they meet, but it takes a while for them to realize it. Because nothing is never easy now is it.
The book is then about him taking over as Laird and dealing with that. Because the man who took care of the land embezzled the money, and Brice is trying to catch him in the act. The bad guy is such a gross creepy man who I just want to knee in the groin, well done on the bad guy. Seton, that bastard! He is going to make things hard for both of them.
The book has its share of danger, excitement, romance and the last 100 pages are truly the best in the book because the danger is always near. My heart is in my throat and I speed my way through them to see if there can be a happy ending for these too.
I would not call this historical romance, and neither fiction, it's a middle thing and it fits it well.
Conclusion:
I have read two books by her before and I must say that this one was my favorite because of those last pages, she sure kept it interesting and it sure was dark there for a while.
More...