Highland Temptation

Series: Highland Pride #3<br />Publication Date: 6/25/18<br /><br />I was looking forward to a really good read when I started this book – well – it was MORE! It was a wonderful read. The characters were compelling, the story was interesting and action-packed – and – well – there were Highlanders. I believe this is only the third book by this author, but you’d never know it. I’ve read some seasoned authors with many, many books under their belt whose stories don’t flow as seamlessly as these do. You feel as if you are right there in the midst of the turmoil between the Royalists and the Covenanters. The suspense is thick in the air and danger is everywhere. You can feel it, smell it and taste it.<br /><br />Kirstie Cameron has lived away from her beloved home, Kentillie, for three years now. Not because she wanted to, but because she couldn’t live with the pain of staying. Three years ago, at age seventeen, she finally found the courage to tell the man she loved with all of her heart that she loved him. She hoped he returned her love because she wanted a future with him. She loved him – she’d always loved him and she always would. Then, he ripped out her heart and stepped on it. He told her that they could never be because he saw her as a sister. A SISTER! So, Kirstie has spent the last three years living with her best friend, Blair MacNab at the MacNab stronghold.<br /><br />Alan MacKenzie has never considered himself a MacKenzie because that clan shunned his family, became Covenanters, and abandoned his mother to be murdered by his father. No, he was a Cameron in heart and soul. The Cameron’s had taken him in when his mother was murdered and his father fled when Alan was only eleven. The Cameron’s loved him, nurtured him and treated him as one of their own. He’d never shame or betray them. So, what was he to do when the love of his life, the woman he wasn’t good enough for, declared her love for him? He couldn’t tell her that he loved her in return because he might have his father’s madness. So, he told her that she was like a sister to him and that was all it would ever be. Then, she went away to live somewhere else and he never knew why. [*smiles* Well, maybe he wasn’t the sharpest tack in the pack]<br /><br />This is the third book in the series, so we know all about the plots of the Covenanters against the Royalists. This plot is a diabolical one – get rid of all of the existing Royalist lairds and convert their clans by force, marriage or whatever other means they had. The Camerons are aware of the plot to kill them and the other Lairds at an upcoming meeting of the clans, so they have come up with a plan to foil the plot and get rid of the Covenanters – or as many of them as they can. They’ll have Alan reclaim his MacKenzie name and pretend to have broken with the Camerons by converting to Presbyterian. He’ll infiltrate the Covenanters and relay all of the plans to the Camerons.<br /><br />Kirstie has also gotten wind of the plot to murder her brothers and she plans to uncover the plot and stop it. So, she attends the Clan meeting with the MacNabs and begins her flirtation with all of the Covenanters, hoping to learn their secrets. <br /><br />Imagine the shock when Alan and Kirstie see each other – and Alan is a Covenanter. Kirstie can’t believe that – there is something off about that but she doesn’t have time to worry about that. She’s busy trying to uncover the plot, search bedrooms at the castle and fight off the amorous advances of all of the Covenanter men.<br /><br />It is exciting to see Kirstie and Alan dancing around each other – trying to fight their attraction and still work, separately, of course, to foil the plot. Alan finds it hard to concentrate on what he has to do because he’s always protecting Kirstie from some mishap or another.<br /><br />One thing I did question though – at one point, Kirstie is in a bit of a bother. She needs to escape the bonds on her arms – tied above her elbows I think. She has to wriggle around and do some contortions in order to get to her dagger strapped to her thigh. A resourceful girl, right? Well – there was a very long, sharp sword laying on the floor near where she stood. She could have used that much easier than trying to get to the dagger and then get it positioned to cut the twine. Just a thought.<br /><br />The only bad thing about the book is that it ended and now I have to wait for the next one! I wonder who will be next. Maybe Finlay and Blair will get their own book – maybe it will be Kirstie’s brother Malcolm. I can hardly wait to find out! I hope you’ll read and enjoy this wonderful book as much as I did! <br /><br />Please check out my reviews at:<br />Blog: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://flippinpages.blog/">https://flippinpages.blog/</a><br />Facebook Page: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/flippinpagesweb.wordpress/">https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...</a><br />Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev">https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev</a><br />Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview">https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview</a><br /><br />"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."<br />

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️<br />???<br />This is an awesome book . <br />What can I say about the main characters .<br />Alan is Scrumptious, he’s brave , thoughtful , loving and devoted.<br />Kirstie is strong , feisty, stubborn and in love for years with Alan .<br />Together the one thing that means more to them than each other is family and the Clan .<br />As relationships and emotions are stretched to breaking point is it possible these two will get to the end of the book unscathed .<br />Lori has written another hit , I wish I could give more than five stars it definitely deserves it . <br />A fantastic book that hooks you at page one and keeps you dangling right to the end . <br />I received an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review

By Lori Ann Bailey <br />( Highland Pride #3)<br /><br />Alan Mackenzie can't believe it when his Laird's sister takes on a crazy mission that will get her close to every male in a rival clan, in the hopes of uncovering who's behind the plot to kill her brothers as she has heard whispered in the stables one night. Hemay not be good enough for Kristie, but he'll be damned if anyone else touches her. He's undercover as well, and one false move could betray them both.<br /><br />Krisite Cameron's brothers are in danger, and if she has to flirt with the enemy to save them, she will.<br />But her plans are hindered when the annoyingly handsome Alan Mackenzie refuses to leave her alone. Every time she turns around he's there. He broke her heart years ago, and now he's working with the other side. She'll never forgive him if he foils her plans. But Lord in heaven she cannot deny the attraction between them.<br /><br />He can't seem to stay away and neither can she. Could this temptation get them killed?<br />Wow what can I say about this book Alan is to die for and Kristine is brave and loyal.<br /><br />Lori Ann Bailey has written another amazing book that will grab you hook line and sincker. This is one talented lady and she knows exactly what we readers want. If I could give you more then 5 stars I would.

Covenanters and Royalists 3.5*<br />A meeting is about to happen in Edinburgh and at it’s heart is the matter of religion. This story is a hotbed of intrigue and treachery, plus a heroine whose loyalty to her religion and clan leads her into danger. Kirstie overhears a plot to murder her brothers but neither knows the details nor the identity of the plotters and so rather than inform her kin of the danger, she decides to snoop and cosy up to the enemy in order to gain information. Luckily for all concerned, her brothers had already got wind of the plot and had inserted a spy (one Alan Mackenzie/Cameron) into the mix. This was an easy read but I must admit I did want to shake Kirstie towards the end as her common sense was sadly lacking. <br />I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall, this book had an intriguing plot, and I wanted to see Alan and Kirstie get a second chance at happiness together. Kirstie was so young, insecure, and naive when they first met and separated. I think she benefited from the time apart to grow up physically and emotionally. She may have felt alone after departing but realistically she was surrounded by people who cared about her, and they gave her a sense of purpose. <br /><br />This couple’s inner longing and self denial based on knucklehead notions deeply rooted in the past did have me cheering them on from the get on. I found it sweet how others around them could clearly see what they could not. Meaning, they were destined for one another.<br /><br />At times, however, I started to feel the conspiracy plot was unfolding at a snail’s pace and the back and forth hand wringing somewhat exhausting. Even as a lover of relationship angst, I found myself growing impatient to see events put into motion so this couple could concentrate on their future together, especially after mid-way into when they finally caved into temptation and were intimate. For some time, you kept waiting for the proverbial other foot to fall due to all the talk and fear about what was sure to happen. Pulling and then pushing each other away several times added to the conflict. <br /><br />Perhaps it’s just because my avid romantic at heart doesn’t like to see lecherous, potentially dangerous other men pawing at and vying for the attention of the leading lady, who has to pretend to be interested, while the hero has to stand by and watch it occur right under his nose that started to get to me. The fact Kirstie at one point seems to have given up on Alan enough she starts thinking about finding a suitable husband rankled my feathers, too.<br /><br />Kirstie not protecting Blair, her best friend who has always had her back, from a man that she suspected wasn’t what he appeared did not sit well with me. Sure, the first time Kirstie couldn’t have stopped what happened. But, the second time I expected her to have done whatever it took to keep that monster’s claws off her bestie. Her sisterhood card took a big hit with me for not thinking quick on her feet and coming up with a better excuse to keep Blair with her. I’m not sure I will read Blair’s full story if it is written in the future. It was troubling to know another sweet, good guy friend of the family is in love with Blair and knows what happened.<br /><br />So I’m a little confused on how to rate this book, folks. The synopsis sums up the storyline well. You pretty much get what is promised. There are a couple scenes where the heroine is roughed up, one in which is a disturbing, attempted rape occurs. Alan actually does end up more than once coming to Kirstie’s rescue in one way or another. At times when the odds were definitely against him. He does have the strength of character and muscle to be her alpha protector when needed. It just took awhile for this big lug to realize he needed to rescue her heart, as well, and that he alone determines his own future, not someone else’s past transgressions. <br /><br />Romance Safety Gang: <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="8f495217-d987-4c31-99ee-366e13691bc1" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="8f495217-d987-4c31-99ee-366e13691bc1"> Hero rejected her years earlier because he felt he wouldn’t be a good husband due to his family’s history of drinking/anger management. She up and left. Btw, she was obviously very young as her body had not filled out yet. It is implied he was celibate the whole time. She remained a virgin. Two other men, who are family enemies, both want Kirstie so she pretends to be interested so she can gather info. She does not have sex with them. Lots of relationship angst. </label><br /><br />Title: Highland Temptation, Series: Highland Pride (Book 3), Author: Lori Ann Bailey, Pages: 289, stand-alone but part of series, second chance, very steamy scenes, relationship angst, OM want her, flirts to get close to enemy, attempted rape scene, heroine is kidnapped, gets slapped around/kicked a couple of times, virgin heroine, slow to come to his senses.<br /><br />Book 1 - Highland Deception<br />Book 2 - Highland Redemption<br />Book 3 - Highland Temptation<br /><br />(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)<br />

I have to sigh as I turn the last page of another amazing story by Lori Ann Bailey. Coming back to reality from 1643 Scotland is a definite shock to my system. Yes, I felt like I was there with the wonderful prose and descriptions by the author. It is a story of many facets with a struggle for domination between the Royalists and the Covenanters. Kirstie Cameron of Kentillie has lived away from home for three years with her friend Blair MacNab, with the MacNab clan. You see, she had her heart crushed by Alan MacKenzie, whom she had practically grown up with, when she told him of her love and he did not return those feelings. So when meetings are arranged at McNab between the two factions, Kirstie's brothers and Alan came to participate. <br />Alan really considered himself a Cameron because their clan had become Covenanters and his parents were gone. He was taken in and raised by the Camerons, who are Royalist and he owed all his loyalty to them. He tried to think of Kirstie as a sister, but sometimes feelings have a way of overpowering the mind. Now thrown back together in a very tense situation, can they come together and declare the love they have for each other?<br />This story has so many parts. Secrets, plots to murder and people not always being as they appear. The tension and emotions between Kirstie and Alan flew off the pages and kept me hoping for the best. Such a great story that adds another chapter to the Highland Pride series and only leaves you wanting more!!!

A wonderful story from beginning to end. I could not put it down. Lori Ann Bailey I a great storyteller. I really enjoyed the journey to HEA.

Highland Temptation (Highland Pride #3) by Lori Ann Bailey ...Only 5 stars..are you kidding.. this book kept me on pins and needles... Another great one thanks #NetGalley and Lori... Alan(Mackenzie) Cameron is my latest BBF...he has loved Kirstie forever and is afraid his family faults make him unworthy.. Kirstie Cameron ( Laird Cameron only sister) who has always loved Alan and leaves home when she thinks he rejects her. The Coventanter's are plotting and The Cameron'd and the Royalists have to stop then. The intrigue, danger, heart ache, laughter, tears and steamy love all lead to a HEA for Alan and Kirstie...but I know that there has to be mere coming...

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book. <br /><br />Alan had broken Kirstie’s heart years ago and they finally see each other again. They’re both on a mission and on opposite sides of a conflict. They��re both in a very dangerous situation. This doesn’t stop Alan from taking risks to protect her or from Kirstie reaching out to him. The story has a lot of action and there’s plenty of conflict. I loved the historical setting of this story and the interleaving of the politics of the time. <br /><br />This book can be read as a standalone even though it’s part of a series.

I am reviewing this book as an ARC without compensation.<br /><br />Kirstie and Alan make for a fiery couple. The story is filled with political and religious intrigue. Clans are fighting to make dynastic growth the old fashioned way through marriage alliances. Highland stories are never boring and this one certainly is not. It shows great promise for what will happen next perhaps to Finlay and Blair.