When Declan Sinclair wins Caya Pendarvis in a wager with her brother, he knows he’s met the woman of his dreams. There’s just one problem: she’s been promised to another to pay off her brother’s debts. It seems her nasty brother isn’t above gambling away his sister. Twice. But Declan’s not giving up the beauty. He’ll have to convince her he’s worth more to her than just settling a debt. Time to … to run through his rusty, and albeit limited, flirting skills, because it’s time to win his lady’s heart.
Caya has no time for Declan and his ridiculous claims she’s “the one.” She has to settle her brother’s gambling debts, even if that means marrying a terrible man. Being a woman means not having a choice in the matter, doesn’t this big oaf get that? But the more time she spends with him, the more she wants to tell her brother to go to hell and follow her heart. But she’s met the man her brother is indebted too, and one thing’s for sure: he’s not going to let her go without a fight.
Each book in The Highlanders of Balforss series is STANDALONE:
* Tying the Scot
* Betting the Scot
* Forgetting the Scot
* Saving the Scot
more
Great read
I really enjoyed this book, Declan Sinclair is one of the sweetest heroes I have read in a really long time – I just loved him! Caya was a good heroine, but I really questioned her intelligence on more than one occasion.
Declan has dreams that predict future events, so when he had a dream of a woman in a field of daisies, he knew she was the woman he would marry. He has been preparing to meet her for the last three years. He has started a distillery so he can support her, built a house for them to live in and has kept himself for her. When in Wick to pick up a tub for his then unknown wives boudoir – he sees her and instantly knows that she is his. He wonders how he will be able to meet her and her brother, Jack solves that problem. He joins Declan and his cousins after Caya retires for the night – Jack figures the Scots are easy pickings and proposes a game of cards – he loses everything and in desperation, he wagers Caya hand in marriage and loses to Declan.
Caya is in Wick with her brother to marry, her brother was deep in debt and arranged a match for her with a wealthy ship captain. Mr. O’Malley will pay off Jack’s debts in exchange for marriage to Caya. She is not happy, but she can’t bear to see Jack thrown in debtors prison, so she agrees. Caya has always taken care of Jack and cleaned up his messes, so this act is nothing new to her and he has promised that he is done with gambling. So she is surprised the next morning to be woken by Jack and told they have to leave the inn. When the go outside, she learns the awful truth, her brother lost her in a card game. Hurt and angry, she leave with Declan – he gave her the choice, he will marry her or if she wants, she can stay with her brother. She chooses Declan.
They travel to Balforss, where Declan’s uncle is Laird. Laird John refuses to let them marry or even court, until he feels enough time has passed. Declan is not happy, but he abides by his uncles wishes. The Sinclairs take Caya in and for the first time in many years, she feels loved, safe and part of a family. She wants to marry Declan, but will not go against Laird John’s decree. She is still smarting over her brother’s betrayal and needs time to heal. She settles in to life at Balforss and it seems like Declan and she are on a fast track to HEA – but what fun would that be?
The book is well written, but there are some glaring historical errors, which are needed to make the plot work, but were just really, really annoying to me. The story moves right along and has more than one twist, really vile villains, jealousy, misunderstandings, pirates, whiskey, accusations of witchcraft, cameos with Alex, Magnus & Lucy, more than one laugh out loud scene, a couple of warmish love scenes, kidnapping, heartbreak and a bit of betrayal before Declan can claim Caya as his own.
This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, I actually liked this book better than the first book and I am really looking forward to Magnus’ story!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher*
I love Jennifer’s writing. Her books are the perfect mix of romantic and sexy with clever banter between the hero and heroine holding it all together like a beautifully tied bow.
Fun read
I absolutely loved it loved it loved definitely recommend it to anyone
Excellent read. Exciting and compelling
Easy reading book! Loved the characters and the storyline, looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Great quick read with a happy ending but not for all characters.
Well written and very entertaining; an enjoyable journey into the past.
The Highlands of Scotland, 1817 Can a man really see his future bride in a dream? He can if he is Declan Sinclair whose dreams always come true and his clansmen know it. Declan has been dreaming of a lass that will be his bride for three years but the dreams have started to come closer together. Sitting in a tavern with his cousins he looks over and sees Caya Pendarvis, the girl of his dreams down to her yellow hair!! What Declan does not know is that she is with her brother Jack ,who has already sold her off to a merchant to pay his gambling debts and they are waiting to meet her betrothed the next day. Caya and Declan lock eyes several times and there seems to be a spark. As Caya goes up to her room for bed, Declan walks over to Jack and introduces himself. Well one thing leads to another and a card game ensues with the prize being beautiful Caya! How could Jack lose the game when Caya is already promised to another! Of course Declan wins! When Caya finds out what happened, Declan gives her a choice of waiting to marry her merchant or go with Declan to his home. She does pick him but Declan intends to woo her so she will want to be his wife. I loved this story with the adventure and the braw hero who is really a little shy but has a wonderful smile with a twinkle in his eye. Can Declan win Caya who only wants to be loved for herself and feel worth something? Jennifer Trethewey again tells a wonderful story of two people who were meant to be. I mean it is not everyday a man dreams about his future wife and that dream comes true!!
Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey is book Two in The Highlanders of Balforss series. This is the story of Declan Sinclair and Caya Pendarvis. I have read the previous book but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Caya brother is a gambler and drinks a lot and not all that caring to his sister is seems. Caya has settled into the understanding that her brother will be marring her off so that he can settle his debts. But then he gambles her away to Declan. Declan has the ability to see things in his dreams and he has always seen the women he is to marry. When he sees Caya he knows she is the women he been waiting for. Declan does give Caya the choice to choose to go with him and she does.
Caya and Declan does have some misunderstanding along the way. Declan doesn’t really know how to court a women but he is the sweetest hero there is!
Loved having this book and reading their story.
Declan Sinclair has had a dream , and can’t wait for it to come true. When he finally sees the woman of his dreams he thinks everything has to work out the way he wants. Nothing in life is ever that easy.
Caya Pendarvis has agreed to marriage to a man she has never met just to save her brother from a debtors prison. He has promised to stop drinking and gambling. Unfortunately a leopard can’t change his spots.
This story is jam packed with adventure, tears and laughter. Our hero is a brave and organised man but so very innocent in his outlook. Because he knows something should happen he thinks he doesn’t need to do anything to make it so. He gets very frustrated when others get in the way.
Our heroine has been betrayed by her brother, but still makes excuses for the boy he once was.
This is part of a series, but each book can be read on it’s own. I look forward to reading the next one which I think might be Magnus’ story.
Great fun and great characters.
Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams & his future wife. Though her brother, Jack had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game and the prize is the lovely Caya.
Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts.
I enjoyed the book it was a slow burner & it took some time for the story to ‘get going’, the characters were well portrayed. I absolutely loved Declan. I liked Caya but at times wanted to shake her. The story flowed well but I found it a gentle read & found my attention wandering at times at the start of the book but it certainly came alive in the second half. There’s some twists along the way & of course Caya’s brother Jack causes some problems. I loved Peter & would like to see him all grown up & then there’s Magnus who sees himself after so many years of hiding behind his beard. This is the second book in the series & could well be read by itself, I look forward to reading more from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I really enjoyed this book, Declan Sinclair is one of the sweetest heroes I have read in a really long time – I just loved him! Caya was a good heroine, but I really questioned her intelligence on more than one occasion.
Declan has dreams that predict future events, so when he had a dream of a woman in a field of daisies, he knew she was the woman he would marry. He has been preparing to meet her for the last three years. He has started a distillery so he can support her, built a house for them to live in and has kept himself for her. When in Wick to pick up a tub for his then unknown wives boudoir – he sees her and instantly knows that she is his. He wonders how he will be able to meet her and her brother, Jack solves that problem. He joins Declan and his cousins after Caya retires for the night – Jack figures the Scots are easy pickings and proposes a game of cards – he loses everything and in desperation, he wagers Caya hand in marriage and loses to Declan.
Caya is in Wick with her brother to marry, her brother was deep in debt and arranged a match for her with a wealthy ship captain. Mr. O’Malley will pay off Jack’s debts in exchange for marriage to Caya. She is not happy, but she can’t bear to see Jack thrown in debtors prison, so she agrees. Caya has always taken care of Jack and cleaned up his messes, so this act is nothing new to her and he has promised that he is done with gambling. So she is surprised the next morning to be woken by Jack and told they have to leave the inn. When the go outside, she learns the awful truth, her brother lost her in a card game. Hurt and angry, she leave with Declan – he gave her the choice, he will marry her or if she wants, she can stay with her brother. She chooses Declan.
They travel to Balforss, where Declan’s uncle is Laird. Laird John refuses to let them marry or even court, until he feels enough time has passed. Declan is not happy, but he abides by his uncles wishes. The Sinclairs take Caya in and for the first time in many years, she feels loved, safe and part of a family. She wants to marry Declan, but will not go against Laird John’s decree. She is still smarting over her brother’s betrayal and needs time to heal. She settles in to life at Balforss and it seems like Declan and she are on a fast track to HEA – but what fun would that be?
The book is well written, but there are some glaring historical errors, which are needed to make the plot work, but were just really, really annoying to me. The story moves right along and has more than one twist, really vile villains, jealousy, misunderstandings, pirates, whiskey, accusations of witchcraft, cameos with Alex, Magnus & Lucy, more than one laugh out loud scene, a couple of warmish love scenes, kidnapping, heartbreak and a bit of betrayal before Declan can claim Caya as his own.
This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a stand alone title with no problems, I actually liked this book better than the first book and I am really looking forward to Magnus’ story!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher*
I don’t read a lot of romance. I used to but I just got away from it… but recently I stumbled across this series on Audible and ended up bingeing it. I really love series that include a group of men or women – in this case a group of sexy alpha Highlander cousins!
Each book follows the romance of a different cousin and they are all different and interesting in their own way. The author is a wonderful writing with her dialogue and descriptions… I’m ready to head to Scotland by the way.
If you love romance and Scotland and alpha heroes and fiesta. heroines you’ll probably love this series. 🙂
Note: as with most historical romances, there are some naughty bits.
Couldn’t finish it !
Caya was so unthinking when it can to her brother. She was always thinking of him as a small child. Declan had dreams of truth and he governed his life by them.