His Convenient Highland Wedding

Terrific start to the new series. I was hooked from the beginning and read the book in one sitting. It opened with a young Flora, frustrated by her father’s attitude toward her, dealing with her frustration by exploring an area of her home that was expressly forbidden. She paid for that disobedience with the horrifying discovery of a skeleton hidden in the tower and was unable to talk about it for fear of the repercussions. Two things she brought away from the experience was a silver brooch found on the skeleton’s clothing, and the need to find out more about it. There was a touch of the eerie in the emotions that Flora felt upon the discovery of the skeleton and again when contemplating the brooch.

Fast forward seven years. Flora was on the way to her wedding to a man she had never met, her father’s attempt to repair the family fortunes. After the scandal she caused the previous year when she publicly refused to marry a duke, Flora was given no choice in this marriage. The guilt she felt overpowered her objections, and she desperately hoped that going through with the wedding would repair her relationship with her family.

Waiting for her at the altar was Lachlan O’Neill. Born in poverty, with tragedy and secrets in his past, Lachlan was now a very wealthy man. He had plans for his new whisky distillery and felt that marriage to the daughter of an earl would open doors to the upper echelons of society. Stunned by Flora’s beauty and delicacy, he was suddenly filled with self-doubt.

The path to a happy future was not an easy one for Flora and Lachlan. While there was no doubt about the sparks of attraction that flew between them, both Flora and Lachlan suffered from crippling bouts of insecurity. Lachlan often felt like a bumbling, uncultured oaf around her, which caused him to withdraw into himself and hide behind his business. This caused Flora to believe that she was lacking in any number of ways, which fed her feelings of worthlessness. I ached for them on their wedding night, as what could have been the beginning of true intimacy was made awkward by the horrible advice Flora received from her mother and Lachlan’s feelings of inadequacy. Away from the strictures of her father, Flora slowly began to assert herself. I loved seeing her face up to Lachlan and let him know what she needed. Afraid of doing the wrong things, Lachlan erred on the side of caution. I enjoyed his surprise and relief when Flora showed interest in his work.

Their first foray into society after their marriage did not go well. Flora’s past transgressions were neither forgiven nor forgotten. Her inability to hold up her part of the bargain with Lachlan devastated her. I loved Lachlan’s understanding and support when she confessed to the problem. This also gave Flora hope for the future of their marriage. The sparks of attraction continued to grow, but it seemed that every time they made progress, something would interrupt them. I ached for Flora as, time after time, Lachlan would leave her hurt and frustrated. I wanted to shake Lachlan for not telling her the truth behind those interruptions. An unexpected visit and some timely advice gave Flora the confidence to make some changes. I loved seeing Flora come into her own as her confidence grew. The dinner with her aunt and uncle was a prime example of what was possible with confidence and thinking outside the box. I especially enjoyed Flora’s dedication to Lachlan’s plans, and determination to be an asset. I enjoyed Lachlan’s hint of jealousy, then his astonishment and approval of Flora’s initiative.

I was so frustrated with Lachlan’s refusal to come clean with Flora about his past. His constant retreats added to Flora’s unhappiness and fears until she finally stood up for herself and what she wanted from her marriage. That strength and confidence and persistence finally broke through Lachlan’s walls. His confessions of all that he’d been through were heartbreaking and emotional, as was his fear of Flora’s reaction. Her compassion and understanding were not what he expected, and I loved seeing the difference it made. He wasn’t completely clear of his demons, however, and family-induced stubbornness nearly derailed his progress. Flora also made progress with her own family, her newfound strength giving her the confidence to face them all. The scene with her father was awesome. I loved the surprise she arranged for Lachlan for Hogmanay, and the follow-on epilogue was excellent.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the look at the lifestyles of the period. Instead of just seeing the upper classes, a lot of time was spent on the social problems of the day. I especially liked how Lachlan’s experiences influenced his actions as a business owner. Flora had been quite sheltered and the things she learned after her marriage were eye-opening. The change from typical earl’s daughter to a supporter of social justice was a moving one. I liked the support and encouragement she received from both Lachlan and her aunt at the dinner in Glasgow.

The story of the silver brooch and skeleton that Flora found was an intriguing one. The brooch itself was important to Flora and she wore it often. It was interesting that it looked familiar to the Duchess of Lochmore, though she couldn’t recall why. It was quite spooky to see Flora’s reaction when she stumbled into one of the crypts at the Lochmore chapel. I am anxious to read the rest of the books in the series to get the rest of the story. This one is done a little differently. Instead of moving forward in time, this series will trace the Lochmore and McCrieff families into the past, going from the current Victorian age to the Regency, then the Tudor, and finally to the Medieval period.

Oh, my goodness me!! This is ridiculously good. No, good isn’t the right word to describe just how brilliant this book is; definitely more along the lines of sensational. I shouldn’t be surprised seeing who the author is, Ms Preston is a favourite author of mine, I knew that I would be in for a great story, but this is really something special, and I can honestly say that this is my favourite of all of Ms Preston’s work, it really is astonishing how good this is.

I love it when author’s go out of their comfort zone and try a new era, and I think that Ms Preston has out done her self here. I was literally blown away with the excellence of this book, I cannot praise Janice Preston enough. This has ‘Best Selling’ and ‘Made to be a Movie’ written all over it.

Janice Preston, what have you done to me? How can I possibly love another hero now? Lachlan has now ruined me for all other heroes, I will never be the same again.

So His Convenient Highland Wedding is the start of a whole new series; The Lochmore Legacy which is so refreshingly new and unique in it’s own right. The Lochmore Legacy is written by four amazing historical romance authors; Janice Preston, Lara Temple, Elisabeth Hobbes and Nicole Locke and it will span across four separate era’s, it will start in the Victorian and go back through Regency, Tudor and finally end in Medieval where all the secrets will be revealed. The connection between the books will be linked with the setting (The Castle) and the feuding families, This is such an original idea, it’s imaginative and adventurous and not something we usually come across in romance and I can’t wait to see where this series is going to go, judging by this first instalment The Lochmore Legacy is going to be something special; one of those once in a life times things.

But, that is all for the future I really much stop babbling and focus on the here and now.

This is in all essence a ‘Marriage of Convenience’ but I see it as much, much more than that. It is a finding love in the most unexpected places entwined with a stonking great mysterious undercurrent that runs throughout the book and believe me, I was gripped!

Businessman Lachlan McNeill – oh, be still my beating heart! – is trying to get his newly founded Whisky brewery up and running, he is confident that his new blend will become a great whiskey. There is just one thing standing in his way, and that is who is. He is a self-made man, new money as some call him and not an aristocrat – can you see why I am so much in love with this guy? He is a man who has a troubled and dark past – one of which he is deeply ashamed of and one which he knows if society ever found out about his business would probably fail. He hides his past and plans to get himself a patron, an up standing man of society who will be able to help, but to get that he needs a wife with some clout. Which is why he marries Lady Flora.

Flora McCrieff is basically sold to the highest bidder, that’s how I saw the way her family treated her. After bringing scandal to her house and with her family in dire need of money, Flora is married off to Lachlan. A man she never even set eyes upon until the day of her wedding, she is saddened that her family would do such a thing and depressed that she has been shunned from society and now she feeling a mixture of fear and trepidation at what kind of man her husband is. But, really she has nothing to fear from Lachlan, yes he maybe broody and secretive but he is a good man, a man who hasn’t had the best of starts in life, a man who so deserves some good luck.

Once they are at Lachlans home of; Lochmore Castle this is where our couple really learn about each other, they grow as a couple and as individuals and their confidence for one and other grows. It is utterly breath-taking watching Lachlan and Flora go on their journey of discovery, and realising that; yes they do deserve love and that the person right in-front of them is just person who completes them. I love that!

My goodness, did I mention how much I have fallen head over heels in love with Lachaln? This is how a hero should be written, this is my kind of hero! He really is perfect, hardworking working class man, who has literally dragged himself up from a terrible beginning. Self made, blunt, brooding, sensitive, gorgeous inside and out, proud. I love how he is so focused on trying to make life better for the poor and under privileged, he is a fair man and wants to do his best for his workers and if I knew only that about him I would be enthralled by him. How a man treats his workers says so much about that mans true character and this man is wonderful. Did I mention he was perfect and handsome?

This is really stunning! Mesmerizing, atmospheric, rich in emotion and mystery and so beautifully written. It is a beautiful love story with a mysterious undercurrent that makes you look up and think; ooh, I wonder what is happening here? Or Where will this story lead? It keeps you completely gripped throughout and on the last page you weep that’s it’s over and want to re-read it straight away and then you are on tenter hooks desperate for the next book in the series.

I can’t praise this enough, I am literally lost for words at just how captivating this is. Janice Preston has written the perfect historical romance, one that I cannot recommend enough.

Stunningly perfect!

This is book 1 of the Lochmore Legacy and I’m hooked already!! What a splendid job Janice Preston did with this start of the series. So many emotions went through me while I was reading, my heart really went out to Flora and Lachlan!

Lady Flora McCrieff is forced to marry a stranger (she meets Lachlan at the altar!) because her family needs money and after a year of being ostracized by her family for creating a scandal by refusing to marry a lecherous duke, her father has had enough and forces this marriage on her.

Lachlan McNeill, a business man, feels he needs a wife with a title so that he can be part of the ton and have rich men do business with him and his whiskey distillery. Unfortunately, he didn’t know that Flora was not welcome and was being ignored by the ton.

Lachlan has some secrets that he’s keeping from Flora and many misunderstandings occur between them, leaving Flora hurt and exasperated that she can’t seem to get through to him. All she’s ever wanted was to be loved and have a family….Lachlan feels he’s no good for her because he comes from a very poor childhood and has been to prison. A lot of heartache happens until Flora decides to fight back!!

Then there is the mystery of the brooch that Flora finds in a tower in her childhood home….

I received a free copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Lady Flora McCrieff’s life had not been easy because of her tyrannical father, the Earl of Aberwyld. After she refused a duke’s marriage proposal a year before, Flora’s relationship with her father deteriorated further. Flora didn’t know how precarious the family finances were when she was told she had to marry a wealthy businessman, Lachlan McNeill. Lachlan wants to grow his whisky business, and to do so, he needs a well-connected wife, and Lady Flora is just that. As long as she asks no questions about his past…

Oh my goodness, what an emotional read this is! I think I experienced every moment of Flora’s loneliness, her sadness, and her discouragement at her predicament. Lachlan is a decent man, but he is just not present. he doesn’t know how to act with her, what to say. He feels undeserving of such a lovely woman; he doesn’t want to scare her away, so he avoids her, leaving her even more distraught. Janice Preston has created a remarkable gothic atmosphere, suited to Flora’s every state of mind. Her attempts to get closer to her husband are in vain; he is always occupied, and he has secret business to attend to. Flora tries and tries, but nothing seems to work. From disillusioned, she grows angry, resentful, until an opportunity presents itself, and hopes she might have glimpsed the light at the end of the tunnel.

Ms. Preston’s extensive research paints a vivid and realistic portrait of Victorian society, very Dickensian, highlighting the chasm between the classes; the generally appalling treatment of labourers and women; the growing poverty affecting the common people. And all this is essential to the romance in HIS CONVENIENT HIGHLAND WEDDING, because it is what eventually brings Flora and Lachlan closer. I also loved the inclusion of a legendary composer because of the stunning historical accuracy of the fact, and because he is one of my favourite artists. It’s easy to understand why Lachlan wants to conceal his past; it is a huge secret, but I had no doubt that Flora would accept it with grace.

HIS CONVENIENT HIGHLAND WEDDING is supremely compelling, intense, powerful, and slightly unsettling because of how well every feeling is conveyed. This richly textured novel offers not only a wonderful romance – and a hard-earned happily ever after – but also a world so convincing and well drawn, that Ms. Preston could build a whole series based on her extraordinary characters and their tribulations. Now, I can hardly wait to go back in time, and learn more about The Lochmore Legacy, and the brooch. What a fabulous start to what promises to be a very exciting series!