Susan's Review of The Highlanders Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen

Just because they've run away...

Ines Neves and Emmeline Wellesley have both run away. Ines hid in a carriage from a tedious suitor, only to find, too late, the carriage had traveled out of London, not just around the block. To make matters worse, the carriage is that of a stranger: a handsome Highlander. Or perhaps a big, strapping Highlander makes matters better? Emmeline Wellesley has had four Seasons and cannot tolerate another. To force her mother to listen to her, she's run away. But things haven't gone well. She's been locked in a closet, had all her money stolen, and somehow adopted a dog. When an old family friend shows up to save her, she doesn't exactly welcome his help.

Doesn't mean they don't want to be found...

Duncan Murray doesn't know what to make of the Portuguese-speaking woman in his carriage. She refuses to return to London, so he takes her to meet Nash Pope, a so-called friend who speaks Portuguese. On the way, he meets up with former soldier Stratford Fortescue and Stratford's opinionated distant cousin, Miss Wellesley. The four travel together to Nash's estate, and that's when everything goes really wrong. On the run to Scotland, Duncan finds himself increasingly attracted to Ines, even though he knows he can never marry her. Stratford has always wanted Emmeline, but his family secret means he doesn't deserve her. This excellent adventure might bring the couples together, but only if they manage to elude gun shots, a murderous brother-in-law, a vicious dog, and outlaws!

Passion! Excitement! Danger!

These three words describe the feel of Shana Galen’s The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure.

I loved Ines, Duncan, Emmeline and Stratford and enjoyed that the novel was told from each character’s point of view. This was an excellent storyline choice because it enabled to reader to understand each character’s perspective and emotions.

Ines Neves desires passion, excitement and danger—and she knows she will not find it with the men her sister and brother- in -law have selected for her. Ines wants to choose her husband and make her own decisions. She has a secret crush on Duncan Murray who exudes passion, excitement and danger! Ines hides in a carriage to avoid a suitor and imagine her surprise when she wakes up in Duncan’s coach!

Emmeline is tired of London and dreads another season. She decides to run away to a relative’s house and Stratford is determined to find her. Their adventure begins Stratford finds her locked in a closet! Loved that Emmeline and Stratford harbored feelings for each other for years. Both were insecure—in different ways-and I loved their journey it really tugged at my heartstrings.

Shana Galen’s fast paced writing style and captivating characters drew me into the story immediately. This adventure is filled with humor, romance and the chemistry between each of the couples sizzles. Loved there were so many twists and turns – I was immersed in the story and had the sense that danger was lurking around each corner.

I recommend The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure – it’s an enjoyable novel filled with romance, danger and emotion. 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by author

Book purchased through Amazon

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Booklist says, "Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion," and RT Bookreviews calls her "a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making!