I Loved A Rogue by Katharine Ashe

Katharine Ashe has written a  heartfelt conclusion to the Prince Catcher series.  I Loved A Rogue features the characters of Eleanor Caulfield and  Taliesin Wolfe. This is the story that I have waited to read. I am happy to report that Eleanor and Taliesin's story is fabulous!

The story centers on the Caulfield sisters, Eleanor, Arabella and Ravenna who were found by a fisherman after a shipwreck. The sisters were sent to a workhouse until they were adopted by Vicar Martin Caulfield. They believe in a gypsy fortune which states that one of the sisters must marry a Prince if they are to learn their parent's names. Arabella and Ravenna are married leaving Eleanor to solve the mystery. The sisters are reunited with their childhood friend Taliesin Wolfe at Martin Caulfield's wedding. Taliesin agrees to accompany Eleanor on her journey.

I love a well written, emotional, well -paced second chance at romance novel. Katharine Ashe's lyrical prose draws you into Eleanor and Taliesin's story. Their love story is complicated , emotional and rewarding. Throughout the novel, the couple misunderstands each other's actions and motives. Their love for each other is strong but they have to overcome past events, solve the Prince Catchers riddle and recognize and trust their true feelings for each other. 

She had waited for years for Taliesin to return to her. She could acknowledge this now. In her heart, she had known he would come if she truly needed him.

The characters in this novel are beautifully written. Both the primary and secondary characters contributed to the storyline and add to the suspense aspect of the novel. I loved reading the interactions between the Caulfield sisters: Arabella , Ravenna and Eleanor.  Katharine Ashe crafts great sisters in this series. Each sister and their story is unique. The bond between the sisters is very strong and is at the heart of each novel.  I enjoyed learning more about Vicar Caulfield, meeting Robin Prince, his sisters and Taliesin's friend, Evan Saint.

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Ms. Ashe weaves several historical elements into the storyline. These elements give authenticity to the story and add to it's suspense.  Talieson named his horse Tristan and Ellie's mare was Iseult. I  loved the references to the medieval Princess and the Knight who loved her which appear through the novel. Throughout  the novel the reader is aware of the difference between the social classes and the prejudice towards the lower class and gypsies. This theme is important as Taliesin must make an important decision which effects his relationship with Eleanor. I enjoyed how this piece of the storyline played out and how each of the main and secondary characters reacted to the situation.

I Loved A Rogue is a beautifully written story which will take the reader on an emotional and satisfying journey. I was swept away into the character's adventure and read the book in three sittings I enjoyed every word written by Katharine Ashe. The resolution of the book was very satisfying and rewarding. I was so involved in the story that the ending made me cry--tears of happiness. 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

*Quote card used with permission from Katharine Ashe and made by Sharlene Martin Moore of Graphics by Sharlene

Movie Review - Old Fashioned

Movie Review

Old Fashioned

Release 12 February 2015

1 hour 55 minutes running time

I went expecting a truly old fashioned love story.

It is just a little different. These two people have pasts.

Not in a flattering way.

They are working thru their own issues.

Together and separately.
His wonderful Aunt Zella helps the both of them. 

They live in a typical small town. They have the

typical variety of friends. The story is such a real one.

We all have to learn lessons from our pasts.

These two learned lessons to make their lives

better. Its an uplifting movie you will feel in your heart.

I was surprised at the story. Pleasantly so.

The tagline for the movie is,

Chivalry makes a comeback.

Clay & Amber challenge each other to find ways to

flirt, date and be romantic with slightly uncommon

boundaries. It's okay to say no. It's acceptable to draw

a line for yourself. And stick with it.  

I would say this is a movie for teenagers.

Boys and girls. For parents and teens together.

And certainly for date night.

My husband and I really enjoyed it. I expected to. But it

turned out to be very different from what I expected.
My husband did not expect to, so he was happily surprised.

Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it.

Right is right, even if no one is doing it. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams---by Karen Ranney

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams

Karen Ranney

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams is a fabulous second chance romance novel. The author touches upon social and political issues in this story of passion, forgiveness and intrigue which takes place in Glasgow, Scotland in the 1860's.

The effects of the American Civil War reach across the Atlantic impacting the two main families of the novel. Lennox Cameron heads Cameron and Company, a successful boat building enterprise. Lennox's best friend and neighbor, Duncan MacIain owns MacIain Mills. Because of the Union blockade, there is a short supply of cotton, resulting in the near closing of the mill. It is rumored that Lennox's new ship, the steel-hulled Raven is being sold to the Confederate Army. The Raven is fast enough to run the Union blockade. As the ship nears completion, security at the ship yard increases because several unexplained accidents and fires have occurred. Can Lennox's Raven run the blockade and return to Scotland with cotton to keep his friend's business out of bankruptcy?

Glynis MacIain has returned home to Scotland after the death of her husband, British diplomat Richard Smythe. She attends a party honoring her neighbor William Cameron where she sees Lennox Cameron, William's son. Glynis left Scotland six years ago after a misunderstanding with Lennox.. Within a month, she met and married her husband. Seeing Lennox effects Glynis deeply. She regrets her impulsive decision to leave Scotland and wonders if Lennox still has feelings for her. There are unresolved feelings between the couple and the attraction between them sizzles off the pages.

Lennox Cameron resembled a prince and a devastating Highlander and he'd been the hero of most of her childhood dreams. No longer, however. Too much had happened in the intervening years

Karen Ranney has created a complex heroine and an honorable hero in this story. Lennox comments to Duncan that Glynis has changed. He mentions that she seems different and he is determined to find out why she is not herself. After spending several years as a diplomat's wife, Glynis has learned to mask her emotions, paint a smile on her face and side -step the truth. I loved seeing how this passionate pair interacted in the story. The author does a fabulous job telling what happened to Glynis during her marriage. The reader learns how and why Glynis' experiences shaped her personality and her choices. Lennox observes Glynis speaking to American Matthew Bauman and wonders how Glynis knows him? And how well does she know the man who many believe is a Union spy?

  

Each of the secondary characters in the book play an important part in the story. I loved Gavin Whittaker and his English wife Lucy. The couple planned to set sail on the Raven to bring goods to the Confederates and return with cotton for the mill. Lucy hated everything about Scotland, including her amorous husband! Matthew Bauman provides the reader with insight about the political scene in Washington ,D.C. as well as the background of Glynis and Richard Smythe. Richard is an excellent villain. His death occurred before Glynis returned home to Scotland. But, his presence is felt during the story as memories of him and his actions haunt Glynis.

The last few chapters of In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams were fabulous . The two well-written parallel storylines added to the suspense and romance. Glynis and Lennox's passionate love story captivated me. I wanted to figure out who was behind the mischief at the boatyard and who was behind the espionage. There were several surprising plot twists in the final few pages of the novel. I  LOVED the ending!

I am looking forward to the next book in the series! 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman This review was published on January 24, 2015 on freshficton.com. You can read the review here.