The Highland Dragon's Lady by Isabel Cooper (Review)

                                       





The Highland Dragon's Lady by Isabel Cooper is part of the ‘Highland Dragons’ series and is a paranormal historical romance that features Regina (Reggie) Talbot-Jones, a remarkable young woman who is pretty self-possessed but not quite sure about her parents’ goal to rid their relatively new property of the ghost who does not want to leave.  The group that has been gathered includes a friend of her brother, named Colin MacAlasdair, who is startled when she immediately identifies his other nature.  Colin is fascinated both by the forthright young lady and the prospect of dealing with the ghost...until he discovers that both may be more than he anticipated or is able to deal with.





It’s unusual to read a historical romance that includes a shapeshifter, and this particular story was peopled by fascinating characters who interact in a rather unusual environment, a haunted house.  I love the insouciance displayed by the heroine, who has learned to go through life on her own terms, even if some of it is bravado.  The interactions between two very unusual individuals during an era of industrial change provide an entertaining tale that has both chilling aspects and lighthearted moments as a mystery is gradually solved.  I loved the contrast between the formalities of a house party and the irreverence of a woman who has no qualms about using a tree for access and the story provides a gradual escalation of tension which leads to a wonderfully exciting climax.  I would have liked a little more development of the secondary characters and there are a few dangling threads that I would like to have cleared up, but perhaps that will be taken care of in subsequent stories in the series.  I was able to read this story as a stand-alone but I am curious about the rest of Colin’s family (and love that Scottish accent of his) and want to read about them as well.  A fun and entertaining visit to historical England.



A copy of this title was provided to me for an honest review which has been submitted to Night Owl Reviews

Destiny Finds Her by Miranda Lynn (Book blast, excerpt and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Destiny Finds Her
by Miranda Lynn

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BLURB:

Jami Morgan travels through time to fulfill a destiny set in motion hundreds of years in the past. Devlin O’Rourke’s life is turned upside down from the moment he sets eyes on Jami. Will Jami be able to accept her heritage, melt Devlin’s heart, and harness her powers in time?

Destiny sends Jami spiraling through time to find the love of a Highland warrior, and the magical secret inside her own heart.


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EXCERPT


I took a seat on the stones and pulled my knees up to my chest, resting my chin and just taking it all in. Moss crept up the stones on the bank, giving way to a lush carpet of grass and wildflowers. Again, I smelled heather, but couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from. Heather couldn't survive in this climate, even next to this little brook. It must be the combination of all the wildflowers' scents mixed together.

My eyelids became heavy. This seemed odd as I’d rested well last night and hadn't been up that long. I sat there, feeling a bit hazy and sleepy, and noticed a small creature venturing up, maybe to drink from the brook? It wasn't a squirrel. The tail wasn't long enough. Maybe a chipmunk, though the markings on the fur weren’t right. This wasn't anything I’d seen before.

I watched it, trying to decide what animal family it could be from, when it looked up at me. It stared right into my eyes. I gawked, my eyes widening when I realized this little creature’s eyes weren't the little black dots I would expect, but a misty gray seeming to swirl as if a fog was contained within them. This little creature winked, and then scampered away.

I shook my head. My imagination was running away with itself again. I attempted to move, but my body had other plans. Instead of finding myself standing, I’d actually lain down. My eyes got heavier the longer I rested. A small nap can’t hurt. I had no pressing work, and the call to Todd could wait. I closed my eyes and let the sun warm my face as I drifted off to sleep.

"Jami," a voice whispered

Startled, I sat up and shaded my eyes.

"Jami, dear."

I scanned the trees, trying to locate the owner of the voice.

"Down here, dearie."

Peeking down, I found that the little creature who had scampered away, was in fact at my feet, gazing at me. I drew my feet up quickly.

"I’m dreaming." I scanned the area again. "Who's there? This isn't funny."

"Yes, dear, ye are dreaming and please quit thinking of me as a creature. I have a name, and it’s Roma."

I stared at this little creature with its round black eyes and fluffy, multi-hued brown fur. I rubbed my eyes. Sure enough, she was still there. "But, how?"

"It's a dream, dearie. Anything can happen in dreams"

"Who or what are you?"

"As I said, my name is Roma, and all ye need to know is I am here to help you. To give ye a bit of advice"

"What kind of advice?" Heck if this was a dream, I may as well play along. It could make for a great story if I remembered it when I woke up.

"Keep an open mind and an open heart. Yer fate is going to show itself to ye soon." Roma skittered away into the trees.


Amazon link




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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Mother to two boys, 3 four-legged babies, and wife to a loving husband who doesn't mind the extra voices in her head. Miranda grew up on a dairy farm in Illinois, but calls Portland, TN home now. She is an avid reader, coffee addict, and loves her day job working at the local public library. Though her true passion is in creating her own worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.




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