Highland Deception
By Lori Ann Bailey Book Review by Miranda Fraser ISBN: 978-1-68281-280-8 To start with, I always try and give the readers some information about the book or author before I get going. In this case, I would really like to point out that Lori Ann Bailey is a newly published author. In fact, this is her first, of hopefully many, novels to be published! And with that being said I'd like to personally send a congratulations out to her. Now, in this review I would really like to address negative ‘reviews’ and concerns I’d seen voiced in regards to this novel as well as give you some information on this story and the characters within. As I said, I saw a few negative comments and ‘reviews’, which I hardly consider them reviews since many of them were from people who said point blank they didn’t even read the novel! YOU CANNOT REVIEW SOMETHING YOU HAVE NOT PUT ANY EFFORT INTO. It is not fair to the costumers or the person whose career you are attacking. So, for anyone who may have read other small reviews of this novel before reading mine, I want to address the biggest issue I saw which was people who said, "I love this genre. But I hate this, and this, and basically anything that's typical in these novels". First of all, that doesn't really make sense. You can’t love the genre, but hate things that are in almost every novel and practically an unwritten-law to the plot lines. You can say you’re tired of the same old, same old, and that’s fair. But then what happens is some people become so set in the thought that they already know how a novel's going to play out, and essentially cut off their nose to spite their face by not finding out for themselves. So, to address these negative 'romance novel cliches' YES, spoiler alert, Maggie, the heroine, is indeed a virgin. I know, how dare the author think that in the 1600's a Duke's daughter would remain chaste? [Obvious sarcasm there] BUT what you naysayers didn't take the time to find out, before you wrote this novel off, is Bailey actually took a deliciously sinful, joyful even, twist on the 'virgin' cliche. Maggie isn't slowly worn down over the course of a long book, persuaded to give in to Lachlan (the hunky hero), she makes the decision early on to basically give-as-good-as-you-get. In fact Lachlan had hardly even made a move, minus one glorious kiss, of course, when she came to that decision. And honestly, why not experience something so sinfully wonderful that women can go mad over it, and men are ever seeking it... at least before you swear off it for life? Because that is Maggie's very plan. To avoid an arranged marriage to a monster she runs away to become a nun and live out her days in peace. So while yes, there are some classic cliches that make the genre what it is, there are authors like Lori who take wonderful twists and revive it all together. She did a wonderful job with this story and I found her unique twists on the clichés absolutely exhilarating! Please, always take the time to find out for yourselves if a book is good or not. Reviewers, like myself, are supposed to be honest and informative, but we cannot be your sole decision. That's no better than judging a book by its cover, right? Furthermore, I did take a bit of time to get into the story. Now, let me explain, it is nothing against Lori’s writing style. I simply find that I take a few pages to grow accustomed to an author’s particular writing style. So while the first couple of pages went slowly for me, I soon realized that I was now 40 pages in and completely hooked! I mean, let me tell you, I cannot think of another romance novel where the characters get physical as quickly as they did in this! And no... not the way you think. See, Maggie makes a clever escape disguised as a boy, and if you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, you're bound to get brought into a fight where men with swords are concerned. This is how Maggie finds herself in the care of Lachlan Cameron, the chief of this clan. And see by this point in the novel I’m hooked. I want to know what’s going to happen next and there are already so many little mysteries being laid out for the reader to unravel! It’s also why the second time I picked up this book I read from page 33 all the way to the last page in one sitting!! And now that I am done trying to right some other ‘reviewer’s' wrongs let’s talk about these characters! I’ve already mentioned Maggie, a Duke’s daughter, promised to a man she calls a monster. She is educated, opinionated, skilled in herbs and healing, as well as can wield a mean bow! Turns out having brothers can be good for something, huh? Then there is Lachlan the chief of Clan Cameron, who undesirably ends up with runway Maggie after he, sort of, accidentally, hurt her. Unsure who she really is or why she is hiding something from him, he holds onto her whilst he tries to uncover her secrets. Could she be a spy sent to hurt his political plans or his clan? And worse than all that the last thing he needed was a raven haired beauty trying to tempt him when he had a clan to run, a traitor to bring to light to the Clan leaders, and a heart he dared never give to another woman after the deepest of betrayals befell him. Though, he’d be damned if he could get her off his mind. Determined to think nothing more of her than a mystery wrapped in curves he decides it wouldn’t be the end of the world to give in to her temptations and have a tryst with the bonny woman before him. But when her true identity comes out, will he be as calm as he first thought he’d be? Could he give more than just his body to this woman? And even if he does, will the will-be-nun accept it? And what of the traitor bringing harm to the Highlands, will the other clans stand by him, and can he keep innocent witnesses safe from the traitors evil clutches? It all happens so quickly you’ll certainly find yourself flipping through pages as quickly as I did. In conclusion, Lori Ann Bailey REALLY DID debut a fabulous novel. That, I notice, is listed as ‘book one’ so there is more to come! She snagged my attention with little mysterious, sinful new takes on old clichés, and a writing style that surely rivals all the reasons I love Hannah Howell. Maggie is a spitfire of a strong heroine! She truly has a spirit made of flames and a can-do-it-all attitude that is so wonderful to see! Not to mention sassy/witty couples who draw an unexpected laugh from the reader as you can just picture an over-protective boyfriend and a pouting strong willed woman arguing beneath a tree. I cannot wait to read the sequel, and hope that some of the ‘unanswered’ mysteries are unraveled as the next novel plays out! Go order a copy and find out what I'm talking about! And as always links to the author's goodreads, facebook, and website will be in buttons below.
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Romance Novels
The big secret of many woman... and men! But why hide it? These stories are full of so much more than raunchy sex scenes and I for one LOVE them! Archives
May 2018
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