M

I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

ARC Book Review-Hero In The Highlands by Suzanne Enoch

by | Sep 22, 2016 | Book Reviews | 9 comments

ARC Book Review-Hero In The Highlands by Suzanne Enoch

I received this book for free from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

ARC Book Review-Hero In The Highlands by Suzanne EnochHero in the Highlands by Suzanne Enoch
Also in this series: My One True Highlander, A Devil in Scotland
Series: No Ordinary Hero, #1
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on October 4th 2016
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era, Scottish Highlands
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
ISBN: 1250095417
Goodreads
AmazonLibrary ThingLibrary Thing
three-stars

WILD AT HEART
Scotland, 1812: He’s ferocious and rugged to the bone, an English soldier more at home on the battlefield than in any Society drawing room. And when Major Gabriel Forrester learns that he’s inherited the massive Scottish Highlands title and estate of a distant relation, the last thing he wants to do is give up the intensity of the battlefield for the too-soft indulgences of noble life. But Gabriel Forrester does not shirk his responsibilities, and when he meets striking, raven-eyed lass Fiona Blackstock, his new circumstances abruptly become more intriguing.
Like any good Highlander, Fiona despises the English—and the new Duke of Lattimer is no exception. Firstly, he is far too attractive for Fiona’s peace of mind. Secondly, his right to “her” castle is a travesty, since it’s been clan Maxwell property for ages. As the two enter a heated battle of wills, an unexpected passion blazes into a love as fierce as the Highlands themselves. Is Fiona strong enough to resist her enemy’s advances—or is Gabriel actually her hero in disguise?

my-review-updatedSummary

Major Gabriel Forrester loves having a career in the military, fighting and protecting his men. He is in his element when he is in his uniform fighting for his country. But then he receives the worst type of news, that he has become the last living heir to a dukedom. and is now the Duke of Lattimer. He is frustrated with his new role and all the responsibities and people he is responsible for. But when he hears news that one of his properties in Scotland is in trouble, he heads up north to figure out the problems behind the steward who isn’t trustworthy and very vindictive of anything English. When he arrives he is confront by a young woman that is the reasons behind his problems with his property. Fiona Blackstock, hates anything English and the last thing she needs is some war hero of a Duke coming through and ruining all of her plans. Fiona hates Gabriel, but Gabriel is charming and is only intrigued by her fiery spirit. But there is a mystery to be solved of missing sheep and Gabriel with Fiona’s help, learns how to help those under his care and win the heart of the woman he desires most…

Plot and Story Line

I really have struggled with Enoch lately, I never know if I will like her books or not, and at first I was really liking this one. But the moment Gabriel and Fiona started bantering with each other, I started to go from liking this story to really getting frustrated with it quite a bit. Fiona was too angsty of a characters and seems to be very selfish at times. I felt that she went to far, but Gabriel was quite patient and understanding and he almost seemed like a saint at times because he rarely got angry with her even when she treats him so horribly at times. I really struggled with the romance that developed between these two. I felt quite bored with it most of the time. The only thing that really kept me interested was the plot, with the mystery of the missing sheep and I did like seeing how Gabriel wins these scots over though. He was a real sweetheart at times and I felt he deserved so much better than a heroine like Fiona. I will say that some of their sensual moments were quite enticing and very well done but I didn’t quite feel their chemistry like I wanted to. It happened in moments and bits and I really wished for more consistency in a romance and would have preferred not seeing so much angst in their relationship. I don’t mind angsty romances but they need to be done well. Another reason I really struggled with this one, is that it didn’t feel like a historical, it had a contemporary feel. It felt quite confusing at times, because there were inconsitensies that shouldn’t be found in a historical.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have quite a bit of love for this author, and her other highland romances I really enjoyed, but there was something that didn’t feel right about this story and it didn’t feel like Enoch’s style. I did like some other aspects of the story, and I didn’t hate it or dislike it; it just didn’t fit for a solid historical romance I know Enoch can write. But I can see how this story will appeal to certain readers.

The Cover

Simply gorgeous, I just love the red and a really sexy pose!!! The publishers did a great job with it.

Overall View

Hero In The Highlands is a story that if you are looking for an angst romance….than you should pick this one up. It has moments of sensuality and bantering that is appealing at times.

about-the-author-updated

About Suzanne Enoch

Suzanne was born in Southern California sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. In the way that some people are born knowing they want to be astronauts or cellists, Suzanne always knew she wanted to be a writer. Early dreams of becoming a zoologist and writing true stories about her adventures in Africa were crushed, however, after she viewed a television special about the world’s most poisonous snakes; she did NOT want to write about how she’d been bitten and lost a limb to a cobra. Thankfully at the same time the movie “Star Wars” premiered, and she realized that she could make up adventures and write about them, and not be eaten by deadly predators while doing research.

She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.

When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.

In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.

In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.

Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.

You May Also Like…

ARC Book Review-My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long

ARC Book Review-My Season of Scandal by Julie Anne Long

About The Book In USA Today bestselling author Julie Anne Long’s latest installment in the Palace of Rogues series, a notorious rake meets his match in a doe-eyed girl from the country, changing the course of both of their futures… A London season is the chance of a...

Book Review-Wilde for You by Jennifer Ryan

Book Review-Wilde for You by Jennifer Ryan

About The Book New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan’s page-turning Dark Horse Dive Bar series continues with this story of love lost...and found…as a widow seeking to heal her heart crosses paths with a rancher/bartender who offers her a taste of...

Book Review-Leopard’s Hunt by Christine Feehan

Book Review-Leopard’s Hunt by Christine Feehan

About The Book The next exhilarating Leopard novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan. In this pulse-pounding novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Leopard series, animal instinct unites two elite shifters whose heads are at war...

9 Comments

  1. Heidi

    That is too bad that the heroine was to angsty and all that. I hate it when I can’t connect with a character.

    Reply
  2. Blodeuedd

    I have only read one by her, but I did like that one

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      She does a good job most of the time, I especially love her older books. But lately she can be a hit or miss for me.

      Reply
  3. Michele H

    Bummer. Hopefully her next release will be more consistent with what we’ve come to expect from her work.

    Reply
  4. Vellum Voyages

    When there’s too much angst, it stops getting cute and just gets frustrating! Then it almost feels too weird when the characters fall in love…..

    Reply
  5. Jennifer_FairyTales

    I have had issues with Enoch’s recent releases as well. I’m sorry this one didn’t work out for you.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      Oh yay for someone that agrees with me. I did like her scottish series she finished last year, but her regency series before that I couldn’t get through. But her older books were so fabulous and easy to fall in love with. Hope her writing becomes more dependable soon.

      Reply
  6. Cyn @ Bookmunchies

    I know what you mean! I’m little more than half way through and Fiona isn’t really doing it for me. I enjoyed Enoch’s last Scottish series, but there’s some of her other ones that I can’t seem to get through. Sigh. Hopefully the rest of this series will be awesome and we’ll both love it!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh yay!!! I feel the same way about her books. Her latest regency series I just couldn’t get into at all!! But I loved her scottish series she did recently. I do wish she was more consistent though in her books. I am hoping future books in this series are better.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Jennifer_FairyTalesCancel reply