#Rose Prendeville

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Maggie and the Pirate’s Son by Rose Prendeville

Brides of Chattan #3

Another wonderful story in an delightful series ~ Maggie & Bash were perfect for and with one another.

What I liked: * Maggie: dutiful daughter, romantic dreamer before marriage, disillusioned by marriage, wants nothing more to do with men, runs away, ends up on a Pirate ship…oh my

* Bash: son of a pirate, lived most of his life on a pirate ship, survived abuse and life at sea, bright, compassionate, navigator of seas and of life

* That Bash protected Maggie and others on his ship

* The attraction between Maggie and Bash and the way it slowly became more

* That both Maggie and Bash were survivors of difficult pasts

* Dutch: quartermaster on the pirate ship, a bit of a father figure to Bash

* The trustworthy members of the pirate ship that looked up to Bash: Langston, Duffy, and Samson

* The growth not only of friendship and love but admiration, respect, and inner strength exhibited by Bash and Maggie as they openly and honestly communicated with one another

* That I could see the two main characters having a loving and fulfilling life together

* The plot, pacing, setting, writing and feel of the book – felt I was there and cared about the outcome – a bit of a fairytale feel but what a nice feel it was

* Constantin: English Naval Captain that provided more than one surprise

* Custard the cat and the rescued kestrel

* The medical controversy and how it was resolved

* The conclusion with all the mysteries solved and bad guys dealt with

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* The painful times both main characters endured

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Eridani Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

Once upon a time, Maggie Mackintosh Budge yearned for handsome rogues and breathtaking adventure. Now widowed after a disastrous marriage and desperate to escape her still-matchmaking father, she stows away on the nearest vessel because sometimes the only solution is running away to sea. Bastian MacLeod never chose a life of piracy, but after coming of age under the brutal regime of Auldfarrand’s Revenge, his world has been limited to placating the volatile captain and staying one step ahead of the navy—that is until he discovers Maggie in the cargo hold. The first rule of piracy is: wenches are unlucky and will be cast overboard. With Bastian’s help, Maggie disguises herself and joins the crew, but sparks between them ignite like St. Elmo’s Fire. Can they keep her secret—and keep their hands off each other—long enough to outwit the navy and hunt down the captain’s lost treasure? Or will bad luck send them both to the hangman’s noose?

[thegirlwiththelantern]

Insta: @ littlepiscesdreaming

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Lady Len and the Mysterious Mac by Rose Prendeville

Brides of Chattan #2

Marriage of convenience that becomes so much more ~ Loved this book!

What I liked: * Ellen Mackintosh: quiet, hasn’t spoken (much or loudly) since childhood, has nosebleeds, focused on trying to be perfect, cossetted considered “weak” by her family, learns a lot about who she really is and what she really wants by the end of the story

* Silas MacKenzie: bigger than most, quiet, studious, brilliant, a bit of a scientist, has guilt feelings carried since childhood, loves his father, caring, kind, stuttered as a child, prefers to write than talk, made a vow in childhood that is difficult to keep…especially after marrying Ellen

* The slow burn that takes place as Ellen and Silas get to know one another

* The plot, pacing, setting and writing

* That it drew me in and made me care

* It felt true to the era and in keeping with the times

* The supporting characters and the necessary parts they played to make this story rich

* The conclusion of the book and how all the threads were drawn together and tied in a tidy knot

* Hoping there will be another book in the series

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Thinking about how selfish some people are and the pain they cause

* The pain both main characters carried from childhood

Did I Like this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Eridani Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

It was a marriage of convenience for everyone except the bride and groom. He never wanted to be a laird. She never wanted to marry one. Wee Ellen Mackintosh, sickly and quieter than a church mouse, holds a secret that even time hasn't healed. Unable to use her voice since childhood, she's not up to being lady of the castle, but her father wants a MacKenzie son-in-law. So when the giant Silas Mackenzie returns to the Highlands, both their fathers' schemes take off like runaway stallions. Too tall and broad for anyone's good, but especially his own, Silas breaks everything he touches. To appease his dying father and an increasingly rebellious clan, Si reluctantly agrees to the marriage, vowing to keep it in his kilt no less so when he sees the tiny, perfect creature they expect him to wed. Unwanted but undeniable, the spark between them burns hotter by the day, even as they try to push each other away. But can Silas fight the monsters within his clan—or at war within himself—without her? Or will Ellen finally find her voice, only to disappear forever?

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch

by Rose Prendeville

 Thoroughly enjoyable way to spend the day today and a nice introduction to a new series.

 What I liked:

* Finlay Shaw: youngest brother, living under a black cloud due to something that happened when he was fifteen, trying to find his place again in the clan, healing touch, kind, honest, gentle, feels drawn to Jory

* Jory Mackintosh: orphan, raised by her uncle’s family, well-liked by her cousins, healing abilities, has scoliosis, defensive, has dreams of studying medicine, acts before she thinks, feels drawn to Finn, has been told she will be a nun

* Finn’s friends who assisted when needed

* The childhood intersections and connections Finn and Jory shared

* The growth of the relationship as the journey toward the convent took place

* That the two became more trusting and better able to communicate over time

* The way their backstories influenced them

* That I felt the two were equally matched and well suited

* That the bad guys were exposed and thwarted

* The happy ending for the couple

* Reading a new-to-me author and knowing there is another book in the series to look forward to

* The cute cover

 What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* Knowing that expectations of and for women (and men) in this era were often set in cement and not necessarily what they might have wanted

 Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

 Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – this is my honest review.

 4-5 Stars

     BLURB

 In 1725, a secret convent has been established on the Aberdeenshire coast. Jory Mackintosh is more excited by healing herbs than husbands or holy prayers. She craves freedom—and a chance to sneak into medical school. Instead, on the eve of her escape, she becomes an unwilling pawn in her family’s schemes with a rival clan. Finlay Shaw, the disgraced younger brother of the laird, has spent ten long years atoning for his past failures, but nothing can wash away the stain of fratricide. When the clans order him to escort Jory to her new life as a nun, thus securing an alliance with the freshly formed Black Watch, it’s his last chance for redemption. Too bad for Finn, Jory has no intention of following orders. Trapped on the road together, often with only one bed between them, the two butt heads and match wits, forced to acknowledge the dark shadows that have haunted them both for years. Can they learn to trust each other, and themselves, to fly in the face of their families’ wishes, or will they choose the solitary futures they always believed they deserve in this unorthodox runaway bride story?