Scandal and the Duchess

Scandal and the Duchess by Jennifer Ashley

Rose, Dowager Duchess of Southdown, doesn't need one more scandal in her life.  Left ruined and penniless by her stepson's lies, the press already follows her around incessantly, she definitely doesn't need them seeing a destitute, drunken old soldier falling at her feet and accosting her body, unfortunately that is exactly what they do see.  So in the name of kindness she ushers the soldier into her carriage, caring not what the press makes of it and provides him shelter until he can get back on his feet.  The surprise comes the next morning when she discovers that the soldier is far from destitute, and even farther from old.

Captain Steven McBride has always had a wild and selfish streak.  Care-free by nature, tragedy leaves him adrift and turns a holiday leave in to a necessary and unwelcome errand to London in order to make right a long standing wrong.  In an attempt to drown his demons, Steven drinks himself blind and stumbles into the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.  When he wakes up the next morning and learns of her problems with the press, he makes her an offer she doesn't want to refuse:  pretend to be betrothed in order to provide the press with a story of their own making and reclaim her reputation and fortune in the process.  The only question that remains is whether when the dust settles, will the betrothal still be pretend?

This story is seriously a fun-sized fix for Mackenzie/McBride fans waiting for the next full-sized novel (which comes out next month).  That is not to say that fun-sized in a bad thing.  There is a reason for it being "fun"-sized.  It is a super quick read, full of Jennifer Ashley's rapier wit, and includes an appearance from her most popular character of all time - Ian Mackenzie.

The characters in this book are well put together, and we see a change in Steven from his previous appearances.  Darkness has crept into his demeanor, which is still devil-may-care, but with a decided edge.  Rose is kind without being saccharine-sweet.  For crying out loud, she takes in a drunken man who accosts her while she believes he is a homeless veteran.  If that isn't kindness, I don't know what is.  She, however, remains smart, cheeky and proud throughout the entire story, showing her backbone time and time again.  As this is a novella, there wasn't much time to develop secondary characters outside of existing ones, so the two that stand out are kept very specific to the scenes, without much background, but they still make a grand impression.

Overall, whether it be a novella or a full-length novel, Jennifer Ashley shines with her awesome dialogue and fabulous character presentation.  Whet your appetite now, she'll be back soon.

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Characters – 5

Storyline – 5

Overall – 5

The Healer's Gift

The Healer's Gift by Willa Blair

Coira MacDugall has been returned to her people in disgrace.  After attempting to kill the new Lady of Clan Lathan in a fit of jealous rage, she was healed of more than just the mortal injury inflicted upon her.  She was also cleansed of her anger and hatred and given an odd gift and a second chance with her own Clan, but first she must earn the trust of her people and help the new MacDugall Laird to cleanse their own Clan of treachery.

Logen MacDugall never expected to be Laird.  His connection to the ruling family was tenuous at best, yet here he is, the elected leader of the Clan and fighting against the same hidden danger that killed the last short lived Lairds.  If he wants to remain living he must discover whom he can trust and flush out the traitor among them.  As if a gift from God, his newly appointed ward exhibits an incredible ability that just might be what he needs to save them all and put life to rights again.  Can he earn her trust...and maybe something more?

As the first book (and the remainder of the series) centers around Clan Lathan, this story is an opportunity to glimpse the life of one of their allies and discover why Coira acted as she did in HIGHLAND HEALER.

Willa Blair takes special care to help the reader contemplate exactly what it would be like to feel the emotions of others around you, and what it would cost to allow someone to actually bond with you intimately under such circumstances.  The process that Coira must go through to not only understand her new gift, but to control it enough to be of use is heart wrenching and breathtaking all at once.

The character development is necessarily sparse, so we really only get to know the two main characters well.  Logen is a recovering hot head learning to function with what we now know as PTSD, all while trying to rule a Clan and not get killed.  Coira is a recovering narcissist who has always struggled with abandonment issues and is trying to come to grips with her new world order.

Overall, though this story is short, it is a great read and will particularly intrigue fans of Willa Blair's Highland Talents Series.  Not only is it worth the read, but it will entice you to pick up the rest of the series.  Job done!

Continuity/Flow – 5

Sex – 4 

Characters – 3

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4