Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Monday 7 November 2011

Highland Storms - Christina Courtenay



Brice Kinross returns to the Scottish Highlands from Sweden in 1754 looking for a fresh start away from his troubles, after suffering disappointment and what he considers to be betrayal at the hands of his sweetheart and his brother. He arrives to take up his inheritance, the family estate at Rosyth. He firstly wants to find out about the true state of things there, as his father Killian believes the estate should have been doing much better financially than it has, and he hasn’t heard from his relatives there for some time. The factor or caretaker there who has been in charge, Colin Seton, is suspected of not pulling his weight, or worse, and Brice must establish what has been happening through his own investigations into the place. He attempts to reconnect with the people there who remember him as a youngster, and to make a good impression on those who don't yet know their newly arrived laird.  


I loved this novel. Brice makes for a dashing, kind, fair, chivalrous, strong and impressive hero.  The story builds nicely from the new chief arriving, trying to make his mark and demonstrate his commitment to turning Rosyth into a success again and making it a good place for them all to live, and the attraction and potential of romance between Brice and pretty, intelligent housekeeper Marsaili is a joy to read as the story unfolds.  There is much adventure and drama as the story progresses, making for an exciting conclusion. The historical perspective is weaved into the tale, with only a few years having passed since the Jacobite rebellion.

The novel has a gorgeous cover design too, a beautiful colour which to me evokes the purple heather mentioned in the landscape in the book. A lovely book to sit back, curl up and relax with and be transported back to the mid 18th century Highlands. This was a bit of different kind of read for me, and I got drawn into the story and the period, with some marvellous characters, my favourites being Brice, Marsaili and Liath the dog! I will definitely read more by this author.

This book follows on from the earlier novel 'Trade Winds', but 'Highland Storms' can definitely be read as a very enjoyable stand alone novel too. 


5/5

Thank you to Shaz at Jera's Jamboree for highlighting this book during the blog tour, and for the book giveaway from the author via that site, which I was lucky enough to win.

Find out more about the author on her website: Christina Courtenay

And more about ChocLit novels: Choc Lit 

14 comments:

  1. Thank you for that lovely review - you've made my day! So glad you enjoyed Highland Storms :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Christina, thank you for your kind comment. I really enjoyed reading Highland Storms. Best wishes. Lindsay :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like a very good read for the beach! Nearly summer here, so will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a lovely book! Great review as always, Lindsay!

    Megan @ Storybook Love Affair

    http://storybookloveaffair.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Aw am glad it's summer somewhere Toni :) pretty cold here. Thanks :)
    Thanks Megan :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. new follower :)

    Great review!! This book looks awesome!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and following!
    http://sarahcatchingbooks.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Sarah, thanks for visiting back! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds like a good book to lose oneself in! Thanks for the nice review.
    I am blog hopping & following you from Beck Valley Books. Growing Old With Grace http://growing-old-with-grace.blogspot.com/. Hugs, GraceinAZ

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great review!

    Passing through for the Beck Valley Book blog hop & a new follower of yours :-)

    TToria
    xo
    http://ttoria.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fab Review Lins. Glad you enjoyed it! x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Lindsay! What a wonderful blog! I've enjoyed this review (will go check out ChocLit and Christina Courtenay right now!) and also really like the way you've organized your site. Especially your Bookshops page! I found you through the Beck Valley Books blog hop and really glad that I did! You have a new follower! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Grace thank you for visiting and following, I am following you back. :)

    TToria thanks for visiting via the hop and following, visited you back too :)

    Shaz thank you so much x

    ReplyDelete
  13. You may have already seen my review on LindyLouMac's Book Reviews but I also loved this. CC is a new author to me and I cannot wait for the sequel to reach the top of Mt TBR.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Intricate Knot, thank you for visiting my blog and following, and for your kind comments! Much appreciated. I like the Beck Valley Books blog hop.

    LindyLouMac glad you liked this too, I am also going to look out for her other novels.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. It's great reading your comments and I really appreciate them :)