These were five very entertaining stories. I really enjoyed all of the stories but I loved the last one, Sweet Home Highland Christmas, particularly the little imp, Ella. What a hoot she was! These are not sweet romances, there is some heat in them. All quite different stories based around the Christmas period. Well worth a read! I received a copy from Netgalley and have voluntarily reviewed it. This is my honest review. However, I have purchased a copy as well.

I love the Christmas season, so imagine how happy this collection made me,

Five wonderfully talented authors, five fabulous never done before stories and all in one can't put down collection. Merry Christmas

I received an ARC from Netgalley and voluntarily leave my own opinion

Christmas in Kilts is a set of short stories around Scottish men and Christmas with a few lovely ladies. The stories were fun, flirty and sometimes too short. All the novels show that sometimes quirky meetings and surprising people make for the best stories. I enjoyed all the stories especially because of the HEA and the fun characters. A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Bronwen Evans, A HIGHLANDER'S HOPE by Terri Brisbin, A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall, LEFTOVER MISTLETOE by Lavinia Kent, and SWEET HOME HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS by May McGoldrick were all great reads.

This is a fair and honest review in return for this ARC. Some really good authors here! This is a collection of sweet Christmas tales.

Christmas in Kilts is a box set with 5 different novellas by 5 different authors. Each with a Christmas theme background along with some hot highlanders men! I am a big fan of box sets because it gets me to get a chance to read other author's stories that I might not have taken the chance on. In addition they are usually quick reads that I can read while waiting around or when I need a quick story before bed. Loved this set!

A HIGHLANDER'S HOPE by Terri Brisbin
A village harlot who would never dream she could have a different life meets a Highlander who visits for the holidays and brings with him an offer and hope.

A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall
When a snowstorm forces a charming lass hiding a broken heart to take shelter in a castle with three fine Highland lairds just days before Christmas, there’s a game afoot—who will be the first to win a kiss and maybe her heart.

A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Bronwen Evans
She's ready to embrace her life and future as a spinster, he's trying to have one last hurrah before he gives into his family's wishes and proposes marriage to his neighbor, but fate has other ideas when the lady and the Scot meet at a holiday house party in the wilds of Scotland.

LEFTOVER MISTLETOE by Lavinia Kent
What happens when a highlander finds himself stranded, maybe kidnapped, with an English lady around Christmas... maybe the mistletoe will help answer that question.

SWEET HOME HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS by May McGoldrick
An encounter between an English officer and a desperate aunt trying to keep custody of her young niece leads to a little magic during the holidays.

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Anthologies are so difficult to rate! They're always a mix of good and bad (sometimes wonderfully good, and sometimes horrifyingly bad), but I can only choose one way to rate it! Argh. I chose 3 stars, but the ratings range from DNF to 4 stars—there were two stories that I very much enjoyed, one that had a lot of promise, and two that I strongly disliked. All of these authors were ones that I had never read before, so I knew it was quite risky going in, but I have a soft spot for Scottish HRs and couldn't help myself.

The Novellas and Their Individual Ratings.
Here is the breakdown of my ratings:
• "A Highlander's Hope" by Terri Brisbin (4 stars)
• "A Highland Christmas Wager" by Lecia Cornwall (1 star)
• "A Scot for Christmas" by Bronwen Evans (DNF)
• "Leftover Mistletoe" by Lavinia Kent (3.5 stars)
• "Sweet Home Highlands" by May McGoldrick (4 stars)
I wrote reviews below for each one (for some reason my first one is practically the length of the novella it's reviewing, but the others are shorter, I promise!! ;-).




"A Highlander's Hope" by Terri Brisbin
Dunbarton and Dunnedin, Scotland (the Highlands), Winter 1357

MAIN CHARACTERS. Ian MacKillop (40+ years) and Robena MacKendimen (mid-20s?)
• Ian is the uncle of the MacKillop chieftain in Dunbarton; his older brother was the previous chieftain before he died. He has been a widower for about 5 years, and though his first marriage was arranged, he loved and misses his wife, Elisabeth, and is a little lonely; they never had children, which he regrets, but she wasn't able to. He's being pressured by his nephew and others to get married again.
• Robena is the village whore in Dunnedin (to be blunt). Her mother was the village whore and she took on the same role. She lives alone in a cottage on the edge of the village, but is treated well by most all of the village/clan (except for the MacKendimen chieftain, Struan). She was childhood friends with Struan's natural-born son, Rob, who is now the heir to the clan; he and his wife, Lady Anice, are nice to Robena.

SUMMARY. Every winter since Elisabeth died, he goes to Dunnedin for the winter holidays, because he has too many memories tied to Dunbarton and Elisabeth. Rob is a very close friend of his and was raised by his brother for many years, so they trained together. Whenever he goes, he "takes up" with Robena, and there is a fondness there on both sides. The idea of marriage has been increasingly on his mind and though at first he tries to dismiss it, he grows more and more attached to the idea of taking Robena to wife. He knows what people's reactions will be, and that it would be a difficult situation for both of them, but he doesn't care. What he doesn't expect is that Robena herself will be the biggest obstacle to them getting what both their hearts' desire ...

MY REVIEW. This is my first book by Terri Brisbin and I really enjoyed it. She has clearly done her research about the time period and the region, the Scottish accent and phrasing is all well-done, and she is very good at setting the scene. I don't read many medieval romance novels, so some of the aspects of the times were a bit of an adjustment for me (age difference, what women had to deal with, etc.).

I was very wary going in, because I knew from the summary that the heroine was the "village harlot" and while you have some regency/Victorian HRs where the heroine is a mistress or high-priced prostitute, you don't have many. Life was very different then though, and Brisbin does a tremendous job of portraying Robena and allowing us to connect with this complex character; she's a sweet woman who hasn't had much luck in life, and she's not the caricature of a prostitute, while also not being an extreme self-hating one who abhors men and having sex with them.

I was surprised by how much I was able to quickly believe the special connection between Robena and Iain. Iain is a FANTASTIC hero—smart, hardworking, respectful, passionate, and quite sensitive (in terms of being in tune with and aware of others' feelings). Granted it's a novella, so Brisbin didn't have much time or space to employ any Big Misundertandings, but I still have to give her props for writing Iain the way she did; he is patient, understand's Robena's fears, and doesn't let some of her comments and actions to confuse him—he gets what is really driving her.

Overall, a really fantastic novella that I highly recommend. Very different from other romances I have read, but I'm glad for it. Also look forward to checking out some of Brisbin's other works and picking them up.

MISCELLANEOUS. Takes up 1%-19% of eBook. Includes an epilogue. Is part of the MacKendimen Clan series.

QUOTE.
Something was dangerously different between them already, and staying here would just confuse her—them—even more. The contentment she had in her life came from knowing who and what she was, and her place here in the MacKendimen Clan. To blur the lines and pretend to be something, someone, that she was not and could never be, would leave her wanting when he left. Nay, that was not the truth. She would miss Iain when he returned to Dunbarton, but it would be so much worse if she allowed herself to want more than she could have. If she wanted him.




"A Highland Christmas Wager" by Lecia Cornwall
Scotland, Highlands, December 1711

Brief Summary. Meggie and her grandmother get caught in a snowstorm and have to take refuge at a castle on the way. Owner of said castle is Magnus MacAsshole (... okay, maybe that's not reaaaally his name), who Meggie lost her virginity to 8 years ago (1 day before his wedding, though she didn't know it) and whom she hasn't seen since. He's a widower now and the two male visitors who already there are all attracted to Meggie and can't get over her hotness, though apparently our hero doesn't express it as ridiculously as the others, is able to look in her eyes and doesn't get stuck on her breasts, so Meggie feels that he understands her and sees past the flirt-wall she puts up. The three guys have made a wager that whoever kisses Meggie first will win items they've pooled together for the bet, and gets to marry her (by going to her father and telling her they've had sex, whether they have or not, so that the father forces the marriage to cover up any scandal). Yeah, they're a real bunch of Boy Scouts, let me tell ya'!

My Review. Practically no one was likable in this story. Maybe the grandmother. But that's it. There was also something about the story that I couldn't really put my finger on ... like it was just trying too hard, and so ended up being a caricature of an HR novella rather than an actual HR novella. The characters, in addition to being supremely unlikable and shallow, were also hugely inconsistent (in a way that was the author's fault). Example: Meggie has been angry with Magnus ever since she realized he deceived her, and she was an 18-year-old girl who thought herself in love ... but then at one point she considers marrying him and wonders if they'll still have a physical connection ... and then seeks to avoid him as much as possible. Ummm, what?? There are several other examples, but I won't bore you.

Bottom Line. Don't even bother. That sounds soooo harsh ... but I'm always committed to being honest in my reviews for readers, so there it is!

Miscellaneous. Takes up 19%-43% of eBook. Includes an epilogue.




"A Scot for Christmas" by Bronwen Evans
Scotland, December 1815

My Review. Don't have much to write, because I broke it off with this one pretty early. I'll admit I may have been swayed by one of my GR friends, Stacy, who had already reviewed them and whose reviews I saw right before reading this one. To be clear: I didn't like it and wouldn't have liked it regardless, but I listened to that feeling pretty early on and decided to cut my losses.

We start off with the hero lamenting his late wife—who died 6 years ago and whom he was married to for 2 years! Not that great love can't develop in 2 years, but ... his devotion and determination to never even try to find someone else, despite her encouragement to do so, seemed way over-the-top. Then Emily (or was it Emma?) walks through the door, and BOOM —"WOW SHE'S SO GORGEOUS, OMG, I'M IN LOVE AGAIN" (I'm paraphrasing). Calm down, buddy, she literally just walked in the door and you've seen her for a hot second (and not for the first time, she's the younger sister of a friend of his). Furthermore, what happened to all that til-death-devotion that you were so caught-up two minutes ago?

Miscellaneous. Takes up 43%-59% of eBook. Includes an epilogue.




"Leftover Mistletoe" by Lavinia Kent
Kilbirnie, Scotland, 1818

My Review. This was where things started to pick-up again—thankfully! I think my rating would have been higher for this had it been a full novel, because part of the hold-up for me was how quick James and Emma fall in love and connect. It wasn't too bad—that's something I'm always super sensitive to and dislike—but it toed that line for me. Both characters were enjoyable, I liked the dialogue between them, and the chemistry was really great!! There were also some very funny scenes ... one involving Emma, who has heretofore lived a very privileged life, trying to do an everyday mundane task, with some unforeseen consequences lolol; have to give her points for trying!

Main Characters.
Emma, the heroine, was extremely likable and I liked her backstory. She grew up the daughter of an earl, very privileged, and in a loving home, but when we meet her, she's been orphaned, her maid has run off with some of her belongings, as she's traveling to live with an uncle she never met because her cousin (and father's heir) kicked her out the only home she's ever known. She's not hoity-toity, though there is a definite sense of authority and aristocracy about her that James notices, but it's all completely logical—of course she's never made tea before, of course she doesn't know how to start a fire. The thing is, she tries to learn and tries to do those things, and that's what I really appreciated; she's trying to make the best of a shitty situation and come to terms with the changes that have taken place in her life.

James Barran is our hero, and he's a bit of a mysterious character at the beginning. He's a good guy though, and since it's surprisingly rare to have a hero who is, from the beginning, a decent fellow (lord, what does that say about us?? lolol), it made for a nice change. He's on his way to try and stop his sister and best friend from marrying, because his bff is a bit of a rogue and he is worried that he isn't truly in love with Catriona. He has a sad backstory and again—there was some really good material to work with here!! A novel would have been so nice ... But back to James: he's very respectful of Emma, very protective and caring, and also has a clear sense of responsibility (I don't mean that in the boring/staid way that may sound).

Miscellaneous. Takes up 59%-79% of eBook. Includes an epilogue.




"Sweet Home Highlands" by May McGoldrick
Scottish Highlands, December 1817

Brief Summary. Freya Sutherland (22) has taken care of her niece, Ella (5), practically since she was born, because her sister died one week after giving birth (father died at war and wasn't even able to ever meet her). Ella is like a daughter to Freya, and Freya will do anything she has to protect and care for Ella. Unfortunately, Ella's grandmother (her father's mother, so no direct relation to Freya), has all of a sudden taken an interest in Ella and has expressed concern about Freya always being able to provide for her and the stability of her home life, since they live with Freya's father, and once he dies Freya won't have much.

Captain Gregory Pennington (30) has been sent to meetup with Freya and party (Ella, nursemaid and servant) and accompany them the rest of the way. He is immediately drawn to both Ella and Freya, and as their journey together continues over the following days, the connection grows stronger and stronger. Unfortunately, Freya is determined to marry the cousin who is her father's heir, despite him being an asshole (and everyone knowing it), and Gregory had recently made the decision to retire as an Army Engineer and move to Boston.

My Review. This was supremely enjoyable and I can't wait to seek out more of McGoldrick's novels. Ella was such a fantastic addition! I really, really loved her. She added a lot of funny moments, and is also a great tool to be able to have a hero or heroine discover something about the other that the former was trying to hide (nice plot tool lol ;-). She's extremely precocious and her interactions with Gregory (and Freya) were very sweet and cute.

Although the story doesn't take place over too long a period, Gregory and Freya are traveling with one another and in such close quarters the whole time that they get to know one another, and that, plus their attraction and fantastic chemistry (loved it!!), made their relationship and story very believable for me.

Miscellaneous. Takes up 79%-100% of eBook. Includes an epilogue.

Quote.
"When you marry Captain Pennington and—"

"I am not marrying Captain Pennington," she corrected, ignoring the snort coming from the area of the nursemaid.

"When you marry Captain Pennington," Ella started again.

Freya frowned at her niece.

"Very well," the child said. "When you marry Gregory and get big in the belly like Mrs. Simpson, will you promise me not to die?"


AND THAT'S IT FOLKS! Those are all the stories. If you made it this far, thanks for reading!!! ;-)

This review is of an ARC provided by Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Some changes and/or edits may be made to the final published version.

I thoroughly enjoyed CHRISTMAS IN KILTS.... A HIGHLANDERS HOPE by Terri Brisbin..Iain and Robena...A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall...Meggie and Hugh ...Charlie and Catriona... A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Browen Evans...Dougray and Emma... LEFTOVER MISTLETOE by Lavinia Kent...Emma and James Barran.. and last but not least...SWEET HOME HIGHLANDS by May McGoldrick...Gregory(Penn) and Freya(Fie) and of course Ella....This is a great Christmas read....

Christmas in Scotland! How appealing!

The authors in this anthology have done a super job of telling their stories of men and women falling in love amidst the beauty of Scotland during the Christmas holiday season. Each story here has it's own special appeal. I found all the stories to be well-written and loaded with well-developed characters. Each storyline moved and flowed quite well which added to my enjoyment of this anthology.

This was a truly wonderful escape to the Highlands of Scotland to celebrate Christmas!

As one can read from the blurb this is a collection of novellas that take place around Christmas time; and I'm glad to say that this is indeed a wonderful collection, and one I'm sure fans of the genre could read not only during the holidays but anytime they feel like it because all the stories are very enjoyable.and will leave the reader with a smile on their face.

This anthology has love, lust, romance, compelling characters, swoony Highlanders and despite being short novellas they don't feel rushed but are in fact well developed and paced, also, each of the authors's tales are interesting and well written.
This collection could definitely become one of my favorite books to read during the Holidays :)

Christmas is coming to the Scottish Highlands! Treat yourself to an early Christmas gift with this wonderful collection of five stories of love and everything that is Scottish! Five fabulous authors have shared beautiful historical romance stories to warm your heart. I highly recommend this book to perhaps introduce yourself to five authors and their stories! Grab a cup of tea and sit by the fire as you enjoy hours of reading fun!

Christmas in Kilts by Bronwen Evans, May McGoldrick, Lecia Cornwall, Lavinia Kent, Terri Brisbin will be available October 31, 2017 by St. Martin's Press. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

What wonderful stories these are. A man alone but wanting a woman every one thinks is wrong. A woman hurt eight years ago and never allowed herself to feel. A man who lost his wife six years ago and wants to keep her in his thoughts.. A lady afraid of losing her child.
I loved these stories, they were exciting and intriguing, each is unique. the recurring theme is Scots, the one thing they all have in common. The characters are great and so life like. Ella is a bundle of energy, sweet, and loving. So much is going on in these stories but they are all written by amazing and gifted authors. They keep your attention and there is a well written, easy flowing and concise book.

This is a boxset by multiple authors. Out of the 5 authors in this set I have only heard of and read 2 of them. I wanted to read it for Bronwen Evans as I really like her books.

Book 1 is A HIGHLANDER'S HOPE by Terri Brisbin. Iain MacKillop is a widower who is being pressured to remarry for the good of his clan. He wants to make his own decisions so that he can not only be happy in his personal life but have the chance for a family that he didn't have with his previous marriage. But he has his head (and heart) hooked on a woman that he knows is completely inappropriate and that his clan will never accept. No matter how much he might wish differently. Robena MacKendimen is the village whore for a neighboring clan. This isn't necessarily the life she would have chosen but it is the life she has now. And she has made as much peace with that as she can. She cares for Iain but she knows that anything beyond what they have now is never going to happen. Or so she thinks. I really enjoyed this book. It not only shows us that what you would consider a hardened person really isn't but that they may have never wanted to actually be in that "profession" contrary to what history and other books may imply. She is so much more than just the hole she was shoved into and has so much more heart to her. And with what happened to her when she was younger? Heartbreaking! Then you throw Iain in there and OMG! For an older man you would think is completely set in his ways and would be heartless, he is so much more! I loved how he pushed his way through and shower Robena how much he truly loved her and wanted her, and then made it happen! Great read!

Book 2 is A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall. This one is about Meggie MacLeod and Hugh MacAuley. Meggie was traveling home with her grandmother and some clansmen for Christmas when they are caught in a snowstorm and forced to take shelter at the castle of the man who seduced and broke her heart at the age of 18. When she arrives Magnus (the jerk who seduced her) decides he needs another wife and he will seduce her again. And then a bet is made between him, Hugh, and another gentleman there for the holidays. Hugh is there because he is newly made lord of the clan and he needs a wife. His clan elders have decided he should marry Magnus's sister, even though he really wants to choose his own wife. I really didn't care much for this story. Parts of it were good but too many times did characters jump to conclusions or they were just plain mean. Some people may really like it, it just wasn't for me.

Book 3 is A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Bronwen Evans. This book is about Dougray, the Duke of Lorne and Lady Emma Thornton. Dougray has decided it is time to remarry after losing his wife many years prior. He has never been the same since she died in his arms. Lady Emma has been in love with Dougray since she was a teen but had given up once he married. Now at the age of 26 she has decided to accept she will always be a spinster due to her height and is planning to live at her grandmother's house that was left to her. But before she does that she wants to experience at least one night of passion with the man she loves. I absolutely loved this story! Not only do we see how hurt Dougray still is over his wife's death, but we get to see how he is trying to move on. Reading about the love that he develops for Emma and how they are together was beautiful. And then you throw in other couples getting their HEA's? Perfect!

Book 4 is Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent. This one is about Emma Spencer and James Barran. Emma has just lost her father and then when her cousin inherited, her home. She is on her way to her uncle but her maid deserted her along with stealing all her personal belongings that she had taken along with her. Barran (James) is on the road to try to stop his sister's wedding to his best friend. Little does he know that his best friend has set up deterrents to his catching them and stopping it. Emma gets caught in the crossfire of it all. This one was ok. It wasn't the best that I read but it wasn't bad either. The potential was there for it to be great, it just didn't meet it in my opinion. I didn't really care for how James treats Emma at first. He just seems to be a jerk and I didn't like that at all. Emma seems like an ice queen but then you figure out quickly that she is just trying to cope with everything that has been thrown her way in too short of a time. Like I said, it was great, but it was ok.

Book 5 is Sweet Home Highlands by May McGoldrick. This one is about Gregory Pennington and Freya Sutherland. Gregory has been tasked to escort a group of people back to his family's home. While he is waiting to figure out who exactly it is that he is escorting he meets young Ella, who is Fie's niece. Fie has raised her niece (with help from her father) since her birth. Her sister died in childbirth and her brother in law in war, so she has always been the parent to her niece and she loves her like her own. Now her brother in laws family is trying to force her to their demands in order to be able to keep her niece, after never having seen her or spoken to her. I absolutely loved this book! I had never heard of this author but this book made me love her! Ella is absolutely incorrigible and you can't help but love what she does to get Gregory and Fie together for her satisfaction and happiness! This one pretty much made the whole set for me, which really surprised me as this is an unknown author to me. Loved it! Great read!!

All in all, 4 stars because some of the stories I didn't necessarily like or they just weren't great but then there were 2 that I absolutely loved every bit of and couldn't put down! I would recommend as it was a great read overall!

I couldn't have asked for a better anthology of historical Scottish Highland love stories than the novellas from these authors! Each love story is about people who are the last ones to ever believe they would be lucky or realistic enough to actually marry for love. Each story is so cute, tender, joyful and STEAMY that I couldn't put them down!

There are 5 short stories of highlanders warriors, men and women, who have to face some obstacles and along the way know the love of their lives.

Terri Brisbin brings the story of Iain MacKillop, widower, full of nephews, whose eldest nephew, Laird of the clan, suggests that his uncle should remarry. But Jamie's idea was for Iain to marry - much younger than Iain - daughter of the Laird of the MacLaren clan. Iain refuses because if he has to remarry, it will be with someone who makes his heart beat stronger, and this would happen to Robena MacKendimen.
But there was a problem: the kind of work that Robena had...

Lecia Corwall brings the story of Magnus MacVane, Laird of Gleanngalla, widower, and his friends. He had married without love, only because of his wife's dowry. She had died of fever, and now he wanted to marry again. His two visiting friends Charlie MacKay, Laird of Dunlinton (was Magus brother-in-law) and Laird Hugh MacAulay.
Christmas was approaching and some strangers arrived at the castle asking for lodging. One of the visiting women was known to Magnus.
Unlike what you imagine reading the beginning of this short story, the ending surprises.

Browen Evans brings the story of Earl of Lorne, Dougray.
He had married for love and his wife died in his arms. He was trying to take the courage to marry Fiona MacKenzie.
His cousin Angus wanted him to get a chance to find other women before he finally decided to marry again, and so he makes a list of guests whose presence of several women was guaranteed.
But one of the party's guests, Lord Thornton Duckworth, appeared with his sister Emma. He confessed to being blackmailed by her or she would tell their father that Thornton had a widowed lover who never had children, and their father wanted Thornton to marry someone who gave him heirs.
Dougray knew Emma but never imagined that she had become such a beautiful and stubborn woman.

Lavinia Kent brings the story of James Barran, who was on a carriage ride to try to stop his sister from marrying Robert, his rake best friend.
He had as a companion a lady who strangely traveled without her maid.

Emma Spencer lost her father and was going to visit her uncle, the Earl of Mounthaven. A setback caused her and her maid to be separated. Now she was without her luggage and in the company of a huge man, who took up almost all the space in the carriage, and still slept all the time.
The two are trapped when their carriage is sabotaged and they have to spend the night in a cabin.

And the last one, May McGoldrick brings the story of a fearless captain and a braver woman who struggles to keep her family together.
This short story is also a prequel to the author's next release.
4 stars

Looking for some Christmas fun... Like the idea of your own Highlander just for you...
Here are 5 different tales to take you away from your everyday.

Overall, given that I enjoyed the last two stories, this collection ranks a 3. But I wouldn't recommend it as a whole because I disliked the first three stories. Brief reasons below:

A HIGHLANDER'S HOPE by Terri Brisbin
This was just unrealistic and too focused on the fact that the heroine was a "whore" - she and others kept calling her this. The hero is literally paying her to have sex with him for the whole story. She's a prostitute, doesn't seem to have been forced into it, so I really don't care for her character. Prostitution is not romantic.

A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall
Heroine was pretty weak and the hero was as well. Nothing to recommend in either character. BIG disappointment as I have loved Lecia's previous books.

A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Bronwen Evans
This story has been overdone and was entirely too predictable. Man's wife is dead, he goes he can never love again, but wait - in walks a gorgeous woman from his past to spark his fire. And she is of course a spinster, who wants him to pop her cherry so she can know what passion feels like. *rolls eyes*

LEFTOVER MISTLETOE by Lavinia Kent
Loved this one! I felt like both characters were relatable, strong, and their relationship was believable. Greatly enjoyed this story.

SWEET HOME HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS by May McGoldrick
My favorite of the bunch! The niece was hysterical, I can't wait to read more, since this is the start of a new series!

Highlander’s Hope
Terri Brisbin
4*
(A MacKendimen Clan Novella)
Iain MacKillop has been a widower for five years, he loved his wife and mourned her loss. He has much to do as the clans commander but his life is empty. He and his wife were not gifted with children, something he’s always wanted. With the holidays coming he can’t bring himself to be in the Keep with all the clan and children. He will spend it with the MacKendimen clan as he has in the past and with Robena MacKendimen the only woman who has stirred in him the want to take a wife again. Can he convince her she is more then the village whore and they can have a good life together? Robena loves Iain but she knows there is no place for her except the one she has. Is she willing to let him walk away, or will he be able to prove her worth?

A Highlanders Christmas Wager
Lecia Cornwall
4*
Hugh MacAulay and Meggie MacLeod meet in the mist of a winter storm. Hugh is one of three Lairds (Magnus and Charlie) at the castle where Meggie and her grandmother seek refuge when the storm keeps them from making it home for the Christmas holidays. A bet between the lairds is made to win the hand of the beautiful Meggie, a kiss given freely.
A fun story of seeing past the walls put up to keep people out and a cute secondary romance.

A Scot For Christmas
Bronwen Evans
4.25*
Dougray Lorne widower for several years has decided he must remarry, but it will be for convenience not love. In a few weeks after his annual Hunting Lodge party he will offer for the daughter of his fathers best friend, who he promised to help before his father passed. Emma Duckworth had her heart broken at 18 when Dougray returned from Italy married. Now years later and firmly on the self she wants to experience passion and she’s chosen the only man she trusts, Dougray. For the first time in years Dougray feels interest in a woman when he see Emma. When she tells him what she wants he fights guilt, honor and his growing feelings for Emma.

Leftover Mistletoe
Lavinia Kent
2.75*
A very disjointed story. It had a great story line but it fell short on holding my attention.

Sweet Home Highlands
May McGoldrick
5*
I loved everything about this short story! The hero Captain Gregory “Penn” Pennington was asked to escort Freya “Fie” Sutherland and her five year old niece Ella to meet Ella’s paternal grandmother. Ella’s mother died basically at her birth and her father in battle years later. Freya will do what ever she needs to keep Ella even if it means marriage to her cousin a man she doesn’t like. Ella attaches to Penn the moment she meets him and declares that Fie should marry Penn and not their cousin. Penn and Fie are two very compelling characters with great chemistry but the shining star of the story is Ella. She is such a bright, sassy and sweet child you can’t help but fall in love with her.
I enjoyed this story so much that I downloaded Penn’s parents book Borrowed Dreams.

Christmas in Kilts is a delightful compendium of Christmas stories, all involving handsome Scots and feisty maidens, by the best of historical romance writers. A Highlander’s Hope by Terri Brisbin takes one by surprise as a lonely man decides to satisfy the requirements being placed on him to remarry by choosing the village harlot. This story touches the heart and I found myself rooting for Robena as Iain stood up to those in authority. Lecia Cornwall’s A Highland Christmas Wager had shades of light and dark as Meggie is forced to seek refuge from the one person she cannot trust. I felt her indignity when she discovers the wager that has been placed and was charmed by the outcome. Bronwen Evans is always a favourite of mine and I will read just about anything written by her. However A Scot for Christmas touched me as all her books do, as a heart sore Emma humbles herself to request Dougray’s help in solving a problem. There are other factors at play which neither party is aware of, and ultimately I was worried that the romance would not work out. However, neither Emma nor Dougray could deny their feelings for each other and I cheered Ms Evans once again. Left Over Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent had me smiling at the interaction between Emma and Barran. They were both tricked by people they should have trusted, which resulted in an unlikely alliance. There was humour and some pathos as the two sorted through the problems they have acquired. I loved Emma’s willingness to become self-sufficient under difficult circumstances and despite being something of a rogue, Barran is actually a charming gentleman. Sweet Home Highland Christmas by May McGoldrick had me laughing out loud at Ella’s antics and precocious behaviour, but despite the child’s outspoken manner she was nevertheless charming. Freya’s willingness to do anything to keep custody of her niece wins the reader’s respect, and Gregory is the hero we all want in our lives. Combined, this anthology of stories touch the heart and leave one with a warm feeling. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book is a set of stories all taking place in Scotland and all involving strong handsome men and romance they weren't looking for.

A very good anthology – all the novellas have a nice Christmas type theme and I enjoyed all the stories, some more than others.

A Highlander’s Hope by Terri Brisbin – 3 stars – Iain is a widower and finally ready to remarry after losing his beloved wife 5 years ago. The woman he has his heart set on is Robena, he knows their joining will not be easy and will cause talk, because Robena is a prostitute. He met her years ago when visiting Rob and Anice, they became lovers and friends. He knows she is the woman for him, despite their age difference and her unsavory past. Now all he has to do is convince her. Robena has not had an easy life and she knows her place, she loves Iain, but refuses his offer for several reasons, primarily because she is barren and so far beneath him in station. Can these two get a Christmas miracle?

A Highlander’s Christmas Wager by Lecia Cornwall – 4 stars – Caught in a snowstorm, Meggie and her grandmother take refuge at the last castle in Scotland that Meggie wants to see. Home of Magnus, the man she believed she loved and loved her, until he married another. Magnus is elated to welcome Meggie into his home, he has been widowed for months and Meggie is just what he needs. Along with Meggie, Magnus has two other guests staying due to the storm, his brother in law Charlie (whom he hopes to match with his sister) and a neighboring laird, Hugh (who is there at his clan’s urging to marry Magnus’ sister). When the three men spy Meggie, they make a wager as to who can claim her kiss first. This is a sweet story with two HEA’s and an appearance by the fearsome McLeod!!

A Scot for Christmas by Bronwen Evans – 4 stars – Dougray is a widower who has grieved for his late wife for 6 long years but is finally letting go of her memory to fulfill a promise to his father to help a neighboring clan. Dougray will marry Fiona, the laird’s daughter to help the clan financially, as he will not accept help in any other way. Emma has loved Dougray for years and was heartbroken when he married, resigned to a spinster’s life, she tags along with her brother to Dougray’s house party with a firm purpose – to taste the passion her spinster life will not allow. Dougray is shocked to see Emma, she has grown into quite the beauty in their years apart and he is unwillingly attracted to her. So when she asks him to be her lover, he knows he should refuse, but his desire outweighs his common sense. Terrified to love again, he was not prepared for Emma and after an incredible night together, he tells her that is the end. Not ready to let him go, Emma goes to confront him, but overhears him talking to his cousin about marrying Fiona. Heartbroken, she runs away before hearing him declare his desire to marry Emma instead. This novella was by far the steamiest of the five and boasts 3 HEA’s!

Leftover Mistletoe by Lavinia Kent – 4 ½ stars – Emma is having a bad day, her maid has run off with her luggage and left this pampered and sheltered Miss alone to fend for herself on the mail coach. Her only traveling companion is a scruffy looking drunk who is snoring. James Barran is not have a good day either, his horse was stolen forcing him to ride in the coach and slowing him down. Time is of the essence because he has a wedding to stop! But when the coach stops, Barran realizes something is amiss, the horses and the driver are long gone and he finds a note from his best friend Robert, telling him to take shelter in the cabin and he will rescue him, once he has wedded and bedded Barran’s sister. Emma twisted her ankle exiting the coach and is bewildered as to why this is happening. She doesn’t want to go with Barran to the cabin, but what choice does she have? When they reach the cabin and he learns who she is, Barran knows what must be done, and he tells Emma they will have to marry. The rest of the story is them getting to know each other and some amusing mishaps (thanks to Emma). By the end of the story, I really believed that they would be happy together.

Sweet Home Highlands by May McGoldrick – 5 stars – this was my favorite novella in the book, it is the story of Gregory Pennington and Freya Sutherland. Freya is guardian to her niece Ella, but since her grandfather’s death, Ella’s grandmother has been questioning whether Freya is capable of caring for her. She has demanded Freya attend her and prove her worthiness. To prove her stability, Freya has agreed to marry her father’s heir, thus proving Ella a home and a financially stable future. She is not happy about the marriage, but the cost it worth it if it means Ella will stay with her. Her discontent grows once she meets their escort, Penn. These two have an instant chemistry, they sizzle! But Penn is not sure how he feels and has plans, plans that do not include a wife and child. And Freya has made a promise and she must marry. With a little help from Ella, these two finally get a HEA.
I thought this was a really good collection and would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*