Highland Grooms Book Four.

Aulay Mackenzie is back at sea when his crew comes across a small, bedraggled ship with a pathetic looking crew. When he offers the men passage onboard his ship, Aulay is surprised by the beauty of a young woman among the group. However, the small ship's inhabitants shock the Mackenzies when they take over the ship. Lottie Livingstone insists that she is only borrowing his ship until she can make it to Denmark and sell her whiskey to save her people. Despite her actions, Aulay begins to feel for Lottie and struggles with his need for justice.

If you've been looking for a kidnapping role-reversal romance, this is the one for you!

Lottie has spent most of her life trying to curb her father's wild mis-guided schemes and take care of her brothers when all she wanted to do was see the world. When the latest scheme lands their clan in hot water with the Laird, they hatch a scheme to sell their illegal whiskey far from Scotland. A run in with the authorities, leaves Lottie and her clan in need of rescue and another boat. Luckily for her, Aulay MacKenzie and his crew spotted the ailing ship and rush to their aid.
Aulay MacKenzie is the youngest son and has never felt he met his Father's expectations. The only place he has felt at home and in control is at sea, with each voyage giving him the feeling of more respect from his family. The last thing he expects is to have his ship taken (borrowed) by Lottie and her inept crew. Lottie is in over her head and she knows it, so she turns to the captive captain for advice.
Aulay has never met anyone like Lottie, but knows that there can be no future for them...or an tere.
This was a fun, quick read. It is part of Julia London's Highland Grooms series, but would work well as a stand alone novel. It was fun watching these two find their way in their lives and to each other. The interplay between not only just the main characters, but also between them and the secondary characters caused many giggles. Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop.

This is the 4th book in this series but it absolutely can be read as a standalone and still be understood. This one is about Lottie Livingstone and Aulay Mackenzie. Aulay is family to people from the previous books (son and brother in them) and a ships captain. Lottie is the daughter of the Laird of an island. Her family is trying not to lose everything and decides to try something illegal thinking it will fix everything. Until everything else goes wrong. Aulay just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and Lottie panics and takes advantage of it. From there is just seems to go downhill on one hand but they manage to fall in love during it all.

I really liked this one. Aulay is not what I was expecting at all. He had a lot more sides to him than anyone would think. And once he decides on what he not only wants but needs? Then he can truly feel complete and be happy. I had a few issues with Lottie. She is supposed to be this strong and independent woman but there are many times that fell short with me. On a whole though, I did like her. There were just little things that got on my nerves with her. Together they seemed to work once they worked out all their problems and realized just what they could be to each other. Definitely well worth the read, especially if you like historical's!

I used to love reading historical romance, and this book reminded me why. It took me a little while to get into this book, but when it did it grabbed me and didn't let go. I think every character had their high and low points, there were things I loved and hated about all of them, I think that's what made them even more relate-able . I really didn't think these characters were going to get their HEA and I can admit I was losing faith, but sticking with this book to the very end was so worth it. I spent a large part of this book with my heart in my throat and fighting back tears, again it was worth it! I haven't read any of the other books in this series and now I have to!

This was a very good read from one of my favorite authors. She knows how to write a entertaining highland romance with twists and turns that shine bright. You will love the characters with thoughts and feelings of their own.
Lottie Livingstone has a most troublesome life on an island trying to keep her clan together. She is tasked with selling her whiskey which is illegal. Lottie has everything to lose if she doesn't get money to survive.
When an attack arrives she must become stronger in her efforts to do anything to see the job done.
Even if she must take over a rival's ship to do it.
Captain Aulay MacKenzie is one unhappy fellow when his ship is commanded by Lottie by hook or crook. Things get heated up when Aulay wants his ship back but wants Lottie too!
He wants to see her get what's coming to her, but is is torn to wanting to help her.
I like Aulay who is one handsome highlander who goes after the woman who turns his crank.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

I struggled with Devil in Tartan by Julia London, book four in her Highland Grooms series. Lottie is a strong, courageous, fearsome woman, who was trying to do her best to save the family business, albeit illegal. I’m not sure she lived up to or did justice to her descriptions. She appeared to be intelligent enough to use her pretty face to fool men, but that didn’t make me like her more, it actually made me like her less. Aulay is a ship captain trying new adventures despite his father’s lack of belief that it would be successful. In addition he was a painter which I thought was great but it wasn’t explored enough. I liked that Julia London mentioned his role in the family and how he felt as that gave me some information so I could connect with him more, but it just felt like it was not enough. Lottie starts off hating Aulay or rather what he represents which turns into distrust of him. Unfortunately Aulay can’t wait to string Lottie up for pirating his ship.
I think the scenes where they are bickering are some of the best in the book, I liked how they seem to bounce off each other, how their personalities were conflicting and yet they are quite sensual.

Julia London’s writing isn’t being put into question rather this story just didn’t have that renowned London shine that I am so used to in her books. It felt like she tried to put too much in one book and ended up not focusing enough on what was really necessary. I still recommend this ‘Enemies to Lovers’ Historical Romance to other readers who might have better luck.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

3 stars. This was an okay read for me. It has been awhile since I read a historical romance, but the blurb of this one sounded good so I gave it a shot. This is Lottie and Aulay's story. Aulay is a ship captain who carries cargo from port to port. Lottie's family, the Livingstones, make and sell illegal Scottish whiskey. When their laird finds out, they hatch a plan to take their whiskey by boat to sell it across the sea. But their ship runs into trouble and they have to be rescued by the nearest ship, which happens to be Aulay's. Lottie and the Livingstones trick Aulay and take over his ship, tying him and his men up as captives. They sail the ship themselves to try to get to a port to sell their whiskey. As they spend time on the ship, Lottie and Aulay develop an attraction to each other and find they like each other. There is a lot of adventure along the way but everything works out for the two to fall in love and have their HEA.

I felt like the beginning of the book was slow moving and hard to get into. The Scottish brogue was also hard to get used to reading. By the middle of the book, I started getting into the story and enjoying it. I was able to feel the love between Lottie and Aulay. But I felt like the end was anticlimactic. The couple never quite got where I needed them to be to feel like they had a strong love connection. There was a lot going on besides the romance. Lottie's brothers and their band of merry Livingstone men were silly. I don't know if they were supposed to be comic relief, but I didn't really enjoy them. I liked Lottie and Aulay in general. Lottie had made some mistakes in life, but she took responsibility and was contrite. I did think it was a bit funny that there was no talk about Lottie's virginity. Aulay is not her first, but he never questions or speaks about it with her at all, which I thought was unusual for the time period. Overall, I enjoyed parts of this book, but I didn't love it. The pacing was off a bit. I did like the overall premise of the story though and I may try this author again in the future.

I was intrigued by Aulay in the previous books, so it was exciting to read his story! Aulay meets Lottie in the most unlikely place and things just go from there. Lots of action on the open sea and a pretty solid storyline. I have to say I really enjoyed this installment in the series. Good read! I received a ARC in exchange for a honest review.

What a fantastic and different premise and plot! I really enjoyed the twists and turns and loved not knowing how Aulay and Lottie were going to find their HEA. Thank you Julia London for a great journey that I didn't want to end. It was nice to read a plot that was just so different but in a lovely way.

The book itself wasn't bad it just like there was just that little something extra that was missing for me.

I had high hopes for this book and wanted to connect to the characters so bad. Unfortunately that didn't happen for me. I wanted so much from this book and maybe that's why I'm disappointed I didn't connect with them?

I felt that Lottie while she was supposed to be the clever one in her family and she tried, she never really thought the whole process out. She was just kind of willy nilly all over the place. Then Aulay, the captain of the ship that she "borrows" is the child that didn't fit in with his siblings was good, but not great.

I met a lot of characters in the book but from not reading any other of the books it took a little bit to keep them all straight. It did have some parts in it that I smiled/giggled at so that was nice.

Lottie Livingstone along with her family and members of her clan commandeered Auley Mackenzie's ship and crew after their vessel is sunk by another ship who had been chasing them and their illegal whiskey as they sailed away from Lismore Island (the island of the rabbit!). While Lottie feels a bone deep sense of obligation to her clan and most especially her deadbeat father, she suffers guilt and remorse for having deceived Auley and his crew. In order to steal Auley's ship she pretends to be in peril and after Auley invites her onto his ship to offer assistance her brother knocks Auley out, ties him up and locks him away on his own ship. Her "crew" attempts to complete their ill fated mission to sail to another country to sell their family's whiskey even though none of them, save their captain, is a sailor. Based on a story told to her by her one time lover they set their course for Aalborg Denmark to sell the whiskey. All this is done in an attempt to save their clan. She feels the weight of all their fates rests upon her shoulders and she suffers from self doubt on a regular basis. Auley finally wins Lottie's trust, she frees him from his bonds and he attempts to help the Livingstones. Unfortunately, things don't always gi as pkanned. After suffering many mishaps and set backs including the sinking of Auley's family's ship, the Livingstones and Mackenzie's finally get back to Belhaire, Auley's family home and then the reality and gravity of what has happened is shared with Auley's family. And while a part if Auley blames Lottie another part of him pitied her. He wants justice for his family and their loss but he also wants Lottie. Auley's father calls for the Justice of the Peace to decide Lottie's and her clan member's fates only things go awry when the Mackenzie family members set out champion Lottie in their own unique way and Auley's father throws up his hands in disgust. In the end, love prevails and there is a happy ending to Auley and Lottie's story. I look forward to reading Catriona's Mackenzie's story.

I enjoyed this story, as I have all the books in this series. Aulay is captain of his ship and stops his voyage to rescue Lottie and her shipmates from going down with their vessel. She takes over his ship, literally, and from there we have adventure, action and a blossoming romance. Aulay was a favorite of mine from the start. Lottie grew on me as the story progressed as I really didn’t like her character in the beginning. But by the end I was rooting for her. Fun novel.

I won’t lie – I received a print arc of this in the mail, took one look at our hero’s luscious locks, and did a little snort laugh….and decided to give it a try. I was really hoping the heroine would play with his hair, or braid it or something but we don’t get much hair play. We do get a cute story about a woman desperate to save her clan by selling illegal alcohol, and a man whose ship gets taken…by this woman.

Lottie, the spirited daughter of the chief, and her fellow Scotsmen need to make enough money to pay their rents, and they are woefully short. They have been making whiskey on the down-low, and need to sell it to make a profit but the higher-ups in Scotland are on to them, so that rules out local sales. They hear of a trade company in Denmark that they think they could deal with, so they set sail with their whiskey hidden below deck to hopefully make money to save their clan. But shortly after they embark, they get hit by fire from another ship. Confused as to who it is, chaos erupts, and their ship starts to sink. Using quick wit Lottie and her crew appear dumb and pretend to have no sailing skills (actually they really don’t) and another ship comes over to help them.

Aulay Mackenzie wants to make his family proud by reestablishing the family’s trade business. He finds an Englishman who needs a ship to trade his goods, And Aulay offers to move the goods for him, for a fee. His family is wary, but Aulay knows he belongs on the water and this is the perfect way to make some money. When him and his crew see the rag-tag bunch of sailors slowly sinking in the ocean, they decide to help them – since they all look so innocent. But once Lottie and her crew get on his boat, they knock out Aulay cold and take over the entire ship. They have become pirates! Desperate ones at that. They move their whiskey onto Aulay’s ship, tie up all of them, and set sail to Denmark. The only problem is that they really aren’t that good at sailing. Lottie’s father was severely injured during the initial shooting, which puts even more stress on Lottie. Aulay is so angry when he wakes up, Lottie better watch out.

A lot of this book takes place on a ship and I think the author does a nice job with being at sea. We have Aulay and his experienced crew, overtaken by Lottie and her crew who really don’t know what they are doing. It’s silly but it worked since the tone of this book isn’t all that serious. There are some serious things that happen (Lottie’s father is gravely injured) but a lot of the time Aulay is fuming that Lottie has him and his crew tied up – as Lottie is doing her best to pretend to know what she is doing. Aulay and Lottie both want the same thing – to make money for their family so they have safety and security. Unfortunately, they work against each other to obtain their individual goals.

Aulay swears Lottie will hang for her pirate ways but Lottie is so busy trying to keep her new ship upright, she couldn’t care less about future consequences. And even though Aulay is held captive, he still can’t help but be a gentleman:

“Watching you shiver like a wee waif makes it feel bloody well cold in here. Take it.”

“That’s kind of you,” she said.

“’Tis no’ the least bit kind. I shall have you in good health so that I might see you hanged.”

The color in her cheeks darkened. “Hanged! I told you we’d return the ship to you! Think of it as borrowing—”

“Save your breath for your judge, lass.”

“Och,” she said with a flick of her wrist. “Your pride’s been wounded, that it has, and you’re angry now.” She took his coat from the wall and put it around her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

Aulay’s ire increases even more when he starts to realize his crew is falling for Lottie’s charm and wit. Being in such close quarters allows time for Aulay and Lottie to get to know one another a little better. Aulay’s frustration remains, but he starts to enjoy her company. Eventually he helps her sell her whiskey, which turns into more drama before all of them make it back to Scotland.

And she does notice the hair!

She thought of his hair, streaked blond by the sun, wild about his shoulders, having come free of its queue. She thought of the dark beginnings of his beard that framed a sensual mouth, even with his lips pressed together in an unforgiving line. She thought of the way he looked at her as if he meant to put her on a spit and roast her. Was it a sign of depravity that she wanted to be roasted by him? In spite of extraordinary and challenging circumstances, the thought caused her to shiver with a mix of thrill and fear.

I wish the romance had been a little more romancy. There are sexy kisses and times when Lottie would touch Aulay or flirt with him. But the drama on the boat overshadows the romance some.

Otherwise a cute story – the first I’ve read from Julia London in a while.

Grade: B-

3.5 stars
An adventure romance that takes place in the high seas. Aulay MacKenzie comfort zone is being on his ship sailing the seas on board the Reulag Balhaire. Seeing no role in the clan and at home. By chance he came across Lottie Livingston in need of assistance when her ship went down. Alas it was a ploy to get another ship so a reluctant pirate. Aulay was mesmerized by the beauty so he succumb to her plan. Oh the heated battling of captive and captor the tension is there but not in a bad way.

It's rare for me to come across Scottish lingo like this that seemed authentic so to hear Aulay and his crew was a great thing. But also it made for lots of characters I needed to flip back and forth since Lottie's crew was also a lot. At first I wasn't used to some words and had to look it up..The elements and descriptions very picturesque even at sea they made the story though. I never read this series but I had no trouble catching up and would like to read the others. The conundrum for Aulay is helping Lottie or losing her is quite interesting when it plays out.

I wanted to feel more romance between there is some attraction that leads to more but I didn't feel it as strongly. I haven't read this author for a while but I liked this premise so I gave it a go. I should probably go back to the others in the series. I didn't quite grow to love Lottie as much as I would like, sure she's shrewd smart in her preposterous plan good intentions but I can't say whether she went about it right. Aulay was interesting enough I wanted to know more.

There are good points in this as there things that I wished were fleshed out in some way and lessened on the other aspect. I saw some characters that seemed to be from the other books that caught my eye. I liked that it was different from most of my historical romances though and it was fairly enjoyable.

I am overcome with admiration for Julia London! I have read every single one of her books and each time I finish one I wonder how she can possible plumb new depths and hook her readers better than she has in the book I have just closed. Yet she does.
Her characters are complex and compelling and very far from the normal fare of romantic heroes and heroines and yet they are very much romantic characters. I was in awe of Lottie Livingstone and the extent to which she would go to for her family. Aulay McKenzie is just as strong though, and oh so believable.
This story is packed with twists and turns and unexpected events. I read it in two sittings because I just couldn’t pull myself away from it. I can’t begin to say how much I enjoyed it other than to say it was a truly fascinating read.
Aside from the story, at the end of this book is a glossary of terms and a brief author note. I loved that the story was peppered with Gaelic and Danish language and while I found it easy to get the gist of what was being said because of the context, I really enjoyed going through the Glossary afterwards.

This is my second book from Julia London and I loved it!I enjoyed the plot and the characters a lot!I adored Lottie and Auley !

Their chemistry was fantastic they have just the right amount of intense and moments with tension!This is an adventurous book. with lots of twist and turns to keep your interest!

This was a cute read , I would be interested in reading more about these two. I was never bored, now I'm excited to read the rest books in the series that I haven't read!

Devil in Tartan is book four in the Highland Grooms series, this series has just gone from strength to strength, as we have got to know each of the brother’s. I have been looking forward to reading Aulay’s story, we have seen him pop in to the series, he has been like a shadow in the background. He’s been there but not as fully formed as the other brothers have been – in my opinion, so when you finally come to read his story you read it as a standalone as though everything is new.

Lottie and her family on the fringes of ruination, their rent is over due and her father yet again just dismisses it and claims as always that they will be alright and all the while they are sinking deeper and deeper. Lottie is at her wit’s end, the only way for them to maybe get out of the hole they are currently stuck in is for her to marry their clan chief who will then go on to pa off the Livingstone’s debt’s but that route would come at an even bigger cost then the actual debt and it is something that Lottie just cannot face, but she would for her family.

That is until her father comes up with a plan; they will sell their illegal whiskey but not in Scotland or England where their laird can hear about their treachery. They all pile on to a ship, not one of them knowing how to sail and set off with their illegal whiskey, it is while at sea that the real issues start. After sinking a Royal Naval ship, they are sinking when Aulay on the Rhulaig Balhair comes along to save them.
Aulay is absolutely fuming and he wants justice for this traitorous act of piracy, and yes there is a lot of growling and threats about hanging’s coming from our enigmatic Captain. As Lottie and Aulay are forced into close quarters as they battle for leadership – not just regarding who Captains the ship either – Aulay learns that there was a reason behind Lottie’s actions, even if those actions could sentence her to death for piracy. Aulay is a compassionate man and on hearing her tale of woe he understands her plight, after all he is doing something very similar to save his own family. As his feeling for her grow is stuck between a rock and a hard place; does he do the right thing and turn her over, so justice can be served? Or does he do all he can to protect the woman he has given his heart to?

Aulay and Lottie go through so much in such a short space of time, they start of hating each other – even though Lottie doesn’t really hate him, she distrusts him, but it’s not hate, whereas Aulay can’t wait to string her up. I think the scenes where they are bickering are some of the best in the book, I really like how they seem to bounce of each other, how their personalities can be conflicting and yet they are hugely sensual.

I tried. I couldn't do it. I do like Julia London's books, but I just couldn't do read this book. When you physically want to harm the heroine in the story, it's not a good mix. How do I put this delicately? Lottie drove me nuts. Whenever she open her mouth I wanted to strangle her or throat punch her. She was a bit obnoxious, and I'm all for hanging her for what she did to Aulay. Just cause she's beautiful doesn't make what she did okay. We see that Julia try to make sympathy for Lottie, but I wasn't having it. So, I figure I should stop while I'm ahead. I made it about 35%. Aulay, I liked him for the most part, but most of the time it was Lottie trying to get a handle of a situation they shouldn't have even attempted.

So, this particular title didn't work for me, but it worked for others. A lot of people liked this title.

I've read the first 2 books in this series and was looking forward to reading this one. Unfortunately, it was not one of my favorites. Aulay Mackenzie is a courageous and gifted sea captain for his family's only ship. On his way to sell a cargo hold full of goods, he happens upon a lilting ship in danger of sinking. He makes the decision to save the hapless group and it ends up being the worst mistake of his life. Lottie Livingstone and her clan are trying to sell a ship full of illegal whiskey and her only hope of saving her clan is to take over Aulay's ship. A series of mishaps follow these two throughout the book, each a little more unbelievable than the last.

As much as I wanted to love Aulay and Lottie, I didn't really buy into it. Throughout the book, Lottie is described as being the most beautiful woman anyone has ever seen to the point where men are struck dumb and stupid just gazing upon her. That was a stretch for me. While this book didn't resonate with me, I will definitely read the next Julia London book. She's a talented author and I enjoy her writing.

Publisher's Description:

Peril and passion on enemy seas…

Lottie Livingstone bears the weight of an island on her shoulders. Under threat of losing their home, she and her clan take to the seas to sell a shipload of illegal whiskey. When an attack leaves them vulnerable, she transforms from a maiden daughter to a clever warrior. For survival, she orchestrates the siege of a rival’s ship and now holds the devilish Scottish captain Aulay Mackenzie under her command.

Tied, captive and forced to watch a stunning siren commandeer the Mackenzie ship, Aulay burns with the desire to seize control—of the ship and Lottie. He has resigned himself to a life of solitude on the open seas, but her beauty tantalizes him like nothing has before. As authorities and enemies close in, he is torn between surrendering her to justice and defending her from assailants. He’ll lose her forever, unless he’s willing to sacrifice the unimaginable…

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I have read in this series. Since it is book #4 I wonder about the other three books in the series and if I should have read them before delving into this one. I wasn't exactly lost but maybe a glimpse of the characters would have been provided in the other ones.
To me the most enjoyable character really had nothing to do with the meat of the story. Drustan is so childlike that you have to love him.
From other reviewers I know that Aulay has been a character in other books in this series, so if you have read them you at least had a glimpse of him and knew something of his character. But since I have not read any of these books before this one he was a mystery to me and I didn't see enough of his character development in this book to really know him.
I'm sorry to say you probably shouldn't read this book as a standalone. I did enjoy much of this tale though. With all the high jinks and mayhem on the sea and in port it does hold one's interest.
Lottie seems to be another mystery. Why does she hold herself accountable for what happens and how everything plays out?
I gave this book 4.0 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. The lack of character development in this book in general is what brought my rating down. It appears these characters were already developed in the previous novels in this series.
I gave this book a sensual rating of 3 of 5 flames. The intimacy in this book is about the only hint of romance.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.