NORTHERN TWILIGHT (The Highlands 5) by Samantha Young -review

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Sandy

NORTHERN TWILIGHT (The Highlands 5) by Samantha Young -review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 8, 2024

She’s the girl he left behind. He’s the boy she tried to forget. But after seven years apart, one passionately reckless night will tie them together forever …

As teenagers, Callie Ironside and Lewis Adair were inseparable. So much so, Lewis still can’t work out where it all went horribly wrong, or why he’s spent the last seven years in London away from the love of his life.

Callie knows exactly where it all went wrong and while she tried to move on—learning pastry techniques in Paris and dating French men—returning home to Ardnoch to work in her mother’s bakery only reminds her of the future she lost with Lewis.

But when a visit to London brings them unexpectedly together, the passion, pain and animosity between them leads to a one-night stand. For Lewis, it’s the beginning of winning Callie and his life in Ardnoch back. For Callie, it’s a mistake that’s shaken up the devastating heartbreak she fought hard to forget. However, Lewis is determined to fight for her, and proves it when their night together results in more than just unresolved feelings.

As they come to grips with impending parenthood and the mistakes they’ve both made, Callie and Lewis will not only have to decide to fight for a love that has endured so many years apart, but a mysterious adversary who seems intent on destroying the future they’re building together.

••••

REVIEW: NORTHERN TWILIGHT is the fifth instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult THE HIGHLAND erotic, romance series-spin off from the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. This is architect Lewis Adair, and twenty-five year old pastry chef Callie Ironside’s story line. NORTHERN TWILIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Lewis is the son of Thane and Regan Adair , and nephew to Lachlan and Brodan Adair: Callie is the daughter of Walker and Sloane Ironside.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Lewis and Callie) NORTHERN TWILIGHT follows the second chance relationship between our story line couple. Childhood friends, and high school sweethearts, Lewis and Callie always thought they would be together forever but each saw something different going forward, and seven years would pass before they would meet again. Having moved to Paris to study with the best pastry chefs, Callie knew is was time to come home but she never expected to come face to face with her past. Lewis Adair was about to start his new job and new future but seeing Callie Adair, old memories returned and one night together would change their futures, forever. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between our story line couple, as they must navigate jealousy and mistrust, and the possibility of someone targeting our story line heroine.

The world building focuses on the second chance relationship between Callie and Lewis. Everyone from friends to family always thought Callie and Lewis would end up together but life, misunderstanding, and pride pulled our couple apart, and an attempt to push them together would fail miserably, betraying a friendship in the process.

The relationship between Callie and Lewis is a rekindling romance. Callie and Lewis each remember something different about their breakup; about their prior relationship; and their promises for the future. Lewis thought they were too young to have promised forever while Callie had plans for both, from the start. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is another large ensemble cast of familiar, friendly and engaging secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Eilidh, an expiring actress; and Callie’s sibling Morwenna and Harry; as well as Callie’s ex boyfriend Gabriel, a young man with secrets of his own.

NORTHERN TWILIGHT is a story of second chances; secrets and lies; family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The premise is captivating and strong; the romance is seductive and impassioned; the characters are real, determined and charismatic.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Beyond the Thistles
Among The Heather
Through the Glen
Skies Over Caledonia

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Skies Over Caledonia (The Highlands)by Samantha Young-review tour

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Sandy

Skies Over Caledonia (The Highlands 4) by Samantha Young-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 9, 2024

He’s a down-to-earth highland farmer. She’s the rebellious daughter of Hollywood royalty. They might seem like they’re from different worlds, but that won’t stop them from engaging in a marriage of convenience…

It’s been five years since Jared McCulloch’s grandfather Collum passed away and he inherited his farm in the Scottish Highlands. After his grandad saved him from his past life, Jared is determined to honor Collum’s legacy. But not only has a series of bad luck put him in danger of losing the farm, his estranged father is disputing the will. In a desperate situation, Jared realizes he’ll do just about anything to save the land.
Even marrying Allegra Howard, a woman he’s avoided at all costs.
A woman who tempts him beyond reason.

There’s only one place that makes Allegra Howard feel safe; one place that feeds her artist’s soul. Allegra wants to settle down in Scotland and expand her business. But there’s a hitch: immigration intends to return her to US soil.
Panicked, Allegra finds the one person just as desperate as she is. The same person she’s lusted after for years. In exchange for marrying her, she’ll invest financially in Jared McCulloch’s farm.

However, living together only forces them to acknowledge their searing mutual attraction. And with it comes an undeniable emotional connection Jared’s not sure he’s ready for.
Yet, blurring the lines of their arrangement is the least of his concerns when someone begins terrorizing the farm.
Allegra and Jared came together to save what matters most and now that might just be each other. And unless they can figure out which of their pasts has returned to torment them, they could lose their chance at a real future together…

••••

REVIEW:SKIES OVER CALEDONIA is the fourth instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary adult THE HIGHLANDS erotic, romance series. This is thirty year old Scottish farmer Jared McCulloch, and twenty-five year old, American artist Allegra Howard’s story line. SKIES OVER CALEDONIA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary . Allegra is Aria Howard’s younger sister (Among the Heather 2).

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jared and Allegra) SKIES OVER CALEDONIA follows the return of Allegra Howard to the Scottish Highlands. Approximately five years earlier, Allegra, visiting her sister in Scotland, met and was rejected by our story line hero but the rejection was in response to Allegra’s attitude, and in this, Jared wanted nothing to do with Allegra Howard. Fast forward to present day, Allegra, having travelled back and forth, and staying one too many times, finds herself facing deportation, and when her sister refuses to help, Allegra makes a desperate and despondent Jared McCulloch an offer he cannot refuse. Jared is struggled to keep his grandfather’s farm from collapse, and a quick inflection of cash is just what he needs. What ensues is the marriage of convenience between Jared and Allegra, and the potential fall-out when our couple are targeted in separate instances

The world building follows the acrimonious relationship between Jared and Allegra. Jared is about to lose his grandfather’s farm, and Allegra is about to be deported for staying too long without the proper documentation but family and friends refuse to accept our couple are marrying for anything but love, suspecting the reasons are exactly what they appear to be. Allegra Howard is the daughter of Hollywood royalty yet her life has been anything but. Jared was raised by his grandfather, and in this, his biological parents were never a part of his life but his father’s return threatens everything between Allegra and Jared going forward.

The relationship between Jared and Allegra is tempestuous at best. Allegra has lusted after Jared from the first time they met but Jared struggled to see beneath the glamor and money of Hollywood royalty. Believing Allegra was nothing more than a spoiled nepo-baby, Jared struggles to accept the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are erotic and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters are colorful and dynamic including Allegra’s less than accepting sister Aria and her husband North, and Sarah and Theo Cavendish, as well as the return of Allegra’s parents Chiara and Wesley Howard, and the introduction of Jared’s father Hamish McCulloch.

SKIES OVER CALEDONIA is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal and jealousy, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, captivating and intense; the romance is provocative and seductive; the characters are determined, desperate, charismatic and broken.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Beyond the Thistles
Among The Heather
Through the Glen

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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THROUGH THE GLEN (The Highland Series 3) by Samantha Young-review

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Sandy

THROUGH THE GLEN (The Highland Series 3) by Samantha Young-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 1, 2024

He’s a cynical, world-weary Londoner. She’s a shy Scot. They might seem like opposites, but a few weeks in the Highlands will bring them together in ways they can’t imagine…

Theo Cavendish is the second son of a British viscount, and he’s spent years running from the aristocratic world he grew up in. Betrayal and loss taught him lessons he’s not quick to forget. As an award-winning screenwriter and creator, Theo prefers to throw himself into the world of film and television. He moves from one project to another, never really letting anyone truly know him.

As a housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate, shy Sarah McCulloch feels invisible most days. No one really knows her, and they definitely don’t know she’s a bestselling crime writer. She dreams of seeing her series on screen and believes only one person can develop it for television. On the day she quits the estate for good, she shares her secret with club member, Theo, and asks him to consider her books.

Sarah never expected him to say yes or to show up on her doorstep ready to write with her. Or that weeks spent locked up in her cottage would lead them to form an intense but undeniable connection. A bond that Theo is not sure he’s ready to accept, even though he can’t bear to be without her.

However, when they finally venture out of their bubble, Theo finds he’ll have to battle more than his own demons to protect Sarah from hurt. For he has another fan, one intent on bringing the darkest elements of his most famous script to life. And unless he can figure out this real-life antagonist’s next move, Theo could be in danger of losing Sarah forever.

••••••

REVIEW: THROUGH THE GLEN is the third instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult THE HIGHLAND erotic, romance series-spin off from the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. This is screen writer Theo Cavendish, and thirty-one year old, former Adair housekeeper, and crime writer Sarah McCulloch’s story line. THROUGH THE GLEN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Theo and Sarah) THROUGH THE GLEN follows the building but acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. Sarah McCulloch is a successful writer but nobody knows because she doesn’t use her name. Leaving the Adair Estates Sarah is hoping for a chance to speak with screen writer Theo Cavendish, the man with whom Sarah will fall in love but Theo doesn’t have time, and refuses to accept our heroine at face value, until he finds himself playing nursemaid and doctor when our heroine falls ill. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between our story lie couple as they work together on Sarah’s books, and the potential fall-out as family and friends try desperately tear our couple apart.

The world building focuses on the relationship between our story line couple. Both Sarah and Theo’s pasts are mired in darkness, abuse, neglect and loss, and as such well meaning but oft imposing friends threaten the love growing between Sarah and Theo. Meanwhile, there is a serial killer targeting the young women of London, and our couple are about to be pulled into a nightmare from which they may never forget.

The relationship between Sarah and Theo begins acrimoniously but when Sarah falls in Theo is both guardian and nurse as our heroine struggles in the face of recovery. Theo’s reputation as a lady’s man precedes his introduction to Sarah McCulloch but Sarah’s innocence is a product of her past, a past than she struggled to forget. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and dynamic secondary and supporting characters many of whom we met in the previous instalments as well as in the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. We are introduced to Sarah’s brother Jared McCulloch, as well as Theo’s brother Sebastian. Jared’s story line is next.

THROUGH THE GLEN is a fantastic story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, madness and obsession, family and relationships, forgiveness and love. The premise is strong, detailed, and twisted; the romance is passionate and spirited; the characters are determined, desperate, sassy yet flawed.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Beyond the Thistles
Among The Heather

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Among the Heather (The Highlands 2) by Samantha Young-review

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Sandy

Among the Heather (The Highlands 2) by Samantha Young-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 5, 2023

He’s a disgraced actor. She’s the daughter of Hollywood royalty. Both are hiding in the Scottish Highlands, but despite their antagonistic attraction, they can’t seem to hide from each other…

North Hunter has worked hard to step out of the shadows of his orphaned upbringing into the limelight of Hollywood. He never imagined a dark moment from his childhood returning to destroy everything he’d built. Devastated, he finds comfort in the isolation of an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands, even if the club comes with a prickly estate manager who sets his blood on fire.

As the eldest daughter of a Hollywood legend, Aria Howard has learned the hard way that people will use her to get to her father. When her last relationship ended badly, Aria fled to Scotland. Running Ardnoch Estate provides distance from a life that has never fit comfortably. But when defamed Scottish actor North Hunter disrupts her sanctuary, Aria is on the defensive. The cocky actor is the last thing she needs, and despite their searing attraction, Aria is determined to dislike him.

But one night of drunken forced proximity with North leads Aria to share insecurities seeded by her horrible ex. When North offers to prove her ex wrong by taking Aria to his bed for a no-strings distraction, they begin an affair neither expected. However, their fiery liaison leads to a deep emotional connection that unsettles them both, and North will have to break down more than Aria’s trust issues if they’re ever to have a future together. He’ll need to protect her from a past that just doesn’t want to stay buried… or lose something far more essential to his existence than his career.

•••••

REVIEW:AMONG THE HEATHER is the second instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult THE HIGHLANDS erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. This is Scottish actor North Hunter, and American Hospitality Manager for Ardnoch Castle Arielle ‘Aria’ Howard’s story line. AMONG THE HEATHER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where. You do not have to have read the Adair Family series to follow.

Told from dual first person perspectives (North and Aria) AMONG THE HEATHER follows the building but acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. For close to two years Aria Howard treated Scottish actor North Hunter as nothing more than the bane of her existence. Nobody knew why, yet it was blatantly obvious to everyone else. The arrival of Aria’s younger sister Allegra forced Ari to look deeper into her attitude and actions, firmly convincing herself that North was nothing more than a friends with benefits but both Aria and North had personal stalkers, and with it came the fear of the unknown, and threats to the significant others in their lives. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Aria and North, and the potential fall-out as both stalkers make good on their threats to our story line couple.

The world building focuses on Aria’s inability to let go of the past. As the eldest daughter to the entertainment industry parents, Aria struggled with issues of self esteem, in the face of her mother’s constant criticism, and her father’s numerous trips from home. Believing she was unworthy, Aria battled between head and heart, having suffered at the hands of her previous boyfriends. Meanwhile North Hunter’s life was destroyed as a child when he was placed in foster care upon the death of his parents. A childhood accident became an entertainment industry scandal, a scandal from which he hid in the Scottish Highlands.

The relationship between Aria and North begins acrimoniously as Aria is completely indifferent to our story line hero. Her actions are questionable; her disdain and contempt a case of mistaken belief but in doing so she hurt the man with whom she would fall in love. A heartfelt acknowledgement of love would bring our couple together but issues of trust were forever at the forefront. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

As a spin off series, the secondary and supporting characters are numerous and familiar. We are introduced to North’s best friend and writer Theo Cavendish, housekeeper at the exclusive Ardnoch Estate, Sarah McCulloch, as well as Aria’s sister Arielle, and their parents -Hollywood legend Wesley Howard, and supermodel Chiara Bellucci Howard. The requisite evil has many faces. Theo’s story is next.

AMONG THE HEATHER is a story of family and relationships, trust and understanding, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is emotional and impassioned; the romance is passionate and heart breaking; the characters are broken, determined and in the case of Aria Howard, at times difficult to like.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one BEYOND THE THISTLES

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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The Love Plot by Samantha Young-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Sandy

The Love Plot by Samantha Young-review, excerpt & giveaway

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 29, 2023

Star Shine Meadows is all about freedom, thanks to the hippie parents who raised her. Juggling her jobs as a professional costume character actor and a line sitter, she believes in no expectations, no stressful ambitions, and no-strings-attached relationships. So when she meets a birthday girl’s grumpy uncle while working a princess party, she can’t help but needle him. She’ll never see him again, and honestly, he’s pretty hot.

Rafe Whitman may be a veterinarian with a great bedside manner, but that doesn’t mean his patience extends to anyone with opposable thumbs. His family will not stop nagging him about finding “the one,” so when he runs into obnoxiously cheery Star again, he makes her an offer: He’ll pay her more than she would make doing her odd jobs if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at family gatherings. She can stop sitting in line waiting for someone else’s new phone, and he’ll get his family off his back.

When the tension between them heats to a breaking point, Star’s desire for “no strings” is tested against Rafe’s staunch stability. They say opposites attract, after all.

•••••

REVIEW:THE LOVE PLOT by Samantha Young is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on Star Shine Meadows, and thirty-three year old, veterinarian Dr. Rafe Whitman.

Told from first person perspective (Star) THE LOVE PLOT follows the fake relationship agreement between Star Shine Meadows, and thirty-three year old, veterinarian Dr. Rafe Whitman. Star Meadows grew up with unconventional parents, in an unconventional life style, has two unconventional jobs, and a tight knit group of unconventional friends. A job posing as a Disney princess finds Star face to face with Dr. Rafe Whitman, the birthday girl’s uncle, and a man whose family is desperate to find him a wife. Butting proverbial heads from the outset, Rafe offers Star a six month, financially exclusive contract as his ‘fake girlfriend’ in which Star will discover her unconventionality does not fit well with the Whitman side of life. As Star slowly falls for the man in question, his family is slowly changing our story line heroine. What ensues is the building relationship between Star and Rafe, and the potential fall-out as Star begins to lose herself in an effort to support the man with whom she has fallen in love.

The relationship between Star and Rafe begins acrimoniously. Rafe is troubled by Star’s methods of employment but desperate times force Rafe to offer Star another ‘unconventional’ contract, a contract to play the loving girlfriend of a man who is struggling in his personal life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Star’s friends, and her Bohemian parents, as well as Rafe’s extended family of rich snobs and questionable friends.

THE LOVE PLOT is a ‘sunshine-grumpy’ story line of desperation and determination, friendships and family, acceptance and love. The premise is entertaining, engaging and inviting; the characters are flirty, sassy and lively; the romance is edgy, tender and emotional.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt supplied by the publisher

I was shocked to find Rafe striding determinedly in my direction again. His broody face was more brooding than usual, so I braced myself.
Rafe Whitman drew to a stop before me and blurted out, “You’ll literally do anything for money?”
Anger flared in an instant from the tips of my toes to the ends of my hair, so I didn’t hear the tone in which the question was asked. I threw back my shoulders. Taller than average height at five-seven, I was still a good seven or eight inches shorter than this arrogant Manhattanite, but I was prepared to take him. Anyone who knew me knew I was a patient, laid-back kind of person . . . but Rafferty Whitman had crossed the line!
“What the hell does that mean?” I seethed. “Are you suggesting I charge money for sex?”
Rafe’s blue eyes flashed with indignation. “No, I am not,” he hissed at me, eyes darting around. “And lower your voice.”
“I will not lower my voice.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I like most people, but you sure do make it difficult, Whitman. It’s like you get off on being as insulting as possible.”
He mirrored me, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m not insulting you. If you’d paid attention, you’d realize the question was not meant to be untoward.”
“Untoward?” I grimaced. “What, are you from the nineteenth century? Is that why you hate phones? Because if the technology is difficult for you to grasp, I can teach you how to use a phone.” I was being a little shit now, but he brought it out in a person.
Rafe sneered. “How much will that cost me?”
Argghhh! I narrowed my eyes but smiled. “Oh, for you . . . twice as much as I’d charge anyone else.”
“I see. Well.” Rafe uncrossed his arms to reach into his back pocket. He removed his wallet and then a business card from that. Holding it out to me, he continued, “I guess you stand to make a lot of money for doing very little. If you’re interested, call me.”
Flummoxed, I took the card. “Um . . . doing what?”
But he was already walking away.
“Doing what, Whitman?” I yelled after him.
He didn’t answer, just casually strolled off. His suit pants molded perfectly to his sculpted ass. So unfairly physically perfect.
“Are you going to call him?”
I looked up from the business card that read Whitman Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Rafferty Whitman.
His vet clinic was on the busy, tree-lined Columbus Avenue. Nice location, Dr. Rafe.
There was his phone number right beneath the address.
Yvonne grinned at me, and I answered her question. “Nah.”
Her eyes bugged out of her head as her friends gaped at me in shock. “Uh, Clark Kent just asked you to call him, Star. You don’t turn down Clark Kent.”
“You do if he’s an asshole. Life lesson, girls: an attractive face should not sway you if a pompous, arrogant, insulting, offensive turd lurks behind it.”
Yvonne chuckled. “You did yell at him and try to embarrass him with the peanut butter and jelly stuff. That’s not true, is it?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, it’s not true.” But she was right. I had antagonized him.
“You should make it true. I’d roll in a bathtub of jelly with that man.”
Slipping the card into my purse, I shrugged. “Impossible. His ego would take up the whole tub. No room for jelly. Or me—I mean you.”
“You’re not the least bit curious to find out what he wants to pay you to do?”
“Considering how that sounds, nope. Not at all. Ooh, look, the line is moving. Yay.”
But as the girls turned to move with the line, I knew I was lying.
I was so curious, my heart still raced from my encounter with Rafe.

The Reading Cafe and Berkley/Random House are graciously offering a paper copy of THE LOVE PLOT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Beyond the Thistles (Highland Series 1) by Samantha Young-review tour

Posted on May 2, 2023 by Sandy

Beyond the Thistles (Highland Series 1) by Samantha Young-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3rAzSik

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 2, 2023

He’s a brooding bodyguard. She’s a single mom on the run. And in a town this small, they can’t hide from their fierce attraction…

It’s been a long time since Walker Ironside left behind Scotland and the memories that haunt him. Yet after years of traveling the world as a bodyguard, Walker misses his homeland enough to return. To a village in the Scottish Highlands that plays host to an exclusive members-only club, Ardnoch Estate. If not happy, Walker is content working with the elite security at the club and maintaining his bachelor lifestyle. What he doesn’t need is distraction in the form of the enticing but too-young newcomer, single mother Sloane Harrow.

Sloane never imagined she’d get pregnant at sixteen. Or that a decade later she’d escape from California with her daughter, Callie, to start over in the Scottish Highlands. Hidden and safe from Callie’s dangerous father, Sloane is satisfied with their new lives. Her daughter is happy. Sloane has a stable job, a quaint cottage, a passion for baking that might just be turning into a business, and a huge crush on brooding security guard Walker Ironside. Unfortunately, the grumpy Scot seems immune to Sloane’s charm, but she can’t help but try to seduce him with cupcakes and baked treats whenever the opportunity arises.

However, when someone arrives in Ardnoch intent on destroying Sloane’s life, Walker is the first to step forward to protect her and Callie. Even if it means giving into temptation and awakening his own demons. Because in doing so, Walker faces failing not only to shield Sloane from her past, but to safeguard her against his own.

••••••

REVIEW:BEYOND THE THISTLES is the first instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult THE HIGHLANDS erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s ADAIR FAMILY series. This is twenty-seven year old, single mother/hotel worker / baker American Sloane Harrow, and former UK Royal Marine turned security specialist Walker Ironside’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Sloane and Walker) BEYOND THE THISTLES follows the building romance and relationship between Sloane Harrow and Walker Ironsides. Approximately one year earlier, in the aftermath of an abusive relationship Sloane, along with her daughter, head to the Scottish Highlands in search of some peace and quiet. Working in housekeeping at the exclusive, members only Ardnoch Estates, owned by the Adair Family, Sloane found herself falling for a man who struggled with demons from the past, a man who continued to battle with heart breaking loss but all was not well, Sloane’s own demons had followed her to Scotland, and not once but three times, would fall victim to predators seeking control. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Sloane and Walker, and the potential fall-out as Walker’s inability to protect Sloane sends our hero into a spiral, pushing our heroine out of his life.

The relationship between Sloane and Walker is one of unrequited attraction. Sloane has lusted after Walker since her arrive at Ardnoch Estates but our heroine believes Walker wants nothing to do with a relationship, a relationship with a woman and a ten year old child. As Sloane pushes the envelope of flirting and seduction, Walker continues to pull away, knowing he has failed someone he loved, in the past. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and intense without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including many we have met in the previous series. We are introduced to actor North Hunter, club manager Aria Howard, head of security Jock McRory, and Sloane’s daughter Callie. The requisite evil has many faces.

BEYOND THE THISTLES is a story of family and friendships, abuse and power, love and loss, relationships and control. The premise is emotional and heart breaking; the romance is seductive; the characters are dynamic and determined.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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ONLY YOU (Adair Family 5) by Samantha Young-review tour

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Sandy

ONLY YOU (Adair Family 5) by Samantha Young-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /Apple /

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3ybi5D5

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 21, 2023

Once upon a time, Monroe Sinclair was Brodan Adair’s best friend, but now he’s a stranger and one of Hollywood’s leading men…

It took Monroe Sinclair eighteen years to return home to Ardnoch after a fateful night that devastated her friendship with Brodan Adair. She fled her unrequited love for him, as well as her difficult family life, and tried not to look behind her. Only a daughter’s guilt could lure her back to the Highlands and the assumption that Brodan Adair rarely ever sets foot in their hometown. She can handle seeing the rest of the Adairs so long as she can avoid her ex-best friend and the only man she’s ever loved.

Nothing is more important to Brodan than family, and only his demons have the power to keep him from them. For years, acting was something he was lucky enough to be good at, yet it wasn’t his priority—Ardnoch and his siblings were. But when a ghost from his past returned out of the blue, Brodan tried to outrun its haunting, taking him further and further from home. When exhaustion finally forces him back to the family fold, the last thing he wants is to encounter another ghost. But that’s exactly what Monroe Sinclair has been to him.

When a promise to his nephew obliges Brodan to work with Monroe, it forces them to face their past. The explosive connection that has always existed between them resurrects truths long buried. Yet, just when they might be on the brink of a second chance, the ghost from Brodan’s past finally catches up to him and threatens not just their happiness, but their very lives.

•••••

REVIEW: ONLY YOU is the fifth (and final ?) instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult ADAIR FAMILY erotic, romance series focusing on the Adair siblings of Ardnoch, Scotland. This is thirty seven year old, actor Brodan Adair, and primary school teacher Monroe Sinclair’s story line. ONLY YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Monroe and Brodan) ONLY YOU focuses on the second chance relationship between childhood best friends actor Brodan Adair, and primary school teacher Monroe Sinclair. From an early age Brodan Adair and Monroe Sinclair were best friends; always having one another’s back, and in the case of Brodan, the consummate protector of our story line heroine. Monroe Sinclair grew up in an abusive family, and the Adairs would be there to pick up the pieces but as Brodan and Monroe reached young adulthood, Brodan became a bit of a man-wh*re, and Monroe watched from the sidelines as Brodan ventured onto bigger and better things. Eighteen years earlier, a drunken night with someone else, ripped Brodan and Monroe apart, neither one forgiving the other for destroying one another’s hearts. Fast forward to present day wherein Monroe has returned to Ardnoch as a teacher, in the wake of her mother’s surgery but never expected to come face to face with her past, a past that wants nothing to do with our story line heroine. Enter Brodan Adair, world famous Hollywood actor, and the man that is about to destroy Monroe’s heart all over again. Brodan Adair is tired of the Hollywood scene, and the result of an emotional break down finds Brodan coming home to Scotland in an effort to gain some perspective about his life going forward. What ensues is the acrimonious but rebuilding relationship between Brodan and Monroe, and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to let go, threatening our couple in the process.

Brodan Adair despises Monroe Sinclair to the point of animosity, bullying, aggression and emotional abuse. Misunderstanding and mistaken beliefs pushes Brodan to all but threaten the woman with whom he will fall in love but his disruptive and disrespectful attitude and behavior is nothing short of heart beaking, pushing Monroe to reconsider her return home. Having lived a life in fear at the hands of her abusive and neglectful parents, Monroe has no desire to live out the rest of her life, fearing the repercussions of a man who is unable to let go.

The relationship between Monroe and Brodan is a second chance; a rekindling friendship that will turn into something more but not before insults, scorn, heart break and raw emotion threaten the psyche that is out story line heroine. When Brodan is asked to help direct the local primary school play, Brodan ensures Monroe knows who is in charge, and his abhorrent behavior is enough to push Monroe out of his life. It will take plenty of grovelling from Brodan in an effort to seek forgiveness from the woman he loves but the past is determined to destroy any hopes of a happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including all of Brodan’s siblings, their spouses and the next generation. We are reintroduced to baker Sloane Harrow, and security specialist Walker Ironside. Sloane and Walker’s story is next in BEYOND THE THISTLES, the first instalment in the Adair Family spin off The Highlands Series.

ONLY YOU is an emotional story of heart break and misunderstanding; power and control, betrayal and vengeance, forgiveness, acceptance, family and love. The premise is dramatic, intense and edgy; the romance is spirited and spicy; the characters are broken, dynamic and wounded.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Here With Me
There With You
Always You
Be With Me

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young-review tour

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Sandy

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / Apple /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 18, 2022

When event planner Hallie Goodman receives party-inspiration material from the bride of her latest wedding project, the last thing she expects to find in the files are digital videos from Darcy’s ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it’s wrong to keep watching these personal videos, but this guy is cute, funny, and an astronaut on the International Space Station to boot. She’s only human. And it’s not long until she starts sending e-mails and video diaries to his discontinued NASA address. Since they’re bouncing back, there’s no way anyone will ever be able to see them…right?

Christopher Ortiz is readjusting to life on earth and being constantly in the shadow of his deceased older brother. When a friend from NASA’s IT department forwards him the e-mails and video messages Hallie has sent, he can’t help but notice how much her sense of humor and pink hair make his heart race.

Separated by screens, Hallie and Chris are falling in love with each other, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other’s baggage?

•••••

REVIEW: A COSMIC KIND OF LOVE by Samantha Young is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on thirty-five year old, US Air Force Captain and NASA Astronaut Captain Christopher Ortiz, and thirty year old, event planner Hallie Goodman.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Hallie and Christopher ) using present day and video diaries, A COSMIC KIND OF LOVE follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-five year old, US Air Force Captain and NASA Astronaut Captain Christopher Ortiz, and thirty year old, event planner Hallie Goodman. Hallie Goodman is a successful Manhattan event planner who finds herself the recipient of a series of video emails sent from Captain Christopher Ortiz, on the International Space Station, to his then fiance Darcy Hawthorne back home. Darcy is newly engaged to someone else, and is hoping Hallie will plan the events of her upcoming engagement and wedding but Darcy had unknowingly sent Hallie Captain Christopher Ortiz’s video letters to home, videos that found our heroine fantasizing about the Captain, himself. Hoping to correct any mistakes, Hallie notified Christopher’s assistant but all of her messages were returned unopened. Several months earlier Captain Christopher Ortiz returned from the ISS (International Space Station) to a less than welcoming home coming when his fiancé announced she had fallen in love with someone else but an unexpected invite to his ex’s engagement party found Christopher face to face with our story line heroine, a woman who has drawn his attention when she insisted on letting him know about the videos she had received. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Chris and Hallie, and the potential fall-out as people behind the scenes begins to manipulate our story line hero, and Hallie is caught in the middle of her parents’ toxic relationship and divorce.

Hallie Goodman is a bit of a mess; a bumbler whose accidents and antics did not endear her to her latest boyfriend. Dumped for many reasons including her choices in employment and pink hair color, Hallie places all of her focus on a successful career, a career that will push her together with the man with whom she will fall in love. Meanwhile, Hallie’s parents’ toxic relationship and subsequent divorce are pulling our heroine into the middle of their fight, a fight of which is out of control. Chris Ortiz has never been good enough for his successful father, and no matter how hard he has tried, Chris finds himself second place to his father’s business, and the brother he once loved. Meeting Hallie gave Chris a second chance at love but someone else is pulling his strings, and Christopher is caught between the woman he loves, and his inability to say no to everyone else.

The relationship between Chris and Hallie begins by accident as each finds themselves watching from the sidelines, personal videos and vlogs in which they inadvertently begin a virtual dance of attraction and love. Christopher struggles with his venomous relationship with the father he barely knows, and Hallie wants to be taken seriously for herself and her choices in life. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Christopher’s ex-fiance Darcy Hawthorne, his father Javier Ortiz, and his mother’s sister Richelle; Hallie’s long suffering parents, her father’s girlfriend Miranda, Hallie’s best friend and co-worker Althea, and their boss Lia Zhang.

A COSMIC KIND OF LOVE is a very slow building story line that does not pick up until about sixty percent of the story line has passed, when our couple finally take their relationship to the next level. The premise is captivating and entertaining; the romance is seductive; the characters are frustrated, struggling, energetic and charismatic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

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Tag Archives: Samantha Young

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ONLY YOU (Adair Family 5) by Samantha Young-review tour

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A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young-review tour

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young-review tour