The Secret Gift

Highland Heroes #3

by Jaclyn Reding

Jaclyn Reding's first steamy novel in the Highland Heroes series brought us "a hero who is a heartbreaker-ruthless, dangerous, and so sexy you'll want him for yourself" (Catherine Coulter). Now the series continues with a young American woman out to find her mysterious heritage in the Scottish Isles-and the handsome earl who stands in her way...

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Historical

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Jaclyn Reding is the award-winning author of numerous historical and contemporary novels, including an Amazon.com #1 bestseller and a RITA award nominee. Since first publishing in 1993, Jaclyn has seen her stories translated into nearly a dozen languages around the world.

Jaclyn can usually be found at her home in New England, or Venice, Italy...or somewhere in between. Jaclyn loves hearing from readers and answers every letter personally.

Find her on FaceBook at:
http://www.facebook.com/jaclynreding....

Reviews

[Mιss •kαthєяίиє• Τhε Emεrαℓd Pяίиcεss® · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book combines my currently three favorite themes: Scottland, modern royals/novelty and romantic mystery.
Which is why I love it!

Libby travels to Scottland after her mother left her some mysterious clues to find out more about her ancestors. Ends up to find way more that she had hoped for, like a village and a mysterious (double titled) Scott.

[Sewanee Kracalik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy love story. Both Graeme and Libby’s characters stepped off the pages and right into my heart. It’s a beautiful and unusual love story with lots of fascinating history. My only complaint is that for me, it got too bogged down especially toward the end in descriptions of sceneries. When all i wanted to read was more about their relationship.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In movie terms, "a chick flick" about a New York woman who goes to Scotland to discover who her Mother was.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby Hutchinson is an antiquarian bookseller living in NYC. Her mother passes away and leaves her a very cryptic clue, an old photo, and a mysterious necklace relating to her mother’s earlier life in Scotland. So she sets off to find out more about her mother’s secretive past, the ancestors she knows nothing about and finds herself on a beautiful journey to self discovery and love.

Graeme Mackenzie is hiding from the world due to a very unexpected change in circumstances. He is hounded both by women trying to get his attention and the press after inheriting the titles of viscount and marquess. Upon his Uncle’s death he will be the Duke of Gransborough. He escapes to a quiet village in Scotland where he can be just Graeme.

When Graeme approaches Libby’s car with a gun when she gets lost and ends up on his property, and tells her to leave, I never thought there was a possibility they would become friends.Their friendship slowly turns into an unexpected sweet, romantic and unusual love story.

I loved the development of both Graeme and Libby, they were such an unlikely pairing but this American was exactly what Graeme needed in his life. The love that blossoms between them was written beautifully, their characters were complex, intriguing, and the story was wonderfully accompanied by lots of interesting and captivating history. I love historical romances so reading a contemporary story, that included wonderful elements of the past was extremely satisfying.

This was my first book by this author and she has left me intrigued enough to seek out more of her stories. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mackay Legacy

After the death of her mother Isabella Elizabeth Mackay Hutchinson, a NY book antiquarian, embarks on a journey to the Village of Wrath in Scotland to solve a mystery. Matilde left her daughter an unusual stone and a picture of a handsome man. Driving down treacherous roads on a rainy night, in a dicey rental with an unresponsive GPS, Libby finally sees some light. Her hopes are dashed, when upon closer inspection, the light is on the barrel of a shotgun being held by a tall grumpy man. Graeme Arthur Frederick Mackenzie is at his wits end with paparazzi and goldiggers appearing out of nowhere to harass him, the new heir to a dukedom. He wrongfully assumed Libby was one of the latter, until she dissembled into tears.
Readers will enjoy the journey with Libby, while she is greeted with skepticism and cynicism by the villagers, as she tries to find where her mother was born. The author does a fabulous job with intriguing us the entire novel. All of the characters are fully developed which enhances our reading pleasure. And as with all things Scottish, the local treats are numerous…kilts, bagpipes, kirks, haggis, scones, meat pies, wandering sheep, and the smell of heather. There’s also a little magic, especially regarding the stone. I hope readers relish this romance between two mistrustful souls, who have been disappointed by previous loves and the special power behind the rightful owner of the Stone of the Mackay Clan.
I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I found myself being swept away as the mystery with a touch of magic, unraveled. Libby's feelings of guilt upon the death of her mother led her to spend time in her mother's home, sorting out her affairs. Discovering a letter and a key to an unknown box takes Libby across the ocean back to her mother's roots. The reception she receives at the hands of the villagers baffles her, but slowly she breaks down the mistrust and finds herself being drawn into the lives of the people who once knew Matilde. However, the further Libby digs the more she becomes aware of the enormity of her findings. Graeme Mackenzie is hiding out at the castle behind the facade of a caretaker, and despite his misgivings about Libby, discovers that he cannot ignore her allure and his attraction to her. As trust grows between Graeme and Libby, so does love, ultimately bringing the novel full circle to the ruins of the old church where Matilde and Fraser found their joy. I received a copy of this well-written and tender romance as a gift through BookSprout and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flora is a widow with three small children who agrees to help her friends out by going to the states to help get their B&B open. While there for the first couple of weeks without her children, she runs into Gavin who is in town trying to find his muse so he can start writing again. Both have painful pasts that make starting a relationship difficult. Once her brother brings her children, he encourages her to take a second chance at happiness. Meanwhile, Gavin gets news that his son has been found after going missing two years ago with his ex-wife. Things get complicated quickly between her kids, his child and the unexpected pregnancy. Add in a mysterious grave found in the woods that has them searching for the history of the house and the area. It is a story that has romance, mystery and an opportunity for a second chance at a full and happy life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheri-Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Gift is one of those books that have caused me to picture scenes in it days after I finished it. Beautifully written, I found it thoroughly engrossing and devoured it quickly. Days later, images from the story popped into my head randomly and made me smile.

I did, however, have a bit of a chuckle at my own expense. You see, I love Jaclyn Reding's writing so much that I grabbed this to read without looking further into the description beyond Scotland and "cryptic message." This stands so well on its own that it took me a while to realize it was related to one of my favorite Reding books, The Adventurer!

Now I want to go back, reread The Adventurer, and then read The Secret Gift again!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Highland Heroes Trilogy. I wish there were more. Ms Reding does a delightful job of writing an engaging romantic story without resorting to sex to move it along. Not that this couple didn't indulge, but it was a natural progression of their attraction. This book is set in modern times, where as the other two were historical. It was fascinating how she skillfully wove threads from her other two books into this one. The 'sisters' were a light and fun touch. There were other characters that were as well, but I don't want to spoil it. Read the trilogy in order and enjoy. The Pretender, The Adventurer, and the Secret Gift. Thank you Ms Reding for another wonderful book.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby lost her selfish fiancé and then her mother when she’s sent on a quest to uncover the secrets of her mother’s past and an inheritance, she never knew about it. Along the way after a few wrong turns she makes several friends and a new love although both were reluctant to accept her first for different reasons. I enjoyed reading about her travels, experiences in the highlands, the stories told, and history. It made me want to visit there. Graeme was angry at Libby for keeping secrets but wasn’t he doing the same. There were some steamy, funny, sad, and sweet scenes with paranormal elements from a magical necklace.

[Randy Becknell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent !

This has to be one of the best books I've read this year. This is the story of a young woman who finds her roots in Scotland. Along the way she finds love and a community after losing someone she loves. This story tells of family hardship and loneliness . There's history, funny stories and sadness that's told so well that you can picture it. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and I'm sorry that it's over. I hope that Jaclyn Reading writes many more stories to share with readers like me 😏

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this has a loose connection with another book by the author, this one can be read as a stand alone.

I loved the mix of mystery and romance in it. Libby is searching for her family roots while Graeme is hiding from the public. The two have trust issues to overcome as well as grief to deal with.

It was a great book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sewanee Kracalik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy love story. Both Graeme and Libby's characters stepped off the pages and right into my heart. It's a beautiful and unusual love story with lots of fascinating history. My only complaint is that for me, it got too bogged down especially toward the end in descriptions of sceneries. When all i wanted to read was more about their relationship.

[Sharie Hankemeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Wonderful!

Beautiful story. Kept my interest throughout the whole book!
A story to get lost in. One that keeps you reading long into the night. One that you hate to see end. This is the 1st book, I've read by this author , and I look forward to reading more.

[Jaime Stricklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet and fun adventure of self-discovery. I really enjoy Reding's stories and this one was a neat contemporary that drew in wonderful elements of the past as well.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this trilogy a lot! Reding is a very engaging author, and her stories have more "story" to them than most historical romances. I highly recommend.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline . . . fast read.