The Cottage

Secrets of the Shetlands #2

by Michael R. Phillips

In the Shetlands, Loni Ford discovers her inheritance is not at all what she expected, nor is local leader David Tulloch. A city girl at heart, she is surprised at how much she enjoys the peaceful atmosphere of the place. But change threatens that peace, as does a dangerous man intent on controlling the island—and Loni is all that's standing in his way.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Christian, Romance, Contemporary

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: there is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Phillips has been writing in the Christian marketplace for 30 years. All told, he has written, co-written, and edited some 110 books. Phillips and his wife live in the U.S., and make their second home in Scotland.

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage, is the second book in the series, Secrets of the Shetlands. I read the first book, The Inheritance, and I loved it. I gave it five stars. Well, in my opinion, the second book is better than the first book. I really enjoyed it, a very satisfying read.

[Kathleen E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friday, October 28, 2016
The Cottage by Michael Phillips, © 2016
Secrets of the Shetlands, Book 2

—the seashore, the moors, and cliffs—
My Review:
What a beautiful story of trust and hope. Both the island's laird and chief find out where their heart's lead. The people of Whales Reef finally become aware they are cared for and do not need to worry about themselves and their outcome. The author has made these people come alive. I would like to meet the village baker and have some of her oatcakes and tea. I was glad she and Alonnah Ford were able to come to an understanding. A new person indeed takes a time to know and be known; thankfully without a word spoken comes rest. This is the first series I have read by Michael Phillips and I am so looking forward to Book 3 in this series!

The scenes are so beautifully written as each segment of the story unfolds. I especially liked Loni's meadow and David's place of solitude. They are beautiful in their descriptions of where they have come and to where they are going. Faithful in being understood and their conversations confidential unto themselves. A deep friendship of earnest exposure of self and the freedom to exercise this little by little.

Truth prevails and comes to the surface. I would like to have a wrap from Loni's special sheep. What a beloved land and people, encouraging and forthright in expression, I have continually enjoyed meeting them.

Whoever has the loudest voice is not always the right voice. The story expands very fluidly. A great read!

***Thank you to author Michael Phillips and to Bethany House Publishers for my review copy of The Cottage, Book 2 in the Secrets of the Shetlands series. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was the sequel to The Inheritance and was also a well written and quite interesting Christian historical fiction novel with well developed characters. Because the stage was fully set with all the pieces of the complex plot of the series in the previous novel, this book didn't have a gruelingly slow start-up like the first novel did and simply took up the story almost exactly where the first one ended, and due to this fact, I gave this book the full five stars that the previous novel just missed out on. In any case, I continued to be invested in the lives of several of the characters and found their individual histories to be quite interesting. Therefore, this second novel of what is quickly turning into a fantastic series has definitely earned a place on my favorites' list.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story moved at a fair clip for me, especially since all the groundwork for the story was laid in the first book. That said, there was enough in *this* portion of the trilogy to keep me wondering what might happen next.
I feel like I really got to know Loni better in this book, whereas the first book felt like it was almost more about David than anything else. I look forward to learning more about both, and finding out what happens next in Whales Reef. I especially hope that one particular character will choose a better path than he did in either the first or this second book.

[Neisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to first thank Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read The Cottage in return for an honest review. I did not realize that this book was the second in a series. However, the storyline is easy enough to figure out as you read along. I would not recommend reading this as a stand-alone though. As I read about the past events I realized that there is a lot that, I missed out on by not reading the first story. In the front of the book, you will find a family tree and a map, which helps a lot in figuring out the characters and the setting. The book is an easy read that is perfect for wintertime. The Cottage at first glance seemed like a smaller book, but when you open the book, you will find that the print is small making the book a lot longer than I expected.

From the moment the story starts, there is conflict and excitement. We meet some wonderful characters that really pulled me in with only a few pages. The author changes points of view constantly, which can be a good thing. However, the constant changes did not work for me or the small chapters. Why not just cut the scene and make it one large chapter? I know that it is a matter of opinion, bur as a reader; it felt choppy with so many short scenes showing characters that we probably would not see again. There were scenes that lagged, and I found myself wishing things would move quicker. I even had to reread a few scenes, because I was confused at which character was taking a turn. I am not a fan of writing out words as someone says them aloud, because a lot of the time I cannot understand what they are trying to say. There were times in the book, when I did not know what a character was saying, because he wrote out their thick accent. Luckily, he does not do it too often, and when he writes about David, his accent is clear. Sometimes the characters become a bit stereotypical, but the good this is that all the characters act that way not just the Americans. Overall, I did not like the way it was laid out for the reader, but it was a good storyline and plot overall.

Now moving on to what I liked about the book. I really enjoyed how it flashed back in time so that we could see the small town in modern day and in the past. I found myself dying to know more about Loni’s family and past as she discovers it for herself. I could imagine myself perfectly in her old house with all of its books, the fireplace, and her lovely tea times. The two main characters are amazing, and I loved the chemistry between them. The author really had me fangirling over David who is not only compassionate but also a great leader and wonderful man. The book gave me a lesson on what it is like in Scotland, considering I have not read anything prior to this book about their culture. I also learned a lot through this book about Quakers and their religion. The many characters that Loni meets in the small town are not only relatable, but they are fun and sometimes blunt making them a treat to read about. It was definitely a new experience, and I really enjoyed the people in his story.

The book is very different from the Christian Fiction novels that I have read. It has a lot more action and does well in staying realistic with the events that revolve around Loni and her inheritance. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a book that has some romance between the characters but is not overwhelmed by just a relationship. The author does a wonderful job at slowly revealing the past and the characters secrets keeping me wanting more all the way to the end. I plan to read the last book in the series, (assuming that it is the last book) The Legacy. I want to thank Bethany House again for allowing me to read this wonderful and cozy read.

[A.M. Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I Loved: The setting really came to life in this book. I felt like I was actually there, visiting this small Shetland Island. Everything from the descriptions to the characters’ speech and down to their constant offer of tea sent me on a journey every time I picked up the book. The setting truly was the star here.
Phillips not only created a well developed setting, but he also crafted an in-depth family saga, cloaked in mystery and spanning several generations. The Cottage is book 2 of the series. While I was able to fill in the blanks and follow the story without having read book 1, I would highly recommend any interested reader to read this series in order. The book and its mysteries started off very strong, but sadly it didn’t end strong for me.
At the point where the romance begins to take center stage, it didn’t. The drama on the island remained in high gear but for this romance reader it wasn’t enough to keep the entire story from fizzling out. Loni and David just didn’t show any emotion toward one another. They had feelings about several issues throughout the book but when it came each other, they might as well have been siblings.
Another concern of mine was the amount of Quaker beliefs being taught here as well as David’s spiritual beliefs. I don’t want to argue doctrine in a review and I’ll have to be honest and tell you up front that at 3/4 of the way in, I had started skimming because I had grown bored so I can’t say for certain whether or not things in the religious department worked themselves out, but from all that I read it didn’t appear to. I only want to mention it so that each reader can make the decision that is best for them. My problem is that the characters were seeking God and the focus seemed to be outside of “faith alone through Christ alone” as found in the Scriptures alone and it never settled well with me. There may have been a line somewhere that balanced it out but I didn’t read it or see any indication that it would in all that I had read. Simply put, the message just sounded off to me.

~I received free a copy from Bethany House. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

*For those who may be concerned about the credibility of my complaint over a book that I wasn’t able to fully finish, I want to put your mind at ease. The rating I gave this book, I gave solely on the book’s other merits and not on the questionable religious content. I don’t feel that I can properly reduce the rating based on an area of the book that I’m 90% instead of 100% sure of. So why did I mention it at all in my review? Simply because I felt it my Christian duty to point out something that I wasn’t comfortable with for the sake of like-minded readers who may have appreciated the warning. I stand by my comments shared in this review. After 11 years of faithful study, the teaching in this book simply sounded foreign and I wasn’t comfortable. Each reader will have to make their own decisions. I hope I brought you an honest review that will help you in deciding.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featuring the return of heart-warming characters and plenty of dramatic moments that engage the reader's interest, "The Cottage", the second novel in the "Secrets of the Shetlands" books, is a worthy follow-up to "The Inheritance". Though there were some moments that dragged a bit for me with the gentle pacing of the story, I loved how the author would suddenly reveal a great twist or weave action-packed scenes into the story. Phillips does a great job at building some suspense in the novel, not in terms of the typical way we view suspense where people's lives are actively threatened, but with the feeling that Loni is going to make the wrong decision, one that would cost the islanders everything they hold dear. Readers get a much greater glimpse into Loni and David's lives and spirituality in this second book, and I appreciated how Phillips rounds out these characters with their history. The ending is superb in how it is crafted, with a heroic moment that will make you want to cheer, and ties things together very well while leaving me intrigued as to where things will go in book 3.

I closed the final pages of the novel having a great appreciation for the Shetlands and feeling as if I had visited there in real life. In fact, if I had the money, I'd be tempted to climb on a plane and visit the locale of this story for myself as I miss it already! I award this novel a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Readers who enjoy a blend of contemporary and historical novels should plan on diving into this series (though start with book 1 if you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading The Inheritance).

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh...another Michael Phillips yarn perfect for curling up with on a rainy day. In trademark Phillips style, this next installment in the Secrets of the Shetlands series unfolded slowly but pleasantly and included lots of memorable, lovable characters. Sometimes his writing can border on corny and clunky, but you find yourself forgiving him because of how attached you've become to the characters. This book was definitely enjoyable and I will be sure to read the third in the series when it comes out.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel that I have ever read from Michael Phillips and I enjoyed it very much. I don't know how many times I had tears in my eyes from joys and the happenings in the novel. This novel is very Christian in practice and in doctrine. I could tell much about the character of Michael Phillips by what he wrote about the characters in the book. I highly recommend this book to everyone. If you enjoy Christian fiction then you would certainly enjoy this book.

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a rich and sweet story of destiny and belonging and getting back to the roots that shaped you! Full of small-town Scottish culture and vivid scenery, with well developed characters and plot!
Enjoying this saga immensely.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the 2nd book in the Shetland series. I loved it! The characters are typically human and "easy to know"! The setting was so cleverly depicted that I was immediately transported to this remote location off the coast of Scotland! I can't wait to read the next in the series!

[Lynn's · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading “The Inheritance” I couldn’t wait to dive into the second book in the Secrets of the Shetlands Series, “The Cottage.” I wasn’t disappointed! From the first page, the story picked up where it left off and rewarded my reading time with beautiful descriptions of the Shetlands, quirky characters from the island and the continuation of a complex story about an American woman inheriting an island (yes, the whole thing!) and how the native clan accepted and/or didn’t accept a foreigner as their new “laird.” As you can imagine, there were plenty of subplots and interesting threads that made this novel one I couldn’t put down!

That said, I felt there were three to four characters that continued the story in “The Cottage” that made the whole read very enjoyable. Unlike some series, that skip to a whole new cast of characters in the second book, this one kept the story of Loni, David, Hardy, the loud Texan McLeod and Maddy going. I was surprised to find that the thread about Maddy’s life back in Washington DC really intrigued me. Though she was a minor character, her role was very important in the story and I loved seeing her personal life develop. I was outright cheering for her towards the end! It was one of those twists you didn’t expect, yet was a perfect complement to the story.

I mentioned in my review of “The Inheritance” (book #1) that it felt like a prequel which set up the main story that would follow in the books to come… After reading “The Cottage,” I feel even more that this was the case. “The Cottage” carried the story into its most suspenseful moments and no doubt contains the scenes a reader will never forget. I know I won’t! The conflict / resolution was superb! I’m sure some readers might enjoy a story that moves a little quicker, but every Michael Phillips book I’ve ever read has taken its time setting up a deep theme that will move you towards a spiritual reevaluation of your own life. That being said, you could almost...almost...read “The Cottage” without reading “The Inheritance” and still understand what’s going on. However, I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m a big advocate of reading a series in order and I feel that the detail in book #1 helps you appreciate what goes on in book #2. But if you wanted to try it, you could. It would all be up to you!

I also loved how Phillips’ books never seem to “end.” Instead, one flows right into another as if the previous book never had an ending. That’s how “The Cottage” felt. No awkward “a year later” jumps in the story that leave you wondering what happened in that time frame - it flowed seamlessly!

Conclusion: Every time I read one of Phillips book’s, I’m like, “That’s the best book he’s ever written!” The Secrets of the Shetlands Series definitely falls into that category! “The Cottage,” which is the second book in the trilogy, is an excellent continuation of the series. You’ll never get bored with the story, there’s moments that will make you laugh and there’s times when you want to knock a character upside the head and say, “Don’t believe that jerk, they’re lying!” There were also a few chapters that went “back in time” to the 1920’s and gave a backstory to Loni’s great-grandparents. So, you even got a little historical fiction thrown in too! This book (and the series as a whole) offers the reader a little bit of everything and is written, as I already mentioned, very well. I can’t say enough good things about it!

[Prairie Sky Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished one of the best books I’ve read in 2016, written by my all-time favorite author Michael Phillips. This story will hold a treasured place on my bookshelf, as well as in my heart, always. What book am I referring to? Well, it is the second in a Bethany House series called the “Secrets of the Shetlands”, which began in May 2016 with “The Inheritance”. The newest installment, which I just finished reading, is called “The Cottage”. Finally, the series will be wrapped up next summer with “The Legacy”. (And I can’t wait!) Each of these books is very closely interwoven, and picks up almost immediately after the previous book comes to a close.

So many aspects of this book draw readers in, and hold them there until the end. The isolated, mysterious, almost magical Scottish setting is woven throughout the story, and almost becomes a “character” in its own right. The people-characters who inhabit the Scottish isle of Whales Reef are three dimensional, and work through both external disasters and internal dilemmas in realistic, thought-provoking ways. Throughout the story the characters from the present reflect the struggles of their ancestors, whose often-parallel history is also revealed through fascinating peeks into the past. In this way, the importance of generational legacies is explored and pondered with intriguing depth, while simultaneously each primary character’s personal relationship with God is developed individually. The result is captivating!

I hope I have given a sampling of the many timeless treasures “The Cottage” contains. However, while it unquestionably contains deep insight into faith and legacies, it also contains a gripping and compelling storyline that is both exciting and unexpected. I have read many novels in my lifetime, but I can honestly say that very few authors can combine spiritual reflection, enchanting setting, and riveting plot quite as expertly as Michael Phillips. For this reason, I recommend his books to readers of all ages and interests. Although I have immensely enjoyed almost every one of his many stories in the past, the “Secrets of the Shetlands” may just be the best yet. Don’t miss “The Cottage”, unless, of course, you have not yet read “The Inheritance”... In which case, you need to read them both as soon as possible!

P.S. For dedicated fans of Michael Phillips’ novels, “The Cottage” contains several subtle references to other stories he has previously written. For those reading with their eyes and ears open, references to Stonewycke, Heathersleigh Hall, and several other stories are certain to prove a delightful surprise!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”

[Zoe Schoppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend any book written by Michael Phillips. The Cottage is no exception. It is a beautiful romance and a compelling Christian fiction read. As is common in Phillips’ written works, The Cottage is a lesson-filled book. It is a comforting read, a relaxing read, while at the same time a spiritually and morally challenging read... if you are listening. I pray that you listen. I'm going to encourage you now to read The Inheritance, the first book in the Secrets of the Shetlands series, if you haven't already and to then read The Cottage.

I believe that sharing a few lessons that I picked up from the story and then a couple of great quotes can speak for themselves to the value of the story. Enjoy!

Lessons:

-You cannot judge character at first glance.
-You cannot expect a level of openness from someone that you will not give yourself.
-There is honor in not speaking unkindly of another person, even when it may cause great jeopardy to yourself and/or those you care about. This requires character; a portion of which comes from understanding the need to place the entirety of our lives in Gods' hands.
-The value of a legacy

Quotes (unless the quote is specifically cited it has been pulled from dialogue within The Cottage):

I went up to my study. The familiar faces of my books welcomed me. I threw myself in my reading-chair, and gazed around me with pleasure. I felt it so homely here. All my old friends present there in the spirit ready to talk with me any moment when I was in the mood, making no claim upon my attention when I was not! I felt as if I should like, when the hour should come, to die in that chair, and pass into the society of the witnesses in the presence of the tokens they had left behind them. —George MacDonald

“A wise man knoweth when he has contracted foot-in-mouth disease.”

‘Thou knowest what is expedient for my spiritual growth,’ he said in a quiet voice. ‘Let Thy will be mine, and let my will ever follow Thine. Breathe knowledge of your will into my spirit, and give me courage, humility, and good cheer to do it. Make me your pure, dutiful, and humble disciple and your obedient son.’
Kempis’s Imitation of Christ.”

I received a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My thanks to the author and publisher.

For all of my reviews visit Blessed and Bewildered

[Debi Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cottage by Michael Phillips is, unfortunately for me, the second book in a series called Secrets of the Shetlands. From the reviews I've read on the first book, The Inheritance, it apparently left people hanging so most readers of The Inheritance are glad that The Cottage has been released. On the other hand, I found that The Cottage could definitely be considered a stand alone book, since I had never read the first in this series. While I was able to fill in the blanks and follow the story without having read the first book, I would highly recommend any interested reader to read this series in order.

The setting for the story is in both Scotland and America, though most of the story is in Scotland. Loni ("Allonah") Ford inherits property on the Shetland Islands and she is certain she has no interest in keeping it. Loni wants to sell the property so she heads off to see the cottage and to make arrangements to sell it. When she reaches the North Shore enclave she is surprised to see that the cottage isn't simply a cottage, but instead, it's a bit of a mansion.

While I'm usually not a fan of historical fiction, I found this book to be a great story. The storyline itself was interesting enough to keep me turning pages and I have no complaints about the fact that it was historical. The writer does a great job of keeping his audience interested throughout the book and the story itself is well-developed and beautifully written. It provides readers with several unexpected twists and turns, and the landscape itself - the Islands - were described so well that readers feel like they've been there before. The Quaker faith is discussed in this book, and it was particularly interesting to me, since I didn't know much about it before.

I received a copy of this book without cost from the publisher through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage {Secrets of the Shetlands} is the sequel to The Inheritance {Secrets of the Shetlands} by Michael Philips.

The book picks up right where The Inheritance left off with Loni Ford arriving on the Shetland Islands and the property she has inherited.

At first she is not well received by the people on the islands, and has to deal with her two cousins, Hardy and David, who were in line to inherit before the heir hunter discovered her existence.

All Loni wants is to return to New York at first, but she is kept on the island when she discovers neither cousin is whom she thought they were. To make things worse, the situation for the people on the island is much worse than she originally realized.

Now she has to unravel the mysteries and the truth of the Inheritance and who she is. She also has to deal with the changes threatening the island and what that will mean for the people of the Shetland Islands, as well as for herself.

Michael Philips is a masterful storyteller and seamlessly weaves in the story of Loni’s ancestors to provide more answers about her past.

From the beginning The Cottage was impossible to put down and I was excited to discover what happened next. Michael Philips keeps the story moving, while providing depth to his characters. The chapters are only a few pages each, which makes reading the book very easy, especially if you only have a few minutes to read at a time.

Philips weaves in Scottish history and folklore seamlessly, without the reader even noticing how well researched this novel this.

The story reaches it’s masterful pique with intrigue, mystery and deception as Loni searches for the truth, while others strive to mislead her in order to get their own way.

The Cottage is a treasure to read and I highly recommend it.

I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion of this story when The Legacy is released.

*Note: I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Dee Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Secrets of the Shetland series. I received a free copy from Bethany House to review.

SPOILERS

Loni Ford discovers she has inherited an island and a fortune...along with debts, taxes and responsibilities. The question she must answer is does she want it? A distant cousin is next in line to inherit and secretly working to better his odds in obtaining it. Another cousin is thought to be the rightful heir, the people choice, and the people do matter because Loni is not just the potential owner of an island; she is the potential laird. The economic future of the residents of this small island in the Shetlands rests in her decision. Then, there’s the Texan.

The Cottage begins a bit slow, but as the chapters unfold, a delightful mystery keeps you turning the pages. Phillips’ talent is creating a firm setting. The scenes are descriptive. You taste the tea and food. You hear the dialect in your ear. But the characters seem rigid, and the dialogue does not flow well between them. I wanted this to be different. Also, I wanted to like Loni and David together. Instead I felt like a worried friend. Their relationship is cautious. I understand they have issues. But neither communicates well, and there is no physical warmth. Perhaps it would have read stronger if the third person point of view would have followed Loni only or have been limited to Loni and David.

The Quaker element in the book is strong, but also rigid and tipping to the point of preachy in one spot. It is a delicate line to walk as an author, but I doubt I would have considered it preachy had the delivery been more relaxed in the dialogue.

Overall, the strong plot carries the book. I admire Phillips’ passion for family and family history. If you love an adventurous setting, a bit of intrigue and history, you will enjoy The Cottage.

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have Scotland ancestors, which is one of of two reasons why I wanted to read the Secrets of Shetlands series in the first place. The second reason is my grandma used to read Michael Phillips books. Her eyesight has been failing her in recent years, so she doesn't read books very often anymore.

Originally, I had read The Cottage back in 2016, but I never got around to writing the review for it. I ended up reading it along with the third book (The Legacy) in the series this month. At nearly 400 pages with small lettering, it took me a bit longer to reread the book than what I had planned. I wanted to read it on one sitting, but it ended up taking me an entire day. Well, not an entire day, but over the course of a day.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Cottage. It's a well-written (and researched) mystery romance (That's a genre, right?) with wonderful dialogue and incredible descriptions.

[Another_Book_to_Ponder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage is the 2nd book in the Secrets of the Shetlands Saga.

I truly enjoyed this book. I love how Michael Phillips draws you back into time when he has Loni read the old letters and journals. It brings so much depth into the story. One of my other favorite parts of the book is the Reverend Yates when he shares his struggles with David, Sandy and Noak. I'm hoping there is another book out there somewhere that will have more of the Rev. Yates story. I also love how the people truly come to life in this book and you feel a connection to them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Alaska Hults · Rating 4 out of 5]

More tightly written than the inheritance...

It clips along at a much more engaging pace. Unfortunately, the dialogue remains stilted. The dialogue from the past was also troublesome as there were frequently idiomatic or colloquial phrases used that were out of place for the time. The Cottage is a better book from the inheritance (although a novella version of The Inheritance would be greatly welcomed because some of that back story is necessary here).

Spoiler:
I prefer my "proper" or Christian romances to still have a convincing kiss or two, but the end with a vague embrace version is a valid way of ending things, too. But...we never got to see Daniel be a smidge passionate or Alonnah get a kiss that makes her heart race.

[Sarah Hussion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read- the trilogy

Book two of journey to another land, time, and tradition. See other review for series. Worth reading, engaging, intriguing, faith filled, with examples of community and tradition.

[Beverly Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful sequel to The Inheritance. Enough twists and turns to keep you reading while filling in the characters beautifully. I am definitely going to continue this series!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loni is shocked when she learns she has inherited an island in the Shetlands. She heads over to Scotland and meets the people of Whale's Reef. As opponents try to snatch the property from her she turns to God to help her decide what her future holds.

[Sabrina L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this series. It’s not a very complicated story line, but still good. Who doesn’t love a story set in Scotland?!

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cottage by Michael Phillips
Time Frame: 2006, and back-stories from 1920s
Location: Washington, DC, Shetland Islands, Scotland and southern PA
Main Characters:
Loni Ford: New laird of Whales Reef, aka: Alonnah Tulloch Ford
David Tulloch: Named chief after Macgregor Tulloch died
Hardar Tulloch: Distant cousin contesting the inheritance
Jimmy Joe McLeod: “Texan” wanting that island
Madison Swift: Loni’s boss and best friend aka Maddy

Second book in the Secrets of the Shetlands series. I’m tossed about whether I like this or not. A bit slow, but at the same time kept my interest.

This is a continuing saga of the inheritance of the island and village of Whales Reef in the Shetland Islands (due west of Norway, so it has deep Norse roots as well as Celtic). When Macgregor Tulloch died without children or a will, his successor became an issue until, through probate, Loni Ford was found. She was a direct descendent from the eldest of Ernest Tulloch’s sons, four generations before. The other two in contest (David and Hardar Tulloch) were also great, great grandsons, so I’m not sure why she was given the lairdship, except that her lineage came from the eldest son.

The conflict of the story came in the form of an annoying, overbearing “Texan” who will stop at nothing to get that island. Underhanded was his method to gain possession after many attempts to buy it from Macgregor who always refused. Jimmy Joe just wanted the island's oil rights, with intents to turn the island into a refinery, leaving the inhabitants without homes.

David Tulloch knew the late laird Macgregor's desires for the welfare of the hamlet, both wanting the villagers to earn livings and reside on the island for generations to come. As David's friendship with Loni progresses she sees this as well, and wants nothing to do with Jimmy Joe's proposals and schemes.

However, he’s got Hardar Tulloch, another claimant, on his side and going about overthrowing the inheritance illegally is not beyond those two.

Thoughts…

Interesting history of the Shetlands. Back-stories of Brogan Tulloch (the eldest son who left Scotland forever for America and never wanted to inherit the island) were thrown in every few chapters, but really could have been just a few paragraphs in total rather than whole chapters at a time. Most of it was not significant. In my estimation, just word fillers.

There were four distinct theological discussions:
- One from the village vicar who had questioned his faith and came to some conclusions which were interesting.
- One from Loni herself, which is mostly trying to find herself.
And two discourses were from David Tulloch:
- One with Loni on the island when they were sharing their faith journeys,
- and the other with Loni’s Quaker grandfather in Pennsylvania.
All of them were interesting, but biblically inaccurate with regard to the gospel. It could very easily have been discussions between Jehovah’s witnesses. They were about being a follower of Jesus. They were about doing what Jesus says. They were about obedience. Never is the cross mentioned. Never is salvation mentioned. Never is “the gospel” mentioned. Never is grace offered to a sinful world through the shed blood of God’s son ever mentioned. It was all works and feeling based. Even church is not considered important. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Four lengthy faith discussions and no true gospel offered.

I wanted to like this, and in fact, I did like it a bit better than the first, probably because this one sort of had a resolution at the end… sort of. You can tell there will be more to the story but it could stand alone. And that’s as far as I will read.

[Kate Campos · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I will still be writing a review for Booklist, here are the notes I made about my personal feelings on this book:

I think Michael Phillips is an acquired taste, and he definitely isn't my style. This was an incredibly dry read and very slow. In fact, after reading the synopsis of what happened in book 1 of this new series, it seems like you could have done without book 1 and just jumped on board in book 2 without missing a step. With that being said, I wouldn't recommend jumping on board so fast until I make mention of some other things that turned me off from the book.

There wasn't nearly enough emotional meat and felt surface-y, or a journalism style of writing where everything is told very matter of fact instead of shown and emoted. I didn't like how naive he made his female protagonist, and this is not just my reader bias coming into play. I think some women are certainly naive, but he made this girl naive to the point of "how is she functioning in adulthood?" naive after setting her up as this Washington DC career gal. Also, comments like "women's work" and "leave the gossip to the women folk" annoyed me.

The short chapters drove me crazy and had a sluggish effect, as did the extensive use of brogue (but admittedly, it added an interesting cultural effect stylistically). He writes with sincerity, but he betrays his age with certain phrases and trite cheesiness. For example, (paraphrased) "She wrote the letter with such affection that it was sure to have her grandparents' eyes swimming in tears." *eye roll.

Which leads me to my final point: he editorializes. Or at least I think that's the right word for it. What I mean is that one of the characters seems to be a reflection of him, where he's an author and crazy about this George MacDonald guy, and the things this character says seems to be pulled from Michael Phillips' MacDonald writings and from the things Michael Phillips has been told by his own editors (i.e. [paraphrased] author character says "I've been told I take too long to get to the point, but I think it's important to see things out"). That broke it for me, snapped whatever rhythm had been going and I started seeing the character as the author's reflection of himself and just went downhill from there.

All in all, just not for me.

Overall grade: 1 star. I disliked this book very much.

*I received a copy for review from the publisher through Booklist.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage
Secrets of the Shetlands #2
By Michael Phillips

Two weeks ago Alonnah "Loni" Ford found out that she was the heir to property in the Shetland Islands. But the Cottage is more than just a quaint Scottish home and the majority of Whales Reef is part of her inheritance.

Will the people ever accept an American as their Laird? And learning that the island is now in the hands of a woman might be more than the people of Whales Reef can accept. And when Loni hears that the Chief is not fond of Americans she's uncertain that she wants to meet the man the community feels she usurped.

With everyone having an opinion about her fitness to determine the future of Whales Reef Loni herself becomes uncertain of her next step. Does she accept her inheritance and the responsibilities that come with it? Or does she decline it allowing the courts to decide the island's fate?

Before she can make a decision Loni must confront that which has held her hostage all her life - secrets have defined her life and now she must peel back the layers that have made her who she is. Can she discover who she is before it is too late?

In typical style Michael Phillips's book takes place in different times as the past of Whales Reef is revealed in connection with the current upheaval the island and community now faces. The past is taken from a journal that belonged to Loni's great-grandmother and is easily identifiable in the reading as it is in italics. I personally love this back and forth format that slowly reveals the back story. Also fun is allusions to previous series Michael Phillips has written (I quickly identified the Stonewycke and Heathersleigh Hall series character references). It is not necessary to read the first book in the series to be able to enjoy this (somehow I managed to miss the first book and yet still thoroughly this book, but now I want to know what happened earlier).

I received a copy of this book from the publisher with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise - all opinions expressed are my own.

[Ginny Jaques]

An interesting, slow moving and quiet romance with a satisfying conflict, satisfyingly solved. The spiritual element is also gently satisfying, portraying through its main characters what a personal relationship with God, through Jesus, looks like.

The message emphasizes both the sweetness and intimacy of a relationship with God, as well as the natural consequence--a heart that is lovingly devoted to obedience. What is missing, however, is any mention of the Cross, or repentance and redemption. It seems to be assumed that a heart touched by God's love automatically results in purity and obedience, without any of the recognition of the need for grace involved.

This may be the Quaker influence. I don't know much about the Quaker faith. But if there is no recognition of the basic need for Jesus' intercession, or of the part repentance plays in establishing any relationship with God, I feel something is missing in the Christian message.

All in all, it was a pleasant story. I would read more of his novels, especially the historical ones. Anyone with a Scottish background would probably enjoy his books as well.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Shetland Islands Saga. The Inheritance introduced readers to the Tulloch family and their quaint island life. In The Cottage we meet the American who is next in line to take over the small community. I enjoyed book one. Book two was even better. I love the Scottish setting, the authentic dialog entwined in the conversations, and the history of the Shetland Islands. This is not a fast read, instead it's one I call a "January book"; a perfect book to curl up with this winter (or on a cool autumn day) with a cup of hot tea. This can be read as a stand-alone, but I'd recommend you read both. I like Loni and David. They're both solid characters with a whole town full of people surrounding them like a patchwork quilt. One of my favorite parts of reading this book is the peaceful beauty of the Shetlands and the pastoral life. This a long book, 416 pages. There are some places that are a bit slow, but interesting. I received this book for free from Bethany House.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Michael Phillips novel "The Cottage". I had a little problem at first reading the Scottish brogue, but picked it up after a bit. I loved the descriptions of the Shetland Island. I just wished there was more details. I have been to Scotland and it brought back wonderful memories. I thought the characters and story line was well developed. The small town people seemed a little standoffish and not trusting Americans. The character of the Texan is a good example why, not that there is anything wrong with Texans or Texas. But traveling, I have learned that Americans do not always have the best reputation of being terrible friendly. Our fast paced lifestyle is so different from theirs may be one reason. I can't wait to go back and read Michael's first book to Secrets of the Shetlands "The Inheritance". I received a copy of this novel from Bethany House. I was not compensated for this review. These are my honest thoughts and opinion. Thank you Bethany House for this opportunity.