Highland Flame

Highland Weddings #4

by Mary Wine

Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father’s run down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory.

Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission—return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her—and the spark between them is immediate. With a target on Jane’s back, she knows the only way to stay safe is to go with Diocail. But the real trouble will be guarding her heart from her newly ignited Highland flame…

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Scotland, Fiction

313 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Mary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU was quoted “Not to be missed…” by Lora Leigh, New York Times best-selling author.

When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt.

Reviews

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Win the entire Highland Weddings series!***


***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Highland Flame by Mary Wine
Book Four of the Highland Weddings series
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father’s run down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory.

Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission—return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her—and the spark between them is immediate. With a target on Jane’s back, she knows the only way to stay safe is to go with Diocail. But the real trouble will be guarding her heart from her newly ignited Highland flame…

What I Liked:

As soon as Diocail showed up in this series (which, if I remember correctly, was during Highland Hellion), I knew I wanted to see more of him and his story. He was the perfect combination of stern, authoritative leader and fair, good man. Reading this book was a delight and I was so happy to see him get a happy ending that suited him.

In the previous book, Diocail inherited the title as chief of the Gordon clan. He has returned to the castle, which is in a disarray. It needs repairs and a good semblance of order, especially with the clan unsure of Diocail's leadership. The last thing Diocail needs is an English widow crossing his lands wearing nothing but a shift. Jane Stanley's husband has died, and his gambling deaths have cost her. She was fleeing to England to return to her father's household, and she was not faring well when the Gordons find her. Diocail promises her that she will not be harmed by anyone in the clan, and he shows her much more kindness than she expected of anyone. Relying on Diocail becomes easy... as does falling in love with him.

I just want to gush about Diocail, is that bad? He's such a good man, possibly one of my favorite HR heroes. He's so honorable and sweet, yet commanding and unyielding. It's an irresistible combination, and it works so well with this character. I adored him since "meeting" him earlier in the series, and I adored him even more in this book. He is so patient and kind with Jane, and yet he goes after what he wants. He is stubborn and proud, and sometimes those traits get him into a little trouble with Jane, but she loves those parts of him.

Jane is a tough heroine, which is no less expected given how feisty the other heroines are, in the previous books. With her husband dead and no belongings, she has nothing to lose. She doesn't like depending on the kindness of Diocail, though she is grateful for it. I love that she was more than willing to help the Gordon men, whether it came to mending shirts, or owning up to a mistake that would have cost Diocail all of the hard work he had done to make the clan more unified. Jane is a good match for Diocail, and Diocail is a good match for her.

The two of them are so fiery together! There is a lot of chemistry between them. Jane is no timid English lady, and Diocail is definitely not a shy man. He's a leader and a born alpha, and she is a woman with a bit of a temper. Both of them are stubborn, both of them are passionate, and both of them don't deny their attraction to each other. There are some really steamy scenes in this book - it's easily the sexiest of the four! Diocail is a strong guy, and Jane loves his strength.

As with all of the books in this series, there is a wedding fairly early on (maybe halfway through), and then there is the rest of the story which involves the hero wooing the heroine. I didn't mind this setup in this book at all, because Diocail and Jane were somewhat forced to marry. Diocail wanted to marry someone who chose him, and he wants Jane to choose him, even though they are already married. It was sweet (and funny) to see him refuse her because of this. They are so good together, but he wanted someone to love him and want him. She never wanted to get married again. The two of them have to work at their relationship. Falling in love wasn't easy, but they stood no chance.

This story was a joy to read, and I breezed through it very quickly. It is a fantastic addition to the series, and an excellent Scottish romance novel in general. I do hope there will be at least one or two more books in the series!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything that I didn't specifically like or had issues with. This book was lovely!

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this book if you enjoy Scottish romance novels. This author has become a go-to author when I am looking for books set in the Highlands. The heroes are sexy alphas, the heroines are bold, fierce ladies, and the romances are steamy and sweet. Plus there is always a good dose of humor and fun!

Rating:

4 stars. I said this earlier but I really hope there is another book to this series, or maybe two! The ending of this book, in terms of some of the secondary characters, certainly left the possibility open, so I'm crossing my fingers. I would welcome it!





Eeee, here it is! The third book I've manually created and added to Goodreads, and it's the fourth book of a series that I absolutely love. I've got a giveaway on my blog for copies of Highland Spitfire and Highland Vixen.


Here is the cover!

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've given this a C- at AAR, so that's 2.5 stars rounded up.

One of my Goodreads friends commented on an update I made while reading this book and asked me: “Why do you carry on doing Scottish books to yourself?” I responded to the effect that, in my eternal optimism, I pick up a Scottish-set historical every so often in the hope that I’ll find a good one with a plotline that isn’t a repeat of 97% of the other books in the genre. While I’ll admit that Highland Flame doesn’t offer the standard boy-meets-girl-from-opposing-clan-and-has-to-tame-her plotline or stereotypical stubborn, growling laird and feisty, flame-haired curl-tosser, it nonetheless suffers from a weak plot and a heroine whose motivations don’t always make a great deal of sense.

Diocail Gordan, newly minted laird of the Gordon clan, has inherited a crumbling castle and a poorly disciplined household thanks to the previous laird (his uncle), a miser who never provided properly for those who were dependent upon him. Diocail’s second in command suggests Diocail needs to find a wife quickly, one who is high-born enough that she will have been trained in household management, most importantly the running of the kitchens so that everyone will have enough food. Given the state of the place, Diocail doubts he will be besieged by eligible maidens seeking to take on the task – and he’s right. But for now, it’s time to go abroad to collect the rents, and he’ll have to wait until that’s done to give due consideration to the prospect of matrimony.

Jane Stanley journeyed with her husband into Scotland and now finds herself a widow because he has been killed in a fight over non-payment of the gambling debts he ran up. The innkeeper has thrown her out in nothing but her shift, insisting on keeping the rest of her goods in part payment of his bill after Jane turns down his offer to allow her to work off his fees on her back. She has no alternative but to return to England and her stepmother’s house, even though the woman has no love for Jane and is not likely to receive her with open arms. Nonetheless, she sets off, with no real idea of which way to go, and dressed only in her shift.

I’ll say that again. She is wearing a shift. No shoes. No petticoats. No warm clothing. In the Scottish Highlands. But okay, I’ll buy it, because I know that any minute, she’s going to fall in with the hero’s rent-collection party. Which she does. Except that it’s not any minute, it’s ALMOST A WEEK LATER. Even in the height of summer the weather in the UK is incredibly unpredictable – we get rain, fog, wind and cold – and Scotland is colder than it is further south. Yet Jane, who I am asked to believe is intelligent and resourceful has been wandering about in the Highlands dressed in a nothing but a nightie for a week, with no idea of where she is going.

*Insert eye-roll here*

Luckily for her, the men she stumbles across are decent sorts, and while her being English and their being Scottish is good enough reason for suspicion on both sides, she is fed and made warm. The man in charge – whom she realises is a laird – says that she must travel with them back to his castle, ignoring her protests that she wants to go back to England and telling her that the last thing he needs on his land is a dead Englishwoman, as will undoubtedly be her fate if she keeps on as she is.

Jane is sensible of the kindness being shown her but also feels guilty as she cannot repay it. The best thing she can do, she thinks, is to leave as soon as she can to relieve Diocail of the responsibility he has taken upon himself to protect her. She takes the first opportunity afforded her to run – but her plan goes spectacularly wrong and she and Diocail end up having to get married.

I normally love forced-marriage plotlines, but this one… not so much. There’s little chemistry between the characters, and Jane’s dithering got on my nerves. She fancies the kilt off Diocail of course, but her experience of marriage was so horrible that she doesn’t ever want to do it again. Ever. So instead of being married to a hot Scot who clearly respects, admires and desires her, and can offer her a decent home, she’d much rather go back to live with her cold, stern cow of a stepmother. Yeah, right.

Diocail is more strongly drawn and a far more sympathetic character than Jane. He is determined to do his best by his dependents and to be a good laird, but he is also well aware that there are those who are not happy at his accession and would stick a knife in his back at the blink of an eye. He’s got a lot on his plate, but also wants to do right by Jane, who has suggested they get an annulment so she can go back to England. By this time, he wants her to stay; she’s already shown herself to be more than equal to the task of whipping the servants into shape and things are improving… but he also wants her for herself and he wants her to actually choose to be with him rather than just accept her fate, so he sets about wooing her (and indulging in a bit of naughtiness to show her what she’s missing!).

Speaking of naughtiness… I really didn’t need to read about Jane’s throbbing clitoris so many times, and I had to roll my eyes at the scene in which Diocail’s inner circle discuss the fact that he’s not done the deed with his new wife yet. Not only do they know this, they know it because they heard the newlyweds bumping and grinding the night before but knew that Diocail didn’t “take his own pleasure”. Seriously? They could tell from somewhere outside? And then, they decide it’s up to them to “do something about it”. When did they turn into the Highland version of the Seven Dwarves?

There’s a last minute attempt to introduce some tension in the story with an attempted coup, but it’s too little too late; and while the author includes a few passages that are clearly setting up the couple who will feature in the next book, I didn’t find them sufficiently engaging as to make me want to read it. If all you want from a Highland romance is a braw, bonnie chap who looks good in a kilt, Highland Flame<.b> might work for you. But if you also want a decent plot, strong characterisations and a heroine you can like and root for, I’d suggest you look elsewhere.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Highland Flame is a story that I have been highly anticipating for quite some time. Ever since I read book three of the series "Highland Hellion" and we saw the courage and strength of this one man, Diocail. I just knew that his book would be great and you know what it WAS!! This book worked for me in so many ways probably even more so than the previous two books. I don't think that I could pin point one certain aspect that just made this book as a whole work, but I believe it was various things that made Highland Flame a stunning romance that tugged at my heart strings.

This story begins with with Diocail, who has recently taken over the Gordon clan as their laird. For too long, this clan has gone into despair, their people suffering, children starving ,even his soldiers willing to do anything for a scrap of food. Diocail had the courage to take over the clan that needed someone worthy and strong but now he has a bigger task, bring the clan together and making sure they prosper once again. But he knows that more than anything he is in strong need of a wife, who can aid him. He just never expected the woman he would marry might not be the woman any highlander would want but would definitely prove herself and be the best cure for the clan.

Highland Flame is a story that brings two people that are complete opposites from each other. Our heroine, is a woman that has gone through quite a bit of struggle. She is an Englishwoman, who found herself without a husband, determined to not become a prostitute, and along in Scotland with no friend or aid to speak of. When Jane first runs into Diocail, she realizes that she is in trouble. Because she wants him, but knows it could never be possible. However, Diocail, refuses to leave a woman like Jane alone, knowing there are many Highlander wolves that would rape and abuse her. So he keeps her with his men while they trek back to his home. The attraction between Diocail and Jane is so hot it practically steams off the pages, but we also see so much depth to their relationship. The beginning especially, we see that even though they argue and fight, there is also something deeper growing between them. Their relationship starts out a bit angsty, but boy it's the kind of angst I really like to see happen in a romance. It flowed just right for these two. And once they accept each other here, than this is where their relationship turns more intimate and I couldn't get enough of these two learning each other slowly.
He wanted her to choose him. Seducing a woman with less experience wasn't very difficult. He'd already have claimed her if that was what he wanted. No he craved something different from her. Something very personal. Nothing less would satisfy him.
The full dynamics of the story that adds all the variety and spice that I have come to expect from Mary Wine, was just the right flavor. We see a intrigue/danger side to the plot. Not everyone in the clan is happy with Jane as the Laird's wife and wants to take her out. Then we have the antics of Diocail's men, who want to make sure that they fall in love and boy what they come up with is hilarious. I loved the closeness and bantering between them and most especially how loyal they are to Diocail. You see how much they would do anything for him. Especially in making sure he falls in love with his wife. hehe, Then we one of my favorite characters, a little boy that Jane discovers in the beginning of the story, who becomes their adopted "son" of sorts. And he just added a right touch to the story, he was simply adorable but he also breaks your heart because of how sad his situation is. I did love seeing the way Diocail, Jane and their entourage of men close ranks and protect this little boy who has just lost his mother to disease.

Highland Flame brings together a various array of elements to a heartbreaking but heart winning romance....a story full of strife, struggle, and pain but also healing, fulfillment and the power of love. A story that gives you all the feels----captures the heart of the reader!! WELL DONE MARY WINE!


What do you think about Mary Wine? Have you read her books? What do you like most about her stories?
What do you love most about Highland clan dynamics?


[foogallery id="24889"]

 

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully exciting read with one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a while. The hero is just as strong as the heroine and both are too stubborn for their own good.

Diocail Gordon has just become Laird of the Gordon clan. His uncle, the last Laird was a selfish, miserly man who grossly mistreated his clan and his home. Diocail plans to change all of that, but there are a few in his clan who do not welcome his leadership. His uncle had let the keep fall into such disrepair that the roof, chimneys, etc. in the kitchens are hardly workable and he’d reduced the staff and the amount of food to be served until his clansmen are practically starving. The clan expects Diocail to marry a good Scottish lass to straighten out and manage the keep. Boy, are they in for a surprise!

Lady Jane Stanley was just widowed. Her gambling, wastrel of a husband was killed after losing all of their money and possessions in a card game. He even wagered her in the game and brought the ‘gentlemen’ to their bedchamber to tell her she had to fulfill his wager. Naturally, she refused. Later, he was found beaten to death. The landlord confiscated all of their remaining belongings – even the clothes Jane was wearing. The landlord demanded she repay the remaining debt by ‘entertaining’ him. Again, she refused. So, he turned her out into the cold in only her shift. She headed out, on her own, to get back to her father’s house in England.

Jane went through a lot – only to find out she was headed in the wrong direction. That didn’t deter her though, she just headed in the other direction – only to find herself in dire trouble. Then, she is rescued by Diocail and his men. They plan to take her home with them because of the weather, but, after a while, she ran away from them again. This time, a clan group finds her and decides to hang her because she is English. Luckily, Diocail rescues her – again – but this time it basically forces a marriage.

Jane is determined NOT to be married again. She will not be owned by anyone ever again. She WILL leave and get back to England where she isn’t hated and reviled. Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn!

Diocail needs a wife to straighten out his home – and Jane has all of the qualifications – but he wants her to ‘choose’ him rather than be forced to have him. So, he sets out to woo her – and seems to be managing to do that, when she disappears again. He believes the worst (stubborn, stubborn, stubborn) and goes after her. He won’t believe that she was taken against her will and treats her coldly.

They are passionately drawn to each other, but there is no trust – and trust is everything. How can they learn to trust each other? What will happen when a clan traitor threatens again?

I highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book also delightfully sets up the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read that one!

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

[Erica Chilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Read

4 Stars.

I began reading the Highland Weddings series starting with book #3, having no issue jumping right into the story. New readers shouldn't have any confusion reading Highland Flame as a standalone. With that being said, I did promptly go purchase books 1 & 2 and will read them in my free-time.

Mary Wine created a mixture of fast-paced storytelling with a guilty pleasure vibe, with a healthy dose of angst.

Jane is newly widowed at the start of the novel, as within hours, upon meeting the new laird. Jane is an English woman left to the wilds of the highlands with only a shift upon her back. Barefoot and penniless, she refuses to pay her late husband's debts, payment exacted while on her back. The devoted woman would rather face the elements, travelling on foot back to her father's home in England.

The previous book set up the events happening in this one, with Diocail becoming the Gordon laird of an ailing keep. Diocail is in need of two things- his clan's trust and a wife to take the household in hand. Diocail is an honorable man, wishing to do his best to treat his people with dignity and respect after his uncle bleed them dry and left them starving. While out to collect rent and have his tenants swear fealty, Diocail stumbles upon something he very much needs and wants.

After an abusive, neglectful marriage, Jane has no plans of ever taking a husband. Jane needs to feel useful, pay her own way, yet refuses to be seen as someone's property without a voice.

Diocail and Jane clash in an addictive push-pull romance, filled with equal parts sexual tension and misunderstandings. The addition of a 7 year-old boy and meddlesome, well-meaning clansmen, adds a humorous, lighthearted, heart-warming feel.

Generally, no matter how many pages are in a historical romance, the pacing and influx of information always has the book feeling longer. That isn't the case with Highland Flame. It's a quick, easy, addictive read, words jumping off the pages at a rapid clip.

Why aren't I handing out 5 stars for a book I devoured in a few hours this afternoon? An element of the plot infuriated me, frustrated me to the point I couldn't enjoy the story. While this added much-needed conflict, it was out of character for Diocail to ignore, not ask for details, actually refuse to hear the details, and straight out deny Jane's voice. To not listen, even if he didn't believe Jane, is not the mark of a man who's main job is to take care of his people. The refusal and denial was childish, not that of a leader. A leader collects information, even if he believes it may be false. I also felt Jane didn't do enough to get her voice heard- even if he didn't wish to hear it, it's hard to ignore a woman screaming the truth in your face, with all your men standing by.

During this thread, both had a character-trait transplant, acting/reaction out of the norm of the traits set from the start of the novel.

Even after his clansmen believed Jane, Diocail- the man who is sworn to protect his wife- still kept saying he forgives her. It was maddening, watching a strong man act so WEAK in the face of his irrational denial. A man who became laird because of two men being underhanded. It was out-of-character, and removed any believably to the story. Frankly, it erased any emotional connection I had during the between-the-sheets action as they coupled with Diocail not believing Jane. Ethics and loyalty are hard limits for me. I would not allow anyone to touch me if they thought me a liar, and that is how Jane was written... until she acted out of character.

Besides that major hiccup, I enjoy the story immensely until the epilogue. While I was thrilled by the information in the epilogue, I was frustrated by the head-hopping, after reading an entire novel without it. With the exception of the epilogue, there were very defined lines on who was narrating. In the quest to set up the next book, while also showing where this novel's couple is now, the author head-hopped four characters, with no transitions for the reader to realize who was narrating until the confusion set in. As the reader, I'd get through an entire paragraph/passage before I realized it was voicing another character, only to be thrust out of that person's head and drop into another. That's not an epilogue- it's maddening.

Frustration aside, I highly recommend this author and series to fans of historical romance, especially those looking for a new take on the tried and true tropes.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance the Highland way!

Jane Stanley's husband had been a feckless excuse for a man who sought to sell her favors to pay his gambling debts. When she refused and he was killed she found herself newly widowed and in the depths of the Highlands. After she refused the inn's owner the same liberties she found herself thrust from the Scottish inn wearing only her chemise.
Which is how Laird Diocail Gordon and his men found her some days later, trudging barefooted and determined towards England--sort of.
Diocail needed a woman of Jane's background to bring order to the run down castle he'd inherited when his miserly uncle had died.
He needed "a lady and the duties she would have been trained to do. ... Running a kitchen was more than turning bread; it was knowing how much bread to set out to rise in the morning so that the supper table was full and how much grain was needed to make it through the winter and how many hands were needed to produce it all."
His men thought Jane might be the very ticket. Diocail was not adverse to the idea.
Jane, however she might be attracted to this hulking giant of a man did not want to be be married again. But fate and circumstances had other ideas.
How these two work things out makes for a rambunctious story with some amusing highlights, underscored by deadly factors not so very far away. After all Jane is English and the Scots are wary of her and the trouble she could bring.
Diocail is a rather wonderful character and Jane is a feisty treasure.
I must admit to having once picked this story up, finding it hard to put down.

A NetGalley ARC

[Sammy Loves Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of stubborn, stupid heroines that have no common sense!! They ruin a good love story and a fabulous hero everytime!!

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highland Flame is the fourth book in the Highland Weddings series by Mary Wine. It can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

Laird Diocail Gordon has recently taken on his title, clan and castle after his uncle's death. He is shocked to discover the state of the castle and realises what a harsh miserly man his uncle was. He sets about making changes for the better, but without the help of a good woman to take charge of things he's struggling. He's a warrior, not a house-keeper.

Jane Stafford is recently widowed, very recently. Upon his death she is thrown out of the Inn they were staying in dressed in nothing but her chemise. All her worldly goods, including her clothes, were kept by the Inn keeper as payment for her dead husband's debts. It was that or stay on at the Inn being a whore. A fate worse than death in her opinion. So she finds herself, barely dressed and in a place where she has no friends or family. She is from England and as foolhardy as it may be she decides she has to make her way home on foot. She's not sure how far she will make it, but what alternative does she have?

Diocail is camping with his men while travelling to collect rents and assure his tenants' fealty when he comes across Jane. He hears her fighting a man off and comes to her aid. She is on Gordon land and the man trying to have his way with her believes that gives him a right to her. As Laird, Diocail puts the man straight and takes Jane under his protection.

Jane is still determined to make her way back to England, but half starved and with blistered feet that she can barely stand on, she realises that for at least a while she should allow Diocail to help her. The minute she feels up to it though she once again ends up running away and once again ends up in dire straits. The only way that she can be rescued is for her to marry Diocail. It's that or the hangman's noose. There is no love between our couple but there is definitely a huge attraction. Can it become anything else, or will Jane still want to go back to England?

Some of Diocail's clan never wanted him to be Laird, and when they discover that he has married an English woman they are even more determined to oust him from his position. They need to get rid of Jane too in order to make sure she doesn't get pregnant and give the Laird a son and heir. Will they achieve their goals, not if Diocail has anything to do with it.

The story was a joy to read right from the very first page. Jane is such a feisty, strong female yet at the same time terribly vulnerable. She needs a good, kind strong man to love and appreciate her even if she never admits it. Diocail is a fabulous character, willing to do all that he can to right the wrongs his uncle has done and making the clan proud to be Gordons. His care for his people and Jane is wholeheartedly given, he is a warrior with a heart of gold. Cross him though and you won't live to tell the tale! I loved that there was light and dark to this book, there's devious plotting, death and fighting, but there is also the fun side of things. Such as the lengths his closest friends go to to make sure that Jane marries their Laird, then consummates that marriage. I love a book that can make me laugh even when the story can be an emotional one too.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - Mary Wine is such a great author, she is able to draw me in from the first page and hold me captive until the last.

The story opens with Jane being cast out of the inn she was staying in with her husband in just her shift. Her husband was killed and the innkeeper took all her possessions as payment due, he cast her out when she refused to sleep with him to cancel the debt. She is determined to return to her father's house in England, so she sets out walking, but unbeknownst to her - she is going the wrong way.

Diocail is the new laird of the Gordon clan, he was the nephew of the former laird - a stingy, mean man who was murdered - but his clan is torn, many would be happy to overthrow Diocail and his household is a mess. To escape the strife, he leaves to go with his men to collect the rents. His men have encouraged him to take a wife who can set the household to rights. They figure if the men are feed and keep is in order, Diocail will have an easier time winning over the clan.

These two meet when Diocail save Jane from some ruffians bent on raping her. As grateful as she is, Jane does not want to stay with Diocail - a fact that she repeatedly tells him. When the opportunity arises, Jane makes a run for it - only to be captured and taken to be hung as a spy! When Diocail intervenes to save her (again) the crowd demands that he marry her.

They marry but Jane is still determined to go home to England and plans to have the marriage annulled. Diocail recognizes Jane's worth and will not let her go easily. She is appalled by the state of the keep when she arrives and immediately begins to set things right. Diocail is more convinced than ever that Jane belongs with him. Slowly Jane begins to admit that she is happy with Diocail and just when it seems like these two are headed for a HEA, Ms. Wine throws the reader a curveball.

Not everyone is happy with Jane or with Diocail for that matter. So when Jane disappears, Diocail assumes the worst and refuses to believe that Jane did not leave him. Both Jane and Diocail are stubborn and when they engage in a battle of the wills - I was hard pressed to decide who will be the victor.

This book was well written, flowed nicely, has steamy love scenes, nasty villains, great secondary characters, amusing dialogue and a great ending.

I would highly recommend this book, it is the fourth in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

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

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series so far and when we met Diocail in the previous book I was curious to know more. The Gordons have caused a LOT of troubles in previous books.

But Diocail is new to the lairdship and he will hopefully bring some order to the land. But the keep is in ruins and no one is doing anything to fix it. Good for them that he is persistent.

Jane had a crappy marriage and is now on her own and trying to get back to England. She had courage and would not back down. A spine of steel.

They meet, they clash and they start falling in love. But the road there is long. The clansmen do not want an Englishwoman! The English suck after all.

His retainers were so much fun. They started to like having her around and I kind of wanted a story for all of them after that. I just got to know them so well.

But before that it seems Simon Grant is getting a story, or Brenda (She so deserves love so hopefully hers first).

Narrator Anthony Ferguson
Oh I could not listen to a Wine book without him narrating. He is the characters. I like how he does them and that fine accent.

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of you may have followed my reviews for the previous books in this series by Mary Wine on the other blog. If you don't know, I'm totally in love with this series. It's my first highlander series and Mary Wine has done nothing but impress me with the way she weaves together romance and politics. I'm always eager to read the next book in the series, so I jumped on Highland Flame with a lot of excitement.

Right away though I could tell that Highland Flame wouldn't be as good for me as the previous books in the series. It's not a terrible book, but compared to the others, it falls behind a little bit. In Highland Flame, we're given Jane's story. She's a feisty, brave and sometimes reckless Englishwoman determined to return back home after her Scottish husband's passing. Jane is a great character, who shows a lot of strength and resilience throughout Highland Flame. Her scoundrel of her husband was even ready to prostitute her to settle his gambling credit, but she knows she's worth more than that and vehemently refuses. She remains true to herself throughout the book, and always bounces back whatever the obstacle she faces.

She totally deserved a sweetheart like Diocail. I initially wasn't quite sure what to make of Diocail. He's just become the leader of his clan and desperately needs a wife to fix things around in their decrepit castle. I couldn't quite get a handle on his personality at first, but as the story progressed, we got to see the caring man underneath all that gruff exterior. He wants to do good for his clan, and his kindness and patience towards Jane were nothing short of swoony. Though I loved these two characters individually, I felt like a certain spark was missing in their relationship. I don't quite know exactly why that was, but I only know that I never felt as strongly for them as I did the previous couple. They enter into a marriage with Jane still hell-bent on going back to her home in England, but throughout the Highland Flame, they become familiar with each other and grow a bond. I'm just not convinced by their bond though. As always, Mary Wine writes excellent steamy scenes. Another aspect I liked here was the deeper exploration of what it's like to belong to a clan led by Highlanders.

All in all, Highland Flame was certainly readable, and if you're a fan of this series, I definitely recommend checking it out.

[Севдалина · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дайъкъл Гордън и Джейн Стафорд

Наследявайки леърдската титла на клана Гордън, Дайъкъл няма и идея в какво се забърква. Винаги е знаел, че чичо му, предишния леърд е бил зъл, стиснат егоист, но се оказва, че истината е по-ужасна. Предишният леърд освен че е оставил замъка да се руши, а воините му да мързелуват, е оставил и хората си да гладуват, докато той е пълнен хазната си, взимайки и последните средства на селяните си. Сега Дайъкъл е изправен пред предизвикателство с каквото няма никаква идея как да се справи. Той знае какво е нужно за воините и защитата и нито идея как да помогне за нормалният живот на селяните, няма идея какво и в какви количества е нужно да се набави, за да бъдат изхранени всички в крепостта и абсолютно никаква представа как се води домакинство. Всичко обаче се променя, когато на път да събира годишните надници той и хората му се натъкват на млада полугола англичанка. Тя отказва да има нещо общо с тях и да получава подаянията им, но Дайъкъл просто не може да я отпрати по пътят й само по долна риза, а скоро мъжете му ще решат, че тя е идеалният човек, който да ги измъкне от домакинският им проблем.

Джейн е отчаяна. Четвърта дъщеря на благородник, чиято мащеха вече не я иска в дома си, Джейн се съгласява да се омъжи за сина на доставчик на вино. Съпругът й доставя френско вино в Шотландия, като кара Джейн да замине с него. Само няколко месеца брак показват на Джейн, че Хенри не е мъжа за който го е мислила. А след като губи всичко, което притежават обещавайки тя да заплати дълговете му с тялото си, Джейн го гони от стаята си в страноприемницата в която са отседнали. На другата сутрин съпруга й е мъртъв, всичките им вещи са взети от собственика на страноприемницата, а Джейн е принудена да избира дали да продаде тялото си или да се опита да стигне до дома си, боса и облечена само в долната си риза... посред зима. И разбира се, Джейн е готова да измине пътят до дома пеша, но не й да се продаде. И тогава я намира Дайъкъл Гордън, спасявайки я от един от хората в клана си. Джейн не е готова да се остави на мислостта на шотландците но след седмици студ, глад и разранени крака няма особено голям избор. А когато по-късно една необмислена постъпка я оставя обградена от гневна тълпа с примка около врата на бесилката единственият й шанс за спасение е бракът с Дайъкъл Гордън.

Книгата беше СТРАХОТНА. Много ми хареса. Винаги съм казвала, колко обичам книги в които главната героиня идва в дома на главния и въдворява ред. Е тук Джейн щеше да има много работа. В крепостта имаше рушащи се стени, покрива течеше, прозорците са без кепенци и вее жестоко, мъжете използват коридорите за тоалетна и се бият за храна, тъй като на няколкото жени останали да работят в кухнята им е забранено да дават много храна на мъжете. Мелницата не работи и жените мелят брашно на ръка... което е трудно и в повечето случаи брашното не е смляно като хората. Единствената фурна е с паднала стена и докато хляба се пече ако навън вали той се мокри. Тотална мизерия отвсякъде. Нямах търпение Джейн да се заеме с всичко това.

Обожавам колко загрижен беше Дайъкъл за хората, как нареди да се започнат ремонти, да се вдигнат заплатите на работещите в кухнята и да се наемат повече жени. Как докато събираше данъците, връщаше половината от донесеното на хората, заявявайки, че знае какъв данък изискват другите кланове и че до сега им се е взимало прекалено много. Дайъкъл беше страхотен герой, мил, състрадателен, умен и разбран. Готов да превърне клана Грант от най-мразеният, в един нормален клан, който е в добри отношения със съседите си.

Една от най-забавните ситуации в книгата беше, когато Джейн изплашена от чувствата си към Дайъкъл реши да бяга отново и беше заловена от селяните, които иск��ха да я обесят като шпионин. Точно преди да я обесят дойде Дайъкъл с хората му, и мъжете му, които си умират да вземат Джейн у дома, че да се оправи с домакинството, заявиха, че тя не е шпионин, просто е срамежлива и не е искала да се ожени за леърда им, принуждавайки ги да се оженят. Беше толкова смешно, нашият гледаше като гръмнат, Джейн с примка около врата беше на припадане, като слушаше как хората му скалъпват историята така, че да ги принудят да се оженят. А в първата брачна нощ, като хората му решиха, че Дайъкъл има нужда от проститутка, която да му обясни как да задоволи съпругата си, просто виех от смях. Естествено нашия наскача и ги наби всичките.

В началото Джейн даде голям отпор, но имайки предвид, че отвратителният й съпруг бе убит преди месец, факта, че не е готова отново да се омъжи беше разбираем. Обаче всички имаха такава огромна нужда от нея и познанията й. Още откакто уши 2 ризи на мъжете на Дайъкъл всички бяха луди по нея и държаха да си я заведат у дома.

Сега, като кралският регент го няма да плете интриги, интригата трябваше да дойде от другаде. Появи се Кийф Гордън, който иска да е леърд и мрази факта, че Джейн е англичанка. Герниалната му идея да я убият не сколоса и той реши да я отвлече. Кийф за да не убие Джейн, един от съконспираторите реши да я пусне да си върви към Англия. Обаче Дайъкъл реши, че Джейн пак е хукнала да бяга и като я намери всички й бяха бесни, че е опитала да ги напусне и никой не й вярваше, че е била отвлечена. За щастие на Дайъкъл бързо му дойде акъла в главата и й повярва, че не е избягала, победиха злодея, роди им се син и хепи енд <3

Тук видяхме и как Бренда Грант се запозна със своят бъдещ любим Ботън Гън, който е готов да я направи своя и не се интересува от факта, че тя ще му окаже отпор. Мисля, че ни предстои доста да се позабавляваме с тях. Следва книгата на Саймън Грант,

[Carole Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been meaning to push forward in this series for a while now, but you know life....things sometimes get forgotten or pushed back. But yayy. Finally back on track!

Here we follow Jane and Diocail. Jane is a newly made widow and she isn't sad about it. He was a bad husband in a lot of ways. She wants to go home one way or another even if that means walking the whole way. However, her plans are thwarted when she is saved by Diocail. He has just inherited his father's clan and it needs some serious work to get the clan back to it's former glory. First step...find a good and loyal wife to help. Jane is not that woman, but he can't help but be enchanted by the little English spitfire.

This was a nice read. Loved Diocail and Jane. There is some drama, but nothing major. There are major trust issues they both have to work through...especially at the end. However, as every HR tells you......they work it out and they live happily ever after.

I do wish we had more external drama that didn't involve someone trying to continuously kidnap Jane. Ugh. It got old. I would've liked a little more drama that might've brought Diocail and Jane together. I think it would've been nice to see them work on a problem together maybe. There is an external story going on at the same time, but it seemed to be slowed down to nearly a pause here. Hopefully we see more action in the next.

What else to say?

Loved Muir.

Loved Jane and Diocail. You could see the lust and love bubbling there. They were perfect for each other even before they knew it.

I can't wait to get to Brenda's book. She is my favorite but her book is last. We have one more tale to read before then.

All-in-all, I have enjoyed the series so far. It is a cute and has some lovely steamy scenes. And the story is fun to watch unfold! This was a little slower for the external story, but still fun overall. I'll give this a 3.

Favorite Character(s): Brenda is my girl
Least Favorite Character(s): The baddie(s) here

[The Book Worm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love historical romance, and highland stories always have a special place in my heart, probably because the rough terrain and climate and the hardships of the time usually make for strong willed characters and interesting plots. In that sense, Highland Flame is no exception.
In my opinion, however, there were a few holes in the plot, and they are the reason Highland Flame gets four stars instead of five. First, the writing is a bit repetitive in places and there's too much going back and forth about the marriage - I'll marry you, I won't marry you, I want an annulment, I will go away in the spring, etc.
Second, when Jane is kidnapped there's no indication of how Diocail found her. And if he found her, why didn't he find his one men who were responsible for her disappearance and having a drink just a short distance from where she was? Then she claims she didn't leave of her own free will and Diocail doesn't believe her, so why doesn't she tells him the names of the men responsible? She waits so much time to utter those names I was beginning to think she didn't want the culprits to be brought to justice. I think the suspense part of the book falls short in relation to the rest of the plot.
And finally, I found the sex scenes a bit too graphic. I usually don't have a problem with those details, but consider yourself warned because Highland Flame may not be a book for everyone.
In any case, these are details - I'm really picky and expect stories to make sense and be 100% consistent. They do not detract from the fact that Highland Flame is still a great book for historical romance lovers, one you will have a hard time putting down.
Highland Flame is book four in the Highland Weddings series and I haven't read any of the previous books. I didn't notice any details missing so I can safely say it can be read as a stand alone. The only indication you do get that Highland Flame is part of a series is the fact that there are a few hints about who the next book will be about, and not the other way around.

This review was originally published here: http://thebookworm2015.blogspot.pt/20...

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highland Flame by Mary Wine is another fabulous Highland Romance. #4 in her exciting "Highland Weddings" series, but it can be read as a stand alone.

Laird Diocail Gordon just inherited uncle's run down castle and the rag-tag Gordon clan. He is anot impressive warrior but, can he prove himself capable of being a good laird, not just a good warrior, and will he be able help his clan prosper and re-build. Lady Jane Stanley, a widow, who is determined to return to England, at all cost, including tromping, on foot, in the cold, wild Scottish Highlands. Nearly , frozen and hungry, she comes into the midst of a troop of dangerous Highland warriors. And thus this captivating tale begins.....well there is more to it than that, but I don't wish to give anything away....

Well written Scottish Romance with captivating, interesting and entertaining characters. The plot flows seamlessly and is well excuted. I loved "Highland Flame"! Put the feisty, determined,red-haired, beauty, Jane with the myterious, no non-sense, handsome, Diocail and sparks fly off the pages.

Ms. Wine definitely brings forth a story rich in history, Highland traditions, and one that captives as well as, keeps you glued to the pages of a fast paced tale of love, passion, treachery and determination. Mesmerizing! ! Another well done, Highland Romance by Mary Wine. Never a dull moment for sure!
I received a complimentary copy, however, all opinions are my own.

Highland Weddings Series:
Highland Spitfire (Book 1)
Highland Vixen (Book 2)
Highland Hellion (Book 3)
Highland Flame (Book 4)


Rating: 5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Lori Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
Diocail Gordon new laird has a mess on his hands. The clan is a wreck. The castle is falling apart, literally. There is little food severed the tables and the men fight for what they are served. The old laird was a miser and lead with a iron fist and lorded his power over the clan. Diocail's closest retainers have decided he should marry to bring the clan together and take the household in hand.
Jane Stafford now a widow and left to be excepted to pay off her husbands debts with her body. The innkeeper has kicked her out in only her smock and nothing else but she will not let that detour her. She will make it back to her fathers house in England even if she dies trying!
Diocail and Jane meet when he saves her from a fate worse then death, their attraction is instant. Diocail takes Jane for her own safety but she will escape when she can she will not be anyone's property again. The more time they spend together the more they respect each other.
Once back at the castle there is much to do and all,is not as it seems. Danger lurks in every corner and feelings grow stronger but trust is hard to gain. Misunderstandings and lack of trust may be the end their relationship before it even starts.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Highland Flame' by Mary Wine is Book Four in The 'Highland Weddings' series. This is the story of Laird Diocail Gordon and Jane Stafford. I have read the other books in this series but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Jane was forced into marriage someone how gambled and drank away everything they had. He was beaten to death for cheating someone and she was glad he was gone. One of the men that he owed money to tried to make her into his 'whore' but she would rather die walking from the Highlands back to her home in England.
Diocail has taken over as Lair of a poorly run clan and a mistreated clan. Diocail is trying to do the best he can when he runs into Jane. Jane's goal was to get back home but Diocail takes her in and they start to build feelings for each other.
This was another great story by Ms. Wine.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laird Diocail had just inherited his uncle's run-down clan. Lady Jane a widow, who had just been turned out without anything, but her pride. All went to pay her husband's debts. These two proud people will travel straight toward each other and a flame, a spark between them is immediate. Surely a lasting love will follow.

[Liz F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Goodreads.

Oh I loved this book! I think I read the first book in this series, Highland Spitfire, probably over a year ago and I loved that one too. I haven't read Books 2 and 3 but when I saw that this was part of the same series, I knew I'd have to try it. And I was NOT disappointed!

OMG! The heroine, Jane, was ahhhh-mazing! She's a widow but she's not super upset about that. Her late husband sounded like a real prick. Jane was a fourth daughter and her father chose her husband for her and.... he didn't choose well. Anyway, her husband was killed after a dispute over cards and debt at a hotel and the inn keeper expected Jane to pay for her husband's debt by whoring herself out. Needless to say, she refused and the inn keeper tossed her out in the street in only her nightgown! Jane wanders the Scottish countryside trying to just stay alive. And she did it. I just couldn't believe how amazing she was to have survived all that. Believe it or not, she gets more and more interesting as the story progresses!

The hero, Diocail, was just as impressive! He's the new laird and not EVERYONE is on board with him being the new top guy. But he's a really good man and wants to do the right thing. The former laird was pretty awful. He took from his people and didn't give anything back in return (food, payment, etc). So most of the people under Diocail don't care what he wants to do or what he plans to do. He has a lot of work to do and he's ready to start doing the right thing for his people. The last thing he needs is an English woman (Jane) lost in the wilds of Scotland, barefoot and half naked. But that's what he gets and he has to deal with it.

Usually historical romances don't have a lot of Sexy Time until the very end. This one was a little different though and had a decent amount of Sexy Time and it probably started about halfway through. I love how the relationship between Jane and Diocail developed. It was pretty slow because the Scottish and English were NOT getting along at this point in history. That theme continues throughout the whole book and it did end up feeling a little on the nose by the end of the story. But Jane and Diocail had their ups and downs so their relationship felt real and their HEA was well earned.

I really loved this book. This author writes an excellent hero. All the guys were big, burly, sexy Scottish dudes who could totally keep a lady warm at night! But Diocail was just awesome. Trying to bring his area and tenants back together and to help them as much as he can. The way he treats Jane, right from the get-go, was perfect. The right amount of kindness and challenge to bring out the fighter he knew was inside her. Jane was great with her simple inability to quit. No matter what came at her, she dealt with it and moved on. It sounds so simple but it was kind of powerful, you know? I just hope anyone who has ANY kind of maybe a teensy bit of interest in a historical romance with Scottish Highlanders and tough, tough heroines gives this book a chance. Even though it's the fourth book in the series, feel free to jump on in and start here. I really this you won't be disappointed!

[Joann Maggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlander Flame ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ written by Mary Wine
(Highland Wedding #4)

Laird Diocail Gordon inherited this title from his dead uncle Colum through his mother. Diocail had not lived his life at the Gordon Clan. Many in the clan resented him as laird and he had to work to prove himself. Colum the former laird was a bitter miser of a man and did not provided adequate substance for his clan. Diocail despised the way he saw the clan had been treated and vowed to improve conditions for all.

As a head of the clan, he is also tasked to marry which he really had no plans to do in the near future but now he sees his circumstances have changed and he needs a wife. The castle is a mess and he needs a woman capable to the task.Love is not an option he just needs to find a wife.

While on the road Diocail finds, the widow, Jane Stanford in the forest running nearly naked from danger. Her dead husband had been a relentless gambler and before his death he planned to barter her services to pay his debts. Jane runs away and finds herself in the middle of a group of highland warriors.
Diocail and Jane immediately find an attraction to each other and Jane realizes she must travel with him for her safety. After the abuse Jane has suffered she plans to safeguard her heart from her attraction.

This is a tender love story where two people find love together, while neither one was looking for it. I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

[Alisha Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at https://bit.ly/32Z9oyk.












Jane was the fourth daughter of an English Noble. So, to say her marriage prospects were limited was putting it lightly. However, she was married to a travelling wine salesman who was killed in Scotland when he couldn't pay her gambling debts. The inn owner stripped her down to her chemise and sent her out into the cold when she refused to pay her husband's debts bodily. Jane, intent on walking back to her fathers in England set off. Only to be rescued by Laird Gordan. He is in need of a head of house and the attraction between them is instant. However, marriage wasn't pleasant for her the first time and the Laird wants the woman he is with to choose him. Can the pair find a middle ground or will she be married off to another poor match of her father's choosing come Spring?
I have been avoiding the audiobooks sent to me by authors recently as none of them are romances and sticking with Libby instead. Love the Libby app. It is amazing and I cannot sing it's praises loudly enough.
Highland romances have long been my favorite. Not sure why. Maybe I just have a type. Tall, broad males who are gruff and dominant...yum. Hell, I married one so I'd wager that suits me just fine. Ancestry is from Scotland too, although I can't picture my husband in a kilt. I actually mentioned it to him earlier and he told me he wouldn't be caught dead in a skirt. Of course I was amused.
On to the book. My favorite character in the book was the captain and I hope that he gets his own book later on. He was adorable and he needs a happily ever after. I will definitely read more by this author if I happen to stumble across them, but I don't know that I will actively seek them out. The book was by no means bad. I enjoyed it, even if I struggle with period pieces. I'm a very outspoken female, so the prim and proper women who are "yes, dear's" as my husband refers to them don't do it for me. I know it was the time and that was par for the course. I just like my women to have a bit more of a backbone. Jane grew well into her role after everything stopped being about religion for her. Which is good. I can't imagine living in that time frame. Would definitely been in trouble at all turns.
I have said it before and I will say it again. Highlanders are sexy. The accents. Their gruff and dominant nature is just yummy. And every woman who speaks her mind needs a man who can one up her and be in control as well. Takes a special kind of male to do that. To know when to stand behind his woman, when to stand in front, and when to stand beside. Every highlander book I have read checks all of these boxes and this one is no exception. I completely suggest this book.
Just a warning. This is Book 4 in a series. Did not know that until I just went to pull the information from Amazon. But, I enjoyed this book without prior knowledge of the others. So, you can read it as a stand-alone if that is your desire. I always love series that you have the option of only reading one in. Makes it more enjoyable.

[Westysis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the Mary Wine books that I have read, I enjoyed this one the most. Perhaps, it was because it was written later in the author's career. I thought that the writing was better. Less sex driven. I liked the hero as he seemed less dominating to the heroine. Diocail became the laird when the old laired was murdered by one of the men in the clan. The clan and keep suffered under the old laird's mean and miserly ways. No one challenged Diocail's lairdship and in order to have the keep run properly, he needed a wife.
Jane was the 4th daughter who was married off to a wine merchant by her stepmother and father.
Neither appear in this. Her husband was a gambler and a reprobate. He gambled away Jane's dowry, was harsh to her(this is told not seen)and wanted to use her body to pay his debts. He was beaten to death and Jane became a widow. The innkeeper wanted her to prostitute herself to repay the debts owed. Jane refused and was tossed out in her nightclothes. Jane decides to return to her family but must walk. She suffers with malnutrion, cuts, bruises. She meets a young boy who saves her. His mother is dying.
Diocail needed to visit his tenants to get the rents owed and stumbles across Jane being threatened by some ruffians and decides to take her back to his castle. His men meddle ( I enjoyed them) in trying to get Diocail and Jane together. They all begin a journey and along the way take the boy with them. Jane has skills that will be useful to the castle/keep. Jane is not happy with the institution of marriage or being someone's wife but what can she do? She is now a widow, so what options does she have in the 16th or 17h century? It was hard to tell which because the author did not state what year the story was set in.

Diocail is not sure he wants to be married but the castle and keep have been left to ruin, the people are starving while the old laird kept the goodies for himself. Diocail wants to earn his lairdship not be given it . Diocail is feeling his way and seemed like a beta male than an alpha male. He thoughtfully acts when problem solving. He was a refreshing character to read in Mary Wine's books as opposed to the dominant males she usually writes. Diocail was no wimp and fights when he needs to.
The pacing between the story developing and sex between Diocail and Jane is nicely done. Earlier books were too sex driven and not enough story.
There is a villain who threatens Mary and the keep. The hate towards the English runs through out the story.
Jane keeps trying to return to her family and does something stupid that puts her in harms way. Eventually they do marry. Will the clan accept Mary who is English? Will they accept and trust Diocail? Does Mary settle down to marriage? Will these two fall in love? Can they learn to trust each other? What happens to the villain? Is the castle/keep/clan restored?
All is revealed.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!  Mary Wine has brought her A game with her Highland Weddings series!  All feature strong alpha males and equally strong females!  This story grabbed me from the start and I couldn't stop reading!!

Jane has been thrown out of the inn where she was staying with her husband.  Only her husband was killed over his gambling debts, and the innkeeper took their stuff as settlement of payment.  He threw her out when she refused to work off the remaining debt on her back!  She needs to get to her father's home back in England but she's not wearing much and has nothing.  She's determined to get there but runs into a bit of trouble along the way.

Diocail is the laird of Gordon Clan.  He's taken over after his uncle, the former laird, was killed.  Diocail is new to rule, but many of his clan do not see him as the natural laird, having been raised away from the Gordon castle.  The keep is a literal mess!  The old laird was a miser and kept everything to himself.  The keep was falling apart and the clan was starving do to his stinginess! He needs someone to get things in order.  His men are encouraging him to take a wife-but who would be willing to take on this mess of a household?

Diocail takes to collecting rent from his tenants and to "see" them.  He happens upon Jane when some drunkards are attempting to rape her.  She's truly thankful for Diocail intervening and his clan's kindness, but she doesn't want to remain with him.  She sneaks away, but is captured.  She's deemed as a spy for England and is set to be hung.  When Diocail saves her-for the second time-the villagers demand he take her as his wife.  Seeing no way out, Jane marries Diocail with the intent of getting an annulment.

I enjoyed how this story flowed!  I was so interested in Diocail and Jane as people, and how their romance blossomed! Diocail likes Jane's passion. He sees her determination when she gets right to work on the household. He knows she's a good match for him and needs her to choose him as well.  Jane doesn't want to take things for granted, but Diocail is nothing like her last husband.  She's happy with him and that surprises her. She can't stay here with him and make a go of it, can she?

All is not right within the clan.  Not only do some want to overthrow Diocail and take the lairdship, they definitely cannot have a mistress of the keep that is English! Plans are made to get rid of her and take down Diocail.

Mary Wine wrote a very engaging book that I highly recommend reading!  Pure yumminess! All the books can be read as standalones.  The whole series is that good! Once you start with one, you'll just have to read the rest!

5 stars/4 Flames

This book was gifted to me for a voluntary review.  The review and ratings are solely my opinions.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars Rounded Up to 3.

I wanted to like this book more, really, I did.

The plot wasn't exactly a run-of-the-mill Highland romance, which was most of the appeal, if I'm honest.

I liked the fact that we were given supporting characters that were around the majority of the book, like Dolina and a smattering of Gordon men, but I feel like many of them were just names on a page. They certainly could have been fleshed out more, and in some instances that's really all we were given to describe them.

Speaking of side characters, the author threw in a handful of sections concerning the two star characters of her next book, which felt terribly out of place. They fucked with the flow of the story, and were completely unnecessary (in my opinion). Instead of hooking me and making me want to read the book about them, I'm more inclined to skip it entirely.

Laird Gordon was the character I liked the most and felt like the author succeeded with the most. Jane had some truly quality aspects that could have made for a great character, but I found that her inability to grow as a character and realize not all men would treat her like her dead husband did was incredibly tiring. I understand being wary, and even straight up distrusting at first, but Diocail is consistently kind and caring towards her. She's also a prime example of a so-called heroine that is supposed to have a spine of steel, plenty of stubborn resolve, be intelligent enough to successfully run a household, but hasn't a lick of common sense. And that was enough to make her drive me insane.

I also cannot suspend enough disbelief to believe that she could survive in the Scottish Highlands in nothing but a shift for over a week. With only one evening/night by a fire. Sure, the author makes sure to give her some gnarly blisters on her feet, and scratches from the underbrush, but how exactly am I to believe Jane didn't suffer frostbite on any part of her body? Sure, she isn't out wandering in the dead of winter, but she is wandering about in the elements of Scotland in nothing but a very thin nightdress. No socks, stockings, shoes, scarf, nothing. I call bullshit.

Another thing that bothered the piss out of me:

The sex scenes. Dear god, the sex scenes. Jane's goddamned clitoris. Fuck me, how tired I am of reading how it throbbed and how it was "little". There's a way of writing sex scenes that is right, and in this instance I found them to have enough wrong with them that they weren't even remotely enticing, just something I would rather skim through to get them over with. I'm always annoyed when smut is done poorly, but even more so when the author clearly isn't hesitant to include it.

[Unfinished Review]

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and the publishers.

This book was very much my kind of book. I've been wanting to read more about Highlanders before the Jacobite rebellion because there are more kilts to enjoy and there's a certain ruggedness about that time which draws me in and this was just what I had in mind.

This is the story about a Scotsman named Diocail Gordon who becomes Laird, inheriting a rather rundown castle and a mixed bag of servants as well as clansmen and the fortunate meeting of a recently widowed Englishwoman named Jane Stanley who is turned out after her husband is killled after amassing too much debt in a remote part of Scotland and she refuses to become a prostitute despite her despicable husband's claim before his untimely death. Both of these unlikely people have spent most of their lives feeling like burdens. What starts out as coming to the feisty woman's rescue turns into something that neither of them expected but very much were looking for and a sort of arranged marriage. That is if you can think of some nosy townspeople forcing these two to get married under stressful circumstances.

There were so many feels with this book especially the loyal Gordon clansmen and how a select group of them were so kind to Jane and became quite protective. Their attempts at matchmaking were pretty hilarious and oddly worked despite a few bumps in the plans.

Full of adventure, humor, steamy scenes, men in kilts, women not afraid to speak their mind and blossoming love, it was an absolute joy to read this book. I can't wait to go back and read the rest of the books in the series while eagerly waiting for the next book to be released!

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing reviewBook: Highland Flame
by Mary Wine

Series: Highland Weddings, book #4

Release Date: September 5, 2017


Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)

1)Tartan Book Reviews - Administrator & Creator


2)Purple Tulip Book Reviews - Administrator

3)Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog - Blogger

Heat Rating: 🔥

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



“Again, Mary Wine pens another action packed book I simply could not turn away”! It is absolutely brilliant…Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog


Gordon Land, Scotland

Diocail Gordon is the hero of this story. He has recently been awarded title of Laird from his neglectful dead Uncle. With his sorry, neglected, crumbling, castle and muddled disorderly clan.Diocail isn't sure if being the new Laird is an award or a curse! He also realized he needs a wife and helpmate at his side. Yet what woman would want him with the sorry state the clan and broken down castle are in! He doesn't expect love nor even wants it, yet wants someone to help clean up this mess his Uncle left for him. His intention is to be a good Laird so that is clan will believe never suffer again. However can he achieve it goal? It is obvious that most in the clan do not trust or believe in their new appointed Laird.

Lady Jane Stanley is paying for her dead husband’s bad habits and mistakes. He was a gambler and drunkard but now all the money he owed his creditors expect Jane to pay. With money or her body, it does not matter! Money she doesn't have, yet she will never be any mans whore!

Jane trying to escape back to her family in England, but walks right into the viper's nest in only a shift, without even shoes! Diocail Gordon’s has muddled warriors, however as muddled they might be, they are an honorable motley crew.

They are disgusted a husband would leave his wife in such dire straits! Even to offer to bid sexual favors from her to pay off his debts! They could tell she was of noble blood. In addition proved to her there are worthwhile professions she could pick, without stepping into prostitution. Especially with her fine talent with a needle and thread.

Jane knows she needs this warmhearted braw highlander and soft hearted warriors to protect her. The problem is can she protect her heart.

Now Jane is hiding in Scotland away from her husband’s creditors. Diocail decides to do anything to help Jane and his best laid plan is to keep her hidden in his rundown fortress. Now what will she do once she sees his state of affairs and wreck of a castle? Plus danger at every corner, not everyone is thrilled with Diocail as Laird and that Jane is from the hated English! Is she safe? Will Jane want to stay or escape even more ?

Diocail wants this woman to want to stay, but how can he convince her? He also wants her to pick him.

After such a bad first marriage Jane is in no hurry to remarry. Though as a fourth daughter she knows that is exacting what her father will do. Pick another useless cruel husband! This Scottish Highlander is not the the cruel savage she had always been told. He is is kind, honorable and gives hot passionate fiery kisses like she's never had before!

With matters of the heart this is never easy. A definite read you don't want to miss! Filled with all the elements Scottish romance readers love. A riveting adventure, drama, treachery, murder, arranged marriage, jealousy, betrayal, deception, anger, forgiveness, passion, love and so much more.

I have read each book in this series, that has been absolutely exhilarating novels! It has been a delight to read from start to finish.

Scottish historical romance readers will love the swoon worthy hero, plus a heroine who knows what she wants. The chemistry sizzles right off the pages! Magnificent setting, brilliant dialogue and superb plotlines! Plus the fact of never knowing what to anticipate next. I can't wait to see comes out next!

Highland Weddings
by Mary Wine

1)Highland Spitfire
2)Highland Vixen
3)Highland Hellion
4)Highland Flame


Amazon Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Flame-



I received this book From Sourcebooks publishers for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review, blog and promote through netgalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Scottish romance by Mary Wine! I love her style of writing which is very descriptive and provides clear visual images of the characters, castle-life, and the beauty of the Scottish countryside. She manages to weave together historical facts with romance, resulting in exciting adventures! Highland Flame is no exception.

We first met Diocail Gordon in Highland Hellion as he challenged and ultimately inherited the lairdship from his uncle, Colum Gordon. Lady Jane Stanley is a newly introduced character, recently widowed while in Scotland and determined to return to her parents’ home in England. Diocail is looking for a wife while Jane has no interest in remarrying.

As the two of them cross paths (and those paths are often at cross-purposes), Diocail and Jane are attracted to each other but find that their backgrounds are very different. Add to this the added rivalry of some members of the Gordon clan who do not accept Diocail as their rightful laird. There are plenty of twists and turns and conflict in the action, all of which need to be resolved before Diocail and Jane can reach their HEA.

There is also a brief side-story involving Brenda Grant, a character who has appeared in all the books in this Highland Weddings series. As Highland Flame draws to a close, it looks as if the next book in this series will finally afford Brenda her own chance at love.

I’m looking forward to many more books by this creative author.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The time period, the well written dialogue of Scottish accents, the difficulty it must have been to be a sudden widow thrust out on the street with nothing but a chemise, all made this story appealing and interesting til the end. They were from total different sides, she was English, a 4th daughter.
He a newly appointed Laird to the Gordon's, in serious need of a woman if nothing else, to straighten his holdings. Their passion starts out tepid, she had a very disturbing first marriage. Diocail however is skilled at love and passion. He treats her like like a scared bird, very carefully, very respectfully, talking care of her needs and holding back from his own, which is often, unheard of, twice! Their attraction comes with the usual she's scared of getting hurt, he's scared she's not really true to stay and not try to escape. But when they let their guards down, their total attraction comes full force and it is a beautiful thing watching two wary souls overcome those very human and normal qualms and give into the passion that been there all along. As I often do, I started on book 4 in the middle, and will try to go back and read books 1-3 next, lol. I enjoy seeing awkward and extremely unlikely couples come together, watching that unfold. One of my favorite authors. Highly recommend! 💖

[Meghan V · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a charming, thoroughly researched, character driven romance set in the Scottish Highlands. If you read it as a stand alone (which it absolutely can be read as) you will hopefully find it as charming as I did: A cool under pressure Laird whose house and clan are in disarray. A heroine in distress who somewhat implausibly wanders straight into the hero's clan while they our out collecting rents. She wants to be useful. He wants a wife to put his house in order. Their relationship isn't necessarily one with much surprise, but it's endearing all the same. I loved the descriptions of the house as it crumbled to pieces and the strong female and male friendships. The central relationship doesn't have much to surprise the reader with, but sometimes a reader doesn't need the damn wheel re-invented and just wants to read a simple, good, historical romance. Which this is.

If you've read other stories in this series, you'll likely notice a LOT of similar plot devices (this author really likes heroines who want an annulment, eh???) I look forward to reading the next book and just hope that maybe she'll surprise us and go somewhere a little new with those characters!
Buy Now
Amazon

[Debra Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diocail Gordon is now Laird of clan Gordon, but he's inherited a rundown castle in desperate need of repairs. His miserly uncle starved his people and Diocail is determined to set everything right. On his tour of his tenants he finds Lady Jane Stanley, stranded, barefoot and only clad in her shift. His honor does not allow him to leave her on her own. Thus begins the back and forth of their arguing and Jane's determination to return to her father's home now that she's recently widowed. However, Diocail has other ideas and he wants to keep Jane for himself.

This book kept my interest very well and I read it in one sitting. I loved Diocail's code of honor, but Jane feels like he's just trying to control her. Jane is a feisty lass who's always done what was expected of her and she's tired of being controlled by men. Ms. Wine is a talented author and she gives us great insight into what both characters are feeling. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.