Kilts and Daggers

I’ve not read any titles from this author, but historicals and highlanders are my weakness, so Kilts and Daggers by Victoria Roberts was an obvious choice. And I’m thrilled that I grabbed it. Neatly mixing in intrigue, English and Scottish society, a few braw highlanders and some lovely dialogue and I was enamored.

Grace is soon to be married when she discovers that her Uncle and elder sister were spies for the Crown, just the thing she’d like to experience before settling down. She’s got some time for adventure as well, her immediate plans involve traveling to Scotland for her sister’s wedding, with some time before her own.

I loved Grace: she starts out as a bit of candy floss, not particularly deep or challenging, with a host of opinions that are not all well thought out. But she is far deeper than anyone gives her credit for, and beneath the proper young woman of the Tonne façade is a determined and passionate woman.

Arriving in Scotland, she is horrified by the knuckle dragging troglodytic Scotsmen, if only they weren’t so handsome and well-formed. Believing, as many English do that the Scots are a different life form, she is alternately repelled and intrigued by the Highland Captain, Fagan.
When Grace needs an escort to return to England, Fagan is tasked with keeping her safe and returning her unsullied. Not a particularly difficult task if only the lass wasn’t so intriguing.

Fagan is typically a highlander one would expect: fighting fit, stubborn, willful and entirely alpha, not willing to coddle Grace’s sensibilities if he sees no real need. The banter and bickering between the two starts gently, but as he comes to see the depth beneath the frills, he’s too intrigued to let her go.

These two develop and grow through their initial mistrust and dislike: Grace’s quick tongue is finely honed with her experiences in society, and she’s not always in control of her temper if she feels slighted. Fagan, unused to taking orders from anyone but the Laird is not going to let this chit of a sister in law make his life more difficult, but perhaps they can get on. As he realizes her love and devotion to her family, and the strong sense of loyalty for those she loves, he comes to understand that she’s not that different from his ideal. He, in turn, shows his own softer side, measured with a solid confidence in his own ability to protect her, and his honor to do all that is needed.

As a couple, after a rather slow start the story soon had them engaged in repeated back and forth moments that built the tension and the relationship in equal measure. Roberts has a deft hand with pacing, adding laughter, tension and danger in equal measures, keeping the pages turning. At the climax, they couldn’t go fast enough, if only to see just how far Fagan would need to go to save Grace, and if she would finally admit to herself that her fiancé is not the one she wants. A great story that had me engaged early on after a bit of a slow start to build the world and information that would set up the story.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

I loved this book. This is the second in the Highland Spies series. if you love a barbaric Scotsman (kilts ;)) and a strong willed Englishwoman, you will love it too.
Grace has wanted an adventure since she had learned her sister and uncle are spies for the crown. She is heading to Scotland for her sisters wedding and is determined to have her adventure. Fagan is a captain and is given the charge of getting Grade back to England after the wedding. There were parts I laughed out loud with their arguments. This book is a fun read and if you like your heroines strong willed and your heroes sexy this is a great read for you!!
I am already anxiously waiting for the next in the series. Thanks Victoria!!!

3.75*
I enjoyed this book. It was the perfect example of you don't judge a book by its cover or I should say person by there Heritage and demeanor.
Lady Grace Walsingham has come to the Highlands for the wedding of her sister Ravenna after finding out her sister and uncle are spies for the crown. She longs for the adventure that Ravenna had as a spy and doggedly asks Ravenna to train her.
Lady Grace has been a thorne in Captain Fagan Murray's side since the day she arrived to the Sutherland Keep. Grace can't stand Fagan's highland barbaric ways and Fagan has had enough of Grace's sassy and spirited attitude. They are at constant odds and neither of them can wait for her to take her leave and go back to England. They both have a strong sense of family and clan expectations and are determined to do whats right and expected. There's only one problem things start to change when Fagan escorts Grace back to England and Grace is about to have the adventure she's longed for but it could be the last one for her and Fagan.
This is part of a really good series and not a stand a lone book.