Sutherland's Secret

They are super serious when they say if you love Maya Banks and Monica McCarty then you don't want to miss this book! I am a lover of both of those authors so I though I would give this book a go. And boy do I have to say I was NOT disappointed…..this book was AMAZING!!! I will definitely buy the future books in this series as well as other Sharon Cullen books. Brice Sutherland is a tough, yet kind-hearted Highland warrior which all lady readers will fall head-over-heels for and the torture that you find out Eleanor Hirst has gone through and her fighting personality will have you routing for her as the bad guy gets his comeuppance. Both of the main character's were developed very well and you will definitely fall in love with both of them. I couldn't put the book down because the whole story kept me on my toes and was excited to see what was going to happen next. Many important characters were developed in this first book and I am crossing my fingers that a few get their own book. Yay! MacLean's book is supposed to be next!! I can't wait!!! :D

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for my honest reviews

WOW! I really loved this book -- and I don't say that often. I read it straight through -- I couldn't put it down. This is a new author for me and I'll definitely read other books by her.

It has a wonderfully sweet love story and the required HEA has enough tear-jerky moments to keep you sniffling (and I never sniffle) and enough suspense to keep you turning the pages.

The book takes place in Scotland just after the battle of Culloden when the English are ravaging Scotland.

Brice Sutherland and some of his clan are returning home from a multi-clan meeting when they pass a dirty clump of rags in the road. Brice, for some reason, gets off his horse and starts picking at the rags -- only to discover that the rags are actually a scarred, beaten, emaciated, smelly female that he feels will be dead before morning. He sends his men on toward home and tells them he will stay until she dies because nobody should die alone. He picks her up onto his horse and begins carrying her through the woods toward his home -- figuring he'll bury her along the way.

She, Eleanor Hirst, is still alive when they reach Brice's castle and he takes her in and they nurse her back top health. She has the english army looking for her -- at least one Colonel who has falsely imprisoned her after he has murdered her husband.

Eleanor and Brice fall in love even though it will cost him and his clan their lives and property if they are caught harboring her. He's also helping Jacobites escape Scotland and go to Canada. The english looking for Eleanor makes transporting the Jacobites more risky.

There is a nice twist in the HEA in the epilogue.

This is an excellent book read it -- I think you'll like it.

The story started so amazingly captivating that I hoped it would remain so until the end but it just wasn’t so. I devoured the first few chapters in only a few hours but after a while I just had to put it down. No biggie, it happens. Sometimes you have to be away for a while to feel the heat again however I have to say that didn’t happen here.
The story takes place in Scotland after the battle of Culloden when there was still some talk of an uprising against the British, hence those thought to be traitors to the crown were being thrown in jail or worse. Our heroine Eleanor is witness to some terrible crimes against these so-called traitors and goes mute out of fear. She’s in a foreign country and doesn’t know anyone and feels she cannot trust anyone either so she pretty much gives up and is about to die when she meets our hero Brice. Given that they are both from the opposing “team” neither of them give in to trust the other however little by little he wins over her trust. She not so much his.
The historical subplot was amazing. For instance, we learn that there was an escape route that took many Jacobites and their possible allies from that area to Canada in search of a chance at life. We learn how the lairds and their people used to live at the times and how those in high ranks have used (and abused) their power since for ever. So as far as researching her topic and creating a plausible and vivid setting the author did a great job. Now, when it comes to the main characters I have a few cavils that unfortunately prevented me to enjoy the story to the fullest.
At the beginning of the story Eleanor sounded so vulnerable and terrified that her actions and reactions were completely understandable. However after a certain incident it was BOOM! a completely different character, and to me it wasn’t even a turning point in the story. She even recuperated her ability to speak without so much as a hint of a hoarse voice. I get that what she went through made her a stronger woman but the change felt forced as opposed to gradual. Then she went on to prove herself and her love for Brice over and over again and it still wasn’t enough for him. I have to say I wasn’t happy with the ending because of his attitude. And again I get the reasoning behind his feelings but he was way too possessive for reasons out of her control. Yes, there was definitely a HEA but it made me feel there was no middle ground when it came to it and that to Brice it was either my way or the highway.
Since this was the first of a series and my first from this author I will continue reading more by her and this series.

** I received a copy of this story by Netgally in exchange for an honest review **
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