The Capture by Lynsay Sands

Lucy Blytheswood, Lady of Blytheswood Castle, is on her way home from the Carbonnel lands. She and her brother John, Lord Blytheswood, had visited at Wymon Carbonnel’s invitation. Lucy had politely refused Wymon’s marriage proposal; while he had been polite and respectful to her, rumors and his actions with others told her he was not to her taste. Knowing he was the second son, she was surprised he had asked because she did not come with lands and a castle.
She and John had been grateful he had accepted her refusal so gracefully. She should have known better.

Tearlach MacAdie with his cousin Heming MacNachton had come down from the Highlands and their clan’s lands searching for information. Their stop at the Hanging Tree Inn, one of many along the way, had their instinct’s snapping alert, but arrogance was their downfall. Poisoned by the ale, realizing belatedly they had been drugged they staggered to their feet and out the door. The last Tearlach sees is one Lord kill another, and he hears someone blaming him and his cousin for the murder.

Blood Feud by Hannah Howell

Brona Kerr of Rosscurrach, daughter of the late Lord of Rosscurrach, has been hiding from the facts for awhile. After her father’s death her cousin Hervey, as heir of Rosscurrach, has been abusive to the tenants and people of the fief and herself as well. Ashamed of herself, because of her past obtuseness she vows to rescue the men caged in the dungeon due to her cousin’s madness. This action could well leave her in dire straights.

Heming MacNachton wakes up groggy and bruised. A dapper lord is blathering about how he plans to torture Heming for information on the MacNachtons; he wants to know the strengths and weakness of the clans. Trapped in a cage with silver and iron he is unable to escape. As the torture begins he gives no information to the mad lord. A fey and gentle woman comes to the dungeon to see what is going on for herself; he feels she might be a trap to lure his secrets from him. His attraction to her is quick, and Heming can only hope she is for real.

Lynsay Sands and Hannah Howell have a real winner in Highland Thirst: The Capture and Blood Feud. I have been an avid reader of both authors for quite a while and I always love their Highland men. Lynsay Sands’ female character in The Capture is bold and strong; she follows her instincts and is true to herself. The male character, what can I say but “Oh My”. Hannah Howell’s characters in Blood Feud are well thought out, the men are yummy and the women have a hidden strength that comes to the fore when needed. These books are a real treat side by side and a continuing storyline that doesn’t miss a beat.

Reviewed by: Dana P.