Tuesday, September 29, 2020

SERIES REVIEW - Highland, Georgia Series, #1-3



In this blog post I will be reviewing the first three books in the Highland, Georgia series by Laura Trentham.

Title:  A Highlander Walks into a Bar
Author:   Laura Trentham
Series:   Highland Georgia #1
Publisher:   St. Martin's Press
Genre:   Romance
Format:   Kindle
No. of pages:   320
Date of Publication:  July 30, 2019
Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The timeless romance, soaring passion—and gorgeous men—of Scotland comes to modern-day America. And the rules of love will never be the same…

Isabel Buchanan is fiery, funny, and never at a loss for words. But she is struck speechless when her mother returns from a trip to Scotland with a six-foot-tall, very handsome souvenir. Izzy’s mother is so infatuated by the fellow that Izzy has to plan their annual Highland Games all by herself. Well, not completely by herself. The Highlander’s strapping young nephew has come looking for his uncle…

Alasdair Blackmoor has never seen a place as friendly as this small Georgia town—or a girl as brilliant and beguiling as Izzy. Instead of saving his uncle, who seems to be having a lovely time, Alasdair decides he’d rather help Izzy with the Highland Games. Show her how to dance like a Highlander. Drink like a Highlander. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love with a Highlander. But when the games are over, where do they go from here?


MY THOUGHTS:

Men in kilts. In modern-day America. In this fun book in a delightful new series by Laura Trentam we meet Isabel Buchanen after her mother comes home from visiting Scotland with a surprise, a gorgeous Scot in kilts, named Gareth Connors. It it time to plan their annual Highland Games but her mother is so distracted that Izzy has to do all of the work herself. 

Meanwhile, Gareth's nephew, Alasdair Blackmoor, is concerned that his uncle would just pick up and head across the pond that he ends up following him in order to straighten him up and to bring him back home. However, Alasdair's are unwarranted. But, he is there now, and when he learns about Izzy's endeavors, he decides to go ahead and help with the Highland Games. Soon it becomes more than apparent that Izzy's mother and Alasdair's uncle are not the only ones with sparks flying. Izzy and Alasdair begin flirting - and so much more.

What a fun read and a great start to a new series. I have the third book for review, A Highlander is Coming to Town, so I decided to read the first two books. I am so glad I did because I definitely was entertained.

- - - - -

Author:   Laura Trentham
Series:   Highland Georgia #2
Publisher:   St. Martin's Press
Genre:   Romance
Format:   Kindle
No. of pages:   320
Date of Publication:  February 25, 2020
Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A Highlander in a Pickup is the second book in award-winning author Laura Trentham's romantic comedy Highland Georgia series, full of love, laughs...and highlanders!

When a gorgeous new man—in a kilt—comes to town, life in Highland, Georgia will never be the same…

Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?

Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. . .

“Trentham never misses the mark when she takes aim at the heart.”—Night Owl Reviews


MY THOUGHTS:

In this second book of an already enjoyable series, Iain Connors heads to Highland, Georgia, to take over the planning and running of the Highland Games. In the first book in this series, A Highlander Walks Into a Bar, we already met a gorgeous man in kilts and also the Games. No worries, however, because these books do work as standalones, but when I can, I will read them in order.

Anna Maitland is now in charge of the game, because best friend Izzy (from book #1 in the series), is now unable in Scotland and is actually about to have a baby. But Anna soon knocks head with a gorgeous Scot - in kilts mind you - showing up ready to grab the reins. Now what Anna had in mind, so the two knock heads. But, on the inside, Anna as swooning. Could a man be THAT gorgeous?!

I enjoyed this second book in this series, as the plot, characters and settings were a true delight. I only came across this book because I have the third book, A Highlander is Coming to Town, for review. That was definitely to my benefit, because I was able to devour the first two books. 

It is far more enjoyable for me to read books in order whenever possible. I felt like I was rewarded with a very good story, and was more than eager to read the next book.

- - - - -

Author:   Laura Trentham
Series:   Highland Georgia #3
Publisher:   St. Martin's Press
Genre:   Romance
Format:   Kindle
No. of pages:   304
Date of Publication:  September 29, 2020
Rating:  4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The third book in the Highland, Georgia romantic comedy series from Laura Trentham, A Highlander is Coming to Town, full of love, laughs...and highlanders!

You better watch out. . .

Holt Pierson is dreading Christmas. His parents absconded to Florida for the season and left him to handle the family farm which will be his one day―whether he wants it or not. Driven by duty, Holt has always followed the path expected of him. But lately, he’s been questioning what he wants and where he belongs. Will assuming the responsibility of the Pierson farm make him happy or is there something―or someone―else out in the wider world calling to him?

To Claire Smythe, the Scottish lead singer of a touring band, Highland, Georgia, is the perfect place to hide . . .until a very handsome and deeply curious Holt begins to ask all the questions Claire doesn’t want to answer. As Holt draws Claire out from under and into the fabric of small-town life, can Claire put the past behind her and embrace the unexpected gifts of the season―including the new and lasting love? 

MY THOUGHTS:

Another romantic comedy hit my queue! I already read the first two books in this series, A Highlander Walks Into a Bar and A Highlander in a Pickup, so I knew I was in for a treat with this third book in the Highland, Georgia series. In this addition to the series, Holt Pierson is pretty much a Scrooge. Not happy about the holiday in the least, as well as taking on sudden responsibilities is not his idea of fun.

Meanwhile, Claire Smythe is taking a break from her singing career to hide out in Highland, Georgia. In the first two books, we had sexy Scottish men in kilts. In this book, we have a beautiful and vivacious singer who is about to turn the life of one of Georgia's own upside down, Holt Pierson.


Holt and Claire could not be more different. Claire starts off as shy and reserved, but she soon becomes brash and playful. Meanwhile, Holt is gruff and stern, although loving and caring for the people in his life. But, as the saying goes, opposites attract, and that couldn't be more true for these two. Sparks fly, ignite and turn into a full flame.

All the while, Claire and Holt do indeed make the perfect couple, and I enjoyed how this book was written so that we, as readers, could see the groundwork of a happily ever after come to these wonderful and deserving people.

Before I read the three books in this series, Laura Trentham was a new name for me. I loved reading her books and enjoyed her writing style, the characters, conflicts and conclusions of each book. I do hope there is more in this series. If not, I look forward to perusing her backlist so that I can continue to be entertained by her.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major - Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether it's Regency England or small town Alabama.

My first two Falcon Football books received TOP PICKS from RT Book Reviews and a STARRED review from Library Journal. KISS ME THAT WAY, Cottonbloom Book 1, won the Stiletto Contest and was a finalist for the National Readers Choice Award. THEN HE KISSED ME, Cottonbloom Book 2, was named an Amazon Best Romance of 2016 and was a finalist of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. TILL I KISSED YOU Book 3, is a finalist for the Maggie Award. And, LEAVE THE NIGHT ON Book 4, was named an iBooks Best Book of August and was featured on NPR! ​WHEN THE STARS COME OUT was named a Best Romance of February by Amazon!

It's almost August and what a crazy few months we've had. We're trying to figure school out for my kids. I hope by 2021, we'll be on the road to normalcy. On the plus side for me, I'm basically a writing hermit anyway:)


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