Christmas in Kilts

by Terri Brisbin

[stacey_is_sassy]

Anthologies are tricky to rate and review.

A wee bit spoilery, so proceed with caution...

Deep down, I knew I shouldn’t have done it. I am the WORST anthology reviewer in the history of reviewers. But, that title, it grabbed me, wrapped me in a plaid and dragged me off to the highlands. I’m sorry to the authors in this anthology, but your bloody title, I just couldn’t resist. Unfortunately, I went in blind…

2 good reads out of 5 isn’t that bad, is it?!?!

I’m going to be brutally honest and a wee bit spoilery here, so either, step away from the review OR grab a cuppa, and here we go…

A HIGHLANDER'S HOPE by Terri Brisbin

First cab off the rank and I’m devastated. This highland tale does not start well for me. The hero is still in love with his wife who passed away 5 years previously. His nephew wants him to marry again and form alliances which he doesn’t want to do. For Christmas, his going to do his usual and visit another clan so he can hook up with the village whore. Hmmm…you’re sounding mighty appealing, Sir. Oh, it gets better, that’s his love interest. Now, I admit, I gave up at that point. The fact that he was referring to her as a whore made me perturbed.

A whore is a whore, who’s a whore, to be sure…

No offence to the heroine, but I can’t stand the judgement and condemnation they will face as a couple. No faith in their HEA, unfortunately.

A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS WAGER by Lecia Cornwall

Bloody Hell!! Ummm…Authors, I think it’s in your best interest to make the story seem appealing in the beginning. The first bloke I’m introduced to (who I accidentally thought was the hero) is the biggest Douchewaffle EVER!! He admits to being glad that his wife is dead because he didn’t like her and only married her for money. NICE!! Then, when the heroine is forced to take shelter in his house, he remembers that he took her virginity, promising her the stars…that he had no intentions of fulfilling. YUCK!!

After that stellar introduction, I gave up. Turns out he wasn’t the hero, but my stomach was already turned. Tip…Authors, make it clear that the Douchewaffles aren’t the heroes.

A SCOT FOR CHRISTMAS by Bronwen Evans

Again, maybe I judged too early, but please “Hero”, don’t declare that your first wife is your only love and that you have to marry again JUST for heirs. Then, admit that you will only give the new wife your body, honour, but never your heart.

Yeah, yeah, I believe you.

Then, we find out that he’s having a house party for all his mates and their mistresses. NICE!! Oh, except one of his mates brings his sister…his very virginal, husband-hunting and innocent sister. His excuse for bringing the sister, she threatened to tell Daddy about his mistress if he didn’t bring her. Blah… I’m out…AGAIN!!

SHOULD I JUST GIVE UP??? Maybe, just one more…


LEFTOVER MISTLETOE by Lavinia Kent

WooHoo!! About bloody time. Now that’s what I’m talkin about….
I loved this one, and I wasn’t scared away in the first few pages.
Forced proximity. Stuck in a snowstorm. Snuggling for warmth. Yep, a touch predictable, a little too insta-love, but so bloody good. My heart was engaged and I loved seeing this couple connect and fall in love. Nothing bad that left me pulling out my hair and the introduction sucked me in. I finished with a big goofy grin…SUCCESS!!


SWEET HOME HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS by May McGoldrick

AND THE WINNER IS…Sweet Home Highland Christmas, with the most endearing additional character I’ve read in a long time.

This little tale was sweet, sexy and a wee bit funny. I was so sucked in by this story that I’m desperate to read more from this author duo.


So, this is where I struggle to review Anthologies. I loved 2 of the stories but I REALLY struggled with the other 3. Ok, now this is not an exact science, but this is how I calculated my rating.

5 stars for the last because it was my favourite.
4 stars for the second last because it was my second favourite.
3 stars for the third because I like the heroine and think she deserved better.
2 stars for the second because the author made a mistake for showing me the inner-thoughts of one of the biggest DOUCHEWAFFLES EVER!!
1 star for the first book because the “hero” accepted that his wife would not be welcomed into homes he would frequent because of her previous occupation.

5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15

15 / 5 = 3

So, there you have it. If, by some freaky chance, you see me tempted by an Anthology, please, pretty please (with sugar on the top), for the love of all my favourite reads, STOP ME!! The stress will do me in.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.