The Highlander's Irish Bride

Miss Kathleen Calvert spirit exuberance has gotten her banned from London by her stepmother. If she was being banned to their estate, Greystone, in the highlands of Scotland. To stay with her cousin Sabrina in the highlands. We met Sabrina in His English bride. Gillian Penley, Duchess of Leverton has gotten word of the impending scandal. Gillian has taken steps to squelch the rumors. Wanting to meet her cousin Victoria Kendrick, Gillian offers to escort Kathleen to Glasgow for a short visit before Kathleen has to continue further into the Highlands. When they leave the following morning, Kathleen is relieved to spend some time with Gillian and then to be able to spend time with her cousin Sabrina. That relief only lasts two days until they discover Jeannie, Kathleen’s sixteen-year-old step-sister hiding in the luggage compartment of coach. In Scotland Kathleen meets Grand Kendrick. Grant is running the family import business and trying to overcome his hellion past. Grant is all business the last thing he wants is to escorting Kathleen and her younger sister around town. When scandal breaks out in Glasgow Gillian and Victoria decides it's time for Kathleen and Jeannie to continue their journey north to Graeme and Sabrina's home. While traveling north their coach is hijack right outside the village of Graeme's estate. Grant deals with the attackers. Once at the estate Grant finds out his brother is dealing with a rash of burglaries and threats. I could definitely see attaction between Grant and Kathleen why each would be attracted to the other – even though neither of them saw it at the time. Both characters were strong, decisive, brave, and stubborn – and both were determined they didn’t need anyone else in their lives. Their instant attraction caused them both to shy away from the other.

I loved reading Kathleen and Grant’s amazing story in The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly, book three in her Clan Kendrick series. This amazing story brings together two people who are perfect for each other; being exactly what the other needs. Kathleen Calvert just might be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat but she refuses to act like one. Kathleen, an independent, fun loving, free-spirit, wants a future where she raises horses and manages her father’s beautiful gardens. After a chariot race with a neighbor causes tongues to wag and the possibility of scandal, both threatening her reputation, her parents force her to travel to a remote Scottish estate, to visit a cousin. They are hoping that while she is there, she might finally learn the importance of behaving like a proper lady. Learning that her escort is a handsome Highlander, possibly the most boring man in all of Scotland, doesn’t make Kathleen any happier. As a youth, Grant Kendrick ran wild, partaking in dangerous and wild escapades with his twin brother. Becoming a successful businessman and the most respectful Kendrick brother definitely surprised his family. Deciding it doesn’t matter that the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen thinks he’s a stodgy bore; he will get his chance to prove her wrong. Losing his heart to Kathleen, Grant will need to find a way to convince her that life with him will never be boring, but instead a love-filled adventure. Kathleen and Grant are definitely perfect for each other; one is Irish and one is Scottish, one is fiery and independent and the other quiet and a homebody. This story is not just a romance, as there are additional story-lines that move the tale along. Ms. Kelly provides plenty of fun along the way. We read about waywardly sisters, theft and kidnappings. Then there’s Angus, their grandfather who is not only a mischief-maker and matchmaker, but adds another layer to the story. I love how much family means to the Kendricks as well as how much they care for those adopted into the clan. All of the ladies are spit-fires, which I love; demonstrating that they don't necessarily need the men to complete them. Ms. Kelly wrote a charming, clever, entertaining and amusing story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humorous escapades, amusing banter, sizzling chemistry and endearing secondary characters giving Kathleen and Grant a chance to obtain all each desires. I highly recommend The Highlander's Irish Bride to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Grant Kendrick is Graeme's twin, whose story we got in book #3 of the Clan Kendrick series. Grant is the other half of the twosome that were always getting in trouble. Now that Grant is all nearing thirty, he is much more serious and reserved, especially compared to most of the people in his crazy family! Grant is convinced that he will never settle down, and will just spend his time making money with the family's shipping business. Miss Kathleen Calvert is the daughter of and Irish aristocrat but doesn't like to act the part. She would rather be footloose and fancy free and having fun instead. When her latest escapade lands her in hot water with her stepmother, she is ready to ship her off when Gillian Penley, the Duchess of Leverton shows up offering to help. (We met the sassy, loud mouthed Gillian in My Fair Princess.) Gillian offers to take Kathleen to Scotland to visit Victoria Kendrick, Countess of Arnprior who is also Gillian's cousin, along with the rest of the Kendrick Clan, and then on to Graeme and Sabrina's. Along their journey, they discover Kathleen's half-sister, Jeannie, has stowed away. The three of them arrive at the Kendrick's and Kathleen is instantly smitten by Grant but the stories she hears about him she thinks he is dull and boring. The more time they spend together, Kathleen starts to wonder if there is more to Grant than she first thought. When Grant is roped into escorting the women to Graeme and Sabrina's he is secretly happy to spend more time with Kathleen. Just before they arrive to their destination, their carriage is robbed. This brings out a different side to Grant that has Kathleen very interested! When Grant decides to stay at Graeme's longer to help with all the trouble that is going on, he and Kathleen start spending a lot more time together. Of course this helps Kathleen realize that there is a lot more to Grant than she first thought and that she really likes what she sees. Kathleen is torn between living alone in Ireland like she has always dreamed of, or staying in Scotland with Grant and building a life she never really dreamed of. She does end up getting the perfect happy ending that she never really knew she needed! I just adored Grant. He was an honorable, nice man with a little wild side that he usually kept hidden. I really enjoyed Kathleen too. She is like a Gillian, Jr.! Together these two have a great balance of life and I just adored their happy ending! I sure hope there will be more Clan Kendrick books! I really love this fun and crazy family!