Scotland – Timeless Novels

by Heidi Kimball

Publisher : Covenant Communications, Inc. (August 9, 2021)
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 152441882X
ISBN-13 : 978-1524418823

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An arranged marriage was never what Callum Darrington, future Duke of Edinbane, imagined for himself. But with the well-being of his uncle’s family hanging in the balance, Callum strikes a bargain with his father and reluctantly agrees to tie himself to a stranger. The reality of the lovely Lady Katherine is more than he could have hoped for, and their wedding heralds a bright new future for the couple—until Callum discovers his father deliberately deceived him. Callum lashes out, setting in motion heartbreak not even he could have foreseen.

Four years later, Callum is ready to piece together the marriage he so carelessly destroyed. But their years apart have hardened Kate: she is not the naive and trusting young woman she once was, and she has no intention of allowing Callum a foothold in her life or her heart. Despite her coldness, Callum works to regain her trust and rebuild their marriage, not realizing Kate harbors a secret that could change everything—and this time, there is much more at stake than just her heart.

I stayed up until 4am reading Heart in the Highlands, and I regret nothing.

I did have a love/hate relationship with Callum. Just when I thought he had gotten back on my good side he messes up again, but that’s just what makes him real. I love that even though he is broken and vulnerable, he is really trying. He just needs to be shown grace for the times he messes up, and he needs to learn to bestow grace to others like his father.

Kate often acts like she was the only one wronged, and while she definitely was abandoned at what could be described as the worst time of her life, Callum did reach out to her repeatedly through letters which she ignored, making him think she didn’t want him around. However, Kate is a very strong woman who tries to do the best with what she has.

Communication is so important in a relationship, and it is often lacking. I loved how they exchanged his journal entries and her drawings from their time apart to learn more about each other.

This story was emotional and really made me think. We might easily find ourselves criticizing others, but could we really forgive someone just as easily? We also have to be careful not to hold on to anger. It can end up affecting us far more than anyone else.

Heidi recently mentioned that she had wondered during a difficult time if her passion for writing would ever come back. I am so glad it did. I would have hated to miss out on reading stories like this.

Enter Here!

verity

by Carolyn Miller

Series: Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley (Book 3)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (November 26, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825445914
ISBN-13: 978-0825445910

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Verity Hatherleigh has a mind of her own—but her actions do not impress her viscount papa. When she gets into one scrape too many, he sends her off to the wilds of Scotland to rethink her headstrong ways.

Anthony Jardine relished his role as curate, but his new duties as laird of Dungally aren’t always to his liking. Though he thought his new inheritance would be a blessing, somehow he’s finding nothing but trouble on these estates. And the intelligent, compassionate, feisty lass who was sent to rusticate in his territory is one of the biggest problems. He’s falling in love with her, but she doesn’t share the faith that’s his foundation—not to mention he’s been lying to her about who he really is. For the truth-loving Verity, that may be unforgivable.

The tangled web these two have woven may spell disaster for their happiness—and for the tenants of Dungally.

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Verity Hatherleigh is a hoyden who doesn’t believe in God. She was raised by unbelieving parents and thinks of the Bible as a fairy tale. While Verity is intelligent and helpful to others, she is always getting into trouble and not living up to her mother’s expectations.

Anthony Jardine is a former curate who feels called to bring the gospel to those abroad. However, he is forced to return to Scotland and take on a new title after his cousin’s death. Anthony has a soft heart and he truly wants to help others.

“Despite his upbringing, despite the wretched condition of so many, he had come to renewed awareness that there truly was no difference between men, neither convict nor free, English nor native, that all men were considered equal in the sight of God, that all were loved by God.”

Verity and Anthony share a similar sense of humor, and they both hide who they really are. They each want to be known for who they are instead of what they are. While I had some issues with Verity and Anthony’s “hopeful” truth, it shows they really are perfect for each other.

“I have found that those without a sense of humor invariably fail to understand those fortunate enough to possess one.”

Verity believes that she is a mistake because her parents wanted her to be a boy. While Verity always seems bold and outspoken, she becomes incredibly vulnerable when she thinks about not being lovable.

“If God did see her heart, then He would see how cracked it was, fractured with disillusionment, disappointment, and rejection. She was a fool, a failure, a mistake, unloved by her parents, unloved by the only man she ever cared for. Ergo, Verity Hatherleigh was unlovable.”

As Verity shows, there are all matter of ways that people are drawn to God and finally accept Him into their lives. Some find God in the eye opening experiences and others come to Him in the quiet moments.

As humans, Verity and Anthony are both flawed. Anthony knows that God looks at the outside, but he has a number of shallow outward thoughts about people that he has to work on. Even after coming to God, Verity still struggles with honoring her parents while also obeying God.

“She possessed fire and spunk that Grandmama might applaud but so many others openly deplored. God couldn’t want her, too. Could He?”

The side characters were as well developed as the main characters and the story line was a unique one.

Readers don’t often get to see a story that includes South Wales during this time period. I also liked reading more about Scotland during this time. Clearly Miller puts a lot of research into her books. The author’s note at the end is interesting and mentions the history that went into this book.

Misleading Miss Verity was the perfect conclusion to the Daughters of Aynsley series.