Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham ~ a book review

This book is a witty, contemporary romance set in Scotland. It is not overly religious but faith does play an underlying role in the story. I particularly liked the Scottish touches included in the story. The author includes cultural, historical details and folklore as well as local dialect.

The story is told from both Katie’s and Graeme’s point of view. It switches back and forth and gets a bit confusing until you get used to it.

Katie is a third generation Scottish American and is tasked with writing a travel article involving a three week stay in a historic house, and participating in an “Edwardian Experience”. She must dress and behave as if she were living in the Edwardian age. Katie has the misfortune of finding herself in embarrassing situations which earns her the on line blog name of Miss Adventure. Almost immediately after arriving at the holiday house, she finds herself in one of those situations. She literally crashes into the owner of the home, Graeme.

Graeme and his mother own the estate and have rented it out to the Edwardian Experience. He is a bit of a grump and is not happy that finances necessitate having to rent it out. He lives in a small cottage and has custody of his young orphaned nephew.

Dispite the fact that they are both reluctant to develop a friendship, they find themselves drawn to each other. While they are alike in some ways, like their physically tall stature, they are different in that Graeme is content to stay settled in Scotland, while Katie loves to move around and find new adventures.

This is what the publisher’s website says:

“She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together? Some Like It Scot is "a charming, comedic romance ideal for armchair travelers" (Publishers Weekly) set in Scotland, perfect for fans of Sarah Adams and Emma St. Clair.

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people's stories. She's built a career as "Miss Adventure," known for saying yes to anything new--country, food, or experience--and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn't venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme's comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister's death, he's even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what's familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life's story when "home" is in two very different places? But maybe home--and the future--isn't quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

Grab your wellies and step into Some Like It Scot--a heartfelt, hilarious, and clean grumpy/sunshine rom-com with a soft Scottish brogue, a mischievous macaw, Edwardian antics, and more than a few misadventures courtesy of one larger-than-life travel writer and one very guarded Highlander. This isn't just another "hot Scot" romance--though yes, Graeme MacKerrow does play the brooding hero perfectly--it's also a slow-building journey of healing, faith, and found family.”

You can go here to read an excerpt 

If you like entertaining, enjoyable, sometimes comical and witty stories that are not overly religious but have an underlying faith element, you will like this one. This author delivers cozy, sweet, clean romances that will have you chuckling from the first page to the last.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson
Fiction and Netgalley through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano - a book review

I you like romantic comedies this is a book you might enjoy.  The characters are a delight!  They have quirky personalities which often land them into hilarious situations. The dialog is witty and comical.  This is not a story meant to call attention to a particular social issue of the time.  It’s simply a humorous story about two people who have feelings for each other but are afraid to admit it. It can be a bit wordy at times but that doesn’t detract from the story.  Both characters are people of faith and the author does a good job of incorporating that into the story without being too preachy.  There is an element of mystery without any real danger or suspense.  It is really just a comical , fun to read, historical romance. I found myself chuckling out loud several times at the antics of the various characters. 

Here’s what the publisher’s website says:

“Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader's eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can't help coming to his friend's defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.”

You can read an excerpt HERE

This book is one of the selections from Apart from the Crowd series.

 

 Learn more about the author, Jen Turano, HERE

 If you'd like to buy this book, you can use the Amazon search box on the right side of this page to purchase it.  I do get a small reimbursement, but it doesn't cost you anything.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and Baker Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano - a book review

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

I love a book that makes me chuckle as I’m reading it.  This one is full of “I love Lucy” type moments that kept me wondering what Eliza was going to do next.  I did, however, feel as if she were two different characters at times.  When she wasn’t finding herself in comical predicaments, she was very down to earth. 
 

From the publisher's website:

  “Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiancé, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

 

Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett's chagrin, all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone.

When Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton's path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along."

While this book is publicized as Christian romance, I didn’t find it at all preachy.  I think even readers who don’t normally read Christian fiction but still enjoy a good clean novel, would like this book.   There’s mystery, danger, humor, and love all combined to make this a very enjoyable reading experience.  It is not a deep philosophical, intellectual book that makes the reader have to think too much.  I’m not that kind of reader.  I simply like to be entertained and feel good when the story is over.

 

I look forward to reading more from this author.

 

You can go to the publisher’s webpage and read an excerpt from the first chapter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”