Title: To Charm a Highlander
(The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #5)
Author: Callie Hutton
Published: November 2023
Genre: Historical Romance, Friends-to-Lovers

Blurb:

Love blossoms amidst secrets and suspicion...Lady Donella Sutherland has been ignored by most of her clan because she is thought to be simple-minded. She wasn’t always that way, her brother, Laird Haydon insists. But the years go on and she doesn’t change. Callum Gunn, second oldest son to Laird Gunn has been accused by his brother, Fraser of causing his father’s death on the battlefield. A charge Callum strongly denies. With a few men willing to testify on Laird Fraser Gunn’s behalf, Callum finds himself banned from his clan. A few months of wandering around brings him to Sutherland Castle where he asks Laird Haydon Sutherland to allow him to join his warrior forces. Not trustful of the Gunn Clan, Haydon refuses, but as Callum is about to leave, Lady Donella slips on the stairs and after smacking her head on a stone step, tumbles down, right into Callum’s arms. Grateful for saving his sister from a certain death, Haydon allows Callum to stay. When Donella awakens, she is surprised to find everyone treating her like a bairn. Her family and the clansfolk all act strangely toward her as she moves around castle, doing normal jobs. Callum finds the lass he rescued beautiful and charming. He sees nothing dim-witted about Donella and is confused by what he hears from others in the clan. However, as they grow closer he believes she is hiding a secret that could keep them from having a life together. If he wants that life with Donella, he must uncover what secrets she’s been hiding.

My Review:

This dramatic read with a charming Callum made me forget the schoolwork I had to do! Thanks to Callie!

Callum and Donella meet in the inevitable dramatic fall when Callum comes to join Sutherland Clan as one of the warriors. He doesn’t know Donella’s characters before the fall. Donella’s family and clanmen always look surprised when she does the usual things because she never went beyond the castle after the incident fourteen years ago. The secret from fourteen years ago which only Donella knows, made me wonder why and what happened. When she gets amnesia, no one can uncover it.

It’s an easy and quick read. I was led to believe that Callum and Donella would not have any complex issues yet I was wrong. When Callum begins courting Donella, the past eventually comes to the surface and it was so horrible! Oh Donella, how could you suffer alone without talking or even telling anyone? The change of the story line from sweet to dramatic was fascinating. Callie Hutton is a master of the plot twist. This is why I keep reading her books.

It’s a quick and easy read with an entertaining and dramatic storyline.

Rate: 4.5 of 5

About the author

My historical romances are full of heat, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.

I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A study in Murder released this year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been very good. The second book in that series, The Sign of Death, will release in April of 2021.

Although those books are not strictly romance, the main characters, William, Lord Wethington, and Lady Amy Lovell have formed a friendship while solving a murder mystery. Who knows where that will take them?

Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers.

Please consider signing up for my newsletter to keep up to date on new releases, sales, and special offers. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! (This text refers to the Amazon edition). Follow her on http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ and Twitter @Calliehutton