A Sinner at the Highland Court
by Celeste Barclay
My review:
Celeste Barclay weaves words together to create sweeping historical romances that are full of wonderful characters, intriguing stories, unexpected plot twists, heated passions, vicious villains, and hooks that keep you interested until the very last word. ‘A Sinner at the Highland Court’ is book eight in this fantastic series, but you can definitely read it as a stand-alone.
After five years in a convent to which she was sent because of her terrible behavior at Court, Madeline MacLeod has changed. At one time she was a sly, vain, and obnoxious bully. Now she is serious, devout and kind. Shortly before she is due to take her final vows and become a nun, she is informed that she is instead to return to the Highland Court. She quickly learns that the King is arranging for her to be married very soon. Fingal Grant is generally a good guy but he has no interest in marriage outside of needing at least an heir and a spare. He wants a wife that will make no demands upon him, and he has no intention of being faithful to marriage vows. Fingal is intrigued by Madeline, who is appearance and demeanor are unlike that of anybody else at court.
I’m going to avoid talking about the plot at all because I don’t want to give anything remotely resembling a spoiler. I will say that there were times when I wanted to shake each of the main characters to get them to open their eyes and communicate better. They both show great character development by the end of this emotional story. The HEA was richly deserved. I hope somehow we will see Fingal’s best friend Harry again, who deserves a good woman of his own. This is such a great series, fingers crossed it continues for a while.