Yvonne L. reviewed The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Bk 5) on + 929 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The name of the book is slightly misleading. There is plenty of bedroom scenes but Juliana doesn't really do any seducing.
It's a very sweet tale about Elliot putting his life back together after horrible torture and abuse (think prisoner of war) with the help of not only Juliana but the friends he came to see as his family. There is a small mystery in there and there are parts of it about forgiveness.
It was slow to start because it isn't one of those books where there is excitement at every turn but it's still a very good read. Love the MacKenzies cameos, especially Ian because he was my favorite.
It's a very sweet tale about Elliot putting his life back together after horrible torture and abuse (think prisoner of war) with the help of not only Juliana but the friends he came to see as his family. There is a small mystery in there and there are parts of it about forgiveness.
It was slow to start because it isn't one of those books where there is excitement at every turn but it's still a very good read. Love the MacKenzies cameos, especially Ian because he was my favorite.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Bk 5) on + 1711 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this story. The dealing with PTSD and working to get his life back to a somewhat functioning normal was great to read. I liked the loyalty shown him by his servants. There are fun parts in this story too, Komal was so fun to read about in her dealing his uncle. Good twists and turns and learning to be there for each other. Great read.
Regina (virgosun) reviewed The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Bk 5) on + 886 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I like tortured heroes because they reveal a vulnerability that I don't usually see with standard alpha males. Elliot was a strong, take-charge individual who experienced extreme mental and physical abuse; here I got to witness him trying to put his life back together and deal with dangerous flashbacks. Julianna was a good match for him and didn't suffer any annoying misunderstandings that often derail a romance. Their love was sweet yet passionate and true. I was happy to revisit the MacKenzie clan, especially Ian, my favorite member. Elliot and Ian shared a lot in common, so if you preferred Ian to all the other brothers, you'll enjoy Elliot's story, which I give four stars.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
When Elliot McBride escaped from his prison, he was in bad shape. The only thing that had kept him alive was thoughts of his true-love, Juliana St. John. After some time to recover, Elliot makes his way to London to stop Juliana's wedding. But he doesn't have to lift a finger when he finds that the groom has eloped with another woman, leaving Juliana at the altar. A crying Juliana sees Elliot and promptly proposes. Elliot quickly accepts and they marry that day. Now it's time for them to start a new life....
I liked the first couple chapters of this story, but it quickly fell flat. Elliot suffers from PTSD after being wrongly imprisoned and tortured for over a year. Juliana knows very little of what he went through, but sees the results in his nightmares and blackout episodes. When Elliot is accused of a murder and he confesses he remembers nothing of that time, Juliana stands by her man against his accusers. I usually like a good tortured hero, but I really could not get into this story at all. My rating: 3 Stars.
I liked the first couple chapters of this story, but it quickly fell flat. Elliot suffers from PTSD after being wrongly imprisoned and tortured for over a year. Juliana knows very little of what he went through, but sees the results in his nightmares and blackout episodes. When Elliot is accused of a murder and he confesses he remembers nothing of that time, Juliana stands by her man against his accusers. I usually like a good tortured hero, but I really could not get into this story at all. My rating: 3 Stars.
Rachel A. (ra7) reviewed The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Bk 5) on + 1009 more book reviews
Juliana and Elliot knew each other as children. Juliana has always been in love with Elliot and resigns herself to an engagement to another when it seems like Elliot will never return to Scotland. Elliot went off to war and later made money as a plantation owner in India. It was there he was kidnapped/captured and held captive and tortured. They get another chance together when the man Juliana is going to marry leaves her at the later (he eloped with someone else the day of his wedding with Juliana). Knowing people will talk, Juliana asks Elliot to marry her. He accepts and it turns out he would have objected had the vows happened.
This did have some harder moments; Elliot suffers from PTSD from his imprisonment. He also brings his Indian servant and his family with him. I would have liked more dialogue with Channan, Nandita, Komal.
I did want to like this book more than I did. It was easy to put down and I found I just didn't connect with this like the previous books in this series.
This did have some harder moments; Elliot suffers from PTSD from his imprisonment. He also brings his Indian servant and his family with him. I would have liked more dialogue with Channan, Nandita, Komal.
I did want to like this book more than I did. It was easy to put down and I found I just didn't connect with this like the previous books in this series.
I think I liked this one best. Hero & heroine spent much time overcoming trials & challenges w/good heart! I especially liked that they trusted one another...and accepted one another. The slightly unbalanced characters in their new town were quite a bit of fun, and made for a few chuckles. I've never felt a story needed a 'villian,' so was particularly pleased he wasn't...though there still were assassins to bring the story closure.
Only very minor flaws in the storyline...with the title not representing the gist of the story at all. And I never find it pleasant to have a character whose only purpose in a book is to cower.
The addition of the rest of the series' characters was very minor & haphazard; the best being Daniel's help hawking goods.
If you've started the series, keep reading! If not, put it on your TBR.
Here is a link for a wonderful true story of PTSD: http://www.takepart.com/return-the-service/twildm
Only very minor flaws in the storyline...with the title not representing the gist of the story at all. And I never find it pleasant to have a character whose only purpose in a book is to cower.
The addition of the rest of the series' characters was very minor & haphazard; the best being Daniel's help hawking goods.
If you've started the series, keep reading! If not, put it on your TBR.
Here is a link for a wonderful true story of PTSD: http://www.takepart.com/return-the-service/twildm
I've found Ashley's Mackenzie series to be hit or miss. Sadly, 'Elliot McBride' missed on multiple levels and it was just too similar to Cameron's storyline (with the cheating wife). Too many side characters, a bit too much gritty detail about Elliot's imprisonment, and the 'twist' at the end was just baffling.
If you are a die-hard fan of Ashley's, then this book won't disappoint. Otherwise, read with grain of salt.
If you are a die-hard fan of Ashley's, then this book won't disappoint. Otherwise, read with grain of salt.
