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Reviewed for Wit and Sin
Cat Campbell is a healer, a fighter, and a Highland Rose. She’s a plain-speaking woman who fights with bow and arrow or dagger rather than words. But when Queen Catherine needs the help of a Highland Rose in court, Cat is the best candidate to go to her aid. Whitehall is a world away from what Cat knows, filled with scheming, politics, and words that could be far more deadly than a knife. The only person she can trust is her escort, Viscount Nathaniel Worthington, whose sisters run the Highland Roses School. Nathaniel drives her mad, mostly due to the attraction that’s been simmering between the two of them for over a year. Close quarters make the pull between them harder to resist. But can their burgeoning relationship survive the danger that awaits them at court?
Two strong-willed characters with excellent chemistry find love in The Wicked Viscount. Heather McCollum has brought both the glamour and the seedy underbelly of seventeenth century court life to life in this book, but it’s the Nathaniel and Cat who grabbed my attention from the start and made the pages of the story fly by.
Cat is very much a rose with thorns; beautiful but deadly. She’s smart, honest, and even when out of her depth and under pressure she stands strong. Cat has survived tremendous loss and hardship and has vulnerabilities, yet she remains a fierce protector willing to stand up for anyone who needs it. I adored her from the start and I couldn’t wait to see her fall in love with Nathaniel. Nathaniel was raised in his father’s image, but he’s a far different man from his sire. He has a strong core of honor, a protective streak a mile wide, and a distaste for the machinations at court. I was excited to see Nathaniel and Cat get together, as they struck sparks off one another in previous Campbell books. The two of them did not disappoint. The energy between them crackles and their dialogue as they travel to London made me smile more than once. When they give into their desires, The Wicked Viscount gets deliciously – dare I say it? – wicked. While it’s clear they’re made for each other, the ghosts of Cat’s past and the bindings his father’s will have placed on Nathaniel mean that love may not be enough for them to get their happily ever after.
Queen Catherine did not call for a Highland Rose out of misplaced alarm, which means much of The Wicked Viscount deals with unearthing traitors, palace politics, and venomous mean girls. Much like Cat, I’m not one for court gossip, deception, or intrigue but I was still engaged in the story, especially when seeing things through Cat’s eyes. I cannot say much about what happens at court for fear of spoiling the story. Suffice it to say that Ms. McCollum kept things interesting and I enjoyed watching the action build to an exciting climax.
The Wicked Viscount is the third book in the Campbells series (previously known as the Highland Roses School series), but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve enjoyed every book in this series with its brave Highland Roses who defend themselves and others and the men who love them and do the same. I cannot wait to return to the Highlands and see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the next Campbell hero or heroine!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Cat Campbell is a healer, a fighter, and a Highland Rose. She’s a plain-speaking woman who fights with bow and arrow or dagger rather than words. But when Queen Catherine needs the help of a Highland Rose in court, Cat is the best candidate to go to her aid. Whitehall is a world away from what Cat knows, filled with scheming, politics, and words that could be far more deadly than a knife. The only person she can trust is her escort, Viscount Nathaniel Worthington, whose sisters run the Highland Roses School. Nathaniel drives her mad, mostly due to the attraction that’s been simmering between the two of them for over a year. Close quarters make the pull between them harder to resist. But can their burgeoning relationship survive the danger that awaits them at court?
Two strong-willed characters with excellent chemistry find love in The Wicked Viscount. Heather McCollum has brought both the glamour and the seedy underbelly of seventeenth century court life to life in this book, but it’s the Nathaniel and Cat who grabbed my attention from the start and made the pages of the story fly by.
Cat is very much a rose with thorns; beautiful but deadly. She’s smart, honest, and even when out of her depth and under pressure she stands strong. Cat has survived tremendous loss and hardship and has vulnerabilities, yet she remains a fierce protector willing to stand up for anyone who needs it. I adored her from the start and I couldn’t wait to see her fall in love with Nathaniel. Nathaniel was raised in his father’s image, but he’s a far different man from his sire. He has a strong core of honor, a protective streak a mile wide, and a distaste for the machinations at court. I was excited to see Nathaniel and Cat get together, as they struck sparks off one another in previous Campbell books. The two of them did not disappoint. The energy between them crackles and their dialogue as they travel to London made me smile more than once. When they give into their desires, The Wicked Viscount gets deliciously – dare I say it? – wicked. While it’s clear they’re made for each other, the ghosts of Cat’s past and the bindings his father’s will have placed on Nathaniel mean that love may not be enough for them to get their happily ever after.
Queen Catherine did not call for a Highland Rose out of misplaced alarm, which means much of The Wicked Viscount deals with unearthing traitors, palace politics, and venomous mean girls. Much like Cat, I’m not one for court gossip, deception, or intrigue but I was still engaged in the story, especially when seeing things through Cat’s eyes. I cannot say much about what happens at court for fear of spoiling the story. Suffice it to say that Ms. McCollum kept things interesting and I enjoyed watching the action build to an exciting climax.
The Wicked Viscount is the third book in the Campbells series (previously known as the Highland Roses School series), but it can easily be read as a standalone. I’ve enjoyed every book in this series with its brave Highland Roses who defend themselves and others and the men who love them and do the same. I cannot wait to return to the Highlands and see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the next Campbell hero or heroine!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I loved this historical romance. It's full of mystery and adventure. A story that starts in Scotland and takes us to the Whitehall in London and then back to Scotland. The characters are all very well-developed and it is quite a well-written story. I think it's a must read for historical fiction fans.
Cat is totally at home running through the woods, climbing trees, and taking down wild boar alone.
Her wildness, freedom and vibrant love of life has captured Nathaniel’s attention.
When a letter from the Queen summons the best healer and protector, Cat and Nathaniel travel together to London court.
This is my first Heather McCollum and I can’t help but feeling a bit, not lost necessarily, but lacking a lot of history. Quick recaps are here and there, but I was upset that apparently I missed those first kiss from a previous book. I wish there had been a flashback to it so I could feel more tension between them.
Unfortunately for me, this book had a lot of action and the romance got lost between all the running here and there. There was a scene where they played cards to exchange information about themselves and I really enjoyed that. However, it just didn’t have the tension build up I prefer.
I do think this book is well written and if you enjoy plenty of action, politics of the era, and court intrigue, this may well be a hit for you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Her wildness, freedom and vibrant love of life has captured Nathaniel’s attention.
When a letter from the Queen summons the best healer and protector, Cat and Nathaniel travel together to London court.
This is my first Heather McCollum and I can’t help but feeling a bit, not lost necessarily, but lacking a lot of history. Quick recaps are here and there, but I was upset that apparently I missed those first kiss from a previous book. I wish there had been a flashback to it so I could feel more tension between them.
Unfortunately for me, this book had a lot of action and the romance got lost between all the running here and there. There was a scene where they played cards to exchange information about themselves and I really enjoyed that. However, it just didn’t have the tension build up I prefer.
I do think this book is well written and if you enjoy plenty of action, politics of the era, and court intrigue, this may well be a hit for you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, War
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story really takes us on a journey! I was struck with all the ups and downs as well as the character movement. In this one we are taken back to the royal court. Cat (who I love) is chosen to go and Nathaniel is escorting her. These two are hot when they are together. Either the sexual chemistry or the emotional chemistry is turned up on high.
Cat has been a wild Scottish girl from when we first met her. I couldn't fathom how she could survive the royal court and come out alive. She is smart as a whip uses her intelligence to ferret out multiple plots occurring. Nathaniel…I dub thee “the guy full of secrets”. He just perplexed me. I mean he tried to warn Cat but I just ignored him about how he would be different at court. BOY was he! Half the time I could see why she is concerned about his feelings or non-feelings regarding them. Eventually…after much turmoil I came to like him. But Cat is the BIG winner as my favorite character! She has many changes but stays true to herself.
Overall this book really kept my ears finely tuned. I couldn’t stray or else I might miss something. I have already got the next in the series and cant wait to listen. Justine Eyre does amazing with all the characters. She has that Scottish brogue down!
Cat has been a wild Scottish girl from when we first met her. I couldn't fathom how she could survive the royal court and come out alive. She is smart as a whip uses her intelligence to ferret out multiple plots occurring. Nathaniel…I dub thee “the guy full of secrets”. He just perplexed me. I mean he tried to warn Cat but I just ignored him about how he would be different at court. BOY was he! Half the time I could see why she is concerned about his feelings or non-feelings regarding them. Eventually…after much turmoil I came to like him. But Cat is the BIG winner as my favorite character! She has many changes but stays true to herself.
Overall this book really kept my ears finely tuned. I couldn’t stray or else I might miss something. I have already got the next in the series and cant wait to listen. Justine Eyre does amazing with all the characters. She has that Scottish brogue down!
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 5/28/19.
This seems to be my week for starting in the middle of a series...no worries, I did fine; now I'll just have to do some catch-up reading.
I enjoyed The Wicked Viscount, though I'm not really sure how accurate the title is. I mean, I guess he was kind of wicked, but really he was more nice--protective, honorable, brave, loyal--there's a touch of wicked, but it's not like he had a reputation or anything...
But I digress. ;)
I loved Cat as a heroine--she's strong, feisty, and though she tries to fit in at court so as not to embarrass the woman who asked her there (to engage in espionage!) she never pretends to be something she's not. Nathaniel is torn between his feelings for Cat and what he believes is his duty--I have to admit there was a while there that I wasn't sure how Ms. McCollum would manage to get them to be able to be together in the end, but she did, and with style. I enjoyed visiting a time period other than the Regency (this also seems to be my week for that, too) even though I didn't know much about the politics of the time (other than who the ext monarchs would be and roughly how they'd come into power...)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
This seems to be my week for starting in the middle of a series...no worries, I did fine; now I'll just have to do some catch-up reading.
I enjoyed The Wicked Viscount, though I'm not really sure how accurate the title is. I mean, I guess he was kind of wicked, but really he was more nice--protective, honorable, brave, loyal--there's a touch of wicked, but it's not like he had a reputation or anything...
But I digress. ;)
I loved Cat as a heroine--she's strong, feisty, and though she tries to fit in at court so as not to embarrass the woman who asked her there (to engage in espionage!) she never pretends to be something she's not. Nathaniel is torn between his feelings for Cat and what he believes is his duty--I have to admit there was a while there that I wasn't sure how Ms. McCollum would manage to get them to be able to be together in the end, but she did, and with style. I enjoyed visiting a time period other than the Regency (this also seems to be my week for that, too) even though I didn't know much about the politics of the time (other than who the ext monarchs would be and roughly how they'd come into power...)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
This is a well written book with a lot of action. The romance was nice but quite drawn out. It was an interesting look into the politics of the time.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.
Another excellent installment in McCollum's Campbells series. I loved the chemistry between Cat and Nathaniel (the card game he teaches her was great). There were a few places where I thought there was too much navel-gazing, and a couple of times where Cat found the clues she needed a little too conveniently, but overall the book was quite satisfying.