Unlaced by the Highland Duke

Unlaced by the Highland Duke is the second book in “The Lochmore Legacy” series. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this series since I first heard about it some time ago. What makes this series unique is that there are 4 authors involved and they will each be writing in a different time period going back in time to unravel a mystery. We first met Joane Langdale (Jo) in the first book in this series by Janice Preston’s “His Convenient Highland Wedding”. I immediately liked Jo and loved her personality in the previous book. So I was excited to hear this book was going to be her story. Jo is the cousin of Benneit’s deceased wife Bella. Being a poorer relation of the Uxmore family she became a companion/servant for them when her husband died. This is how she ends up temporarily becoming a governess for Benneit’s son. Benneit, the Duke of Lochmore is a widower with a young son, Jamie. With the responsibility of the dukedom and trying to secure his son’s future, he has a heavy weight on his shoulders. Knowing that he will be busy for the next few weeks and feeling guilty that he’s been ignoring his son, he reluctantly agrees to allow Jo to accompany them back to Scotland to help with Jamie. I absolutely loved this couple! Their romance was one that came on gradually, definitely not a love at first sight. The way Jo was able to frustrate, embarrass and surprise him had Benneit speechless at times and had me smiling. There was definitely a slow burning, underlying awareness of something between them that both fought for awhile. It was a joy to watch them gradually let down their guard and trust and open up to each other. The romance was beautifully paced and as breathtaking as the lush descriptions of the scenery. Ms. Temple didn’t hold back with this one, it’s definitely one of her best books to date! With fabulous secondary characters, a mystery that connects this series and a breathtakingly beautiful love story it truly is perfect! I highly recommend this book along with the entire series! Loved it!

To say this book was made my heart smile does not even begin to describe it! A hero who cares deeply for his son Jamie, Benneit, Duke of Lochmore, is being pushed by his late wife's family to take Jamie and let them care for him or enroll him in school. When he will not give in, they push to have his late wife's cousin Joane to act as a companion to Jamie until he married. He was already set to marry Lady Tessa McCrieff, but it was not official yet. The union would pull the two families together and mend a rift that had been ongoing, plus McCrieff would help support his business. Jo, having been widowed for two years, is looking forward to caring for Jamie because she loves children. Plus she will enjoy being in Scotland and be a little more independent. Jo knew Benneit from when he was courting he cousin years ago, but they had not interacted that much. Of course he never paid that much attention to her. But fate is ready to step in when he sees how Jo and Jamie spend time together and her special way with him. Never realizing how lovely she was inside and out, Benneit begins to have feelings for her and she for him. Can I say that Lara Temple has enchanted me with her wonderful words that magically bring the setting of Scotland and the world of Benneit and Jo alive? She pulled me into the lives of the characters to the point I could feel their emotions and only hope they could be together forever. He is such a compelling character with his love that surrounds his son and you know he will do anything to protect him. Jo grows strong the longer she is away from her family and loves Jamie almost as much as he does. Is there any way they can be together now that he is pledged to another? I literally could not put this book down once I started. Yes, I was up until 3 in the am, but this was much more important than sleep! To say my heart melted and I sighed several times only touches slightly on my emotions. I cannot wait to read the next story in this series and can only hope it comes soon!! This will go on my to be read again shelf and I would say one of my favorite reads this year!

Engaging story - I enjoyed it very much. I love this series! I still have to read A Runaway Bride for the Highlander, but so far this one's my favourite.