tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post7128876058616894782..comments2024-03-27T03:28:56.209-04:00Comments on Ramblings on Romance Etcetera. Etcetera: Highland Rebel ReviewKristie (J)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15743921647882733738noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-44985678796635144432009-09-07T22:41:48.442-04:002009-09-07T22:41:48.442-04:00I've just come from Wendy's blog and I'...I've just come from Wendy's blog and I'm so glad to read your review. I'm so sold. Yay!Kwanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06428954660974395117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-43010292666086717972009-09-06T00:53:43.983-04:002009-09-06T00:53:43.983-04:00Wonderful review...gutsy. I've really got to ...Wonderful review...gutsy. I've really got to get this book...5 out of 5....very impressive. Its got my attention. I love me a Highlander story anytime.Armeniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01834412672218114166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-43223223335276460652009-09-04T21:52:44.562-04:002009-09-04T21:52:44.562-04:00Wendy: I'm really looking forward to what you ...Wendy: I'm really looking forward to what you think of Cat. I found her a wonderful heroine. And it took me a while to read this book too - didn't want to rush through it.<br /><br />Mandi: Then I think you will really enjoy this one *g* cause they do work towards their relationship.<br /><br />Pam: Weren't some of those older books wonderful? Sometimes it took them years to reach their HEA and in these days of instant lust/instant love (and not that I'm saying anything against that) it's nice to have a relationship that builds through a book.<br /><br />Patti: I like the friends first books too - and these two are best friends before they are lovers. And their friendship is just as intriguing as their lover relationship.<br /><br />Morning Glow *g* Nope - not wrong at all!! Sometimes I will just fondle a book for a while first before actually starting it 'cause the excitement is too much.<br /><br />Judith - thanks for your explanation as you're right - my answer was *ah* I don't know. I know there are many readers who pay attention to these kinds of details and my hat off to the authors who care enough and are interested enough to do the research, but most of it passes right over this readers head!*g*<br /><br />Lisa: maybe because I've been reading romance in one form or another for so many years that I have seen it transition from romantic historical to historical romance. I love both - but each often has something missing. But HR combines both of what I love. And I really tried to get that across!!! That readers newer to romance, who didn't read the sweeping saga type book of decades ago, with the wonderful story telling but the shortage of romance. If they are expecting a straight-up romance - that not what this one is - but if they go into it, knowing that, and being open to appreciate the other wonderful delights of this book, then I think they may enjoy it more.<br /><br />Anonymous - What Judith says *g*<br /><br />Mary *g* I seem to have that effect on some people.<br /><br />Heather: Hmmm - how to put this - it's not that there is a lack of romance. There is a WONDERFUL romance, but that's only part of the sum of the whole of what makes this such a good book.<br /><br />Maered: OK - you are in! *g*<br /><br />Kaetrin: It is a fascinating time period - and it looks like she has a few books coming up in the same time. It's SUCH a refreshing change of pace.<br /><br />Leontine: Gabriel had me totally from the very first moment out on the balcony and kept me through the whole book!! Now I'm anxiously awaiting what you think of it :)<br />And I really think it was a plus for me enjoying this one so much that I read all those other ones in my early reading days. Highland Rebel brought back that wonderful love I had for them - but with a much better romance ;-) I know it didn't work for you as much as for me *g* but I really enjoyed your review<br /><br />Orannia *laughing* Well - if Cat doesn't capture you - Jamie sure enough will. They are both equally wonderful. Whereas in many romances it's either or as to who is the larger than life character, in this one they both are.<br /><br />Jeanette: I love a good paranormal myself - can hardly wait to dive into Patricia Briggs new one - but I also loved the nostalgia that I felt with this one.<br /><br />Eva: I SO hear you!! I did the same thing. Broken Wing had such an effect on me I was almost scared to read this one - but I sure am glad I did!!<br /><br />Ames: *grin* I know you've enjoyed a number of the same books I have so I'm thinking this will be the case with this one too.Kristie (J)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15743921647882733738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-65075531438999906652009-09-04T19:01:26.909-04:002009-09-04T19:01:26.909-04:00OK Kristie - I didn't read your review, but I ...OK Kristie - I didn't read your review, but I did notice you mentioned me by name - so had to comment.<br /><br />I'm STILL working through this book. I have not had time to read, and I'm starting to break out into a sweat that I'm not very far into the story yet. So far? Loving the hero, jury still out on heroine. But I gots lots o' pages left. I haven't given up on her :)Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-74743036611375614562009-09-04T17:04:31.236-04:002009-09-04T17:04:31.236-04:00I loved this review. I like books that make you wo...I loved this review. I like books that make you work - I like to see the relationship build and fall and rebuild itself until the couple finally admits their feelings for one another.<br /><br />I'm in for the contest:)Mandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05164981880837468084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-73876701416350873702009-09-04T15:06:06.174-04:002009-09-04T15:06:06.174-04:00Your review has me looking forward to reading it e...Your review has me looking forward to reading it even more. I grew up reading those same authors, sweeping sagas, and still love a complex story like this.Pam Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15707336988423231812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-50126226915586595602009-09-04T11:43:50.787-04:002009-09-04T11:43:50.787-04:00What a wonderful review! Count me in for your cont...What a wonderful review! Count me in for your contest - this sounds like an amazing story. I get frustrated sometimes when the hero/heroine automatically "have feelings" for each other. The discovery of love through friendship makes for a better story IMO. This is a new-to-me author but I'm definitely going to check her out - thanks!<br /><br />pspinney AT cox DOT net <br />(saw you have a link to another Patti, didn't want any confusion)Patti (@TheLoveJunkee)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01732605328006594727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-42326819643901279022009-09-04T11:41:35.664-04:002009-09-04T11:41:35.664-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Patti (@TheLoveJunkee)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01732605328006594727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-89670637258335737362009-09-04T11:35:22.732-04:002009-09-04T11:35:22.732-04:00Count me in- I know I would love this book! I'...Count me in- I know I would love this book! I've been reading all the reviews, and with each review, the reader points out something else, and I give a little fan girly squee and want it even more. Is it bad that I get so excited about these things? No.. um.. right?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Morning Glow<br />ohmorningglow AT aol DOT comAmanda from Novel Addictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363603266358485693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-60503907355771343222009-09-04T10:56:33.183-04:002009-09-04T10:56:33.183-04:00Hello Anonymous! I doubt Kristie can answer this q...Hello Anonymous! I doubt Kristie can answer this question for you but perhaps I can, although I'm not sure it will reassure you. The history of whisky distilleries is a complicated one, directly affected by politics and attempts to control rebellious Scots. I had considered including it in the historical notes but they were already a little over crowded. Perhaps I should have. <br /><br />In the 15th and 16th centuries most Scotch whisky was made and distributed for private use at home and with neighbours. The earliest historical reference to a distillery dates from 1494 in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of that year. The earliest reference to a commercial distillery dates from 1690 where the Ferintiosh Distillery owned by Duncan Forbes of Culloden is named in the Acts if the Scottish Parliament, admittedly a year or two later than the events in this book, but I felt it safe to assume it didn’t suddenly appear on the scene on that particular date, nor was it the only one in operation. Indeed according to the Scotch Whisky Association whisky was taxed for sale from 1644 on but it was apparently not yet an overly burdensome tax. The troubles started in 1707 with the Union Act between England and Scotland. Suddenly whisky producers faced severe problems caused by heavy taxation instituted to tame rebellious clans. Although it was not illegal, it was illegal to withhold the extremely onerous and often capricious taxes, and in large part it drove the production and distribution of whisky underground. This did not happen though, until almost 20 years after the events in Highland Rebel take place. Catherine was negotiating with a king who looked upon Highlanders as valuable allies, not rebels who needed to be subdued.<br /><br />The confusion might arise from the difference between malt whisky, which was a product of Catherine’s time, and grain whisky, which came about 140 years later. Catherine and the people of her time drank and produced malt whisky, a process I described in an earlier blog on Scotland. Many things changed in the 19th century both politically and with the industrial revolution. The excise tax law of 1823 sanctioned the distilling of whisky for a uniform and reasonable fee, replacing the outrageous and openly flouted tax system that went before. Smuggling died out almost completely shortly there after and there was a huge growth among distilleries. Then in 1831 Aeneas Coffey invented the Coffey or Patent Still, which enabled a continuous process of distillation to take place and resulted in the grain whiskey most people are familiar with today. So although grain whiskey distilleries did not appear before 1831, Highland malt whiskey had been around for centuries prior.<br />As to the use of whiskey vs. Whisky, although I’m well aware the Scott’s spell it whisky and refer to the malted rather than grain whisky, whiskey is the more familiar term to modern readers, and that is the term that was used. Hope that clears things up and I do hope you will enjoy Highland Rebel.To those of you who are wondering, no I didn't spend hours writing about whisky, but I did spend hours trying to get it right :)<br /> <br />All the best<br />Judith<br /><br />Kristie, Sorry for the long winded post and thanks you so much for hosting me and your lovely, thoughtful review!Judith Jameshttp://www.judithjamesauthor.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-25603538042674916512009-09-04T10:25:51.917-04:002009-09-04T10:25:51.917-04:00I find your review encouraging because my debut no...I find your review encouraging because my debut novel had a similar "flaw" in that the romance is not presented as a stereotypical romance, and yet "Fire at Midnight" went on to receive excellent reviews. The only negative I've seen about my book is the very same criticism Judith is now receiving about the romance aspect of Highland Rebel.<br />Kristie, I think there is merit in the way you presented your review of Highland Rebel because it makes us think about our expectations when we pick up a book. For me, the bottom line is whether or not the book has entertained me, not whether it has satisfied every expected formula aspect of the genre for which it was written. I think we all know that Judith James writes great books!Lisa Marie Wilkinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11760318748623872747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-80558266440794919562009-09-04T08:56:08.710-04:002009-09-04T08:56:08.710-04:00I'd been looking forward to this one. I usuall...I'd been looking forward to this one. I usually avoid Highland stories because they're so, well, bizarre, but I'd hoped Judith would do better.<br />But before I take the plunge - please, please, please, tell me it's spelled "whisky" not "whiskey," and please tell me it's illegally gained money, because the distillation of whisky for sale wasn't legalised until the 1830's and the first distillery wasn't opened until several years later. I love the stuff, so it's really important to me.<br />Reassure me and I'm off to Amazon pronto.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-30321994400414348062009-09-04T08:47:01.276-04:002009-09-04T08:47:01.276-04:00Hi Kristie
I want to read this book because you...Hi Kristie<br />I want to read this book because you're going to make me read it anyway. It's just a shortcut LOL.<br />Sounds as amazing as BW.Mary Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09470057739043473942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-25912680090490137172009-09-04T07:56:54.677-04:002009-09-04T07:56:54.677-04:00OK Kristi I didn't read completely through you...OK Kristi I didn't read completely through your review, but I did read... OH MY Gosh I can't wait for my copy!! I am making a special trip into town today and hopefully find it in my PObox. <br /><br />I have to admit that I am a little thrown by the "lack of romance" that both you and Cindy have mentioned but it has not diminished my desire to read another book by this author!Heather Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632528059311088701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-92176311533337293602009-09-04T06:53:29.466-04:002009-09-04T06:53:29.466-04:00Great review! I would love to read this book - co...Great review! I would love to read this book - count me in!maerednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-5199536872744915712009-09-04T04:17:17.109-04:002009-09-04T04:17:17.109-04:00I really enjoyed Broken Wing and I love the time p...I really enjoyed Broken Wing and I love the time period Highland Rebel is set in, er in which it is set.<br /><br />Anyway, please count me in for the prize draw!Kaetrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16936055488367251592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-64858066257512160782009-09-04T03:33:38.815-04:002009-09-04T03:33:38.815-04:00Although Jamie & Cat didn't capture me the...Although Jamie & Cat didn't capture me the way they did with you I wish they had. After reading your review I feel your love for this novel, how it swepped you away, how Cat and Jamie got to you.<br /><br />I read the first chapters of Broken Wing and Gabriel, now he got to me from page one and I will soon read the whole book!! I want to taste the writing/characters of Judith James in its full glory :)Leontinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11772385054579881436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-86437719853017371112009-09-04T03:17:56.032-04:002009-09-04T03:17:56.032-04:00Great review Kristie! I love those sweeping histor...Great review Kristie! I love those sweeping historicals with that hint of romance, so this sounds right up my alley :) I've added it to the TBR wish list and will look for it on the library catalogue.<br /><br />I will admit I'm not a strong heroine fan, especially if she's also intelligent and beautiful, but I'm guessing from your review that Cat is far more than a sum of all her attributes?oranniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14007355589161084262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-21074156573632412352009-09-04T03:04:00.061-04:002009-09-04T03:04:00.061-04:00The review is very helpful and makes me want to re...The review is very helpful and makes me want to read this book. I also want to try to read something different from all the paranormal books I have stacked.jeanette8042https://www.blogger.com/profile/00232225776928786999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-7187881641939719712009-09-04T02:22:20.250-04:002009-09-04T02:22:20.250-04:00Thanks for your wonderful review!! I've been w...Thanks for your wonderful review!! I've been waiting for this book, but at the same time I was afraid, I loved Broken Wing and what if...<br />Now I know I have to read it!!<br /><br />I have Captain Sabatini and Katherine on my keeper shelf and really would love to have something similar to read!Eva Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08429057867412830197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10897259.post-37299552328285466132009-09-04T00:02:48.828-04:002009-09-04T00:02:48.828-04:00Aaaahhh!! Here's the review I've been wai...Aaaahhh!! Here's the review I've been waiting for! Nath said you enjoyed it.<br /><br />I really enjoyed Broken Wing so I've been looking forward to reading this. And Cat sounds like a strong heroine, and I love me a strong heroine.<br /><br />Great review Kristie!~ames~https://www.blogger.com/profile/17683205224039402987noreply@blogger.com