A Highlander In a Pickup by Laura Trentham -a Review

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Description:
When a gorgeous new man—in a kilt—comes to town, life in Highland, Georgia will never be the same…

Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?

Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. . .

Review:

A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Trentham is the 2^nd book in her Highland, Georgia series.  Our heroes of the first book, Izzy and Alasdair are in Scotland, waiting the birth of their daughter.  Izzy has asked her best friend, Anna to run the annual Highland, Georgia Scottish Festival, in her absence.  Alasdair also asks his friend, Iain to help Anna with the festival preparations. 

Anna Maitland, is a dance teacher and our heroine, who is determined to help out her friend Izzy, and run this festival to perfection.  She is hit with a double whammy, when someone delivers two animals (strange looking cow and sheep- Ozzy & Harriet lol) to be used for the festival, and a gorgeous hunk from Scotland.  Anna is not too happy to meet Iain Connors, as he plans on helping run the festival, which Anna tells him she is running it and he can take care of the animals and watch tv.  Of course, Iain has no intention of doing just that; he is here to help and despite Anna’s attitude, he will do so.

Anna is surprised when many people in town take a liking to Iain, as he not only helps people (he is a good carpenter), and makes friends easily; he can also sing.   Though they got off on the wrong foot, especially Anna’s snarky attitude for the first third of the book, the sparks between them slowly began to ignite.  Anna tries to fight off her attraction and lust for Iain (especially when he is wearing his kilts), and he isn’t sure how to handle her abrupt attitude, but in a short time their chemistry flies off the wall into a steamy relationship.  Will Iain go back to Scotland after the festival is over and leave Anna heartbroken?

What follows was a fun sweet romance that took its time to develop, even though we did have our doubts.  I did enjoy the dancing aspects of the story, as Anna trained young girls to perform at the festival, especially convincing the girl’s father to give his daughter a chance. It was also fun when Anna teaches Iain how to dance.  

Once Iain and Anna finally succumb to their lust, each finds themselves falling hard for each other.  Iain’s father wants him to return home to Scotland to eventually take over as head groundskeeper for the Castle, but he is torn by his love for Anna, as well as his father’s need for him.  Is there a future for Iain and Anna?  You need to read this book to find out.  

I can’t say enough for Laura Trentham, as she always gives us sweet wonderful romances, great couple and wonderful secondary characters.  If you love romance and Highlanders, you need to be reading A Highlander in a Pickup, which is well written by Laura Trentham.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher