Kill or Be Kilt by Victoria Roberts
Series: Highlander Spies, #3
Historical Romance
Released: May 3, 2016
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Reviewed by Sheena

Lady Elizabeth Walsingham pined after the same man for years. When she finally realizes the brawny Highland laird doesn’t return her feelings, she decides to leave for London and start anew. It seems that her prayers are answered when she catches the eye of a charming actor at the Globe Theatre – a man who is the complete opposite of the Highlander she once loved.

Laird Ian Monroe spends his time avoiding the bothersome young girl who dreams of their union. But when he travels to London and discovers that she has a new love interest with a dishonorable agenda, his perspective changes. Ian soon realizes that Elizabeth is no longer a child with a crush, but a beautiful woman in need of his help. He may have what it takes to rescue Elizabeth from her scheming beau, but does he have the courage to reclaim Elizabeth’s heart as well?

Favorite Quote: “Could you please hand me my night rail?” He walked over and searched near the table, retrieving the cloth from under the chair.  As he turned he gave her a roguish grin…”It seems to have made it across the room.  Mayhap ye should come and get it, eh”

Oh, Highlander Romance, why can’t I quit you! Take a break from historical romance, they said. It will be fine, they said, there’s a whole wide world of genres just waiting for you, they said. They know nothing Jon Snow! Ahem.  Anyway, Kill or Be Kilt fits the mold and is a fantastic representation of why I enjoy historical (highlander) romances so much.  Initially set in Scotland, the story begins just as lush and picturesque as I expected.  Lady Elizabeth and her happily married sisters receive crushing news regarding the death of a beloved uncle who lived in London.  His death is more so compounded by the fact that the sisters also lost their parents a while back.  The only unmarried lass of the bunch, Elizabeth acutely feels the burn of her uncle’s death and is comforted by the one man she has every reason to avoid, Laird Ian!  Elizabeth, now a young woman of 18, first fell for Ian at the tender age of fifteen and everyone knew it.  The best image I could conjure for how she was powerless to control her puppy love crush on Ian, is to liken her to a Belieber, in full fervor, incapable of thwarting her fixation.  Nipped at poor Ian’s heels so badly, that he opted to stay away from her highland home.  His timely return coincides with her need of a protector and guardian as she travels with her sisters to London to pay their respects at court. Ian can barely keep his attentions off of Elizabeth.  She’s grown up, matured and has a mind of her own.

Elizabeth still has eyes for Ian, though she is unsure of what to do with her feelings –  until Ian (oaf!) turns her off and she decides to make a way for herself in London and not return to Scotland (the oaf!).  Elizabeth then bravely decides to completely go after her own chance at happiness and acceptance much to Ian’s chagrin (serves the oaf right!).  Ultimately, this turn of events was quite different for me.  I like my highland romances, kilts, and broody brawny Lairds need always apply.  And I like my English historical fiction, with my dastardly dukes and witty, free thinking heroines along with the always entertaining and hysterically oppressively judgey ton.  Annnd never the twin shall meet-right? *Chucks blueprint* Well in Kill or Be Kilt, the Highlanders and bonnie lasses are taking their talents to London court where a whole new world of murder, intrigue and court politics await!  I’m kind of a niche genre freak- but I loved it!  It was like the best of both worlds.

My only complaint is that this book does not stand alone well.  There are bonds of family and friendship that only get a passing explanation, so I kept having to suppress the nagging feeling that I was missing out on some really good joke punch lines and feely moments.  There is a very necessary sweet spot that I really need authors to hit when writing series books that could/should stand alone.  Too much recap and I’m drooling in snoozeville- too little recap and I’m all Alice-In-Wonderlanding it where things are curiouser…and couriouser. I do not recommend reading this on its own.  I do recommend starting the series, if for no other reason than to one day get to this novel and enjoy it as much as I managed too- once I accepted that I just would have to let certain things go for the sake of the plot.

Speaking of the plot. Sexy much? Sensual much? Funny much? Clever much? Yes. A thousand times yes!  There is a murder to solve and Ian is on the case.  He is big, red, buff and not classically handsome and yet somehow makes a great spy.  The murder mystery and the romance played off one another well.  There are few things more sexy than a jealous highlander when his bonny lass is being a little obstinate and allowing herself to be courted by his enemy.  There are few things funnier than the frequent dressing downs delivered by Elizabeth and her spitfire sisters.  There are few things more sensual than

She gasped as he pressed his body against hers, the evidence of his desire rubbing against her belly.  Moving his hands below her, he gripped her thighs, lifting her gently to straddle him.  It was flesh against flesh, man against woman.  He let out a tormented groan.

…

The feel of her soft skin against his was exalting.

Gah,  the prose! The prose gets me every time!  Ian is a humble but proud man. I was barely able to get a bead on the competition, so enamored was I with this fine hero.  Honor is a huge deal for him and I adored and respected him (yes, even when he was oaf-like and nearly lost Elizabeth to the English creaton!)Elizabeth is wise beyond her years.  Too often I forgot she was only a girl 18, but her maturity and bravery aged her in the best way.  These two were a perfect match. It does not hurt that she was also right all along. Ian would be hers and she his and the rest is largely inconsequential.  I got all the good feels with these two!  Not to mention their respective meddling loved ones who enjoyed watching their journey to HEA as much as I did.

There is no blasting through Kill or Be Kilt, you settle in, tend the fire (fine, turn up the heat?), sip your ale (tea??) and enjoy the story telling.  Set a mood, enjoy yourself, I did. PS. There’s an epilogue which always makes me grin because…epilogues!

Grade: B

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