Review - The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins

The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Karen Hawkins wraps up her four-book Hurst Amulet series with this anticlimactic entry, The Taming of a Scottish Princess. The story features Michael Hurst, adventurer, and his personal assistant, Jane Smythe-Houghton. The imprisonment of Michael and Jane in Egypt was the catalyst for the series, sending his siblings on quests to acquire an artifact to secure his release, so that he could continue his quest for the long-lost Hurst Amulet. Throughout the other three books, chapters were headed with excerpts from Michael’s letters and personal diary, so that readers had a feel for his character and relationship with his assistant Jane before their introduction in this book.

Unfortunately, the snippets of Michael’s letters were more revealing, and seemingly at odds with his actual persona and own internal dialogue. The picture painted of this exciting world-traveler didn’t align at all with the hero of this book. Earlier excerpts showed him to be devoted to his family and in awe of the wonders of the world, but when he is given a chance to actually interact with his family he does so with near-contempt, and treats the people who share their world and make his travels possible with disdain. Jane, previously described as industrious and level-headed, comes across as impulsive and lacking in true depth.

Interactions between the hero and heroine felt forced, which was very disappointing, since the established frame of their relationship should have lead to an epic romance. Instead it felt predictable and unsatisfying. Too much remained unaddressed, and it felt like there should have been more conversations, rather than banter.

The driving plot of the series, the Hurst Amulet, turned out to be little more than a McGuffin, and the storyline was concluded within a single chapter. The “adventure” never really felt very dangerous or that there was very much at stake. The unanswered questions from previous books were never addressed, and instead new characters with inconsequential problems were introduced.

In all, a disappointingly lackluster conclusion to a series that started with a great premise.


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Review - A Most Dangerous Profession by Karen Hawkins

A Most Dangerous Profession by Karen Hawkins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A Most Dangerous Profession, Karen Hawkins’ third book in the Hurst Amulet series, is something of a disappointment. The characters are forgettable and little happens to further the overall plot of the series.

The hero and heroine of the novel are Robert Hurst and Moira MacAllister Hurst, former lovers and spies who also happen to be married, though they’ve not seen each other for years. Together they must find a mysterious onyx box that is tied into the mystery of the lost Hurst amulet. Each have their own motivations for wanting the box, however Moira’s brutal employer has kidnapped their daughter, who Robert knows nothing about. They must work together despite their past grievances to secure the box from a ruthless collector with unscrupulous morals.

This book was not up to the caliber of Hawkins’ other works. The circumstances of the protagonists were glaringly similar to the previous book in the series - former lovers separated by time who both still harbor strong feelings for one another. This would not be quite so tedious had the very last book in the series had the same premise. The characters show promise of being well-rounded, however through their internal monologues they come across as very one-dimensional. The interesting questions about their characters are never answered, either internally or to each other. The romance feels forced - other than a physical attraction there seems little to draw them together besides their child, which the hero didn’t even know existed until the beginning of the book. The exciting parts of their relationship (both being spies, political intrigue, etc) were either not touched upon or barely glossed over in recollections. We never learn what it is that Robert actually does for the Home Office, or why Moira was pretending to be a Russian princess.

The book is decidedly plot-driven, rather than character-driven; however the plot falls flat as well. The urgency to retrieve the box feels contrived, especially since months have passed since the Hursts’ brother Michael was imprisoned. Many questions were left unanswered - why does the hidden antagonist of both this and the previous book seek the box? Why did the Egyptian sulfi who held Michael? Hopefully these questions will be answered in the final installment.

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Review - Scandal in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

Scandal in Scotland by Karen Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scandal in Scotland, Karen Hawkins’ second installment in the Hurst Amulet series, is a fast-paced adventure that begins where the previous book, One Night in Scotland, ended. This story follows Captain William Hurst, merchant sea captain, and Marcail Beauchamp, an acclaimed actress. The two estranged lovers are thrust together after years apart when Marcail is blackmailed into stealing an artifact from William, who needs it to ensure his brother’s release from imprisonment in Egypt. William pursues Marcail and the artifact is lost, and together they must race across England and Scotland to get it back.

Hawkins competently weaves a story of young love lost and regained, illuminating the difference maturity can make on opinions and emotions. Hawkins has a masterful control of dialogue, making every interaction feel organic and authentic.

The driving force in this series, the search for Hurst amulet and the mysterious onyx box that is somehow connected to it, is only lightly touched upon in this book. This is understandable given the occupations and natures of the protagonists, but beyond a brief revelation that plot was not much furthered. Hopefully that will be remedied in the final two installments of the series.

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Review - One Night in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

The first book in Karen Hawkins’ Hurst Amulet series, One Night in Scotland, sets the tone for the upcoming novels and promises an exciting adventure with the younger Hurst siblings. This first entry centers on Miss Mary Hurst, whose Egyptologist and adventurer brother is being held prisoner until he returns a rare artifact. Mary sets out to recover the artifact to send it on its way to free him. The artifact is in the keeping of one of her brother’s colleagues, Lord Angus Hay, Earl of Erroll. Angus refuses to believe Mary is who she says and in turn imprisons her in his castle. Mary, not one to be so easily cowed, sets out to prove her identity, or barring that, to refuse to be ignored.

Hawkins does a masterful job of creating lovable, realistic characters with believable motivations and actions. These together build what a relationship that feels more organic and genuine than in many other books. The protagonists share interests and ambitions, and together have meaningful conversations as well as healthy disagreements. Of course, there is a healthy dose of lust as well, but it is presented in a way to add to admiration and authentic regard, rather than the only commonality between the hero and heroine.

Overall this is a very enjoyable, fast paced read. The ending felt a bit rushed with some loose ends left hanging, but hopefully future books will see those taken care of.

Review - Much Ado About Marriage by Karen Hawkins

Get your history books ready! This Elizabethan-set romance draws extensively on the politics and events of the period, namely mid-1567, to add conflict. A quick refresher on the history of Elizabeth I and Mary Stuart goes a long way in understanding the intrigue in the story.

Our hero and heroine, Lord Thomas Wentworth and Miss Fia MacLean, are caught together in a scandalous situation and must try to navigate their way through the repercussions. Fia wants nothing more than to get to London and find a way to have her plays performed. Thomas is a spy whose goal is to not bring shame upon his family name. They both struggle to overcome their own backgrounds to find their way to each other.

The romance between the hero and heroine felt contrived at times. It seemed disjointed, as if some scenes were written before and disregarding scenes that had come previously. The hero’s treatment of the heroine ran the gamut from red-hot to icy, and it was hard to believe that such a strong, self-possessed heroine would stand for such treatment, and indeed still be attracted to the man.

This book sets up the origin of the curse from the MacLean curse series and introduces the amulet for the Hurst amulet series. As such, it leaves many questions unanswered. The reader never truly meets the famed White Witch or learn exactly what the circumstances were that drew down her ire on clan MacLean.

Overall, Much Ado About Marriage is worth the read, but is not the most compelling work by Hawkins.

Review - The Laird Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins

In the conclusion to the MacLean Curse series, Karen Hawkins masterfully weaves a tale of desire and yearning, tempered with resentment and doubt. Laird Alexander MacLean and Miss Caitlyn Hurst meet again after a brief but disastrous London flirtation at a house party. The two headstrong protagonists challenge each other to a quest with stakes that will change their lives forever.

Hawkins does an exceptional job of personifying her characters; the struggles, both internal and external that they face feel realistic and utterly believable. These characters are humans, with both strengths and very real flaws. Indeed, it is their shortcomings that make Alexander and Caitlyn so compelling to follow.

This book, while able to be read on it’s own, ties in heavily with the previous book in the series, Sleepless in Scotland, where Caitlyn’s actions have serious repercussions for both her sister and MacLean’s brother.

Overall, a fun, fast-paced read with believable characters and an exciting premise. Would definitely recommend.