Love is a Battlefield

by Tamara Morgan

Published by: Samhain Publishing

My Rating: 

It takes a real man to wear a kilt. And a real woman to charm him out of it.

Games of Love, Book 1

It might be modern times, but Kate Simmons isn’t willing to live a life without at least the illusion of the perfect English romance. A proud member of the Jane Austen Regency Re-Enactment Society, Kate fulfills her passion for courtliness and high-waisted gowns in the company of a few women who share her love of all things heaving.

Then she encounters Julian Wallace, a professional Highland Games athlete who could have stepped right off the covers of her favorite novels. He’s everything brooding, masculine, and, well, heaving. The perfect example of a man who knows just how to wear his high sense of honor—and his kilt.

Confronted with a beautiful woman with a tongue as sharp as his sgian dubh, Julian and his band of merry men aren’t about to simply step aside and let Kate and her gaggle of tea-sippers use his land for their annual convention. Never mind that “his land” is a state park—Julian was here first, and he never backs down from a challenge.

Unless that challenge is a woman unafraid to fight for what she wants…and whose wants are suddenly the only thing he can think about.
Product Warnings: The historical re-enactments in this story contain very little actual history. Battle chess and ninja stars may apply.

My Review:

I loved this book. Love is a Battlefield is a contemporary romance where an Austen era historical group battles it out with a highland games group, and the renaissance crowd even gets mixed in a time or two. The result is a fun, hilarious, and touching read that will delight romance readers of all kinds.

I was a bit unsure when I started reading, I was afraid that the battlefield theme might be cheesy or silly, but I was so wrong. Kate Simmons is part of a historical, Austen-era group that get together to celebrate historical society, they host balls, teas, and the group love to dress up in historical era garb. Kate is put in charge of hosting the groups biggest annual event, and finding the perfect location is no easy task. Kate finally finds the perfect location, however, the location is also in use by a Highland Games group. The Highland Games is a sporting event where the men dress in full Highland garb, complete with Kilts, and compete in various highland sporting activities. The leader and organizer of the Highland games is Julian. When Julian and Kate meet, sparks fly. When they realize that they both want the same location for the same day, the war is on. They battle for the perfect location, and they battle the chemistry between them. In the end, they have to choose the battle or love.

Love is a Battlefield is completely entertaining, Kate and Julian are constantly battling attraction to each other, and playing pranks on each other. Every time one of them strikes, the other becomes more determined to win. The battles escalate, and in the process, they get to know each other and their chemistry builds and builds. I like how Kate learns so much about herself through the book, she is determined to stand up for herself, for once. Kate’s best girl-friend is always trying to push Kate around, and Kate stands up to her as well. Julian is obsessed with the highland games, and he has to learn that there is more to life than the sport.

This book is well-written, and the pacing is excellent. I was completely engrossed in the book, and I hated having to put it down. The characters are lively, the antics are entertaining, and the romance simmers throughout the book. There is also a sense of anticipation through the book, you never know what Kate or Julian will do next. The way the dispute is resolved is absolutely priceless. I hate giving away spoilers, so I will say no more. However, the end battle is the perfect fit for this story.

By the end of the book, I wanted to dress in full historical garb and jump into the book with the characters. I had so much fun reading Love is A Battlefield, and I am now an official Tamara Morgan fan. Games of Love is the first book in the series, and I can not wait to see what comes next. Romance readers, I highly recommend reading Love is A Battlefield, I am calling it a “must-read.”

What are you waiting for?  Go get the book! Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Samhain Publishing