Where There's a Kilt, There's a Way

Kilty Pleasures Series, Book 2

By: Ella Stainton

Narrated by: Cornell Collins

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Sweden, 1930

Two years ago, Dr. Ainsley Graham proved the existence of ghosts, and fell in love - hard to top that. But a trip to Sweden to research at a prestigious university for the summer is nothing to sneeze at, especially since his partner, psychologist Joachim Cockburn, will be teaching alongside him. A change of scenery might be just the thing.

Their idyllic trip to Sweden is interrupted by a ghost with a proclivity for rude hand gestures and graphic curse words - and a ghastly history begging to be investigated. Life among the living is complicated, too, by a gruff professor who can't take his eyes off Ainsley, and an enticing new job offer for Joachim.

What starts as an adventurous trip abroad turns into mayhem, murder, and...a magical moose? And everyone - well, perhaps not the moose - is a suspect in the death of the ghostly young man who brings them together to expose secrets, loves lost, and a crime that will shock them all.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Ella Stainton (P)2021 Tantor

Plaid Fun

Dr. Ainsley Graham and Dr. Joachim Cockburn are off on an adventure to hunt trolls, gnomes, and ghost moose. That's what Joachim tells Ainsley is the reason they are heading to Sweden and while Joachim is lecturing at the university, Ainsley can explore the folklore of magical creatures in this beautiful land.
But what awaits our fine Drs is not what they were expecting. A mystery arises rather quickly and the story is driven by the escalation of events driving our heroes apart and as they face challenges on their own, they cope with discoveries about each other that is unsettling.
Can our lovers find their way back to each other before one of them makes a decision that will keep them apart, perhaps forever?
Let me begin by saying I adored the first installment of Ella Stainton's Kilty Pleasures series. Joachim and Ainsley became the couple that set the standard for give and take, love and hate, growls and kisses. Their chemistry was palpable and the narration by Cornell Collins was 5 alarm fire hot. I couldn't hardly wait for the next book to be released having listened to Best Laid Plaids about 6 times since September.
I loved the humor and heat between Ainsley and Joachim and the way their family and friends brought out the best and worst in them (See Ainsley here). But in this second outing so much of what I loved about the first wasn't there. The playfulness and brattiness of Ainsley, the growlyness and bossiness of Joachim, interspersed with their very soft and intimate words of love, often whispered in their kiss. This story sent our lovers to different parts of the country and there were very few interactions and the ones they did have were often fraught with misunderstanding and missed opportunities for loving each other in their special way. This story was good in that it showed some growth and stretching in their relationship but I missed the togetherness of them. I loved seeing Ainsley grow, really I did, but I wish it could have happened closer in proximity to Joachim. I hope Ms. Stainton is planning another adventure for our beloved doctors. I know I would love to spend more time with them.
Now on to the narration. Cornell Collins is a master at voices. He nails Ainsley and Joachim and their distinct accents are always a delight. This time Collins has the added pressure to voice Swedes and an American. The American is perfect, with a hint of a drawl, that as a southern woman, I appreciate very much. His Swedish accents were challenging to understand, and I don't think this was because he isn't talented enough to handle them, but because my untrained ear wasn't sure of what he should be saying without text in front of me. He had to do several male and female voices and he certainly met the challenge with aplomb. I plan on re-listening to this story multiple times to pick up the nuances of the language and to hear him growl for Joachim. He does it so well.
I wish everyone would read/listen to Best Laid Plaids and Where there's a Kilt, there's a Way because I think Ella Stainton is a little known treasure of story telling. I'll do my part to promote and support if she keeps up this level of good writing.
I truly hope to visit Ainsley and Joachim again, even if they are merely side characters in Barley's story. I'm always up for more Kilty Pleasures.