Category: Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714)

The Stuart Era is 1603-1714 and The Jacobean era refers to the period in English and Scottish history that coincides with the reign of James VI of Scotland, who also inherited the crown of England in 1603 as James I.
Preceded by: Elizabethan era
Followed by: Caroline era
Monarch: James VI and I

Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum

On By TracyIn Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Highland Warrior (Sons of Sinclair, #2)Highland Warrior by Heather McCollum

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Sons of Sinclair, #2

Release Date: April 27, 2021

After the death of his wife in childbirth, George Sinclair lost his mind to grief and believed that end of days were upon them, in his grief he declared his sons the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and raised them to fulfill their callings. This story is of his second-born son, Joshua, dubbed the Horseman of War.

After his elder brother married, Joshua left Girnigoe Castle in Scotland in search of war and in doing so, lost his desire to battle. He ended up on the Orkney Islands training the Earl of Orkney’s men to defend themselves from the local inhabitants, who resented Scotland’s acquisition of their lands. It wasn’t until after he began training that he realized Robert Stuart, the Earl of Orkney and his sons are cruel tyrants and after a few months, Joshua decides to leave and return to his family. But with close familial ties to King James, the earl is a powerful man and Joshua must withdraw carefully, making sure the earl doesn’t take offense and turn the King against the Sinclair clan. He makes his goodbyes and sets out to find passage back to Caithness. He makes his way to a village and enters a tavern, hoping to find a ship sailing out and lodging for the night, but what he finds is trouble – in the form of a beautiful woman.

When Kara Flett learns that the “Horseman of War” is the man in the tavern, she forms a plan to seduce him into helping her people fight against the earl. Since her uncle, King Erik was taken by Robert, her people have looked to her to lead them, but she knows the only way to defeat the earl is to have her people led by a true warrior and hopes that Joshua Sinclair will help them. After a dust-up with some locals trying to steal his horse, Kara takes Joshua back to her “den” to tend his wounds and they spend the night making love. The next morning, she asks him to lead her people against the earl – Joshua feels betrayed and used and refuses – mainly because he cannot risk the earl’s wrath against his family – as the illegitimate son of the previous king, the earl is the King James’ uncle and fighting against him could see his family ruined. But Kara doesn’t give up and asks him to meet her people. After seeing the conditions that they are forced to live in, Joshua offers them refuge with his family and agrees to train her men to defend themselves.

After consideration, many of the islanders agree to move to the mainland and join the Sinclair clan, including Kara. But after a run-in with Robert’s son Henry and the return of her uncle, everything changes and when her son is taken, she refuses to leave without saving him. Joshua knows he must save her son and he also knows that doing so will endanger his family – so he does the unthinkable and cuts ties with his clan to save Kara’s son. But things go from bad to worse and Joshua’s sacrifice may not be enough to save Kara from the earl’s ultimate wrath.

This was a well-written, fast-paced, amazing read and of all the books I have read by this author, this one might be my favorite. This book is a non-stop adventure from the first page to the last, it is filled with action, steamy love scenes, truly evil villains, amazing secondary characters, nail-biting fight scenes, shocking twists and turns, and an ending that is sure to bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face! I loved this book, it was very intense, and to be completely honest, it is a bit more graphic and steamier than most of the books I have read by this author – that is not a complaint – more of a heads up to readers that might be sensitive to that sort of thing. This is the second book in the series, but it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title and I highly recommend it!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Jacobean/Stuart Era (1603-1714), Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

The Highland Laird (Lords of the Highlands #8)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Lords of the Highlands #8
Publication Date: 10/20/20
Number of Pages: 352

OMGoodness! The combination of Emma Grant and Laird Ciar (Key-ar) Grant is phenomenal. I don’t think we could ask for a better hero and heroine. Picture this huge, gruff, powerful, craggy Highland Laird without a gentle bone in his body – except for one small, delicate, sheltered, blind woman. Ciar has known and been best friends with Emma’s brother, Robert (The Highland Renegade), all his life – and he’s known Emma almost that long as well. Everyone, especially the males, treats Emma as if she isn’t even there – everyone except Ciar that is. He always takes time to speak to her, to assure that she is listened to, and he doesn’t treat her as if she is less just because she is blind. He protects her – without taking away her independence. Is it any wonder she’s always adored him?

Emma and her family, as well as Ciar and many other Highland Lairds, are at Achnacarry Castle for the wedding of Sir Kennan Cameron and Divana Campbell (The Highland Rogue). Emma hates leaving her home at Moriston Hall because of her trouble negotiating unfamiliar terrain and layouts. At home, she can roam freely because she knows every rock, pebble, chair, and rug and can easily negotiate her way among them. Away from home, she feels inadequate and dependent and she hates that feeling.

Tensions are running high in Scotland – and in the Highlands in particular. Queen Anne has taken to her bed and isn’t expected to rise again. Without an heir, the monarchy would be in crisis. The English want the Hanoverian George, who has never even stepped foot on English soil, to become King. The Jacobite Scots want James who is of Stuart blood. The powerful Lairds stand ready to raise their armies in support of James – but will James even come?

When Anne passes and George is tapped for the succession, all of the Lairds who are gathered for the wedding head out in different directions to spread the word and to gather support for James. As Ciar is speeding on his way, he encounters murder and robbery. He can’t just pass it by. The only honorable thing to do is to stop and help. Yet, it is he who awakens, manacled, in the prison at Fort William. Governor Henry Wilcox takes great delight in having a powerful Highland Laird as a ‘guest’ in his prison. He’d hang Ciar immediately if it wouldn’t cause riots and even more unrest. He’ll still hang him – just not as quickly.

We soon learn just how smart, brave, and resourceful Emma is. She is a remarkable young woman who doesn’t let her physical limitations stop her. Breaking Ciar out of an English prison, under the noses of the English soldiers, is either the most foolhardy or the bravest thing Ciar has ever seen. Now, they are both wanted and on the run. They have to avoid the soldiers and yet manage to prove Ciar’s innocence. Oh! What an exciting adventure they have before they make it to their HEA.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved how Ciar treated Emma as a fully functioning adult rather than someone who is ‘less’. I loved that Emma didn’t let anything stop her. Add an absolutely lovely epilogue to the mix and you have a great 5-star read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.