Category: Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454)

In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or Medieval Period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period. The medieval period is itself subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages.

The Highlander’s Dare by Eliza Knight

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Dare (Midsummer Knights, #3)The Highlander’s Dare by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4.5/5 of 5 stars

Series: Midsummer Knights, #3

Release Date: May 12, 2020

4.5 stars rounded up

Lady Clara de Montfort was sent to the Rose Citadel in England to marry Baston Ross, a match that was arranged by her mother and her aunt’s husband, Prince John of England. Clara has no desire to weed and wants nothing more than to return home to Normandy with her pets and her ailing father. But she can’t refuse to wed Baston and risk angering her mother and uncle, so she hatches a plan, she will convince Baston Ross that he doesn’t want to marry her – easier said than done…

Graham Sutherland’s clan is starving and when the Ross clan refused to help them and instead aided their enemies, Graham convinces his twin brother Cormac, the chieftain of the Sutherland clan, to retaliate by stealing the wealthy brides that Brodie and Baston Ross are supposed to marry at the end of the tournament at the Rose Citadel. Each woman is dowered with enough wealth to save their people for many years to come. While neither brother is thrilled about marrying – the prospect of saving their people AND sticking it to the Ross clan is just too tempting to pass up.

They finally arrive at the tournament and it is clear that the brothers will not be fighting over the same woman – Clara draws Graham’s eye immediately and her attitude seals the deal – Graham wastes no time capturing her attention and the two soon form a friendship of sorts – but Clara believes that Graham doesn’t want to marry her, she thinks he just hates Baston and is willing to help her to annoy him. Things are going well between them, but Baston is just as determined as ever to wed Clara – their worst-case scenario is for Graham to “ruin” her, but he balks at the idea, even though he has no problem kissing her. He realizes he loves her, but when she overhears his conversation with Cormac, boasting that he will marry her, their HEA might be over before it even begins.

This was a well written, fast paced story with a fun, light writing style. Graham and Clara are both very likeable and are clearly meant for each other and don’t let things fester between them, the conflict isn’t drawn out and just makes the story a joy to read. There are wonderful secondary characters, steamy love scenes, some drama and a villain you almost want to like. I really enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend it.

While this book is the third installment of an author collaboration series and runs concurrently with the previous book (Madeline Martin’s The Highlander’s Lady Knight – which is about Graham’s brother Cormac and his lady), you do not have to read that book to enjoy this one, but if you are wondering about Cormac and Isolde, be sure to check it out.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*

The Highlander’s Lady Knight by Madeline Martin

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Medieval (1066-1540), Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews3 Comments

The Highlander's Lady Knight (Midsummer Knights, #2)The Highlander’s Lady Knight by Madeline Martin

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Midsummer Knight, #2

Release Date: April 28, 2020

Lady Isolde Maxwell has been wronged and her brother Gilbert, the Earl of Easton refuses to fight for her honor, instead he has betrothed her to the cur! Isolde decides that if Gilbert will not defend her honor, she will have no choice but to do it herself! She ensures her brother is not able to attend the tournament at the Rose Citadel, steals his armor and sets out, once there she plans to impersonate her brother and challenge Brodie Ross, fight him, restore her honor and dissolve the betrothal – what could possibly go wrong?

Chieftain Cormac Sutherland is out of options, his crops have failed again and his people are starving, he petitioned the Ross clan for help, but learned that they made a deal with the English. He knows he needs a bride that will bring coin and farmable land – but heiresses are not exactly falling in his lap. When his twin brother Graham suggests they attend the Rose Citadel tournament and steal the brides intended for the Ross brothers – Cormac is at first against the idea – but he soon decides that he owes it to his clan to try.

Upon arriving at the Rose Citadel, the brothers meet Alan, a mercenary and his dog Pip – Alan is looking for work and even though Cormac makes it clear they are not hiring, Alan becomes an invaluable asset. Alan points out Isolde to him and Cormac is immediately sure the plan is a bad idea – he is not comfortable wooing women and Isolde is lovely which will make it even harder for him to talk to her. But thanks to Pip, Cormac gets to speak to Isolde.

Isolde doesn’t have time to be charmed by the handsome highlander, she needs all her wits about her to convince people that both she and Gilbert at in attendance and can’t be distracted. She brushes off his attempts at flirtation and returns to her room. The next day she spars with Cormac as Gilbert and challenges Brodie. She beats Brodie, but it becomes clear that there is something more between Gilbert and Brodie. Brodie issues a counter challenge for the broken betrothal and insists that Gilbert fight his champion – a huge man that has never been beaten.

Cormac and Isolde have formed a friendship and it soon develops into deeper feelings – so when Cormac learns Isolde’s secret, he asks her to marry him and offers to fight in her stead – she will marry him, but will not let him sacrifice himself for her! It seems that fate is working against them – they find love, but happily ever after doesn’t seem possible.

This was an amazing story with a heroine that will not meekly allow herself to be used as a pawn and a hero that will do anything to protect her. This book has a little of everything, great leads, lots of action, steamy love scenes, secrets, deceptions, betrayal, some amusing moments, an adorable dog and a very hard won HEA. This book is part of an author collaboration series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title. I loved this story and am happy to recommend it!