Category: Scottish/Highlander

The Madam’s Highlander by Madeline Martin

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

The Madam's HighlanderThe Madam’s Highlander by Madeline Martin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: None
Publication Date: 1/23/18

This novella was first released as part of an anthology. As always, Ms. Martin’s writing is superb. The characters are memorable, the plot is well developed and the romance is swoon-worthy. You will be on pins and needles right up to the last chapter – will they get their HEA or won’t they? Your fingers will be flipping the pages just as quickly as your eyes can devour the words.

Ewan Frasier’s father was hanged as a traitor. Can you imagine how you would feel to see your father dangling at the end of a rope? Ewan joins the Black Watch in order to redeem his and his family’s honor. However, things in the Black Watch have changed since Ewan first joined. Was it always that way and he just didn’t notice or has it changed so negatively? Ewan’s main goal now is to keep his mother safe, but he’s constantly denied leave to go check on her.

Freya is the owner and madam of Molly’s brothel in Edinburgh. She hates the English and the Black Watch – especially the Black Watch because she views them as traitors to Scotland. Freya is very much admired in Edinburgh because she takes in war widows and other women who have found themselves destitute and in need. She hires them for whatever positions they wish – they don’t have to be whores. She also sees that they receive an education so that they can move into other jobs. She also has secrets – she has a family she has to care for and protect. When Ewan approaches her and asks her to see about his mother, she refuses. She has a hard enough time seeing to her own family – and besides – he is a traitor to Scotland.

Ewan is desperate to see if his mother is safe, but what can he do. Well, he cringes and investigates Freya to find out her secrets and when he does, he blackmails her into checking on his mother. Since he threatens her own mother, she has no choice but to agree to his terms.

Upon arrival, Freya finds Ewan’s home burned and his mother in hiding. She rescues his mother and then things get really dicey. I don’t want to tell you a lot and spoil the story for you – but I can tell you that the nail-biting suspense goes right up through the last chapter. WOW! WHEW! Wasn’t sure we were going to get an HEA in this book. Thank goodness for smart and gifted authors!

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

When a Warrior Woos A Lass by Julie Johnstone

On By TracyIn Middle Ages / Medieval (476-1454), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

When a Warrior Woos a Lass (Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Book 6)When a Warrior Woos a Lass by Julie Johnstone

Series: Highland Vows: Entangled Hearts, #6

Release Date: December 18, 2017

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Julie Johnstone book, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Lena MacLeod is the widow of an evil man and has the scars to prove it – inside and out, she feels broken and cannot abide being touched. She returned to her brother’s home in hopes of healing, but now two years later, she is no closer than she was when she first arrived.

Alex MacLean has known Lena for years and cares for her, but he too has scars and knows the darkness in him would destroy her. They meet again at her brother’s wedding and are both shocked when the king arrives and commands them to wed. The king also has a mission for Alex, but it will involve keeping more secrets from Lena.

The king and Alex come to an agreement, but in doing so, it makes Alex appear to be a traitor. Lena is confused, Alex is kind and gentle with her, he praises her strength and urges her to let go of the pain holding her prisoner. In his care, Lena begins to heal and is on her way to being the woman she was before she married Findlay Campbell. But she knows that Alex is keeping secrets and knows those secrets could kill any love blossoming between them. Repeatedly she asks him to trust her and share with her – but Alex feels intense guilt and shame from his past and refuses.

Lena’s half-sister Marsaili has agreed to go with Lena to her new home, but Lena knows there is something Marsaili is keeping from her. When Lena learns Marsaili’s secret, she is shocked and not sure who to turn to, she wants to tell Alex, but Marsaili has sown seeds of doubt and while she longs to trust him, his refusal to share his past makes it impossible for her to do so. So she writes to her brother. When Alex intercepts her letter, he knows it is time to enact the king’s plan. He plans to take Marsaili and confront the Stewart, but he has no intention of letting Lena join them.

Lena learns they are planning to leave and is heartbroken, but when she learns his true mission, she insists on joining them. They arrive at the Stewart’s castle and Alex’s past comes rushing back. Alex must seemingly betray Lena’s brother Lachlan and take him prisoner. He leave to do the Stewarts bidding and Lena is left at the castle. Lena learns much about Alex’s past and is used to punish Alex – but Lena has grown strong and she will not break. When Alex saves her, she begs him to share his past, telling him that the secrets will destroy the love they share. But even after he does so, they are not done yet, they still have to complete their mission and save Marsaili and Lachlan.

This was a very well written story, it flowed well and was almost impossible to put down. It had secrets, shame, heartache, steamy love scenes, healing, acceptance, action and some very evil villains. But it also had sweet, tender moments as well as a truly beautiful love story and a very hard won HEA.

This is the sixth book in the series and I will admit feeling a little lost at times, events in the past are eluded to, but not having read the previous books, I wasn’t really sure what happened – but those past events played a significant role in this book and while I can imagine what happened, I was not given enough backstory to know for sure. Which is why I gave this book 4 stars vs 5 stars. I am sure if you have been following the series, you will have a much better understanding of the past events and LOVE this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC*