Category: Scottish/Highlander

Highland Warlord by Amy Jarecki

On By TracyIn Medieval (1066-1540), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Highland Warlord (The King's Outlaws, #1)Highland Warlord by Amy Jarecki

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The King’s Outlaws, #1

Release Date: August 11, 2020

James Douglas, son of the Lord of Douglas meets Robert the Bruce on his way to Scone to be crowned. He pledges his fealty and hopes to right the wrongs against his father and retake his lands from the English. After he is crowned, the Bruce knights James, who saves his life and earns the Bruce’s trust.

Lady Ailish Maxwell is the daughter of the murdered Earl of Caerlaverock and sister to the true earl – her uncle Herbert sided with the English and claimed the earldom, Ailish and her younger siblings, Florrie and Harris have been in hiding for the last 6 years, but she has come to swear fealty on Harris’ behalf, as the boy is only nine. The Bruce acknowledges Harris’ claim to the earldom and promises Ailish that he will see her brother reinstated. He is concerned for her safety and tells her he will provide an escort back to the nunnery for her and her maid.

James is tasked with raising an army for the Bruce, but on the way to the border, the Bruce asks him to escort Ailish back. Ailish is stunned by James, he literally takes her breath away, and James is just as affected. But sadly, they live in a time of war and uncertainty, with no time for romance. After an eventful return trip including a passionate kiss, Ailish is sad to see him leave, knowing their paths may never cross again. James too wishes things could be different, but his pledge to the Bruce and Scotland must come first.

Weeks later, Ailish’s uncle abducts Harris and Ailish seeks out James for help. James has been busy, he has razed his father’s keep, killed the English lord who was residing there and raised an army to fight for the Bruce, he has also cultivated a reputation and the English are calling him the Black Douglas. He is shocked to see Ailish again, but immediately offers to help her find Harris. And what an adventure it is!!!

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story; I am always a little skeptical about fictional books that feature true historical characters as leads, but Ms. Jarecki nailed this story. She was able to seamlessly blend fact with fiction to create a riveting story, filled with adventure, betrayal, abductions, action, passion, heartache, defeat and finally a very sweet HEA. This is the first book in a new series and now I am looking forward to reading more installments. I really enjoyed this book and I am happy to recommend it.

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

My Highland Rogue by Karen Ranney

On By TracyIn Scottish/Highlander, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)4 Comments

My Highland Rogue (Highland Fling, #1)My Highland Rogue by Karen Ranney

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Highland Fling, #1

Release Date: July 28, 2020

Lady Jennifer Adaire, the daughter of the Earl of Burfield, has loved the gardener’s son, Gordon McDonnell for as long as she can remember and she had dreams of forever. But five years ago, her dreams were crushed when Gordon disappeared without a trace. Her brother Harrison, the new earl, tells her that their mother left him money and he took it and ran. But that is not quite true…

Gordon left Adaire Hall after receiving a bequest from the late countess and being told that he was no longer welcome. He argued that Jennifer didn’t want him to leave and was told she no longer wanted to see him and was shown proof. With a heavy heart and a burning need to prove himself, Gordon goes to London and proceeds to build an empire. Two years after he left, Jennifer sends him a letter telling him his mother passed away – he is sorry that Betty died, but he was never close to his parents and sees no reason to return to Scotland. But when she writes again three years later to tell him his father, Sean is dying, he decides it is time to return and face his past.

They quickly learn that they were lied to and have lost five years because of those lies. Their feelings haven’t changed and they are still in love. Gordon asks Jennifer to marry him and she happily accepts, it seems like their HEA is finally within their grasp when a deathbed confession changes everything and destroys every dream they ever had about being together. Sean’s secret seems insurmountable, but Sean is not the only one keeping secrets…

This was a very well written, fast paced story with extra helpings of angst and heartache! I loved Jennifer and Gordon and my heart broke right along with theirs when Sean told Gordon the secret he had been keeping since his wife Betty died. I was absolutely devasted and couldn’t imagine how they were going to be able to overcome such an enormous obstacle! But Ms. Ranney, as usual, cleverly found the perfect way to give them their HEA. The book is teeming with secrets, lies, heartbreak, lots of tears, sweet kisses, some wonderful secondary characters, as well as some villainous ones, and finally a hard-won HEA. I truly loved this story and would happily recommend it. This is the first book in a new series – but sadly, Ms. Ranney passed away before this book was released and I have to wonder if this is her last book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by the publisher.*