Nicholas is an English Knight. Recently ransomed from a prison is France, he returns to his lands to find them in the hands of a stranger and there’s no sign of his sister Agatha or his niece Catherine. Fearing Catherine might have been taken north, he heads into the border lands after her.

Ava is a Scotswoman who lives by her own rules, dressed as a boy, she’s been raiding cattle and traveling the country since she was a child. She’s in a spot of trouble with some villagers who are determined to burn her as a witch when she’s rescued by a lost and confused Nicholas.

It quickly becomes apparent that Nicholas needs some rescuing himself. Feverish from an infected wound, he barely makes it through the rescue before collapsing.

When he recovers, Ava agrees to help him travel north and look for his niece. They have some hope of finding her because of a birthmark on her foot. This is fortunate given the number of orphans and foundlings caused by the recent wars.

This was a very interesting and enjoyable book and I highly recommend it. The dialogue is quick and witty, sometimes funny, sometimes painful. The plot is intricate and refers to other books in the series in a intriguing arc.   The book is part of the Highlands Warring series but each book is completely readable as a standalone.

I received an advance copy from the author. My opinions, as always, are my own and are freely given.