Scotland

Highlander’s Hope by Mariah Stone

Called by a Highlander Series, book 2

Highlander’s Hope features ex-marine Konnor and Marjorie, now temporarily in charge of the castle while her father and brothers are fighting with Robert the Bruce. Both Konnor and Marjorie have experienced trauma and violence in their pasts and they believe they are too damaged to find love. An injured Konnor is sent to the past by Sineag. Marjorie finds him and takes him back to her castle for shelter and healing.

Marjorie has a big problem. While she was hunting, she heard some men talking in the woods about the castle’s weaknesses, which they plan to report to their commander. Now the untried Marjorie must prepare the castle for an attack by the clan’s enemies.

Konnor is surprised by his attraction to Marjorie but tells himself he can’t pursue it. However, after thwarting a kidnap attempt on Marjorie’s son, Colin, he knows he can’t leave until Marjorie and Colin are safe.

Can Konnor and Marjorie get beyond their old wounds and find the courage to try to love? And can they defend themselves from the enemies that outnumber them?

I really enjoyed this book. Watching Konnor and Marjorie balancing fear and attraction was very moving and entertaining. Both know this relationship will probably be temporary, and it takes a lot of courage to take the risks needed.

I look forward to other books in this series. Each story stands alone, but is in the same world.

Kasey Briggs Leave a comment

The Highlander’s Promise by Anne Morrison

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.

Kasey Briggs Leave a comment