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Highland Guard #6
The Recruit
Scotland’s King Robert the Bruce is retaking his kingdom from the invading English. To win, he’ll need all the grit and courage of his elite band of warriors, the Highland Guard, men who fight without fear and love without limits.
Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed.
The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?
Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed.
The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?
405 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 30, 2012
170 people are currently reading
2970 people want to read
About the author
Monica McCarty
61 books2,966 followersWhat do you get when you mix a legal career, a baseball career, motherhood, and a love of history with a voracious reader? In my case, a Historical Romance Author.
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
August 20, 2014
Now that I have read 6 of these in like a week, I would like to provide a short guide to the Highland Guard novels, or:
Moonlight Reader's How To Tell If You Are In A Highland Guard Novel:
You are surrounded by men in kilts, all of whom have a nickname that is one word, and refers to their prowess as a warrior.
He will be good with his sword. That is not necessarily a double entendre. Wait, yes it is.
You are not the Hero's type, but he is inexplicably attracted to you. Also, you are not conventionally beautiful, you are the most beautiful woman in the room, or you are plain as a pikestaff, but he still wants to stuff his staff in your pike.
You will mentally notice that he has very big muscles. You will mentally notice that this is hot. You will respond to all of these muscles and this noticing by ignoring him and pretending that he's not hot. And you are not attracted.
There will be a moment when you both realize that your genitals are on fire for each other.
That moment will probably occur while you are in peril. You are being chased by the English. You have been captured by the English and are moments away from death. You are being tracked by the English, and they have dogs.
In spite of that peril, your eyes and your lips will lock. Your vagina will combust. The only thing that will be able to slake the flames is penetrative sex involving the Hero.
His penis will be enormous. You will compare it to an iron spike in your mind. This will terrify you.
This is also why there will be no Hero named Spike. Because that name is taken.
You are a virgin. Nonetheless, when the Hero takes your virginity in a location that is not a bed, is probably a stone floor or a storeroom, and is absolutely not comfortable for sex, you will have an orgasm. Nay, you will have several.
This is a fantasy, people. Bring me some abs.
Oops, wrong series. I just like to look at him.
There will be some insurmountable obstacle that makes your marriage to the Hero impossible. Nonetheless, it will be surmounted.
You will be exceptionally fertile, and will give birth precisely two books in the future. Your husband will be exceptionally faithful, in spite of the penis-spike and the hot muscles. He will be mocked by the unmarried members of the Highland Guard for this faithfulness.
The one who mocks him the most is the one who will fall in love next.
You will live happily ever after in a drafty castle in medieval Scotland.
Moonlight Reader's How To Tell If You Are In A Highland Guard Novel:
You are surrounded by men in kilts, all of whom have a nickname that is one word, and refers to their prowess as a warrior.
He will be good with his sword. That is not necessarily a double entendre. Wait, yes it is.
You are not the Hero's type, but he is inexplicably attracted to you. Also, you are not conventionally beautiful, you are the most beautiful woman in the room, or you are plain as a pikestaff, but he still wants to stuff his staff in your pike.
You will mentally notice that he has very big muscles. You will mentally notice that this is hot. You will respond to all of these muscles and this noticing by ignoring him and pretending that he's not hot. And you are not attracted.
There will be a moment when you both realize that your genitals are on fire for each other.
That moment will probably occur while you are in peril. You are being chased by the English. You have been captured by the English and are moments away from death. You are being tracked by the English, and they have dogs.
In spite of that peril, your eyes and your lips will lock. Your vagina will combust. The only thing that will be able to slake the flames is penetrative sex involving the Hero.
His penis will be enormous. You will compare it to an iron spike in your mind. This will terrify you.
This is also why there will be no Hero named Spike. Because that name is taken.
You are a virgin. Nonetheless, when the Hero takes your virginity in a location that is not a bed, is probably a stone floor or a storeroom, and is absolutely not comfortable for sex, you will have an orgasm. Nay, you will have several.
This is a fantasy, people. Bring me some abs.
Oops, wrong series. I just like to look at him.
There will be some insurmountable obstacle that makes your marriage to the Hero impossible. Nonetheless, it will be surmounted.
You will be exceptionally fertile, and will give birth precisely two books in the future. Your husband will be exceptionally faithful, in spite of the penis-spike and the hot muscles. He will be mocked by the unmarried members of the Highland Guard for this faithfulness.
The one who mocks him the most is the one who will fall in love next.
You will live happily ever after in a drafty castle in medieval Scotland.
November 26, 2012
Review posted on Demon Lover's Books and More
4.5
This is the 6th book in Monica McCarty’s Highland Guard series, and it’s an intense ride. This book, like the last, is extremely emotional, and extremely realistic.
At age 14 Mary is married to her knight in shining armor, the Earl of Atholl. It isn’t long before his armor starts to dull. Mary though, ever in love with him, tries her hardest to get him to love her. To Atholl, she was a child bride, and he never really stopped seeing her as a child. He was a champion, he was famous, he was a hero. His courtly ways entranced Mary from the get-to. But her childhood infatuation was crushed when she found out he wasn’t ever in her bed because he was in, well, pretty much every other woman’s bed.
And then he is branded a traitor and hanged, his head placed on a pike. Mary’s twin Janet comes and tries to take her back to Scotland, but that ends with disastrous results-Janet is swept away after a bridge explodes, and no one has seen or heard from her since. Mary is stranded in England, widow of a traitor, has to find a way to survive. And she does. And she does it in England to stay close to her son. She keeps her head down, she stays off the king’s radar, because the last thing she wants is another marriage, and she tries to make her own way. (all of this is before chapter 1!!!)
She’s doing alright, until she’s asked to go to Scotland and spy on the Bruce (her brother-in-law). This is where we see Mary start to come to life. She meets Kenneth and one of the hottest scenes I’ve ever read happens and I was entranced.
Mary is trying to forget Kenneth and go back to her normal life, while Kenneth is trying to become one of Bruce’s elite warriors and going through hell to prove himself.
And then they meet again.
Wow, the emotional toll this book took on me was insane. I felt both exhilarated and drained at the same time. The intensity of the war going on, that any minute Kenneth could be caught, of the secrets between them coming out...
You don’t want to miss this one.
The ending was wonderful. I loved it, I loved the way Kenneth and Mary came together, and I really really really loved the ending. An amazing story full of the rich history of the time, The Recruit is one of my favorite books of the year.
***ARC courtesy of netgalley and Random House
June 25, 2021
Bir süredir kitap okuyamiyordum ilaç gibi geldi ✌
Keşke hiç bitmese bu seri 😥
Keşke hiç bitmese bu seri 😥
February 15, 2022
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Not much
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. You’ll get the feel of the Highland guard characters that appear in various books together. For this one, I would say maybe read book 5 at least (The Saint) because the hero and heroine from that book, MacKay and Helen are in this book and there is a rivalry between the two men. I wish I had read book 5 closer to this one actually because there were just a couple things mentioned that were tugging at my memory but I couldn’t recall (I had read that book about a year and a half ago). But still, most of the story in this one is on Kenneth and Mary and I think you can still enjoy the story on its own.
Basic plot:
In the uncertain times of 1309, Mary is sent to Scotland to try to smooth a truce between the country and England. While there, she meets Kenneth and the attraction is undeniable. After a terrible marriage, she craves a night of passion that Kenneth is more than willing to provide. The trouble happens when he realizes who exactly she is.
Give this a try if you want:
- Story takes place in 1309/1310 during the time of Robert the Bruce
- A mix of Scotland and England for setting
- Medium to higher steam – 4 full scenes and 1 brief
- Celibate hero – the hero doesn’t have another woman once he meets the heroine, even though they are separated for 6 months
- A bit of secret identity feel in the beginning
- Second chance feel though they aren’t separated for a long period of time
My thoughts:
McCarty sure can write. I find myself always truly enjoying her stories. They make me emotional and I find myself totally immersed in the setting and characters. This one was no different. I haven’t read her in about a year and a half, so it was amazing to dive in again.
Sometimes her books can dump a lot of information on you in a short period of time – especially in the beginning. She’s chosen a time period and place for this book lush with historical facts, so if you find yourself having a hard time in the beginning try to stick it out for 50-60 pages.
I really loved a lot about this book. The beginning was just perfect to me. I loved both Mary and Kenneth and when they meet it is 🔥🔥🔥. Every time I read a McCarty I want to say it's my favorite and I think I said that at first about this one as well!
Kenneth is trying so hard to get into Bruce’s secret army and he will stop at nothing to make it happen. One problem though, is his temper always getting him into trouble. He gets too riled up and makes mistakes. This comes to haunt him in the story a number of times. But his love for Mary is immediate and intense and I just adore ‘hero loves first’. How vulnerable he gets with Mary melted my heart.
Mary has had a number of challenges in life. Married and a mother at 14, her first husband was a proud patriot of Scotland. He put his family in danger a number of times and eventually abandoned them in England until he was dealt a traitor’s death by Edward. The most damaging aspect of Mary’s marriage was the constant cheating her husband did. It devastated her heart and broke her trust in men. Kenneth always tends to have a flock of women around him and with him keeping secrets to keep her safe, she thinks the worst of him.
I did get a little frustrated dealing with the hamster wheel of worrying about infidelity and short tempers and it lessened by enjoyment of the second half. Still I was totally engaged in this story and had to know what happened.
As always, McCarty’s author notes are just as fascinating, if a bit more heartbreaking, than the story itself. I just love her.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Not much
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
Ideally, yes. You’ll get the feel of the Highland guard characters that appear in various books together. For this one, I would say maybe read book 5 at least (The Saint) because the hero and heroine from that book, MacKay and Helen are in this book and there is a rivalry between the two men. I wish I had read book 5 closer to this one actually because there were just a couple things mentioned that were tugging at my memory but I couldn’t recall (I had read that book about a year and a half ago). But still, most of the story in this one is on Kenneth and Mary and I think you can still enjoy the story on its own.
Basic plot:
In the uncertain times of 1309, Mary is sent to Scotland to try to smooth a truce between the country and England. While there, she meets Kenneth and the attraction is undeniable. After a terrible marriage, she craves a night of passion that Kenneth is more than willing to provide. The trouble happens when he realizes who exactly she is.
Give this a try if you want:
- Story takes place in 1309/1310 during the time of Robert the Bruce
- A mix of Scotland and England for setting
- Medium to higher steam – 4 full scenes and 1 brief
- Celibate hero – the hero doesn’t have another woman once he meets the heroine, even though they are separated for 6 months
- A bit of secret identity feel in the beginning
- Second chance feel though they aren’t separated for a long period of time
My thoughts:
McCarty sure can write. I find myself always truly enjoying her stories. They make me emotional and I find myself totally immersed in the setting and characters. This one was no different. I haven’t read her in about a year and a half, so it was amazing to dive in again.
Sometimes her books can dump a lot of information on you in a short period of time – especially in the beginning. She’s chosen a time period and place for this book lush with historical facts, so if you find yourself having a hard time in the beginning try to stick it out for 50-60 pages.
I really loved a lot about this book. The beginning was just perfect to me. I loved both Mary and Kenneth and when they meet it is 🔥🔥🔥. Every time I read a McCarty I want to say it's my favorite and I think I said that at first about this one as well!
Kenneth is trying so hard to get into Bruce’s secret army and he will stop at nothing to make it happen. One problem though, is his temper always getting him into trouble. He gets too riled up and makes mistakes. This comes to haunt him in the story a number of times. But his love for Mary is immediate and intense and I just adore ‘hero loves first’. How vulnerable he gets with Mary melted my heart.
Mary has had a number of challenges in life. Married and a mother at 14, her first husband was a proud patriot of Scotland. He put his family in danger a number of times and eventually abandoned them in England until he was dealt a traitor’s death by Edward. The most damaging aspect of Mary’s marriage was the constant cheating her husband did. It devastated her heart and broke her trust in men. Kenneth always tends to have a flock of women around him and with him keeping secrets to keep her safe, she thinks the worst of him.
I did get a little frustrated dealing with the hamster wheel of worrying about infidelity and short tempers and it lessened by enjoyment of the second half. Still I was totally engaged in this story and had to know what happened.
As always, McCarty’s author notes are just as fascinating, if a bit more heartbreaking, than the story itself. I just love her.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
March 9, 2025
The romance was underwhelming. The plot, uninteresting to me. 😒
Something new to me in HR:
Something new to me in HR:
October 25, 2012
Recommendation : If you have read the rest of the Highland Guard series than this is an automatic YES! If you have not, you can still pick this one up and read it, however, be ready to buy the rest of them. Once you immerse yourself in Ms. McCarty’s Highland Guard you won’t want to leave.
[image error]
“He was the new man. The recruit.”
Once again Monica McCarty has written a compelling novel about love & war, loss & redemption. Let me tell you this book has it all and I loved every minute of it.
Kenneth Sutherland knew from the minute he found out who was in the Highland Guard that he wanted to be part of that brotherhood. Little did he know that he was to be tested beyond his wildest dreams or nightmares.
You may remember Kenny as the brother-from-another-mother to the deceased William Gordon “Templar.” Mangus MacKay “Saint” & Kenny have been on shaky ground ever since the last book, especially since the last book. Kenny blames MacKay for Gordon’s death his digging deeper into this is what made Kenny put two-and-two together. Gordon and McKay were part of the Highland Guard.
What to do with this information?
He takes it to the head man, Robert the Bruce and demands to be part of the team.
Bruce’s answer : He must complete training and get MacKay’s stamp of approval. Life’s a Bitch sometimes.
Kenny, having no idea what is in store for him, thinks that it will be tough, but not impossible. Little did he know what is required of the Highland Guard.
If that is not enough drama to throw in, he meets the widow, Mary of Mar. She happens to be the widow of a traitor to the English and therefore punished for his transgressions. Not only was she hidden away, but her 6 month old son was taken and installed in King Edwards home. Heartbreaking doesn’t even describe how you would feel as a mother. I am sure you can imagine that has left a sour taste in her mouth when it comes to supporting Bruce. Yes, she loves her people but with a husband that never considered his family in his actions she was left to pick up the pieces of her ruined life. But if there was one thing that all of this taught her it was :
“Don’t dwell on what you can’t have.”
Thirteen years later the scene is set for these two to collide and boy did that collision equal voyeurism. Oh yes, you heard me right. They saw each other from afar, but up close their first interaction was quite unexpected and damn sensual.
“How pathetically ironic that the most sensual moment of her life had occurred when she wasn’t even a participant!
Mary didn’t know whether she was more horrified at him or at herself. Him for his wickedness or her for enjoying it.”
Mary, after witnessing Kenny’s passion first hand, could not get him out of her mind. She had never once felt that for her late husband and found herself drawn to such a man.
When the moment presented itself she dove in head first and grabbed onto that passion for a brief moment. It was hot, steamy and gone to fast. The poor man didn’t even realize what hit him until he found out her name. The shutters slammed down and he distanced himself at once. She was not a mere maid, but the women Bruce had wanted him to marry for an alliance, of which he was not fond of.
The tale continues to twist and turn while we watch Kenny fight for and achieve a spot in the Highland Guard. Mary gets the opportunity to be with her son as long as she is under the watch of a trusted man to King Edward.
How do these two meet back up so that Ms.McCarty can keep spinning her web?
Kenny is sent on his first mission and one that seems more impossible as the book goes on. He must go back and declare allegiance to King Edward yet again. He must be the wolf in sheep’s clothing, for he will have to report all the goings on in the castle back to the Highland Guard and subsequently to Bruce. Surprise, surprise the place he must go happens to be the exact same place that Mary is at.
The stage is set.
The background laid.
All the pieces are in play.
Who will come out victorious and at what cost?
“What’s victory without the battle?”
To find out you must pick up your own copy of The Recruit. I promise you will not be disappointed.
A special thank you to Edelweiss and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review. It’s Christmas morning all over again every time I receive an ARC. Thank you.
[image error]
“He was the new man. The recruit.”
Once again Monica McCarty has written a compelling novel about love & war, loss & redemption. Let me tell you this book has it all and I loved every minute of it.
Kenneth Sutherland knew from the minute he found out who was in the Highland Guard that he wanted to be part of that brotherhood. Little did he know that he was to be tested beyond his wildest dreams or nightmares.
You may remember Kenny as the brother-from-another-mother to the deceased William Gordon “Templar.” Mangus MacKay “Saint” & Kenny have been on shaky ground ever since the last book, especially since the last book. Kenny blames MacKay for Gordon’s death his digging deeper into this is what made Kenny put two-and-two together. Gordon and McKay were part of the Highland Guard.
What to do with this information?
He takes it to the head man, Robert the Bruce and demands to be part of the team.
Bruce’s answer : He must complete training and get MacKay’s stamp of approval. Life’s a Bitch sometimes.
Kenny, having no idea what is in store for him, thinks that it will be tough, but not impossible. Little did he know what is required of the Highland Guard.
If that is not enough drama to throw in, he meets the widow, Mary of Mar. She happens to be the widow of a traitor to the English and therefore punished for his transgressions. Not only was she hidden away, but her 6 month old son was taken and installed in King Edwards home. Heartbreaking doesn’t even describe how you would feel as a mother. I am sure you can imagine that has left a sour taste in her mouth when it comes to supporting Bruce. Yes, she loves her people but with a husband that never considered his family in his actions she was left to pick up the pieces of her ruined life. But if there was one thing that all of this taught her it was :
“Don’t dwell on what you can’t have.”
Thirteen years later the scene is set for these two to collide and boy did that collision equal voyeurism. Oh yes, you heard me right. They saw each other from afar, but up close their first interaction was quite unexpected and damn sensual.
“How pathetically ironic that the most sensual moment of her life had occurred when she wasn’t even a participant!
Mary didn’t know whether she was more horrified at him or at herself. Him for his wickedness or her for enjoying it.”
Mary, after witnessing Kenny’s passion first hand, could not get him out of her mind. She had never once felt that for her late husband and found herself drawn to such a man.
When the moment presented itself she dove in head first and grabbed onto that passion for a brief moment. It was hot, steamy and gone to fast. The poor man didn’t even realize what hit him until he found out her name. The shutters slammed down and he distanced himself at once. She was not a mere maid, but the women Bruce had wanted him to marry for an alliance, of which he was not fond of.
The tale continues to twist and turn while we watch Kenny fight for and achieve a spot in the Highland Guard. Mary gets the opportunity to be with her son as long as she is under the watch of a trusted man to King Edward.
How do these two meet back up so that Ms.McCarty can keep spinning her web?
Kenny is sent on his first mission and one that seems more impossible as the book goes on. He must go back and declare allegiance to King Edward yet again. He must be the wolf in sheep’s clothing, for he will have to report all the goings on in the castle back to the Highland Guard and subsequently to Bruce. Surprise, surprise the place he must go happens to be the exact same place that Mary is at.
The stage is set.
The background laid.
All the pieces are in play.
Who will come out victorious and at what cost?
“What’s victory without the battle?”
To find out you must pick up your own copy of The Recruit. I promise you will not be disappointed.
A special thank you to Edelweiss and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review. It’s Christmas morning all over again every time I receive an ARC. Thank you.
May 23, 2020
3,5 / 5
Bu tarz kitaplar 350 sayfadan fazla olmamalı, uzadıkça sıkılmaya başlıyorum 😑
İlk kitabı 8 sene önce okumuşum. 8 senede 6 kitap 😒 Elbette kim kimdi heeepp unutmuşum ama kurguyu anlayabilmek için çok da herşeyi hatırlamaya gerek yoktu neyseki.
Bu tarz kitaplar 350 sayfadan fazla olmamalı, uzadıkça sıkılmaya başlıyorum 😑
İlk kitabı 8 sene önce okumuşum. 8 senede 6 kitap 😒 Elbette kim kimdi heeepp unutmuşum ama kurguyu anlayabilmek için çok da herşeyi hatırlamaya gerek yoktu neyseki.
July 28, 2014
Kenneth Sutherland is a skilled warrior, and wants to be in the Highland Guard more than anything. He is willing to fight and do whatever it takes to reach his goal. He believes in the fight for Scotland's freedom, and fighting to join the elite warriors will be the greatest battle he will fight. His chance to prove himself to the elite warriors and Bruce, will be at the Highland games. He is so focused on his determination to win, he gets stunned upon meeting Mary of Mar. Mary is a widow, and was used by her husband, and the son she never got a chance to mother, barely knows her but she is determined to have him in her life again. When she attends the Highland Games to appeal to Bruce, she finds the most gorgeous specimen making passionate love to a woman. Mary's experience was short and swift and more painful than pleasurable. But when Kenneth pursues her she resists the temptation of a night in his arms. Soon his sensual embraces make her want to risk everything even her heart, just to have him in her life for a short moment. But will Kenneth pursue the one woman that holds his heart?
The Recruit is the sixth book in the Highland Guard series. The Recruit is a story that is a bit different than the others that I have read, but one of my top favorites. The way this author writes her romances is simply magical!! You can never go wrong with Monica McCarty, from the very first page you are instantly pulled in. I love that I know that when I read this author, I know that it will be a compelling story and I won't have any problem getting into it. So for those that have never read this author...YOU ARE MISSING OUT!! I guarantee that once you pick up this author, you will fall in love!! :) There is nothing that you won't like about her stories. They are the epitome of what makes a romance story superb!!
The story starts out with seeing Mary and how determined she is to survive, despite the betrayal of her husband, and the loss of her son. Mary was a character I came to admire so much. Strong willed, caring and passionate about life. She craves love but knows she will probably never have it. Then Mary and Kenneth meet and fireworks. Kenneth is like a bull dozer when it comes to something that he wants, and he wants Mary. The exchange between Kenneth and Mary is priceless, and thus begins a rocky romance. This story is packed with ups and downs, and seeing the rewards of fighting for what you believe. I loved the vital emotion that just erupts from this story and threatens to consume the reader! So much intensity and passion, and a love story to break your heart. A sizzling tale of desire, determination, and fighting for the one you love~~STUNNING!!
The Recruit is the sixth book in the Highland Guard series. The Recruit is a story that is a bit different than the others that I have read, but one of my top favorites. The way this author writes her romances is simply magical!! You can never go wrong with Monica McCarty, from the very first page you are instantly pulled in. I love that I know that when I read this author, I know that it will be a compelling story and I won't have any problem getting into it. So for those that have never read this author...YOU ARE MISSING OUT!! I guarantee that once you pick up this author, you will fall in love!! :) There is nothing that you won't like about her stories. They are the epitome of what makes a romance story superb!!
The story starts out with seeing Mary and how determined she is to survive, despite the betrayal of her husband, and the loss of her son. Mary was a character I came to admire so much. Strong willed, caring and passionate about life. She craves love but knows she will probably never have it. Then Mary and Kenneth meet and fireworks. Kenneth is like a bull dozer when it comes to something that he wants, and he wants Mary. The exchange between Kenneth and Mary is priceless, and thus begins a rocky romance. This story is packed with ups and downs, and seeing the rewards of fighting for what you believe. I loved the vital emotion that just erupts from this story and threatens to consume the reader! So much intensity and passion, and a love story to break your heart. A sizzling tale of desire, determination, and fighting for the one you love~~STUNNING!!
May 19, 2017
4'5 Estrellas y si le he dado las 5 es porque me encuentro muy generosa y anhelaba una buena historia de Highlanders. Para resumir: ¡Cómo me ha gustado éste libro!
En general la serie de la Guardia de los Highlanders es muy buena, bien es cierto que no recomiendo leerlos todos seguidos porque tanto machote armatoste empacha, pero leerlos en pequeñas dosis es lo mejor que he podido hacer.
De "El Recluta" puedo decir que me ha gustado todo, o casi todo. La historia, los personajes. Ha habido un cierto tándem entre la historia de trasfondo y el romance de los protagonistas, que cuando se odiaban yo los odiaba, y cuando se amaban, yo también los amaba.
Sinceramente, no daba un duro por el libro, mea culpa, el protagonista masculino era Kenneth Sutherland, y en el anterior libro no me cayó nada bien el hermano de Helen, además: ¡No es un miembro de la Guardia! Bueno, si el libro se llama "El Recluta" es porque gira en torno a la ambición de Kenneth de convertirse en uno de los guerreros de élite de Robert Bruce.
Mary de Mar es la viuda de un conde escocés, un traidor a Inglaterra, y ella se encuentra prisionera en las tierras de su esposo, intentado hacerse cada vez más pequeña para que el rey inglés no repare en su presencia, si algo quiere es tranquilidad y pasar desapercibida. Pero tiene motivos para ello, su hijo David le fue arrebatado al poco de nacer (como hijo de un traidor que era), y fue llevado a Londres en calidad de prisionero. De modo que todo lo que hace Mary tiene que ver con el bienestar de su hijo y con su deseo de estar junto a él. Su oportunidad de ser útil a su hijo se le presenta cuando la llaman a Escocia para negociar unos asuntos que conciernen a ambos reyes. El lugar del encuentro es en el castillo de Dunstaffnage (hogar de Arthur Campbell y Anna, protagonistas de "El Guardián"), donde se celebran los Highland Games, y allí es donde se conocerán Kenneth y Mary, de una manera un tanto peculiar.
La ambición de Kenneth es entrar en la Guardia de los Highlanders, y para ello se ha propuesto ser el campeón de los Highland Games, es un hombre terco y orgulloso que debe saborear las mieles de la victoria, no le vale ser el segundo, él debe ganar. Pero con lo que no contaba es con encontrarse en el camino a una insignificante mujer con el encanto de una monja.
Aquí es donde empezará su relación. El primer matrimonio de Mary no fue feliz, desea experimentar la pasión que un fuerte guerrero como Kenneth puede darle, pero no pide nada más, sólo una noche en sus brazos. El problema vendrá sobre todo por parte de Kenneth. Es el heredero de su hermano y sabe que algún día debe casarse y tener descendencia, es encantador y bien parecido y siempre tiene tras de sí una retahíla de seguidoras y a la mujer que le apetezca en su cama. Pues sí, éste es el caso del libertino reformado, el hombre que ha tenido a todas las que ha querido, y cuando llega "ésa" mujer que le enderezará no tendrá ojos, ni ganas, ni deseo por ninguna más. Pero no nos engañemos, nos encontramos ante un libro medieval con un protagonista medieval, así que tendrá sus cuántas dosis de machismo, por suerte la autora ha sabido manejarlo.
No puedo contar mucho más para no desvelar lo que ocurre, creo que éste libro merece la pena leerse. La historia me ha atrapado y también sus protagonistas, admito que más Kenneth que Mary, y eso que me hacía cierta gracia el hecho de que el loco enamorado y calzonazos fuese él, y ella la que le huye porque no quiere permitirse sentir nada por él, pero en ciertos puntos Mary me ha parecido muy cansina.
Sin duda destaco la resolución final de la trama, que ha quedado muy bien y muy cerrada. Quizás el único punto negativo que puedo darle al libro es la traducción, sigo pensando que las editoriales españolas tienen que ponerse mejor las pilas a éste respecto, no sé la cantidad de veces que he leído que fulanito se ha puesto rojo como un tomate (y en el siglo XIV no había tomates en Europa), o las milésimas veces que Kenneth ha jurado "maldita fuera". Pero mi valoración final ha sido sobre el libro en general.
Lo único que me queda es gritar y restregarme por los suelos y seguir maldiciendo a las editoriales españolas (sobre todo a PRH) por haber cancelado ésta serie que es tan buena y que merece la pena. Sí señoras mías, solo publicaron los seis primeros, y los otros seis seguimos sin saber de ellos, si los publicarán o no, por mi parte pienso seguir estudiando inglés, ya que nos han dejado con las ganas de tantas series a medias.
En general la serie de la Guardia de los Highlanders es muy buena, bien es cierto que no recomiendo leerlos todos seguidos porque tanto machote armatoste empacha, pero leerlos en pequeñas dosis es lo mejor que he podido hacer.
De "El Recluta" puedo decir que me ha gustado todo, o casi todo. La historia, los personajes. Ha habido un cierto tándem entre la historia de trasfondo y el romance de los protagonistas, que cuando se odiaban yo los odiaba, y cuando se amaban, yo también los amaba.
Sinceramente, no daba un duro por el libro, mea culpa, el protagonista masculino era Kenneth Sutherland, y en el anterior libro no me cayó nada bien el hermano de Helen, además: ¡No es un miembro de la Guardia! Bueno, si el libro se llama "El Recluta" es porque gira en torno a la ambición de Kenneth de convertirse en uno de los guerreros de élite de Robert Bruce.
Mary de Mar es la viuda de un conde escocés, un traidor a Inglaterra, y ella se encuentra prisionera en las tierras de su esposo, intentado hacerse cada vez más pequeña para que el rey inglés no repare en su presencia, si algo quiere es tranquilidad y pasar desapercibida. Pero tiene motivos para ello, su hijo David le fue arrebatado al poco de nacer (como hijo de un traidor que era), y fue llevado a Londres en calidad de prisionero. De modo que todo lo que hace Mary tiene que ver con el bienestar de su hijo y con su deseo de estar junto a él. Su oportunidad de ser útil a su hijo se le presenta cuando la llaman a Escocia para negociar unos asuntos que conciernen a ambos reyes. El lugar del encuentro es en el castillo de Dunstaffnage (hogar de Arthur Campbell y Anna, protagonistas de "El Guardián"), donde se celebran los Highland Games, y allí es donde se conocerán Kenneth y Mary, de una manera un tanto peculiar.
La ambición de Kenneth es entrar en la Guardia de los Highlanders, y para ello se ha propuesto ser el campeón de los Highland Games, es un hombre terco y orgulloso que debe saborear las mieles de la victoria, no le vale ser el segundo, él debe ganar. Pero con lo que no contaba es con encontrarse en el camino a una insignificante mujer con el encanto de una monja.
Aquí es donde empezará su relación. El primer matrimonio de Mary no fue feliz, desea experimentar la pasión que un fuerte guerrero como Kenneth puede darle, pero no pide nada más, sólo una noche en sus brazos. El problema vendrá sobre todo por parte de Kenneth. Es el heredero de su hermano y sabe que algún día debe casarse y tener descendencia, es encantador y bien parecido y siempre tiene tras de sí una retahíla de seguidoras y a la mujer que le apetezca en su cama. Pues sí, éste es el caso del libertino reformado, el hombre que ha tenido a todas las que ha querido, y cuando llega "ésa" mujer que le enderezará no tendrá ojos, ni ganas, ni deseo por ninguna más. Pero no nos engañemos, nos encontramos ante un libro medieval con un protagonista medieval, así que tendrá sus cuántas dosis de machismo, por suerte la autora ha sabido manejarlo.
No puedo contar mucho más para no desvelar lo que ocurre, creo que éste libro merece la pena leerse. La historia me ha atrapado y también sus protagonistas, admito que más Kenneth que Mary, y eso que me hacía cierta gracia el hecho de que el loco enamorado y calzonazos fuese él, y ella la que le huye porque no quiere permitirse sentir nada por él, pero en ciertos puntos Mary me ha parecido muy cansina.
Sin duda destaco la resolución final de la trama, que ha quedado muy bien y muy cerrada. Quizás el único punto negativo que puedo darle al libro es la traducción, sigo pensando que las editoriales españolas tienen que ponerse mejor las pilas a éste respecto, no sé la cantidad de veces que he leído que fulanito se ha puesto rojo como un tomate (y en el siglo XIV no había tomates en Europa), o las milésimas veces que Kenneth ha jurado "maldita fuera". Pero mi valoración final ha sido sobre el libro en general.
Lo único que me queda es gritar y restregarme por los suelos y seguir maldiciendo a las editoriales españolas (sobre todo a PRH) por haber cancelado ésta serie que es tan buena y que merece la pena. Sí señoras mías, solo publicaron los seis primeros, y los otros seis seguimos sin saber de ellos, si los publicarán o no, por mi parte pienso seguir estudiando inglés, ya que nos han dejado con las ganas de tantas series a medias.
June 11, 2020
https://birumuthayal.blogspot.com/202...
Son iki aydır tekrar okuma hızımda düşüşler yaşanmakta; umarım bu süreçten tez vakitte çıkarım.
Son iki aydır tekrar okuma hızımda düşüşler yaşanmakta; umarım bu süreçten tez vakitte çıkarım.
October 6, 2015
I see that I am of the minority here. This book appears to be very popular. I wish I shared that sentiment.
Monica McCarty's storytelling ability aside (because she is one hell of a story teller, it becomes somehow irrelevant as you read more from her), The Recruit has an unattractive set of characters and story (for me). Again, this book has a mother for a heroine. Mary of Mar married young and had a son. She met Kenneth Sutherland and had wilde sex with him, apparently because they were hot for each other and she was oh so curious about the sexual act since her sex life with her late husband was rather disappointing. This is something new for Monica McCarty. Most of her characters do not get to have sex until much later in the book. But a woman awakening to her sexual desires is never something that appeals to me. I mean, good for her. But it makes a poor story for me. I want to see more connections than great sex. I think it has something to do with my inability to believe that great sex leads to emotional connections. And being a mother seperated from her child, Mary, like Bella from The Viper, had the unrelenting urge to be united with her son. So Mary wanted her son at her side, and Mary wanted sex. Kenneth Sutherland found sex with Mary exceptional. The book dedicated most of its volume on these themes, which all carry little weight with me. This book and I never had a chance.
Come to think of it, my problem is again with the heroine. I did not feel that I could relate to Mary. I did not care for her jounrey and did not care whether Kenneth Sutherland loved her. The book itself is probably not bad at all. But when I have problems with the characters, nothing can save the book for me.
Monica McCarty's storytelling ability aside (because she is one hell of a story teller, it becomes somehow irrelevant as you read more from her), The Recruit has an unattractive set of characters and story (for me). Again, this book has a mother for a heroine. Mary of Mar married young and had a son. She met Kenneth Sutherland and had wilde sex with him, apparently because they were hot for each other and she was oh so curious about the sexual act since her sex life with her late husband was rather disappointing. This is something new for Monica McCarty. Most of her characters do not get to have sex until much later in the book. But a woman awakening to her sexual desires is never something that appeals to me. I mean, good for her. But it makes a poor story for me. I want to see more connections than great sex. I think it has something to do with my inability to believe that great sex leads to emotional connections. And being a mother seperated from her child, Mary, like Bella from The Viper, had the unrelenting urge to be united with her son. So Mary wanted her son at her side, and Mary wanted sex. Kenneth Sutherland found sex with Mary exceptional. The book dedicated most of its volume on these themes, which all carry little weight with me. This book and I never had a chance.
Come to think of it, my problem is again with the heroine. I did not feel that I could relate to Mary. I did not care for her jounrey and did not care whether Kenneth Sutherland loved her. The book itself is probably not bad at all. But when I have problems with the characters, nothing can save the book for me.
November 26, 2016
While England and Scotland pause their war under a temporary truce agreement, Kenneth Sutherland is using this time to prove himself worthy of becoming a member of Bruce's infamous phantom warriors, the Highland Guards. Mary of Mar was so disillusioned by her first husband that she has no desire to ever look for love or be married again and works really hard to appear unattractive. However, Kenneth sees beneath the drab and is captivated.
I loved this story, with its messy romance, convoluted politics and taut, suspenseful action. Kenneth is extremely handsome and arrogant about his charm while Mary wants no part of him or any man. Even though she looks like a nun, Mary is smart and spirited, creating a challenge for the over confident Kenneth. Her resistance is like catnip to him and his pursuit of her made for some interesting moments. The scene on the boat near the end will make you swoon.
Robert The Bruce's campaign to separate Scotland from England serves as an extraordinary backdrop for this romance. Mary is forced to live in England and Kenneth must use subterfuge to continue his relationship with her outside of Scotland while continuing as a recruit for Bruce's Guards. Their transformations, individually and as a couple, were compelling, realistic and touching There was just the right balance of angst and lust, never wearying you of either.
I love this series with its brawny, delectable warriors and delightful heroines. There are at least twelve members of the Guard and I hope this series goes the distance with stories for each of them. The war between England and Scotland never read so good!
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
I loved this story, with its messy romance, convoluted politics and taut, suspenseful action. Kenneth is extremely handsome and arrogant about his charm while Mary wants no part of him or any man. Even though she looks like a nun, Mary is smart and spirited, creating a challenge for the over confident Kenneth. Her resistance is like catnip to him and his pursuit of her made for some interesting moments. The scene on the boat near the end will make you swoon.
Robert The Bruce's campaign to separate Scotland from England serves as an extraordinary backdrop for this romance. Mary is forced to live in England and Kenneth must use subterfuge to continue his relationship with her outside of Scotland while continuing as a recruit for Bruce's Guards. Their transformations, individually and as a couple, were compelling, realistic and touching There was just the right balance of angst and lust, never wearying you of either.
I love this series with its brawny, delectable warriors and delightful heroines. There are at least twelve members of the Guard and I hope this series goes the distance with stories for each of them. The war between England and Scotland never read so good!
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
July 8, 2015
Ooooh, I really liked this one. I give it 4 stars.
There were just a few bits and parts that were just a little slow but that's all. The rest of it is awesome reading. I enjoyed this story and the characters so very much. How the heroine meets the hero is very interesting.... well, not exactly meets. More like stumbles upon him with another woman would be a better way of putting it. The hero will make you melt. He's absolutely yummy. Monica McCarty has a fantastic way of writing and you can't help but fall in love with the characters as you read along.
There were just a few bits and parts that were just a little slow but that's all. The rest of it is awesome reading. I enjoyed this story and the characters so very much. How the heroine meets the hero is very interesting.... well, not exactly meets. More like stumbles upon him with another woman would be a better way of putting it. The hero will make you melt. He's absolutely yummy. Monica McCarty has a fantastic way of writing and you can't help but fall in love with the characters as you read along.
December 9, 2025
Kenneth Sutherland desperately wants to prove himself and earn a place in Robert the Bruce's Highland Guard, to replace his late foster brother. Standing in his way is his brother-in-law, Saint (Magnus MacRuairi), who maybe wants to see Kenneth suffer a little, but also who wants Kenneth to understand the level of training, trust, and discipline required. At the Highland Games, Mary of Mar, wife of the late Earl of Atholl, stumbles upon Kenneth swiving a woman and it awakens a desire in her long since stifled. Mary may not want another husband, but for a night of passion, this Highland warrior will do.
It's rare that you want the first time the main characters meet to be while one of them is with someone else... but in this case, it's perhaps one of the hottest scenes in the series. (I love a good voyeur moment.) We get this scene from both Mary and Kenneth's perspectives, and immediately understand their fascination and attraction. Mary was burned by her first marriage though, and despite their connection, she wants nothing to do with Kenneth beyond their night of passion. Monica McCarty gives us insight into Mary's life as a young bride (14!) whose husband ignored her and a young mother whose son was taken for fostering so young she barely knew him, and so we see Mary as fighting her past and learning to approach love from a woman's desires and not a child's wishes. Kenneth is the sort of hero who assumes everything should be straightforward and earned through hard work, but learns that there is more nuance to life...and that a wife is worth the trouble.
From a historical perspective, The Recruit tackles one of the most complex components of the Wars for Scottish Independence: the divided and switching loyalties. The Sutherlands allied themselves with Edward, switched allegiances to Bruce, and then for plot reason, Kenneth pretends to switch alliances to Edward again and no one really thinks anything of it. In her author's note (not on the audiobook this time), McCarty notes that in doing her research she had a hard time wrapping her head around just how divided these loyalties were, in large part because the nobles were all intermarried across England, Scotland, and Ireland. She does an excellent job with depicting it though, with Mary's son David, who historically was held by the English and had English loyalties.
4.5 stars - the whole book didn't quite click for me the way some of the others have, but it gets the round up for voyeurism.
It's rare that you want the first time the main characters meet to be while one of them is with someone else... but in this case, it's perhaps one of the hottest scenes in the series. (I love a good voyeur moment.) We get this scene from both Mary and Kenneth's perspectives, and immediately understand their fascination and attraction. Mary was burned by her first marriage though, and despite their connection, she wants nothing to do with Kenneth beyond their night of passion. Monica McCarty gives us insight into Mary's life as a young bride (14!) whose husband ignored her and a young mother whose son was taken for fostering so young she barely knew him, and so we see Mary as fighting her past and learning to approach love from a woman's desires and not a child's wishes. Kenneth is the sort of hero who assumes everything should be straightforward and earned through hard work, but learns that there is more nuance to life...and that a wife is worth the trouble.
From a historical perspective, The Recruit tackles one of the most complex components of the Wars for Scottish Independence: the divided and switching loyalties. The Sutherlands allied themselves with Edward, switched allegiances to Bruce, and then for plot reason, Kenneth pretends to switch alliances to Edward again and no one really thinks anything of it. In her author's note (not on the audiobook this time), McCarty notes that in doing her research she had a hard time wrapping her head around just how divided these loyalties were, in large part because the nobles were all intermarried across England, Scotland, and Ireland. She does an excellent job with depicting it though, with Mary's son David, who historically was held by the English and had English loyalties.
4.5 stars - the whole book didn't quite click for me the way some of the others have, but it gets the round up for voyeurism.
June 23, 2024
Yine ben ve yine elimde heba olan güzel bir kitap..
Okuduğum ilk tarihi aşk kitabı olmasına rağmen kitabın çok tanıdık bir havası vardı sadece çok yanlış bir zamanda okumayı seçmişim o da benim hatam oldu.
Tarihi olayları seveceğimi hiç düşünmemiştim ama şaşırtıcı bir şekilde ilgimi çekti bu seriyi sırayla okumayı düşünmüyordum ama şuan fikrim değişti.
Başlarda karakterler çok nazlıydı özellikle kadın karakter bana sinir krizleri geçirtti sonra tam o düzeldi derken erkek karakter bozuldu vs. Karışık duygular yaşadım😬
Tek oturuşta bitirmelik bir kitap çokta bir şey beklememek lazım oku geç işte agshhshahah
Okuduğum ilk tarihi aşk kitabı olmasına rağmen kitabın çok tanıdık bir havası vardı sadece çok yanlış bir zamanda okumayı seçmişim o da benim hatam oldu.
Tarihi olayları seveceğimi hiç düşünmemiştim ama şaşırtıcı bir şekilde ilgimi çekti bu seriyi sırayla okumayı düşünmüyordum ama şuan fikrim değişti.
Başlarda karakterler çok nazlıydı özellikle kadın karakter bana sinir krizleri geçirtti sonra tam o düzeldi derken erkek karakter bozuldu vs. Karışık duygular yaşadım😬
Tek oturuşta bitirmelik bir kitap çokta bir şey beklememek lazım oku geç işte agshhshahah
June 3, 2016
Synopsis: Scotland’s King Robert the Bruce is retaking his kingdom from the invading English. To win, he’ll need all the grit and courage of his elite band of warriors, the Highland Guard, men who fight without fear and love without limits.
Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed.
The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?
My Thoughts: Earlier today I finished The Recruit by Monica McCarty and was wowed by it. This is the first book I've read by her and found it to be rich in history and rich in well fleshed out characters. There was a time I felt a bit overwhelmed by it's length (it's about 75 pages over an average historical romance which for some reason intimidates me LOL) but then I was totally swept away by the conflict of Scotland to England and the people who took sides (or was trapped between the two) and the sizzling passion between the two main characters. This is the 6th book in the series and I will go back and read the ones before (especially with the glowing reviews of the first one The Chief) but probably not right away. I want to savor this one a bit longer and don't want to gorge myself until I puke on the Highlander yumminess that are McCarty's Highland Guards. I might have given this book a full 5 stars but for the constant misunderstanding between the two main characters because they didn't communicate... although as a disclaimer I should mention there were very good reasons for Mary to mistrust her husband so the conflict was necessary and explainable. I just got a wee bit tired of it. Oh and Kenneth every now and again would think or say something so chauvinistic I wanted to thwack him with his own sword. Even his boorish attitudes on occasion was explainable as this was medieval times and in 1309 men could pretty much do as they pleased and women had no say (this is something I struggle with while reading romances from this time period.... my inner Gloria Steinem tends to be appalled for all the oppressed women every time.)
In a nutshell I would totally recommend this book to historical romance readers everywhere.
Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed.
The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?
My Thoughts: Earlier today I finished The Recruit by Monica McCarty and was wowed by it. This is the first book I've read by her and found it to be rich in history and rich in well fleshed out characters. There was a time I felt a bit overwhelmed by it's length (it's about 75 pages over an average historical romance which for some reason intimidates me LOL) but then I was totally swept away by the conflict of Scotland to England and the people who took sides (or was trapped between the two) and the sizzling passion between the two main characters. This is the 6th book in the series and I will go back and read the ones before (especially with the glowing reviews of the first one The Chief) but probably not right away. I want to savor this one a bit longer and don't want to gorge myself until I puke on the Highlander yumminess that are McCarty's Highland Guards. I might have given this book a full 5 stars but for the constant misunderstanding between the two main characters because they didn't communicate... although as a disclaimer I should mention there were very good reasons for Mary to mistrust her husband so the conflict was necessary and explainable. I just got a wee bit tired of it. Oh and Kenneth every now and again would think or say something so chauvinistic I wanted to thwack him with his own sword. Even his boorish attitudes on occasion was explainable as this was medieval times and in 1309 men could pretty much do as they pleased and women had no say (this is something I struggle with while reading romances from this time period.... my inner Gloria Steinem tends to be appalled for all the oppressed women every time.)
In a nutshell I would totally recommend this book to historical romance readers everywhere.
November 28, 2012
Oh it's Kenneth Sutherland, Helen's brother.
After Templar died, I was wondering who could be a partner for Saint. Could Recruit and Saint be a 'good friend'? Can't wait to read it!
* The story begins *
Sensual
Naughty
Sexy
Yummyyyyyy
Sinful yet delicious
Once again Monica has written a beautiful love story. I recommended to all Monica's fan. I could never get enough of Highlander stories. I started reading this book yesterday and stayed up till 2am.
When they first met, Mary was an accidental peeping in the barn watching Kenneth making love with Lady Moira. O M G!
She couldn't get him out of her mind, and Kenneth approached her without knowing her name. He thought she's one of Lady Margaret attendants.
The sex scene is super hot and steamy!
All and all I must say once again that I enjoyed this story. I look forward to the next book "The Hunter" in Highland Guard series.
After Templar died, I was wondering who could be a partner for Saint. Could Recruit and Saint be a 'good friend'? Can't wait to read it!
* The story begins *
Sensual
Naughty
Sexy
Yummyyyyyy
Sinful yet delicious
Once again Monica has written a beautiful love story. I recommended to all Monica's fan. I could never get enough of Highlander stories. I started reading this book yesterday and stayed up till 2am.
When they first met, Mary was an accidental peeping in the barn watching Kenneth making love with Lady Moira. O M G!
She couldn't get him out of her mind, and Kenneth approached her without knowing her name. He thought she's one of Lady Margaret attendants.
The sex scene is super hot and steamy!
All and all I must say once again that I enjoyed this story. I look forward to the next book "The Hunter" in Highland Guard series.
August 4, 2016
Another great book in this great series. I really enjoyed it. This is just what I hope for in a "hot Scots" historical romance: strong characters, head-strong arguments, hot sex and good historical background. This series is one of the best and this book is no exception.
I really liked Kenneth much more than I thought I would considering how much he annoyed me in The Saint. But Saint didn't come out looking so good in that book either. (I really think The Saint was the weakest of the series, thus far.) I think Kenneth is a good addition to the Guard. Mary on the other hand was completely annoying. But I loved watching Kenneth and Mary overcome their insecurities and trust issues to fall in love.
Can't wait to read Hunter's book.
I really liked Kenneth much more than I thought I would considering how much he annoyed me in The Saint. But Saint didn't come out looking so good in that book either. (I really think The Saint was the weakest of the series, thus far.) I think Kenneth is a good addition to the Guard. Mary on the other hand was completely annoying. But I loved watching Kenneth and Mary overcome their insecurities and trust issues to fall in love.
Can't wait to read Hunter's book.
February 16, 2019
3.5 stars actually ...
Liked the H; he was cheeky, had a high opinion of himself and his looks but ultimately, he was a man who was battling his self-esteem and tried very hard .. I liked the way he was with his sister in an earlier story ... h was not such a great character; she seemed lack lustre at times ... loved the scene where she is undergoing labour ...
Liked the H; he was cheeky, had a high opinion of himself and his looks but ultimately, he was a man who was battling his self-esteem and tried very hard .. I liked the way he was with his sister in an earlier story ... h was not such a great character; she seemed lack lustre at times ... loved the scene where she is undergoing labour ...
October 11, 2025
Re-Read very good book. 4.5 plot 7.5(1-10) steaminess 7.5(1-10)
I have this book twice, and I love it. It’s filled with laugh out loud humor and sexy chemistry between two unlikely hero’s!
I have this book twice, and I love it. It’s filled with laugh out loud humor and sexy chemistry between two unlikely hero’s!
June 3, 2022
Not my favorite of the series but still this author knows how to write a historical. The history and romance are seamless and the use of real life historical figures as main characters makes my nerdy heart happy. Widowed Mary of Mar has been a neglected wife, widowed and used as a pawn by a king who holds her child basically hostage. One day she spies a very bonny man doing very naughty things to a woman in a barn. The widow is caught red handed by Kenneth the hot Highlander while he's expertly ringing the other woman's bell. He's intrigued by the little voyeur and she's intrigued by what she saw. So they decide to bang it out one time and part ways. You'll never guess what happened next 🤣
This is a solid medieval romance steeped in history and a solid romance. I loved seeing the characters from the previous books and seeing Robert The Bruce's Highland Guard kick serious Sassenach booty. This series is a must read for medieval romance fans. Kenneth and Mary of Mar's story is a steamy, sweet angsty one. My only complaint is that I wished to see more Highland Guard shenanigans, it was also repetitive at times with the internal conflict being hashed out one too many times.
Bonus: this author's historical research notes at the end are one of my favorite things about this series. If you're interested in medical Scottish history, read these books! Can stand alone but best read in order.
Tropes:
Rakish hero/Wallflower
Forced marriage
Surprise pregnancy
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
This is a solid medieval romance steeped in history and a solid romance. I loved seeing the characters from the previous books and seeing Robert The Bruce's Highland Guard kick serious Sassenach booty. This series is a must read for medieval romance fans. Kenneth and Mary of Mar's story is a steamy, sweet angsty one. My only complaint is that I wished to see more Highland Guard shenanigans, it was also repetitive at times with the internal conflict being hashed out one too many times.
Bonus: this author's historical research notes at the end are one of my favorite things about this series. If you're interested in medical Scottish history, read these books! Can stand alone but best read in order.
Tropes:
Rakish hero/Wallflower
Forced marriage
Surprise pregnancy
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥🔥/5
October 27, 2020
Reread via audiobook. 4.5
October 17, 2012
This is the 6th book in the Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty. I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though I have not read any of the other Highland Guard books. While this book is part of a series, it is not necessary to have read the other 5 to enjoy this one. This story is complete in itself. Ms. McCarty gives you enough history from the other five to know and understand what is going on in the overall story of the Highland Guard.
Both Mary and Kenneth are based on real historical figures, Ms. McCarty admits to taking a few liberties with events and people. This literary freedom in no way hinders the story, in fact it enhances it! Ms. McCarty explains her literary freedom in detail at the end of the book and her reasons for doing so.
From the very beginning my heart broke for Mary. She lost her sister, her husband and her son in such a short time. Her husband was hung as a traitor and her sister was killed trying to flee England. Her son, while alive, was out of her reach. He was taken from her at 6 months of age to be raised in another English household. I can not begin to imagine the depth of her despair. Instead of falling into depression and becoming maudlin, Mary became stronger and made an independent life for herself. Her courage and strength are amazing!
Kenneth is a fierce highland warrior trying to find his way into Robert the Bruce’s elite Highland Guard. He’s also very sexy and popular with the women. One chance encounter with Mary and his life is changed forever.
When Mary and Kenneth are reunited on English soil, the sparks fly. She’s no pushover and refuses to give up her independence. She has no desire to be dependent on a man or fall victim to his decisions. Kenneth is in England as a Scottish spy, not fall in love or get married.
Kenneth and Mary’s love affair is sweet, fierce and passionate. Mary slowly lets Kenneth into her heart. When she finds out the truth about Kenneth she will be crushed.
This is an amazing story. The love affair is sweet and full of passion. Mc. McCarty does an amazing job of drawing the reader in and keeping you on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next. You get a real feel for what women went through in that time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Highlander stories. Even though most of the story happens on English soil, I was definitely rooting for the Scots! Now I just have to go back and read the other five in this series. I’m definitely looking forward to more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Both Mary and Kenneth are based on real historical figures, Ms. McCarty admits to taking a few liberties with events and people. This literary freedom in no way hinders the story, in fact it enhances it! Ms. McCarty explains her literary freedom in detail at the end of the book and her reasons for doing so.
From the very beginning my heart broke for Mary. She lost her sister, her husband and her son in such a short time. Her husband was hung as a traitor and her sister was killed trying to flee England. Her son, while alive, was out of her reach. He was taken from her at 6 months of age to be raised in another English household. I can not begin to imagine the depth of her despair. Instead of falling into depression and becoming maudlin, Mary became stronger and made an independent life for herself. Her courage and strength are amazing!
Kenneth is a fierce highland warrior trying to find his way into Robert the Bruce’s elite Highland Guard. He’s also very sexy and popular with the women. One chance encounter with Mary and his life is changed forever.
When Mary and Kenneth are reunited on English soil, the sparks fly. She’s no pushover and refuses to give up her independence. She has no desire to be dependent on a man or fall victim to his decisions. Kenneth is in England as a Scottish spy, not fall in love or get married.
Kenneth and Mary’s love affair is sweet, fierce and passionate. Mary slowly lets Kenneth into her heart. When she finds out the truth about Kenneth she will be crushed.
This is an amazing story. The love affair is sweet and full of passion. Mc. McCarty does an amazing job of drawing the reader in and keeping you on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next. You get a real feel for what women went through in that time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Highlander stories. Even though most of the story happens on English soil, I was definitely rooting for the Scots! Now I just have to go back and read the other five in this series. I’m definitely looking forward to more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2013
I can not believe I have not found Monica McCarty and The Highland Guard series earlier. She is a master storyteller with tons of action, lost of twist and turns I never saw coming and the romance I never knew where it was going to lead to. So many romantic scenes I thought were going to go one way but to my surprise it took a different turn. The characters are real and jump off the pages. You feel their pain and happiness.
Kenneth is every thing I love in my heroes, Over protective and never holds back when it comes to the woman he loves, Possessive, Jealous with a sexy Alpha Male attitude. Fell head over heals with him with his arrogant doing in the barn with Mary. It is a must scene to be read. I would of been just like Mary not being able to leave. He has felt like he was second best growing up and still feel like he needs to prove himself.
Mary I also adore her from the beginning. After what she had to go through with her husband betraying her, not ever showing her affection and not having her son in her life with her broke my heart. Because of this it made her stronger never to have another man in her life to betray her.
Mary can hold her own especially when it comes to Kenneth. He is used to having any woman he wants, but the only one he wants is Mary and she will not give him the time of day. The first time he feels tenderness towards a woman he has to work for it. He has never gone through so much trouble for a woman. Loved how sweet he was having flowers and bath ready every morning for her. Broke my heart a little when he finally gets her, he now only wants her heart and respect. Monica McCarty did amazing work with the ups and downs in their relationship. Their chemistry was hot right from the beginning and the sex scenes are steamy and written well.
Even though this is the 6th book in the series I was not lost at all. I loved the secondary characters and it just makes me want to read their stories and start this series from the beginning. I can not wait to buy all in Paperback including The Recruit for my collection to sit on my lovely bookcase showing off these yummy covers. The Recruit is keeper for me that I will re-read again.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review
Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
Kenneth is every thing I love in my heroes, Over protective and never holds back when it comes to the woman he loves, Possessive, Jealous with a sexy Alpha Male attitude. Fell head over heals with him with his arrogant doing in the barn with Mary. It is a must scene to be read. I would of been just like Mary not being able to leave. He has felt like he was second best growing up and still feel like he needs to prove himself.
Mary I also adore her from the beginning. After what she had to go through with her husband betraying her, not ever showing her affection and not having her son in her life with her broke my heart. Because of this it made her stronger never to have another man in her life to betray her.
Mary can hold her own especially when it comes to Kenneth. He is used to having any woman he wants, but the only one he wants is Mary and she will not give him the time of day. The first time he feels tenderness towards a woman he has to work for it. He has never gone through so much trouble for a woman. Loved how sweet he was having flowers and bath ready every morning for her. Broke my heart a little when he finally gets her, he now only wants her heart and respect. Monica McCarty did amazing work with the ups and downs in their relationship. Their chemistry was hot right from the beginning and the sex scenes are steamy and written well.
Even though this is the 6th book in the series I was not lost at all. I loved the secondary characters and it just makes me want to read their stories and start this series from the beginning. I can not wait to buy all in Paperback including The Recruit for my collection to sit on my lovely bookcase showing off these yummy covers. The Recruit is keeper for me that I will re-read again.
ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review
Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
November 30, 2012
This book was extremely enjoyable despite wanting to reach into it several times to slap Kenneth in the head. Mary was one of those characters you start feeling a little ho-hum about but in the end you love her and you know she is perfect for Kenneth. The love between them is tried again and again and is forged even stronger for all the fire they must walk through. You also get to see some of your favorite members of the guard from previous novels and their wonderful wives. I am very much looking forward to reading more about king Robert’s trials and battle for kingship and the Highland Guard that are set to make him a part of history.
for full review see my blog at http://romancewitchreviews.blogspot.c...
for full review see my blog at http://romancewitchreviews.blogspot.c...
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January 10, 2013
01/10/2013 - 4.5 Stars
I've read all the books this author has written. I've liked them all. This book was one of the better books in this series. I love a good Scottish tale and this author delivers. Every. Single. Time.
Full Review coming soon.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARC on 10/24/2012.
I've read all the books this author has written. I've liked them all. This book was one of the better books in this series. I love a good Scottish tale and this author delivers. Every. Single. Time.
Full Review coming soon.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARC on 10/24/2012.
September 20, 2012
3.5 - I need to think about this one. Good, but not a favorite. Maybe I've hit an end with this series, hard to say. Full review to come soon.
September 24, 2015
Wow, just wow.
I loved this book and I think it is my favourite ... beside The Chief and the Viper
maybe even before them. This was perfect!
I loved this book and I think it is my favourite ... beside The Chief and the Viper
maybe even before them. This was perfect!
May 2, 2017
I liked it ..a lot.. The story is captivating with a real meaning.
August 16, 2023
Üç ama aslında iki yani. Güzel Monica'mın hatrına üç bu. Ve gelelim kitaba, öncellikle kitap yazılmak için yazılmış gibiydi. O diğer histlerinden aldığım sinerjiyi burada alamadım üzgünüm. Ve birkaç sahnesi hot'dı yalan yok ama beni içine kitap komple almadı, olmadı. Bir yerden sonra bitsin de gidelim dedim ama kitapta uzundu vallahi. Neyse bence historical romanlarınız bittiyse ve krize girdiyseniz okunur ama başka türlü yok yani sevilecek bir kitap değil pek.
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