Highland Vengeance

Highlands Trilogy #1

by K.E. Saxon

When two lonely strangers meet in a bar on Valentine’s Day, they take passionate solace in each other’s arms, little knowing that they will soon meet again as business associates.


Karen Samuels has sworn off emotionally unavailable men, deciding her time will be much better spent building her fledgling graphic art company.


David Anderson, a widower of seven months is still deep in mourning and battling survivor’s guilt. Determined to open the restaurant that had been his wife’s dream, and on the recommendation of his best friend, he hires a graphic artist, sight unseen, to create the perfect logo.


SHE knows his heart belongs to another.


HE knows he could give her his heart, but he doesn’t deserve to be happy again.


THEY know that falling in love will only bring more agony and despair.


But, FATE knows otherwise.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Scotland, Erotica, Medieval, Ebooks

593 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2012

About the author

K.E. Saxon is a third-generation Texan and has been a lover of romance fiction since her first (sneaked) read of her older sister's copy of "The Flame and the Flower" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. She is a member of the West Houston Chapter of Romance Writer's of America and is a devoted subscriber to the Romance Divas online forum. She has two cats, a 24-year-old cockatiel, a funny, supportive husband, and a garden that's been fried by the recent drought. When she isn't in her writer's cave writing, you can find her puttering in her organic vegetable garden or in her kitchen trying out a new recipe. An animal (and bug) lover since before she could speak, she made pets of all kinds of critters when she was a kid growing up. Her mother even swears that she made a pet of a cockroach one time (but K.E. doesn't believe her). She likes to write funny, sexy romances.
.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Rating 5 Stars
Character Rating 4.5 Stars
Romance Rating 4 Stars
Heat Level 3.5 Stars
Overall Rating 4.5 Stars

I just cannot believe that only one of my friends here at Goodreads has read this book!

I'm going to start this review by recommending this book to any of my friends here at Goodreads that love to read a well written Scottish historical romance.

I've never read any book's by K.E Saxon before, I saw this book at Amazon, read a few reviews and thought I'd give it a try. I'm so very happy that I did because this book grabbed me right from the beginning and kept me very interested until the very end.

I love me a good Scottish romance with a sexy, protective, honorable hero and I got just that. The story starts out with a violent scene that may disturb some readers but it was what made Daniel the man he became. The heroine Maryn was introduce in this book when she was very young. She was a feisty little girl who did some LOL things. As the story moves along, these two are married to stop a clan war. They were both very attracted to one another even though she felt jealous over a friendship her husband had with another woman. Once that was all settled and the two woman became friends the heat turned up with the H&h and we got some very sensuous love scenes. For those of you who don't like your sex scenes over the top, no need to worry, they were done tastefully with enough heat to make even me happy.

There was a mystery of a magic giant and an evil villain that got his comeuppance. These two things added to the story line nicely.

This is Volume 1 out of two book's. As far as I'm concerned I feel you can read this book and stop there because it did have a very good ending. Volume 2 Highland Grace: Book Two in the Highlands Trilogy is a spin off carrying on with two of the secondary characters but also involving Daniel and
Maryn. This book, Highland Vengeance: Book One in the Highlands Trilogy was so good that I'm am jumping right into Book two.

I hope anyone who reads my review and decides to give this book a try will enjoy it as much as I.


Want to win a copy of this book?? Look for the upcoming giveaway at Swept Away By Romance, starting Friday 12/7. There will be an author interview with K. E. Saxon and she is giving one lucky winner all 3 books in her Highlands Trilogy along with another BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG prize, more details coming!! Stop by and check it out!!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, I loved the writing, the characters, the flow of the book. It was about love that grows between a man and woman, a love of family, it was about tragedy and acceptance. And it was a scottish romance as well! SWEET!

The book starts with Daniel as a young boy and the tragedy that happens. This is where the book get quite violent, but It is necessary to understand Daniel. Later you meet Maryn as a young child, she is wild and sweet and full of life and when Daniel shows up at her fathers house to talk there is an unfortunate accident with a sling shot (too funny).

I enjoyed reading this book as their relationship grew, the obstacles they have to overcome. Daniel had to deal with his cousin Callum, Daniels new role, and the "Giant" in the forest, and the evil man seeking his revenge....

Again I want to thank Kathleen for her awesome review that inspired me to read this book! I am going to immediately start with book 2! I love all of these characters!!

And I don't think i mentioned i thought Daniel was hot hot hot!!!! As was his cousin Callum and of course Bao!!! oh my!! Hot Scottish men...

[Georgia ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, with realistic characters that you can't help but root for them. I loved that K.E Saxon didn't waste time (and our patience) and resolved matters quickly, instead of dragging them out. A book that you can't put down.

At 93% I realised that the story isn't yet told in full, so I bought immediately the second part of the trilogy and I stayed up most of the night to start it! I don't regret a minute and I highly reccomend it to all Highlanders fans!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: 12/3/16
Reread: 2018
Reread: 2021

A diamond in the ruff!
I can't believe it took me so long to discover this series! It has everything you want in a great highland series. It has mystery, danger, and a fantastic romance!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I don't even know where to start with this book. I loved it so much! The book had everything: romance, erotica, revenge, humor, kindness, sorrow. A great thing about the book was it has suprises and shocker jumping out at you constantly. The synopsis tells you about Daniel Maclaurin and how at a young age his family and clan were destroyed and how he took vegence and rebuilt his life and clan. At sixteen, he meets young Maryn Donald, a spoiled, unruly little lass that he can't wait to get away from. Years later he is requested to marry her to settle disputes between clans but has no problem in doing so as she has become a true beauty on the inside and out. You pretty much think the story is going to be about them but their lives interact with so many people during the book that characters are constanly being interduced. Speaking of characters, they are great and at the end you will noticed that some of these's characters stories are not finished. Yes, so far there is going to be two more books (so far) and I can not wait to read them :) I would definitely recommend this book. Tis only my second book that I have read of Mrs. Saxons but I'm already hooked and along with the rest of the Highland series, I can't wait to see what else she has to offers.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book for free from the Goodread's First Reads giveaway.

First of all, I am not going to sit here and describe the plot to you! The author did an awesome job of the that in the summary review, and when I review a book I like to mostly give my thoughts on it.

This is the first K.E. Saxon book I read and it for sure will not be my last! She is a truly gifted and amazing author. I cannot wait to read more of her books!

"Highland Vengeance" is the first book in the Highlands Trilogy! The author did an amazing job of pulling readers in with the Prologue of this book. The prologue was very shocking and violent. After that point I had an extremely hard time putting this book down. I truly could not get enough of the characters and the story. Two of my favourite characters were Daniel and Alleck; the author truly has a gift with making characters come to life with their different and interesting personalities.

I loved the match between Maryn and Daniel; I believe he is every woman's dream of a perfect husband! The book had a lot of sex in it but it was classy and charming instead of being repulsive.

I did notice a few mistakes in the book, at the end of Chapter 7 the first half of the ending sentence was missing, but it was no worry as I was able to easily decipher it. As well in Chapter 3 the spelling of MacLaurin changed to MacLauren for many times.

I love the era that "Highland Vengeance" was set in! I rated the book a 5/5! This book is truly a must read to anyone that loves romance books. I cannot wait to purchase the next two books in this series!!!

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I'm on the fence between a 4 and 5 on this book. Plain and simply this is a romantic story with a little hot sex mixed in. The story line is pretty typical with one character who has never found true love and there for doubts it exists and the other having had true love but recently lost it and is full of guilt over the circumstances. They are two hearts that meet at the right time and fill that need in each other both emotionally and physically. The problem is the story is a bit on the short side. Thank goodness this was a book I won on here or I would never have picked it up simply because it is so short. The other issue I have with this book is the author seems to struggle with how to incorporate the sex into the story line. They seem to be trying very hard to straddle a fine line between tasteful and graphic sex. Unfortunately in their attempt to do so I think it took some of the fire out of the love scenes. Sex at its best is raw and open. When on plays too much with the words and keeps reaching for new ways of saying the same things and softening it up then it gets the reader lost and removes them from the scene. Let the sex scenes be naughty and full of fire and don't be afraid to let the details be X rated because honestly if someone is reading this book they either already hate it because it is too hot or they want it to be hotter. Regardless it is a nice read. A story that will leave you feeling good and reminding you to follow your heart and your desire.

[Janice Ripplinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much i bought the next two in the series, Highland Grace and Highland Magic. I just finished Grace and am starting Magic, this series is one you will want to read if you enjoy scottish history and romance all rolled into one. Thank you K.E. Saxon, i will be reading more of your books in the future.

[Roub · Rating 1 out of 5]

i was bored and found the book tedious. too many stories packed in one! daniel is not the delicious/hot type which make you swoon! maryn was too childish and dense for my tastes. der was also a nuance of paranormal which was not great, quite ridiculous.

[AmazingJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am truly on the fence about this Book. Not sure if I should have given it 2 or 3 stars.
I did enjoy some of the Story, albeit it got annoying & I wanted to stop reading it but was anxious to find out what happened, so I continued.
Maggie's character was Ridiculous, she kept putting herself in situations that she didn't need to be in.

The moment after her & Will were attacked she runs to Will & says:

"Make love to me, Will. I want to be sure I remember us together forever, just in case anything happens. Please?”
“Now?” he whispered.

“Aye, now.”
He found a spot far away from where they’d been attacked, lay her down on the soft moss,"

They are running from the Law & Not knowing whether there are other people waiting to attack them, yet they have sex.
Seriously?

Maggie & Will's relationship really didn't develop in any way that makes you feel giddy.
Will's character was weak. It seemed as if Maggie was the Man in the relationship. He seemed to be lacking in other ways as well.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a little long for what the plot was. I think I was about half way through where a crisis was resolved and I thought what a great way to end the book but it continued on with a new plot that I couldn't get in to.

I enjoyed the characters for the most part and may pick up the second book to see how things work out but I'm just not 100% sold on the series

[Gloriann Stock · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the storyline I felt the main character Maggie did not represent herself in a good way. She constantly disobeyed her parents, other family members and put them in danger multiple times. She acted as a spoiled child

[Love Me A Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit steamy. Largely readable but nothing to take seriously.

[Gail E. Brennhofer]

Great start for a new trilogy

Always love reading about the Scottish Highlands, having it a love story too made it that much better.
Looking forward to book two.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a holiday read since we're coming up on Valentine's Day in a few weeks so I grabbed up this novella that has been sitting in my TBR pile just waiting for my attention. This was a fast, fun and scorching read.

Karen wakes up the morning after a drunken Valentine' nights to see that horror of horrors there is evidence that she brought someone home with her the night before who is long gone and she can't remember a thing about him or their night together.

David sits in his almost ready to open restaurant waiting for the graphic designer his friend Jay recommended. He is flaying himself with guilt for cheating on his dead wife because he went home with a woman and had a One Night Stand with her before fleeing the scene in guilt because he enjoyed himself.

And the fun begins when David recognizes his 1NS when Karen walks through the door, but she doesn't remember him at all. He owes his friend a lot so chooses to hire Karen. The sparks of attraction fly between them as they work together and David determines to tell her the truth.

Karen tries to get a rein on her attraction because of her history with men not being good and not wanting to be a rebound romance for David to recover from the death of his wife. Not that it matters because a voice from her past speaks out and lays all her messy mistakes in the open for David to hear just what he has gotten himself into with Karen.

Normally, I am not one for a romance to cruise along so fast particularly when both the romantic leads come with such scarring from their pasts. For some reason this one was a bit of an exception. I still got uneasy over how quickly David fell for Karen and she fell not long after, but I felt so bad for all they had gone through that I just wanted them to get their chance at happiness. I do have to point out that these two burn up the sheets every chance they get so this is not a sweet romance though there are sweet actions and words on David's part.

So, if you're looking for a steamy Valentine's Contemporary Romance read that won't take up much of your time, give this one a try.

[Karen Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

K. E. Saxon hit the ball out of the park with this book. It’s long but well worth the read. Highland Vengeance is the first of the The Highland Trilogy. It is a romance that takes place in late 1100 Scotland when the clan system way of life was stable unless one clan declared war on another.
Daniel MacLaurin is saved from the massacre of his family because he was fishing when the keep is attacked by no other than Jamison Mclean, his own father. At the age of thirteen he now finds himself the oldest surviving member of his family and thrown into the position as Laird of the MacLaurin clan. Full of guilt for doing nothing to save his family, he swears vengeance will be his and he will kill his father.
Maryn Donald is an undisciplined child who has her father and anyone else she meets wrapped around her finger. At around fifteen years old she meets the Laird Daniel MacLaurin when he comes to visit Laird Donald, Maryn’s father. She is not refined by any standards. She doesn’t leave a marked impression on Daniel other than she is a handful and very immature for her age.
Some twelve years later Maryn and Laird MacLaurin, now both in their twenties, find themselves in an arranged marriage as a means to prevent a clan war. Maryn has changed and is no longer the wild child Daniel met years before. As part of the agreement, along with the marriage, Larid Daniel MacLauin must take over the position as Laird of the Maclean clan for two years. Due to the financial arrangements that the Maclean elders offer, Daniel agrees and the romance between the newlyweds begins.
Daniel soon finds Maryn’s adventurous upbringing has some benefits when it comes to their bedroom time, but also caused him grief because she thinks she knows what is best for her and takes some unnecessary chances.
K. E. Saxon does a great job weaving a web of Highland life that includes all the problems the lovers encounter as they get to know each other. I definitely enjoyed reading this book and I’m looking forward to the next.

[Tpring · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars
I stopped reading after book 3 about 40 percent in, not because it was particularly awful but because I just couldn't muster the interest to go on.

Saxon's writing seemed best suited for the first two parts - the brutal pillaging of the hero's home when he was just a 14-year old boy and his first encounter with the wild spitfire little girl who much later is going to become his wife. Both were very well done, chilling and funny respectively. But then the romance started and its tediousness killed any joy I had in reading.

The heroine who had been an interesting, headstrong wild child grew into a rather uninteresting demure young women who only acts out in displaying jealousy over her husbands friend and ex-fiancé after two days of meeting them. The hero is kind and understanding (he vowed not to pressure her into the marriage bed) if a bit clueless and their romance consists of civilized conversations and a string of mutual apologies. It's all very polite and bloodless in spite of the strong sexual attraction they soon feel for each other. After about a week they *do* consummate their marriage and are inexplicably in love with each other with no time and no hints why this should have happened.

Could be that at that point the action may have started - and that's where the author excels - but I came for the romance and decided to quit.

The language is a strange mix of archaic prose and dialogue with some modern words thrown in but it was surprisingly good to read, did not distract from the content and didn't bother me at all.

[Buffy Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is both sexy and sweet. I fell for both characters, and their struggles with each other are so touching, and even occasionally pretty funny. The story is short, so I don 19t want to say too much or I risk giving too much away, but the bottom line is that this is a one night stand that keeps on giving.

Normally, a novella can be hit or miss. Some are too short, or just underdeveloped, but this one felt pretty perfect on the length and development. I could put myself in the characters 19 shoes, and never once had a moment where something they said or did was not believable. This book is well written, well paced, and leaves me wanting to read more from KE Saxon!

An awesome contemporary romance that will have you so enthralled you can 19t put it down and will make you want to read it again!

[Buffy Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is both sexy and sweet. I fell for both characters, and their struggles with each other are so touching, and even occasionally pretty funny. The story is short, so I don’t want to say too much or I risk giving too much away, but the bottom line is that this is a one night stand that keeps on giving.

Normally, a novella can be hit or miss. Some are too short, or just underdeveloped, but this one felt pretty perfect on the length and development. I could put myself in the characters’ shoes, and never once had a moment where something they said or did was not believable. This book is well written, well paced, and leaves me wanting to read more from KE Saxon!

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a moving romance. Both Karen and David both have major issues. I love how they work through them together and that it's David, the one who lost his wife and didn't want to let her go, that pulls thru first and brings Karen with him. Karen, daughter of famous race car driver George Cutty, went buck wild in her youth. As she got older she wanted to overcome her past and changed her name so it wouldn't shadow her future. Well, the truth comes out and David is the one who helps her pull through.

I love the HEA in this story. Both the hero and the heroine deserve it!

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won it on Goodreads!

This novella is sexy smart and a quick read. Characters Karen and David get it on typical romance style but with a twist-they've slept together before. Racy cover is true to the content, high five to the author for her fun, hot love scenes. Chapters are aptly named after song titles and David is a man with a sad past. Great fun. Would like to read one of her novels in future.

[Karysa Faire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read! K.E. is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers. She is a gifted writer with her strong characterizations and witty, sometimes heartbreaking, narration. A Stranger's Kiss was a perfect way to end my weekend.

The only reason it's a four instead of a five is because the ending was a bit too tidy for my taste. However, I think I might be in the minority with this opinion. Read it and you'll see what I mean!

[Tessa123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly enjoyed reading this book! It had an element of sweetness throughout. This was combined with jealousy, love, hate, lust, frustration and a desire to avenge wrongs as well as perceived wrongs creating heroes and villains.

I became swept away in the lives of the characters so much that I am off to read the second book in the trilogy, Highland Grace. I must find out what happens next with the story of Bao and Jesslyn!

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise! Don't know what lead me to read the reviews on this book but I am so glad that I did. I was a little concerned with the dialect but even that didn't discourage me from going on. The sample from amazon was pretty long which in my opinion was what was needed to draw me in. Loved the book, getting ready to start reading the second. I have a new found love for Scottish Historical Romances, Thanks K. E. Saxon.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANK YOU, Ms. Saxon, for putting all the family serial books into ONE book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and there were many times when I hated having to put it down when my life rudely intruded.

I'm onto the next book "Highland Grace." YAY!

[Lynn]

Free on kindle. Not my thing so I won't rate it. I have never read a story set at this time or place so because it was free I gave it a try. It might be the genre that I didn't enjoy. I skimmed it to finish.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect Valentine's Day romance! It's a quick moving read and very hot! Loved it!

[Suzan Tisdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book and immediately purchased Highland Grace right after! ;o)

[Nikki Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good for a Novella. The relationship went super fast. Still, it was a quick fun read. Basically, about letting your past go and being able to move forward.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. The story was good until about the middle part where it should have ended. It lost me there.