Highland Lady

Scottish Fire #1

by Colleen Faulkner

Elen Burnard, Lady of Dunblane, must rescue her sister from the dreaded Forrest clan, and, along with her army, takes Munro Forrest, the Lord of Rancoff, hostage in order to barter for her sister, but soon she finds herself powerfully attracted to Munro and must choose between love and honor. Original.

Genres: Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Scotland

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Now writes as Colleen French.

Reviews

[Christine Woinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a tough time putting this book down. Elen is not your usual heroine. She is given her father's lands and home to run even though she is female. She is fair and just and caring. Misguided, she kidnaps the neighboring lord and tosses him into her oubliette. She is drawn to him but cannot give in because of a promise to her father. Munro is amused and amazed at the woman who managed to capture him, and he wants more. Mishaps and misunderstandings complicate their lives and path to love. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book through eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.

[Amber Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. I loved the strong heroine and the Scottish setting!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I really liked Elen and Munro but their siblings left a lot to be desired. That is what made this book so successful, though. You need villains to make the heroes and heroines stand out. I love how independent and full of spirit Elen was. I would definitely read more by this author.

**Please note that I received this free in exchange for an honest review**

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the last few chapters of this book. I felt that it wrapped up the storylines as well as could be expected by that point. I appreciated that it wasn’t an “everything works out and everyone makes up” sort of ending. Prior to that, it was very slow and it parked in a couple of spots that became boring.

The biggest issue I had with the book was that the author has to tell us over and over and over that Elen is a strong leader just like any man - but then doesn’t write Elen with an ounce of wisdom or intelligence. So in other words, we are supposed to believe what the author repeatedly tells us about this character even though she writes the character’s choices and actions so much different than her own description of this character. How could Elen have not figured out who is working against her? Is she that blind and/or stupid? It was disappointing.

The love story is meh. Basically, Elen is committed to being a single chaste woman so she can hold her family’s land, but she jumps in bed with the first new stranger who comes along. There wasn’t even any tension.

[Such a Good Listener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook - The first half of the book kept making the word inexplicable pop into my mind after even the tiniest thing would happen. Nothing made sense with regard to the portrayal of the time period and the warriors and lasses most readers have built up in their minds. This story was like “a play” about Highlanders. Then we get to the back half of the play that I’ll liken to soap opera where we see who is deceiving and conniving and lying and manipulating and who has turned homicidal…. BUT all-in-all, I can’t say it was a bad story and I made it to the end with no moments wanting to DNF it. But I can definitely understand why anyone else would give it 2 thumbs down.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book worth reading

Elen, a woman who dresses, works and fights like a man, learns to love like a woman. Elen was trained to be the laird by her father as she was the only capable heir. Munro, was the laird of the adjoining land, and was a good friend of the King. Munro and Elen are married by royal decree and must learn to accept and trust each other. There is a great side story with her younger sister and Munro's younger brother.

[Nancy Ku · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first book of the SCOTTISH FIRE SERIES... HIGHLAND LADY...By Colleen French and look forward to continuing the series. Elen is a strong h and Munro a dashing H. To be betrayed by is a sad thing....but their story with it's twists and turns has a HEA and I do recommend this series.

[Joann Herley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Highland Lady. It was easy to get invested in the characters. The storyline was interesting and kept me turning the pages.

[LYNELL VAUGHAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

I loved the story in this book. Humor and great characters. I enjoyed reading this book all the way through. Looking forward to next one.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning of this story. A female in charge of her land??? With the respect of her men??? Say no more, you have me hooked!

Then it all went to hell when she was forced to marry. Not a huge fan of the villains in the story or how the story progressed after the wedding.

[Ira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dieses Buch ließ mich insgesamt etwas ratlos zurück, da ich es zwar einerseits sehr unterhaltend fand und die Charaktere interessant und sympathisch, aber die Handlung selbst war extrem unrealistisch und ließ mich des Öfteren mit dem Kopf schütteln. Nein, es war nicht die Tatsache, dass Elen Laird des Clans ist, die ich unrealistisch fand, sondern alles drum herum, bei der Entführung ihrer Schwester angefangen bis hin zum Treiben in Munros Castle. Das Einzige, was ich realistisch fand, war die Tatsache, dass die Frauen mal wieder keiner gefragt hat, was sie wollen, ansonsten war diese ganze Handlung sehr merkwürdig, vom Anfang bis hin zum Ende.


Dennoch war das Buch unterhaltsam und ließ sich locker und leicht weglesen, auch die Charaktere sind gut entwickelt und ausgesprochen sympathisch, aber .... nachdem ich das Buch am Ende zugeklappt hatte, fragte ich mich schon, wie man auf so eine Handlungsidee kommt.
Lieder ließen diese Zweifel das Buch letztlich insgesamt nicht ganz überzeugend werden, so dass es zwar insgesamt gut und flüssig geschrieben ist, aber es dennoch nicht in meinen "Immer-wieder-lesen"-Ordner wandern wird.


Wer sich trotzdem an Elens und Munros Geschichte herantraut, wird sich vermutlich auch amüsieren und das Buch schnell gelesen haben, allerdings muss ich sagen, dass meine Irritation mit der Handlung doch recht groß war und ich deshalb trotz des Unterhaltungswertes, das Buch nicht so ganz genießen konnte.
Elens Schwester ist einfach ein egozentrisches Biest, die die Trageweite ihrer Handlungen offensichtlich nicht erkennt und Munros Bruder ist irgendwie ziemlich dusselig, dass er sich von ihr blenden lässt. Elen selbst gefällt mir, allerdings machen es ihr die Umstände nicht wirklich leicht, ein auch nur halbwegs normales Leben zu führen. Die jüngsten Entwicklungen im Konflikt mit den Forrests, entspannen die Lage nicht unbedingt, auch wenn Munro versucht, ihr zu erzählen, dass er mit der Entführung ihrer Schwester nichts zu tun hat....

Wer nicht zu kritisch ist, was die Zusammenhänge anbelangt, findet ein unterhaltsames und nettes Buch vor, das ihm vermutlich Freude bereiten wird, wer allerdings etwas kritischer ist, sollte vielleicht nicht unbedingt zu diesem Buch greifen.

*I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.*

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh... love the Scottish historical romances. The brash and very dominant natures of these kilted men are a delight!

Elen is a man's son, albeit in female personage. Monroe is the laird of the neighboring land, not to mention a frenemy of Elen's clan. The Bruce is a nice touch. While I am NOT a historian, it seems the Bruce makes his way through several Scottish Historical Romances and has many, many dear friends that are clan chieftains. Albeit, there are more than a few to choose from at any given point in Scotland's history, there just seems to be... more than he could possibly remember let alone claim a close friendship with. Silly thoughts aside, I am charmed by this love story. Duty can get in the way of the heart's desire. Sovereigns are accursed with the responsibility to be resourceful, pragmatic, and good natured. Meanwhile, sometimes those we hold dearest to us are simply not interested in our own best interests as we are in theirs.

This story starts out sadly as Elen watches her father pass on, then quickly becomes both an outrage as Elen's shrew of a sister plays with Monroe's brother despite being betrothed to another man, and humorous in just how easily Monroe submits to Elen and their bantering courtship begins. The swing of amusement and disgust keeps you on your toes as Faulkner jumps from Monroe and Elen's interaction to that of their siblings and cohorts. I am still disappointed in the clansmen who refused to go after Monroe after his swift capture. And Finley could use a good hiding. just saying. :)

[MyChienneLit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.

Elen Burnard has taken over as laird following her father's death, keeping clan Dunblaine safe and prosperous despite the belief of many that only men are fit to lead. A few scant months into her rule, however, it appears that her sister has been taken by men from the clan next door with whom she is embroiled in a land dispute. While trying to decide how to get her sister back, Elen sees the laird of the rival clan out alone and seizes the opportunity to take him prisoner and hold him as a bargaining tool for the release of her sister. But it soon becomes apparent that all is not as it seems. Is Elen's sister actually complicit in her own kidnapping? Is she conspiring to undermine Elen's authority and does she harbor even worse plans for the future? Further complicating the situation are Elen's own feelings for the laird of the rival clan--is she starting to love the laird she is holding prisoner? If so, what of her promise to her dying father to regain the lands in dispute with the laird she now holds in heer dungeons? Does the laird love Elen back? And what happens when the King intervenes?

The romance between the two lairds progresses along somewhat predictable lines, however, Elen's duplicitous sister keeps the story lively. This is a quick read that I devoured in just a few hours and thouroughly enjoyed. While this was the book of Colleen French's that I have read, it won't be the last.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes I think some of the words would not have been spoken in the era but it didn't take away from the story too much. Loved both Elen and Murno. I like how everything played out. Well worth reading.

[Bigedsgirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review, and I'm so glad I did. Sometimes I think the descriptive blurbs given for a story can be an author's worst advertising. This book had a fresh take on the Highland historical romance with a strong, capable heroine put in the position of leading her clan due to her father's death, the absence of any sons, and her father having trained her well to become leader of her clan. Lady Elen has the respect and devotion of her clansmen and the responsibility for her younger sister Rosalyn. Munro Forrest, Laird of Rancoff, is accused of kidnapping Rosalyn; Lady Elen quickly and decisively captures Rancoff, imprisoning him in her dungeon. The interaction between these two leaders through out this refreshingly different historical romance makes for a very enjoyable read, and the myriad twists and turns of the plot, plus an appearance by Robert the Bruce make for an unforgettable story.

[Micky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love reading books about the Scottish Highland. The heroine is a strong woman at a time where the woman's place was in the sitting room, organizing the keep or sewing. She was prepared by her father as a "son" to one day take his place as the "Laird". Eventually she takes her place, but it comes with the neighboring Laird and problems that came almost 100 years ago. Munro is attracted to Elen, even when he is put into the dungeon after Elen's sister us kidnapped. Elen believes Munro to be the culprit. Little by little a scheme that will places them both toghether is discovered along with their growing attraction to each other.
Nice read.
I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.

[Ajb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elen had no brothers, so when her father died, she became Lady Elen of Dunblane, and was in charge of the castle and lands. Elen was well suited to this role, as her father had raised her to have the knowledge and skills necessary, although it was highly unusual for a female to lead a clan.

Munro was the Laird of a neighboring clan, Rancoff. The two met under less than ideal circumstances when Elen's sister, Rosalyn, was kidnapped. This is the beginning of a lovely adventure and romance set in the Scottish Highlands in the early 1300s.

This story has many twists and turns, and several surprises along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Janice Hougland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful Medieval romance this was and I thank my stars that this author was introduced to me by author Judith E. French, her mother. Munro was the strong, thoughtful Laird of Rancoff and he fell in love with Elen, Lady of Dunblane, when she imprisoned him for supposedly kidnapping her sister. I say “supposedly” because there is an underlying mystery to this romantic tale and many ups and downs before the discovery of the true culprit/kidnapper, who also endangers the lives of both Munro and Elen and others in their clans. A very exciting, at times humorous and very romantic tale indeed.

[Eva Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review. This book is definitely a historical to keep in your library. Its set in the highlands of scotland first of all so who can go wrong there. i love the romance that develops between the main characters. there's some stuff that happens in the story that definatly threw me for a loop. i would read more from this author cuz its was a really good read and i love historicals in scotland. From thieves to conieving sisters to attempted murders this is a good one.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. A very good story, very entertaining, but the way the author "speaks" Scottish is so different from anything I've ever read. I loved the storyline of the kidnapping, his not hers. I liked Elan and Munro, they are funny and very likable.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which focuses on a woman brought up to act and think like a man in order to lead her clan but with a woman's heart and passion that had never been stirred until she met Munro Forrest. I received this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for an honest review.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this book. The heroine is a very strong woman and this book kept me intrigued.

[Kt Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the main female character. Strong, stubborn and sensible! I couldn't stop reading the last part of the book because I was anxious to see how it turned out!

[Emiley Allen Bowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS......Many thanks to instafreebie for the free e-read. This book has it all; historical details, romance, plots and subplots, evil sister, wimpy brother, and all in the beautiful Highlands.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay but got s!ow in the middle. I skipped to the end.

[Deborah Roussety · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an adventure,great read.........................