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Renegade, Rebel and Rogue #1
The Renegade
Keegan MacLeod reluctantly leaves London and his life of debauchery when his clan summons him back to Scotland. The year is 1745 and Keegan’s father wants Keegan to stand with the MacLeod’s to fight for the Jacabite cause. But the battle of Culloden is a disaster for the Scots from the beginning. Keegan’s brothers are killed and his father wounded. Keegan hands over his swords when a British officer promises his father will be protected. But instead his father is killed and Keegan is jailed and sentenced to hang. He uses his time in goal to nurture his hatred of his English betrayer, made all the worse because Keegan had felt a kinship with Foxworth Morgan.
Keegan escapes the noose, and though the prudent course of action would be to sail for France, he finds the Battle of Culloden has changed him, reminded him that he is a Scot with responsibilities to his clan. But before leaving for the Highlands he will avenge his father.
Lady Zoe Morgan has lived the life of an invalid since a childhood illness. Her parents dead, her brothers usually away, Zoe is looked after by a nurse who has her convinced of her frailness. Zoe is shocked when a wild Scot breaks into her London home and demands the whereabouts of her brother Foxworth. Determined to save her brother with her life, Zoe is shocked when the Scot takes her hostage, leaving word for Foxworth Morgan to come to his sister’s rescue in Scotland.
As they begin their arduous journey, Keegan questions his decision to bring Zoe with him. Though she appears healthy enough to him, she is constantly assuring him that she can eat nothing but the simplest broth and she will die soon. But with each passing day, Zoe finds herself gaining strength. She also realizes she must escape to warn her brother. She does escape when they reach the coast, but falls into the hands of a notorious smuggler.
Keegan’s fist reaction is to let her go, but chivalry gets the best of him. He did bring her to this place. But during his attempted rescue, he too is captured. Both Keegan and Zoe, now being held for ransom are in the hold. They begin to see that they have to depend upon each other for survival. There is also a deepening desire between the two.
When they reach Scotland, the smuggler’s boat crashes against the rocky coast, and Keegan and Zoe escape. As they make their way to Castle MacLeod, Keegan meets members of his clan who have taken to the hills and returned to the glens to forage for food. He decides to gather remaining members of his clan at Castle MacLeod even though his land has been confiscated by the English and is now owned by an absent landlord.
As what’s left of Keegan’s clan gather and begin making a life for themselves, Zoe becomes part of their efforts and feels a deepening love for Keegan. But English soldiers attack and the clan is forced again into the hills. When her brother who has been sent to Scotland to capture the renegade captures Keegan, Zoe is forced to make a difficult decision. She assists Keegan with his escape. But Keegan can see that there will be no holding out against the English. He sends a message to Lord Morgan, offering to give himself up in exchange for his clansmen leaving Scotland. He doesn’t tell Zoe he won’t be going with them until the day the sloop is to take the clan to the New World. But it is Zoe who arranges for all the MacLeods, including herself to leave.
This first in THE RENEGADE, REBEL AND ROGUE trilogy, follows three men, a Scot, Irishman and Englishman who cross paths on the battlefield of Culloden, but who also share a link that transcends time.
Keegan escapes the noose, and though the prudent course of action would be to sail for France, he finds the Battle of Culloden has changed him, reminded him that he is a Scot with responsibilities to his clan. But before leaving for the Highlands he will avenge his father.
Lady Zoe Morgan has lived the life of an invalid since a childhood illness. Her parents dead, her brothers usually away, Zoe is looked after by a nurse who has her convinced of her frailness. Zoe is shocked when a wild Scot breaks into her London home and demands the whereabouts of her brother Foxworth. Determined to save her brother with her life, Zoe is shocked when the Scot takes her hostage, leaving word for Foxworth Morgan to come to his sister’s rescue in Scotland.
As they begin their arduous journey, Keegan questions his decision to bring Zoe with him. Though she appears healthy enough to him, she is constantly assuring him that she can eat nothing but the simplest broth and she will die soon. But with each passing day, Zoe finds herself gaining strength. She also realizes she must escape to warn her brother. She does escape when they reach the coast, but falls into the hands of a notorious smuggler.
Keegan’s fist reaction is to let her go, but chivalry gets the best of him. He did bring her to this place. But during his attempted rescue, he too is captured. Both Keegan and Zoe, now being held for ransom are in the hold. They begin to see that they have to depend upon each other for survival. There is also a deepening desire between the two.
When they reach Scotland, the smuggler’s boat crashes against the rocky coast, and Keegan and Zoe escape. As they make their way to Castle MacLeod, Keegan meets members of his clan who have taken to the hills and returned to the glens to forage for food. He decides to gather remaining members of his clan at Castle MacLeod even though his land has been confiscated by the English and is now owned by an absent landlord.
As what’s left of Keegan’s clan gather and begin making a life for themselves, Zoe becomes part of their efforts and feels a deepening love for Keegan. But English soldiers attack and the clan is forced again into the hills. When her brother who has been sent to Scotland to capture the renegade captures Keegan, Zoe is forced to make a difficult decision. She assists Keegan with his escape. But Keegan can see that there will be no holding out against the English. He sends a message to Lord Morgan, offering to give himself up in exchange for his clansmen leaving Scotland. He doesn’t tell Zoe he won’t be going with them until the day the sloop is to take the clan to the New World. But it is Zoe who arranges for all the MacLeods, including herself to leave.
This first in THE RENEGADE, REBEL AND ROGUE trilogy, follows three men, a Scot, Irishman and Englishman who cross paths on the battlefield of Culloden, but who also share a link that transcends time.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1996
About the author
Christine Dorsey
36 books25 followersChristine Dorsey is an award-winning, best-selling author who writes historical romance at its best.
Known for her strong characterization, non-stop action and romantic love stories.
Christine loves giving her many readers happy endings.
Note:Pen name Christine Elliott
Known for her strong characterization, non-stop action and romantic love stories.
Christine loves giving her many readers happy endings.
Note:Pen name Christine Elliott
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 28, 2016
4 and 1/2 Stars! Well Written Post Culloden Love Story Between a Scottish Warrior and an English Lady
This book was first published as The Renegade and the Rose and is now book one in The Renegade, Rebel and Rogue trilogy that features three heroes, a Scot, an Irishman and an Englishman, who cross paths on Drummossie Moor at the battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746 when the Scots knew a defeat that would forever scar their homeland.
This first story tells of Keegan MacLeod whose father summoned him home to stand with his three brothers at Culloden in the hopes of restoring a Stuart to the throne. But the battle of Culloden was lost from the beginning and Keegan’s brothers are killed. Sheltering his wounded father, Keegan hands over his sword when British officer Foxworth Morgan assures him that his father will be spared. But, instead, his father is tortured and killed and Keegan is jailed and sentenced to hang. Keegan uses his time in goal to nurture his hatred of the Englishman who denied him and his father a warrior’s death.
With the help of his French valet, Keegan escapes from prison, and decides to take hostage Lady Zoe Morgan, the sister of Foxworth Morgan. Zoe has lived the life of an invalid since a childhood illness, convinced by her nurse she is weak and frail. She is shocked when the Scot takes her hostage and leaves word for her brother to come for her in Scotland.
As they begin their arduous journey north, it appears to Keegan that despite her constant haranguing about her ill health (and, yes, that was annoying), the girl he has taken hostage is quite braw. So much so, she is able to escape Keegan, but then falls into the hands of a notorious smuggler who takes Keegan captive as well, hoping for a large ransom for both the girl and the Scot when he delivers them to the English in Scotland.
Well written and cleverly done, Dorsey was able to make me believe Keegan could fall in love with an Englishwoman even after he lost his family to the cruel English at Culloden. And she also made me feel Keegan’s pain at losing the castle that had been the seat of the MacLeods for centuries. Zoe is a woman who changes much once she is free from those who would coddle her, thriving on the adventures she and Keegan have. She encourages the Scot to look to the future and not to the past.
I found the story of Keegan and his clan moving and thought Dorsey did an excellent job of portraying it. I intend to read the rest in the series (especially the Irish one that comes next!). I recommend this one.
This book was first published as The Renegade and the Rose and is now book one in The Renegade, Rebel and Rogue trilogy that features three heroes, a Scot, an Irishman and an Englishman, who cross paths on Drummossie Moor at the battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746 when the Scots knew a defeat that would forever scar their homeland.
This first story tells of Keegan MacLeod whose father summoned him home to stand with his three brothers at Culloden in the hopes of restoring a Stuart to the throne. But the battle of Culloden was lost from the beginning and Keegan’s brothers are killed. Sheltering his wounded father, Keegan hands over his sword when British officer Foxworth Morgan assures him that his father will be spared. But, instead, his father is tortured and killed and Keegan is jailed and sentenced to hang. Keegan uses his time in goal to nurture his hatred of the Englishman who denied him and his father a warrior’s death.
With the help of his French valet, Keegan escapes from prison, and decides to take hostage Lady Zoe Morgan, the sister of Foxworth Morgan. Zoe has lived the life of an invalid since a childhood illness, convinced by her nurse she is weak and frail. She is shocked when the Scot takes her hostage and leaves word for her brother to come for her in Scotland.
As they begin their arduous journey north, it appears to Keegan that despite her constant haranguing about her ill health (and, yes, that was annoying), the girl he has taken hostage is quite braw. So much so, she is able to escape Keegan, but then falls into the hands of a notorious smuggler who takes Keegan captive as well, hoping for a large ransom for both the girl and the Scot when he delivers them to the English in Scotland.
Well written and cleverly done, Dorsey was able to make me believe Keegan could fall in love with an Englishwoman even after he lost his family to the cruel English at Culloden. And she also made me feel Keegan’s pain at losing the castle that had been the seat of the MacLeods for centuries. Zoe is a woman who changes much once she is free from those who would coddle her, thriving on the adventures she and Keegan have. She encourages the Scot to look to the future and not to the past.
I found the story of Keegan and his clan moving and thought Dorsey did an excellent job of portraying it. I intend to read the rest in the series (especially the Irish one that comes next!). I recommend this one.
March 29, 2015
Since I enjoyed her last book so much, I was eager to try more of Dorsey. I hoped her trademark sense of humor would be present in this book as well - it was !. Story wise it's a little similar to the Sea Fires in that the romantic interest is kidnapped, but this time for revenge. A classic scenario in romance stories, the background to this one is breathtakingly depressing, making you feel for MacLeod on multiple levels. It was easy to fall in love with both characters, including the heroine Zoe, who made me chuckle throughout the entire thing. While in Sea Fires the humor rested on a girl obsessed with zoology and science, here Zoe is a hypochondriac always convinced she's on her death's bed.
Twists abound as MacLeod must get his captive back to Scotland without getting captured and subsequently hanged, which isn't easy when his captive wants him to get caught at first. A sweet woman who's convinced of her brother's innocence, she can't help but of course fall in love with the dark warrior eventually. The ending dishes out a healthy climax, rich in suspense and the ending of how they save themselves is rather unique, if not slightly depressing for the culture MacLeod worked so hard to preserve.
The story moves swiftly and never lost my interest, demanding my attention through the complicated tale as the kidnapping reaches multiple levels. Dorsey's writing is easy to follow and addictingly smooth, always have an unusual twist in her books that most romances are devoid of. Her humor is contagious and I'm anxious to read more of her work. Sexual tension is strong in several scenes, with the payout being blissfully sweet. The Renegade and the Rose focuses primarily on story and less on erotica, but there's enough there to satisfy readers itching for mutual lust and deeper love.
I enjoyed Sea Fire a little more as the humor was heavier there and the plot more bizarre, but this second offering of Dorsey's work was a pleasure as well. While a little melodramatic at times, it's still a fun romance read that just doesn't stick out as much as it could have. The first in a trilogy.
Twists abound as MacLeod must get his captive back to Scotland without getting captured and subsequently hanged, which isn't easy when his captive wants him to get caught at first. A sweet woman who's convinced of her brother's innocence, she can't help but of course fall in love with the dark warrior eventually. The ending dishes out a healthy climax, rich in suspense and the ending of how they save themselves is rather unique, if not slightly depressing for the culture MacLeod worked so hard to preserve.
The story moves swiftly and never lost my interest, demanding my attention through the complicated tale as the kidnapping reaches multiple levels. Dorsey's writing is easy to follow and addictingly smooth, always have an unusual twist in her books that most romances are devoid of. Her humor is contagious and I'm anxious to read more of her work. Sexual tension is strong in several scenes, with the payout being blissfully sweet. The Renegade and the Rose focuses primarily on story and less on erotica, but there's enough there to satisfy readers itching for mutual lust and deeper love.
I enjoyed Sea Fire a little more as the humor was heavier there and the plot more bizarre, but this second offering of Dorsey's work was a pleasure as well. While a little melodramatic at times, it's still a fun romance read that just doesn't stick out as much as it could have. The first in a trilogy.
May 7, 2017
This was a good read and one I would have been drooling over during my Historical/Regency craze so I rated it accordingly … LOL …
Keegan is a man with no particular political ideals who is reluctantly thrust into the battle of Culloden and comes out worse for wear but also changed by the loss he experiences and with a plan for revenge & redemption which of course goes awry in the person of Zoe Morgan.
Zoe is that girl you want to hate but can't help but love. She's a hypochondriac with a sense of humor about her impending demise and after a while you find yourself laughing and cheering her gumption.
The romance is a bit of a slow burn but once it gets going oh how sweet it is! There are no missish recriminations or misunderstandings. The MCs face some dire situations and come through with a believable HEA.
Recommended ;-)
Keegan is a man with no particular political ideals who is reluctantly thrust into the battle of Culloden and comes out worse for wear but also changed by the loss he experiences and with a plan for revenge & redemption which of course goes awry in the person of Zoe Morgan.
Zoe is that girl you want to hate but can't help but love. She's a hypochondriac with a sense of humor about her impending demise and after a while you find yourself laughing and cheering her gumption.
The romance is a bit of a slow burn but once it gets going oh how sweet it is! There are no missish recriminations or misunderstandings. The MCs face some dire situations and come through with a believable HEA.
Recommended ;-)
October 19, 2016
Losing everything and everyone at Culloden, watered-down Highlander Keegan MacLeod swears vengeance against English Lord Sequel Bait. In an effort to draw his enemy out, Keegan kidnaps Lady Zoe Morgan, Lord Sequel Bait's valetudinarian sister.
The chemistry between the H/h is adequate and the pacing is fairly well. There's a touch of mysticism in the story that I believe is further explored in the other books. Maybe I'll get around to reading them, maybe I won't.
The chemistry between the H/h is adequate and the pacing is fairly well. There's a touch of mysticism in the story that I believe is further explored in the other books. Maybe I'll get around to reading them, maybe I won't.
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October 5, 2023DROPPED at 65%.
THE WAY THE CHARACTERS BEHAVED HERE WERE POSSIBLY HISTORICALLY ACCURATE because I felt the heroine was a complete joke - a nitwit. Kept weak and malnourished by the woman who takes care of her wellbeing, the poor girl didn't even realize she was being killed year by year (unintentionally). And no, it's no murder mystery. She's just SO TRUSTING to the point of silliness, and SO GODDAMNED WEAK.
What made me decide to flat out drop this book is mainly because of how many daft things that happened because of Zoe. I don't want to call her stupid, but really, the amount of trouble she caused for Keegan? Not sure if I should feel sorry for the Scot. If there was a turning point where Zoe had any character development, I don't think it would have been epic.
THE WAY THE CHARACTERS BEHAVED HERE WERE POSSIBLY HISTORICALLY ACCURATE because I felt the heroine was a complete joke - a nitwit. Kept weak and malnourished by the woman who takes care of her wellbeing, the poor girl didn't even realize she was being killed year by year (unintentionally). And no, it's no murder mystery. She's just SO TRUSTING to the point of silliness, and SO GODDAMNED WEAK.
What made me decide to flat out drop this book is mainly because of how many daft things that happened because of Zoe. I don't want to call her stupid, but really, the amount of trouble she caused for Keegan? Not sure if I should feel sorry for the Scot. If there was a turning point where Zoe had any character development, I don't think it would have been epic.
May 23, 2013
I usually say that nothing ruins a romance like an obnoxious heroine--but that is so not true when the author makes the heroine obnoxious on purpose, and plays her for laughs. The spoiled, immature, whiney, hypochondriac Zoe adds a refreshing and original touch to this historic romance, and gives the author all kinds of opportunity for character development as the hardships of life on the road gradually transforms her into a human being. The only thing I didn't like was the hero seemed to fall in love, or lust, too soon before the transformation took place--expressing lustful feelings for Zoe while she is still a whining childish brat was a bit too pukey to take.
February 2, 2015
Ik heb de nederlandstalige versie gelezen ( Candlelight Historische roman 837 / De rebel en de roos ). Dit verhaal heeft een zeer originele heldin in de zogenaamd op sterven na dode Zoe Morgan . Verder valt er eigenlijk niet zo veel bijzonders over te melden .Ik vind het twee en een halve ster waard .
March 19, 2014
Really good book. I enjoyed it and I'm starting the next one. I hope it is as good.
March 30, 2016
Just a good read,....
I liked the end,.....
Zoe was a soft girl, and her Keegan too, but that was oke for me,............
I liked the end,.....
Zoe was a soft girl, and her Keegan too, but that was oke for me,............
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews