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Highland Renegades #1
The Outcast Highlander
He's lost his family, his title, and his honor, but he can't lose her...
Kensey MacLeod returns home after a failed marriage alliance in France to find her world in turmoil: her best friend married to an English sympathizer, her mother at death's door, and her father imprisoned and thought dead. As an English lord descends to claim her father's lands, Kensey escapes north with her mother and brother, and runs straight into the arms of the outcast Highlander.
Driven from home and family by a crazed father, Broccin Sinclair refuses to stand aside while the English invade his beloved Scotland. But who should he champion? The freedom fighter who saved his life, the family who has forgotten him, or the woman who captured his childhood heart?
Kensey MacLeod returns home after a failed marriage alliance in France to find her world in turmoil: her best friend married to an English sympathizer, her mother at death's door, and her father imprisoned and thought dead. As an English lord descends to claim her father's lands, Kensey escapes north with her mother and brother, and runs straight into the arms of the outcast Highlander.
Driven from home and family by a crazed father, Broccin Sinclair refuses to stand aside while the English invade his beloved Scotland. But who should he champion? The freedom fighter who saved his life, the family who has forgotten him, or the woman who captured his childhood heart?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2013
207 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Syme
26 books395 followersR.L. Syme is a USA Today best-selling author. She writes mysteries and cozy mysteries, as well as nonfiction. R.L. grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries passed on by her grandmother.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
December 14, 2015
What a wonderful book
This was historical fiction at its best. The author did a superb job of creating a world that drew you in. I especially adored the characters they were very well written and meshed well together to create a beautiful story.
This was historical fiction at its best. The author did a superb job of creating a world that drew you in. I especially adored the characters they were very well written and meshed well together to create a beautiful story.
July 26, 2020
So sweet 😉 Confusing in the beginning though.
June 12, 2015
A ton of drama, no emotional attachments
If you are looking for realism and a lot of unanswered dilemmas that seem to magically fix themselves, here you go.
Broccin starts out finding Kensey in a field, lost on her way to find Duncan to obtain his help. Her father was imprisoned because he refused to swear fealty to the English king. Her mother is on death's door, and all that is left for her at her home is her underage brother, her father's only heir. Broccin is an outcast, stripped from his life and kicked out of his family's land by his own father.
Knowing the only thing she can see in the foreseeable future is a loveless marriage is to marry one of her childhood friends, and Broc will do his best to keep his love a secret so she can marry Duncan, but Duncan already loves someone else.... It's a headache, and nothing actually gets resolved. Not really....
If you don't want to read the spoilers, don't bother reading the further rants. That's all I'm going to be doing.
1. Kensey's getting lost twice in the beginning, but thinks it's a good idea to leave her husband's land on foot in the end? She is heading to France, but she starts heading towards the direction of her previous home?
2. The letter Broc finds in the fire place proposing marriage. It was never explained, at all. Broc just stuffs it in his belt, but it really has no use in the story, other than keeping him at bay from pursuing his love for Kensey. Kensey never felt she was going to marry Duncan because Duncan and her best friend Fiona were in love. She was meeting him in the cottage to try and get Duncan to help her father who was imprisoned, though the time lapse is unclear because it says in the same chapter Fiona sent word to her she was captured by Ross what's his name (who is the nemesis of the book), and Kensey later thinks to herself she doesn't want to be forever in between them.
3. Broc was an outcast, though it never fully explains why. There are insinuations that his father didn't forgive him for killing his wife in childbirth, but you learn in the AUTHOR'S NOTES, at the VERY END, that Magnus was just insane and paranoid... There were no indications of either.... Plus he was a drunk.
4. They thought Broc was dead one minute, ask forgiveness for not fetching him the next minute, and then his family give him glares of anger because he just didn't want to come home? That was all confusing....
5. The author doesn't like confrontations. The reader is gypped with both sex and violence the entire book. It all happens in the background, not really in the forefront, except at the end when Broc chops off a guy's arm and Duncan chops off his head. The people invading their castle just seem to disappear, Broc and Kensey's father break out of prison and just appear one day, and even the betrayal of What's his name's wife is all just sitting there. None of the characters are very memorable, except for Fiona and Duncan. Duncan probably gets mentioned more than Broc does the entire book, which is just sad....
6. The "childhood" friends thing gets kicked to the side more often than not, and is never referenced where it counts. When he finally tells her he loves her, there is no mention to her of his long-time love. What is the point of even bringing it up? Thanks author... FAIL!
Truth be told, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone with any shred of love to romance. If you want to harp on romances, here ya go. I feel so cheated...
If you are looking for realism and a lot of unanswered dilemmas that seem to magically fix themselves, here you go.
Broccin starts out finding Kensey in a field, lost on her way to find Duncan to obtain his help. Her father was imprisoned because he refused to swear fealty to the English king. Her mother is on death's door, and all that is left for her at her home is her underage brother, her father's only heir. Broccin is an outcast, stripped from his life and kicked out of his family's land by his own father.
Knowing the only thing she can see in the foreseeable future is a loveless marriage is to marry one of her childhood friends, and Broc will do his best to keep his love a secret so she can marry Duncan, but Duncan already loves someone else.... It's a headache, and nothing actually gets resolved. Not really....
If you don't want to read the spoilers, don't bother reading the further rants. That's all I'm going to be doing.
1. Kensey's getting lost twice in the beginning, but thinks it's a good idea to leave her husband's land on foot in the end? She is heading to France, but she starts heading towards the direction of her previous home?
2. The letter Broc finds in the fire place proposing marriage. It was never explained, at all. Broc just stuffs it in his belt, but it really has no use in the story, other than keeping him at bay from pursuing his love for Kensey. Kensey never felt she was going to marry Duncan because Duncan and her best friend Fiona were in love. She was meeting him in the cottage to try and get Duncan to help her father who was imprisoned, though the time lapse is unclear because it says in the same chapter Fiona sent word to her she was captured by Ross what's his name (who is the nemesis of the book), and Kensey later thinks to herself she doesn't want to be forever in between them.
3. Broc was an outcast, though it never fully explains why. There are insinuations that his father didn't forgive him for killing his wife in childbirth, but you learn in the AUTHOR'S NOTES, at the VERY END, that Magnus was just insane and paranoid... There were no indications of either.... Plus he was a drunk.
4. They thought Broc was dead one minute, ask forgiveness for not fetching him the next minute, and then his family give him glares of anger because he just didn't want to come home? That was all confusing....
5. The author doesn't like confrontations. The reader is gypped with both sex and violence the entire book. It all happens in the background, not really in the forefront, except at the end when Broc chops off a guy's arm and Duncan chops off his head. The people invading their castle just seem to disappear, Broc and Kensey's father break out of prison and just appear one day, and even the betrayal of What's his name's wife is all just sitting there. None of the characters are very memorable, except for Fiona and Duncan. Duncan probably gets mentioned more than Broc does the entire book, which is just sad....
6. The "childhood" friends thing gets kicked to the side more often than not, and is never referenced where it counts. When he finally tells her he loves her, there is no mention to her of his long-time love. What is the point of even bringing it up? Thanks author... FAIL!
Truth be told, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone with any shred of love to romance. If you want to harp on romances, here ya go. I feel so cheated...
February 11, 2014
I love reading books set in the Highlands of Scotland, they are filled with mystic, lore and the beauty of the land. The time is so different and the stories take me to places I will never see and characters that are bold and heroic. The Outcast Highlander is a perfect example of the kind of story I expect when I pick up a book set in this era.
Broccin Sinclair is the oldest of several sons, but hated by his father; he left four years ago with others in the clan, exiled to parts unknown. When his father dies, Duncan, his brother takes over as Laird as most believe Broccin is dead.
Kensey MacLeod came back to Scotland after living in France for several years. She knows the Sinclair family well and it was thought she would marry one of the brothers someday. She comes back amidst trouble between Scotland and England, her father is in jail and her mother is sick so she takes refuge at Castle St. Claire where she knows that along with her brother they will be safe.
On the way to Castle St. Claire, they find an injured Broc, he does not want to go with them, feeling they are better off without him, but the family all want him back as Laird and to protect Kensey he marries her. Distrust and responsibility hamper the marriage from the start, and when Broc goes away with his former love Elizabeth to rescue her husband and his friend, Duncan and Kensey are afraid he will not come back, but what they do not know is how much danger Broc is in, only to come home to find the castle is being attacked where they are all in peril.
I really enjoyed this story about Broc and Kensey, two people who live in a time where their responsibility to Clan or King outweighs everything else.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from author for an honest review
Broccin Sinclair is the oldest of several sons, but hated by his father; he left four years ago with others in the clan, exiled to parts unknown. When his father dies, Duncan, his brother takes over as Laird as most believe Broccin is dead.
Kensey MacLeod came back to Scotland after living in France for several years. She knows the Sinclair family well and it was thought she would marry one of the brothers someday. She comes back amidst trouble between Scotland and England, her father is in jail and her mother is sick so she takes refuge at Castle St. Claire where she knows that along with her brother they will be safe.
On the way to Castle St. Claire, they find an injured Broc, he does not want to go with them, feeling they are better off without him, but the family all want him back as Laird and to protect Kensey he marries her. Distrust and responsibility hamper the marriage from the start, and when Broc goes away with his former love Elizabeth to rescue her husband and his friend, Duncan and Kensey are afraid he will not come back, but what they do not know is how much danger Broc is in, only to come home to find the castle is being attacked where they are all in peril.
I really enjoyed this story about Broc and Kensey, two people who live in a time where their responsibility to Clan or King outweighs everything else.
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from author for an honest review
December 16, 2015
Overall the story wasn't terrible. I felt the beginning was very good but then it declined.
1st, this is a clean romance. I don't mind clean romance, but this was a bit ridiculous. It goes from the couple going to their wedding bed then immediatly cuts to the morning.
my other problems include:
The hero tries to awaken the heroine the morning after their wedding to tell her he is leaving to save his friend. She is tired and incoherent not knowing what's going on...YET upon awakening, she miraculously remembers seeing her new husband in the arms of a woman while outside the bedroom door upon his leaving. A bit of a stretch.
There is little mention of the torture he endured while in prison which would have aided this story emotionally.
There was a funeral for Fiona, a secondary character yet no mention of a funeral for his own brother.
The secondary characters should have been fleshed out more. There was too much obscurity. I actually had to check to see if this was a book #2 in a series to see if I missed something from a previous book. But nope, this was book #1. I will not continue the series.
The end was too abrupt.
Basically, it started out promising and then rapidly declined. I gave it 3 stars because it was promising. I would love to see this re-written with love scences and added detail to the prison scene.
I would not recommend this to anyone who loves HR and I like to think I am a pretty forgiving reviewer.
1st, this is a clean romance. I don't mind clean romance, but this was a bit ridiculous. It goes from the couple going to their wedding bed then immediatly cuts to the morning.
my other problems include:
The hero tries to awaken the heroine the morning after their wedding to tell her he is leaving to save his friend. She is tired and incoherent not knowing what's going on...YET upon awakening, she miraculously remembers seeing her new husband in the arms of a woman while outside the bedroom door upon his leaving. A bit of a stretch.
There is little mention of the torture he endured while in prison which would have aided this story emotionally.
There was a funeral for Fiona, a secondary character yet no mention of a funeral for his own brother.
The secondary characters should have been fleshed out more. There was too much obscurity. I actually had to check to see if this was a book #2 in a series to see if I missed something from a previous book. But nope, this was book #1. I will not continue the series.
The end was too abrupt.
Basically, it started out promising and then rapidly declined. I gave it 3 stars because it was promising. I would love to see this re-written with love scences and added detail to the prison scene.
I would not recommend this to anyone who loves HR and I like to think I am a pretty forgiving reviewer.
January 2, 2014
Celtic romance is not normally a genre that grabs my attention, but I gave it a try for my friend R.L. Syme, and it was well worth it. This was a wonderful start to a series that I am highly anticipating. There were some great characters introduced in this first book that I am excited to see further developed as the series evolves. I am eagerly waiting to see what else Elizabeth is going to do because her character seems to be one that could grow in any direction.
However, I am a bit grumpy at the use of so many Gaelic words; maybe this is common in this genre and therefor it is all too new for me. There were a few words that were not defined in my Kindle dictionary and I am going to have to go down that linguistic rabbit hole online at a later date.
However, I am a bit grumpy at the use of so many Gaelic words; maybe this is common in this genre and therefor it is all too new for me. There were a few words that were not defined in my Kindle dictionary and I am going to have to go down that linguistic rabbit hole online at a later date.
January 8, 2014
Award Winning Author R.L. Syme writes a beautiful and engaging romance. Star-crossed lovers that meet after years of not seeing each other and under different circumstances. Syme’s Outcast highlander is about learning how to forgive, have hope, and holding onto a love no matter what the cost. I’m a big fan of Syme’s and have been following her work for a while. Anything she does, she really puts her heart, soul, and tons of research in. I really enjoyed the characters, the dialogue and the entire story. Those who love Scottish Romance are sure to love it. There is an amazing heroine in Kensey and her redeeming hero in Broccin. With any writing, people want it written a certain way and may not like what was written.
I received this a free ARC for an honest review.
I received this a free ARC for an honest review.
January 7, 2014
An engaging historical read for a historical romance nut. I was caught up with the family in the story and I want to know more and more about them. I really enjoy the history side and was happy to see the authors note in the end that provided more about the history and background of the story.
Read
September 1, 2014I don't feel right in rating this as I didn't finish it. There was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
March 9, 2019
FIRST IMPRESSION / FINAL IMPRESSION - Paperback version that was re-written with additional chapters.
First Impression: By page 77, I wanted to read more of the series and these were my comments: Very impressed. Similar style of story-telling to some of my favorite authors, but with less detail. For that reason, it was easier reading, although I sometimes stumbled over the names and places referenced. It would have been nice to have a little map & word meaning/pronunciation guide pages like in Amanda Scott's books.
Final Impression: I am less certain I want to read more of the series, even though it is entertaining. Oddly, I can't decide whether to give this book a 3-star or 4-star review.
It is a clean romance. It is a good story, but centers around a key thing that is a major flaw. That key thing was probably less than even 1% likely in 1296, so the entire story lacks believability.
The story lacks Scottish dialect & details, the story-style I favor most.
This book could have soared with a traditional publisher/strong editor. I was humored by the author's use of words that seem out of character. "Obfuscate" was used 3 times on a page like it was the new word of the day on a desktop calendar.
As it is, this published book feels more like a young writer's 2nd or 3rd re-write for a college creative writing class and wouldn't have achieved an "A".
The writer includes her comments and some background in the final book notes. She points out that the book is a work of fiction. She also takes great care to explain why she didn't invest time in creating Scottish dialect like a good many authors of this genre and time period.
Does a good work of fiction need to be explained and defended?
If you haven't read many Scottish Highlander or medieval English stories, then this book and series may be very satisfying.
The author writes that she enjoys writing works of fiction and is very happy when readers enjoy her work. I just wish she spent a little more time editing her books and focusing on producing a quality story that doesn't need explanation and meets the standard entry point with other authors of this genre.
First Impression: By page 77, I wanted to read more of the series and these were my comments: Very impressed. Similar style of story-telling to some of my favorite authors, but with less detail. For that reason, it was easier reading, although I sometimes stumbled over the names and places referenced. It would have been nice to have a little map & word meaning/pronunciation guide pages like in Amanda Scott's books.
Final Impression: I am less certain I want to read more of the series, even though it is entertaining. Oddly, I can't decide whether to give this book a 3-star or 4-star review.
It is a clean romance. It is a good story, but centers around a key thing that is a major flaw. That key thing was probably less than even 1% likely in 1296, so the entire story lacks believability.
The story lacks Scottish dialect & details, the story-style I favor most.
This book could have soared with a traditional publisher/strong editor. I was humored by the author's use of words that seem out of character. "Obfuscate" was used 3 times on a page like it was the new word of the day on a desktop calendar.
As it is, this published book feels more like a young writer's 2nd or 3rd re-write for a college creative writing class and wouldn't have achieved an "A".
The writer includes her comments and some background in the final book notes. She points out that the book is a work of fiction. She also takes great care to explain why she didn't invest time in creating Scottish dialect like a good many authors of this genre and time period.
Does a good work of fiction need to be explained and defended?
If you haven't read many Scottish Highlander or medieval English stories, then this book and series may be very satisfying.
The author writes that she enjoys writing works of fiction and is very happy when readers enjoy her work. I just wish she spent a little more time editing her books and focusing on producing a quality story that doesn't need explanation and meets the standard entry point with other authors of this genre.
November 21, 2015
I almost didn't read this but I was told it was not a bodice ripper, but clean and had a good story. Over all I would say it was PG13 and did have a good story. It kept me engaged and reading but was not as clean as I would have liked. There is sexual innuendo all over the place and they swear a hand full of times. The violence is not detailed but there are parts of the book where things happen to the characters and it is defiantly beyond mild violence. The story of a Highlander booted out of his home by his own father and falling in love with a long time crush was a good story line and I was hooked from the first pages:} I liked Kinsley and Broc and routed for them all the way. It was a fun story and longer then I thought it would be. I wish it had less sexual innuendo and more sweet flirting.
July 20, 2015
Couldn't finish. My edition was in dire need of editing. "She hung over the edge of the tower and beheld the sheer drop where it dropped, sheer, into a trench." Really? The sheer drop dropped sheer? Who would have thought? That sentence alone made me want to punch my iPad. Then there is the fact that relevant events are completely skipped over and then spoken about in past tense and the heroine practically has a nervous breakdown upon hearing news that was already established she knew 2 chapters before. The 100 or so pages I was able to read were disappointing, frustrating and completely lacked any emotion or character depth.
January 1, 2016
Kensey MacLeod is on the run trying to escape an English lord who is bent on claiming her lands. The Sinclair family is her only ally. But as she attempts to escape, her journey seems ill-fated from the start. Her saviour, an outcast Highlander who seems to stir up feelings that should not exist.
Broccin Sinclair was exiled when he refused to let the English invade his beloved Scotland.While fighting for freedom he attempts to keep an eye on his family from afar and discovers the girl who stole his heart years ago, facing a terrible fate of her own.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Broccin Sinclair was exiled when he refused to let the English invade his beloved Scotland.While fighting for freedom he attempts to keep an eye on his family from afar and discovers the girl who stole his heart years ago, facing a terrible fate of her own.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
May 26, 2015
This book is just OK, not great. The writing is horrible, but the plot is good. It wondered all over, like a bunch of unconnected parts pushed together and didn't quite fit. Parts of the heroine was strong, other times wimpy. Parts of the hero was strong, other times rediculous. The flow of the story kept getting interrupted with side issues that never fit. Events happened that were left hanging open.
September 19, 2016
A great historical novel with romance, betrayal, and battles. A great mixture of Braveheart and Rob Roy (the Liam Neeson film, not the book). Can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!!!
Read
November 17, 2016Ok, I guess I need a little sex in my romances. Skipping over the wedding night entirely was not my thing. When I'm in the mood for a little romace I need something a bit steamier.
July 26, 2014
Excellent read. Keeps you on your toes.
February 24, 2020
I was so confused. At first, I was excited with the prologue , but then bam at the first chapter....I mean what happened, how it started, and why was Brocc outlaw?
Then, there at the marriage, it went like from marriage bed to months later in next day!? I must had misread or skip a page? This is clean read, too clean.
Then in the end....I'm unsatisfied.
I feel liked I'm mind fked with the chaos and not having the truth of what happened to each character that was been told in prologue. How the heck did Duncan meet and fall in love with Fiona....
Maybe you don't tell their characters because they have their own series??????? Doesn't make sense.
Kinda disappointed.
To Syme, I see the idea in your storyline and I applaud the writing you put into. But, I'm thinking pheraps, you had rush in a hurry to finish this book...? It's the only explanation.
Did you have secret finish book hidden away? After all this is ebook. Have I been hacked and they changed and remove an entire page that I don't know about...😞
Then, there at the marriage, it went like from marriage bed to months later in next day!? I must had misread or skip a page? This is clean read, too clean.
Then in the end....I'm unsatisfied.
I feel liked I'm mind fked with the chaos and not having the truth of what happened to each character that was been told in prologue. How the heck did Duncan meet and fall in love with Fiona....
Maybe you don't tell their characters because they have their own series??????? Doesn't make sense.
Kinda disappointed.
To Syme, I see the idea in your storyline and I applaud the writing you put into. But, I'm thinking pheraps, you had rush in a hurry to finish this book...? It's the only explanation.
Did you have secret finish book hidden away? After all this is ebook. Have I been hacked and they changed and remove an entire page that I don't know about...😞
September 22, 2018
Finding one self
A very interesting story about a man who was outcast from his family because of his father. He came back to his family and found his love with a woman he had love for a long time. I give this story a five star rating because it is very good and it also made you cry.
A very interesting story about a man who was outcast from his family because of his father. He came back to his family and found his love with a woman he had love for a long time. I give this story a five star rating because it is very good and it also made you cry.
May 31, 2021
I don’t recommend reading this if you are actually Scottish (I’m Scottish and wish I’d been forewarned)
I couldn’t get over the main male character being called Broccin which means porridge
I’ve been singing Brochan Lom for the last few days so I’m really grateful to the book for that because the nonsense porridge song is great
I couldn’t get over the main male character being called Broccin which means porridge
I’ve been singing Brochan Lom for the last few days so I’m really grateful to the book for that because the nonsense porridge song is great
October 3, 2017
I loved this first story book in the series, this was interesting historically and not too sexy.
I am ranking an overall 5 for the series because there were so many stories (chapters) but they are all listed as separate books here on Goodreads. I don't want to claim I read 8 romance novels! Haha
I am ranking an overall 5 for the series because there were so many stories (chapters) but they are all listed as separate books here on Goodreads. I don't want to claim I read 8 romance novels! Haha
March 12, 2018
Good story
A new author for me and one I will be going to again. A lovely story but the ending seemed a bit abrupt. I think it should have had more details but maybe some of it is in the next book. We will see! Lovely read!
A new author for me and one I will be going to again. A lovely story but the ending seemed a bit abrupt. I think it should have had more details but maybe some of it is in the next book. We will see! Lovely read!
March 27, 2018
A Good Romance
It took me a bit to figure out the names and relationships, but once I did the story captured my interest and it held to the end. Good characters, misunderstandings, double-crosses and intrigue.
It took me a bit to figure out the names and relationships, but once I did the story captured my interest and it held to the end. Good characters, misunderstandings, double-crosses and intrigue.
November 23, 2020
Scottish abound!
What a spectacular work of fiction! Loved all the sites and characters in this story! Heroes and heroines galore with a little villain in there. Will gladly read the next ones in this series!
What a spectacular work of fiction! Loved all the sites and characters in this story! Heroes and heroines galore with a little villain in there. Will gladly read the next ones in this series!
May 29, 2017
Intrigued
A wonderful, heartwarming adventure ful of twists and turns. Every character was a well th out out delight to learn about.
A wonderful, heartwarming adventure ful of twists and turns. Every character was a well th out out delight to learn about.
March 18, 2018
Good clean romance novel!
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone and anyone who love Scottish romance novels. Don't miss out on a great read.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone and anyone who love Scottish romance novels. Don't miss out on a great read.
April 26, 2018
Love this story!!! Cant wait to read the next one. Could not stop reading till the end. Great Job just amazing!!!!
September 21, 2018
A beautiful story of suffering and deprivation, love lost and found.
June 21, 2022
Had potential June 2022
This could have been exceptional, the storyline was imaginative but the style of writing spoilt it, it was disconnected and very confusing
This could have been exceptional, the storyline was imaginative but the style of writing spoilt it, it was disconnected and very confusing
November 11, 2018
Run from his home by a father steeped in madness, Broccin Sinclair has found another family, a rogue band of like-minded Scots fighting for their land against the English king. But when he’s wounded while hunting, far from anyone he knows now and closer to his lost childhood home, he’s returned to his remaining family against any conscious will of his own.
Driven from her own home by the English who have taken up residence there, Kensey finds help with strangers, people she knew long ago, the family of the terribly wounded man she insists upon helping. But caring for his wounds finds her caring for his heart, and she begins to hope that he just might feel the same for her. But raids and war are happening all around them, and Broccin is needed by the new “family” of fighters who took him in, leaving Kensey to wonder if they’ll ever have a chance at a life together.
The Verdict: I just don’t know. There was so much I loved about the story that I was convinced halfway through that The Outcast Highlander would go on my ultimate favorites list. I have a rather ridiculous affection for historical romance, and from the very beginning, this one was ramping up to be one of the best. The full cast of characters was enough to confuse me in the first few pages, but once I was used to all the names and relationships, I loved that the story, though centered on a main pairing, was so well developed as to define all the other people we met along the way.
Lush descriptions of the landscape and just enough detail about everything else had me almost feeling like I’d hopped into a time machine and landed myself somewhere in the midst of history. Kensey was smart and willful, and though she perfectly embodied a woman from a time when rights among females were few, she also came across as bright and independently thinking enough to make her own way if needed. And that Broccin… He was kind and mysterious and sensitive and just everything a woman could want — all wrapped up in muscles and testosterone. I also loved the adventure, the danger typical of that time, and the rather realistic way events unfolded without too much foreshadowing. It definitely kept me guessing as I was quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next!
But then the end of the book came, and I kind of feel like I missed out on something. It’s nothing for me to finish a book and want more, but that’s usually because I loved it so much that I didn’t want it to end. In this case, I definitely loved it so much, but I found myself wondering how on earth that could be the end of it. There was all this wonderful build up to their finally coming together, and there was certainly enough drama to entertain me throughout the story, but then it dawned on me. After the obvious chemistry and passionate affection, there was one fade-to-black night, followed by a good bit of angst, followed by an excellent battle, and then a super-quick wrap-up. While I can certainly say that the story was amazing, I feel like it ended just as things were going to get really good.
***FicCentral received this book from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for free in exchange for an honest review. Even so, we're far too opinionated to let a freebie influence our thoughts or the contents of the reviews we post here.
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