What do you think?
Rate this book
RECOMPENSE: Book 1 - A King for Scotland
RECOMPENSE Description
The last land battle in Great Britain was between the Scottish and the English on April 16, 1746, in Culloden Moor, Scotland. Prince Charles Stuart vs. King George II. Prince Charles and the Scots were defeated soundly and the Duke of Cumberland – who became known as the Butcher as he tried to eradicate Scottish Culture - won the day in our history.
Enter Lord John Stuart, a rather engaging individual who knows things that he should not. He lets Prince Charles know that he is praying for deliverance for the Scottish – in the form of Scots from the future, from the year 2010 to be exact, that would be delivering the Scots from the certainty of defeat. You see - this time traveler can transport others as well.
The 4th Battalion, Delta Company of the Royal Highlanders Regiment are preparing an attack against the Taliban in Afghanistan- fully armed with modern combat arms, ammunition, and transportation equipment - Jackals and Mastiffs- when suddenly, they are transported back to April 9, 1746. One week before the Battle of Culloden. They must figure out where and when they are and whether to engage or not as that action will drastically change history. They decide to fight for the Scots and eradicate the British Army including the Duke of Cumberland. Now Major Derek McAndrew, Captain Connor McAndrew, and Sergeant Major Ian McKenzie must resupply the ammunition spent and Develop a modern Scottish military for the Scots using 18th Century technology to do so. They know a large invasion to squash the rebellion is less than a year away and they must prepare and prevail. If they lose – Scotland will cease to exist and King George II will burn it to the ground.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2024
7 people are currently reading
About the author
Jay Anderson
4 books54 followersPicture this: I’m juggling a 60-hour workweek, wrangling three acres of Texas land, and trying to be the best husband, father, and-my favorite title-Grandpa. And then, on a complete whim, I dove headfirst into the world of storytelling.
It all began with a simple Ancestry DNA test and a family tree that brought my Scottish roots roaring to life. Suddenly, I was obsessed with all things Scottish and Irish, especially the legendary Battle of Culloden. One day, as I was about to step into the shower, a wild thought struck me: What if the Jacobites had advanced weapons at Culloden? That spark became a blaze-imagine a 150-man Scottish Highland regiment, trained for modern warfare, suddenly transported back in time, one week before the fateful battle.
When I shared the idea with my son, he just shook his head and said, “Dad, I want whatever it is you’re smoking.” (I promise, it’s just imagination!)
Now, with two books published and at least two more on the way in this thrilling series, I’m living proof that it’s never too late to chase your wildest dreams-or to rewrite history, one page at a time.
It all began with a simple Ancestry DNA test and a family tree that brought my Scottish roots roaring to life. Suddenly, I was obsessed with all things Scottish and Irish, especially the legendary Battle of Culloden. One day, as I was about to step into the shower, a wild thought struck me: What if the Jacobites had advanced weapons at Culloden? That spark became a blaze-imagine a 150-man Scottish Highland regiment, trained for modern warfare, suddenly transported back in time, one week before the fateful battle.
When I shared the idea with my son, he just shook his head and said, “Dad, I want whatever it is you’re smoking.” (I promise, it’s just imagination!)
Now, with two books published and at least two more on the way in this thrilling series, I’m living proof that it’s never too late to chase your wildest dreams-or to rewrite history, one page at a time.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 13, 2025
Recompense: A King for Scotland is a thrilling ride from start to finish! Jay Anderson does an amazing job blending real Scottish history with modern military strategy, placing the 4th Battalion, Delta Company, right in the middle of the Battle of Culloden. I loved how the book made me feel the tension and stakes of both the historical moment and the modern soldiers’ dilemma whether to intervene and risk changing history or to observe and preserve it.
The characters are well-developed, with believable reactions to an impossible situation. The attention to historical detail is impressive, and the modern military elements feel authentic without overshadowing the story. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and thought-provoking.
For anyone who loves time-travel, military fiction, or Scottish history, this book is a must-read. It kept me on the edge of my seat and left me eagerly wanting the next installment in the series.
The characters are well-developed, with believable reactions to an impossible situation. The attention to historical detail is impressive, and the modern military elements feel authentic without overshadowing the story. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and thought-provoking.
For anyone who loves time-travel, military fiction, or Scottish history, this book is a must-read. It kept me on the edge of my seat and left me eagerly wanting the next installment in the series.
August 27, 2024
Jay Anderson’s RECOMPENSE: Book 1 - A King for Scotland is a captivating blend of survival, brotherhood, romance, and history. While it may appear to be a straightforward war story at first glance, it delves much deeper, offering a rich exploration of heritage and the quest to correct historical wrongs. Anderson’s characters are vividly drawn, deeply human, and their emotional and romantic journeys will keep you engaged from start to finish. The novel centers on a British regiment fighting in Afghanistan in 2010, who are suddenly thrust back in time to 1746 Scotland—just days before the pivotal Battle of Culloden. Faced with the unprecedented opportunity to alter the course of history, the regiment must navigate the complexities of the 18th century and find their place in Prince Charles’ court.
Anderson expertly weaves military strategy and tactics throughout the narrative, creating a suspenseful and page-turning experience as the battles unfold. One of the novel’s strengths is its respectful and detailed portrayal of Scottish heritage and rituals, from the use of Gaelic language to traditional war practices. The characters' deep love for their country and commitment to their heritage are palpable, driving their desire to reshape the future. At the same time, the story is also a poignant exploration of loss and adaptation, as the soldiers grapple with the heartache of being torn from their families and thrust into an unfamiliar era.
RECOMPENSE: Book 1 - A King for Scotland is a must-read for fans of military strategy, historical warfare, and courtly intrigue. Anderson leaves readers on the edge of their seats with a cliffhanger ending, eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Recompense series.
Anderson expertly weaves military strategy and tactics throughout the narrative, creating a suspenseful and page-turning experience as the battles unfold. One of the novel’s strengths is its respectful and detailed portrayal of Scottish heritage and rituals, from the use of Gaelic language to traditional war practices. The characters' deep love for their country and commitment to their heritage are palpable, driving their desire to reshape the future. At the same time, the story is also a poignant exploration of loss and adaptation, as the soldiers grapple with the heartache of being torn from their families and thrust into an unfamiliar era.
RECOMPENSE: Book 1 - A King for Scotland is a must-read for fans of military strategy, historical warfare, and courtly intrigue. Anderson leaves readers on the edge of their seats with a cliffhanger ending, eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Recompense series.
December 8, 2025
A thrilling and brilliantly imagined twist on Scottish history. The moment Delta Company is pulled from Afghanistan into 1746, the story takes off. Watching Major McAndrew and his team navigate the shock of time travel, choose to fight for Prince Charles, and rebuild a modern-style military with 18th-century tools is gripping from start to finish. The tension leading up to Culloden, the strategic challenges, and the emotional weight of knowing the future all felt incredibly real.
A fast-paced, clever, and exciting “what-if” that brings the Battle of Culloden to life in a totally new way.
A fast-paced, clever, and exciting “what-if” that brings the Battle of Culloden to life in a totally new way.
November 23, 2025
This book delivers an exciting mix of history, action, and time travel. Modern Scottish soldiers are thrown back to the days before Culloden and must decide whether to change the fate of their nation. Packed with tension, strategy, and high-stakes twists, it’s a gripping reimagining of one of Scotland’s most defining moments. A great read for fans of military fiction, alternate history, and big “what if” stories.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews