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Hunted by the Cruel Highlander: A Medieval Historical Romance Novel
“I caught ye, so ye’re mine now.”
Gabriella has to life in slavery… or death.
She chose death.
But as she prepares to throw herself off the ledge,
the cruelest Laird grabs her.
Now she’s his - and she will do anything to escape him.
***
When Laird Hector participated in the Hunt, he meant to destroy it.
He didn’t plan on claiming a prize…
nor it being the most beautiful lass he has ever seen.
He promises to free her - but then, he becomes obsessed.
Hector will either make her his… or lose his head.
Hunted by the Cruel Highlander is a steamy Scottish historical romance novel, written by Keira McCain and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, lots of steam and a happy ending.
Get "Hunted by the Cruel Highlander" today to discover Keira's splendid story!
Gabriella has to life in slavery… or death.
She chose death.
But as she prepares to throw herself off the ledge,
the cruelest Laird grabs her.
Now she’s his - and she will do anything to escape him.
***
When Laird Hector participated in the Hunt, he meant to destroy it.
He didn’t plan on claiming a prize…
nor it being the most beautiful lass he has ever seen.
He promises to free her - but then, he becomes obsessed.
Hector will either make her his… or lose his head.
Hunted by the Cruel Highlander is a steamy Scottish historical romance novel, written by Keira McCain and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, lots of steam and a happy ending.
Get "Hunted by the Cruel Highlander" today to discover Keira's splendid story!
- GenresHistorical Romance
394 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 21, 2025
Gabriella Patterson and three other women were kidnapped and were going to be hunted. Gabriella was planning to die by falling off a cliff rather than be caught. When the hunt started, they scattered and ran as fast as they could in different directions.
Hector, who was Laird McCullough discovered that these hunts were being held on his land so he and three other lairds decided they were going to try to free them. They were in the hunt and were successful in capturing the four girls. Hector kept Gabriella and each of the other lairds kept the ones they caught. Their plan was to free the girls, but all of them were in bad shape because they had been starved and beaten, so they medical treatment.
The girls were terrified and did not know what was going to happen to them. They did not trust any men. When Gabriella arrived at Hector’s castle, she could not understand why he was treating her kindly and what his expectations were, thinking he had another plan in mind. She was trembling.
Hector took her to the healer and treated her with kindness but she still mistrusted him. Hector had a bad experience with a fiancé in the past. The potential marriage was arranged for an alliance, not for love. Lady Caitlin Grant was her name and she dumped him for another laird, so, he also had a mistrust of women but really was attracted to Gabriella. He also struggled with the responsibility of being a Laird, taking care of his people and didn’t want to be distracted.
Louis Hogg, who recently bought a tavern where Gabriella worked used it as a base to procure girls and was the key person in kidnapping women and arranging the hunts. He was incensed that the lairds had rescued them and vowed revenge. Those lairds were messing with his lucrative plans.
The story was a sweet one that was engaging. The characters were great and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I loved the book!
Hector, who was Laird McCullough discovered that these hunts were being held on his land so he and three other lairds decided they were going to try to free them. They were in the hunt and were successful in capturing the four girls. Hector kept Gabriella and each of the other lairds kept the ones they caught. Their plan was to free the girls, but all of them were in bad shape because they had been starved and beaten, so they medical treatment.
The girls were terrified and did not know what was going to happen to them. They did not trust any men. When Gabriella arrived at Hector’s castle, she could not understand why he was treating her kindly and what his expectations were, thinking he had another plan in mind. She was trembling.
Hector took her to the healer and treated her with kindness but she still mistrusted him. Hector had a bad experience with a fiancé in the past. The potential marriage was arranged for an alliance, not for love. Lady Caitlin Grant was her name and she dumped him for another laird, so, he also had a mistrust of women but really was attracted to Gabriella. He also struggled with the responsibility of being a Laird, taking care of his people and didn’t want to be distracted.
Louis Hogg, who recently bought a tavern where Gabriella worked used it as a base to procure girls and was the key person in kidnapping women and arranging the hunts. He was incensed that the lairds had rescued them and vowed revenge. Those lairds were messing with his lucrative plans.
The story was a sweet one that was engaging. The characters were great and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. I loved the book!
November 6, 2025
Early in the book was too soon for Gabriella to find attraction in the man who rescued her. She was abused, she was held captive for 6 months. She fought off men. Then a highlander grabbed her without her knowing he was her rescuer. Already mentioned she thinks he's handsome. So weird and so not right at the time.
Maybe write about her being rescued, her thinking and feeling hard to believe when the rescuer told her that he was saving her. Once he took her to the castle, let her see things for herself. And maybe feel attraction and fall in love.
I know this isn't my book. But just saying it was too soon and doesn't seem feel right.
Also while I read the story, I was most annoyed about the capital letters in the 1st Sentence In Every Paragraph. Some first sentences have some lower cases after the capital ones. Here are the examples straight from her book:
"JUST KILL ME," she whispered. "Please. have mercy and be done with it."
HIS BREATHE STIRRED her hair as he leaned closer.
"I GOT YE, lass. I willnae let anyone hurt ye."
Maybe write about her being rescued, her thinking and feeling hard to believe when the rescuer told her that he was saving her. Once he took her to the castle, let her see things for herself. And maybe feel attraction and fall in love.
I know this isn't my book. But just saying it was too soon and doesn't seem feel right.
Also while I read the story, I was most annoyed about the capital letters in the 1st Sentence In Every Paragraph. Some first sentences have some lower cases after the capital ones. Here are the examples straight from her book:
"JUST KILL ME," she whispered. "Please. have mercy and be done with it."
HIS BREATHE STIRRED her hair as he leaned closer.
"I GOT YE, lass. I willnae let anyone hurt ye."
April 16, 2026
PASS
I couldn’t make it past 11%. The writing is rushed and poorly executed, and for a period romance it completely ignores the basics that make the genre believable. It doesn’t need perfect historical accuracy, but it should at least respect social norms and class structure—and this doesn’t. The most off-putting element is the instant sexual attraction. The female lead has been captive for six months, malnourished, injured, and traumatized, yet the male lead’s immediate reaction is physical desire. It’s not romantic, it’s jarring.
The class dynamics are just as unrealistic. She’s of low birth, yet he immediately treats her like a lady—placing her in an oversized, lavish room adjacent to his own, which would have been socially inappropriate and reserved for a woman of status. The author even acknowledges this but ignores the implications. There was a much better story here—one where she’s quietly protected and allowed to recover, building toward a believable romance—but instead it reads like rushed, clickbait fast fiction.
I couldn’t make it past 11%. The writing is rushed and poorly executed, and for a period romance it completely ignores the basics that make the genre believable. It doesn’t need perfect historical accuracy, but it should at least respect social norms and class structure—and this doesn’t. The most off-putting element is the instant sexual attraction. The female lead has been captive for six months, malnourished, injured, and traumatized, yet the male lead’s immediate reaction is physical desire. It’s not romantic, it’s jarring.
The class dynamics are just as unrealistic. She’s of low birth, yet he immediately treats her like a lady—placing her in an oversized, lavish room adjacent to his own, which would have been socially inappropriate and reserved for a woman of status. The author even acknowledges this but ignores the implications. There was a much better story here—one where she’s quietly protected and allowed to recover, building toward a believable romance—but instead it reads like rushed, clickbait fast fiction.
October 11, 2025
Hector, Laird of Castle McCullough, rescues Gabriella from a cruel slave trafficking hunt and takes her back to his home. Gabriella believing that she has traded one prison for another gathers what little strength and sass she has and tries to escape Hector on the way. After showing him that she would rather die than become his sex slave, Hector realizes that she is only weakened by physical condition not by mental determination. Promising Gabriella that after she regains her strength she will be free to go and he will pay for her to do so. This begins their journey of trust, which leads to feelings neither want to address. After several attempts from the former slave traffickers to kidnap Gabriella they realize that their feelings are true. This author write's characters that are truly believable and have chemistry off the charts. Highly recommend this author!
October 13, 2025
What to say about this fantastic book! I read this book in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. The author knows how to draw you in and keep you glued to the story. You are transported right into the storyline!! Now, a little bit about the book. Hector, Laird of Castle McCullough, rescues Gabriella from a cruel slave trafficking hunt and takes her back to his home. There these two wrestle with their feelings and fears about themselves and each other. All the while the slave traffickers try to get her back. This brings out the worst( best) of Hector. And from there these two find out what destiny has planned for them. Does Gabriella choose death or has Hector proven he is different from all she knows of men? Can they have a HEA ? Check this book out and see for yourself. I highly recommend this book! I look forward to reading more from this author.
October 15, 2025
Gabriella meets Hector under dire circumstances. She has no reason to trust men and Hector is no different.
However, Hector shows her a side of himself few get to see.
With Gabriellea's safety uncertain and Hector's quest to topple an illegal enterprise, there is much suspense and intrigue.
Further, the attraction between these two is hard to miss. Although they try to fight it, it burns scorching hot and will not be denied.
This was a good plot and the characters were great! I'm looking forward to Erica's story!
This is my first book by this author, but hopefully not my last.
However, Hector shows her a side of himself few get to see.
With Gabriellea's safety uncertain and Hector's quest to topple an illegal enterprise, there is much suspense and intrigue.
Further, the attraction between these two is hard to miss. Although they try to fight it, it burns scorching hot and will not be denied.
This was a good plot and the characters were great! I'm looking forward to Erica's story!
This is my first book by this author, but hopefully not my last.
October 17, 2025
Hunted by the Cruel Highlander: A Medieval Historical Romance Novel (Lasses of the Highland Hunt Book 1), my second read from author Keira McCain, apparently the first book in a series, 394-pages of Scottish historical romance. I look forward to reading more from this this author with The Highlander's Silent Wife: A Medieval Historical Romance Novel already on my TBR list. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
October 19, 2025
what a story ….
This is the story of Gabriella and Hector and how they came to be …Gabriella is not a noble, her life was difficult after her father passed … she needed saving and that is what Hector did .. the story was intense at times,I felt that.
The character development was perfection, y the end I felt I knew both of them.. not only their characters, but all the side players were well flushed out to where you felt you knew them also.
This is my first book by Keira, but it won’t be my last 🥂
This is the story of Gabriella and Hector and how they came to be …Gabriella is not a noble, her life was difficult after her father passed … she needed saving and that is what Hector did .. the story was intense at times,I felt that.
The character development was perfection, y the end I felt I knew both of them.. not only their characters, but all the side players were well flushed out to where you felt you knew them also.
This is my first book by Keira, but it won’t be my last 🥂
January 7, 2026
A titillating tale
This story is exciting from the beginning with a real hunt although it is not one the Laird approved... I kinda felt the title was a misdirection because her Highlander is not really cruel... The cruel ones the pub owner... The story focuses on her learning to trust and him deciding he can not let her go... Once they decide to do the fake wedding it pretty much is just a matter of time... There is a couple times when the bad guy tries to kidnap her... But it ends up with her getting married. Its a good story.
This story is exciting from the beginning with a real hunt although it is not one the Laird approved... I kinda felt the title was a misdirection because her Highlander is not really cruel... The cruel ones the pub owner... The story focuses on her learning to trust and him deciding he can not let her go... Once they decide to do the fake wedding it pretty much is just a matter of time... There is a couple times when the bad guy tries to kidnap her... But it ends up with her getting married. Its a good story.
October 12, 2025
“Hunted by the Cruel Highlander” by Keira McCain
-A gripping Highland romance filled with danger, healing, and trust. Hector’s compassion and Gabriella’s courage shine through every page. Their chemistry blazes as they fight past trauma toward love and freedom.
A powerful, emotional read that’s impossible to put down.
-A gripping Highland romance filled with danger, healing, and trust. Hector’s compassion and Gabriella’s courage shine through every page. Their chemistry blazes as they fight past trauma toward love and freedom.
A powerful, emotional read that’s impossible to put down.
October 24, 2025
Wow!
Truly a wonderful love story..A woman so tortured and nearly beaten to death saved by a warrior..so much earlier than Knights even existed...A precursor to what the world would become..A time when women were truly loved and worshiped. I highly recommend this romantic book to all women who have found their true love and to those who are still waiting.
Truly a wonderful love story..A woman so tortured and nearly beaten to death saved by a warrior..so much earlier than Knights even existed...A precursor to what the world would become..A time when women were truly loved and worshiped. I highly recommend this romantic book to all women who have found their true love and to those who are still waiting.
October 9, 2025
Rescued for security
Hector rescuing Gabriella was a blessing even if she didn't know it at the time. What she has suffered for most of her life is a roller coaster and at one point it was off the track. This is a must read. I can't wait for the next book.
Hector rescuing Gabriella was a blessing even if she didn't know it at the time. What she has suffered for most of her life is a roller coaster and at one point it was off the track. This is a must read. I can't wait for the next book.
October 11, 2025
Love can remove all obstacles.
This book has a very interesting plot which is like no other book I have read. It reveals the cruelty of several men including Lairds but the fierceness, protectiveness and love of a truly kind and loving man.
This book has a very interesting plot which is like no other book I have read. It reveals the cruelty of several men including Lairds but the fierceness, protectiveness and love of a truly kind and loving man.
October 14, 2025
Fast-paced and fiery!
Gabriella escapes a cruel fate thanks to Highland laird Hector. What starts as a marriage of convenience turns into something real—once danger is out of the way, love takes center stage. Suspenseful, steamy, and highly recommended.
Gabriella escapes a cruel fate thanks to Highland laird Hector. What starts as a marriage of convenience turns into something real—once danger is out of the way, love takes center stage. Suspenseful, steamy, and highly recommended.
October 15, 2025
What a great story
What a great story, truly touches the heart.
Keira McCain brings you a compelling story of rags to riches, her characters brought to life in this remarkable story. Don't miss out.
What a great story, truly touches the heart.
Keira McCain brings you a compelling story of rags to riches, her characters brought to life in this remarkable story. Don't miss out.
October 20, 2025
ragamuffin
From kidnapping, to starvation, running for one’s life, to a Laird’s wife. A truly heart warming story. With everything coming together. He was a ruthless possessive Highland Laird. A true highlanders.
From kidnapping, to starvation, running for one’s life, to a Laird’s wife. A truly heart warming story. With everything coming together. He was a ruthless possessive Highland Laird. A true highlanders.
December 23, 2025
a Scottish romance
An unusual tale of women who were kidnapped and hunted for sport. Each book tells a different woman’s story. This is the tale about Caitlin and her rescuer Hector.
An unusual tale of women who were kidnapped and hunted for sport. Each book tells a different woman’s story. This is the tale about Caitlin and her rescuer Hector.
October 13, 2025
Highlander love
This was a great read. I enjoyed the characters in the story. It kept me wanting to keep turning the pages!
This was a great read. I enjoyed the characters in the story. It kept me wanting to keep turning the pages!
October 18, 2025
great
A great story of Laird Hector and Gabriella the woman he rescued. This book had a great storyline and well worth a read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A great story of Laird Hector and Gabriella the woman he rescued. This book had a great storyline and well worth a read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 21, 2025
Hunted By the Cruel Highlander
Best book I've read in a long time. Looking forward to read the stories of the other three who were hunted.
Best book I've read in a long time. Looking forward to read the stories of the other three who were hunted.
December 22, 2025
Wow all I can say is Wow
What a good love story. I enjoyed this so much. Thank you Keira McCain for the hard work in writing this book.
What a good love story. I enjoyed this so much. Thank you Keira McCain for the hard work in writing this book.
February 24, 2026
Touching love story
From tags to richest, from a slave to a lady this story tells of how the power of love can change hearts and circumstances.
From tags to richest, from a slave to a lady this story tells of how the power of love can change hearts and circumstances.
April 30, 2026
HUNTED BY THE CRUEL HIGHLANDER
A well written story. The storyline was great. This was a hard to put down book. The interaction between Hector and was very entertaining.
A well written story. The storyline was great. This was a hard to put down book. The interaction between Hector and was very entertaining.
June 7, 2026
good book
The story itself was great but there wasn’t enough adult scenes for me personally. There were two. I’ll still read the rest of the series eventually though
The story itself was great but there wasn’t enough adult scenes for me personally. There were two. I’ll still read the rest of the series eventually though
July 2, 2026
Enjoyable
I enjoyed the book very much. Nice story line. I will be reading the next book in this series.... The characters work very well together.
I enjoyed the book very much. Nice story line. I will be reading the next book in this series.... The characters work very well together.
July 20, 2026
Enjoyable Read
Cute story with interesting characters. Would have loved to see what happened with Erica and Noah.
All in all, fun!
Cute story with interesting characters. Would have loved to see what happened with Erica and Noah.
All in all, fun!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews