The Highland Chief

Scottish Strife #1

by Dana D'Angelo

Rory MacGregon's father is dying and he needs to find the renowned Scottish healer before it's too late. The only problem is the healer defected to England years ago, and she'd rather kill herself than help the elder MacGregon. Just when Rory is running out of options, the healer's beautiful daughter agrees to go in her mother's stead. Darra Berchelaine heard about the ruthless, bloodthirsty savages from the north. When she learns that the devil Scots plan to abduct her mother, Darra must protect her at all cost — even if that means feigning co-operation and luring the brutish Highlanders away from the castle. But even as she schemes to escape from her enemies, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the brawny Highland Chief. Suddenly Darra realizes that the handsome Highlander is neither an enemy nor a savage. And the only thing she needs to protect is her heart.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Scotland, Medieval, Historical Fiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2015

About the author

Dana is the only girl from a family of nine children. As a teenager, there was a constant battle for the T.V. remote, which she lost so she was forced to find her amusement in books. Soon after she discovered historical romance novels from best selling romance writers like Johanna Lindsay, Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood. She read as many as 10 romance books per week, and spent hours with her nose pressed between the pages, skipping meals and cutting out sleep. Medieval romance and love in the Regency era was just too exciting.

It wasn't until she was married with two young kids that she decided to take a stab at writing her own historical romance books. She is intrigued with the idea of writing romance fiction that could bring hours of enjoyment to readers, help them escape from reality, and perhaps remind them how sweet love is and should be. These are the things that she enjoys as a reader, and these are the things that she wants to give back as a writer.

Dana resides in a city east of Toronto, Canada. When not writing or reading, she's dining at local restaurants with her husband and kids and enjoying the spectacular foods of the world.

You can learn more about Dana by visiting her website, look her up and like her on - facebook, or follow her on twitter - @DanaD_author and Google +

Reviews

[Virginia Tican · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars with a lot of reservations. I had a feeling that the ending was quite rushed. There could be more action and drama to bring the story further. The cruelty of King Harold and by extension Dudley coming into play between Darra and Rory. The years of festering conflict between the Maclarens and MacGregons so easily resolved without drama. Blane's hatred for the English was explained yet still hanging when he left (another abrupt exit just like Dudley's), I feel there could be some story there. This should have been made into a novel. The author is a good story teller, way better than the trash purporting to be bestselling historical romances penned by mediocre wannabes with more sycophants than sense.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

1560, England

This is the first book in the Scottish Strife Series called The Highland Chief by Dana D'Angelo.

It is about a son Chief to Clan MacGregor going to great lengths to try to save his dying father as Rory and his brothers all gave up hope in his survival until they hear about this famed Scottish healer whom resides in the dreaded England. A place and people they hated and despise.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but the problem is this healer would rather take her own life they help the MacGregors. Rory considers taking the healer against her will until the healers beautiful daughter offers volunteer to go in her mother's place stating she is as a healer as well. Darra's decision agreed and made since her mum has not been able to function since her fathers death as she she has been in a grief stricken state.



Dara knows that escape is the only way she will survive from these cruel savage Highlander beasts,but soon realizes these Highlander's are not the beasts she was always told they were. The only thing that she needs to protect is her fragile tender heart for fear she might leave with it broken to bits! Lady Darra Berchelaine has heard horrible evil cruel stories about these savage highlanders but then realize they had planned to kidnap her Scottish Mum so she decide she had to take immediate action no matter what the cost! Her Mum who ran away from Scotland before her birth and who has been grief stricken state since her fathers recent passing. She has been her the one taking care of her people and caring for the sick since her fathers passing and her mother unable to function.


As Rory and Darra travel together and you can feel their chemistry feeling she will do her duty and marry an old unfeeling English gentleman and this might be her last chance at passion before she has to return to England. and meet her cold fate. Will she take a chance on love? How will Darra be able return to England with her heart still in tact? Yet there are many obstacles in this couples way besides each ones families opposition one being Scottish and English although half English.

I really enjoyed this book as the author really brings you into historic Scotland and the conflicts this couple will face and need to overcome. It was fast paced read with kept me turning the pages from cover to cover. I highly recommend as I adored The Highland Chief ( Scottish Strife Series) book one by Dana D'Angelo as I am looking forward to the next book in this wonderful series.



Other Books by the Author:

First Kisses - A Medieval Romance Edition (FREE)

The Knights of Honor Trilogy:
One True Knight - Book 1
A Knight's Duty - Book 2
Fallen Knight - Book 3
(Trilogy Boxed Set also available)

Novellas:
The Promise
Heart of a Knight

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

#1 in the new “Scottish Strife” series, and what a beginning! This is a new author to me and one I thoroughly enjoyed. A Sensuous, wickedly delicious, Scottish Highlander tale of suspense, a bit of mystery, sensual tension, love and romance. A son’s love for his father brings him face to face with the one enemy he despises most but needs, to save his dying father, an English lass, a renowned healer. After, kidnapping the daughter instead of the mother, Rory, and Darra embark on an adventure of passion and love. A well written tale, which is, fast paced, adventure filled as well as sensual, with forgiveness, healing and finding love, amongst an enemy. I loved the way the H/H find their HEA, even though they were supposed enemies, or their countries were. A story not to be missed. Any reader who enjoys Highlanders, Scottish Highlands, Medieval Historical Romance, and a wondrous Romp through the English and Scottish countryside, will enjoy this quick read. I strongly recommend this title and look forward to the next installment. Well done, indeed! A definite keeper for your library!

*Personal buy*

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Hot
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highland Chief the first book in the Scottish Strife series , wow what a fantastic read couldn't put it down ,read it in one night , 1560 England Chief Rory MacGregor is about to kidnap a healer in England and bring her to the Scottish Highland to cure his father , Darra is a young healer who is well loved by her people , as they cross from England to Scotland some things begin to change , intrigue , murder , hatred this book has it all , Dana has taken us on a wild ride across the wilds of Scotland and she will take you for a ride along with Rory and Darra and you will be surprised along the way.Have read books by this lady before and loved each one , as each book she writes she gets better and better , so if you want to find out what happens to Rory and Darra pick up this book you will love it like i did , now i just have to wait for her next one , thanks Dana for another awesome read.-

[Ann L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rory MacGregon arrives in England to ask a healer to accompany him to the Highlands and cure his dying father, when the old woman refuses, he plans on taking her anyway, her daughter Darra in trying to save her mother agrees to go with him instead, all the while thinking she would be able to escape.

Does she escape or not, and why is her mother so against the MacGregon when she is in fact Scottish herself, find the answers by reading this excellent book.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable Highland romance. The story was similar to others I have read before...Highlander kidnapping English healer with the hope of saving his father. There were some interesting twists and turns and the characters were very appealing, Their love story was compelling and I found myself engrossed in the tale. The erotic moments were steamy. I would have liked a bit more than a quick HEA ending though. Looking forward to more from this series and author.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, sensuous Scottish Highlander tale. A must read! For a full review visit My Book Addiction Reviews.

*Personal Buy*

Rating: 4.5
Heat Rating: Hot
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Lissette Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. Short read. Liked the secondary characters and looking forward to Duncan's story. Hope she does a story with Dara's mom too. :)

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read, I always enjoy some Scottish highlander romance. There wasn’t much drama in this one and I kept expecting it after each page flip. Bane was introduced and had such hatred for Darra that I expected some sabotage or kidnapping by him but they kind of just let him disappear after a skirmish with Rory.

[Phyllis C Surface · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars

Short but good for a quick read. Enjoyed the characters and thought and storyline was ok...only complaint is
Didn't need 4-5.pages per sex scene...most of us already get that part and know what's involved.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darra and Rory

Compelling. Warm. Intriguing. Love. Forgiveness. Healing. Compassion, love forgiveness and healing are very powerful feelings. Combining such feelings truly make an inviting and exciting tale.

[joyce spires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written

This book transported me to the highlands of Scotland. As I am of Scottish and English descent I enjoy stories of both and to have a book which speak of both, is very enjoyable.

[lorraine campeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline was really good. Kept me reading it all day. I think the ending was too rushed. Should have spent more time explaining how the Scots would accept her when they hated her so much. Also I always like a chapter of the future.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers

No insta love only insta lust and it wasn't instantly given. That's good in my thinking. Lots of character growth and great world building. I wish the story was longer only because it was such a great read.

[R.L.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun characters. The storyline is a touch predictable, but I like the way the healers work to help even their enemies.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Couldn't put the book down. Dana us a great writer as she puts words into picture. Thanks for writing so well.

[Breanna Eichhorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention from the first page. I loved her spirit when she was determined to save her mom. I look forward to reading more book by Dana D' Angelo

[Jacqueline Driggers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, and I enjoyed it very much. It has good strong characters, and an awesome storyline. This is a book that I highly recommend. It is very good.

[Jeanie Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real good read love the plot and the love story.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Enjoyed the book was a little bit too short but the characters were well written and the story was really good I’m looking forward to reading more of this author books

[telesha williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very cliche

Very cliche but also had a lot if steamy moments too. Very short as well ...so two stars it is!

[Ruth Radin]

Fun read. Great book!

[Holly]

DNF

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I liked this book. The characters were likable and left me wanting more. A few grammatical errors. The plot could have been longer and stronger, but was decent. My biggest irritant was how it ended. Not a cliffhanger, but it did not feel complete. No epilogue. This may be because it being a series......I hope so. This book was a good start to a series. I'm on to book 2.

[Raine Balkera · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed.
You can read my full review here: http://rainebalkera.blogspot.com

[Macaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story as a whole is not so bad. But I had a strange feeling reading that book. Nothing in it sounded true. The dialogues or twists seemed forced. The time and places didn't match anything in history: in 1560 Queen Elizabeth was the monarch and Mary in Scotland. So who are King Harold and Queen Gertrude???

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars--

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2, 2015

With their father nearing death, Rory MacGregon and his brothers fear the inevitable. But their hopes are renewed when the ailing man names a renowned Scottish healer who defected to England years ago. Rory crosses dangerous territory to obtain her help, only to discover that the gifted healer would rather kill herself than save his dying father. Rory gauges that kidnapping the woman is his only option when the healer's beautiful daughter appears. The spirited lass declares that she is also a healer, and offers to go in her mother's stead.

Darra Berchelaine has heard many stories about the bloodthirsty savages from the north. When she learns that the devil Scots plan to abduct her mother, Darra must protect her at all cost — even if that means feigning co-operation and luring the brutish Highlanders away from the castle. But even as she schemes to escape from her enemies, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the brawny Highland Chief. Suddenly Darra realizes that the handsome Highlander is neither an enemy nor a savage. And the only thing she needs to protect is her heart.

••••••••

REVIEW: 3.75 stars---THE HIGHLAND CHIEF is the first installment in Dana D’Angelo’s adult SCOTTISH STRIFE historical, romance series. This is Rory MacGregon, and Englishwoman Lady Darra Berchelaine’s storyline.

Told from third person point of view using current day and memories of the past, THE HIGHLAND CHIEF focuses on the ‘kidnapping’ of Darra Berchelaine by Scotsman Rory MacGregon. Darra and her mother Venora are English healers, and Venora had a previous history with Rory’s father. What ensues is the attempted abduction of Venora Berchelaine wherein Darra offers herself up in exchange for her mother. Darra, an accomplished healer in her own right, finds herself a willing captive on a cross country journey that will find Darra and Rory falling for one another while trying to outrun the British Army, local bands of thieves, and eventually Rory’s family who despise Darra and everything she represents.

The relationship between Darra and Rory is one of immediate attraction but Darra is Rory’s prisoner, and the only person who may be able to save his dying father. The sexual tension between our leading couple is palpable; Darra is attracted to the man who has taken her from her family and home, and Rory fantasizes about the woman at every opportunity. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the over the top graphic erotic imagery.

The world building focuses on the struggles between the England and Scotland; the war between the countries; and the memories that allow the Highlanders to focus their hatred on a people they barely know. Cross-cultural barriers and a mutual hatred between the English and the Scots proves to be a continuous catalyst for battle and war.

THE HIGHLAND CHIEF is an entertaining and romantic storyline but there are some issues of spelling; typos and improper grammar that could have been corrected with a proper proofreader and editor but he errors did not detract from my overall enjoyment. The premise will captivate your attention; the characters are colorful, sympathetic and spirited; the romance leads to a happily ever after. There is always something magical about a Highlander and the woman he loves.

Copy supplied by author

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Georgianna Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Highland Chief is a romantic tale of highland love. It’s set in England in the year 1560. The heroine Darra Berchelaine is the daughter of a Sir Arthur and Lady Venora. Her father has died and her mother is wasting away in grief. Trained in healing arts by her mother, she is forced to take her mother’s place and treat the people of her father’s estate as well as see to the running of the castle.
One night she finds two intruders in her mother’s chambers, trying to take her to Scotland with them to treat a dying man. The men are Rory and Duncan MacGregon, sons of Eanruing MacGregon, the man who lies on death’s door. Rory is the new Chief of the MacGregon Clan, his father having given him the title recently.
To save her mother from being kidnapped, Darra lets them know she is also a healer and suggests that they take her instead of her mother who is in frail condition. So they spirit the young lass away and head for the highlands. In the morning, the kidnapping is discovered and her mother and some guards set out to bring Darra back. They are forcibly joined by one Sir Dudly, an old wretched evil knight who thinks he has a claim to marry the lovely Darra.
Well, that’s the gist of the beginning. The story is well done as far as following most of the times and traditions with all their issues. The writing is descriptive, the dialogue is good and sometimes playful and entertaining. Author D’Angelo puts in lots of danger, twists, conflict of emotions and cultures.
What can I say I’d improve if I could? I found some word and misspellings, but will forward the highlighted copy back to the author, so hopefully, many of those will be fixed. While it stopped me briefly, it wasn’t a story changer and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Could the author have taken more time before getting them into the ‘sack’…probably…but I found the love scenes wonderfully heated and sensual, so even though I’d have liked a little more before the romance, it was not something I would highly object to.
In all, it was a very entertaining and well written romance, with some cultural conflict, adventure and danger…what more can we ask for? As to ratings…I’d give this a good four stars! I recommend this for a cold evening and a nice cuddle reading.

Copy provided by author for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing style and story is rushed in addition to the fact that the point of few is inconsistent. One minute we're reading things from Darra's point of view, knowing what she knows and seeing what she sees, and two sentences later we know what's going on in Rory's head. Example: she doesn't know who this intruder is and we're experiencing this through her vantage point, from inside HER head, and yet in the next sentence it says "Rory then [insert action here]..." She doesn't know who he is yet but suddenly we know his name before she does with no explanation" - just sort of sloppy and really annoying to read. I also found myself rolling my eyes within a few pages...we're given no time at all to care about these characters and yet instantly and illogically they are both thinking about boning each other. There's no hook, there's no line, there's just sinker. If you want a real Highlander romance you can't do any better than Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series - there's no topping it.

[Joann Maggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Highlander Chief ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Written by Dana D'Angelo

Rory MacGregon is desperate to help his father the laird of their clan. The laird has been sick for a while and the clan healer can do no more to help him. Rory heads into another territory to bring back a renowned healer Venora.

When Rory attempts to kidnap the healer her daughter Darra intercedes and tells him she too is a healer and to take her in place of her ailing mother.
Dara's plan is to escape from the Highlander but on the journey she sees he is not an enemy but a desperate son trying to aid his father.

Darra finds herself emotionally awakened by this man and herself falling in love. Rory, too, is so attracted to her and has feelings for her he never experienced before.