Strathnaver, Scotland, Summer 1792--The Highland Clearances abruptly destroy Artis MacKay's idyllic world. Patrick Steller, the Countess of Sutherland's brutal estate manager, murders Artis' family and burns her village. Forced into indentured servitude in the American colonies, she becomes a Virginia plantation servant. After seven long years, Artis receives her freedom dues--land in Kentucky.
Bear MacKee grew up in the Highlands too, but disease claims his parents on his family's voyage to the colonies. Adopted by the Wyllies, he becomes a loyal and fiercely protective brother who journeys with them to Kentucky. With his brothers safely settled, the time comes for Bear to find his own wife and future.
Their past and their destiny entwined, Artis and Bear meet and pledge their love. But a cold-blooded old enemy and a ruthless new adversary threaten to crush Artis and Bear's chance for happiness. And the dark side of nature becomes a frightening adversary too. For their love to triumph in the wilderness, these two heroic Highlanders must evoke the MacKay Clan motto--Manu Forti--with a strong hand.
DOROTHY WILEY Storyteller of Love and Heroes on the American Frontier and the Scottish Highlands.
Amazon bestselling novelist Dorothy Wiley is an award-winning, multi-published author of Medieval Scottish and American Historical Romance. Wiley’s novels blend vivid historical elements and thrilling action with the romance of a moving love story to create exceedingly engaging page-turners. Her exceptional historical romances, inspired by history and true events, have won numerous awards, and have more than 8,500 five-star reader reviews on Amazon.
Her first two series, the American Wilderness and Wilderness Hearts Series are set on the American frontier when Kentucky was the West. Her third series, Wilderness Dawning, continues the highly acclaimed Wyllie family saga but brings some of the family to the new edge of the West—the Province of Texas. Wiley's fourth series, Wilderness Valor, returns some family members to Kentucky where they join heroes with extraordinary courage.
Wiley’s novel LETTERS OF FIRE AND SWORD, set in Medieval Scotland, merges Scotland’s gut-wrenching history with extraordinary fiction and was the #1 NEW RELEASE IN MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE when it was released. This gripping tale is a gut-wrenching historical romance with realistic depictions of the past, a courageous king and his knights, and women willing to fight for what they cherish.
Her books’ timeless messages of family and loyalty are both raw and honest. As she skillfully unravels a compelling tale, the author’s complex characters come alive and are joined by a memorable ensemble of friends and family.
Wiley’s novels have won numerous awards, notably a Western Writers of America Finalist; a Will Rogers Medallion Award Finalist; RONE Award Finalist; Laramie Award Finalist; Chatelaine Romantic Fiction Finalist; Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-finalist; a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal; USA Best Book Awards Finalist; and a Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choice. Her books continue to earn five-star ratings from readers and high praise from reviewers.
Wiley attended college at The University of Texas in Austin. She graduated with honors, receiving a bachelor of journalism, and grew to dearly love both Texas and a 7th-generation Texan, her husband Larry. Her husband’s courageous ancestors, early pioneers of Kentucky and Texas, provided the inspiration for American Wilderness novels and Wiley's own Scots ancestors inspired her Scottish novels. After a distinguished career in corporate marketing and public relations, Wiley is living her dream—writing novels that touch the hearts of her readers.
Each book is a stand-alone, full-length, tastefully romantic novel. All of Wiley's titles are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited and are available in print, eBooks, and saudiobooks at www.amazon.com/author/dorothywiley.
If you have read Wiley's books, she would greatly appreciate a short review on the book’s Amazon page.
AMERICAN WILDERNESS SERIES - Wyllie family brothers Book One – WILDERNESS TRAIL OF LOVE Book Two – NEW FRONTIER OF LOVE Book Three – WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE Book Four – FRONTIER HIGHLANDER VOW OF LOVE Book Five – FRONTIER GIFT OF LOVE Book Six – THE BEAUTY OF LOVE
WILDERNESS HEARTS SERIES - Wyllie brothers and their grown children Book One – LOVE’S NEW BEGINNING Book Two – LOVE’S SUNRISE Book Three – LOVE'S GLORY Book Four – LOVE'S WHISPER
WILDERNESS DAWNING - The Texas Wyllie Brothers Series Book One – RED RIVER RIFLES Book Two – LAND OF STARS Book Three – BUCKSKIN ANGEL Book Four – LAND OF HEROES
MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND – LETTERS OF FIRE AND SWORD
WILDERNESS VALOR Book One - SHERIFF'S VALOR
CONNECT with Dorothy: Join Wiley’s readers' list to sign up for her infrequent newsletter and you can send her a note under the Contact tab on her website dorothywiley.com. Facebook: DorothyMayWiley BookBub: Author Dorothy Wiley
3 stars. It was ok. I consider this a clean read due to the lack of any detailed descriptions of love scenes. It was not pristine clean, but definately appropriate for older teens.
The story was on a whole pretty good, but a bit too long. I also felt it got a little to "Godly." I didn't see if this was a christian book, but I think it was.
The storyline was good in the beginning and stayed steady until about 80% when I felt like it was going on too long and I started to skim.
It was a comfortable read and it did have some good action in it at times. The romance was sweet, and although the characters were likable, I felt they were a little flat.
This is the fourth book in Wiley's American Wilderness series and it did not disappoint. While this book opens with its prologue in 1792 in Scotland most of the story takes place in the United States - mainly Virginia and Kentucky. The prologue gave a lot of background information and only made me want to see where the author would take us next.
This is Bear and Artis' story and what a story it is. There are so many twists and turns, misadventures and mishaps that I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. It was great to be reunited with Bear's brothers, Sam and William and their families but William, his wife Kelly and his father-in-law are front and center in this book. When Bear and Artis first meet there is an instant attraction and the chemistry became apparent each subsequent time they met up. Finding out they're descended from the same part of Scotland, the same clan and that they both carry their heritage with pride only makes them have a stronger connection. Learning their customs and hearing them speak their native tongue just strengthened their ties. I loved how they added the phrase, And a wee bit longer to many circumstances and how they reminisced about their lives there. Kentucky was still rough and there were a lot of unsavory and dangerous characters. Both Kelly and Artis showed their ability to get things done and not to show their fear no matter what dilemma they found themselves in. They were definitely forces to be reckoned with and both had the strength to survive such an untamed place. There were wonderful descriptions of the land, the animals, the homes and the relationships between friends and foe. The story flowed smoothly and had secrets, fear, longing, wild animals, weapons, good guys and bad, heartache and happiness along with tears, illness, dreams, hard work, romance and love. Bear was ferocious but could be surprisingly gentle especially with and around Artis. There were many layers to all the characters and it was a pleasure to get to know them better as the story progressed. There was a happily ever after and nice closure but an epilogue would have been great.
Wiley is one of my favorite new authors. I love her accurate portrayal of the settling of the American Frontier and also how her characters come to life. I was happy to see that the series will continue since there will be a fifth book that I can't wait to read it. Well done once again Ms. Wiley!
Favorite Quote: ..."But we did not lose what is most important. We carry the pride of our ancestors and our love for Scotland with us in our hearts. It is na left back in the Highlands. The Almighty sent us both here for a reason. It's yer duty to learn what that reason is."
My review was originally posted on Romancing-the-Book.com and is shown below:
This is the fourth book in Wiley's American Wilderness series and it did not disappoint. While this book opens with its prologue in 1792 in Scotland most of the story takes place in the United States - mainly Virginia and Kentucky. The prologue gave a lot of background information and only made me want to see where the author would take us next.
This is Bear and Artis' story and what a story it is. There are so many twists and turns, misadventures and mishaps that I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. It was great to be reunited with Bear's brothers, Sam and William and their families but William, his wife Kelly and his father-in-law are front and center in this book. When Bear and Artis first meet there is an instant attraction and the chemistry became apparent each subsequent time they met up. Finding out they're descended from the same part of Scotland, the same clan and that they both carry their heritage with pride only makes them have a stronger connection. Learning their customs and hearing them speak their native tongue just strengthened their ties. I loved how they added the phrase, And a wee bit longer to many circumstances and how they reminisced about their lives there. Kentucky was still rough and there were a lot of unsavory and dangerous characters. Both Kelly and Artis showed their ability to get things done and not to show their fear no matter what dilemma they found themselves in. They were definitely forces to be reckoned with and both had the strength to survive such an untamed place. There were wonderful descriptions of the land, the animals, the homes and the relationships between friends and foe. The story flowed smoothly and had secrets, fear, longing, wild animals, weapons, good guys and bad, heartache and happiness along with tears, illness, dreams, hard work, romance and love. Bear was ferocious but could be surprisingly gentle especially with and around Artis. There were many layers to all the characters and it was a pleasure to get to know them better as the story progressed. There was a happily ever after and nice closure but an epilogue would have been great.
Wiley is one of my favorite new authors. I love her accurate portrayal of the settling of the American Frontier and also how her characters come to life. I was happy to see that the series will continue since there will be a fifth book that I can't wait to read it. Well done once again Ms. Wiley!
Favorite Quote: ..."But we did not lose what is most important. We carry the pride of our ancestors and our love for Scotland with us in our hearts. It is na left back in the Highlands. The Almighty sent us both here for a reason. It's yer duty to learn what that reason is."
Frontier Highlander Vow of Love is the fourth book in Ms.Wiley's epic American Wilderness Series Romances. It continues the gripping saga of the courageous men and women who faced the constant dangers and hardships of traveling to and settling in Kentucky in 1797.
As with any series, readers anticipate an enjoyable read with each new book. Sometimes books fall short of readers' expectations for one reason or another. This is certainly not the case with Frontier Highlander Vow of Love.
Ms. Wiley fulfills readers' expectations with heart wrenching moments of danger, thrilling scenes of fast-paced action, and character portrayals which run the gamut of loving and honorable to abhorrent and murderous.
Wiley's writing style is comparative to classic novels which have stood the test of time. Readers are caught up in her memorable tales of life, death, honor, love, and hate. Her writing is gripping and holds the reader spellbound until the end. They are books to be savored and read again.
Like Manu Forti, meaning "with a strong hand", the clan motto of the Mackay clan in Frontier Highlander Vow of Love, Ms. Wiley's writing skills are powerful and compelling and her books are not to be missed.
I received a copy of Frontier Highlander Vow of Love from the author for an honest review.
Dorothy’s characters continue to bring out emotions in me that I forgot I had, but they are good cries and happy cries all rolled into one pleasurable and satisfying read. Her oh-so-likable Bear hero, and his new-found love, Artis, exude a quaint affection for each other perfectly portrayed by their Scottish charm and truly heroic personas. Her story artfully balances respectful love and true passion (that’s the part that makes me cry). Her new story of Bear and Artis is so inspiring that you truly appreciate what our ancestors endured and overcame and how thankful we should be they were there to pave the way. I’d love to be next door to Bear and meet him in person, but I’ll just have to be satisfied with reading the book again. Dorothy’s book brings the best of both worlds, Scotland and frontier America. Her fourth great book is authentically written and researched, starting in Scotland, and ending in…well I’m not going to spoil it…but it’s one of my favorite books thus far! The perfect book to curl up and enjoy over a wee bit of Scotch perhaps.
A wonderful story of loss and gain, hate and love, and the fight between evil and good! This amazing series is a Christian romance set in the late 1700s when America was very wild and beginning to be tamed by trappers and mountain men! The romantic scenes are clean, meaning the final act is not described but the foreplay is sensually portrayed and lovingly communicated! It's a love relationship where two hearts are joined, not a sexual performance! I love this series and Dororthy is an amazing narrator and story teller!
Bear being the big adopted brother of the Wiley family was anxious to finally settle down when he meets "the one", Artis. This book was a real page turner and was exciting, sad, loving and fulfilling. Such a well written book. I can't wait for book 5 in the series.
An amazing story of survival and love. Faced with many hardships, Artis never gives up and when she meets Bear they make it through all the trials put in their path, to live a life full of love. I enjoy this story very much.
Bear and Artis' story is an excellent and exciting read. History is subtlety woven into a truly beautiful love story. Can't wait for Wiley's future books.
Didn’t really like the prologue. Saw no reason why Mary had to stay in a burning house and leave her 15 year old daughter to fend for herself. No true mother would.
Can’t say I really like the author’s diction. It’s a bit childish and rigid. Example:
“Looking up, Logan said, “Ah, Daniel MacKee! Otherwise known as Bear—a fitting nickname for a giant like yourself.”
What kind of childish thing is this😤?
Once I forced myself to overlook these things and to see the beauty in the story though, I settled in better.
Bear was easy to like. He reminded me of a character in Beverly Jenkins’s novels. I thought it was a bit unreal the way William and his wife instantly brought Artie into their home, barely even knowing her though.
Nothing really happened in this book... it was predictable and the writing wasn’t my favorite.
I read a LOT of historical romance, and Wiley's books are always head and shoulders above the others. WOW! She knows how to weave historical events and details into the plot seamlessly creating a richly captivating read. The romance is deep and heartfelt without being graphic. But what I loved the most about this book was what I learned. I was clueless about the Highland Clearances and came away with a deeper understanding of the early Scottish American, and I also ate up her descriptions of day-to-day life in the Colonies. Bear was adorable and Artis--one tough cookie. Bravo to this author for yet another great read!
Bear was an "adopted" member of the the Wyllie family. He came with his family from Scotland but was the only family member who survived. He was taken in by the Wyllie family and treated as a son. Years later, Artis came to America as an indentured servant and after seven years of service, she was given a parcel of land on the Frontier near Boonesborough where the Wyllie family lived. Bear was immediately drawn to Artis and interestingly they were members of two branches of the same clan in Scotland even though they had never met.
Read this book to learn how their interest in one another led to a permanent relationship. I really enjoyed this book.
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title. (Audible Membership)
Bear has become a support for all the Wiley family members as they left their home to find a new home in the wilderness of Kentucky. If you have read the books in this series up to this, you would have come to admire this gentle giant. Now Bear has decided that he, too, wanted martial bliss, the same as his adopted brothers had found.
However, such love comes with hidden dangers, and he had to have both faith and trust in the one that he had found deserving of his admiration, loyalty, and love.
The Frontier Highlander Vow of Love was beautifully written. The characters were well defined. It gave you a glimpse into what life was like back then. The love & romance of family was well define without explicit sex. I finished it on my Kindle in 2 days. I live on a small budget. & can’t afford to buy books. I love when the authors. Promote free books. I’m handicapped & house bound so reading is a real pleasure for me & Im thankful for the generosity of the authors... Thank you!!
When I first started reading this series I did not know what I was up for. This series was more than I ever expected. The story draws you in. It put you right there in the line of Indians arrows and every terrifying event that pioneers suffered through settling this country.The characters jump off the page and you can't put it down. Can't wait to read on. Was so happy to read Bear's story of love and survival. Enjoy!
A true to Live Venture begins from Scotland to Kentucky is a long Road. Many Happy, Many Tragic stops along the way make this a very interesting read. Never a moment of boredom, you can be expected to enjoy and get to know the Wiley Family well. This is quite the Love Story and I give this writing 5🌟 Enjoy
Very emotional and adventurous! Author Dorothy Wiley has not hesitated to include the real dangers both animal and evil of some humans which the frontier settlers faced. Artis and Bear certainly faced more than their share in the early days and months after proclaiming their love.
Characters: Bear and Artis Good, exciting story. It had some truly intense scenes and they kept coming at almost every turn. I learned some about Scottish history too. They fell in love too quickly in my opinion, which seemed unbelievable, but it was a good story anyway.
Although I can be harsh in my criticism of poor editing (spooneristic word choices and poor sentences), I truly admire her dedication to presenting the life as it most likely was and the tale well told.
It is always disappointing when I read a book with so many grammatical errors. Your proof readers aren't doing their jobs. Enjoyed the book and do recommend this author.
Loved, loved this powerful story of love and trust and family, family born into and families of choice. Can't wait to read the other books in this series. Though I may first have to read this again. Right away. And a wee bit longer.
This book was wonderful. I have read 3 of Dorothy Wiley 's books and each book is full of mystery, family and love. I am excited about starting the next book.
I was reading the book until I got to the part where it was from the villain's pov, then the author lost me. I'm not into that kind of stuff. So I dumped the book and moved on to something else. I despise rape or any reference to rape in a book. It's just not necessary to do.