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Protectors of the Crown #3
Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf
Rylan has spent most of his life keeping his identity a secret, even from those he loves. But in order to secure his future, he has to face his past. On the run as an outlaw, trying to clear his name, Rylan comes across a woman who he discovers has dark secrets of her own.
Living a simple life with her young son, nothing seemed as if it could go wrong, until a Highland drifter shows up on her doorstep. Dragging her into his world of chaos and deception, Fallon finds herself at a crossroads that may impact both of their lives.
As secrets become exposed, will Fallon choose the right path to change her life, and will it be enough to save Rylan from the noose?
Living a simple life with her young son, nothing seemed as if it could go wrong, until a Highland drifter shows up on her doorstep. Dragging her into his world of chaos and deception, Fallon finds herself at a crossroads that may impact both of their lives.
As secrets become exposed, will Fallon choose the right path to change her life, and will it be enough to save Rylan from the noose?
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2017
53 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
April Holthaus
46 books233 followersApril lives in central Minnesota. April developed her passion of historical romances from her love of history and geneaology. She has complied over 350+ grandparents of her direct bloodline dating back to 1100s.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 6, 2017
"The Protectors of the Crown This series follows a group of five warriors who live their life protecting their king and country. The historical setting is Scotland 1537-1538 during the reign of James V of Scotland."
Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf (Protectors of the Crown Book 2) by April Holthaus is an enticing and very enjoyable Medeival Scottish Romance. While, Book 2 in her amazing "Heart of the Highlands" series, it can be read as a stand alone with no issues. See Book 1,"The Beast".
Fallon and Rylan, aka the Wolf, face turmoil, danger and their attraction to each other as they come to grip with their circumstances. Rylan is one of a secret group, of Protectors of the Crown. He is also considered an outlaw.
He and Fallon have secrets of their own. Fallon and her young son, are not what they same.
Ms. Holthaus had me captivated with the first page and held me entranced and in awe the whole way through, to the last page. Highly intoxicating!
Well written, fast paced with engaging and well-developed characters, who will hold your heart and your attention, as you watch them grow. Sparks fly, passion ignites, danger lurks, as the Protectors of the Crown do their best for King and country. But will Fallon and Rylan face their demons, come to grips with their past to find their HEA? Or will they lose all to the danger that lurks? You must read "The Wolf" to learn more of Fallon and Rylan's story!
Filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery, and romance. Of course, I adore small children thrown into the mix, they make life so enduring. A mother will do anything for her child.
Ms. Holthaus is an incredible author, who draws readers into her stories with her captivating storyline, and her enticing characters. "The Wolf" is a definite keeper, a story not to be missed. Highly recommended for fans of Scottish Romance, fierce warriors, fiesty lasses,Historical Romance lovers, and anyone who enjoys a heart-pounding adventure in the Highlands. Another hit by April Holthaus! An absolute delight to read! I thoroughly enjoyed "The Wolf" and wait anxiously for the next adventure of "Heart of the Highlands"! A must read! Well done, Ms. Holthaus! !
I received a complimentary copy.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf (Protectors of the Crown Book 2) by April Holthaus is an enticing and very enjoyable Medeival Scottish Romance. While, Book 2 in her amazing "Heart of the Highlands" series, it can be read as a stand alone with no issues. See Book 1,"The Beast".
Fallon and Rylan, aka the Wolf, face turmoil, danger and their attraction to each other as they come to grip with their circumstances. Rylan is one of a secret group, of Protectors of the Crown. He is also considered an outlaw.
He and Fallon have secrets of their own. Fallon and her young son, are not what they same.
Ms. Holthaus had me captivated with the first page and held me entranced and in awe the whole way through, to the last page. Highly intoxicating!
Well written, fast paced with engaging and well-developed characters, who will hold your heart and your attention, as you watch them grow. Sparks fly, passion ignites, danger lurks, as the Protectors of the Crown do their best for King and country. But will Fallon and Rylan face their demons, come to grips with their past to find their HEA? Or will they lose all to the danger that lurks? You must read "The Wolf" to learn more of Fallon and Rylan's story!
Filled with intrigue, suspense, mystery, and romance. Of course, I adore small children thrown into the mix, they make life so enduring. A mother will do anything for her child.
Ms. Holthaus is an incredible author, who draws readers into her stories with her captivating storyline, and her enticing characters. "The Wolf" is a definite keeper, a story not to be missed. Highly recommended for fans of Scottish Romance, fierce warriors, fiesty lasses,Historical Romance lovers, and anyone who enjoys a heart-pounding adventure in the Highlands. Another hit by April Holthaus! An absolute delight to read! I thoroughly enjoyed "The Wolf" and wait anxiously for the next adventure of "Heart of the Highlands"! A must read! Well done, Ms. Holthaus! !
I received a complimentary copy.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
January 16, 2017
The first book was so good. I don't know what happened here with this book. It seemed somewhat scattered in spots. For example, the hero is stabbed in a fight and then nothing is mentioned again about that wound. Did he have it tended to (bandaged, looked at, stitched)? No, he goes on his merry way in the story. Also, this fight and stabbing occurred after a significant time of being already weakened from days and days from being held captive with little to no food and tortuous beatings. Yet, he is in a fight, stabbed, came close to dying from a hanging and then is able to jump on a horse, travel, fight and rescue the heroine? Hmmmm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast flowing and hard to put down. It can be read alone, but I think it is better after reading book 1. I already liked Rylan's character and Fallon was very likable as well. I was hoping that Ian and Keira from book one would have been more prominent in the book. Also, Rylan is severely injured and stabbed, but there is no mention of this as he moves forward to rescue Fallon. As with book one the reader is somewhat left hanging at the end and waiting on the next book in the series.
January 4, 2017
Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf
After reading the first installment of the series (The Beast) I was hooked and was anxiously awaiting the release of The Wolf. Once again April did not disappoint...fast paced, could not put it down and I read it in its entirety within 24 hours. If anyone has not read April's books, it's time to start. Not only this series but all of her books. Great job April and thank you for taking us to a place in time where we can escape the world around us. When I read your stories I am there in the room with the characters and can picture the entire scene. Anxiously awaiting book number 3....
After reading the first installment of the series (The Beast) I was hooked and was anxiously awaiting the release of The Wolf. Once again April did not disappoint...fast paced, could not put it down and I read it in its entirety within 24 hours. If anyone has not read April's books, it's time to start. Not only this series but all of her books. Great job April and thank you for taking us to a place in time where we can escape the world around us. When I read your stories I am there in the room with the characters and can picture the entire scene. Anxiously awaiting book number 3....
March 12, 2017
Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf
Here is another wonderful story by April Holthaus. This story is about secrets they have and how they affect them and others around them. It was hard to put the book down. The ending is different from other story I read. I can't decide if I really liked the ending but it keeps with the hero personality. Overall I really enjoyed reading this story. I can't wait until her next story Heart of the Highlands: The Dragon. I hope you will enjoy reading this story as much as I did.
Here is another wonderful story by April Holthaus. This story is about secrets they have and how they affect them and others around them. It was hard to put the book down. The ending is different from other story I read. I can't decide if I really liked the ending but it keeps with the hero personality. Overall I really enjoyed reading this story. I can't wait until her next story Heart of the Highlands: The Dragon. I hope you will enjoy reading this story as much as I did.
June 25, 2019
What a mess of a book. I've read other books by this author and they've been good, but this was an odd one. First all the intrigue with the heroine which was explained on almost the last page. A little kid wise beyond his years who made cameo appearances but never really developed as a character. An old blind man that still drove a horse cart and farmed (he must have had supernatural powers). A hero that kept getting beat up, stabbed, run over by a horse, hung by the neck until almost dead, abducted by aliens etc but still could be brave, manly, and strong enough to carry the heroine around with broken bones and stuff. And then it just ended. I thought maybe the last chapter didn't download, but no. ugh. I never did figure out exactly who the hero was and why people were trying to kill him. Heck I could barely figure out who the good and bad guys were. This book just didn't work for me.
April 7, 2017
Good Read
The writing and descriptions of the characters and scenery drew the reader into the story. The book is a stand alone but it leaves you wanting more so then you have to get the next book to find an ending
The writing and descriptions of the characters and scenery drew the reader into the story. The book is a stand alone but it leaves you wanting more so then you have to get the next book to find an ending
January 23, 2022
Hard to Tame
Rylan is a man who should have died many times over! He's fought for king James as a protector and has used and been used in many a fight! Fallon was use twice before by men that should have loved her! Not sure if she was just young and dumb!? Daven used her and left without telling her there was no future!! Am Englishman (half brother to Rylan) used her got her pregnant and discarded her!
How she survived and not continued to fall in with bad men she was awarded a small farm! Another man whose eyesight was taken after he waa no longer useful and saw something he should not have was all the help she had!
Rylan is hard and vengeful very difficult to love not believing as a bastard he's earned it! Fallon longs for love and finds out much of the truth following Rylan. These two were destined from very start until Fallon ran away. She still didn't know the truth at the end. I do not like the end as it is insufficient and leaves too many questions! Rylan almost dies from a wound to his side but gathers enough strength to pursue Fallon and her son!? There's a lot of blood death and destruction and the end only leaves room for more with possible outcomes! Fallon is strong enough to love him and brave enough to be his peace with all the war around them!
Rylan is a man who should have died many times over! He's fought for king James as a protector and has used and been used in many a fight! Fallon was use twice before by men that should have loved her! Not sure if she was just young and dumb!? Daven used her and left without telling her there was no future!! Am Englishman (half brother to Rylan) used her got her pregnant and discarded her!
How she survived and not continued to fall in with bad men she was awarded a small farm! Another man whose eyesight was taken after he waa no longer useful and saw something he should not have was all the help she had!
Rylan is hard and vengeful very difficult to love not believing as a bastard he's earned it! Fallon longs for love and finds out much of the truth following Rylan. These two were destined from very start until Fallon ran away. She still didn't know the truth at the end. I do not like the end as it is insufficient and leaves too many questions! Rylan almost dies from a wound to his side but gathers enough strength to pursue Fallon and her son!? There's a lot of blood death and destruction and the end only leaves room for more with possible outcomes! Fallon is strong enough to love him and brave enough to be his peace with all the war around them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2025
I really liked The Wolf. Book #3 was full of suspense and romance. Rylan and Fallon's story was well written and very emotional. A lot of truths are revealed. I loved the ending and am looking forward to reading more of this series.
I give Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf (Protectors of the Crown, #3) 4 stars for its touching read.
I would recommend this book to Historical Romance fans.
I give Heart of the Highlands: The Wolf (Protectors of the Crown, #3) 4 stars for its touching read.
I would recommend this book to Historical Romance fans.
October 9, 2025
I loved this book! It’s a gripping mix of romance, danger, and redemption that kept me hooked from the first page. Rylan’s struggle to clear his name and Fallon’s strength made their story so emotional and real. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and the twists kept me guessing until the end. A beautifully written, heartfelt tale that stays with you long after reading.
May 3, 2022
Ok
I enjoy this author.... This story seemed to be disjointed and unfinished. How did Rylan recover from stab wound to his side? Did I miss that?
I enjoy this author.... This story seemed to be disjointed and unfinished. How did Rylan recover from stab wound to his side? Did I miss that?
July 25, 2023
Change & Trust
Pretending to be someone neither of them were, both running away from their lives. Wonderful story of two people becoming who they really were.
Pretending to be someone neither of them were, both running away from their lives. Wonderful story of two people becoming who they really were.
January 15, 2017
The most used phrase of the book, after the usual, is 'He is a difficult man'. And Rylan certainly has enough skeletons and cupboards in his backstory for it to be so, but while I enjoyed the story, I think April Holthaus must be a lucky woman, who does not have many difficult men in her life, because Rylan is far too nice, for somebody who is quite so traumatised.
March 4, 2017
A beautifully written adventure that engages a soldier with a headstrong woman - a great beginning to any story!
Read full review in the 2017 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2017 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 6, 2021
What a mess of a book. I've read other books by this author and they've been good, but this was an odd one. First all the intrigue with the heroine which was explained on almost the last page. A little kid wise beyond his years who made cameo appearances but never really developed as a character. An old blind man that still drove a horse cart and farmed (he must have had supernatural powers). A hero that kept getting beat up, stabbed, run over by a horse, hung by the neck until almost dead, abducted by aliens etc but still could be brave, manly, and strong enough to carry the heroine around with broken bones and stuff. And then it just ended. I thought maybe the last chapter didn't download, but no. ugh. I never did figure out exactly who the hero was and why people were trying to kill him. Heck I could barely figure out who the good and bad guys were. This book just didn't work for me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews