She was the weakness he could not afford, and the temptation he could not deny.
Highland warrior Cameron MacLeod’s mission for the king has just gone dangerously awry, and the best chance he has of saving it is the fair-haired beauty he encounters during the ambush. Injured during the battle, the enchantress has lost her memory, but Cameron harbors one of her. Long ago, a seer foretold that this woman had the power to destroy him. He’s confident he’s not so weak as to succumb to her charms, but the mysterious woman soon proves herself brave, guileless, and after one foolish, searing kiss, impossible to resist.
When Sorcha Stewart awakes in a strange place, the only person she has any memory of is the handsome highlander in front of her—and even that memory is hazy. Still, she instantly feels drawn to and protected by Cameron, and he proves her instinct correct with his willingness to endanger himself to defend her. Soon, love ensnares her, and when Sorcha finally recalls her history, she learns she’s irrevocably tied to the very enemies the Scot has been hunting.
Now that the seer’s foretelling is coming true, it’s putting Cameron in grave danger. With little time and their futures hanging in the balance, Cameron will have to swallow his pride and seek the help of his renowned brothers, whom he’s spent his life striving to be considered equal to, or risk losing Sorcha forever. As for Sorcha, she’ll have to break ties with her past to hold on to the wondrous love she’s discovered.
Julie Johnstone is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Scottish historical romance and Regency historical romance featuring highlanders and aristocrats are her love, and she enjoys creating both with a hefty dose of twists, plenty of heartstring tugs, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Her books have been dubbed "fabulously entertaining and engaging," making readers cry, laugh, and swoon. Johnstone lives in Alabama with her very own lowlander husband, her two children - the heir and the spare, her snobby cat, and her perpetually happy dog.
In her spare time she enjoys way too much coffee balanced by super hot yoga, reading, and traveling.
Book Review For: 'How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady' by Julie Johnstone 'How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady' by Julie Johnstone is Book Five in Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Series. This is the story of Cameron MacLeod and Sorcha Stewart. I have read some of the previous book but I do feel this can be a standalone book. Cameron is the youngest of his brothers and seems to have something to prove to them. Sorcha and her twin brother Finn are very different in that Sorcha is more the warrior and Finn is more of the softer of the two. Their Father, Earl of Angus is very harsh and Sorcha and her mother used to buffer between the father and the son. But their Mother has died and now Socha is trying to keep protect her brother. Their father already married of their sister to a harsh man who just wanted a wife for children. Now their father is trying to make Finn into a Warrior by making him kill King Davids' Mistress, Katherine Mortimer. When he fails to do the job a fellow warrior named Hugo said he will do it if he can have Sorcha's hand in marriage. Sorcha knows that she should have left her father instead of staying with his threats to marry her off but she feels she needs to stay and protect Finn and their Uncle Brom, who is large as a warrior but has a mind of a child. But with this threat of killing the Kings Mistress to start the downfall of the King and knowing this will hurt Finn in the long run Sorcha goes to warn the Kings Mistress and their group.Cameron is leading the group guarding the King's mistress and they are attacked he happens to see Sorcha. Sorcha and Cameron actually met a few years back briefly when they was a Tournament going on that they both competed in. Although Sorcha was dress as a boy since women can't compete he saw her and tried to talk to her. But was stopped when she ran off and a Seer stopped him to tell him it wasn't his time to meet her. That she, Sorcha and him would meet again and she would bring him to betray his family and the King. Now has come the time for them to meet and be together but Sorcha has hit her head and doesn't know anything it seems and Cameron is trying to stay strong and not fall as the Seer said he would. This book you will not be able to put down...so be prepare to enjoy a few hours of reading! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...https://twitter.com/soapsrus68https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...http://booklikes.com/bloghttps://roma...https://www.tumblr.com/blog/romancebo...
I liked it a lot, but I've also been following the whole series so I think that helped & I think the author is one of the better HR writers out there, no matter what she's writing. She brings the heat. This is a slow, slow burn, don't go into this thinking this is instant lust even though there is that.
There's a bit of seers & predicting & family conflict by the time we get to Cameron he's got a lot to prove, and he does it well. It's also quite the good retelling of a girl who has amnesia, I enjoyed the whole story. Lots of people are in this & I suppose you could read it as a standalone but it was so much better knowing imo, Recommend.
I'm thinking Cameron has a jealous side, “did he now?” Cameron growled, fighting the desire to rise and go fetch Sorcha himself." Cameron can be really sweet at times, “it better be only me,” he growled and kissed her soundly on her pretty mouth. “I have nae ever been jealous over a lass, but with ye, it is different. Ye are mine. I’d kill any man who dared to touch ye.” I liked this book, I fell in love woth Cameron, and Sorcha was so lovable.
I received a copy of this book , in return for an honest review .
This is book 5 in the series. Cameron's story is just as moving and emotional as the others in this series He's an honest , noble and Honourable warrior , who feels he's not up to his 3 brothers , either in stature or in the lack of respect he feels they were given by there father , not given to him . He meets Sorcha who is driven out of her home by a mean spirited father and a brother trying to live up to his farthers desires , when they plot against the king ,to kill the kings mistress . The story is tense and the characters are wonderful, the added addition of the older brothers , from the previous books , helping and aiding him through his journey, help the story gain pace and add to the suspense. I love this book and Cameron and Sorcha are great characters, who you route for all the way through. I can't wait for the next instalment .
Cameron MacLeod and Sorcha's story had me so entralled I had a hard time putting this book down. Warriors, murder, treason, prophecies, romance,family this book has it all. A page turning story that you won't want it to end. Julie Johnstone paints a picture that you can almost see when you close your eyes.
“Ye’ll nae ever be the warrior that yer brothers are.” “She will come to ye again, but this time in battle, bathed in blood and marked by a heart. To yer knees she will bring ye, and for her, ye will betray everything ye hold dear.” Cameron MacLeod has lived with the first all his life – always a disappointment to his father. The second, told by a seer, has him vowing it will never come true. A vow that, no matter how hard he fights to keep it, he is bound to break. Sorcha Stewart has always been better than her twin at everything; a fact that her bully of a father continues to point out to her brother. When Sorcha overhears a treasonous plot her father has put in place, one that sees her wed to a ruthless man and strips her brother of something he holds dear, Sorcha runs to warn the quarry. A valiant effort that throws Sorcha into the middle of the melee and causes a loss of memory – except for the niggling memory of the handsome Scot who rescues her. Once Sorcha remembers will it be friend or foe she finds herself encamped with and will Cameron be able to disprove the seer’s prophecy? Or will they both be doomed to a life neither wants? Julie Johnstone hits the ground running with this fifth book in her Highland Vows: Entangled Hearts series and doesn’t stop until “The End”. Those MacLeod brothers are strong characters and enhance each other without taking over the current characters story. And the women they love are just as strong without overpowering the men they love or losing their female softness. How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady is one of those books that give you a wonderful book hangover! Just WOW!!!!
How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady (Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Book 5) by Julie Johnstone is another exhilarating Scottish Medieval Romance. Although, #5, each book can be read as a stand alone. Highly recommended reading for fans of Scottish Romance. First, let me say, I absolutely loved this story! ! I think it is one of my favorites of this amazing series, thus far.
Well written with a cast of characters that are engaging, realistic and believable. A breathtakingly, high octane, story of love, treason, betrayal, romance passion, family, clan turmoil and the power of true love. Can love overcome doubt, low self esteem, to overcome a lifetime of struggles, self doubt and still find a HEA? The plot flows seamlessly and effortlessly to bring readers to a most impressive Scottish Romance. An edge of your seat story of love, sacrifice, bravery, courage and letting go of past hurts and self doubt, to find what you always wanted. ...love, acceptance and a HEA. Another masterfully and brilliantly written tale by Julie Johnstone! Breathtaking, thought-provoking, seductive, compelling and powerful. What would you do if you knew your father and brother were traitors and murderers to the crown? Pick up Julie Johnstone's latest book, HOW A SCOT SURRENDERS TO A LADY, and found out for yourself, you're be amazed and thrilled from beginning to end. Well done, Ms. Johnstone!! I can't wait to read the next adventure of this grand Scottish Romance. Oh, I hope it will be the sister of this powerful Highland clan. Highly recommended for fans of Scottish Romance, brawy highlanders, high octane stories, and fiery lasses.
What amazing talent this author has after each book I think they can’t get better and yet...they do. I love this author and this is one of the best series I have ever read. Read them.
She was the weakness he could not afford, and the temptation he could not deny.
Highland warrior Cameron MacLeod’s mission for the king has just gone dangerously awry, and the best chance he has of saving it is the fair-haired beauty he encounters during the ambush. Injured during the battle, the enchantress has lost her memory, but Cameron harbors one of her. Long ago, a seer foretold that this woman had the power to destroy him. He’s confident he’s not so weak as to succumb to her charms, but the mysterious woman soon proves herself brave, guileless, and after one foolish, searing kiss, impossible to resist.
When Sorcha Stewart awakes in a strange place, the only person she has any memory of is the handsome highlander in front of her—and even that memory is hazy. Still, she instantly feels drawn to and protected by Cameron, and he proves her instinct correct with his willingness to endanger himself to defend her. Soon, love ensnares her, and when Sorcha finally recalls her history, she learns she’s irrevocably tied to the very enemies the Scot has been hunting.
Now that the seer’s foretelling is coming true, it’s putting Cameron in grave danger. With little time and their futures hanging in the balance, Cameron will have to swallow his pride and seek the help of his renowned brothers, whom he’s spent his life striving to be considered equal to, or risk losing Sorcha forever. As for Sorcha, she’ll have to break ties with her past to hold on to the wondrous love she’s discovered.
My Thoughts:
This book is Julie Johnstone at her best! When I was gifted an ARC of this book I thought I would have until September 5th to read it. Imagine my surprise when it released a week early. I enjoyed the read. It is one of the best Medieval Romance stories I have read recently. The cover art alone would entice me to read this book. Cameron MacLeod is forever trying to impress his father who thinks his third son is an utter failure. He enters a knife throwing contest only to be bested by a young woman disguised as a lad. Before he can catch her to discover her identity he is waylaid by a woman who is known to pretty accurately predict the future. Years later while pursuing a murder he stumbles across that very same young woman lying unconscious on the forest floor. Thinking she may have had a hand in the death of his king's mistress he takes her home with him. Sorcha Stewart has lost her memory. When she awakes the only person who seems even vaguely familiar is Cameron MacLeod. Even that memory is hazy at best.
Is Sorcha part of this plot against his king?
Can this pair of virtual strangers who seem destined to be together overcome the odds?
I gave this well written book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.0 of 5.0 flames. There are only brief sensual encounters and they are very warm on the scale of 1 to 5. Although this is book number five of this series and there are repeat characters from the previous four, this book reads well as a standalone title. I received a complimentary digital copy of this book prior to it's release directly from the author to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Write a story about a sizzling hot Scottish Highlander and a beautiful Scottish Lass and you have a page-turner that will keep you reading late into the night. This is the 2nd book I have read from Julie Johnstone and I adored it. Her writing is powerful and lyrical and her characters are so vivid that they practically jump right off the pages. This book takes place in the Middle Ages before Christianity where there were all kinds of superstitions. You had Beltane, Samhain and Seers were highly regarded and feared by most Scots.
Cameron Macleod is a Highland Warrior who has been given the privilege of escorting the King's Mistress to the King. He is glad to have something to occupy his mind because of what a Seer in his Clan revealed about his future. She said he will betray everything he holds dear, his Clan, his family and his King for a woman. He scoffs at the Seer but deep down he is uneasy and is determined to prove the Seer wrong.
Sorcha Stewart hears of a plot to kill the King's Mistress and rides out to try to warn her, but she gets caught up in the fight between the assassins and the soldiers of the King. She falls from her horse and is found by Cameron who now has to tell the King that his mistress is dead. He knows this will mean his death and he decides to bring the girl he found in the woods to the King. Maybe she can help find the traitors that killed the King's Mistress.
Sorcha has no memory of the attack or anything of her life. Cameron feels familiar to her and doesn't know why. There is an instant attraction between them that scares them both. The interactions between them are intense and they can't seem to help themselves. Is Sorcha the woman the Seer warned him about? He finds himself protecting Sorcha against his brothers and his king. He is determined to find the traitors and prove that Sorcha did not have anything to do with it. Can Sorcha and Cameron have a HAE?
Treason, murder, warriors, kilts, an angry King, a seer and prophecies, loyalty and romance all rolled into a story that keeps you turning the pages. The drama and romance are beautifully balanced giving you the perfect read.
Thrown together after a murder that places Cameron MacLeod’s life in the balance with Kind David, Cameron and Sorcha must find the murderers and what her role, if any, was in the murder. With her memory gone, Sorcha is trying to remember her life and fighting her attraction to Cameron. The back and forth of their attraction and the way they can almost finish the other’s sentences has them both off center, but they can’t deny it either. Cameron, his fellow warriors and his brothers discover the truth, but must handle it carefully to appease the King, bring about justice and still have a HEA for Cameron and Sorcha.
Cameron’s plan to find his HEA involved, in my husband’s words, creative sneakiness or brilliant strategy depending on your point of view. I was on the fence as they both worked for me; creative when Sorcha was involved and brilliant for the justice and it brought all the loose ends together in a neat knot. Ms. Johnstone is one I’d want on my side in a time of trouble. She doles out justice, strengthens alliances, heightens loyalties and brings the HEA to you in a neatly wrapped gift. Thank you, Ms. Johnstone.
The supporting characters, good and villainous, help pull the best out of Sorcha and Cameron. The good bring moments of humor and family love. The villainous create the perfect tension and occasionally boost it several notches leaving you wanting to help them along the road to justice a bit faster. I am hopeful that two of my favorites will get their story and I look forward to Ms. Johnstone’s creative strategies.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I have read the other books in this series, but I think this one is my favorite! Cameron is the youngest brother of the MacLeod family and feels that he has to prove himself to his family, his king, and himself. Sorcha, the daughter of an evil man, tries to stop an attempt to kill the king's mistress. She is hurt when trying to escape and is unable to remember who she is.
Years before, a seer foretold that this woman would cause heartache for Cameron, but he is drawn to her anyway. As he tries to fulfill his duty to his king because his life is at risk, he also falls in love with Sorcha. He must call on his brothers to do what needs to be done, even though he's spent years trying to prove his independence.
This book is book 5 of the Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts series, but it's not necessary to read in order.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is Book 5 in the "Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts" and I really enjoyed Cameron and Sorcha's story. Although I have read the previous books and it makes this story even more compelling because I know the stories of all the characters, it is not necessary to understand and enjoy this read! it can be read as a stand alone.
Cameron is the youngest brother of the MacLeod family and since he was very young, he feels that he needs to prove himself to his family, specially his father that although now he is dead, during his childhood made him believe he was unworthy. Sorcha is the daughter of a terrible and cruel man who treats his three children as if he owns them.
The plot is interesting, the main characters are well done and the attraction between Cameron and Sorcha is awesome.
A wonderful story of true love over coming everything else, Sorcha Stewart is involved in an altercation which leaves her with a loss of memory, Cameron MacLeod is the warrior who finds her. He's on a mission to find the culprits who wishes to harm the King, being the youngest of the MacLeod brothers, he feels he has something to prove, will helping Sorcha, aid him or hinder him. According to a prophecy told to him by a Seer, she would be his undoing, but knowing this, he was sure he could avoid it. Meanwhile Sorcha slowly regains her memory, will danger follow and will Cameron call on his brothers for aid.
I was engrossed from the start, I just couldn't put it down, the characters melded together perfectly.
I received an advanced copy and I voluntarily leave my own opinion
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book is #5 in a series titled Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts. This is Cameron and Sorcha's story.
I had not read the first four books in the series but will remedy that soon! Even though I was starting at the fifth book, I didn't feel lost at all. This book could be a stand-alone without any difficulty. What I liked best about the book was the closeness of Cameron's family. I can imagine I would have enjoyed the book even more if I had his family's backstory from the previous books. They were all very welcoming to Sorcha and I genuinely liked them-- even bristly Lena, Cameron's sister!
I hope Lena gets her own book. She deserves to find love and HEA. I also hope to see more of Sorcha's uncle, Brom, in the future.
When I want to lose myself in an enthralling Medieval romance, rich with action, deep emotion, and intriguing characters, Julie Johnstone is one of a select number of authors to whom I turn. In How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady, Johnstone returns readers to Scotland and Clan MacLeod for another page-turner that reminded me why I love this family - and Johnstone's writing - so much. The author has a talent, not only for storytelling, but also for evoking a sense of time and place that makes it easy for me to fully immerse myself in the 14th century Scotland of her creation. Developing characters who are true to their time and weaving real people and events into the fabric of her books further increases the believability and enjoyment of her stories. Cameron and Sorcha are a couple worthy of a happy ending and I thoroughly enjoyed traveling their tumultuous journey with them. How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady is another keeper in this engaging series. I'm already eagerly anticipating the next one!
The struggles of Sorcha due to her amnesia and situation kept me turning the pages. Would love overrule her past? Would she stay true to her word? Cameron was such a wonderful man, perfect for Sorcha. At times, I was teary at the distress both felt in each of their minds. The final sweetness of Cameron actually had tears on my cheeks. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I highly recommend the read.
I received a copy of the ARC as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
I had a slow start with this book but man did I quickly get sucked into this story. Sorcha and Cameron's tale was extremely engrossing and completely compelling. I didn't want to stop reading it for a minute. I had to suck it down in one sitting and then I wanted to start all over again. I think I liked this book the best so far, mainly because of the action, passion and the chemistry between these two.
The writing as usual is fantastic. This author knows how to draw the reader into this historical world and make it feel like we are living it with these characters. Each detail is vivid and clear pictures of the action and scenes being played out on the page. I loved this plot. It kept me on the edge of my seat in places and had me clenching my kindle tight in others. Then not to mention the heat. It was a wonderful book and very highly entertaining. I would definitely recommend this book to any and all who enjoy historical romances with bold women and strong men.
Julie Johnstone had authored another winning historical, Scottish romance with this story! Cameron, the youngest of the MacLeod brothers, meets and falls hard for Sorcha, a beautiful, feisty female from an enemy family pursuant to a seer's prophecy. As you can imagine, it is a wild romp of a romance, laden with adventure, love and hope. A fun read!
Great story. Sorcha and Cameron were just wonderful. I loved the characters and storyline so much. 2 new books and then back to Lena and Alex! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Really good story. You really get the feel of the life, times, and political intrigue of 14th century Scotland. I received this book at no charge from the author.
What a great story. Sorcha tries to thwart the murder of the King's mistress deviously planned by her father, brother, and an Earl who wants to marry her. During the attack she is injured and loses her memory. She has no recollection of who she is or why she was present at the attack.
Cameron was the youngest brother of the MacLeods and wants to prove himself. He's in charge of bringing the King's mistress to him safely but is ambushed. His only choice is to solve the murder and prove himself to the king. But, is he falling in love with the enemy?
There are two things I loved most about this book: 1) It involved a seer who has spoken about the destiny that lies ahead for Cameron and Sorcha. Even with the knowledge of what she foresees, both characters fight against it. 2) That even though the reader is given knowledge up front as to what is going to happen, some unexpected twists are thrown in to up the drama which keeps you turning the pages.
I would rate this book 4.8 stars. The first 20% moved a bit slow for me but from that point on it had my full attention.
Sorcha Stewart has trained alongside her twin brother most of their lives. Unfortunately for him she is the better warrior. Trouble is brewing among the Clan leaders and King David. Sorcha overhears something that will destroy her family life. Cameron MacLeod is the youngest of the family and has always felt inferior to his brothers. He has at last been given a big responsibility and is determined not to fail. This is a great highland adventure, full of intrigue, battles and tests of family loyalty. Our characters have a lot of problems to conquer and risks to take. Will love conquer all?? This is part of a series but easily read alone. I have fallen in love with this family and can't wait to read more about them.
I really liked the beginning and the end of this book but the middle dragged for me. I almost gave up but glad I didn't. Loved seeing the characters from the previous books and hope the next will be Lena and Alex, then Brochs 😜
I'm totally vested now in the MacLeod's. What kept me turning the pages of this book had more to do with the overriding saga of King David and how it impacts the MacLeod clan. While I enjoyed the romance aspect between Cameron and Sorcha, their story didn't produce the same 'feels' that I got out of books 1 and 3. Too much emphasis was placed on the seer's prophecy IMHO. Still, it was a worthwhile story that I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to Alex and Lena's story next.
This was a good Highlander romance, and a good addition to the series, but it wasn't as good as the 1st 2 books in the series. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded down to 3 stars.
This didn't affect my rating, because it was historically accurate, but it bothered me how powerful men were willing to use women for their own goals -- some did it knowing the woman would suffer greatly, and others did it because they liked hurting women. I get that it was typical of that time period, when women were treated as possessions, and were seldom given a choice in who they would marry -- but it still bothered me.
I liked Cameron and appreciated that he didn't want to use Sorcha as the king wanted, and I liked that he figured out a way to save her from a terrible marriage. It took him a long time to realize he loved her, because he was fighting it, but he finally did. The seer's prophecy had said he would betray his king and his family for her, though, so he was trying to resist her to prevent that.
I also liked Sorcha, and liked that she was a good person in spite of her family. I thought it was sad how everyone treated her so badly, thinking she was part of the plot to kill the king's mistress. I also thought it was sad that her brother had turned evil because of the abuse he had endured, and I was sorry that he couldn't be saved.
Once they got together, Cameron and Sorcha made a good couple.
My rating system is below. 1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it. 2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws. 3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating. 4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one. 5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.This is a good Highlander romance, with a likeable couple. This book, as all the others so far, featured an H who thought he couldn't love the h --but it didn't bother me this time, since a seer had told him loving her would make him betray his king, family, and clan. I liked the way that problem was resolved, too.
My reviews are not so much reviews, as notes for myself because, due to a TBI, I forget what happens in the stories. Things that I liked, didn't like, and so on.
Aw, Brom! As someone who is neurodivergent, I loved his inclusion and I love that ultimately, he saved his Sorcha... twice! I had to grit my teeth when they talked about how cruel Finn and their father were to him. I love that he sat and talked to the horses, and I love that he took up with Angus in the end.
I enjoyed the loss of memory in this book. It was a good way to make the story different from the others. Though, we are back to the hero and heroine being unscathed at the ending. I love that Cameron's political cunning was highlighted, but I wish more of his craftsmanship for boats was featured as well- it was something that set him apart from his brothers.
The chains to keep people from passing through to the Isles is genius.
I am no sorry about Finn's death. I know Sorcha loved him, but he had gone way, way too far. Also, after Lena almost let Isobel drown in the last book, I was a little nervous about Sorcha going swimming with her.
I love that Cameron asked Yolanda to come bless the wedding. I do wish that more of her prophesy was highlighted in the book as far as what did come true, what didn't, and way. Not in a "tell me like I'm 5" kind of way, but sort of a recap of sorts because by the end of the book, I barely remember what she said.
I noticed this book set us up for Alex and Lena, so we will see how that squares up.
I still want to know if the King betrayed them from the last book, the ambush set up for Graham and Isobel. It's a lingering concern for me. On that note, I'm not sure how I feel about David as a king. Well, I suppose he's fine for a king, but he makes decisions that I find unsavory (such as using women as a pawn in warfare). Also, Katherine Mortimer was described in a previous book as the quiet woman hovering around David when they reached the Isle... in this book she seemed more loud, obnoxious and spoiled- not to mention that she got herself killed. Rory Mack hasn't been mentioned since his injury in the beginning of the book too... I want to know what's going on with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After binging on books 2-4 of this series in just a few days (having read book 1 not long ago), I think it may be time to take a break from the MacLeods before I forget this is a fictional family. The series is so good because it has almost convinced me I am.
This one, about Cameron and Sorcha, is a bit different from the others in that it features the amnesia trope. Cameron finds Sorcha injured and unconscious in the woods after an ambush that takes the life of King David’s mistress, Katherine. He doesn’t know if she was a part of the assassination, but takes her back to Dunvegan anyway. When she awakens, she doesn’t remember who she is or why she was there.
Here’s the thing. Cameron met her eight years earlier when he was fifteen years old, and when he chased after her, he was stopped by the local seer and told to let her go because they would meet again later. Unfortunately, she also predicted Cameron would betray his family, his king, and his honor because of her, so he is determined not to get close to her. He is convinced he is strong enough to resist her, but as Lachlan cautions, “‘Tis nae a matter of strength, though. It takes more strength to claim your heart’s desire when it may hurt others ye care for than it does to turn away from what ye long for.”
Like Bridgette was with Lachlan, Sorcha finds out about the prophecy and determines she will not allow Cameron to do any of those things on her account. The king is furious Katherine died while under Cameron’s care and announces that not only must Cameron find the culprits or face death, but also he will either sell or marry off Sorcha if the need arises or he finds it advantageous to build his coalition. Of course, Cameron and Sorcha fall in love and he spends much of his energy trying to work out a way to keep Sorcha for himself without betraying the king. Naturally, his brothers don’t give him any reason to betray them. And of course, there’s the fact he must find the culprits, and he needs Sorcha to remember. No pressure. HEA ensues. Eventually.
Long ago a seer told Cameron MacLeod that a woman would be his undoing. She would come to him during a battle, bathed in blood... eventually he would sacrifice everything for her. His family, his honor, even his loyalty to the crown. Cameron does everything in his power to prove that he's worthy of the MacLeod name, like his older brothers before him, but he's constantly haunted by the memory of his father... "Unworthy ye are, lad." Now the youngest MacLeod brother has been charged with a most important duty to the crown... but things do not go as expected, and during this time he meets the woman that was prophecied many years ago. When Sorcha Stewart awakes in a strange place, she has no memory of how she came to be there... or why she was in the same woods where an ambush took place on the king's mistress. The only memories that she has are those of Cameron. Meeting him years earlier in a dagger throwing contest, where she bested him and then ran back home. Though they never had a formal introduction the meeting was memorable for members of both parties. Will the seer's prophecy come true? Will Cameron deny these feelings all for duty to the crown? Will Sorcha remember her history, and when she does will she be friend or foe? All will be answered in the fifth installment of Julie Johnstone's epic story, "How a Scot Surrenders to a Lady".
**I was lucky enough to win a free audiobook copy of this story from the author. As always, Tim Campbell does an amazing job of immersing you in the tale!
This is the second book I have read from Julie Johnstone. I started with the first book in the series and then I chose this book because of the plot.
The heroine, Sorcha, loses her memory after an accident while in the process of stopping the assassination of the king’s mistress. The hero, Cameron, and his people was the appointed bodyguard of the mistress. They found Sorcha and brought her home. Sorcha is the sweet, innocent/virgnal, honorable and kind hearted and smart heroine who is adept with weapons. Cameron is the brave, smart and honorable man who is a magnet to women. They get attracted to each other but cannot act on it because of the political ramifications and Sorcha has not fully recovered her memory. The whole process of the hero and heroine getting together and at the same time being mindful of consequences was really an interesting and sweet journey. There are sexy scenes but nothing too graphic and sordid. The story has unexpected twists. It seems like it is a common storyline but the author has managed originality by coming up with a plot that surprises. I cannot get into the details of the twists and turns of the story but I can guarantee that it captivated me as a reader.