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Highland Ballad #3
The Braes of Huntly
Scotland, Autumn 1556
Forcefully separated from Iain, Abby is placed by her father in the care of the Earl of Huntly to keep her safe from the Comte de Damville. Bereft of the one she loves, Abby soon realises that the castle isn't the quiet refuge she hoped for. The castle is filled with people desperate to take advantage of the family's powerful connections for their own ends, using means fair and foul, some possibly treasonous. As Abby avoids falling prey to the amorous intentions of Huntly's sons, she finds herself in a far deadlier hunt. What's at stake is not her virtue but her life, and her love for Iain can only endanger both of them.
Brimming with adventure and atmosphere, the novel will take you on an exciting journey through the Scottish Tudor period.
Forcefully separated from Iain, Abby is placed by her father in the care of the Earl of Huntly to keep her safe from the Comte de Damville. Bereft of the one she loves, Abby soon realises that the castle isn't the quiet refuge she hoped for. The castle is filled with people desperate to take advantage of the family's powerful connections for their own ends, using means fair and foul, some possibly treasonous. As Abby avoids falling prey to the amorous intentions of Huntly's sons, she finds herself in a far deadlier hunt. What's at stake is not her virtue but her life, and her love for Iain can only endanger both of them.
Brimming with adventure and atmosphere, the novel will take you on an exciting journey through the Scottish Tudor period.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2018
69 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Gleeson
31 books114 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Kristin Gleeson is originally from Philadelphia but has lived in West Cork in Ireland for a number of years where she plays the harp and sings, in addition to painting the beautiful landscape around her. She holds a Masters in Library Science and a Ph.D. in history, and for a time was an administrator of a large archives, library and museum in America and also worked as a public librarian in America and Ireland. She has won numerous awards for her writing
Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.
She has also written history freelance and published articles and essays in reference works and academic books.
Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.
She has also written history freelance and published articles and essays in reference works and academic books.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews
February 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this story, the continuation and culmination of Iain and Abby’s perilous adventures. This is escapism at its best, the perfect way to eradicate those winter blues with Scottish castles, romance, courtly intrigue and danger, and some wonderful characters. I particularly enjoyed the cunning and witty Claudine. She was highly entertaining and thanks to some skilful writing I could easily visualise her. One scene in particular had me giggling at her shenanigans. The plot was tight with some unexpected twists, and as expected with this author’s work, historical accuracy and authentic setting was a given.
I’d certainly recommend this series and would love to see some of the supporting characters given a bigger spotlight in the future.
I’d certainly recommend this series and would love to see some of the supporting characters given a bigger spotlight in the future.
February 28, 2018
Fascinating and heartening, this novel sumptuously evokes the land and traditions of Scotland, opening with true-to-life characters and a gutsy, lovable heroine. I’m a huge fan of historical romances and I practically binge-read this serious, sacrificing sleep to do so.
Abby has left behind the love of her life and is now a newcomer at Huntly. With the sudden departure of her father, she must somehow navigate the dark corridors of the castle and keep out of harm’s way. There are so many scenes in this book I liked. One in particular was the lute scene a few chapters in, where Margaret, Abby, John and Jean are present. There’s a good sense of ‘family banter’ and I enjoyed getting to know them all. Latterly, Abby’s feelings of unease at the thought of going riding brought a sudden spike of tension and an impending marriage contract doesn’t bode well. I was glad to see the feisty Abby had other plans and to note the presence of someone I had hoped would be in the Earl’s retinue. Sandwiched between John and George, Abby continually finds herself at the mercy of two ardent suitors.
There’s so much richness and depth to this book a reader can’t help but feel the emotion. Gleeson creates characters that you'll remember and root for long after you've finished the book. The Braes of Huntly is one of the best reads I've had the pleasure of devoting my time to this year. A quick click and it was mine and let me say it was worth every single cent. Five shining stars from me. I loved it!
Abby has left behind the love of her life and is now a newcomer at Huntly. With the sudden departure of her father, she must somehow navigate the dark corridors of the castle and keep out of harm’s way. There are so many scenes in this book I liked. One in particular was the lute scene a few chapters in, where Margaret, Abby, John and Jean are present. There’s a good sense of ‘family banter’ and I enjoyed getting to know them all. Latterly, Abby’s feelings of unease at the thought of going riding brought a sudden spike of tension and an impending marriage contract doesn’t bode well. I was glad to see the feisty Abby had other plans and to note the presence of someone I had hoped would be in the Earl’s retinue. Sandwiched between John and George, Abby continually finds herself at the mercy of two ardent suitors.
There’s so much richness and depth to this book a reader can’t help but feel the emotion. Gleeson creates characters that you'll remember and root for long after you've finished the book. The Braes of Huntly is one of the best reads I've had the pleasure of devoting my time to this year. A quick click and it was mine and let me say it was worth every single cent. Five shining stars from me. I loved it!
July 25, 2018
I got the first book in this series free. It was so engrossing that I bought the next one as soon as I finished it. The story had so many historical elements in it that walked us through the Paris court and the Scottish highlands. After I read the second one, I immediately bought this one--I had to know what happened to Abby and Iain!
March 23, 2018
4.5 stars. There was a lot of activity in the first part of the book as Abby packed her bag more times than I could count to escape from various threats. She was placed by her father Calum with the Earl of Huntly, his nephew actually, to keep her safe from the Count of Damville and to have a marriage made for her.
I am not sure what or why happened to her father's wishes, but she was soon being sent off for a marriage not to her liking. She and Ian MacGregor had been handfasted in a prior ceremony, but as he was traveling incognito as a spy and mercenary, she assumed he was not honoring their marriage.
Somewhere along the way a French female, Claudine, attached herself to her as a friend. Abby's mother had abandoned her father and herself years before so the female attention was welcome.
She and Claudine are taken from Huntly by Damville to her incipient marriage. Ian was also taken prisoner but with Claudine's help she and Ian kill the Count and with her seriously wounded father get back to the Castle.
The ending is fun as she finds that Claudine is actually her mother Marie, and they work through their anger and pain at that abandonment while nursing Calum. The family now being united, Ian and Abby have a ceremonial marriage and presumably are expecting a child. Calum and Marie Claudine are at a different location resuming their relationship.
I am not sure what or why happened to her father's wishes, but she was soon being sent off for a marriage not to her liking. She and Ian MacGregor had been handfasted in a prior ceremony, but as he was traveling incognito as a spy and mercenary, she assumed he was not honoring their marriage.
Somewhere along the way a French female, Claudine, attached herself to her as a friend. Abby's mother had abandoned her father and herself years before so the female attention was welcome.
She and Claudine are taken from Huntly by Damville to her incipient marriage. Ian was also taken prisoner but with Claudine's help she and Ian kill the Count and with her seriously wounded father get back to the Castle.
The ending is fun as she finds that Claudine is actually her mother Marie, and they work through their anger and pain at that abandonment while nursing Calum. The family now being united, Ian and Abby have a ceremonial marriage and presumably are expecting a child. Calum and Marie Claudine are at a different location resuming their relationship.
March 11, 2018
Wonderful Scottish Historical Romance
Wow, where to start. First the main characters, Iain and Abby, are such amazingly developed characters that have such crazy adventures. Their connection and love for one another is quite apparent. This third book was so full of intrigue and action that it was hard to put it down. The plot was fully developed and the descriptive writing gives the reader a feel of what the Highland/Scottish and French courts and castles must have been like back in the late fourteen hundreds and early fifteen hundreds. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series and can’t wait to read Iain’s sister’s story.
Wow, where to start. First the main characters, Iain and Abby, are such amazingly developed characters that have such crazy adventures. Their connection and love for one another is quite apparent. This third book was so full of intrigue and action that it was hard to put it down. The plot was fully developed and the descriptive writing gives the reader a feel of what the Highland/Scottish and French courts and castles must have been like back in the late fourteen hundreds and early fifteen hundreds. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series and can’t wait to read Iain’s sister’s story.
November 29, 2020
Poor
Set mostly in Huntly Castle, I assumed it would contain a little geography of the N-E Scotland, where the town and castle of Huntly are situated. Nothing. The Scottish ‘dialect’ is abysmal, supposedly Highlander accents which are nothing like as described. I live not far from Huntly and have a good knowledge of Scottish accents. Never have I heard anywhere anyone saying ‘verra’. It would have been slightly better if it had been totally written in English. It is also poorly printed, containing several mistakes. I’m so glad I didn’t read the previous books. I won’t be reading any more by this author.
Set mostly in Huntly Castle, I assumed it would contain a little geography of the N-E Scotland, where the town and castle of Huntly are situated. Nothing. The Scottish ‘dialect’ is abysmal, supposedly Highlander accents which are nothing like as described. I live not far from Huntly and have a good knowledge of Scottish accents. Never have I heard anywhere anyone saying ‘verra’. It would have been slightly better if it had been totally written in English. It is also poorly printed, containing several mistakes. I’m so glad I didn’t read the previous books. I won’t be reading any more by this author.
March 2, 2018
Worth waiting for
It was several months in the future when I finished the first two books of this series , but a book worth waiting got .
I am Scottish and most Scottish romamcrs are terribly unscottish and embarrassing , not so these stories .
The downloaded music was an unexpected delight , but I could not make contact with the authors web sight . Pity , but I did enjoy the books and look forward Morag's story .
It was several months in the future when I finished the first two books of this series , but a book worth waiting got .
I am Scottish and most Scottish romamcrs are terribly unscottish and embarrassing , not so these stories .
The downloaded music was an unexpected delight , but I could not make contact with the authors web sight . Pity , but I did enjoy the books and look forward Morag's story .
January 22, 2022
Spies and spies and spies, oh my!
Accusations of spying notwithstanding, there are enough spies and intrigue in this novel to rival a James Bond movie! It's mind boggling trying to keep all the factions straight. What's clear is that trust is hard to come by in this historical period. And it's good to see that more than one couple find their way back to each other, overcoming issues of trust that would destroy many relationships.
Accusations of spying notwithstanding, there are enough spies and intrigue in this novel to rival a James Bond movie! It's mind boggling trying to keep all the factions straight. What's clear is that trust is hard to come by in this historical period. And it's good to see that more than one couple find their way back to each other, overcoming issues of trust that would destroy many relationships.
November 3, 2018
Gleeson’s publisher must not hire editors, because I’ve never seen so many typos in a book. This series is clearly influenced by “Outlander” but lacks the well-drawn and charismatic characters and sweeping romance.
November 18, 2020
Enjoyed This Story
I enjoyed this story with its independent heroine unwilling to give up the man she loves even though he sent her away and her father and other relatives try to marry her off. Some surprise characters and a few tense scenes kept me engaged. A good read.
I enjoyed this story with its independent heroine unwilling to give up the man she loves even though he sent her away and her father and other relatives try to marry her off. Some surprise characters and a few tense scenes kept me engaged. A good read.
March 2, 2018
A continuing great story
This is such a good series. I have ancestors from this period and I love to hear how it might have been.
This is such a good series. I have ancestors from this period and I love to hear how it might have been.
March 4, 2018
Love this story. Like how it turned out and would love to read more. Want to see how their live turned out. Maybe about life later down the road?
March 15, 2018
Jo's views
Very entertaining series. I enjoyed all three. I loved the way one book ended and the next one began. You would enjoy it.
Very entertaining series. I enjoyed all three. I loved the way one book ended and the next one began. You would enjoy it.
March 19, 2018
I kept waiting for the plot to be explained. It wasn't. I felt cheated that I really didn't know why all these three books happened.
March 24, 2018
Enjoyable series
Which entailed many harrowing adventures. The tension between France and Scotland was a good back drop. Historical fiction at its best.
Which entailed many harrowing adventures. The tension between France and Scotland was a good back drop. Historical fiction at its best.
April 7, 2018
This was a fun series to read. It was hard to put down☺
This was a fun series to read. I really enjoyed Abby's adventures. It was hard to put down. So glad it ended well
This was a fun series to read. I really enjoyed Abby's adventures. It was hard to put down. So glad it ended well
September 21, 2020
Just segments...
Would like to read a book with good writing and some length. Very Tired of being teased into paying more.
Would like to read a book with good writing and some length. Very Tired of being teased into paying more.
March 17, 2022
Great ending to Abby's story.
October 15, 2022
It was well written but rushed to the end without resolving major questions concerning her mother and father which made the end feel flat and anticlimactic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
More!
Thoroughly enjoyed this series. I’ve eagerly moved from book to book, but I’m sorry to see the story come to an end.
Thoroughly enjoyed this series. I’ve eagerly moved from book to book, but I’m sorry to see the story come to an end.
March 3, 2018
Mid 1500's Scotland
I have enjoyed this series, with fictional and historical characters, I've learn about early Scotland it's tribal wars and beautiful country. Fun way to pick up a little history
I have enjoyed this series, with fictional and historical characters, I've learn about early Scotland it's tribal wars and beautiful country. Fun way to pick up a little history
Displaying 1 - 21 of 22 reviews