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Catherine is prisoner. Declan is a warrior. What will happen when the roles are reversed?
Declan is a passionate young man. He's already been through a lot, having lived through a battle and seen the Highlanders emerge triumphant over the English. However, he's too old to be a boy, not yet old enough to be a man.
Feeling as though his cousins have been blinded by the English girls, Declan is convinced that it falls to him to save the clan from falling prey to the English wiles. Yet Blair and Drew do not seem to share his concern, and he feels frustrated.
His duty is to guard Catherine, the sister to Lord Harold Flynn, the English Lord who was killed by Declan's cousin.
Catherine is a spirited young woman whose only driving force is to return home. Sarah had been her friend, but now she feels as though she has been betrayed. Yet the longer she stays with the Highlanders, the more she begins to enjoy herself and starts to wonder if the life laid out for her by her father is the only one she can have.
Her mood is also helped by her growing attraction to the man guarding her, who seems irascible, yet has a vulnerability and tenderness that speaks to her own heart.
The two of them have far different desires but are tied together inextricably. Both will have difficult choices to make as they leave childhood and become adults. Their choices will have consequences for the wider realm as well.
The battle may be over, but there are those who still want war. Will Declan and Catherine find love and glory, or will they be blinded by their prejudices?
Declan is a passionate young man. He's already been through a lot, having lived through a battle and seen the Highlanders emerge triumphant over the English. However, he's too old to be a boy, not yet old enough to be a man.
Feeling as though his cousins have been blinded by the English girls, Declan is convinced that it falls to him to save the clan from falling prey to the English wiles. Yet Blair and Drew do not seem to share his concern, and he feels frustrated.
His duty is to guard Catherine, the sister to Lord Harold Flynn, the English Lord who was killed by Declan's cousin.
Catherine is a spirited young woman whose only driving force is to return home. Sarah had been her friend, but now she feels as though she has been betrayed. Yet the longer she stays with the Highlanders, the more she begins to enjoy herself and starts to wonder if the life laid out for her by her father is the only one she can have.
Her mood is also helped by her growing attraction to the man guarding her, who seems irascible, yet has a vulnerability and tenderness that speaks to her own heart.
The two of them have far different desires but are tied together inextricably. Both will have difficult choices to make as they leave childhood and become adults. Their choices will have consequences for the wider realm as well.
The battle may be over, but there are those who still want war. Will Declan and Catherine find love and glory, or will they be blinded by their prejudices?
- GenresHistorical Romance
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2018
178 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Bard
88 books286 followersBarbara Bard was born in the Highlands of Scotland but moved to the United States and was raised in the sweltering heat of New Orleans. She studied at Emory University in Atlanta and has worked as a journalist for a small press.
Barbara’s partner is descended from Scottish ancestors and she has been fascinated with all things Scottish for many years. That interest has also helped to propel a blossoming writing career and she is now working on novels with a historical Scottish romance flavor.
The first in her series follows the exploits of the Baird and McCall clans and is full of the type of brave warrior heroes that are romanticized of that era, while her books about the MacDougal clan have a more magic and paranormal feel to them.
When she isn’t working or writing her next book, Barbara enjoys yoga and traveling to new and exciting places. She loves nothing better than immersing herself in the culture of another country and getting to know some of the locals.
Barbara hopes that her novels will soon become self-sustaining and provide her with the full-time career she has always wanted.
Barbara’s partner is descended from Scottish ancestors and she has been fascinated with all things Scottish for many years. That interest has also helped to propel a blossoming writing career and she is now working on novels with a historical Scottish romance flavor.
The first in her series follows the exploits of the Baird and McCall clans and is full of the type of brave warrior heroes that are romanticized of that era, while her books about the MacDougal clan have a more magic and paranormal feel to them.
When she isn’t working or writing her next book, Barbara enjoys yoga and traveling to new and exciting places. She loves nothing better than immersing herself in the culture of another country and getting to know some of the locals.
Barbara hopes that her novels will soon become self-sustaining and provide her with the full-time career she has always wanted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
April 10, 2022
No date of story offered. Only 1 star.
The author depicted MCs Declan (Scottish) & Catherine,
daughter of an English nobleman as both self-involved.
The H was hyper-critical of the leaders of his clan & the
pampered h missed her luxuries. She was a 'guest:'
read prisoner of his clan. I nearly stopped at 20% mark,
but wanted to see if at least one of the leads matured?
Catherine displayed TSTL behavior: 2x she escaped w/o
a plan, w/o weapons, w/o provisions, w/o even water!!!
She made it hard for readers to care about her.
Catherine and 2ndary characters, Rosemary, & Sarah
were English women in Scotland in legal limbo: not hand-
fasted, not married to their respective romance partners
who loved them. They acted too casual about this.
Suggestion to author: please join a writer's group to get
feedback on your stories. Then your stories will be more
accessible to readers? The future holds a ray of hope?
Revised
The author depicted MCs Declan (Scottish) & Catherine,
daughter of an English nobleman as both self-involved.
The H was hyper-critical of the leaders of his clan & the
pampered h missed her luxuries. She was a 'guest:'
read prisoner of his clan. I nearly stopped at 20% mark,
but wanted to see if at least one of the leads matured?
Catherine displayed TSTL behavior: 2x she escaped w/o
a plan, w/o weapons, w/o provisions, w/o even water!!!
She made it hard for readers to care about her.
Catherine and 2ndary characters, Rosemary, & Sarah
were English women in Scotland in legal limbo: not hand-
fasted, not married to their respective romance partners
who loved them. They acted too casual about this.
Suggestion to author: please join a writer's group to get
feedback on your stories. Then your stories will be more
accessible to readers? The future holds a ray of hope?
Revised
July 27, 2018
What an exciting read. It is full of danger, action, adventure, pride, prejudice, foolishness, first love and first romance. It took about three to four hours to read. On every page there was something new to learn. This is a continuance of Barbara's previous book Drew. It is about the McCall Clan. Blair is the clan leader, Drew is his right-hand man and his brother. Declan is their younger cousin who is out to prove himself a man just like Blair and Drew. From the last book, Blair and Drew fell in love with two English women, Rosemary and Sarah. There are a couple of people who see this as a betrayal to the clan. Deirdre was nothing but trouble. She went around wanting to incite an uprising against Blair and Drew for taking English women as their beloved. Deirdre was motivated by spite and anger against Blair for an unjust slight against her that was not based on fact. When Deirdre could not sway Drew to her side, she started working on Declan. She would whisper evil thoughts in his ear. This incited rage in Declan that Blair and Drew were going against what it meant to be a Highlander. Highlanders were supposed to hate the English not bed them. Declan felt it was a danger to the whole clan to have Blair and Drew under the influence of these English women. Declan was convinced that Blair and Drew were under the English women's spell and they were not putting the clan first and it would lead to clan's ruin. Declan was not a boy and yet not a man, he was in between. He was still trying to prove himself worthy of the same respect Blair and Drew garnered. He feels that if they would only give him a chance, he would prove himself capable and worthy. Yet every time Declan tried to show his cousins that he was just as good as them, he would inevitably make youthful mistakes. He starts to realize that he does not have the same experience as his cousins. But he was still determined to win their respect no matter what. One way was to talk to Blair and Drew and show them the errors of their ways when it came to choosing the English women. He then had another opportunity to prove he was a warrior. The English Lord Harold Flynn declared war on the Highlanders. Declan slew many English soldiers. But after Drew dispatched Harold, that ended the war. Sarah, Drew's beloved, asked him to take Catherine, Harold's sister, back with them. Sarah had grown fond of Catherine and knew what fate awaited her back under her father's rule. Catherine wanted to go back to her own home. She was unhappy that Sarah insisted she be brought along with them. Later all the Highlanders treated Drew like the hero he was. Declan became jealous and envious of his cousin Drew. He wanted that adoration and respect so badly he was blind to the fact that he was too young to have the experience that Drew or Blair had. In the meantime, Drew assigned him guard duty over their prisoner/guest Catherine. Catherine was not treated like a normal prisoner of war. She was treated with respect but guarded because she wanted to escape at any cost. Declan despised her just for being English and Catherine despised him for being a brutal, uncouth Highlander. They both were prejudice towards each other without getting to know each other. But that changes. Over a series of events that lead Catherine to escape and Declan to chase after her, they found they had protective feeling for each other. Declan found her in the nick of time and stopped three bad Highlanders from physically assaulting her. Declan fought against them. While fighting Declan remembered the lessons his father taught him. In today’s terms he need to be in the zone to win. Catherine feared for his life more than her own. Declan only wanted to protect Catherine. They had started to get to know each other when Declan was guarding her. They had deep insightful conversations. Both had the same feeling that they could talk to each other like no other. After Catherine and Declan were safe, Catherine talked Declan into taking her back to England to her home. She told him her father was going to wage war to recover her and to revenge Harold's death. She told him he would be in a good position to take back vital information about her father and his plans back to Blair and Drew. This could and hopefully would save them. Declan was torn in two but decided that he had to put the clan first and so he did. On the way. they were captured by highway men. They were a mix of English and Scottish. They were working for the elder Lord Flynn. When they arrived at Catherine's home, she betrayed Declan. He was put in the dungeon for the rest of his life. He had company. A man named Alastar. Then Catherine came to his rescue and broke him and Alastar out of the dungeon. Declan was bitter for what she had done. She explained she did not know what to do. If she had not, she would not have been able to rescue him. She owed him. They headed back to the Highlands to warn the clan of Flynn's plan for war. On the way, Declan and Catherine consummated their love. Both of them had never been with anyone else. They were so in love and happy. Now Declan understood what his cousins were telling him. When they arrived at the castle, everyone noticed Declan holding Catherine's hand. Declan relayed the new of the impending war that was coming and told them everything that transpired from the time he left to go after Catherine. He thought his cousins would be mad at him for all the blunders he caused but they were not. They embraced Declan and told him that they were proud of him. This filled Declan with pride and joy. The next morning Declan and Catherine went to see his father. Declan told his father about the war and about all his adventures with Catherine. His father told him that he had grown into the man he always knew he would be, kind, selfless and strong. Having learned the lessons of life from what he has been through. His father told him he was proud of him. This was an emotional moment between father and son. Declan would always treasure it. For the first time in his life he knew his true purpose, his true duty, and it was all thanks to Catherine. She made him into the man he had been destined to be. At the end of the book there is a link to an extended epilogue. It is worth the read. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2018
Can two young people from different cultures come together out of love.
For anyone that loves reading and learning of medieval times and romance, this book is a must!! I gave Declan a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating because the author makes you feel like you're living the story. I could not put this book down!!!
Catherine was brought to the Highlander's territory as a prisoner but only in name. Her friend Sarah had listened to her talk of being free to do as she wished and wanted to give her that chance.
Declan could not understand why his cousins chose English lasses nor did he trust them. The English and Highlanders had always been enemies. He was given the duty of guarding Catherine as much he hated the task he would honor his cousin's wish. One night after a successful hunt a very festive celebration where Catherine and Declan had an extraordinary dance feelings they didn't understand surfaced. When it became late Declan escorted Catherine up to her room but neglected to lock her door. When she heard him snoring Catherine took the chance to escape. All she could think of was getting back to her English home and away from the barbarians.
The next morning when Declan awoke, he realized his mistake and dreading having to tell his cousins. He went after her hoping she would survive on her own until he could find her. Although she was in the hands of bandits, Declan secured their freedom but allowed Catherine to convince him to let her continue to her home.
Will Catherine make it home? If so, once home how will her father receive her?
For anyone that loves reading and learning of medieval times and romance, this book is a must!! I gave Declan a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating because the author makes you feel like you're living the story. I could not put this book down!!!
Catherine was brought to the Highlander's territory as a prisoner but only in name. Her friend Sarah had listened to her talk of being free to do as she wished and wanted to give her that chance.
Declan could not understand why his cousins chose English lasses nor did he trust them. The English and Highlanders had always been enemies. He was given the duty of guarding Catherine as much he hated the task he would honor his cousin's wish. One night after a successful hunt a very festive celebration where Catherine and Declan had an extraordinary dance feelings they didn't understand surfaced. When it became late Declan escorted Catherine up to her room but neglected to lock her door. When she heard him snoring Catherine took the chance to escape. All she could think of was getting back to her English home and away from the barbarians.
The next morning when Declan awoke, he realized his mistake and dreading having to tell his cousins. He went after her hoping she would survive on her own until he could find her. Although she was in the hands of bandits, Declan secured their freedom but allowed Catherine to convince him to let her continue to her home.
Will Catherine make it home? If so, once home how will her father receive her?
July 27, 2018
A sweet love story!
Oh, this was such a sweet story. Catherine is from England and her evil brother was just killed in battle by Drew, the younger brother of Blair, the Laird of the clan. Both Blair and Drew are married to English women one of which is Catherine’s friend. When the battle was over and she saw that Catherine’s brother was dead, Sarah, Drew’s wife and Catherine’s friend, asked him to take Catherine to Scotland so she would be free from her father who is an evil man and doesn’t care about her at all. They keep her under lock and key until she has time to realize she was taken there to help her, not hurt her. She is very slow to realize this finally manages to escape. Declan, who had been guarding her when she escaped felt like he let his cousins down again so he promised to find her and bring her back. Lots of things happen during that time including them beginning to fall for each other, being captured, Declan being imprisoned and them finally finding their way home. It is a joy to watch their love blossom and I enjoyed every minute of this book. Although this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading Blair and Drew first. They are also great stories and well worth the read. Enjoy!
Oh, this was such a sweet story. Catherine is from England and her evil brother was just killed in battle by Drew, the younger brother of Blair, the Laird of the clan. Both Blair and Drew are married to English women one of which is Catherine’s friend. When the battle was over and she saw that Catherine’s brother was dead, Sarah, Drew’s wife and Catherine’s friend, asked him to take Catherine to Scotland so she would be free from her father who is an evil man and doesn’t care about her at all. They keep her under lock and key until she has time to realize she was taken there to help her, not hurt her. She is very slow to realize this finally manages to escape. Declan, who had been guarding her when she escaped felt like he let his cousins down again so he promised to find her and bring her back. Lots of things happen during that time including them beginning to fall for each other, being captured, Declan being imprisoned and them finally finding their way home. It is a joy to watch their love blossom and I enjoyed every minute of this book. Although this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading Blair and Drew first. They are also great stories and well worth the read. Enjoy!
July 25, 2018
Scottish brogue, manly men of honor and action galore. What’s an English girl to do in the face of a Scottish romance?
I loved this Scottish romance! “DECLAN” Barbara Bard’s newest historical Scottish Highlander romance is compelling, full of the fun and the romance of youth. It is also full of conflict and not just that between the English and Scottish Clans. The story of Catherine and Declan is both an enemy to lover and a coming of age tale during a time when any small error in judgment could end a life. All of author Barbara Bard’s series of stories about the Scottish Highlanders Warrior Clan McCall are wonderful. Each romance has been entirely different from the previous in the series, yet all tell a compelling character-driven tale in easy-to-read prose. Bard’s descriptions were so masterful it was easy to get lost in the Highland forest, the sword fights as well as the feasts. And the brogue allowed this reader to hear the Scottish Highlands in the conversations! Bard has considered her readers in every aspect of writing “DECLAN,” and made this a true romance! I want to say so much more, but don’t want to spoil a thing! I was given an ARC of “DECLAN” to prepare this honest voluntary review and the 5-stars “DECLAN” has richly earned. There is an extended epilogue, so make sure you get that as well! Get your copy of “DECLAN” today! Happy pages! 😉
I loved this Scottish romance! “DECLAN” Barbara Bard’s newest historical Scottish Highlander romance is compelling, full of the fun and the romance of youth. It is also full of conflict and not just that between the English and Scottish Clans. The story of Catherine and Declan is both an enemy to lover and a coming of age tale during a time when any small error in judgment could end a life. All of author Barbara Bard’s series of stories about the Scottish Highlanders Warrior Clan McCall are wonderful. Each romance has been entirely different from the previous in the series, yet all tell a compelling character-driven tale in easy-to-read prose. Bard’s descriptions were so masterful it was easy to get lost in the Highland forest, the sword fights as well as the feasts. And the brogue allowed this reader to hear the Scottish Highlands in the conversations! Bard has considered her readers in every aspect of writing “DECLAN,” and made this a true romance! I want to say so much more, but don’t want to spoil a thing! I was given an ARC of “DECLAN” to prepare this honest voluntary review and the 5-stars “DECLAN” has richly earned. There is an extended epilogue, so make sure you get that as well! Get your copy of “DECLAN” today! Happy pages! 😉
July 26, 2018
I loved this story so much I bought a copy, and this is my 1st review for Barbara Bard but it’s not the 1st story I’ve read of hers I love her books all these hunky Scottish men yummy. This is the story of Declan and Catherine, Declan is in between being a boy and a man he grows up when he has to look after a prisoner Catherine. Catherine has had a privileged life being spoiled had made her a snob and with the attitude that she has she believed that she was above everyone else. I loved this enemies to Lovers coming of age story it’s very well written and I loved the characters especially Catherine the sassy stubborn woman, the descriptions of the places made me imagine that I could actually be there and I love the Scottish brogue. A fantastic read a 5 plus +++++ ⭐️story and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
July 24, 2018
Another sweet Scottish romance. Declan is a young Highlander lad who wants to prove himself a man. Catherine is a young English maid, a hostage of the Clan, who just wants to go home to her luxuries. Can these two work together to survive?
This book has repetitive sections of angst that bored me but it was still a nice afternoon read.
This book has repetitive sections of angst that bored me but it was still a nice afternoon read.
July 25, 2018
Wow, this series just gets better and better. Although not as many battle scenes as in the second book, this story has lots of action and is not one you want to put down before it is finished. Declan and Catherine don’t think much of each other at first. She is an English captive and he her guard. When the two of them find themselves in danger, their feelings for each other grow deeper. Can these characters from two different countries accept each other as they are, or will prejudice win out in the end? This is an enjoyable book and I would recommend it to lovers of Highland Romance.
July 27, 2018
this book is full of full of danger, action, adventure, compex characters and good storyline. Blair is the clan leader of the McCall Clan. Declan is a younger cousin out to prove himself. They must beware of Deirdre. lots of twists and turns. Wonderful read.
August 24, 2020
* 1½ stars * Rubbish. Contrary to the other book I read by Barbara Bard, this one is messy and confusing, certainly in the beginning. The ‘story’ about Declan and Catherine isn’t much to write home about either. Waste of my time, to be honest. I skimmed through most of it 😢
July 23, 2018
Wonderful
This story is a combination of coming of age, acceptance, and love. Barbara did the almost impossible with the combination of the two different ways of speaking. A wonderful romance.
This story is a combination of coming of age, acceptance, and love. Barbara did the almost impossible with the combination of the two different ways of speaking. A wonderful romance.
July 24, 2018
Declan
This is a marvelous story of the trials and hardships that the Highlanders had to contend with in their everyday lives. It is a story of how Catherine and Declan had to grow in wisdom and in love in order to get beyond the predjudist's that were taught them all their lives. Barbara Bard makes you feel as if you're in the Highlands and experiencing all the emotions of her characters. Excellent book. Can't wait to see what happens next.
This is a marvelous story of the trials and hardships that the Highlanders had to contend with in their everyday lives. It is a story of how Catherine and Declan had to grow in wisdom and in love in order to get beyond the predjudist's that were taught them all their lives. Barbara Bard makes you feel as if you're in the Highlands and experiencing all the emotions of her characters. Excellent book. Can't wait to see what happens next.
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March 3, 2020
Good grief, I couldn't decide if I disliked the H or the h more. What a woeful pair they were and totally unlikeable
July 27, 2018
Declan is the second full-length novel in this series by Barbara Bard. The first was Drew and a novella about his brother, Blair. Declan is the coming of age story of Blair and Drew's cousin and takes place after the battle with the English in which the Highlanders emerged victorious. Declan is still beside himself with the knowledge that both of his cousins have fallen in love with English women. He is convinced it will lead to the Highlanders' downfall. At Sarah's (Drew's wife) insistence, her friend Catherine is captured and brought to the castle and it is up to Declan to guard her.
In this story Declan becomes a man through a series of youthful misadventures that nearly cost him his life. Through his tribulations, he comes to understand how his cousins could love English women and how war is not the be-all and end-all he had believed it to be. Bard writes with a Scottish accent, making it seem authentic but she occasionally uses modem words, which take away from the authenticity. Some of the situations in which the characters find themselves are unrealistic but entertaining and move the plot along. If there is a criticism to be had it is that she makes us slog through pages of characters over thinking their situations.
Declan is an enjoyable read. I recommend it if you are attracted to Highlander fiction.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
In this story Declan becomes a man through a series of youthful misadventures that nearly cost him his life. Through his tribulations, he comes to understand how his cousins could love English women and how war is not the be-all and end-all he had believed it to be. Bard writes with a Scottish accent, making it seem authentic but she occasionally uses modem words, which take away from the authenticity. Some of the situations in which the characters find themselves are unrealistic but entertaining and move the plot along. If there is a criticism to be had it is that she makes us slog through pages of characters over thinking their situations.
Declan is an enjoyable read. I recommend it if you are attracted to Highlander fiction.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 22, 2018
Declan’s repeated ramblings (several chapters) about Blair and Drew hurting the clan and putting the clan in danger because they married English lassies, and his wanting to be considered a man not a boy by the clan was tiresome. Possibly Barbara Bard was trying to emphasize Declan’s desire to prove this to everyone, and especially himself. But too much of the story was spent on this. Oh, Declan sees Catherine as trouble for the clan, also.
Catherine, with good intentions of Sarah, was taken from the battle in the series' second book and held like a prisoner, but this was for her safety. Catherine will seem like a spoiled child but really she was a “privileged” young lady (how young is unknown). She had no say in being taken to the highlands. She feels alone and is scared. She wants to be sent back to England or allowed to escape – but her upbringing and age leave her unequipped to walk to England. I think she must have been very young because no thought given to learning her surrounds or finding some protection to take.
Once you get past the ramblings is where the story really starts. Declan, through experience and with the help of his cousins Blair and Dew plus their wives, does mature into a young man. Catherine does escape and runs into trouble. Declan saves Catherine. Declan runs into trouble. Catherine saves Declan. They learn things about each other that brings them together.
Deirdre is still inciting trouble;
Catherine, with good intentions of Sarah, was taken from the battle in the series' second book and held like a prisoner, but this was for her safety. Catherine will seem like a spoiled child but really she was a “privileged” young lady (how young is unknown). She had no say in being taken to the highlands. She feels alone and is scared. She wants to be sent back to England or allowed to escape – but her upbringing and age leave her unequipped to walk to England. I think she must have been very young because no thought given to learning her surrounds or finding some protection to take.
Once you get past the ramblings is where the story really starts. Declan, through experience and with the help of his cousins Blair and Dew plus their wives, does mature into a young man. Catherine does escape and runs into trouble. Declan saves Catherine. Declan runs into trouble. Catherine saves Declan. They learn things about each other that brings them together.
Deirdre is still inciting trouble;
September 1, 2019
What an exciting read. It is full of danger, action, adventure, pride, prejudice, foolishness, first love and first romance. It took about three to four hours to read. On every page there was something new to learn. This is a continuance of Barbara's previous book Drew. It is about the McCall Clan. Blair is the clan leader, Drew is his right-hand man and his brother. Declan is their younger cousin who is out to prove himself a man just like Blair and Drew. From the last book, Blair and Drew fell in love with two English women, Rosemary and Sarah. There are a couple of people who see this as a betrayal to the clan. Deirdre was nothing but trouble. She went around wanting to incite an uprising against Blair and Drew for taking English women as their beloved. Deirdre was motivated by spite and anger against Blair for an unjust slight against her that was not based on fact. When Deirdre could not sway Drew to her side, she started working on Declan. She would whisper evil thoughts in his ear. This incited rage in Declan that Blair and Drew were going against what it meant to be a Highlander. Highlanders were supposed to hate the English not bed them. Declan felt it was a danger to the whole clan to have Blair and Drew under the influence of these English women. Declan was convinced that Blair and Drew were under the English women's spell and they were not putting the clan first and it would lead to clan's ruin. Declan was not a boy and yet not a man, he was in between. He was still trying to prove himself worthy of the same respect Blair and Drew garnered. He feels that if they would only give him a chance, he would prove himself capable and worthy. Yet every time Declan tried to show his cousins that he was just as good as them, he would inevitably make youthful mistakes. He starts to realize that he does not have the same experience as his cousins. But he was still determined to win their respect no matter what. One way was to talk to Blair and Drew and show them the errors of their ways when it came to choosing the English women. He then had another opportunity to prove he was a warrior. The English Lord Harold Flynn declared war on the Highlanders. Declan slew many English soldiers. But after Drew dispatched Harold, that ended the war. Sarah, Drew's beloved, asked him to take Catherine, Harold's sister, back with them. Sarah had grown fond of Catherine and knew what fate awaited her back under her father's rule. Catherine wanted to go back to her own home. She was unhappy that Sarah insisted she be brought along with them. Later all the Highlanders treated Drew like the hero he was. Declan became jealous and envious of his cousin Drew. He wanted that adoration and respect so badly he was blind to the fact that he was too young to have the experience that Drew or Blair had. In the meantime, Drew assigned him guard duty over their prisoner/guest Catherine. Catherine was not treated like a normal prisoner of war. She was treated with respect but guarded because she wanted to escape at any cost. Declan despised her just for being English and Catherine despised him for being a brutal, uncouth Highlander. They both were prejudice towards each other without getting to know each other. But that changes. Over a series of events that lead Catherine to escape and Declan to chase after her, they found they had protective feeling for each other. Declan found her in the nick of time and stopped three bad Highlanders from physically assaulting her. Declan fought against them. While fighting Declan remembered the lessons his father taught him. In today’s terms he need to be in the zone to win. Catherine feared for his life more than her own. Declan only wanted to protect Catherine. They had started to get to know each other when Declan was guarding her. They had deep insightful conversations. Both had the same feeling that they could talk to each other like no other. After Catherine and Declan were safe, Catherine talked Declan into taking her back to England to her home. She told him her father was going to wage war to recover her and to revenge Harold's death. She told him he would be in a good position to take back vital information about her father and his plans back to Blair and Drew. This could and hopefully would save them. Declan was torn in two but decided that he had to put the clan first and so he did. On the way. they were captured by highway men. They were a mix of English and Scottish. They were working for the elder Lord Flynn. When they arrived at Catherine's home, she betrayed Declan. He was put in the dungeon for the rest of his life. He had company. A man named Alastar. Then Catherine came to his rescue and broke him and Alastar out of the dungeon. Declan was bitter for what she had done. She explained she did not know what to do. If she had not, she would not have been able to rescue him. She owed him. They headed back to the Highlands to warn the clan of Flynn's plan for war. On the way, Declan and Catherine consummated their love. Both of them had never been with anyone else. They were so in love and happy. Now Declan understood what his cousins were telling him. When they arrived at the castle, everyone noticed Declan holding Catherine's hand. Declan relayed the new of the impending war that was coming and told them everything that transpired from the time he left to go after Catherine. He thought his cousins would be mad at him for all the blunders he caused but they were not. They embraced Declan and told him that they were proud of him. This filled Declan with pride and joy. The next morning Declan and Catherine went to see his father. Declan told his father about the war and about all his adventures with Catherine. His father told him that he had grown into the man he always knew he would be, kind, selfless and strong. Having learned the lessons of life from what he has been through. His father told him he was proud of him. This was an emotional moment between father and son. Declan would always treasure it. For the first time in his life he knew his true purpose, his true duty, and it was all thanks to Catherine. She made him into the man he had been destined to be. At the end of the book there is a link to an extended epilogue. It is worth the read.
July 28, 2018
Declan is a young and stubborn highlander with dreams of grandeur. Eager to prove his cousins and father proud; he takes his duty to his family very seriously. When tasked with guard duty over a sharp-tonged English ‘prisoner’, Declan feels he is not being taken seriously.
Catherine is a prim and proper English lady thrown into the savage highlands as collateral; ending a battle between the English and Highlanders. She has a temper and even while in precarious situations remains demanding.
Declan and Catherine are bitter enemies. However, while Declan spends time with Catherine they learn that they are not so different and are full of misplaced hatred.
These two run from their feelings while overcoming dangerous events that pull their true emotions to the surface. A great work full of emotion, drama, and an amazing Scottish brogue.
Catherine is a prim and proper English lady thrown into the savage highlands as collateral; ending a battle between the English and Highlanders. She has a temper and even while in precarious situations remains demanding.
Declan and Catherine are bitter enemies. However, while Declan spends time with Catherine they learn that they are not so different and are full of misplaced hatred.
These two run from their feelings while overcoming dangerous events that pull their true emotions to the surface. A great work full of emotion, drama, and an amazing Scottish brogue.
August 28, 2019
This picks up where Highlander’s captive leaves off! This is Catherine and Declan’s story. Catherine is the sister of the man Sara posing as Rosemary was suppose to marry. When Sara escapes the cruel man she took Catherine with her. Catherine was raised to hate the Scottish same as Sara. Once she escapes back home she realizes her old life didn’t hold any joy like she remembered.
Declan is Blair and Drew’s younger cousin. He wants desperately to be like them but thinks they have been poisoned by the Sasenach women and he must save them. That is until he meets Catherine and is ordered to guard her! This is a fantastic series and a great book. This book can be read as a stand alone but I recommend that you read the whole series. Barbara Bard is the queen of Scottish romance! Her characters are lovable. The descriptions in the book make you feel as if you are right there !
Declan is Blair and Drew’s younger cousin. He wants desperately to be like them but thinks they have been poisoned by the Sasenach women and he must save them. That is until he meets Catherine and is ordered to guard her! This is a fantastic series and a great book. This book can be read as a stand alone but I recommend that you read the whole series. Barbara Bard is the queen of Scottish romance! Her characters are lovable. The descriptions in the book make you feel as if you are right there !
July 30, 2018
Declan
This book was okay. Catherine was an English lady who was used to her luxury life. Declan was a Scottish Highlander who wanted to be a great warrior like his father. Declan was still a boy in a lot of ways. When he found himself in a situation that he could do nothing he finally realized that not everything was as it seemed. Catherine finally came to the same conclusion that Declan came to as well when she was back home with her father.
I think for me there were quite a few errors with names in this book and Declan and Catherine were both immature that I found this book frustrating. In the end there characters grew but it made the book long and slow.
This book was okay. Catherine was an English lady who was used to her luxury life. Declan was a Scottish Highlander who wanted to be a great warrior like his father. Declan was still a boy in a lot of ways. When he found himself in a situation that he could do nothing he finally realized that not everything was as it seemed. Catherine finally came to the same conclusion that Declan came to as well when she was back home with her father.
I think for me there were quite a few errors with names in this book and Declan and Catherine were both immature that I found this book frustrating. In the end there characters grew but it made the book long and slow.
July 27, 2018
The first third of the book is Declan rambling, brooding & whining on about the English women and why won’t they listen to him. Then they are captures by bandits and returned to her father she betrays Declan. This made it very hard to get through but I continued reading.
The last two-thirds of the book go really fast and the story picks up with some very interesting twists and turns making you want to know what is in store for this clan and the people in it an the Blue Thistle. This made the book worth finishing.
The last two-thirds of the book go really fast and the story picks up with some very interesting twists and turns making you want to know what is in store for this clan and the people in it an the Blue Thistle. This made the book worth finishing.
July 28, 2018
Declan is sure his cousins Blair and Drew have lost their minds. How could they have married English girls?! Now here he was guarding one whose name was Catherine. She is a friend of Drew's wife Sarah. Sarah insisted that Catherine be captured. Why? Catherine wanted to escape and go back to England. Does she come up with a plan? Will Declan help her? What will happen to him if he does? Will they fall in love?
This is a well thought out story and well written. The story flows nicely. There is action, adventure, danger, romance, suspense.
This is a well thought out story and well written. The story flows nicely. There is action, adventure, danger, romance, suspense.
July 28, 2018
This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised at how well this Historical Scottish Romance was written, and I really enjoyed reading it.
What you will find in this book is: intrigue, some twists & turns, action, prejudice, hardship, emotional feelings, conflict, acceptance, trust, love and happiness.
The story-line is well-thought out and the plot is quite suspenseful. The characters are well-developed, and have a variety of traits and different sides to their individual personalities. I would recommend this book.
What you will find in this book is: intrigue, some twists & turns, action, prejudice, hardship, emotional feelings, conflict, acceptance, trust, love and happiness.
The story-line is well-thought out and the plot is quite suspenseful. The characters are well-developed, and have a variety of traits and different sides to their individual personalities. I would recommend this book.
August 1, 2018
A sweet coming of age romance between Catherine, an English lady and Declan a Scottish Highlander. Barabra Bard's skillful story telling has the reader totally immersed in the Scottish Highlands, from the use of the brogue, to the history of the clans and the descriptions of everyday clan life. A wonderful,romantic background for the love story between Declan and Catherine. An enjoyable read-I would recommend reading Blair and Drew (although not necessary) but I loved seeing the characters develop.
July 25, 2018
I had a hard time with this book
I had a difficult time reading this book. The main characters Declan and Catherine were both hard to like and relate too. Declan was so stubborn and whiny and Catherine was so self absorbed and had such a superior I’m better than you attitude that she was unlikeable. It took over 80% of the book before they both realized what jerks they had been. I really tried to like this book. I just couldn’t. But this is just my opinion
I had a difficult time reading this book. The main characters Declan and Catherine were both hard to like and relate too. Declan was so stubborn and whiny and Catherine was so self absorbed and had such a superior I’m better than you attitude that she was unlikeable. It took over 80% of the book before they both realized what jerks they had been. I really tried to like this book. I just couldn’t. But this is just my opinion
July 25, 2018
A deeply fascinating story
A story about coming of age in Scotland. As a young man influenced by tales of war with the English Declan had to reconcile what he was learning with what he had been taught. Well written with a deep understanding of the times. I have already downloaded other books in the series and will continue to read books by this n e w to me author. I was sent this free as an ARC and have written an honest review.
A story about coming of age in Scotland. As a young man influenced by tales of war with the English Declan had to reconcile what he was learning with what he had been taught. Well written with a deep understanding of the times. I have already downloaded other books in the series and will continue to read books by this n e w to me author. I was sent this free as an ARC and have written an honest review.
July 31, 2018
Declan and Catherine 's story
I enjoyed reading Declan story very much! He is a young highlander trying to prove himself a man of honor to earn his rightful place in the clan. I loved the book and if you enjoy romance and highlander stories you should read this book. I had only one part i didn't like myself and that is the sex scene, I could have done without it but otherwise a good book.
I enjoyed reading Declan story very much! He is a young highlander trying to prove himself a man of honor to earn his rightful place in the clan. I loved the book and if you enjoy romance and highlander stories you should read this book. I had only one part i didn't like myself and that is the sex scene, I could have done without it but otherwise a good book.
July 24, 2018
Declan: historical romance novel
The same day I received this arc I was able to finish reading it. At first it took a while before the story started getting interesting. As soon as it did, I was hooked. Loved how the main characters’ opinions and feelings changed towards each other and love prevailed. Would definitely recommend .
The same day I received this arc I was able to finish reading it. At first it took a while before the story started getting interesting. As soon as it did, I was hooked. Loved how the main characters’ opinions and feelings changed towards each other and love prevailed. Would definitely recommend .
July 30, 2018
World's apart
A boy becomes a man, a girl becomes a woman. A great story. Lessons learned. Leaving a lost and hopeless family only to gain a true family with someone else. Wars in the Highlands was a way of life but always the greatest and proudest of all those who fought bravely. All of this is what is in store for you when you read Declan.
A boy becomes a man, a girl becomes a woman. A great story. Lessons learned. Leaving a lost and hopeless family only to gain a true family with someone else. Wars in the Highlands was a way of life but always the greatest and proudest of all those who fought bravely. All of this is what is in store for you when you read Declan.
August 3, 2018
I liked this historical read. The story has plenty of drama and suspense. This is Declan and Catherine’s story. The were supposed to be helping Catherine but she felt more like a prisoner and escaped. Declan goes after and is captured himself. This is an entertaining read that I did enjoy, the characters could be a bit tiresome at times however the read did hold my interest throughout.
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