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Lasses of Tweeddale #1

The Highlander's Virtuous Lady

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Against all odds, only a miracle could save her...
Margaret Fraser is driven away from her home, Neidpath Castle, when the war knocks on her door.

The wild forests and glens of the Scottish Highlands are no place for a lady.

Her betrothed and valiant Highlander Sir Gilbert Fleming, is trying to reach for her but Margaret's whereabouts are a mystery to everyone.

Everyone but the newly appointed Sheriff of Tweeddale, Walter Moult, who has captured her because of her beauty, and is not happy with her disobedience to his sadistic sexual requests. He is now determined to make her life a living hell.

With her virtue in peril and salvation nowhere to be found, Margaret must find a way to escape and get back to her loved ones before it’s too late…

*The Highlander's Virtuous Lady is a Scottish historical romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2018

402 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Fiona Faris

115 books195 followers
Fiona Faris is an American author of authentic historical Medieval & Scottish romance books. She started writing historical highlander romance after she visited the Scottish Highlands years ago with her husband.

Her books have received startling reviews about the humor, the darkness and the romance they have.

She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and their two sons. Before she started writing romance, she experienced the various occupations: translator, dog-training, and a substitute English teacher for the most part of her life... However, nothing could ever compare to writing stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands!

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5 stars
96 (42%)
4 stars
61 (26%)
3 stars
42 (18%)
2 stars
18 (7%)
1 star
11 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for April.
1,850 reviews73 followers
August 28, 2018
The Highlander's Virtuous Lady by Fiona Faris is an exciting and intriguing Medieval Scottish Historical Romance. A story of honor, virtue, tumult times, strength, endurance and love. This is the story of two sisters, Margaret (the virtuous one),Joan (the tomboy) Fraser and their two knights, Sir Gilbert Fleming and Sir Patrick, set during the war between England and Scotland. Margaret is instantly attracted to Gilbert (who goes off to battle) and Joan to Patrick.
Fast paced, action filled, well written, and well crafted with intriguing characters and an emotional, rollercoaster ride of a storyline. Ms. Faris manages to weave historical details into a complex, and unique style of writing. Some topics may not set well with some readers, but remember it is set during a tumult era of history. Ms. Faris takes readers on a journey into the lives of the four main characters, with bloodshed, sexual abuse, BDSM torture, and a brutal war, that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride with adventure, suspense, bloodshed and gripping moments, as a result of the cruelty and brutality of the era. The war between the English and Scottish was after all a brutal time in their history. I enjoyed THE HIGHLANDER'S VIRTUOUS LADY, it definitely brought out the endurance, strength, courage and love of Joan, Margaret, Patrick and Gilbert and all they had to endure. Oh yes, there is also a villainous, evil new sheriff, of Tweeddale, Walter Moult, who is determined to have Margaret and eventually captures her and her mother, where they endure mych. A heart-pumping tale with a HEA. A definite keeper. T
I can't wait to read more from this amazing and talented author, Fiona Faris. Well done, indeed! I was glued to the pages from the first page to the last and beyond. It definitely lingers, or with me, anyway. A must read Historical Scottish Romance. I can not say enough about THE HIGHLANDER'S VIRTUOUS LADY, you must pick it up for yourself and read Joan, Patrick, Margaret and Gilbert's story.

Rating:
Heat rating: Violence and sexual abuse
Reviewer: AprilR
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
256 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2020
Very crude and difficult to read

I usually adore highlanders and stories located in Scotland during the previous centuries, no matter which ones. I was expecting a romance between Margaret and Gilbert when I bought this book. Turns out it was anything but. The story spreads itself on at least 8 years, and starts after William Wallace has been executed. This era is rough, life is hard. Harris has perfectly described the cruelty low classes people were living. Many deaths occur, lots of violence, murder of a mother in front of her toddler, war, children being treated like vermin, even a child being raped... The love story between the heroine and her knight is almost inexistant. Joan, the little hellion sister, has more romance in the book, romance being a strong word, since they are mostly very crude sex scenes, and she is a secondary character. If you expect a romantic tale, don’t read it: you’ll be very disappointed, even troubled. If you want to learn about the cruelty of men during the King Edward I and II eras, you’ll be disturbingly instructed. It has a happy ending, but it’s not a fulfilling one. I do not recommend this book.
616 reviews
August 27, 2018
SETTING: This story is set in Scotland after Robert the Bruce has taken power, but still has Scottish enemies as well as the English King Edward with which to contend. All the famous Scot-English battles are mentioned, but there are no details about the battles. A Scottish Knight with 2 daughters and 2 knights in service to The Bruce who eventually marry the daughters are the main characters around which the story is built.
I liked the underlying love stories of Joan and Patrick and Margaret and Gilbert. The story takes place over eight years, and moves quickly. Joan haas been trained as if she were a son in fighting and actually joins her husband Patrick in the war against the English. Margaret is the woman left behind to care for her mother and the household while everyone else is fighting, and ends up waiting 8 years to marry her Gilbert. I liked all 4 of the main characters, and was happy to see they did have a HEA ending.
I found the sex between the couples off-putting, and was very sorry that a rape of a 12 year old was described as well as other sexual tortures. For me, that lowered the rating from a 4 to a three. I also would have preferred more time spent on what the characters did during the 8 years over which the story covered. At times, the story jumped 2 years or so by just finishing one chapter and starting the next; yet little appeared to have happened in these periods.
So, this is an interesting love story taking place at the time of Robert the Bruce, that may appeal to mature audiences. I would think it not appropriate for younger audiences due to the frequent sexual scenes.
1,479 reviews7 followers
August 22, 2018
Wow loved it.

This is not a simple romantic historical novel there are some very hard things to read in this book but the Author managed to take you to a time when there was constant struggle and war with a touch of mischief and Romance. This book isn't about just one sister but two and how they deal with the struggles and grief that they endure. Margaret Frasher is a fine lady and has bit of Airs about her but still a good person if a little snobbish at first but probably no different then any other lady of her day. Joan Fraser is completely different raised to wield a sword and climb trees she faces life head on and spits in its face and laughs about it. They both have there sight set to young Knights Gilbert and Patrick they are betrothed but then battle comes and everything changes suddenly they must hide in the forest and deal with there loss and the fear that Margrets Gilbert won't come back. There are Reivers battles between Kings a horribly abusive Sheriff Sir Walter of Durham a really evil man. I enjoyed this book even though there were some really tough scenes in this book but well worth the read.
Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
August 27, 2018
The Waiting Game🎲

Joan💃🔪 and Margaret💃💋, are Scottish sisters but so different! Joan💃🔪 is a reaver, along with her love, the Knight, Patrick🐺🍆🌋🔪. They spend much time together robbing the English supply caravans and generally killing and harassing as many English soldiers as they can.
Margaret💃💋, the elder sister, will be the mistress of the castle Neidpath where they all live, when her father passes. There is no son to inherit.
She's in love with a Scottish Knight, Gilbert🐺🍆🌋🔪. When he is called to war at The side of the Scottish King, she vows to wait for him.

Eight long years she waits. A lot can happen in eight years!

Great book, there are some scenes of BDSM torture by the villain. There are also bedroom scenes in this book, and gruesome battle scenes. Definitely for adults only!
Profile Image for Jill Anna  Freeman.
549 reviews10 followers
August 26, 2018
“The Highlander's Virtuous Lady: A Historical Scottish Romance Novel “ by Fiona Faris is a tale of honor and virtue of a Highland knight..Sir Gilbert and the Lady Margaret ...along with her sister, Lady Joan and the knight she desires... Sir Patrick. In turbulent times the main characters have their hands full protecting family fortunes ...hearth and home ....not to mention their very lives. Ever mindful of shifting political loyalties ....one misstep could spell disaster ...the lovers face dangers that only their wits and abiding love for each other can overcome. A splendid read...MUCH enjoyed. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
86 reviews17 followers
December 7, 2019
Hmm, mixed feelings about this one. Not your typical highland romance, this has some darker elements which some readers might find upsetting; rape, torture, gruesome deaths etc.
I enjoyed Joan's character, a woman who loved life and was determined not to confirm to the role expected of her. I'm afraid I never really warmed to Margaret, and didn't feel invested in her "romance" with Gilbert
I don't know, I suppose I read historical romance for a bit of escapism and was unprepared for some of the sadistic scenarios presented here.
662 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2021
War Is Hell

My favorite character was Jane. She was awesome, strong, fierce, and beautiful. Patrick was perfect for her because he respected her desire to be a partner and wife. She fought alongside him against the English. Margaret was kind of tragic because her fiancée was fighting in the war for eight years. Meanwhile she suffered the abuse if a pervert when she was captured. The skirmishes of Patrick and Jane robbing the English was interesting. The death of Jane and Margaret's parents was sad. Patrick and Jane were adventurous, but Gilbert and Margaret were tragic. I liked the extended epilogue covering all the characters.
161 reviews7 followers
September 21, 2018
The Highlander's Virtuous Lady

I LOVE reading books about the Highlanders and knights. This book was all I expected and then some. I was drawn into it from the first few sentences. There is much strife and hardship and even abuse endured by these heroic people. I recommend this book to mature readers only because of the very graphic sexual content. The only thing that I personally found that I really don't care for is the "f" word. There is much great history in this book too. Can't wait to read more. I anxiously await to learn more of Joan and Margaret and their families.
2,440 reviews29 followers
August 22, 2018
This was a fast paced story with plenty of action. It is set during a turbulent time in Scottish history and the story certainly illustrated the brutality and cruelty of the era. I was on the edge of my seat for some of the time. The main characters were an intriguing mix, particularly the two sisters, Margaret and Joan. They couldn’t have been more dissimilar. Margaret was very much the lady, while Joan behaved more like a lad with her fighting and language. This will keep you reading until the end.
273 reviews
August 23, 2018
This is a Scottish Highlander story about love, family and war. It had my attention from the beginning to the end. It tell of two sisters Margaret and Joan who become engage to two knights Garret and Patrick and how the war changes all their lives.

It has twists and turn and surprises along the way. The is so well done that you feel that you are there with the characters. I voluntarily read and revised an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Would recommend it to all and am looking forward to more from this author.
4 reviews
August 23, 2018
This was a different book for me. I liked the story line, and the characters development. I didn't like the excessive details for the historical items.
Joan was a pleasant surprise. She rebelled against the norms that were present to her and managed to keep it entertaining.
Margaret was unyielding and stuck to her principals even after several traumas.
Overall, I liked this book a lot, but I do wish there had been a warning about possible rape and domination. That made me uncomfortable, but that is just a personal thing.
Profile Image for Lilybelle Lau.
43 reviews
October 13, 2018
It's Scottish sad and heroic history revisited!

I am speechless. This story depicts closely and painfully the long battle between the Scots and the English, which I happened to learn a little bit reading many Scottish historical romances and novels. Although many parts in this story are rather too graphic and maybe also too heartbreaking to read, I would recommend this book to readers who may want to know more about the above - mentioned war. The author has made great efforts in her research.
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
December 1, 2019
This was read a book 1 in the "Tales of Highland Seduction " set.
Two young maids, happen on a scene of two knights, refreshing themselves after a long trip, in the nearest water source. Later, those two same knights, the girls were to find out, were the guests that their father was expecting to dine with the family.
Eventually, the girls look back and see how wondrous that summer day was, and how their life had quickly disintegrated, that they lost father, home and had become fugitives, through no fault of their own, but merely the times in which they lived.
A sad, at times, horrific at others, story of Scottish history.
4 reviews
September 4, 2018
Beautiful!

This work of art has everything one could imagine to be close to the actual events of the time! It's full of love of deepest kind, full of saddest events, real and imagined. The very best read in my many hours of reading in 59 years! I recommend this book to any man or woman that has the grit to see the beauty of full throttle love and war. I am hooked! Congratulations, Fiona Faris!

Profile Image for Tam.
2,179 reviews53 followers
November 19, 2018
I loved the unusual plot line of this book. It was a refreshing change from the same, tired "formula" most historical romances follow. Margaret and Gilbert have to go through a lot, and the steadfastness of their love was one of the shining points of the story.

With stories like this one and her previous book, A Maid for the Grieving Highlander, Fiona Faris is quickly making a name for herself as one to watch (and read) in the industry!
Profile Image for Vera.
35 reviews
October 16, 2019
Adventurous Tale with Strong Women and The Men Who Love Them

It is great to read a love story about Scotland with such strong women. So many portray the women as soft and completely dependent on a man for everything. I do not believe that our ancestors were that weak or we would not have survived the trials that we were faced with. While we can fight our own battles it is nice to have backup!
27 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2020
Largely sad story

My least favorite of your books so far. The story itself was not so bad but the sex, even between Joan and Patrick, was crude and brutal. Thank God that Moult did not rape Margaret but what he did was just as bad. I think Joan was portrayed as a tart. I wanted to wash her mouth with soap. I certainly hope the next books are less crude. I’m not a prude by any means but the sex and language in this one was gratuitous.
315 reviews
July 3, 2021
This book is a well researched Historical, Highland romance in a time of war for independence from the English throne. The plot focuses on one family's lives and misfortunes, especially the chalk and cheese lives of the two sisters. As such I would recommend it to anyone who likes the genre, who is adult, due to the violence that happens and that that is alluded too. I enjoyed the story and the very varied personalities that peopled it.
Profile Image for K.
56 reviews
January 24, 2023
It's not really a terrible book. It's decently written, though sometimes it scene jumps with no distinctive transition, which, while a but jarring, you get used to. The issue is that there isn't really a character that you love in this book. No one you really want to actively root for. They all kind of suck in their own way. Margaret, most of all. Kicking a poor child for asking a question? Yeah, Margaret sucks.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
862 reviews
August 24, 2018
Realistic

This story made me feel as though I was part of this long ago tale. The use of the vernacular of the time, the descriptions of the buildings and the surrounding landscape was excellent.

I enjoyed reading the twists and turns of this enjoyable plot. Surprise after surprise kept me reading into the night. This book was thoroughly researched and amazingly enjoyable.
Profile Image for Juneta Key.
Author 10 books41 followers
September 21, 2018
Unexpected while everything I look for in a Highlander Romance.
A delightful Scottish romp. I love books in this setting and the author delivered beautifully. I felt like I was there and part of the story. Great character arcs and romance. Unexpected while everything I look for in a Highlander Romance.
340 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2018
Excellent book you should read.

This historical romance has twin plots, interwoven together, that tells the Scottish history of the last ten years of fighting between Robert, "The Bruce" and England. Two sisters and two Scottish Knights. The suffering and killing and untold horrors the Scottish people suffered for freedom. An amazing and talented author is Fiona Faris.
5,392 reviews67 followers
April 21, 2022
The Highland we'd Virtuous Lady

A good story about sisters falling for two knights during a war The sisters love each other but different One is a scrapper and the other sees herself as a lady There is war hardships and death The characters are brave the extended epilogue completes story for all characters
Profile Image for Tina  Helzer.
323 reviews2 followers
September 7, 2018
This is a great book. I really loved it. Was one of those that really pulls you in and keeps you hooked from start to finish. This is a great book that shows you a glimpse into Scottish history and how life can be brutal during war.
Profile Image for Luann Gallegos.
46 reviews
September 16, 2018
Highlander’s Virtuous Lady

I love Scottish stories. This is a well written book with a lot of excitement. Maybe what we perceive to have in life isn’t what we expect. Read this book, it’s very entertaining.
378 reviews
September 24, 2018
What I like best about Fiona Faris's Highlander books is how much I learn about Highland life and language. There are some very grim, but quite authentic, I'm sure, realities portrayed in this book, but at least some of the characters end up with a happily ever after.
53 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2019
Love triumphs again.

As I finish the story of Margaret and Gilbert, I wish I had read it before I read the Forbidden Love. As that would be the sequence of events. I am not, however, displeased! I am looking forward to seeing the life of the remaining main characters.
Profile Image for Sharon Wagner.
473 reviews1 follower
April 30, 2019
Good book

Another good book by Fiona Faris about the highlands,was so very sad and devastating storyline. What a horrible,sick person Mault was. Thank God for the knights,that they loved their betrothed and faught to bring them home. Lots of adventure,fighting and passion.
3,596 reviews16 followers
November 14, 2019
A good storyline!

This book seemed different from the others I have read by this author, but was still good! I am going to have to re-read parts as the extended ending says Lizzie has red hair, I thought it was black!

Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews

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