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Campbell Trilogy #3.5
Highland Crossfire
(This is a novella of approximately 45,000 words)
A novella set in the world of New York Times Bestselling Author Monica McCarty's 17th Century Campbell Series.
At eighteen, Annie MacGregor thought the worst thing that could happen to her was a broken heart. But she was wrong. Caught in the crossfire of warring clans, Annie’s ravaging at the hands of the hated Campbells has nearly destroyed her. But she is determined to put her life back together, and that life doesn’t include Niall Lamont, the man who broke her heart two years before and has now appointed himself her unwanted avenger and sentinel.
Niall made the biggest mistake of his life when he told Annie that he couldn’t marry her. By the time he realizes his mistake, however, it’s too late. His clan is nearly destroyed by the Campbells for harboring her kinsmen, he is outlawed, and the woman he loves has been brutalized. With time running out, and the king’s men closing in, Niall will do whatever he must to earn Annie’s forgiveness—even if it means teaching the stubborn lass to defend herself. But Annie is a MacGregor, and if there is one thing the persecuted clan knows how to do, it is fight. Forgiveness, however, is another matter, and Niall begins to wonder if some wounds just might be too deep to heal.
Other books in the
Highland Warrior
Highland Outlaw
Highland Scoundrel
A novella set in the world of New York Times Bestselling Author Monica McCarty's 17th Century Campbell Series.
At eighteen, Annie MacGregor thought the worst thing that could happen to her was a broken heart. But she was wrong. Caught in the crossfire of warring clans, Annie’s ravaging at the hands of the hated Campbells has nearly destroyed her. But she is determined to put her life back together, and that life doesn’t include Niall Lamont, the man who broke her heart two years before and has now appointed himself her unwanted avenger and sentinel.
Niall made the biggest mistake of his life when he told Annie that he couldn’t marry her. By the time he realizes his mistake, however, it’s too late. His clan is nearly destroyed by the Campbells for harboring her kinsmen, he is outlawed, and the woman he loves has been brutalized. With time running out, and the king’s men closing in, Niall will do whatever he must to earn Annie’s forgiveness—even if it means teaching the stubborn lass to defend herself. But Annie is a MacGregor, and if there is one thing the persecuted clan knows how to do, it is fight. Forgiveness, however, is another matter, and Niall begins to wonder if some wounds just might be too deep to heal.
Other books in the
Highland Warrior
Highland Outlaw
Highland Scoundrel
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2019
141 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Monica McCarty
61 books2,970 followersWhat do you get when you mix a legal career, a baseball career, motherhood, and a love of history with a voracious reader? In my case, a Historical Romance Author.
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 15, 2021
Merakla beklediğim Niall ve Annie'nin kitabı ile birlikte seri sona erdi.
Serideki diğer kitaplarda ikilinin az çok neler yaşadığını biliyorduk zaten. Bu novellada da öncesinde ve sonrasında neler olduğunu okuyoruz.
Serinin hayranlarının yoğun isteği üzerine uzun yıllar sonra gelmiş bu minik hikaye. Ama bu ikiliye hakkını vermediğini düşünüyorum. Annie'nin, başına gelen o korkunç olaydan sonra neler yaşayıp hissettiği ve Niall'ın, Annie'nin intikamını almak için bir kaçağa dönüştüğü bu süreç özetlenircesine anlatılmaktan çok daha fazlasını hak ediyordu bence ama neyse...
Serideki diğer kitaplarda ikilinin az çok neler yaşadığını biliyorduk zaten. Bu novellada da öncesinde ve sonrasında neler olduğunu okuyoruz.
Serinin hayranlarının yoğun isteği üzerine uzun yıllar sonra gelmiş bu minik hikaye. Ama bu ikiliye hakkını vermediğini düşünüyorum. Annie'nin, başına gelen o korkunç olaydan sonra neler yaşayıp hissettiği ve Niall'ın, Annie'nin intikamını almak için bir kaçağa dönüştüğü bu süreç özetlenircesine anlatılmaktan çok daha fazlasını hak ediyordu bence ama neyse...
July 6, 2019
I don’t remember the last time I had time to read a book.
The book was ok. I looked forward to reading Niall and Annie’s book and it was an ok read.
The book was ok. I looked forward to reading Niall and Annie’s book and it was an ok read.
April 14, 2019
The much awaited story of Annie and Niall ...
Annie was proud and strong, determined to overcome the painful incident she has lived through, not about to let it shadow her life
Niall was young and stupid but he tries to win Annie's love for a long time ... he becomes her champion and I like that he and Annie move away to build a life in Ireland ...
Worth reading and felt good to catch up with Jamie Campbell ...
Which reminds me, I was reading Nora Roberts Macgregor series .... All The Possibilities
The Macgregor Campbell war is highlighted very humurously by NR's Scottish American H and h ... with the H's cantankerous father and h taking potshots at each other while H watches and laughs ...
Annie was proud and strong, determined to overcome the painful incident she has lived through, not about to let it shadow her life
Niall was young and stupid but he tries to win Annie's love for a long time ... he becomes her champion and I like that he and Annie move away to build a life in Ireland ...
Worth reading and felt good to catch up with Jamie Campbell ...
Which reminds me, I was reading Nora Roberts Macgregor series .... All The Possibilities
The Macgregor Campbell war is highlighted very humurously by NR's Scottish American H and h ... with the H's cantankerous father and h taking potshots at each other while H watches and laughs ...
April 3, 2019
I read Highland Crossfire and...I honestly don't know what to think about this book. Monica McCarty is one of my favorite historical romance authors and usually all her books are 5-stars for me. No so much this one. Even being a novella, I had to struggle to finish it.
The beginning of the book was terrible confusing, with a lot of events and names thrown in. I read the previous books a while ago, so it was good to refresh my memory on the background story, but there's just so much information that instead of being put into context I actually felt lost.
The love story between Niall and Annie is obviously sweet and you can't help but root for them - even if one or the other seems terrible silly sometimes. But almost everything else just seems off and nothing like what I'm used to reading from this author.
The beginning of the book was terrible confusing, with a lot of events and names thrown in. I read the previous books a while ago, so it was good to refresh my memory on the background story, but there's just so much information that instead of being put into context I actually felt lost.
The love story between Niall and Annie is obviously sweet and you can't help but root for them - even if one or the other seems terrible silly sometimes. But almost everything else just seems off and nothing like what I'm used to reading from this author.
January 13, 2021
Monica McCarty is one of my favorite authors! :) Her Highlander books are great!
May 6, 2020
I don't always enjoy novellas because I feel like we don't get the whole story. Something missing or rushed. This is Niall and Annie's story requested by fans of the Highland Warrior, Highland Outlaw and Highland Scoundrel. These secondary characters are present in those novels. Niall is Caitrina's(HighlandWarrior)brother and Annie is Patrick's(Highland Outlaw)sister.
Niall is a wanted man(a Lamont who lost of his family for helping the McGregors who were outlaws as well) Much of why the McGregors were outlaws and why the Lamonts helped them was in Highland Warrior and Outlaw. Annie's rape by some of the Campbell's was mentioned in both books.
Dealing with such sensitive material in a novella seems hard to me. We are told but not shown the events leading up to the rape. We are shown Niall and Annie before the rape and then who they are after. There is a gap that I felt would have been explained or shown in more detail if this had been a full novel. Monica's attention to detail and her way of describing the events would have helped me to connect with the characters more. I also felt that in describing Annie's feeling about the rape and her life afterwards was a textbook of how rape victims feel. It was as if she just wrote the research that she found and put that into the character.
Niall was just like all the alpha males in the Highland novels. He could have been any of them...Tor, Lachlan, Ewen, Eoin. Layered muscles..check. Hard penis all the time..check. Overprotective..check.
Growling..check. Rage when his woman is threatened..check. Irrational jealousy..check.
Same with the women. Full boobs, stubborn bordering on foolish behavior, gasping in intimate situations. After you read enough of these books, the characters all run together. The formula gets repetitive.
Also, the names of other characters from other books kept showing up and it got confusing.
I kept waiting for something to happen and towards the end it did.
I can tell when the editor or publisher says "let's hurry this along or you forgot something".There's a jarring sex scene at the very end(not enough sex whispers publisher)jarring because it happens at the end.
All in all, everything gets tied up and the loose ends dealt with.
Monica is a masterful storyteller who weaves in history without dumping.
At this point, the Highlands are finished. I read the contemporary Navy seals books she wrote but did not like them as much.
It will be interesting to see what direction Monica goes in the future.
Niall is a wanted man(a Lamont who lost of his family for helping the McGregors who were outlaws as well) Much of why the McGregors were outlaws and why the Lamonts helped them was in Highland Warrior and Outlaw. Annie's rape by some of the Campbell's was mentioned in both books.
Dealing with such sensitive material in a novella seems hard to me. We are told but not shown the events leading up to the rape. We are shown Niall and Annie before the rape and then who they are after. There is a gap that I felt would have been explained or shown in more detail if this had been a full novel. Monica's attention to detail and her way of describing the events would have helped me to connect with the characters more. I also felt that in describing Annie's feeling about the rape and her life afterwards was a textbook of how rape victims feel. It was as if she just wrote the research that she found and put that into the character.
Niall was just like all the alpha males in the Highland novels. He could have been any of them...Tor, Lachlan, Ewen, Eoin. Layered muscles..check. Hard penis all the time..check. Overprotective..check.
Growling..check. Rage when his woman is threatened..check. Irrational jealousy..check.
Same with the women. Full boobs, stubborn bordering on foolish behavior, gasping in intimate situations. After you read enough of these books, the characters all run together. The formula gets repetitive.
Also, the names of other characters from other books kept showing up and it got confusing.
I kept waiting for something to happen and towards the end it did.
I can tell when the editor or publisher says "let's hurry this along or you forgot something".There's a jarring sex scene at the very end(not enough sex whispers publisher)jarring because it happens at the end.
All in all, everything gets tied up and the loose ends dealt with.
Monica is a masterful storyteller who weaves in history without dumping.
At this point, the Highlands are finished. I read the contemporary Navy seals books she wrote but did not like them as much.
It will be interesting to see what direction Monica goes in the future.
April 10, 2019
Highland Crossfire by Monica McCarty
A Precious 5 Star Read by A Truly Remarkable and Amazing Author!
This author’s talent of writing is absolutely amazing! Anne and Niall’s story is a beautifully written story that is exciting, adventurous, emotional, and also extremely tragic. Well defined characters were compelling and showed great strength and resilience through their journey of unspeakable violence, angst, and loss due to warring clans.
The emotional plot and storyline kept me rooted until the last page. The Romance ranged from sweet and patient to steaming hot flames (4 flame) that will leave a blush.
Reading this book is bittersweet because it’s been many years since these books were written and sadly this it is the last book in the Campbell Trilogy!
I highly recommend this novella!
A Precious 5 Star Read by A Truly Remarkable and Amazing Author!
This author’s talent of writing is absolutely amazing! Anne and Niall’s story is a beautifully written story that is exciting, adventurous, emotional, and also extremely tragic. Well defined characters were compelling and showed great strength and resilience through their journey of unspeakable violence, angst, and loss due to warring clans.
The emotional plot and storyline kept me rooted until the last page. The Romance ranged from sweet and patient to steaming hot flames (4 flame) that will leave a blush.
Reading this book is bittersweet because it’s been many years since these books were written and sadly this it is the last book in the Campbell Trilogy!
I highly recommend this novella!
February 4, 2020
This novella deals with the aftermath of what happened to Annie MacGregor and Naill Lamont. After the Campbell clan attacked the castle where they lived and raped Annie, Naill told her her couldn't marry her. Now he's back as an outlaw and has come to rescue the rest of the MacGregors, including Annie at Dunvegan Castle from the approaching English. Annie, however, wants to be taught to fight so she'll never be helpless again. As Naill trains her, they grow closer together but will Annie's background prevent her from opening her heart again?
I have read the book this novella is based on. What Annie went through was horrible. However, this novella needed to be fleshed out a little more which surprised me because I love this author's books. They are always historically correct and well-written. I have read practically everything she's written.
I have read the book this novella is based on. What Annie went through was horrible. However, this novella needed to be fleshed out a little more which surprised me because I love this author's books. They are always historically correct and well-written. I have read practically everything she's written.
August 25, 2025
A nice ending to Annie's and Nial's story.
Annie has always loved Niall Lamont since she was little. With her being from the outlawed clan and him being the next chieftain, Niall couldn't risk marrying her.
In Highland Warrior, the villain of the trilogy, Colin Campbell issues horrid orders as payback to what happened in the feuds. Annie MacGregor was one of the people who suffered a terrible crime.
Two years later, Nial is back and seeking revenge on all those who wronged her... That, and seeking her forgiveness for shunning her love years ago.
I loved how, for a novella, things were well-written and not rushed.
Annie has always loved Niall Lamont since she was little. With her being from the outlawed clan and him being the next chieftain, Niall couldn't risk marrying her.
In Highland Warrior, the villain of the trilogy, Colin Campbell issues horrid orders as payback to what happened in the feuds. Annie MacGregor was one of the people who suffered a terrible crime.
Two years later, Nial is back and seeking revenge on all those who wronged her... That, and seeking her forgiveness for shunning her love years ago.
I loved how, for a novella, things were well-written and not rushed.
October 2, 2022
Awesome! What a great novella to add to the Campbell Trilogy! I'm happy that the author finally wrote Niall Lamont and Annie MacGregor's story. They were both written about in all three books! I'm happy they got their happy ever after! If you love Scottish Highland stories then I suggest reading Monica McCarty's books! Her writing takes you into the highlands as if you are there! Enjoy the adventure!
March 29, 2019
Meh. I am a huge Monica McCarty fan, but this novella left me unmoved. I didn't really care about the characters and the novella meant they were not well developed. There was little plot to speak of, and unless you have a burning desire to know about these characters from the original series, this is a miss.
May 8, 2019
I'm so glad that the author finally wrote this story. It was promised and I knew that she would eventually get to it. Makes me want to read the trilogy again. Annie deserves a HEA after the brutality that was done to her and Niall was there to help. Training her to protect herself was a way back into her life and her heart. a short story to bring this to a nice conclusion.
March 22, 2019
OMFG... waited so long for this story but there was so much pain to handle. I am glad that Annie and Naill finally got their HEA but I would have LOVED a longer story for darn sure. Closure finally is much welcome Monica thank you!
March 22, 2019
Highland Love
I enjoy reading the Highland stories by Monica McCarty!
This story is about Annie MacGregor and Niall Lamont,. She has loved Niall since she was around ten years old. Two years have passed and events started happened. I would recommend this book to read!
I enjoy reading the Highland stories by Monica McCarty!
This story is about Annie MacGregor and Niall Lamont,. She has loved Niall since she was around ten years old. Two years have passed and events started happened. I would recommend this book to read!
April 28, 2019
It has been a while since I have read the Campbell series...And might go back and do a reread since I couldn't remember Annie or Niall....I did enjoy this short novella...I liked how Niall still wanted Annie after all that she had been through...
February 21, 2020
Excellent book by Monica McCarty! I wish it had been longer, but still an excellent read. She really brings the readers emotions into the story, priceless. I would live to hear a story about Robbie! He is amazing.
May 26, 2020
At last, Annie and Niall have their own story. A tale of longing, hatred, fear, love and danger. A woman who has tremendous strength and a man willing to do anything to atone for his mistake and protect and love her forever. A one sitting book because you can't put it down.
September 28, 2020
Thank you for their story
I dearly loved to read the story of these two. They both had such a hard time in the other books. I will miss the series, loved the reference to the older stories.
I dearly loved to read the story of these two. They both had such a hard time in the other books. I will miss the series, loved the reference to the older stories.
March 23, 2019
Excellent
Excellent story by McCarty. Loved these characters and the plot of this story. Emotional! Can't wait to read her next book.
Excellent story by McCarty. Loved these characters and the plot of this story. Emotional! Can't wait to read her next book.
March 26, 2019
A great little novella that certainly tied off the loose ends. I'm glad that Niall and Annie got their happy ending... Finally!
April 1, 2019
Loved this
May 14, 2019
4.5 stars
A sweet story, with an interesting heroine
A sweet story, with an interesting heroine
December 19, 2019
Excellent just as always.
March 30, 2021
#68 - 2021
Genre: Historical Romance
Genre: Historical Romance
May 12, 2021
I wish this wasn’t a novella because after following these characters for years, I wanted more. I’ve loved this series but this book isn’t a stand alone. Overall, it was just ok.
May 20, 2022
Yo quería que el tipo realmente se esforzarse por el perdón de Annie
January 23, 2024
I just didn't like the plot.
It was too devastating.
And ...
No chemistry.
No angst.
It was too devastating.
And ...
No chemistry.
No angst.
June 24, 2020
2 stars
This should have been a full length novel. I didn’t have time to get to know the characters well enough, especially Niall.
There was too much summary from the first three books at the beginning, and the end felt rushed. Honestly the whole thing felt rushed, especially Annie’s reawakening passion.
This should have been a full length novel. I didn’t have time to get to know the characters well enough, especially Niall.
There was too much summary from the first three books at the beginning, and the end felt rushed. Honestly the whole thing felt rushed, especially Annie’s reawakening passion.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews