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Highlanders Warriors Clan McCall #0.5
Highlander's Flower
Running away for what is expected of her, Rosemary will have to face her biggest challenge yet: a broody highlander.
Rosemary, daughter of Lord Bramble, has to do what is expected of her. But when she finds the true nature of her betrothed she has no other choice but to flee. She takes her life in her own hands and runs into the heart of the Highlands. How can she survive these rough woods and its rough people?
Blair, Laird of the McCall clan, seeks revenge against the English for their provocations against his people. However, when he meets this Sassenach lady wandering in the woods, he must do everything to protect her, from her fate and his people. Will love cure the violence in his heart?
Can fate bring together two sworn enemies and teach them the healing power of love?
Rosemary, daughter of Lord Bramble, has to do what is expected of her. But when she finds the true nature of her betrothed she has no other choice but to flee. She takes her life in her own hands and runs into the heart of the Highlands. How can she survive these rough woods and its rough people?
Blair, Laird of the McCall clan, seeks revenge against the English for their provocations against his people. However, when he meets this Sassenach lady wandering in the woods, he must do everything to protect her, from her fate and his people. Will love cure the violence in his heart?
Can fate bring together two sworn enemies and teach them the healing power of love?
ebook
First published January 1, 2018
4 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Bard
94 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 35 reviews
June 30, 2018
“Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.” –Miyamoto Musashi
This is book 0.5 or the prequel to the book Drew. It was a free download when I started reading the book Drew. I realized that I was missing information and quit reading it in order to read this prequel. It answered the many questions I had and sets up the background information necessary for the reading of Drew’s story. I do not recommend reading them out of sequence.
“Let us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty, and the graves of our fathers.” –Tecumseh
The writing was simplistic, moved way too quickly, moved from lust into love at an unreasonable speed. Graphic sex scents that pushes this into the mature audience rating. I wanted to like this guy but I didn’t. I explained him more fully in my review of the next book Drew. [2.5-stars rounded to 3-stars]
This is book 0.5 or the prequel to the book Drew. It was a free download when I started reading the book Drew. I realized that I was missing information and quit reading it in order to read this prequel. It answered the many questions I had and sets up the background information necessary for the reading of Drew’s story. I do not recommend reading them out of sequence.
“Let us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty, and the graves of our fathers.” –Tecumseh
The writing was simplistic, moved way too quickly, moved from lust into love at an unreasonable speed. Graphic sex scents that pushes this into the mature audience rating. I wanted to like this guy but I didn’t. I explained him more fully in my review of the next book Drew. [2.5-stars rounded to 3-stars]
July 14, 2019
I find myself at a loss when it comes to reviewing this story. There were simply too many problems I had with it that might not exist in other works by this author, but as this is my introduction to her writing, it makes me reluctant to try anything else by her.
1) I did not enjoy how young these characters sounded. While avoiding responsibilities is an excellent problem for them to face, the word choices made them sound like emo teenagers rather than rational adults. It made both the H and h difficult to relate to.
2) The use of Scots was...distracting. As much as I appreciate the attempt at having the Scottish characters speak Scots (as in the Germanic language), it made it difficult to read. English with a few choice words peppered in would have made it easier to follow. However, at least it makes sense that the characters are speaking Scots and not Gaelic because the H lives less than half a days walk from the border, which brings me to point...
3) The term Highlander is used repetitively. I don't know why. They're not highlanders. They live a couple of hours on foot from the English border and speak Scots. It's confusing, to say the least.
4) The anachronistic thoughts and feelings of the characters make the story difficult to enjoy. While it makes sense to have some of this, because modern readers want to identify with the characters, it went far past that into nonsense land. There's no way a medieval English Lady is going to travel with one driver and one handmaiden on an overnight trip to her new lord's castle, sight unseen. And later we learn her father is coming for the wedding anyway? At no point do any of the female characters worry about their position and marriageability after running around alone in the forest or being taken captive. And then the h is perfectly fine with sex before marriage without even a consideration of matrimony. The insistence of the heroine on "fair trails" for criminals is laughable in the time period. I like forward-thinking heroines, but this is too far forward to be believable.
5) The constant body shaming of every other woman in this novel is ridiculous. Nobody is as pretty as the heroine, a fact we need to hear over and over. She's tiny and dainty, and the Hero likes that and doesn't want anything to do with the "sturdy" Scottish women and their "childbearing hips". The heroine's handmaiden is repetitively described as less pretty, and that it's because of her station. A lady can be pretty, but not a lower-class woman. It really started to bother me.
6) The formatting of the book is not right. It was unreadable on the kindle app on my phone, where there are no paragraph breaks. It's a solid wall of text because paragraphs are not indented. Standard manuscript format would easily fix that issue.
7) The writing itself is not strong. There's a lot of filter word use, and more than once the viewpoint abruptly changes mid-paragraph from one character to another, sometimes back again, and once in a while to a thrid-person omnicient view. There are multiple typos, and incorrect use of paragraph breaks when the same person speaks, has a tag, then speaks again. It should all be one paragraph to avoid confusion.
8) The story itself is not strong. I couldn't tell that the main characters liked each other much. The story beats feel like they're in the wrong place. The characters don't meet until almost 40% into the book. I would have opened with the h fleeing into the woods, and left the explanation to be a part of the mystery. This story was too short to waste so much time on their backgrounds before getting them together.
Altogether, this story left me bewildered. It needs heavy editing to make it work. And it left me hesitant to try the author's other works, as I think they also might have been published before being ready for public consumption.
1) I did not enjoy how young these characters sounded. While avoiding responsibilities is an excellent problem for them to face, the word choices made them sound like emo teenagers rather than rational adults. It made both the H and h difficult to relate to.
2) The use of Scots was...distracting. As much as I appreciate the attempt at having the Scottish characters speak Scots (as in the Germanic language), it made it difficult to read. English with a few choice words peppered in would have made it easier to follow. However, at least it makes sense that the characters are speaking Scots and not Gaelic because the H lives less than half a days walk from the border, which brings me to point...
3) The term Highlander is used repetitively. I don't know why. They're not highlanders. They live a couple of hours on foot from the English border and speak Scots. It's confusing, to say the least.
4) The anachronistic thoughts and feelings of the characters make the story difficult to enjoy. While it makes sense to have some of this, because modern readers want to identify with the characters, it went far past that into nonsense land. There's no way a medieval English Lady is going to travel with one driver and one handmaiden on an overnight trip to her new lord's castle, sight unseen. And later we learn her father is coming for the wedding anyway? At no point do any of the female characters worry about their position and marriageability after running around alone in the forest or being taken captive. And then the h is perfectly fine with sex before marriage without even a consideration of matrimony. The insistence of the heroine on "fair trails" for criminals is laughable in the time period. I like forward-thinking heroines, but this is too far forward to be believable.
5) The constant body shaming of every other woman in this novel is ridiculous. Nobody is as pretty as the heroine, a fact we need to hear over and over. She's tiny and dainty, and the Hero likes that and doesn't want anything to do with the "sturdy" Scottish women and their "childbearing hips". The heroine's handmaiden is repetitively described as less pretty, and that it's because of her station. A lady can be pretty, but not a lower-class woman. It really started to bother me.
6) The formatting of the book is not right. It was unreadable on the kindle app on my phone, where there are no paragraph breaks. It's a solid wall of text because paragraphs are not indented. Standard manuscript format would easily fix that issue.
7) The writing itself is not strong. There's a lot of filter word use, and more than once the viewpoint abruptly changes mid-paragraph from one character to another, sometimes back again, and once in a while to a thrid-person omnicient view. There are multiple typos, and incorrect use of paragraph breaks when the same person speaks, has a tag, then speaks again. It should all be one paragraph to avoid confusion.
8) The story itself is not strong. I couldn't tell that the main characters liked each other much. The story beats feel like they're in the wrong place. The characters don't meet until almost 40% into the book. I would have opened with the h fleeing into the woods, and left the explanation to be a part of the mystery. This story was too short to waste so much time on their backgrounds before getting them together.
Altogether, this story left me bewildered. It needs heavy editing to make it work. And it left me hesitant to try the author's other works, as I think they also might have been published before being ready for public consumption.
June 14, 2018
Great!
Lady Rosemary was on her way to a pre-arranged marraige, that her father had made with Lord Harold Flynn. She was with her maid servant. They ran into some trouble with Flynns Guard on the way. She decided to run away after seeing what kind of men he hired to do that kind of work.
Rosemary runs into Blair who saves her.
She shows him what they have done.
She thinks they are barbarians, but finds out how they really are.
Blair has to face the truth about his home life.
There is So much Chemistry between Rosemary and Blair, even though they are from different worlds.
I liked the characters in the book.
Will there be war?
Will it be enough for their love to last?
It was really worth the reading, I LOVE READING HISTORICAL reads..
some may think this has spoilers so i think i have to hide it, idk.
Lady Rosemary was on her way to a pre-arranged marraige, that her father had made with Lord Harold Flynn. She was with her maid servant. They ran into some trouble with Flynns Guard on the way. She decided to run away after seeing what kind of men he hired to do that kind of work.
Rosemary runs into Blair who saves her.
She shows him what they have done.
She thinks they are barbarians, but finds out how they really are.
Blair has to face the truth about his home life.
There is So much Chemistry between Rosemary and Blair, even though they are from different worlds.
I liked the characters in the book.
Will there be war?
Will it be enough for their love to last?
It was really worth the reading, I LOVE READING HISTORICAL reads..
some may think this has spoilers so i think i have to hide it, idk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2024
1.5-2 stars for the forbidden or wrong love and ever engrossing clash of when a Scottish Laird meets sassenach.
However, the story is rough: in plot flow; things making sense; and underdeveloped characters (the only character I really felt like I knew a little bit was the hero and his relationship with his father)
then the story has the nerve (to have door-1/2-open sex) --to end on a cliff.
However, the story is rough: in plot flow; things making sense; and underdeveloped characters (the only character I really felt like I knew a little bit was the hero and his relationship with his father)
then the story has the nerve (to have door-1/2-open sex) --to end on a cliff.
July 21, 2018
Blair by Barbara Bard is my favorite genre: Highlander fiction. It is the story of a young English lady names Rosemary who is traveling by carriage to the home of her betrothed, Lord Harold, when evening fall and the coachman decides to camp for the night. Riders approach and Rosemary decides not to take a chance on them, but to escape into the woods. There she sees some things that horrify her and in her haste to escape she runs further into the woods, where she meets Blair, a young Scot, son of the laird.
Timing is everything in this type of book and it needs to be handled carefully or it seems like things happen overnight, which is often unrealistic. Such is the case in this book, which is my primary criticism. The general plot is pretty good, but there is not enough time to let the characters develop. It is, however, a pleasant read with some unexpected plot twists that keep it interesting and open the door to a sequel. It was a fairly easy read, as historically accurate as is practical in a book of this nature.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it if you are interested in an uncomplicated Highland romance.
I was given a free ARC of Blair in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Timing is everything in this type of book and it needs to be handled carefully or it seems like things happen overnight, which is often unrealistic. Such is the case in this book, which is my primary criticism. The general plot is pretty good, but there is not enough time to let the characters develop. It is, however, a pleasant read with some unexpected plot twists that keep it interesting and open the door to a sequel. It was a fairly easy read, as historically accurate as is practical in a book of this nature.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it if you are interested in an uncomplicated Highland romance.
I was given a free ARC of Blair in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 22, 2018
I enjoyed reading his story of Lady Rosemary and the Scottish Highlander Blair. Rosemary isn't happy with her betrothal to the well known Lord Harold Flynn and yearns for adventures. Blair is dealing with an internal battle when he finds and saves Rosemary not realizing their fate is bound. The chemistry between Rosemary and Blair is undeniable and instant. This story digs deep into how people treat others that are not similar to themselves, just because they seem different. How sometimes you have to look past the exterior to realize the similarities and humanity. Its a story of two people from completely different worlds who bond over the similarities they are faced with and yearn for he same thing, freedom. Even though it has a cliffy it is a great read. I loved it!
June 26, 2018
I enjoyed reading his story of Lady Rosemary and the Scottish Highlander Blair. Rosemary isn't happy with her betrothal to the well known Lord Harold Flynn and yearns for adventures. Blair is dealing with an internal battle when he finds and saves Rosemary not realizing their fate is bound. The chemistry between Rosemary and Blair is undeniable and instant. This story digs deep into how people treat others that are not similar to themselves, just because they seem different. How sometimes you have to look past the exterior to realize the similarities and humanity. Its a story of two people from completely different worlds who bond over the similarities they are faced with and yearn for he same thing, freedom. Even though it has a cliffy it is a great read. I loved it!
August 7, 2018
This story is a short read that was perfect for me today. I loved it! The main characters, Rosemary and Blair, both had big conflicts going on in their lives. Though quite different, they both had expectations placed on them that they didn't want. They couldn't avoid dealing with them and had to make choices. They each decided to face them together while honoring the love they developed for each other. If this were real life, they would have a rocky time of it and their love would have been tested. But, it's fiction and is, instead, charming. I really enjoyed this story and the escape it gave me for a while.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and me honest opinion.
Thanks, Barbara!
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is voluntary and me honest opinion.
Thanks, Barbara!
July 8, 2018
Blair is a man who has decided that he will go his own way. His father wants him to settle down and learn how to be the next chief of their clan. He is always out in the woods, practicing to be a warrior.
Rosemary has been sent to be married to a man of dubious character. On the way to his home, she sees some of his men brutally murder some Scottish men, so she decides she isn't going to marry him. She and her maid escape these men, and she runs into Blair. Her maid is not a lucky - she has been forced to act as though she is Rosemary and is delivered to Lord Flynn.
Rosemary has been sent to be married to a man of dubious character. On the way to his home, she sees some of his men brutally murder some Scottish men, so she decides she isn't going to marry him. She and her maid escape these men, and she runs into Blair. Her maid is not a lucky - she has been forced to act as though she is Rosemary and is delivered to Lord Flynn.
August 4, 2019
This is the first book I’ve read by Barbara Bard, and I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the series. With several plot twists, it’s setting up to be filled with action and passion.
Not everything or everyone is as they seem. Can Blair put his entire clan at risk of war for Rosemary? Can Rosemary set aside her own desires for the good of all the highlanders?
Well written, feisty characters add to the story’s charm. The initial sex scenes were a bit unrealistic but overall it’s a good read.
Not everything or everyone is as they seem. Can Blair put his entire clan at risk of war for Rosemary? Can Rosemary set aside her own desires for the good of all the highlanders?
Well written, feisty characters add to the story’s charm. The initial sex scenes were a bit unrealistic but overall it’s a good read.
June 24, 2018
A very simplistically written tale of a Highlander and an English Lady meeting in the Middle Ages. He rescues her when she leaves her coach to see what her future husband’s knight is doing to three men brought into the woods by the troops. She elects to go home with him after they discover her coach is gone. Were it not for a very explicit sexual chapter, I would suggest this would be perfect reading for young adults. Thanks to the author for an ARC for an honest review.
July 23, 2018
Action packed story with lots of intrigue, danger, prejudice and romance. A Wonderful, well-written storyline and strong, independent main characters, make this a book not to be missed. I enjoyed the book very much and found it hard to put down. I heartily recommend this story to Historic Highland lovers everywhere and I look forward to reading the next story in this great series.
I downloaded a copy of this book from Bookfunnel, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I downloaded a copy of this book from Bookfunnel, and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 3, 2019
Rosemary has always wanted to be free to make decisions of her own destiny. She is an exciting character, while her initial decisions might have caused her to be in danger, she is rescued my a Highlander that is determine to fight, even though there is no war at present. He is a hothead that can cause trouble for his clan. He seems like a wonderful character.
When these two get together, sparks fly and keep you intrigued until the last page.
When these two get together, sparks fly and keep you intrigued until the last page.
May 23, 2020
This is a story of healing. He goes into protection mode when he finds his own people attempting to hurt her. After hearing her story, he becomes her protector, even from his own people. Even though she is English, he forces his people to accept her. I love the heart of this big warrior; he knows how to use his strength for good and with purpose. I always get caught up in the machinations of the era.
July 27, 2018
Lady Rosemary is betrothed to Lord Harold Flynn. She is having some doubts about their upcoming nuptials. Rosemary is traveling with her handmaid via coach to be married to Lord Flynn. They were in the woods, when the coach driver stopped for the night and told them it was not safe to continue traveling. They must spend the night in the woods before continuing on the next day. During the night, they heard noises. Rosemary witnessed a man being killed, and learned that it was by order of Lord Flynn.
Blair is a bit of a wild card. His father is the head of Clan Laird, and is getting on in age. Blair would rather spend his time hunting in the woods. It was on such a night of hunting that he came across this struggle taking place in the woods, and rescues Rosemary, who would have been killed had she been caught by Lord Flynn’s men - as they had no idea who she was.
Read more of my review here: https://www.jinglejanglejungle.net/20...
Blair is a bit of a wild card. His father is the head of Clan Laird, and is getting on in age. Blair would rather spend his time hunting in the woods. It was on such a night of hunting that he came across this struggle taking place in the woods, and rescues Rosemary, who would have been killed had she been caught by Lord Flynn’s men - as they had no idea who she was.
Read more of my review here: https://www.jinglejanglejungle.net/20...
June 4, 2019
The first book I read by this author was Highlander's Honor and I loved it. This book, not so much. I was really surprised it was the same author because the writing was so different. The characters seem immature and the storyline was all over the place. Undecided if I will try any more of her books.
June 28, 2018
Rosemary & Blair meet as she is running from future husband’s men, they mean to kill her. Blair saves her then takes her home with him. Neither is what the other expects. A good love story with men trying to stop and kill them.
June 30, 2018
Blair book 0.5 Highlanders Warriors Clan McClair by Barbara Bard. This has a lot of self thought as Rosemary & Blair find their place and each other. It's a nice read with some action. My free opinion. Thanks.
June 30, 2018
Another new author for me to read. I really enjoyed this book. The chemistry between the main characters is instantaneous and the story engaging. I would look for more stories by this author in the future.
There were minor editing problems, but not enough to detract from the story.
There were minor editing problems, but not enough to detract from the story.
August 13, 2018
Blair has his head in the clouds, wanting battle glory, Rosemary is an English Noble with no idea how the Highlanders live, them meeting up is a crash course for both. This book moves along with a sweet romance, jealous spurned lover, worried little brother and ends with a happy ever after.
Read
December 28, 2019Review coming after the holidays. I will say I would give the story 4 stars, but I give the writing (multiple misspelled words, incorrect punctuation, run-on sentences, etc.) is pretty bad. I will have to think about the number of stars to award.
March 18, 2020
I am a fan of Highlander’s. This is Rosemary and Blaine’s story. Both are living lives that they feel are unfulfilled. When these two meet they are attracted immediately. They will have to make a decision that will change everything.
June 10, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book 📚, it has a great storyline. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
October 2, 2018
Suspenseful romantic story.....I loved this
Could not put it down......
Could not put it down......
May 30, 2019
A solid intro to the series.
February 3, 2021
Can't wait to finish the series, I love me some Scottish Highlanders
January 5, 2022
Quick, easy read. It was ok, but there were quite a few spelling and grammar mistakes. It was also a cliffhanger ending, which I don't like at all.
January 9, 2023
A well written and interesting start to this series that makes me want more
May 31, 2019
SCORE:
Stars: 4 (out of 5) for overall story
Chilies: 3 (out of 5) for heat between the sheets/or anywhere else
BOOK TIDBITS:
Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended Readers: 18+
Chapters: 15
Ending: HEA
Main Characters:
Lady Rosemary Brambly
Blair – Future Highlander Commander
Series: A Historical Scottish Highlander Romance
REVIEW: Holy smokes! What an adventure!! In this story you have a VERY strong, alpha Scottish Warrior (Blair) who saves a VERY strong, independent minded woman (Lady Rosemary). You mix in family loyalties and duties, opposing sides and VERY different lifestyles and you get one heck of a story.
Their family loyalties and duties ground them together with a common bond, but they come from VERY different lives.
This story had me from the beginning. It is DEFINITE RECOMMENDED READ.
Warning: The dialogue is a bit challenging when Blair speaks, but I was able to understand it pretty quick. Ms. Bard does include a ‘dictionary’ for Blairs words, which is a great help if you find you are struggling with it. I didn’t need it though.
ARC review
May, 2019
Stars: 4 (out of 5) for overall story
Chilies: 3 (out of 5) for heat between the sheets/or anywhere else
BOOK TIDBITS:
Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended Readers: 18+
Chapters: 15
Ending: HEA
Main Characters:
Lady Rosemary Brambly
Blair – Future Highlander Commander
Series: A Historical Scottish Highlander Romance
REVIEW: Holy smokes! What an adventure!! In this story you have a VERY strong, alpha Scottish Warrior (Blair) who saves a VERY strong, independent minded woman (Lady Rosemary). You mix in family loyalties and duties, opposing sides and VERY different lifestyles and you get one heck of a story.
Their family loyalties and duties ground them together with a common bond, but they come from VERY different lives.
This story had me from the beginning. It is DEFINITE RECOMMENDED READ.
Warning: The dialogue is a bit challenging when Blair speaks, but I was able to understand it pretty quick. Ms. Bard does include a ‘dictionary’ for Blairs words, which is a great help if you find you are struggling with it. I didn’t need it though.
ARC review
May, 2019
October 28, 2018
Blair by Barbara Bard
Oh, my, this was a wonderful read. One of the best Highland stories that I have read in a long time. I am really looking forward for more from this author. This one kept me awake until the very last page. There are a few misses in it, with the language and all, but really a great plot. And lovely peripheral characters. There is an HEA, with conditions....
Oh, my, this was a wonderful read. One of the best Highland stories that I have read in a long time. I am really looking forward for more from this author. This one kept me awake until the very last page. There are a few misses in it, with the language and all, but really a great plot. And lovely peripheral characters. There is an HEA, with conditions....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews