Awoken

The Sisters of Kilbride #2

by Jayne Castel

A novice nun stolen away by a ruthless clan-chief. The warrior who must turn his back on everything to save her. The emotional tale of a woman in jeopardy and a reformed rogue in Medieval Scotland.

Leanna MacDonald never wanted to become a nun—but it was the only way her father could protect her from the attentions of a cruel man who wanted her as his wife. However, when Leanna’s father unexpectedly dies, her recently widowed former suitor decides he will have her no matter the cost.

Ross Campbell has served Clan-chief MacKinnon loyally for years. But his allegiance is tested when MacKinnon orders him to steal a novice nun away from Kilbride Abbey. Ambitious and arrogant, Ross has worked hard to gain his position as MacKinnon’s right-hand. He doesn’t want to tear this young woman away from her cloistered existence, yet he won’t risk everything he’s worked so hard to obtain.

Leanna’s abduction is the turning point in Ross’s life. He soon realizes that MacKinnon will ruin this brave, spirited young woman—and when she pleads with him for help, Ross must make a decision. How far will he take his loyalty to a man who doesn’t deserve it?

AWOKEN is Book #2 in The Sisters of Kilbride series set in 14th Century Isle of Skye, Scotland. Readers who enjoy Diana Gabaldon, Cecelia Mecca, and Donna Fletcher will love this action-packed, emotional Scottish Medieval Historical Romance.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Medieval, Emotional

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2020

About the author

Multi-award-winning author Jayne Castel writes epic Historical and Fantasy Romance. Her vibrant characters, richly researched historical settings and action-packed adventure romance transport readers to forgotten times and imaginary worlds.

Jayne is the author of a number of best-selling series. In love with all things Scottish, she writes romances set in both Dark Ages and Medieval Scotland.

When she's not writing, Jayne is reading (and re-reading) her favorite authors, cooking Italian feasts, and going on long walks with her husband. She's from New Zealand, but now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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Reviews

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started this book I was so not a Ross fan. See, I like my heroes to BE just that, a hero. Not a boot licking, sucky arse that will do anything (including upending and destroying an innocents entire life) just because he's told to. Nope, nuh uhn. But, this book is about growth and my gawd, did Ross ever grow and redeem himself which is why I happily gave him a second chance. He worked to right his wrongs, that's for sure.

I love the worlds this author builds as well as the periods she writes in, I find it so fascinating.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I have to say I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I have read by this author and this was no exception. Her characters are well defined with her strong heroes and equally as strong and beautiful heroines.
How terrible would it be to have to hide away from an evil man for fifteen years? Lady Leanna had been at Kinbride Abbey for that long by her father, so that she would be beyond the reach of Duncan MacKinnon. But that comes to a stop when her father passes away and she leaves to go home his funeral.
Ross Campbell had loyally serves the MacKinnon and had earned his place in the guards. But when he is asked to find Lady Leanna, take her and bring her back to him, he feels some unease. As he takes her back, he begins to realize all may not be what it should.
Jayne Castel is such a magical storyteller that transports us to another place and time to the point you can envision the landscape and characters. I become totally enthralled as the words make the story unfold and can feel the emotions swirling. This time in history was brutal in so many aspects and the suspense, violence, loss and unbearable passions bring this tale to a journey not soon forgotten. Well done and I highly recommend.

[Carole Burant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any time a new Jayne Castel book comes along, I voraciously read it and this was no exception! I had read the first book in the Sisters of Kilbride series and couldn't wait for the second one to come out. Oh my gosh, this was soooooo good!!

She's a novice nun and he's a warrior....put the two together and you've got one heck of a story. I loved both characters, Leanna is such a spitfire and Ross is the strong silent type. All she wants to do is go home to attend her father's funeral but on the way there, trouble abounds and before she knows it, she's captured by Ross and brought to the Clan-chief MacKinnon, a brutal and cruel man who insists she marry him. Ross realizes his mistake in obeying his chief's orders of capturing Leanna when he sees the kind of future she will have with the MacKinnon. He is so torn apart, wanting to help her and yet, the thought of undoing all the years of hard work to be where he is today is no mere decision.

Lots of action, danger, twists and turns, adventure and of course, hot passion abound throughout the story. I literally could not put the book down and was up until 2 a.m. reading it! So worth the lack of sleep:)

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

 Abducting Leanna💃💋
ADULT Historical Scottish Romance and Adventure💃💋💃💋
Isle of Skye, 1349 AD
Lady Leanna💃💋, the daughter of Laird MacDonald, has been cloistered within Kilbride Abbey ⛪for several years, in an effort to keep her away from an enemy Laird, Duncan MacKinnon👺🔪. The handsome but ruthless MacKinnon👺🔪 wants her for his bride and he doesn't give up.

Leanna's father is killed in a hunting accident, and Duncan👺🔪 has his men abduct her when she leaves Kilbride Abbey⛪ to attend her father's funeral.

ARC Provided by Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.

This review was originally much longer, but Amazon refused to authorize it, for what reason, I have no clue. Apparently, it is a sin against the Amazon PC Police to mention religion or the Catholic religion in a review!

The book is rather violent with some graphic descriptions of stabbing deaths💀 by dirks🔪 and swords, woundings, beatings💪, and killings by bow and arrows.

[Lail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awoken: A Medieval Scottish Romance (The Sisters of Kilbride Book 2) by Jayne Castel. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A woman sent to live as a nun to save her from a cruel clan chief hell bent on making her his wife, and his right hand man who fell in love with her and would give up his life to protect her from the man he swore fealty to. Awoken is the second book in the binge worthy series “The Sisters of Kilbride”. Engaging characters and a storyline with action, drama, danger, betrayal, integrity, and a steamy romance that leaves a blush!
Happy Reading ♥️
Content Notes: Adult, steamy 4 out of 5 flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥, open bedroom door romance with some explicit description.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leanna MacDonald was sent the to abbey at Kilbride not because she wished it but as her father's best effort to keep her safe from the cruel laird who was determined to have her for his wife. But when an accident sees Leanna's father dead, her former suitor, now conveniently widowed, sees his opportunity to have her at last, no matter what he must do to achieve that goal.

As the youngest son of many, Ross Campbell had few options for bettering himself so he has remained serving as a loyal guard to the callous Chief MacKinnon for years, working his way up to the prestigious position of Captain of the Guard. This loyalty is sorely tested when MacKinnon orders Ross to kidnap a novice nun from an abbey. Ross has no desire to uproot this woman's life, but he's ambitious and has worked too hard to obtain his position to risk it now.

Ross' resolve is tested as he sees his clan-chief devolving more and more into madness and realizes that the man has every intention of breaking Leanna. This is a sharp awakening for an ambitious and arrogant man who is rapidly realizing that his leader is undeserving of his loyalty and Ross must decide just how far he's willing to go in the name of fealty and ambition.

This was a great book. It was fast-paced and engrossing and watching Ross grapple with his feelings and complete emotional upheaval was great. He actually wound up being very sweet and delivering some of the best dialogues I've read in some time. These two were adorable together and such an unlikely couple, but I was happy to see them forging a life together. Now I'm looking forward to the next book and the hopeful comeuppance of our truly vile villain.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Surprisingly I really liked this one. I didn't find too much that bugged me like previous books by this author.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Ross as he was a bit of an enigma in Carin's book when I first met him. From the book blurb alone I was of the assumption this author would take the same route she did with Adaira and Lachlann and disappoint me.

In a small way she did because Ross DID give up everything he had worked for to save Leanna. BUT the biggest difference is that unlike Lachlann, Ross actually had a personality and we got to peel back some of his layers and dig into his past enough that it brought him to life in a way Lachlann never did for me.

Ross was a complicated man and had been through hell growing up. Although privileged he faced an abusive father and older brothers. Life was literal hell at home so the first chance he had to escape and be fostered with MacKinnon he grabbed it with both hands. I couldn't blame him either.

I liked that his decision to help Leanna wasn't an easy one for him. Though I had a hard time understanding and accepting how he still chose to follow MacKinnon after all the atrocities he had witnessed in recent years. Ambitious or not it was difficult to understand how he continued to give that man his loyalty. Though perhaps it was a matter of waiting for the right thing to fight for...or more the right person. I think seeing his cousin Suisan die in child birth and MacKinnon's terrible reaction when he heard the news began the change in Ross. Though not the catalyst it was what sowed those seeds of doubt.

Leanna was was lovely. I liked that although still young and naive and sheltered in her own way she was a tough cookie. She didn't weep when things got hard. I loved her resilient attitude and survivor mentality.

I thought the transition of Leanna and Ross becoming intimate and into a couple felt mostly natural. As a couple they were cute though we honestly didn't get much time with the couple version before the book ended, sad to say.

The epilogue was nice. And overall I did enjoy this one more than I expected.

My biggest issue was the timeline of the entire book. From the open of the story where Leanna learns of her father's death and leaves the abbey with her kinsmen to attend the burial of her father to Ross kidnapping her to take to MacKinnon to them eventually escaping MacKinnon and going on the run together apparently happened all within ONE week. A mere seven days. Honestly it felt like like atleast two or three weeks at best. So, the very short timeline and the amount of emotional upheaval that Leanna experienced including meeting Ross for the first time... I'll admit ruined a bit of any believability when it came to their love story. Sad to say the idea of them admitting they loved one another felt silly and when it happened it just felt like the author wrote it because it was the right time in the book since the story was almost over.

If anything that was my biggest disappointment. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Second Installment After a Disappointing First

I enjoyed this author's other series set on the Isle of Skye in medieval Scotland, the Brides of Skye, so when I saw she had a new medieval series also set on the Winged Isle, I picked up the first book in the series. Unfortunately, I was not that wild about that particular book. To me, it had some grievous errors with characterization and plotting. But I so enjoyed that first series that I had to pick up the second book of this one, hoping it would be as wonderful as the other series. I am glad I did. I enjoyed this book so much, and certainly it so much better than the first one in this series.

We met the heroine of this story in book one, where she was a good friend of that heroine. As the book opens, we learn that her father has died in a tragic hunting accident, and this spurs the man who has an obsession with her to take a drastic step, asking the captain of his guard to kidnap her. The hero of this book is the captain. He is a hard man to like at first when we see his willingness to perform this terrible act. but over the course of the book, he grows as a character, which I always love to see. He starts to question what he sees his liege lord do. At first he just questions, but then he starts to act. It seemed like a natural evolution for a thinking man who has not wholly abandoned morality and goodness, even if he works for an evil man. He sees his clan chief increasingly descend into madness, requiring some soul-searching to consider how much evil he will accept as perpetrated by the man he has sworn fealty to or even sometimes be a part of. I quite liked the heroine as well. The author made her fear and terror palpable, but she still had some real backbone on occasion. The story is an absolute delight, and I recommend it highly.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[bibliolatry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awoken is Book 2 from the series, The Sisters of Kilbride, by one of my favorite authors, Jayne Castel. I loved her books written about the Dark Ages, and have wanted to read everything she has written. This is the first of her books that I've read set in the Medieval Era. While I enjoyed the story, I felt something was missing from this book. Halfway through I realized that I enjoy the Dark Ages setting because women had a lot more freedom. During the Medieval Times women were subordinate to men and more restricted in their behavior. This was a letdown after reading books about the bravery of women several hundred years before this, but it was an accurate portrayal of that era.

Having said all that, the book started off a little slow, but as soon as Leanna escaped from MacKinnon the story picked up and flew by. I loved the Hero, Ross Campbell, not only because of the way he loved, respected, and took care of Leanna, but also the way his character evolved in the book. Awoken refers to the way he felt after having met Leanna. He reassessed his old life and realized it was not who he was nor what he wanted.

Some of the secondary characters were introduced quite quickly and there was not a lot of time spent on them, but when I started reading Castel's series, The Brides of Skye, I realized that there is a whole series devoted to those characters, which I plan to read next.

I enjoyed reading Awoken, and will read book 1 and 3 as well. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Candy Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ross Campbell had served Duncan MacKinnon for fifteen years. Needless to say, he was very surprised when Duncan Told him to abduct a nun. Her father had just had an accident and died.
Which left Duncan free to force her to marry him. Of course, we won't mention that he had already lost two wives and he was only forty. He was a cruel, vicious and murderer. Ross often thought he had made a deal with the devil.
Leanna MacDonald was the eldest daughter and somehow had come to the attention of MacKinnon.
Her father sent her to Kilbride Abbey for safety. She was headed home for her father's funeral when she was taken by Ross Campbell. She was very frightened and begged they let her go. But they took her to Dunan where MacKinnon waited for her. They were to be married that night but the priest had gone to another town, which was suffering from the plague, to give last rites. MacKinnon was furious. Leanna had been terrorized for several days.
This was such a good story. It had every element to make it such. Action, Fighting, killing, and running. The characters were so very lifelike, from the outlaws to the clans. Ross got his conscience back. I'm glad he did. It just didn't seem right that he was a bad guy. I feel this is an exceptional book and I am glad I got a chance to read. I can hardly wait until the next one in this series.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Martha B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repentance and Redemption

Though Lady Leanna has felt save since arriving at Kinbride abbey, she has never felt contentment. Not since she was forced to leave her home, she can't shake the need to find a place where she belongs.

Ross Campbell has spent many years earning his place in the MacKinnon guard. Still, his level of unease shadows him like a ghost. He's always relied on his survival instincts, which are now on high alert. His latest orders may just be his undoing.

Amid violence, madness, danger and sorrow, Awoken is a gritty tale of two restless souls that may only find true completion in their mutual desire be free and find and a place to belong.

As with the previous book in this series, Jayne Castel weaves together an engrossing tale with breathless moments amid sweeping landscapes. Ms. Castel deftly deals with the complexities of not only the time period, but also the customs, which were not always kind to women. Happily, this standalone novel has a splendid ending that is both tender and oh so sweet.

Content 411: Although there are no offensive vulgarities, there is some physical abuse and violence. There is also a mildly descriptive sexually intimate scene.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the author. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.

[Diane DuBenske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 from the series, The Sisters of Kilbride. The characters are awesomely written. Ross Campbell is a warrior who has dreams of working himself up in the ranks of Clan MacKinnon. Ross now serves as Chief MacKinnon's right-hand man. Ross refuses no order given him by his Chief and serves without question. Leanna MacDonald is a novice nun who really has no desire to be a nun but was sent to Kilbride by her father to escape marriage to Duncan MacKinnon. MacKinnon has wanted Leanna MacDonald for a bride for as long as he can remember. Ross is sent to abduct Leanna from Kilbride so that MacKinnon can marry her.

While Leanna is a captive of MacKinnon's, Ross begins to realize what kind of man he has been serving. This will force him to make some very difficult changes from what he saw as his future. Leanna is a very lonely women who is also strong-willed, outspoken and very determined to do just about anything to get the life she desperately wants.

This is another wonderfully written book by Jayne Castel. Adventure, suspense, danger, misgivings and romance are here. I could not put this book down. I absolutely recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leanna was sent to Kilbride by her father to save her from a cruel chieftain who became obsessed with making her his wife. When her father dies, she is collected to go home for his burial but on the way her group is attacked.
Ross has served his chieftain since he was eighteen and has many times turned his back to the cruelties he has seen. As the chieftain’s right-hand man, he is sent to acquire Leanna by any means and when her group is attacked, he comes to her rescue. But Leanna soon realises she is still in danger when she recognises Ross.
When Ross cannot stand by and let his chieftain break Leanna with his brutality, he whisks her away in the night. They flee in the night and their mad dash adventure begins.
I really enjoyed this book, Leanna may be a nun, but she is also a strong-willed woman, outspoken and determined. Ross has had a hard life but has not let it influence him to become cruel and bitter. He has a soft heart under all that muscle.
I happily highly recommend this series.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

awoken

A brutal Laird. A woman who will never give in. Duncan MacKinnon has never given up hopes to have Leanna as his bride, so her father dies, he sends his men to kidnap her from the abbey. She is taken to his keep by force and when she tells the priest that she is a nun and was kidnapped, and the priest refuses to marry them, MacKinnon kills the priest. Instead of waiting for a new priest the MacKinnon decides to force himself on Leanna, but finally several of his people have had enough of this brutality and help her escape. Ross Campbell, one of the men who kidnapped her and MacKinnon’s faithful man, now helps her. While on the run they will find safe keeping for a time with outlaws, but MacKinnon will never give up looking for them. They need a place where he will never find them. Neither the abbey, nor Leanna’s home will do. He will find them there. So where can they go? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, if you have not yet had a chance to read the first book in the series, I highly recommend it. I love how Jayne Castel weaves her other stories and characters into her new series. The title, Awoken, is most fitting for the main characters of this book. Both Leanna and Ross are guilt ridden about their devotion to their current circumstances that they have no spark for life. They have created each a cage for themselves. I think sometimes in life we can relate to these feelings. Either we’re not good enough, we don’t deserve something better or change just doesn’t seem possible. So as their hearts are awakened, a sweet romance blossoms. This is a great second book to the series. If you love Scottish romance, you’ll love this book. I did receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Enjoy!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jayne Castel as an author! I loved her Viking series and this series is no exception! Book 2 in the series was a fantastic read as I could not put the book down. She is a novice soon to take her final vows and her a seasoned warrior.She was placed in the nunnery to protect her from marriage to her fathers enemy. Now her father has died her enemy wants her . Ross is sent to kidnap her and bring her back to him. His job got easier as he came along her leaving the nunnery to go home for her fathers funeral.
Ross deals with her frustrations and anger about what is happening. He also starts once back to second guess his bring her back to his Laird as he knows he is a cruel man. He now has decisions to make about his loyalty.
The book is full of adventure, danger, twists, and romance. I could not put the book down!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Awoken by Jayne Castel. This is the type of book where the housework suffers and supper is cooked with the book on the counter.

I loved watching the characters change and mature during the story. The prologue introduces the reader to Ella, a very much in love young woman who experiences the worst heartbreak. Ross, her love, must marry another to satisfy the family obligations. Eighteen years later you find a very different Ella. She is now Sister Ella in Kilbride Abbey. Ella and the other women in this story are strong and capable especially the abbess who brings a surprise to the way she trains the women under her care.

If you love books based in the past, with strong female characters you will love this one.

This isn't my first Jayne Castel book nor will it be my last. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a bad boy who turns into any amazingly, wonderful good boy and a good girl who runs away out of fear who turns into a strong, vibrantly awesome girl. 

The characters are deep and very well written with dialogue that is detailed and allows the reader to see into the soul of each character. They will also reach into the very core of your being and allow you too root for good to triumph over evil, and trust me, you will meet evil so horrendous it becomes your nightmare. You will also experience love and passion so intense and strong that it leaves you yearning and craving more. 

I'm not going to summarize this story, the summary does that for you, but I will tell you that you need to experience this book. It's AMAZING and I really can't recommend it enough. It's actually worth way more than 5 stars, but that was the most I could give.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Smith Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leanna is a reluctant nun, but being a nun is better than being married to Duncan Mackinnon. When Leanna's father dies, all bets are off, and the Abbey can't protect her anymore

Mackinnon has not forgotten Leanna, and he will stoop to any level to make her his wife. He sends Broderick Carr and Ross Campbell to snatch Leanna while she is traveling home for her father's funeral. Carr and Campbell end up saving her from rebels on Leanna's father's lands, but delivers her straight to Mackinnon.

Campbell had a violent childhood, and prided himself on rising through the ranks to be Mackinnon's second. Mackinnon pushes too far when he attempts to rape Leanna, and Campbell helps her escape.

This story was action packed and never boring. I liked the character arc for both Leanna and Ross, they are young but I think they'll make it.

[Sarah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, I was expecting a pretty typical romance. Boy meets girl, they fall for each other, they live happily ever after. But what I wasn't expecting was the action-packed thriller of a novel that I couldn't put down! The characters are so rich and three-dimensional, with histories and personalities that we only get a taste of in this book. Overall, this was a really solid book, and stands on its own without reading any other books in the series. That being said, I am definitely going to be checking out other works by Jayne Castel. I'd even say that it "Awoken" something inside me. ;)

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting story of Leanna MacDonald, a young woman hidden in an abbey by her father to protect her from a cruel Laird (not that she wants to be a nun). Returning home for her father’s funeral, she is captured by Ross, the Laird’s captain, and brought to that very Laird. How Leanna and Ross escape the Laird’s castle and flee to safety makes for a riveting story. The H is strong, and finally “awakens” to the fact that his conscience will no longer allow him to serve the cruel master, clearing the path for a fine man to emerge. Our h has been trained to fight and uses those skills meaningfully in the story. Yes, they find their HEA, after ‘awakening’ to love for each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book 2 in the The Sisters of Kilbride Series is very well written with good characters. I was caught up on the story from page one, unfortunately I had not read the first book in the series, I will be reading it now.There was adventure, love,suspense all through the entire stories, and a great Scottish romance. These characters are well constructed. When an accident sees Leanna's father dead, her former suitor, now conveniently widowed and very cruel, sees his opportunity to have her. MacKinnon orders Ross to kidnap a novice nun from an abbey. Ross has no desire to take her, but he has orders. As they get to know each other can her help her and will they fall in love?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the continuation of the Sisters of Kilbride. We met Leanna in the previous book and she was a reluctant nun forced to seek shelter as a nun to avoid marriage to a brute. Ross Campbell appeared in an earlier equally brilliant series. This was the story of their interactions, good and bad, and the development of their relationship. Their journey was fraught with danger, violence, misgivings, insecurities and much soul seeking on both their parts. A beautiful story and I cannot wait for the next in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Ms. Castel! I won't say much about the plot as other reviewers have done a great job explaining it. What I will say is if you love well written stories with well developed characters and lots of suspense, action, and emotion, this is the book for you. Did I mention wonderful love scenes? *sigh!* It has everything! I couldn't put it down and when I had to, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. It's that good! It's fast paced, beautifully written, and I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for her next book! Highly recommended!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[RaReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was well written and engaging. There were real human flaws in the male characters, and unexpected traits in some of the female characters. I didn't feel the chemistry though, or any sense of being "awoken". I do understand how it applies in this story, I think the awakening was meant to be the awakening of the Hero to what was important in life, I just didn't feel it very strongly. It was a pleasant read, an interesting diversion, but, not a stand out, for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bingeworthy tale of courage, sorrow, loyalty, friendship, betrayal, survival, forgiveness, integrity, honor, new beginnings, hope, and love. The characters were phenomenal, as was the captivating plot. Most of all, I loved that the women were strong, capable, clever, and human. Jayne Castel is one of my favorite authors because of her ability to weave stories with intrigue, anticipation, yummy steam, nail-biting danger, and worlds that are brimming with life.

I received a free copy of Awoken, but that did not affect my review.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has a knack for quickly drawing a reader into the world that she has created. The people in this book feel so real and their circumstances are easily imaginable. It is apparent from the start that the conflict Ross feels will generate unexpected actions. The terror that Leanna feels vibrates off the page, as does the nastiness of Duncan. This is a well told story full of heart-stopping moments, action and surprises.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. **Spoilers after review***

This was a wonderful book. I Leanna and Ross were well-written characters. I was looking forward to Leanna's story. I knew it would be interesting. This book was just as good as book one and I am wanting to read book three, Creag and Coira's story.




***Spoiler***

I really enjoyed this book, but I hate that they had to go away from all the knew. I'm ready for someone to get rid of the McKinnon . I was really hoping they would go to Scorrybreac to Ella and made a life there.

[Tc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in The Sisters of Kilbride Series
I really enjoyed the tale on this story.
A father sends his daughter to become a nun, to keep her from becoming the wife of a ruthless clan chief.
She then in turn is secreted away by a warrior, now he has to go against everything he holds dear to save her.
This is how she ends up meeting a man that could and will change her life.
Geat characters too. Loved the plot of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clan-chief MacKinnon is determined to make Leanna MacDonald his bride after the death of his wife. He sends two of his best warriors to kidnap her from the Kilbride Abbey.
Leanna MacDonald was placed in Kilbride Abbey for protection from MacKinnon. Kidnapped and once in his clutches, she's fighting for her life. The one man she begs to help her, steals her away and gives up everything he's worked for. On the run, where can they live in safety and peace? A heart pounding rush. The story continues in the next book. Steamy. This series is addictive!