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Clan Ross #1

A Heartless Laird

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From USA Today bestselling author Hildie McQueen... Coming face to face amidst battles and danger, a heartless man and a gentle healer begin the first of many impassioned interactions.

Seeking to avenge his father’s death, new laird Malcolm Ross declares war. Nothing will deter him from finding and killing the man who murdered his father, especially not a beautiful healer who needs to learn her place.

Elsbeth Murray has a kind heart and dedicates her life to caring for those injured in the clan wars. Despite her dislike of Laird Malcolm Ross, there is something about him that calls to the healer within.

It could be that Elsbeth’s abilities go deeper than skin deep and she will melt his frozen heart.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 2, 2019

743 people are currently reading
639 people want to read

About the author

Hildie McQueen

179 books829 followers
Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of Romance in Highland historical, Western Historical and contemporary, she writes something every reader can enjoy.

Most days she can be found in her pajamas hiding from deliverymen while drinking tea from her David Gandy coffee mug. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.

Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.

She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt, an unruly boy Chihuahua Pepito and a spoiled rotten girl Chiweenie named Lola.

Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HildieMcQueen
Instagram: @HildieWrites


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,440 reviews495 followers
July 30, 2021
The Heartless Laird by Hildie McQueen
Clan Ross book 1. Historical Scottish highland romance.
Clan against clan battle for ….revenge.

Spoilers follow.
Battle, killing, sex, arguing, battle, killing, kidnapping, sex, battle. Repeat.
Rape of a sort by one of the many battling highlanders. They were lovers already and he did it to punish her. Regardless of the fact she enjoyed the coupling, unacceptable behavior. This ahat gets stabbed in the heart later in the book. I cheered because his boorish behavior had continued in several different situations.
Hated the old custom of family being in the room during the first sexual intercourse of the married couple - which was a scene in this book!
The women are smart and mostly lower class. Either healers or servants. They all are hot for the beautiful men in kilts.

🎧 this audiobook is narrated by Brian J Gill using a Scottish accent for most of the characters. There are many players in this book that required me to follow along occasionally with the ebook to distinguish one from another. I wasn’t a fan of his female narrations but it was always clear which was which.
I’ve already purchased the rest of this series. I hope I like the next ones better.
It might be true to the time and place. I’m glad it’s not my environment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,107 reviews11 followers
November 30, 2019
Confused? Overwhelmed?

No? You will be; the author certainly was.
From not remembering which clan Alec belonged to a cold hand becoming a warm one six lines later.
Too many romances in one book to do justice to any of them.
Named characters appearing with no explanation.
Mysterious healer who can’t be found.
Bad and wicked behaviour going unpunished.
Then the sudden ending. It was akin to walking into a lamp-post you failed to see in front of you.
It’s somewhat unfocused and needs a decent editor. And really good proof-reader would have improved this immensely.
Profile Image for 🦉Maggie Whitworth.
3,254 reviews113 followers
September 28, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
This book is packed with action, stunning characters and has a storyline that will have your mind reeling at 100mph, not only that but there’s more to come from this wonderful author, I can’t wait !

On one side you have Malcom Laid of the Ross clan and his family , his brothers Tristan , Kieran and cousin Aiden.
He’s a tough, hard warrior, and the woman he’s falling for wants nothing to do with him .
Elspeth is a healer , and lives with her family in a neighbouring village , when she’s injured, Malcom is there to help her and that’s only part of the plot.

One the other side there’s The McLeod Clan The Laird and his sons Alec and Ethan.
Everything was fine relatively peaceful, then Ethan commits a stupid mistake and all hell breaks loose .
That’s when Alec meets Paige , she’s come upon hard times, lost family , and is in need of care , Alec falls hard and fast.

With the two Clans at war , only death and destruction are a certainty.
There’s no peace , no happiness it seems, not until they can learn to live together.
Before that happens, it’s going to get much worse.

Stunning and breathtaking this is a story that never lets up and I couldn’t get enough of it .
There is more to come too , this is only the first instalment, roll on book No.2 .

This is not a standalone book , part 1 of a series.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
Profile Image for Moonlight 🌸.
663 reviews97 followers
November 19, 2019
I did not understand why this book got so many good reviews lol . It was nice -ish. But the narration style was quite childish and brief.., I think it would’ve been better if the writer focused only on the major characters and explained things more thoroughly. Adding other couples and their struggles made me remember books I wrote when I was 15.

Malcom actually didn’t redeem himself. He led many men to their deaths, ignored his clans pleas and has a sudden change of heart, then was supposed to be redeemed or something, Just like that? I feel so bad cause this would have been an amazing book if the writer gave it more depth. I liked how he opened up to Elspeth and would’ve also loved some depth to that.
488 reviews7 followers
Read
October 1, 2020
i really like that this is a "me big man, you little woman" and a "strong female lead" type romance in one book. I am a little concerned for the Ross brothers though. that kind of rage is not healthy. Hildie does a really good job of bringing these characters to life. And ending on a cliff hanger so that i have to go read the next one!
959 reviews
July 17, 2022
I enjoyed being introduced to Clan Ross. They are an interesting bunch! Malcolm is now laird on the tragic death of his father by a neighboring clan. After one of the battles Malcolm comes across healer Elsbeth. He lets Elsbeth and Ceilidh take one of his injured soldiers. Malcolm can't seem to keep his mind off the healer. They are a good match and she is a gifted healer. I am looking forward to reading more about the clan.
Profile Image for Jas.
699 reviews14 followers
November 28, 2022
I really liked Elspeth. Malcolm was interesting. Usually the "intimidating" laird, is just intimidating because of his size or because he has rbf, which is weird considering everyone seems to be huge. But Malcolm being actively scary or ruthless made it so much better. Interested to see how this clan war is resolved.
Profile Image for Nostalgic .
209 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2021
Loved it

Could not put it down. Loved the plot and how all the different characters came together. Full of adventure and romance this story was truly a great read!
Profile Image for Kat Green.
1,147 reviews19 followers
May 10, 2021
You’ve got to love gorgeous, hunky, brooding warriors meet head to head with stubborn, feisty females. Great story, sizzling sex and delicious chemistry. ❤️
Profile Image for Gundega (Rouzmary).
340 reviews90 followers
October 22, 2019
A Heartless Laird was not what I expected and so it became a nice surprise.

Thought it'd be just another highland romance where the ML is an overbearing asshole laird.
Well, he was, at the beginning, but for once he had a good reasons - grief & anger of his father's unjustified murder had turned him so, therefore - I was willing to give the ML a chance to improve.

Thought the FL would be just another laird's daughter and thus of high status and all the drama that involves- nope, not at all, she's a complete commoner and them not being of the same status was kind of part of the obstacle course (lolz, "obstacle course" - but true enough).

Thought the book will have the one couple and that's it.
Not even close! We didn't have just the main couple of laird and the commoner healer, we got a second couple from the enemy clan and even a support couple.
...the book was full of blooming romances XD
And I liked it!
It managed to be presented in a way that didn't seem crowded at all.


Now, what I liked about A Heartless Laird the most was the...easy going atmosphere. Despite there being bloody battles and what not...the feel of the book was...pleasing. Ordinary. More grounded than what I had expected thinking it'll be another jackass laird and a stubborn highborn lady romance.
But since it was anything but, I enjoyed the more common (heh) feel/setting of it.
Maybe it's due to the author's style - for this is the first of Hildie McQueen's that I've read so can't tell whether it's her style overall or the book setting with the characters and plot - but that's how it was for me.

Another thing that was quite obviously set up was that we'll get to see the laird's brothers end up within blooming romances as well XD
I just wonder if the next book will be as packed with couples ;p
Actually sort of look forward to it because A Heartless Laird ended in a rather abrupt way - no cliffhanger per se, but obviously only part of the story got told, thou the main couples part of it was (I think) concluded, however true peace is yet to be had and not all the brothers got coupled up ;D
*snickers* It really did seem like Hildie McQueen just looooves to pair 'em up. Oh well, but she did so in a fairly pleasing way, so all's well.


Only complaint slight grumbling about the book I have is with editing - because someone did not do their job - it was barely noticeable at the beginning and so I don't think there were any huge mistakes there, but towards the end the characters surnames got completely mixed up and if by then I hadn't gotten familiar with who's who I would've been thoroughly confused, like, wait, wasn't she part of the other clan and she of that clan? And wasn't he of the enemy clan and he of that clan? Are they talking of the people I think they're talking? The context seems to say so, but the surnames/clan names are wrong! *ensue slight confusion*
Only saving grace (barely) is that most of the time the character's first names were attached as well.


Other than the mess with surnames at the end, A Heartless Laird was quite enjoyable - a perfect reading material for a chilly autumn evening to entertain you while reading in your favourite comfy chair with a hot drink close by.

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Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
January 6, 2020
War🔪 Between Clans and Romance💕, Too

Circa 1580. During the border wars, which pitted the Scots against the English, there were also smaller skirmishes of Scottish clans🔪 against neighboring clans🔪 taking place in the Scottish Highlands🐑.

This ADULT Historical Romance is The story of the Ross clan and the MacLeod clan and their infighting🔪 and romances💕.

There are quite a few characters in the book, and three or four romances💕 all going on at the same time as the Laird, Malcolm Ross🐺🍆⛲🔪, is seeking revenge for the murder💀🔪 of his father by Ethan, a son of Laird MacLeod. Malcolm🐺🍆⛲🔪 has tunnel vision over the death💀, and can only think about revenge.

I wish the author would have written a separate book about each of the romances💕 that take place in this one book.
With the separate romances💕, some by the Ross clansmen, and some by The MacLeod clansmen, there is a lot of jumping around in the story.

The ADULT scenes are tastefully written.
Profile Image for Linda Adams.
99 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2019
I love this author

I enjoyed this book tremendously I loved just about every one of the characters and I feel certain that the author will be writing some additional stories because I need to know what happened with the rest of the people the rest of the couples she cannot leave me hanging but if I know her writing she will be writing subsequent books at least I’m hoping this was an excellent book it really was and I couldn’t put it down until I finished but it was not ending for me I need an ending I need to know what happened. Hilda please write another book real quick let me know before I have the vapors
1,296 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2019
Awesome book 💜

This is so much more than I anticipated. The stories of both clans at the same time are so intriguing. To see both sides from battle to the aftermath including villagers who aren't associated to either clan brings so many different dimensions to the story. A must read.
Profile Image for Tracy DeNeal.
380 reviews19 followers
October 19, 2019
Loved It!

Finally a series from the perspective of the hated Ross Clan! I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the next of this series. Malcolm, Tristan and Kieran have piqued my interest.

Ian and Alec’s side stories were also captivating. There was so much going on and so many interesting couples. I look forward to reading more from Hildie McQueen!
Profile Image for Lisa C.
1,100 reviews22 followers
November 23, 2019
This is a story of revenge, battles and finally love. It"s enjoyable to see both sides, Clan Ross and Clan McLeod - almost like getting two books in one. Waiting for more in book 2 and 3.
Profile Image for Cyrene Olson.
1,413 reviews17 followers
November 8, 2024
Angry, hardened Laird Malcolm Ross has one desire, to take down everyone from Clad MacLeod because they killed his beloved father. On the battlefield, Malcolm is minimally injured, and he thinks he is losing his mind when he sees a beautiful woman, Elspeth Muir, who comes out to tend to the wounded. Malcolm goes up to Elspeth demanding that she leave, but she is relentless in caring for them. So, Malcolm goes back to his keep thinking of the strange beguiling Elspeth all the time. Just as Clan MacLeod attempts to broker peace by sending a messenger, who, instead, is killed. Malcolm thinks it is another call for combat. Just as the battle gets fully under way, Elspeth comes to minister to the injured and becomes stabbed herself. Malcolm has no choice but to take her back to his home. As Malcolm tends to Elspeth, his stance changes and the cold, heartless warrior finds himself falling for the healer, which could either throw them even more into war or be the thing that will finally calm the fighting between both clans.
I got interested in reading Ms. Hildie McQueen after reading one of her books and begged to read another book, which I don’t regret! There is some decent amount of fighting with some minor wounds suffered by both the hero and heroine, so if you’re turned off by that, then this isn’t a good book to read. Also, from the point of view both seem to recover amazingly uncommonly fast which did bother me a little, especially since I am in the healthcare profession, yet still I was able to enjoy the book if I was able to suspend some belief that they could just heal quickly. Malcolm is not a particularly likable guy either. He’s mean-spirited and just downright awful. He is a much better person when he falls in love, so there is that which spares him, so there is that. While Elspeth is just a fantastic heroine and really was the saving grace for me. It is hard to write any story filled with revenge and hate yet turn it into a romance that is even worth reading. Luckily, this isn’t one of those books and I can’t wait to read another! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
Profile Image for Bunga.
678 reviews13 followers
January 4, 2021
Ini buku pertama yang saya baca di tahun 2021. Saya bingung ngasih reviewnya. Mungkin lebih tepatnya 3,5 bintang tapi saya buletin jadi 4 karena saya suka drama dan konfliknya. Menceritakan tentang perseteruan klan Ross dan klan McLeod dikarenakan Laird Ross dibunuh oleh Ethan McLeod (penyebabnya belum jelas, cuma disebutin karena Ethan masuk wilayah Ross tanpa ijin). Nah, Malcolm, sebagai Laird Ross yang baru sekaligus anak dari Laird yg terbunuh, tentunya ingin balas dendam. Maka terjadilah pertempuran demi pertempuran yang saling memakan korban dari kedua belah pihak dan juga menyengsarakan rakyat dari dua klan tersebut.

Elspeth adalah seorang Healer yang seringkali mengobati prajurit yang terluka seusai pertarungan antar klan itu dan suatu ketika ia dipertemukan dengan si Malcolm. Singkat cerita di pertemuan yg kesekian tanpa sengaja Elspeth ditikam oleh prajurit yg terluka dan Malcolm segera melarikannya ke Keep-nya untuk diobati. Namun karena Elspeth tidurnya di kamar pribadi Malcolm, keluarga Elspeth pun menuntut Malcolm harus menikahi wanita itu. Lalu di sini ada konflik lagi karena ibunya Malcolm tidak setuju. Daaan... ternyata ada penghianat di dalam klan Ross yang rupanya tidak mau perang antar klan berakhir.

Overall, novel ini cukup padat ya. Salah satu penyebabnya adalah karena ada 3 couple yg terlibat asmara di buku ini dengan keruwetannya masing-masing... Namanya couple di novel romance pasti banyak rintangannya 😅 dan saya gak yakin sama si Malcolm, Heronya. Saya kurang suka karena di sepanjang novel dia dibutakan nafsu balas dendam.
Profile Image for Angela.
569 reviews
July 4, 2020
I thought I would love this book but then read halfway... It's like I'm reading 4 short novels in one book. That would mean their story was too short to get any connections.

I didn't like it when Malcolm grab Elspeth and do it front of them as if he don't give one fig for her feeling. I had to tell myself it is what happened at that era. I just still don't like it.

When the title said "Heartless" the way your story told, sounds like Kieran is the heartless one, not Malcolm. Malcolm is crazed and fixation on getting revenged for the death of his father. Then he softened after he met his Elspeth. (Too soon)

{{{I wanted to read all about Kieran.}}}

And Verity? I don't like her. She's spoiled brat. And
Tupping with her own cousin? What's up with that?

No one even knew! There was no satisfaction.

So back to this story, it took me 3-4 days to finish because I wasn't that interested in it.

The. END? It end, I feel like it wasn't finished..
I'm aware you have series.... It just feel incomplete.

I'm sorry McQueen. I prefer H and h stories alone.
This was too much and rare that I have read multiple novels in one. Prop to you. But this isn't for me. Thank you for writing. I love HIGHLANDERS!! ⚔️
Profile Image for Swasti.
209 reviews27 followers
October 13, 2024
Not sure how this book received such a high rating on Goodreads.

This plot would've been an interesting and fun read, but the author just wasn't up to the task. It was bad enough that there were so many characters (Alec, Aiden, Ian, Ethan) that I struggled to remember who was part of which clan, but then there were 3 romance stories to keep track of. That was just too much and it doesn't give enough time to any of the characters or relationships.

The author mixed up the names of the clans at times. And then there's Elspeth, who gets beaten and whose face shows the brunt of it, but after a few days there's no mention of that anymore. It's as if her face magically healed in 2 days in time for her wedding. It just screams lazy writing.

But worst of all for me was the amount of SA in this book. 4 SA attempts and 1 (arguably 2) implied SA. The author was able to fit that in a short 250 page book. Why? WHY? When I pick up a romance novel I would prefer it to have NONE. It's bad enough that the female characters get stabbed, kidnapped (twice), beaten and put in jail, but that was just too much for me.

This book was going to be the book I finished my reading challenge with, but I picked up and read a different book out of spite. I was not going to let this book be my 50th book for this year.
Profile Image for Dana Wohlfarth.
35 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2021
so, I've read some bad bodice rippers in my day, and I hesitate to call this one the worst. because plot wise, it's not the worst... it's just boring. you would think that with 3+ couples and the narrative flipping back and forth between pov's and relationships that there would be a lot going on and it would be an exciting read, but it's just boring. a kidnapping plot gets resolved within the same chapter, there's no emotional buildup; the climactic battle with the "bad guy" was over in 3 sentences; multiple plot points were left unresolved in set ups for future books. oh, and I know all these books have insta-love, but when you're constantly flipping back and forth between narratives, it's hard to build up any emotional bond between the characters. they barely interact because you don't spend any time with them.

(not to mention that for a solid 3 pages Alec McLeod was called Alec Ross- aka misnaming him as a member of his rival clan. proofread, people, proofread!!!)

overall, it just felt really disjointed and needed a good editing down. the smut was dope though, that gets a 9/10 in my opinion. the rest of it? a snooze-fest.
Profile Image for Candace.
803 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2022
Malcom & Elspeth. He is laird of the Ross clan after his father was murdered by the youngest son of the McLeod clan. War, war, and more war. Clan members dying left and right while the Ross' try to get vengeance. After the latest battle, Elspeth comes to the field to aid any soldiers that needed a healer. She guilted Malcom for not carrying for one of his soldiers, Ian and assuming he will die. She took him home to heal him (taking his arm). After a follow up battle and more deaths, she returns to the battlefield but is stabbed by an injured soldier that was confused. Malcom took her to his keep to fix her wound. They return Ian to the Ross' in exchange for Elspeth but her family finds out and orders Malcom to marry her because he ruined her. She gets kidnapped (ordered by his mother) and later kidnapped to hold off her wedding (ordered by his cousin who is sleeping with Ross' sister and sleazy at that). A truce is determined but the McLeod clan attacks the Ross envoy after his cousin gives false information and told the McLeods that they were coming for war. Malcom's middle brother is missing and in response they were going to attack the rival clan but she convinces him to find out what happened first. Realizing his cousin's involvement (who kidnapped the heir to the McLeod clan's future wife but was found before he raped her and was killed) the 2 clans decide on a truce.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
244 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2021
Laird Malcolm Ross has only one thing on his mind, revenge. Revenge for the man who killed his father in cold blood. Putting every member of his clan in danger, he will not be stopped in seeking war and victory over the McLeod's, but a chance meeting on the battlefield with a gentle healer in the midst of devastation, stops him in his tracks. She does not seem to be afraid of him, his temper or his cold manner, while he is captivated by Elsbeth Muir's beauty and kind heartedness.
But can the two be together with others plotting against them, and can peace be returned to their clans, only time will tell in this emotionally passionate love story.
This is the first book I have read by Hildie McQueen and it certainly will not be my last. I really liked the way that there are other stories running through this book with two other love stories and other characters involved too.
Her descriptive writing not only captures the era, but brings these vivid and unforgettable characters to life.
I couldn't put it down.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,242 reviews
July 10, 2021
2 Stars

Hm it was ok. I liked Elspeth a lot. She was a good heroine to root for. Malcom was iffy at times and truthfully I didn't feel much for him either way. I was so NOT a fan of the multiple POV jumping. We had the MCs Elspeth & Malcom but then also Alec & Paige from the McLeod clan and then the injured warrior Ian & Elspeth's friend Ceilidh then of course we had the bad guy and cousin of Malcom, Aiden Ross. And lastly we had Malcom's brother Tristan there at the end. So yeah there was a lot of POVs. Which I'm not a fan of more than three tbh (main MCs & villain) but it flowed well enough.

Funny how Elspeth was kidnapped twice within days of each other while at Malcom's keep. Not "haha" funny but "this is ridiculous" funny.

It was decently written despite quite a few issues with using the Ross name when referring to the McLeod's. Sadly the romance was lacking quite a bit though and there was no "I love yous" or epilogue. Still might check out the next book.
Profile Image for Corina.
124 reviews
June 19, 2023
Ugh

Very disjointed storyline. As if the author rushed through and didn't waste time to edit either. Too many inconsistencies, it became irksome. The author would have the characters speaking using the wrong names, wounded warriors during battle would then not be hurt returning to the Keep. A lot of word garbage as to have simple village girls abducted only to be resuced and abducted again, it seemed only to waste pages. The author started so many subplots within Malcom and Elspeth's story that by the end of the book the reader was left without knowing the outcomes of many of the characters she had given a storyline too. So many unresolved questions now. After finishing the book, he is still a heartless Laird and not likable, to be honest, the whole Ross family is. Not like her other series, Clan Ross of the Hebrides. The timelines don't match either.
Profile Image for Sharon Osburn.
224 reviews4 followers
October 18, 2021
Disappointed with the end

I gave a generous 4 star due to the ending. Actually the last 50 pages were worthless considering how strong the rest of the book was appearing to be leading me to a grand ending. I liked the hero better than the heroine. There are too many characters that seem to take the lead. Perhaps this book is just a layout for all the future series. I am not sure I will read any because I feel I wasted my time reading this one and it abruptly came to the end. My rating possibly should be a 3 star. Also her father of no clan demanding the hero a laird of a large strong clan doesn't hold water. There was a better way to wed them. I wouldn't bring it up if I hadn't been so disappointed with the end.
Profile Image for Alison.
78 reviews
January 30, 2021
I loved this book! Besides the romance between the two main characters, Malcolm and Elspeth, there are also two other minor love stories, which surprised me a bit, but I also enjoyed. Although I think I wanted the author to write a little bit more than she did about Ian & Celeidh, I really enjoyed their side story a little bit more than the other side story with Alec and Paige, but their's was okay too.

This is a quick book, about 233 pages, but the author keeps you interested the whole time and it goes so fast. I loved Elspeth's character, she was perfect for Malcolm. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series with Tristan!
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