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Highland Ballad
The Highland Ballad Series Boxed Set
Scotland 1556 A lute player’s disguise seems the best way Abby Gordon can avoid her enemies, until the castle’s mysterious hostage, Iain MacGregor, proves that danger can come in many forms and so can love. When Abby first arrived at the castle she thought it was a safe haven from the treacherous French court, but she becomes increasingly aware that it is the centre of turbulent Scottish politics. But is Iain really a hostage to fortune or is he playing his own dangerous game? As her feelings for Iain grow and the web of danger entangles her more Abby wonders if the biggest deceiver of all is her heart. With spice, wit and action packed plotting, Kristin Gleeson’s Highland Ballad Series is as compelling as Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander novels. 'A highland ballad brought to life - plays sweetly on the heart-strings.' Jean Gill, The Troubadours Quartet
869 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2019
12 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Gleeson
31 books115 followersUSA Today Bestselling author, Kristin Gleeson is originally from Philadelphia but has lived in West Cork in Ireland for a number of years where she plays the harp and sings, in addition to painting the beautiful landscape around her. She holds a Masters in Library Science and a Ph.D. in history, and for a time was an administrator of a large archives, library and museum in America and also worked as a public librarian in America and Ireland. She has won numerous awards for her writing
Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.
She has also written history freelance and published articles and essays in reference works and academic books.
Myths and other folk tales have always fascinated her and she combined her love of these tales with her harp playing and performed as a professional harper/storyteller at events in Britain, America and Ireland.
She has also written history freelance and published articles and essays in reference works and academic books.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 17, 2020
Sweet romantic escape to 16th C Scotland
When I reviewed Book 1 my only criticism was the wait for the continuation of the story and that I would prefer to wolf down the whole series in one go. Here it is! I lost myself completely in the romance and adventure of these wonderful historical novels.
Love is in the air – and this particular air is an auld Scottish ballad with special meaning for Iain, the mysterious – and very attractive – hostage of Glenorchy. The song is only one of the mysteries that intrigue Abby, our intrepid heroine in male guise, as she carries out her duties, teaching the lute to the young heiresses in this dour Scottish castle. Why did the mistress of the household take to her bed? Who is doing what to whom in this most dysfunctional of extended families? How is Abby going to stay safe with her unwanted Frenchness and femininity?
The twists and turns of Abby's relationship with Iain take place against the religious and political schisms in Scotland when John Knox was stirring up dissent and the warring between the different clans was a way of life.
Kristin Gleeson’s Scottish background rings true in all its detail. My parents were Scottish and the auld words took me straight back to childhood, where ‘dinne fash yersel’ was a regular instruction. From description of the landscape to depiction of early Calvinism, the reader is completely immersed in 16th century Scotland.
It’s not just the Scottish details that make the story so real; when Abby teaches the girls to play a lute, both the musical expertise and the relationships are beautifully written. Even the dogs are real, whether the aggressive mastiffs of the Laird’s spiteful son, or the loyal sheep hound Cou, who forms a bond between Abby and Iain. Kristin Gleeson is quite right – collies did not exist as a breed at this time – and her attention to historical detail lets the reader enjoy the trip to the past with no modern jolts.
My only nitpick is the word 'Tudor' being applied to Scotland in the books' description but I know that this instantly sets the period in a way that 'Stuart' doesn't - more's the pity! The novels themselves are fully immersed in the Scottish viewpoint so just read them and see what you think!
When I reviewed Book 1 my only criticism was the wait for the continuation of the story and that I would prefer to wolf down the whole series in one go. Here it is! I lost myself completely in the romance and adventure of these wonderful historical novels.
Love is in the air – and this particular air is an auld Scottish ballad with special meaning for Iain, the mysterious – and very attractive – hostage of Glenorchy. The song is only one of the mysteries that intrigue Abby, our intrepid heroine in male guise, as she carries out her duties, teaching the lute to the young heiresses in this dour Scottish castle. Why did the mistress of the household take to her bed? Who is doing what to whom in this most dysfunctional of extended families? How is Abby going to stay safe with her unwanted Frenchness and femininity?
The twists and turns of Abby's relationship with Iain take place against the religious and political schisms in Scotland when John Knox was stirring up dissent and the warring between the different clans was a way of life.
Kristin Gleeson’s Scottish background rings true in all its detail. My parents were Scottish and the auld words took me straight back to childhood, where ‘dinne fash yersel’ was a regular instruction. From description of the landscape to depiction of early Calvinism, the reader is completely immersed in 16th century Scotland.
It’s not just the Scottish details that make the story so real; when Abby teaches the girls to play a lute, both the musical expertise and the relationships are beautifully written. Even the dogs are real, whether the aggressive mastiffs of the Laird’s spiteful son, or the loyal sheep hound Cou, who forms a bond between Abby and Iain. Kristin Gleeson is quite right – collies did not exist as a breed at this time – and her attention to historical detail lets the reader enjoy the trip to the past with no modern jolts.
My only nitpick is the word 'Tudor' being applied to Scotland in the books' description but I know that this instantly sets the period in a way that 'Stuart' doesn't - more's the pity! The novels themselves are fully immersed in the Scottish viewpoint so just read them and see what you think!
July 24, 2023
Great story
Great story and well written, but definitely needs editing for errors and spelling and certainly the French. However, the characters and plot are well drawn. I will read more by this author.
Great story and well written, but definitely needs editing for errors and spelling and certainly the French. However, the characters and plot are well drawn. I will read more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews