Claimed

The Sisters of Kilbride #3.5

by Jayne Castel

A widow intent on taking the veil. The guard who would lay down his life for her. The proposal that will alter their relationship forever. A powerful tale of unrequited love in Medieval Scotland.

Lady Drew MacKinnon doesn't belong anywhere. A widow who has never remarried, she decides that the time has come for her to do as society expects and take the veil. But as Drew is neither pious nor obedient in nature, she knows her new path won't be an easy one.

Carr Broderick has served the MacKinnon clan loyally for years. And unbeknown to Drew, he's been in love with her for just as long. He offers to escort Drew to her new life at a priory on the Scottish mainland, but this last mission will cost him. He longs to tell her how he feels, yet she is a lady, and he is a warrior without lands, riches, or title.

But when Lady Drew approaches Carr with a shocking proposal halfway through their journey, he might just have the chance he's always longed for. Or will he?

CLAIMED is the epilogue novella to The Sisters of Kilbride series set in 14th Century Isle of Skye, Scotland.

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

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 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 3 out of 5]

This was just okay, it's no secret that I love this author's writing but this time not so much. For me, when I read a novella the last thing I want is for a whole lot of pushing away. I get that Drew had no idea that Carr was in love with her and had been for years, but I didn't want to spend this entire shortie watching her be so damn oblivious right until the very end when the ILY's were gasped out.

Unrequited love stories are pure catnip for me, but I need to see the oblivious party waking the hell up a lot sooner than Drew did. I wanted to see Drew fall so hard for Carr, and definitely wanted to see more of them together as a couple and this I didn't get.

2.75 stars

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Drew MacKinnon is known for her sharp tongue and widely distrusted thanks to her cruel brother's actions. Now that he's dead, Drew's other, illegitimate brother has become clan chief, she is left in a tenuous position as a widow who's never remarried but feels she doesn't quite belong with her clan any longer. She's decided the time has come for her to join a convent and cease being a burden. She knows she's ill-suited for the life of a nun, but hopes such an existence will still be better than constantly feeling like an intruder in the lives of others.

Carr Broderick has been the loyal leader of the MacKinnon guard for years and all that time he's quietly nursed his love for Drew. Since her illegitimate brother claimed the chieftainship of the clan, Carr has been acting as Drew's personal guard. When she declares her intention to travel to the priory, he offers to escort her, but he longs to confess his feelings to her, even though he knows he has nothing to offer her. During their journey, Drew shocks Carr with her advances, making him wonder if he might stand a chance with her after all, if he can convince her not to take the veil.

I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Sisters of Kilbride series. Drew felt like a loose end and it was nice to see her get a story. This was a quick, but sweet and satisfying read and Carr was pretty adorable. These two were surprisingly intense and emotional, but mature and low on angst. I would definitely recommend reading the other books in the series first, but this one is not to be missed.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

 Never Too Late For 💘Love

ADULT Medieval Highlander🏰🐑🐂 Romance 💕and Adventure🔪.
14th Century, Isle of Skye, Scotland
It's Never Too Late to Find Love 💘. Winter, 1350 AD.

After her horrible brother, Laird Duncan MacKinnon👺, is killed, His long widowed sister, Drew💃, decides to become a nun and go to the Inishail Priory.

It's a days ride plus a ferry to the mainland and then three more days to the Priory. She takes her late brother's faithful Knight or Captain, Carr Broderick🐺🍆⛲🔪, and six guards, with her for protection.

Carr🐺🍆⛲🔪 has secretly been in 💘Love with her for years. Is he really going to let Drew💃 take the veil? Maybe on the trip there he will have a chance to tell her how he feels💕 and change her heart💔!

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

This is the epilogue novella in this wonderfully written and executed series. I suggest readers start at the beginning and read all three previous 📚books, as they were all very good and well worth the time!

It's very unlikely there would have been glass goblets with stems at the inn where they stayed. They would have been horn, pottery or tin, even carved wood cups. Glass tumblers appeared about the same time but were probably only for the wealthy.

[Lail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed: A Medieval Scottish Romance (The Sisters of Kilbride Book 4) by Jayne Castel 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is what good medieval romance stories are made of! Ms Castel has become one of my favorite authors because she delivers historical medieval stories that are engaging, action-packed, exciting, emotional, with great attention to detail, and a well written cast of complex and endearing characters, all beautifully balanced with a slow burn steamy romance. I loved this surprise added short story of Drew and Carr’s journey, but I’m still sad to see these characters and this series end. But, who knows, maybe the author might surprise us with some of these characters appearing in a cameo in a future series?!💡 Wink wink, nod nod?! If you haven’t read something by Jayne Castel yet, I highly recommend it!
Happy Reading♥️
Content Notes: Adult content. Steamy open door romance with some explicit details.

[Marilyn Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[Michelle Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally betrays the character development of the previous books

The whole premise of this book, that Drew, a sharp tongued, independent, bold woman would want & seek to live as a nun was totally ridiculous and sooo out of character that I could never accept it the entire book.

Every other instance in 4 previous books where she appears, her actions and character are total contradiction to the unsure, timid, fleeing woman that is depicted here.

In previous books she is boldly entering clan chiefs bedrooms and propositioning them and seeking marriage and yet in this novella she is so timid and shy she asks her lover to stop in the middle of having sex because she is so unsure of herself.

I also hated that she leaves her new-found brother. Finally Craeg gets to have/connect with his family and she gets a brother who treats her with respect and love and we’re supposed to buy that she wants to leave that for some barren existence with a mother she hates????? That makes no sense.

A few other unsatisfactory plot lines was supposedly a man who has loved her for years isn’t going to say SOMETHING to her to try and change her mind or tell her how he feels when he finds out she’s going off to be a nun!?! And a big deal is made from both Drew & Carr that she is a lady and he is her guard and somehow it would be forbidden or impossible. Ummm, didn’t we just read an entire book about a lady Loreena and a captain of the guard Ross falling in love and marrying and not ONCE is this ever and issue. But now for some reason it’s this unbreachable chasm separating Drew & Carr?

By 2/3 of the way through it was so stupid how she was behaving and thinking I actually started wishing she actually end up joining the Abby and reap what she was sowing and that Carr would find someone who deserved him. Ugh!

Sorry to rant here but it is a major pet peeve when an author spends a lot of time building someone’s character very constantly and then all of a sudden make them do things that are totally opposite of who they are.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing story by this avid storyteller! Love comes from the most unexpected places, but it comes nethertheless.

This is Lady Drew and Carr's story and what a story it is. A long time love for Drew, Carr slowly drew her to love him. So heartfelt and emotional.. Wonderful!

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Series Capper

This novella was written as a bonus for the Sisters of Kilbride trilogy as the author found herself intrigued by two of the side characters in that series. I'm glad she did, as I enjoyed this book immensely. Throughout the trilogy, Lady Drew had shown herself to be a complex side character: sister to the villain but not party to his evil; demanding, haughty, entitled, and with a sharp tongue. In the final book of the trilogy, she nearly died of the plague, but after recovering with the help of that book’s heroine, Coira, she was embraced by her half-brother, Craeg, who became the new clan chief after the death of their brother; she thought is she might be reviled, but her half-brother is a forgiving and generous man who wants to get to know her after he realizes that she is not like the evil brother. The hero of this novella had a more minor role in the rest of the trilogy, but we saw him as a friend to the hero of the second book; he becomes the villain’s right-hand man once that book’s hero departs. In the third book of the trilogy, he becomes the Captain of the Guard under the villain and later personal guard to Lady Drew, our heroine in this book, after the villain's death. He's not quite sure what his role truly is under the new clan chief, as the man clearly does not trust him 100%, naturally.

As it happens, as was hinted at in the previous books in the trilogy, the hero of this book has had an unrequited love for Lady Drew. He remained at her side while she had the plague, and he did not mind the demotion to personal guard since it was serving his ladylove. But, of course, in their world, the sister of the clan chief does not marry a guard.

In this novella, Lady Drew is feeling at loose ends. The broch where she lived all her life no longer feels like her own with her half-brother and his wife now in charge. They don't try to make her feel this way, and in fact, they tried to include her. So Lady Drew decides she is going to take the veil at the same priory as her mother. As you might imagine, our hero is none too pleased about this but can't really do much about it besides offer to lead the escort that will take her to the priory.

In Lady Drew, the author has created a complex and difficult woman. She certainly has both a sharp tongue and a sharp mind. She can say some pretty ghastly things to people, but the hero accepts her for what she is. The journey to the priory, as you might imagine, is not only a physical one but a mental and emotional one as well. Lady Drew goes back and forth about whether she truly wants to do this with her life, as she is not particularly religious, but it feels like something she must or should do. As they travel, she realizes how little she has lived in her 36 years, and a part of her wants to experience more of life. As she comes to know herself better, she continues to wrestle with what to actually do. The final self-realization was well done, as she learned far more about herself than she imagined.

Our hero, Carr Broderick, is also a complex piece of work whom we have seen evolve over the course of the trilogy. Even when he serves a villain, he didn't always do what that man wanted. This final journey with Lady Drew, taking her to the priory, is a difficult one for him as he has harbored such an abiding affection and love for her. Early on and for much of the book, he wants to tell her of his long-standing love, but he doesn't feel it is his place or appropriate. But he still struggles with what to do as well as his feelings for her, which come across is so raw and real.

I also like that we got to see a little more of Coira and Craeg at the beginning of the book. It's lovely to see them together, and I absolutely think that Craeg treated Lady Drew wonderfully, like a loving sibling.

While I liked this book and its complex characters, you may not appreciate it if you haven't read at least the second two books of the trilogy, where we get a deeper glimpse into both of them and their stories. If you enjoy Scottish medieval romance, you may very well enjoy this series and this book, the novella capper of it.

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

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

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

Sadly not as good as I was hoping for. These two were in the background of the entire series and essentially had no romantic anything between them building to this book. We eventually come to see Drew isn't as bad as she seemed in the beginning of the series and learn there were reasons for her sharp tongue and cold haughty behavior. Carr we knew very early on in the series was in love with Drew but knew she was out of reach to him.

So, to finally get their book and this is how it was done? SUPER MEH. Sorry not sorry!

I wanted MORE. There was more effort and detail put into the scenery and world building then their actual relationship. For a novella I shouldn't want to skim but I did.

I found it easy to like Carr and believe in his feelings for Drew. But how the author expected me to believe that Drew in a matter of a week(?) went from not truly seeing Carr as anything but a stoic loyal guard to finding him attractive and claiming she loved him?? Nahhhh.

I think him escorting her was merely the catalyst and beginning for them and for Drew finally seeing Carr for an attractive male who had interest in her. She was completely immune to it until this trip and never saw how he looked at her all those years. There is no way she could claim to be in love with him that quickly because they also didn't get to know one another much either. She claimed she wanted to but they hadn't the time while traveling.

*sigh* I think the only true believable aspect was as how terrible Drew's mother was to her and how it helped her have her epiphany about what she wanted in life at the end.

I liked Drew and Carr too. I was HOPING to maybe see him admit his feelings or for Drew to begin feeling a pull toward him and their dynamic change and she fall in love with him. Instead a got a overly detailed traveling story with a mid thirties widow having an identity crisis while sad little puppy Cart was willing to escort her and leave her forever and break his own heart.

What a massive disappointment.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed
The Sisters of Killbride #3.5
Jayne Caste
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lady Drew MacKinnon feels like she doesn't belong anywhere. She's a widow who has never remarried, and has decided that it is time to do what's right and become a nun. But Drew is not cut out for the life of a nun as she is not pious or obedient in any way so she knows that her path will not be easy. Also the thought of meeting her Mother who is also a nun is rather daunting, but one can have hope right?

Carr Broderick has served the MacKinnon clan for years and is one of their most loyal members. He offeres to escort Drew to her new life at the priory on the Scottish mainland, but this last mission may possibly kill him. He longs to tell her how he feels, yet she is a lady, and he longs to tell her that he has been in love with her for such a long time. There's one thing stopping him of telling her how he really feels. She's a lady and he is a warrior without lands, riches, or title.

But when Lady Drew approaches Carr with a shocking proposal halfway through their ride to the priory, he might have the chance he's been longing for. Will he get what he wants so badly or will he be unlucky in love?

Once again Jayne Castel has astounded me. This was such a great novella. It told the story of Drew who we met in the other books. Drew seemed so docile in the previous story's however I believe she has finally found herself and is starting to voice her opinion. She is actually a very strong woman who has had a hard life at the hands of her now deceased brother. As for Carr he is everything you could ever want in man. Both of them are strong, loyal, and passionate.
I really enjoyed this book and I'm so sad to see this series end however I do look forward to whatever come next. Ms. Castel you are utterly fabulous and thank you for writing these great stories.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don't prefer short stories or novellas. I like stories with lots of substance or "meatiness" to them as I love to savor a good long story. However since this is a favorite author of mine I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with "Claimed", and I wasn't. She packs so much into it that I never felt short-changed. I have to admit I wasn't crazy about Drew or Carr from their appearances in the other Sisters of Kilbride books but I knew they must have some redeeming qualities for Ms. Castel to write their story and I'm happy she did. She revealed their innermost feelings and behaviors so well that I ended up really liking them and cheering them on!

Drew is the tart-tongued haughty sister of evil, now deceased, clan-chief Duncan and Carr, his right-hand man, who has been secretly in love with Drew for years despite their class differences. She is a widow from an unhappy marriage who has no idea of his feelings and she's now decided to enter a convent. He is tasked with delivering her to the nunnery. As they journey there Drew does some soul searching examining her own prejudices, hopelessness and stubbornness. Now free from the constraints of her social status she realizes how empty her life is and now takes a serious look at her faithful guardian. Even though she tries to resist her feelings she ultimately has the courage to take the final step to true happiness and love.

This was a great story by a great author who always delivers wonderful, insightful inner workings of the human spirit. Very highly recommended!!!

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

[Mia Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayne Castel writes a beautifully, emotional story of a woman of 36, who struggles with her decision to take the veil, and throughout her journey to the priory she undergoes the turmoil of a woman uncertain of her future. I loved the story! Examining one’s life and one’s self can be an emotional journey in and of itself. Jayne has written this so beautifully!

The characters are written brilliantly. Our hero, Carr has been in love with Lady Drew for a long time but because they come from two different worlds feels it’s inappropriate to profess his love. Carr is definitely the kind of man any woman would dream of. He’s loyal, passionate and yet strong. Both he and Drew were subject to her evil brother’s will, she as his sister and Carr as his right hand. I enjoyed watching the characters transform and evolve as they grew. I enjoy their interactions with one another as well as others.

This was a beautiful story, masterfully written and if I had any complaint at all it would only be that it was too short. I always hate for a good thing to end… LOL.

Thank you so much Jayne for such a captivating, moving and lovely story! Now, I must go and read the rest of the books in the series!

[Claire Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Drew MacKinnon is a widow whose evil brother overshadowed her life. She's never known love--her dead husband was as cold as a fish. Now, with both gone, Drew is at a crossroads. Trusting no one, she heads off to take the veil, even though, truth be told, her heart isn't in it.

Carr Broderick, once Captain of the MacKinnon Royal Guard, lost his position with the death of Drew's brother. Instead he's been serving as Lady Drew's lifeguard--a position he relishes. Carr is secretly smitten with Lady Drew, but is certain she'll never have him. Now it's his duty to escort her off to a convent where she can never be his.

What a sizzling ending to this fantastic series! Jayne Castel has outdone herself with this novella, turning around the hearts of two people in a short, three-day journey. Even for those who are not familiar with these characters from the previous books, Castel provides just enough background to fully form them into three-dimensional people. The vivid descriptions and heart-wrenching emotions on the page hit all the right notes. If you're not familiar with the Sisters of Kilbride, I highly recommend ALL of the books--and you don't have to start with the first one in order to fully enjoy them. But do it anyway. You won't be sorry!

[bibliolatry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is the story of Drew and Carr. She is the cold and proud sister of, Duncan, the evil clan leader who is the source of so much evil. Carr was Duncan’s right hand man and he has secretly loved Drew for years.

Neither are sympathetic characters in the beginning of the series, due to painful events in their lives, but as each book progresses, especially with the dreaded Duncan no longer a threat, they begin to care about others around them. In spite of the acceptance from the new clan leader (who is also her half brother), Drew feels she has no place in her former home and decides to join a convent (which is quite humorous since the heroines of the previous books all abandoned their life as nuns).

In any case, as Drew leaves her home, accompanied by Carr, to join the convent, she does a lot of soul searching.

I wasn’t sure I would have compassion for Drew, but I did. I finally understood why she was the way she was. I liked Carr a lot, and I’m so happy they too got their HEA.

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

[Martha B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will the one who holds his heart accept or reject him?

For many years, Carr has secretly hidden a passionate love for Drew in his heart. Sadly, the social chasm between them always stood as an impossible barrier to his dreams of claiming her as his own. Then came the moment she asked him a question that would change their lives and their future.

I loved this emotionally heart pounding final tale of The Sisters of Kilbride series. Since Carr and Drew have each had a part in the prior four books, in which others have found their forever loves, I was thrilled for these two worthy people to finally have their story told and to achieve their own happiness. Jayne Castel did such a fabulous job of revealing the deeper aspects of each character as Carr and Drew neared their pivotal crossroad decision. In the end, happiness rules and their epilogue made me smile and sigh.

Content 411: Although this book is free of vulgarities, it does contain a moderately described sexually intimate scene.

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

[SKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

From book one of this series, we met Lady Drew and Carr Broderick. As a reader, I could feel Carr's love for Drew from the very first scene they were in together and so wanted their story. When Jayne announced she was writing it, I was elated but concerned. Usually when an author announces a final book that some could see as an add-on, after reading it, I am left feeling bereft because the book just does not measure up. Thank goodness and the memorable and entertaining writing of Jayne Castel the bereft feeling was turned into a feeling of awe, joy, and amazement; the "just does not measure up" was turned onto a breathtakingly, climactic, story of true love. Simply put, read the book, you will not be sorry.

Finally, thank you Jayne for this series, that as a whole is 5🌟 out of 5🌟, simply wonderful!

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

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is the story of Drew and Carr who we have meet a few times on the other stories. Now with her evil brother dead and half brother now the Laird things at Dunan are making changes for the better. The one issue is that Drew is being painted with the same brush as her evil dead brother. Carr has been in love with Drew for a long time. Drew has made a decision to enter a convent and Carr offers to escort her there. On the way there they do draw closer together and discover more about each other. At one point Carr tells Drew how he feels and they have a night together, but Drew is too wrapped up in her past trust isssues to accept Carr’s suggestion of a new life not in the convent. The book is filled with adventure,heart reach, loyalty, trust and love. We follow Drew and. Carr’s story but in the end will love prevail?

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

[Gal reads books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I love Jayne Castel's writing - her stories are evocative, rich and passionate romances.

*SPOILERS*

That could be why I was a little surprised by her latest. The elements that I usually love in her stories were missing here. We have a hero, a guardsman, who has been in love with the heroine, a highborn woman, for years. She's a widow who sees no meaning in her current life and decides to leave her home and join a convent.

What I loved:
1. Mature couple; heroine was older than the book hero.
2. The heroine enjoying herself during her journey to the convent, taking in the sights and sounds of different places.
3. Very sweet HEA ending

What I didn't enjoy:
1. Lackluster sex scene - wished it could have been better
2. Heroine's stubborness, almost until the end! It just dragged the story.

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

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bitter-sweet ending to a wonderful series—bitter, because the series is over; sweet because Lady Drew finally settles into what seems to be a happy life after a difficult life. Daughter to a cruel father AND mother, sister to a despot, wife to one who had little use for her, now a widow in the broch of a half-brother she barely knew, her life prospects seem grim. Many of the clan feel she is partly to blame for the poor life her deceased brother forced on the clan. Despite her half-brother’s welcoming attitude to her, she decides to leave to join her mother in a convent, as she thinks life has nothing to offer her.
What a journey she makes! She finds love, but not at the convent! Lady Drew finally has her HEA. This is a short story, with the purpose to tie up the loose end of Lady Drew’s future. As such, it succeeds.

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

[Rachel Smith Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suddenly, the intelligent, sharp tongued woman is a timid mess. But not really suddenly, right? Drew went through some major changes and her life is all up the air. Now that Craeg is in charge, she believes she is from the old regime and should high tail it out of the castle and join the order, be a bride of Christ with her terrible mother.

Carr, who has loved Drew from afar, for so long is tongue tied and all he can do is offer to escort Drew to the priory. During the days long trip, Carr finally lets his feelings be known. Good thing, I don't think Drew would have been very happy at the convent. It's not Mother Shona's house.

The story was believable, as was the romance. I like the... I'm too old for... no wait.... I found love at the ripe old age of thirty six! Which is not really old, but back then it was. I would say second chance romance, but Drew didn't have a chance with the first.

This is definitely a story worth reading.

[Carole Burant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was SO thrilled when I heard that Drew and Carr would have their own story and Jayne Castel sure did them proud:) My heart ached for Carr who had been in love with Drew for so many years and yet she only regarded him as her brother's guard and now as her personal guard. When Drew decides she wants to become a nun, Carr offers to escort her to the priory, although he's devastated at her decision. A lot can happen in a few days while traveling, though:)

So well written and even though it's a novella sized story, this author knows how to fill it up with so many emotions and sceneries. I'm sad that this is the last book in the Sisters of Kilbride series but I know that we have much to look forward to where Jayne Castel is concerned:)

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

[Diane DuBenske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Will Carr and Lady Drew find the love that has eluded them for many years? Lady Drew MacKinnon has decided that she must take the veil to find purpose in her life and Carr Broderick, a long time member of Duncan MacKinnon's guard, is devastated and has chosen to accompany her to the convent. Lady Drew leaves her old life behind and all she has ever known. Carr has loved Drew for many years unbeknown to her. In their journey to the convent Carr tries to make his love known to Drew without coming forward and speaking the words. The story is frustrating at times when Drew seems so clueless. A great well-written novella to bring closure for Carr and Lady Drew who have suffered great heartache in their lives. I highly recommend this book!! You will not be disappointed!!

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

[Yvonne Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Sisters Of Kilbride series epilogue novella, Lady Drew MacKinnon journeys to the Priory, where a life of seclusion awaits. Once, free from her familial responsibilities, she experienced freedom and started to doubt her convictions depth. The regimented order of life as a nun looks less than desirable. At the same time, her guard, Carr Broderick, becomes more so, every day. Their travels almost through, and with time running out, Drew makes Carr an offer he finds impossible to refuse; after all, he is in love, but one night will never be enough. Desperate, Carr presents an alternate plan for a future together. If Drew can leave her past behind and free herself from her self-made prison, she stands to gain her own happily ever after.

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 4 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 third 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. She didn’t have any purpose anymore now that her half-brother and his wife were in charge of the MacKinnon territory. She decides to become a nun and he is charged with getting her there safely. The closer she gets to their destination, the more she dreads her decision. But she has no choice. Or does she?

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

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read!! I enjoyed reading this historical romance story sent in the Scottish Highlands. Drew, in her mind, becomes the somewhat “displaced” sister of the former McKinnon laird when her half-brother claims the lairdship his evil brother is forced to abandon. Being hardheaded, Drew foolishly decides to become a nun…and so the story takes off as she, under the protection of her loyal guard, journeys to the priory. Along the way, she is presented with a chance to choose an alternative path… The question is—what path will she ultimately choose. I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew! I was getting worried about Carr's broken heart for a minute before things finally worked out. Stubborn pride plays a giant role in this story, as do acceptance, carpe diem, courage, hope, and love. Too bad they couldn't clone Mother Shona and send a copy to all the cloisters, but then Drew might not have been forced to accept reality. I'm so glad this story was written because I've been wondering about Carr ever since he was introduced. And now I can't wait to see what Jayne Castel writes next.

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

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

The final story. Drew MacKinnon didn’t have any purpose anymore now that her half-brother and his wife were in charge of the MacKinnon territory. She decides to become a nun at the same prior as her mother. And Broderick is charged with getting her there safely. The closer she gets to their destination, the more she dreads her decision. But she has no choice. Or does she? She wants to live just a little and asks Broderick to do something that will change their lives. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the series and concludes the story of Lady Drew McKinnon and Carr Broderick. These were two really interesting characters who had been in many of the previous stories. Drew was a hard character to like in the earlier books but it became clear she had a difficult life and dreadful childhood. This book kept the suspense high and I wondered if she would finally make the right decision. Loved the ending. Overall a fabulous series from start to finish.

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

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this well written story with widowed Lady Drew when she feels that she no longer has a place in Dunan Castle and decides to become a nun like her mother. Her guard Carr has been in love with her for years but they can never have a relationship as he is a lowly guard and has no land. When he escorts her to the Abby she ask him for just one night together because she will again have that experience again and it turns out to be everything she never expected. Can Carr convince her to run away with him?

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Drew MacKinnon has never known what it is to be loved for herself or to be respected. That is, until she meets Carr Broderick, her cruel brother Duncan's guard, who has served him loyally for years. He has been in love with Lady Drew for many years, but doesn't tell her until she leaves to join a priory. Can Drew resist a claiming so strong that it involves Carr's whole heart?
I loved this book! It is a very beautiful love story, which is unforgettable.

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