What do you think?
Rate this book
Taming a Highland Brute
A deal is a deal, and yet desire is bound to break it…Violet Salisbury is officially a spinster; her broken heart never allowed her to move on. But the decision about her future has been as a last resort, her brother offers her hand to one of his old friends, a Scottish widower with a heart as cold as ice.Losing his wife and son to a deadly illness, Bryan Grant of Strathspey has forgotten what love means. Now, his only dream is to produce an heir to secure his bloodline. Even if that means accepting the hand of an English woman he barely even knows.
The initial contempt and disinterest in each other bring out their truest and most vulnerable selves. And a marriage of convenience will soon turn out to be a deal of desire. But how can two broken hearts find a way to let love in again?
Fighting their inner demons while protecting each other will be a dangerous mission. Especially when Bryan's right-hand man proves to be the one who tore Violet's heart to pieces…
He wanted to use her; she trapped him in her heart instead…
"Taming a Highland Brute" is a Historical Scottish romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. *If you like brawny Highland warriors with a soft heart, and steamy romantic stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands, then Taming a Highland Brute is the perfect novel for you.
The initial contempt and disinterest in each other bring out their truest and most vulnerable selves. And a marriage of convenience will soon turn out to be a deal of desire. But how can two broken hearts find a way to let love in again?
Fighting their inner demons while protecting each other will be a dangerous mission. Especially when Bryan's right-hand man proves to be the one who tore Violet's heart to pieces…
He wanted to use her; she trapped him in her heart instead…
"Taming a Highland Brute" is a Historical Scottish romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. *If you like brawny Highland warriors with a soft heart, and steamy romantic stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands, then Taming a Highland Brute is the perfect novel for you.
- GenresHistorical Romance
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2021
214 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Shona Thompson
78 books66 followersShona Thompson is an American based author of Historical Scottish Romance. She spent her student years in the majestic city of Edinburgh, where she fell in love with the history, the legends and the people of Scotland.
Her own Highlander husband was the one who inspired her and awoke her passion for writing. He became her muse, and all her love stories are dedicated to him.
Shona is always happy to communicate with her readers. Subscribe to her newsletter to stay up to date with her newest releases and win little treats.
Her own Highlander husband was the one who inspired her and awoke her passion for writing. He became her muse, and all her love stories are dedicated to him.
Shona is always happy to communicate with her readers. Subscribe to her newsletter to stay up to date with her newest releases and win little treats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Want to read
October 1, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/6/2021)! 🎁
June 11, 2021
This book is amazing and I loved it! Another masterpiece by Shona, the story of Violet and Bryan is one of lost love, treachery, and finding love again. They meet when Bryan and his men save her brother, Oliver, from a beating. While Bryan is staying with the siblings, Oliver comes up with the idea that the two marry. Violet needs a husband to care for her should something happen to Oliver and Bryan needs an heir since his first wife and true love passed five years ago. It is a tense arrangement but the two will marry and head back to Scotland. It is then that the trouble truly begins. Another clan is planning war and it will be some time before the truth comes to light. The man who caused Violet’s heartbreak shows up at Bryan’s home and he will continue to torment her when Bryan is not around. When war breaks out between the two clans, Bryan will go to fight and it will leave Violet worried. But there is treachery afoot and it will come from an unlikely source. Things go from bad to worse when Violet is kidnapped and Bryan will arrive in time to save her. This will allow them to move forward towards their happily ever after and the man responsible for the war between the clans will pay for his crimes.
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
June 12, 2021
A Spinster!
Violet is a spinster by her own design. She was once in love with a man who dropped her when her parents died and married a "richer" young woman less than a month later.
Bryan is a Highlander who had been very happily married with a young son. His wife and son had both died and left him with a broken heart. Bryan had become a friend of Violet's brother, Oliver.
Oliver had two bad habits; drinking and gambling. He knew that his lifestyle may get him killed but what he worried about was what might happen to his sister. He wanted to get her married off so that she would have a man to protect her if something did happen to him.
Oliver asks Bryan to marry his sister but Bryan tells him that the only reason he would want a wife is because he needs an heir. He could never love another woman!! Oliver is desperate!! Bryan finally agrees.
When Violet is told that she is to be married she doesn't take it well. She tries any trick she can think of to delay the inevitable !! They argue, Bryan tries to make it easier for her by saying that once he has an heir, VIOLET CAN LEAVE AND GO WHEREVER SHE WANTS! That did not make her happy either....
Wonder why??? Violet ends up being locked in her room, for trying to run away, until they are actually wed. Quite A beginning!!
Throw in a little fun, excitement, surprise, adventure and romance and you have a very interesting story.
Violet is a spinster by her own design. She was once in love with a man who dropped her when her parents died and married a "richer" young woman less than a month later.
Bryan is a Highlander who had been very happily married with a young son. His wife and son had both died and left him with a broken heart. Bryan had become a friend of Violet's brother, Oliver.
Oliver had two bad habits; drinking and gambling. He knew that his lifestyle may get him killed but what he worried about was what might happen to his sister. He wanted to get her married off so that she would have a man to protect her if something did happen to him.
Oliver asks Bryan to marry his sister but Bryan tells him that the only reason he would want a wife is because he needs an heir. He could never love another woman!! Oliver is desperate!! Bryan finally agrees.
When Violet is told that she is to be married she doesn't take it well. She tries any trick she can think of to delay the inevitable !! They argue, Bryan tries to make it easier for her by saying that once he has an heir, VIOLET CAN LEAVE AND GO WHEREVER SHE WANTS! That did not make her happy either....
Wonder why??? Violet ends up being locked in her room, for trying to run away, until they are actually wed. Quite A beginning!!
Throw in a little fun, excitement, surprise, adventure and romance and you have a very interesting story.
Want to read
October 24, 2021A deal is a deal, and yet desire is bound to break it…
Violet Salisbury is officially a spinster; her broken heart never allowed her to move on. But the decision about her future has been made: as a last resort, her brother offers her hand to one of his old friends, a Scottish widower with a heart as cold as ice.
Losing his wife and son to a deadly illness, Bryan Grant of Strathspey has forgotten what love means. Now, his only dream is to produce an heir to secure his bloodline. Even if that means accepting the hand of an English woman he barely even knows.
The initial contempt and disinterest in each other bring out their truest and most vulnerable selves. And a marriage of convenience will soon turn out to be a deal of desire. But how can two broken hearts find a way to let love in again?
Fighting their inner demons while protecting each other will be a dangerous mission. Especially when Bryan's right-hand man proves to be the one who tore Violet's heart to pieces…
He wanted to use her; she trapped him in her heart instead…
"Taming a Highland Brute" is a Historical Scottish romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. *If you like brawny Highland warriors with a soft heart, and steamy romantic stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands, then Taming a Highland Brute is the perfect novel for you.
Violet Salisbury is officially a spinster; her broken heart never allowed her to move on. But the decision about her future has been made: as a last resort, her brother offers her hand to one of his old friends, a Scottish widower with a heart as cold as ice.
Losing his wife and son to a deadly illness, Bryan Grant of Strathspey has forgotten what love means. Now, his only dream is to produce an heir to secure his bloodline. Even if that means accepting the hand of an English woman he barely even knows.
The initial contempt and disinterest in each other bring out their truest and most vulnerable selves. And a marriage of convenience will soon turn out to be a deal of desire. But how can two broken hearts find a way to let love in again?
Fighting their inner demons while protecting each other will be a dangerous mission. Especially when Bryan's right-hand man proves to be the one who tore Violet's heart to pieces…
He wanted to use her; she trapped him in her heart instead…
"Taming a Highland Brute" is a Historical Scottish romance novel of more than 80,000 words (around 440 pages). STANDALONE, No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. *If you like brawny Highland warriors with a soft heart, and steamy romantic stories depicting the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands, then Taming a Highland Brute is the perfect novel for you.
June 9, 2021
Emotional and Captivating:
An unwanted marriage for both Bryan and Violet had to take place. He needs and heir and she needs a safe home. Their off to a rough start but there is a hint of attraction that neither wants to admit.
From there the story gets quite tense and chaotic.
It doesn't take long for the romantic feelings grow very strong.
There are several scenes of intimate behaviors that make this a very sizzling read.
Many surprises, danger, battles, betrayals, passion and more.
The ending is quite endearing and just plain touching.
I enjoyed the tricky brother. He had me fooled.
A wonderful story and interesting characters with a twisting plot.
Mature reader:
Heat level: 3.5 out of 5
An unwanted marriage for both Bryan and Violet had to take place. He needs and heir and she needs a safe home. Their off to a rough start but there is a hint of attraction that neither wants to admit.
From there the story gets quite tense and chaotic.
It doesn't take long for the romantic feelings grow very strong.
There are several scenes of intimate behaviors that make this a very sizzling read.
Many surprises, danger, battles, betrayals, passion and more.
The ending is quite endearing and just plain touching.
I enjoyed the tricky brother. He had me fooled.
A wonderful story and interesting characters with a twisting plot.
Mature reader:
Heat level: 3.5 out of 5
July 9, 2021
Complex and filled with adventure
Violet is someone that needs time to get attached to: she is stubborn, wants to do things her way, being incredibly rude and putting herself in danger without knowing it. Bryan starts about the same, although he demonstrates more tenderness at first before becoming a time bomb waiting to explode. They will go through many hardships before finding their HEA. I really enjoyed the way the story evolved, the plot twists and how the villain meets his much deserved punishment. A very nice story!
Violet is someone that needs time to get attached to: she is stubborn, wants to do things her way, being incredibly rude and putting herself in danger without knowing it. Bryan starts about the same, although he demonstrates more tenderness at first before becoming a time bomb waiting to explode. They will go through many hardships before finding their HEA. I really enjoyed the way the story evolved, the plot twists and how the villain meets his much deserved punishment. A very nice story!
October 31, 2021
A warrior and a gentleman
Spinster, Violet, nursed a broken heart for a decade. Oliver, her older brother, took on the roll of a gentleman with somewhat dissolute habits even though he was honest in business dealings. Here bereaved widower, Bryan, enters the picture as a prospect to enter into a marriage of convenience with Violet. The emotional storm brews. Will Violet Escape an unwanted union? Why does Bryan continue to remain in the contract? Who is the cad seeking to destroy Violet's marriage and reputation? This read contained some expected and unexpected elements.
Spinster, Violet, nursed a broken heart for a decade. Oliver, her older brother, took on the roll of a gentleman with somewhat dissolute habits even though he was honest in business dealings. Here bereaved widower, Bryan, enters the picture as a prospect to enter into a marriage of convenience with Violet. The emotional storm brews. Will Violet Escape an unwanted union? Why does Bryan continue to remain in the contract? Who is the cad seeking to destroy Violet's marriage and reputation? This read contained some expected and unexpected elements.
August 25, 2023
Love and loss.
Good book. Violet was heartbroken 10 years ago when she was dumped by her betrothed and he wed another that same month. Since then she swore to never love or marry. Then her brother arranged a marriage of convenience for her with a Highlander general, Bryan, to keep her safe. Bryan also swore to never love or marry again but he needs an heir. Violet fought it the whole way but soon realized she was wrong. Great characters, evil villains, sweet story of love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance in the midst of an evil villain from the past.
Good book. Violet was heartbroken 10 years ago when she was dumped by her betrothed and he wed another that same month. Since then she swore to never love or marry. Then her brother arranged a marriage of convenience for her with a Highlander general, Bryan, to keep her safe. Bryan also swore to never love or marry again but he needs an heir. Violet fought it the whole way but soon realized she was wrong. Great characters, evil villains, sweet story of love, loss, forgiveness, acceptance in the midst of an evil villain from the past.
November 9, 2021
Acceptable - RECOMMEND
This is a nice story that is not very deep but does the job. Not very deep is that it will not move you and if it evokes any real feeling it’s very surface. The author does commit the crime of word vomit and spends unnecessary time on topics/subject/storylines that have no bearing on the romance and/or it is over explained. I wish she would have spent more time on developing the enemies to lovers theme.
SEX SCENES - Yes
This is a nice story that is not very deep but does the job. Not very deep is that it will not move you and if it evokes any real feeling it’s very surface. The author does commit the crime of word vomit and spends unnecessary time on topics/subject/storylines that have no bearing on the romance and/or it is over explained. I wish she would have spent more time on developing the enemies to lovers theme.
SEX SCENES - Yes
June 9, 2021
A story filled with anger, suspense, plot twists and well described characters. Violet is a spinster, deciding to never marry. Bryan is from the Highlands and has also decided to never marry or love again after the loss of his wife and child. Violet’s brother has decided it’s time for her to leave the comfort of her home. That’s when the fireworks start.
June 12, 2021
Such a Wonderful Wonderful Story!
I’m so happy the book ended so greatly. I just loved this storyline and loved the characters. Also so happy Iaasic got his comeuppance!! Also happy that Oliver succeeded in getting the old man!! Thank you Shona for writing such a fantastic book!! Can’t wait to read your next book. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜😊😊😊😊😊💜💜💜💜💜
I’m so happy the book ended so greatly. I just loved this storyline and loved the characters. Also so happy Iaasic got his comeuppance!! Also happy that Oliver succeeded in getting the old man!! Thank you Shona for writing such a fantastic book!! Can’t wait to read your next book. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜😊😊😊😊😊💜💜💜💜💜
July 21, 2021
Pure love
The author hooked me from the beginning all the way through the book. Sometimes a book is so dull building things up you want to give the book up. This book is about a love story between a man and a woman but it is also love between family members. There are enemies, betrayal, war..... enjoyed reading.
The author hooked me from the beginning all the way through the book. Sometimes a book is so dull building things up you want to give the book up. This book is about a love story between a man and a woman but it is also love between family members. There are enemies, betrayal, war..... enjoyed reading.
December 21, 2021
Shona is a great storyteller and I really enjoyed this book. There was sadness, happiness and a lot of things in between. I thought the little bit of a battle was good because we’re talking about the Highlands anyway, made it very believable. I really like the characters dedication to make things work and of course fall in love!! I would recommend this book.
October 7, 2024
I really liked Violet and I really liked Brian. I enjoyed the story but I HATE the title of this book!!! Brian was not a brute… at all. And Violet didn’t tame him! She was herself and he was himself and they came together after a ton of misunderstandings and it was great. The title of this book has nothing to do with the story.
June 12, 2021
Taming a Highland Brute
Amazing story about a brother that had to get his inheritance back in order.With his sisters help.The storyline got better with every chapter.And the Extended Epilogue was the best Fantastic and the best I have read in a while.
Amazing story about a brother that had to get his inheritance back in order.With his sisters help.The storyline got better with every chapter.And the Extended Epilogue was the best Fantastic and the best I have read in a while.
June 14, 2021
Great story
Another well written story by Shona. This one is full of action and adventure from the start. Violet just wants to be a spinster after losing the man she thought she loved but is forced into marriage by her brother. Can't wait to read about Oliver.
Another well written story by Shona. This one is full of action and adventure from the start. Violet just wants to be a spinster after losing the man she thought she loved but is forced into marriage by her brother. Can't wait to read about Oliver.
June 15, 2021
Great, great story!
I loved the way Bryan took Violet for marriage, even though he said never to marry for love, only to get an heir. He also did it for his friends sake. Violet also didn’t want to marry. It goes to show us that love moves in mysterious ways.
I loved the way Bryan took Violet for marriage, even though he said never to marry for love, only to get an heir. He also did it for his friends sake. Violet also didn’t want to marry. It goes to show us that love moves in mysterious ways.
June 20, 2021
Excellent read.
This story is wonderfully written. It grabs you right from the start! I couldn't read fast enough to find out how these two would end up in love. The mystery of her broken heart was intriguing. Really good characters.
This story is wonderfully written. It grabs you right from the start! I couldn't read fast enough to find out how these two would end up in love. The mystery of her broken heart was intriguing. Really good characters.
March 8, 2022
Taming a Highland Brute
I enjoyed this story Violet got on my nerves a bit at first all that sobbing but she came around and turned out to be really nice and I absolutely loved Bryan and the extended epilogue was good letting you know what happened to her brother.
I enjoyed this story Violet got on my nerves a bit at first all that sobbing but she came around and turned out to be really nice and I absolutely loved Bryan and the extended epilogue was good letting you know what happened to her brother.
August 12, 2022
Bryan and Violet
Enjoyed reading the story of Bryan the Scottish Highlander and Violet the English lass. Brought together by her brother to keep her safe. They found an everlasting love and happiness that both of them wanted in each other.
Enjoyed reading the story of Bryan the Scottish Highlander and Violet the English lass. Brought together by her brother to keep her safe. They found an everlasting love and happiness that both of them wanted in each other.
May 28, 2023
Violet is a spinster living in her brother's house. Spinster at twenty six. Bryan is a Highlander doing business with her brother. Violet agrees to marry Bryan to keep her safe from people hounding her brother for debts. After marriage, she's kidnapped.
June 20, 2021
Highly recommend
A plot to keep you entranced, characters that you keep rooting off and best of all, it’s a book about a Highlander. What’s not to live?
A plot to keep you entranced, characters that you keep rooting off and best of all, it’s a book about a Highlander. What’s not to live?
October 29, 2021
Highland brute
Exciting very little of the repeating of a story line that often happens just moved forward with the story. Enjoyable highly recommended
Exciting very little of the repeating of a story line that often happens just moved forward with the story. Enjoyable highly recommended
October 29, 2021
cross between a regency romance and a medieval Scottish romance. Last third of the book is a thoroughly predictable escapade. Several explicit scenes,
July 8, 2022
mesmerizing
I actually cried several times throughout this story… sometimes in anguish… sometimes in joy… loved this book. Twists and turns and steamy romance.
I actually cried several times throughout this story… sometimes in anguish… sometimes in joy… loved this book. Twists and turns and steamy romance.
February 12, 2023
Ok
Not bad.good story line.awesome characters a good read. Keep up the great work. Everyone should read this book. Thanks for letting me read it.
Not bad.good story line.awesome characters a good read. Keep up the great work. Everyone should read this book. Thanks for letting me read it.
October 1, 2024
Too much telling, some of them are just big blocks of text that are too tiring to read
August 22, 2025
Getting over grief and hurt
Great story of getting over past grief and hurt from a relationship. The past comes up haunt and a battle to come. Excellent book. Love all Shown books
Great story of getting over past grief and hurt from a relationship. The past comes up haunt and a battle to come. Excellent book. Love all Shown books
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews