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Rogues Redeemed #6
Stăpânul inimii mele
După moartea logodnicei sale, Kai Ramsay pleacă din Scoția îndeplinindu-și visul de a cutreiera lumea pentru a studia ruine antice și a colecționa antichități valoroase. Astfel, vreme de mulți ani, Ramsay trăiește la limita pericolului, dar totul se schimbă în ziua în care o scrisoare sosită din îndepărtatele insule ale Scoției îl anunță că peregrinările lui trebuie să ia sfârșit.
Signy Matheson și-a dedicat toată viața oamenilor din arhipelagul Thorsay din Scoția. Cu un spirit aprig și o minte ageră, ea este mâna dreaptă a bătrânului stăpân al domeniului. Dar acum bărbatul e pe moarte, iar Signy decide să-l cheme pe cel îndreptățit să devină moștenitor.
Când Ramsay ajunge în Thorsay, este șocat să vadă că Signy a devenit o frumusețe ispititoare cu o mână de fier. Ba chiar este încântat să petreacă mai mult timp împreună cu ea pentru a învăța care îi sunt responsabilitățile de nou stăpân al domeniului. Deși trecutul înnegurat le tulbură dorința nerostită ce se naște între ei, o furtună ce se abate asupra insulei aprinde pasiunea, și astfel ajung să își mărturisească sentimentele. Dar, când Ramsay și Signy descoperă niște ruine antice în Thorsay, un pericol neașteptat pândește din umbră și amenință să schimbe totul.
Signy Matheson și-a dedicat toată viața oamenilor din arhipelagul Thorsay din Scoția. Cu un spirit aprig și o minte ageră, ea este mâna dreaptă a bătrânului stăpân al domeniului. Dar acum bărbatul e pe moarte, iar Signy decide să-l cheme pe cel îndreptățit să devină moștenitor.
Când Ramsay ajunge în Thorsay, este șocat să vadă că Signy a devenit o frumusețe ispititoare cu o mână de fier. Ba chiar este încântat să petreacă mai mult timp împreună cu ea pentru a învăța care îi sunt responsabilitățile de nou stăpân al domeniului. Deși trecutul înnegurat le tulbură dorința nerostită ce se naște între ei, o furtună ce se abate asupra insulei aprinde pasiunea, și astfel ajung să își mărturisească sentimentele. Dar, când Ramsay și Signy descoperă niște ruine antice în Thorsay, un pericol neașteptat pândește din umbră și amenință să schimbe totul.
302 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 27, 2021
305 people are currently reading
4106 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jo Putney
167 books2,262 followersShe writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.
While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.
Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.
A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.
Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.
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July 23, 2021
Once a Laird is a romantic and exciting addition to the Rogues Redeemed series. After twelve years away, Kai Ramsay returns to Scotland’s Thorsay Islands to take on the role of laird. There he reconnects with Signy Matheson, the younger sister of the young woman he was once engaged to. Signy has spent the years dedicated to helping the laird and the people of Thorsay, but she is excited to leave and pursue her dream of painting. However, upon Ramsay’s return, she commits to helping him transition into his new role. As they begin to work together, dangerous weather, financial troubles, and their developing feelings for each other cause unexpected complications. Can Ramsay and Signy work together to solve the problems that weigh over Thorsay Islands? Will they give in to their feelings and take a chance on love?
Signy and Ramsay are great protagonists, both honorable, admirable, and intelligent. They have a strong connection to their home and each other, and their shared losses draw them even closer. Since they haven’t seen each other in a dozen years, both have grown and changed. However, their core beliefs and good intentions remain the same, and as they become reacquainted with each other, their connection deepens. Childhood friends, their relationship is built on admiration and respect, and I love how they slowly grow into something more. They have a long and complex history, which gives way to a deep and beautiful love story. Ramsay and Signy are alike in their desires, morals, and more, and they fit together well. And I love Ramsay’s feelings toward Signy! He is so impressed by her, and he values her strength, intellect, and sincerity. He often compares her to a goddess and seems quite awe-inspired by her, which is lovely.
Ramsay is not thrilled about returning home to take on the role of laird. His dreams and ambitions do not include remaining on the islands forever. However, much like Signy, he puts his own wants on hold to do what is right by his family and people. Ramsay has an adventurous and sometimes dangerous life that takes him all over the world, and he is unhappy with the idea of being stagnant. Signy, in turn., longs for the freedom to travel and experience the world. She wants to explore and go on grand adventures while honing her craft as an artist. I love that both characters learn that their dreams and their duties don’t have to be separate things. They can be responsible and dedicated to Thorsay while still achieving their goals.
Thorsay is a beautiful backdrop for the story. Putney creates such a vivid setting, which is shown as Ramsay visits all the places he hasn’t seen in years. Terrible storms have changed his childhood home and continue to wreak havoc and endanger the lives of its inhabitants. The harsh weather also reveals the profound and fascinating history of the islands, much to the delight of Ramsay. I love the descriptions of the island, the mix of Viking and Scottish history, and the wonderful people who live there. The imagery adds so much to the story and makes it easy to see why Ramsay and Signy are so attached to the land.
I also need to mention two other fabulous characters in the novel – Fiona and Odin! Fiona, Signy’s loyal and intelligent dog, is a life-saver in more ways than one. Odin, the one-eyed cat who belonged to Ramsay’s grandfather, is equally unique and entertaining. Both add so much to the story, have dynamic personalities, and act as strong symbols in the story. These, as well as other symbols, enhance the character development and strong messages of forgiveness, love, and starting over throughout the novel.
This is a slow-building, slow-burning, historical romance and wonderful ending to the Rogues Redeemed series, though the introduction of some new and intriguing characters opens up the potential for further books or a spin-off series. Like the other books in the series, this one can easily be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Mary Jo Putney, and Kensington Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Signy and Ramsay are great protagonists, both honorable, admirable, and intelligent. They have a strong connection to their home and each other, and their shared losses draw them even closer. Since they haven’t seen each other in a dozen years, both have grown and changed. However, their core beliefs and good intentions remain the same, and as they become reacquainted with each other, their connection deepens. Childhood friends, their relationship is built on admiration and respect, and I love how they slowly grow into something more. They have a long and complex history, which gives way to a deep and beautiful love story. Ramsay and Signy are alike in their desires, morals, and more, and they fit together well. And I love Ramsay’s feelings toward Signy! He is so impressed by her, and he values her strength, intellect, and sincerity. He often compares her to a goddess and seems quite awe-inspired by her, which is lovely.
Ramsay is not thrilled about returning home to take on the role of laird. His dreams and ambitions do not include remaining on the islands forever. However, much like Signy, he puts his own wants on hold to do what is right by his family and people. Ramsay has an adventurous and sometimes dangerous life that takes him all over the world, and he is unhappy with the idea of being stagnant. Signy, in turn., longs for the freedom to travel and experience the world. She wants to explore and go on grand adventures while honing her craft as an artist. I love that both characters learn that their dreams and their duties don’t have to be separate things. They can be responsible and dedicated to Thorsay while still achieving their goals.
Thorsay is a beautiful backdrop for the story. Putney creates such a vivid setting, which is shown as Ramsay visits all the places he hasn’t seen in years. Terrible storms have changed his childhood home and continue to wreak havoc and endanger the lives of its inhabitants. The harsh weather also reveals the profound and fascinating history of the islands, much to the delight of Ramsay. I love the descriptions of the island, the mix of Viking and Scottish history, and the wonderful people who live there. The imagery adds so much to the story and makes it easy to see why Ramsay and Signy are so attached to the land.
I also need to mention two other fabulous characters in the novel – Fiona and Odin! Fiona, Signy’s loyal and intelligent dog, is a life-saver in more ways than one. Odin, the one-eyed cat who belonged to Ramsay’s grandfather, is equally unique and entertaining. Both add so much to the story, have dynamic personalities, and act as strong symbols in the story. These, as well as other symbols, enhance the character development and strong messages of forgiveness, love, and starting over throughout the novel.
This is a slow-building, slow-burning, historical romance and wonderful ending to the Rogues Redeemed series, though the introduction of some new and intriguing characters opens up the potential for further books or a spin-off series. Like the other books in the series, this one can easily be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Mary Jo Putney, and Kensington Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
December 11, 2021
3.5 stars - rounding up because I rounded down on book 1
Mary Jo Putney is one of my favorite authors, and I was very excited to receive an advance review copy from Netgalley. I have read all five of the previous Rogues Redeemed series as well as the series before. They are all good, but this was not my favorite. I can't quite put my finger on why. If you have read and enjoyed the other stories, you will want to read this one also. If you have not read them, this can be read as a standalone; but my favorite was book 4.
Both the hero and the heroine were very likable. A jerk hero is the typical reason I may not love a book, so that wasn't it. The setting was both beautiful and unique.
I love the name Kai Ramsay. (My husband's name is Ki.) He was educated, experienced, wise, open-minded, and thought of women as equals. Signy Matheson was independent, very smart, personable, beautiful, and a talented artist. She was also the younger sister of Kai's dead fiance.
Somehow I felt the story was slow, yet some of the challenges were wrapped up too quickly. These two worked well together and were able to solve problems concisely. They openly talked through everything - no drama due to lack of communication. I appreciate all that, but it just didn't inspire me to keep reading. I pretty much read a chapter a day. The characters were comfortable, but the story wasn't overly compelling. This is a good option for a specific mood.
Mary Jo Putney is one of my favorite authors, and I was very excited to receive an advance review copy from Netgalley. I have read all five of the previous Rogues Redeemed series as well as the series before. They are all good, but this was not my favorite. I can't quite put my finger on why. If you have read and enjoyed the other stories, you will want to read this one also. If you have not read them, this can be read as a standalone; but my favorite was book 4.
Both the hero and the heroine were very likable. A jerk hero is the typical reason I may not love a book, so that wasn't it. The setting was both beautiful and unique.
I love the name Kai Ramsay. (My husband's name is Ki.) He was educated, experienced, wise, open-minded, and thought of women as equals. Signy Matheson was independent, very smart, personable, beautiful, and a talented artist. She was also the younger sister of Kai's dead fiance.
Somehow I felt the story was slow, yet some of the challenges were wrapped up too quickly. These two worked well together and were able to solve problems concisely. They openly talked through everything - no drama due to lack of communication. I appreciate all that, but it just didn't inspire me to keep reading. I pretty much read a chapter a day. The characters were comfortable, but the story wasn't overly compelling. This is a good option for a specific mood.
December 26, 2021
'He yearns to escape his past...
After the death of his fiancée, Kai Ramsey left Scotland to roam distant lands. He has searched ancient ruins, collected priceless antiquities, and escaped certain death after being imprisoned as a spy during the Napoleonic War. Ramsay has lived on the edge of danger for years—but everything changes the day a letter arrives for him from Scotland...
She’s determined to protect her future...
Signy Matheson has dedicated her life to the people of Scotland’s remote Thorsay Islands. With a fiery spirit and agile mind, she is a faithful ally to the aging laird. But now their leader is near death, and Signy must summon his successor at once. It’s time for Kai Ramsey to come home...
Together, they discover ancient treasures and disturbing attraction...
When Ramsay returns to Thorsay, he’s shocked to find that Signy has blossomed into an alluring beauty, and a force to be reckoned with. Their complicated past interferes with their unspoken desire as they work together for their people. Until a wild storm sparks first passion, then unexpected danger when a treasure trove left by their ancestors comes to light...'
________________________
Once a Laird is the sixth book in Mary Jo Putney’s Rogues Redeemed series and is a historical romance.
This is the first book in this series and by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it but didn’t feel very invested. I’m not sure if that’s maybe partially because I don’t have any prior investment in these characters from background information in the previous books in the series. I won’t rule out the possibility because it seemed fairly clear that the men Ramsay had been trapped with in that cellar had been significant to other books in the series.
It just sort of seemed to me that we were following Ramsay(and often Signy as well) as they traveled Thornsay without much really happening to drive the plot forward. I thought this book could have easily been quite a bit shorter and still gotten the same amount of story across.
My big complaint is with the missed shot. Honestly this plot point just felt like a massive waste of time and words.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would read more by this author, I’m not sure yet if I plan to read more from this series though.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Mary Jo Putney for sharing an eARC of Once a Laird with me. This is my honest review.
After the death of his fiancée, Kai Ramsey left Scotland to roam distant lands. He has searched ancient ruins, collected priceless antiquities, and escaped certain death after being imprisoned as a spy during the Napoleonic War. Ramsay has lived on the edge of danger for years—but everything changes the day a letter arrives for him from Scotland...
She’s determined to protect her future...
Signy Matheson has dedicated her life to the people of Scotland’s remote Thorsay Islands. With a fiery spirit and agile mind, she is a faithful ally to the aging laird. But now their leader is near death, and Signy must summon his successor at once. It’s time for Kai Ramsey to come home...
Together, they discover ancient treasures and disturbing attraction...
When Ramsay returns to Thorsay, he’s shocked to find that Signy has blossomed into an alluring beauty, and a force to be reckoned with. Their complicated past interferes with their unspoken desire as they work together for their people. Until a wild storm sparks first passion, then unexpected danger when a treasure trove left by their ancestors comes to light...'
________________________
Once a Laird is the sixth book in Mary Jo Putney’s Rogues Redeemed series and is a historical romance.
This is the first book in this series and by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it but didn’t feel very invested. I’m not sure if that’s maybe partially because I don’t have any prior investment in these characters from background information in the previous books in the series. I won’t rule out the possibility because it seemed fairly clear that the men Ramsay had been trapped with in that cellar had been significant to other books in the series.
It just sort of seemed to me that we were following Ramsay(and often Signy as well) as they traveled Thornsay without much really happening to drive the plot forward. I thought this book could have easily been quite a bit shorter and still gotten the same amount of story across.
My big complaint is with the missed shot. Honestly this plot point just felt like a massive waste of time and words.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would read more by this author, I’m not sure yet if I plan to read more from this series though.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Mary Jo Putney for sharing an eARC of Once a Laird with me. This is my honest review.
October 19, 2021
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Rogues Redeemed #6
Publication Date: 10/26/21 – Kensington Publishing
Period: Georgian/Regency
Number of Pages: 368
This delightfully told tale quickly ensnared me with the wonderful characters and the vivid descriptions of life in the northern islands of Scotland. You quickly come to understand that life on those islands is never easy, but it gets in the blood of the inhabitants and they can never truly leave it behind.
Kai Douglas Ramsey was born with a wandering soul. He always longed to explore the world and investigate its antiquities. When his fiancé, Gisela, died while he was away at university, he just didn’t return home. Luckily, his grandfather, the laird, understood his needs and allowed him that freedom of travel. He served his country, of course, and helped defeat Napoleon – and still undertakes a few clandestine missions for the crown. He always knew he’d have to return home, and he always intended to do just that, but not yet – because that would mean his grandfather was ill and Ramsey would have to take on the role of laird to his clan. That word finds him in Constantinople, and he quickly resigns his position and heads home – praying the entire time that he will arrive in time to say goodbye to his grandfather.
Signy Matheson, younger sister to Gisela, was a gangly young woman when Ramsey left nearly twelve years ago. She certainly isn’t that young woman anymore. Now, she’s tall, beautiful, and blessed with all the womanly curves a man dreams of – and she looks at him with total disdain and loathing. What happened? Why does she loathe him? They were friends when he left.
After the death of her sister left Signy totally without family, the old laird took her in, and in return for that, she became his right hand. That has been especially true over the last couple of years since his health started to decline. Now, she knows enough and could easily take on the role of laird herself – except she wouldn’t want to do so. Her dream is to travel and to study under a gifted painter. She’ll definitely do those things after the old laird dies and his grandson returns.
This is a delightfully entertaining, straightforward romance. The main characters are both mature enough to know that they should not jump straight into a marriage or love relationship. Ramsey knows he has a lot to learn from Signy since he wasn’t there for tutelage under his grandfather’s hand. This isn’t any great angsty tale filled with navel-gazing and negative internal thoughts. It is two people growing to love each other and learning to overcome the grief each of them feels for the losses in their lives. There are no exciting cross-country chases, no intense stress, etc. There is a villain, but our intrepid duo takes whatever steps they can to deal with him, but if he wins, they are prepared for that as well.
There is a lovely epilogue where the ‘Rogues’ (and their lovely wives) show up on the island and I loved seeing them and their comradery again. The author's notes are wonderful, be sure to read them! I also loved meeting Ramsey’s friend, Broc MacKenzie, and I hope there is a budding romance between him and the artist, Sophie MacLeod. Maybe we will be treated to that story in the near future. I’d also like to see what happens with Ramsey’s cousins Axel and Anabel. However, since none of those are part of the original ‘Rogues’ story, maybe there will be a spin-off series featuring those lovely, lovely islands that the author described so well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Rogues Redeemed #6
Publication Date: 10/26/21 – Kensington Publishing
Period: Georgian/Regency
Number of Pages: 368
This delightfully told tale quickly ensnared me with the wonderful characters and the vivid descriptions of life in the northern islands of Scotland. You quickly come to understand that life on those islands is never easy, but it gets in the blood of the inhabitants and they can never truly leave it behind.
Kai Douglas Ramsey was born with a wandering soul. He always longed to explore the world and investigate its antiquities. When his fiancé, Gisela, died while he was away at university, he just didn’t return home. Luckily, his grandfather, the laird, understood his needs and allowed him that freedom of travel. He served his country, of course, and helped defeat Napoleon – and still undertakes a few clandestine missions for the crown. He always knew he’d have to return home, and he always intended to do just that, but not yet – because that would mean his grandfather was ill and Ramsey would have to take on the role of laird to his clan. That word finds him in Constantinople, and he quickly resigns his position and heads home – praying the entire time that he will arrive in time to say goodbye to his grandfather.
Signy Matheson, younger sister to Gisela, was a gangly young woman when Ramsey left nearly twelve years ago. She certainly isn’t that young woman anymore. Now, she’s tall, beautiful, and blessed with all the womanly curves a man dreams of – and she looks at him with total disdain and loathing. What happened? Why does she loathe him? They were friends when he left.
After the death of her sister left Signy totally without family, the old laird took her in, and in return for that, she became his right hand. That has been especially true over the last couple of years since his health started to decline. Now, she knows enough and could easily take on the role of laird herself – except she wouldn’t want to do so. Her dream is to travel and to study under a gifted painter. She’ll definitely do those things after the old laird dies and his grandson returns.
This is a delightfully entertaining, straightforward romance. The main characters are both mature enough to know that they should not jump straight into a marriage or love relationship. Ramsey knows he has a lot to learn from Signy since he wasn’t there for tutelage under his grandfather’s hand. This isn’t any great angsty tale filled with navel-gazing and negative internal thoughts. It is two people growing to love each other and learning to overcome the grief each of them feels for the losses in their lives. There are no exciting cross-country chases, no intense stress, etc. There is a villain, but our intrepid duo takes whatever steps they can to deal with him, but if he wins, they are prepared for that as well.
There is a lovely epilogue where the ‘Rogues’ (and their lovely wives) show up on the island and I loved seeing them and their comradery again. The author's notes are wonderful, be sure to read them! I also loved meeting Ramsey’s friend, Broc MacKenzie, and I hope there is a budding romance between him and the artist, Sophie MacLeod. Maybe we will be treated to that story in the near future. I’d also like to see what happens with Ramsey’s cousins Axel and Anabel. However, since none of those are part of the original ‘Rogues’ story, maybe there will be a spin-off series featuring those lovely, lovely islands that the author described so well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2022
When he learned of his fiancée’s death, Kai Ramsey set out to roam in search of interesting archaeological sites rather than return home to the isle of Thorsay after completing his studies at the University of Edinburgh. He’s spent the past ten years as a scholar, antiquities collector, and sometimes spy, spending much of his time in Constantinople and even facing imprisonment a time or two. He’s enjoyed the danger and adventure of his life, but when he learns his grandfather, the old laird is dying, he immediately responds to the letter summoning him home, somewhat reluctantly returning to the island.
Signy Matheson has spent her life caring for the people of her remote island, working as the laird’s right hand. She’s strong and capable, and she knows the people well and that knowledge will be indispensable for Kai as he relearns his home and takes over the role of laird. Kai is shocked to find Signy has become a beautiful woman, but she’s resistant to his courtship even though the desire between them is clearly mutual. But with Kai’s persistence and their need to team up against forces working to their detriment, that spark between them is harder and harder to deny.
Though I haven’t read every single book in this series, I think this was a gratifying conclusion, having all the Rogues together at the end, even if that ending was slightly abrupt. I enjoyed this story well enough, but I have to say it was rather lacking in romance and that aspect definitely felt undeveloped, especially when compared to the rich detail and clear research behind the descriptions of archaeological finds and Signy and Kai’s travels around their fictional island. I was entertained by that description, and it made me long to visit the Scottish isles again, but I didn’t much care about Signy and Kai’s relationship. Her resistance to him went on for a long time and after a while, it just didn’t make sense. I also think I was a bit hung up on him having originally been with her sister and that just felt a bit icky, though thankfully enough time had passed to make it less so. This was definitely a slow burn with much more focus placed on the reasons Signy and Kai shouldn’t be together as well as on the adventure and tedium of him taking over the lairdship than on their romance. There was some intrigue introduced fairly on in the book that had me excited, but nothing ever really came of it, and I think that suspense angle could’ve been included a bit more, perhaps. Overall, this was a fine read with a likeable hero, a decent heroine, though she fell into the category of ‘the lady doth protest too much,’ and a nice reunion scene, but I’ll not likely reread this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and its audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Signy Matheson has spent her life caring for the people of her remote island, working as the laird’s right hand. She’s strong and capable, and she knows the people well and that knowledge will be indispensable for Kai as he relearns his home and takes over the role of laird. Kai is shocked to find Signy has become a beautiful woman, but she’s resistant to his courtship even though the desire between them is clearly mutual. But with Kai’s persistence and their need to team up against forces working to their detriment, that spark between them is harder and harder to deny.
Though I haven’t read every single book in this series, I think this was a gratifying conclusion, having all the Rogues together at the end, even if that ending was slightly abrupt. I enjoyed this story well enough, but I have to say it was rather lacking in romance and that aspect definitely felt undeveloped, especially when compared to the rich detail and clear research behind the descriptions of archaeological finds and Signy and Kai’s travels around their fictional island. I was entertained by that description, and it made me long to visit the Scottish isles again, but I didn’t much care about Signy and Kai’s relationship. Her resistance to him went on for a long time and after a while, it just didn’t make sense. I also think I was a bit hung up on him having originally been with her sister and that just felt a bit icky, though thankfully enough time had passed to make it less so. This was definitely a slow burn with much more focus placed on the reasons Signy and Kai shouldn’t be together as well as on the adventure and tedium of him taking over the lairdship than on their romance. There was some intrigue introduced fairly on in the book that had me excited, but nothing ever really came of it, and I think that suspense angle could’ve been included a bit more, perhaps. Overall, this was a fine read with a likeable hero, a decent heroine, though she fell into the category of ‘the lady doth protest too much,’ and a nice reunion scene, but I’ll not likely reread this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and its audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
October 26, 2021
Interesting plot vividly drawn.
Kai Douglas Ramsay left the remote Thorsay Islands in Scotland when his sweetheart died. His life was one of danger and adventure and a restless pursuit of antiquities. When the tale begins Kai is with the British Embassy in Constantinople acting as the Under Secretary for Special Projects. Read spy and problem solver!
Kai is one of five men held captive in a cellar in Portugal during the Napoleonic wars. They were to be executed by one a French colonel as spies. They managed to escape and made a pact to meet after the war. Their stories move forward and this is Kai’s.
Kai’s childhood friend and sister to his dead fiancé, Signy Matheson calls him back to the Islands, back home. His grandfather the Laird of Thorsay is dying. (BTW I’m inclined to think that how the fair Gisela died whilst true, was overacted.)
I must say I enjoyed Kai’s story. Putney’s prose had me visualising the landscape, the various Viking artefacts Kai and Signey uncovered. I swear I could smell the sea air. There’s lost treasure, looters, danger and love.
The flow between events was not as smooth as I’d hoped for but a captivating work despite this.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
Kai Douglas Ramsay left the remote Thorsay Islands in Scotland when his sweetheart died. His life was one of danger and adventure and a restless pursuit of antiquities. When the tale begins Kai is with the British Embassy in Constantinople acting as the Under Secretary for Special Projects. Read spy and problem solver!
Kai is one of five men held captive in a cellar in Portugal during the Napoleonic wars. They were to be executed by one a French colonel as spies. They managed to escape and made a pact to meet after the war. Their stories move forward and this is Kai’s.
Kai’s childhood friend and sister to his dead fiancé, Signy Matheson calls him back to the Islands, back home. His grandfather the Laird of Thorsay is dying. (BTW I’m inclined to think that how the fair Gisela died whilst true, was overacted.)
I must say I enjoyed Kai’s story. Putney’s prose had me visualising the landscape, the various Viking artefacts Kai and Signey uncovered. I swear I could smell the sea air. There’s lost treasure, looters, danger and love.
The flow between events was not as smooth as I’d hoped for but a captivating work despite this.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
May 24, 2021
A great addition to this series with a well-matched couple who seemed truly destined to be together. Loved the Scottish island setting and the way characters from previous books were brought into the story. Excellent!
May 28, 2021
Mary Jo Putney is a powerhouse in the world of historical fiction. Her Fallen Angel series earned a place on my keeper shelf years ago, as did the first half of her Lost Lords series. Around the last two or three books in that series, however, it's like she ran out of steam and hasn't quite been able to get chugging again. Once a Laird, sixth in the Rogues Redeemed series (which is a spinoff of the Lost Lords series), is no exception.
In this installment, the last of the five rogues who needed redeeming gets his turn. Called back from Constantinople to the Scottish island of Thorsay to take his place as laird, Ramsey is somewhat surprised to find himself happy to be home. Seeing his childhood friend Signy all grown up and goddess warrior princesslike probably has something to do with it, as does the opportunity to explore and discover the ruins and antiquities that abound on the island.
Signy, who had proved indispensable to the previous laird (Ramsey's grandfather) sets out to reteach Ramsey everything about the islands and their inhabitants. Wary at first (Signy more than Ramsey), the two eventually grow close. A few problems here and there introduce some conflict to the plot, but never does their relationship find itself in peril.
This is a cerebral book, driven by calm and matter-of-fact dialogue more than any kind of grand passion. I don't even think I'd describe it as a slow burn so much as a heating pad turned to a pleasantly warm, consistent setting. That said, I wasn't bored by the book. I liked both the characters immensely (Putney has a talent for writing strong and resilient heroines), and I found their story enjoyable to read...once. I also liked the cameos by the other redeemed rogues, though I do wish their stories had been more tightly interwoven.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
In this installment, the last of the five rogues who needed redeeming gets his turn. Called back from Constantinople to the Scottish island of Thorsay to take his place as laird, Ramsey is somewhat surprised to find himself happy to be home. Seeing his childhood friend Signy all grown up and goddess warrior princesslike probably has something to do with it, as does the opportunity to explore and discover the ruins and antiquities that abound on the island.
Signy, who had proved indispensable to the previous laird (Ramsey's grandfather) sets out to reteach Ramsey everything about the islands and their inhabitants. Wary at first (Signy more than Ramsey), the two eventually grow close. A few problems here and there introduce some conflict to the plot, but never does their relationship find itself in peril.
This is a cerebral book, driven by calm and matter-of-fact dialogue more than any kind of grand passion. I don't even think I'd describe it as a slow burn so much as a heating pad turned to a pleasantly warm, consistent setting. That said, I wasn't bored by the book. I liked both the characters immensely (Putney has a talent for writing strong and resilient heroines), and I found their story enjoyable to read...once. I also liked the cameos by the other redeemed rogues, though I do wish their stories had been more tightly interwoven.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!
October 26, 2021
2 stars
Once a Laird reads more like a textbook than a romance novel.
Utilizing a setting that is based on islands like Orkney and the Hebrides, Putney litters the book with descriptions of what life must be like for people living so far up north and the history that comes from such a place. I would not have minded this aspect of the book if Putney had balanced it with the central romance.
However, I felt like the romance was constantly kept on the back burner and utilized a lot of telling instead of showing it actually progressing. So much of the book is driven by action and we never really get to spend a lot of time in the characters' heads. Because of that, I never felt like there was any build. Romantic moments would occur between the characters and every single time, I would question how we got there because they frankly came out of nowhere.
I'm not sure if this book is typical of Mary Jo Putney's writing, but I'll have to dive a little deeper into her backlog before I determine once and for all whether this is an author that I would like to keep up with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Once a Laird reads more like a textbook than a romance novel.
Utilizing a setting that is based on islands like Orkney and the Hebrides, Putney litters the book with descriptions of what life must be like for people living so far up north and the history that comes from such a place. I would not have minded this aspect of the book if Putney had balanced it with the central romance.
However, I felt like the romance was constantly kept on the back burner and utilized a lot of telling instead of showing it actually progressing. So much of the book is driven by action and we never really get to spend a lot of time in the characters' heads. Because of that, I never felt like there was any build. Romantic moments would occur between the characters and every single time, I would question how we got there because they frankly came out of nowhere.
I'm not sure if this book is typical of Mary Jo Putney's writing, but I'll have to dive a little deeper into her backlog before I determine once and for all whether this is an author that I would like to keep up with.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
October 24, 2021
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
The first of this series that I’ve read, and of course the last in the Rogues Redeemed series.
It was so easy to get into, and understand.
It’s also made me want to read the others too.
Excellent writing and entertaining reading await you.
A Thorsay Laird returns home to a changing island he grew up on. His grandfather and childhood friend need him and his life must be put on hold or maybe alter for good, depending on his decisions.
Loved every page, I’m off to get the rest.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
The first of this series that I’ve read, and of course the last in the Rogues Redeemed series.
It was so easy to get into, and understand.
It’s also made me want to read the others too.
Excellent writing and entertaining reading await you.
A Thorsay Laird returns home to a changing island he grew up on. His grandfather and childhood friend need him and his life must be put on hold or maybe alter for good, depending on his decisions.
Loved every page, I’m off to get the rest.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
October 11, 2021
The setting of this book could have been magical but the author didn’t draw us in at all. The story took place on a remote island in Scotland but never once, did I feel like I was there experiencing the story.
The story was about a young man who is called home to become the Laird (of which clan or who… who knows) after his grandfather passes away. He finds love immediately and with the sister of his first, childhood love. The end.
Honestly, the book from start-to-finish was a huge letdown.
The story was about a young man who is called home to become the Laird (of which clan or who… who knows) after his grandfather passes away. He finds love immediately and with the sister of his first, childhood love. The end.
Honestly, the book from start-to-finish was a huge letdown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2021
After the death of his fiancée, Gisela, Kai Douglas Ramsey left Scotland to roam distant lands. He has searched ancient ruins, collected priceless antiquities, and escaped certain death after being imprisoned in Portugal as a spy during the Napoleonic War. Ramsay has lived on the edge of danger for years—but everything changes the day a letter arrives for him from Scotland asking him to return. Signy Matheson has dedicated her life to the people of Scotland’s remote Thorsay Islands. With a fiery spirit and agile mind, she is a faithful ally to the aging laird. But now their leader is near death, and Signy must summon his successor at once. When Ramsay returns to Thorsay, he’s shocked to find that Signy has blossomed into an alluring beauty, and a force to be reckoned with. Their complicated past interferes with their unspoken desire as they work together for their people.
The sixth book in the series & the final Redeemed Rogue to have his story. I loved both Kai & Signy, the chemistry between them sizzled, they complemented each other beautifully. I also loved the fictional island of Thorsay, the descriptions were so vivid. I was drawn into the book from the start & engrossed until the end & it was well into the night when I finished it. My only quibble was there was no epilogue, the final chapter did tie most things up but I love an epilogue, there was also at least a couple of secondary characters whose stories I’d love to read so maybe there will be a spin of series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The sixth book in the series & the final Redeemed Rogue to have his story. I loved both Kai & Signy, the chemistry between them sizzled, they complemented each other beautifully. I also loved the fictional island of Thorsay, the descriptions were so vivid. I was drawn into the book from the start & engrossed until the end & it was well into the night when I finished it. My only quibble was there was no epilogue, the final chapter did tie most things up but I love an epilogue, there was also at least a couple of secondary characters whose stories I’d love to read so maybe there will be a spin of series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 31, 2021
This was a delightful read in which we not only get strong and loveable characters, we also get the excitement of lost ancient treasures. I've always wondered what it would be like to discover items from the past, like Kai and Signy do:) I also loved the "Thorsay Islands" as the backdrop for the story.
Kai and Signy are so good together and I really appreciated the fact that there was no undue angst with their relationship, even though Kai use to be engaged to Signy's sister. As Kai tries to settle into being the new Laird, Signy is intent on the freedom to travel and spend more time on herself. Not everything works out as she planned but then, she hadn't planned on falling in love either:)
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Kai and Signy are so good together and I really appreciated the fact that there was no undue angst with their relationship, even though Kai use to be engaged to Signy's sister. As Kai tries to settle into being the new Laird, Signy is intent on the freedom to travel and spend more time on herself. Not everything works out as she planned but then, she hadn't planned on falling in love either:)
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 6, 2021
Returning home from years abroad working as a mixture of a spy/antiquarian, Kai Ramsey Is not quite ready to assume his position as Laird of Thorsay islands. But time waits for no man,. So ready or not, when his grandfather dies, Ramsey must assume the position anyways. To make matters more complicated, the old Laird’s assistant happens to be the sister of the woman that Ramsey had loved and lost years ago. When he left Thorsay, Signy had been no more than a young girl. Now she’s a woman. A woman who has the ability to cause Ramsay’s heart to race. But it seems like she doesn’t feel the same way.
Signy doesn’t know what she feels towards Ramsey. There’s anger there, to be sure. Anger over him not being there when her sister needed him most. Anger over his ability to travel and see the world while she’s stuck. Anger over him not being there to Help run the islands. So much anger. But there’s something else too. Something she can’t quite give voice to, but that draws her closer and closer to him.
Is the past going to stand in the way of Signy and Ramsey’s future? Or is there something even more malevolent on the horizon?
—
I have an interesting relationship with Mary Jo Puntney’s works. She’s one of those authors whose stories I’m either going to absolutely love and adore or I’m going to get really really frustrated with. And I never know which is going to be which.. The author has a writing style that I love and she creates very interesting characters who for the most part I really enjoy. But every so often she’ll create a scenario, or a character, or a plot point that just lands badly for me. And unfortunately that’s what happens in this book.
So this looks to be the conclusion of the Rogues Redeemed series, which is a spinoff series of her Lost Lords series. Thankfully, you don’t need to read the previous 12 or so books to understand this one, although it would help. That said, this book is the most standalone and features the least amount of characters from the previous books. Point of fact, the first mention of an importance of any of the previous characters in the books doesn’t come about until about the 75% mark. So if you’re looking to see your old favorites and interactions with previous characters, you’re going to have to wait a bit. I’ll be honest I haven’t read all of the Rogues Redeemed series, so I was confused coming into this book is just to Ramsey was. It’s not revealed until about 85% of the way through the book what his name was when he was part of the prisoners in that basement during the peninsular wars. I don’t know if it’s meant to be a surprise, or if it was just a slip. But I don’t feel comfortable revealing who he was because the reveal happened so late.
However as with all of Mary Jo Putney‘s works, there are often very difficult subjects and subject matters that are tackled in the text. And this book is no exception. I need to provide trigger warnings for the following: miscarriage, death in childbirth, parental death, guardian/parent death on the page, Animal injury, period. appropriate sexism, implied parental abuse, Implied parental sexual assault, period appropriate colonialism, and others I might be missing. Please use care when reading this book and make sure you’re in a good place before doing so.
I’m conflicted and frustrated with this book. There are parts of it that I really liked, like I liked parts of Ramsey learning how to be a good Laird. But at the same point I felt that the stakes were very very low and the big conflict and the sword of Damocles been hanging over Ramsey‘s head regarding his lairdship is solved in a manner that I found really unsatisfactory. It came out of nowhere narratively.. so while it made sense it wasn’t built up to appropriately, at least in my opinion. I also liked that Sydney had her own goals and drive. She wants to leave the island and study under a particular artist to learn to be a better painter. That’s a great goal my problem is that her character arc of wanting to leave the islands and pursue her own Destiny isn’t handled well. It would be a spoiler to get into it but I felt honestly angry and very let down by how her character arc is handled. It was frankly misogynistic and she lost all of her agency. Also this is once again a situation where the female character Hass to give up her hopes and dreams for love/the hero. It bothers me. It also bothers me how plot points were solved in someways way too quickly and then others seemingly forgotten until they were forcibly shoehorned back into the narrative. Also it was very clear who the villain was going to be and so there was no surprise and no tension. The book just really felt in a weird way super low stakes and anytime there was any hint of rising tension it got solved just way too quickly so the book felt one note in a weird way.
The writing style is still very good. And very readable if you like Putney‘s other work, which I do. It’s pretty clear that she’s setting up a new series probably centered around these islands which are based off of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Thankfully they are fictional which means that you aren’t getting into some of the weirdness with it. And the reality of what it was like to be An archaeologist/antiquarian in that time period is fairly accurate. While it might feel anachronistic that the amount of care that Ramsey shows to the dig sites, there were archaeologists/antiquarians who did show the same level of care: for example I can think of is a specific Island up in Norway that was explored in the 1830s and has meticulous notes on it that are as good as today’s.
The romance between Ramsey and Signy also frustrated me. I didn’t like how pushy Ramsey was towards Signy and while he said he was going to respect her wishes his actions said otherwise. I also felt that Signy got over her antagonism toward Ramsey way too fast. I liked the characters I didn’t necessarily like them together. It was frustrating.
In all, this is a book that I would recommend if you are a fan of Mary Jo Putney and you are a completionist. It’s also one that is definitely going to appeal to lovers of old school romance. That said, the book didn’t land for me the way I wanted it to.
Two and a half stars rounded up to three.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGaley
Signy doesn’t know what she feels towards Ramsey. There’s anger there, to be sure. Anger over him not being there when her sister needed him most. Anger over his ability to travel and see the world while she’s stuck. Anger over him not being there to Help run the islands. So much anger. But there’s something else too. Something she can’t quite give voice to, but that draws her closer and closer to him.
Is the past going to stand in the way of Signy and Ramsey’s future? Or is there something even more malevolent on the horizon?
—
I have an interesting relationship with Mary Jo Puntney’s works. She’s one of those authors whose stories I’m either going to absolutely love and adore or I’m going to get really really frustrated with. And I never know which is going to be which.. The author has a writing style that I love and she creates very interesting characters who for the most part I really enjoy. But every so often she’ll create a scenario, or a character, or a plot point that just lands badly for me. And unfortunately that’s what happens in this book.
So this looks to be the conclusion of the Rogues Redeemed series, which is a spinoff series of her Lost Lords series. Thankfully, you don’t need to read the previous 12 or so books to understand this one, although it would help. That said, this book is the most standalone and features the least amount of characters from the previous books. Point of fact, the first mention of an importance of any of the previous characters in the books doesn’t come about until about the 75% mark. So if you’re looking to see your old favorites and interactions with previous characters, you’re going to have to wait a bit. I’ll be honest I haven’t read all of the Rogues Redeemed series, so I was confused coming into this book is just to Ramsey was. It’s not revealed until about 85% of the way through the book what his name was when he was part of the prisoners in that basement during the peninsular wars. I don’t know if it’s meant to be a surprise, or if it was just a slip. But I don’t feel comfortable revealing who he was because the reveal happened so late.
However as with all of Mary Jo Putney‘s works, there are often very difficult subjects and subject matters that are tackled in the text. And this book is no exception. I need to provide trigger warnings for the following: miscarriage, death in childbirth, parental death, guardian/parent death on the page, Animal injury, period. appropriate sexism, implied parental abuse, Implied parental sexual assault, period appropriate colonialism, and others I might be missing. Please use care when reading this book and make sure you’re in a good place before doing so.
I’m conflicted and frustrated with this book. There are parts of it that I really liked, like I liked parts of Ramsey learning how to be a good Laird. But at the same point I felt that the stakes were very very low and the big conflict and the sword of Damocles been hanging over Ramsey‘s head regarding his lairdship is solved in a manner that I found really unsatisfactory. It came out of nowhere narratively.. so while it made sense it wasn’t built up to appropriately, at least in my opinion. I also liked that Sydney had her own goals and drive. She wants to leave the island and study under a particular artist to learn to be a better painter. That’s a great goal my problem is that her character arc of wanting to leave the islands and pursue her own Destiny isn’t handled well. It would be a spoiler to get into it but I felt honestly angry and very let down by how her character arc is handled. It was frankly misogynistic and she lost all of her agency. Also this is once again a situation where the female character Hass to give up her hopes and dreams for love/the hero. It bothers me. It also bothers me how plot points were solved in someways way too quickly and then others seemingly forgotten until they were forcibly shoehorned back into the narrative. Also it was very clear who the villain was going to be and so there was no surprise and no tension. The book just really felt in a weird way super low stakes and anytime there was any hint of rising tension it got solved just way too quickly so the book felt one note in a weird way.
The writing style is still very good. And very readable if you like Putney‘s other work, which I do. It’s pretty clear that she’s setting up a new series probably centered around these islands which are based off of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Thankfully they are fictional which means that you aren’t getting into some of the weirdness with it. And the reality of what it was like to be An archaeologist/antiquarian in that time period is fairly accurate. While it might feel anachronistic that the amount of care that Ramsey shows to the dig sites, there were archaeologists/antiquarians who did show the same level of care: for example I can think of is a specific Island up in Norway that was explored in the 1830s and has meticulous notes on it that are as good as today’s.
The romance between Ramsey and Signy also frustrated me. I didn’t like how pushy Ramsey was towards Signy and while he said he was going to respect her wishes his actions said otherwise. I also felt that Signy got over her antagonism toward Ramsey way too fast. I liked the characters I didn’t necessarily like them together. It was frustrating.
In all, this is a book that I would recommend if you are a fan of Mary Jo Putney and you are a completionist. It’s also one that is definitely going to appeal to lovers of old school romance. That said, the book didn’t land for me the way I wanted it to.
Two and a half stars rounded up to three.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGaley
August 14, 2022
Preface
Getting with and having feelings for your sister’s ex-fiancé- which loved her and she loved him- while the guy and you reminiscent about those said feelings, feels like a betrayal in both parties; it is also weird. I have a sister and it is just unspeakable, I don’t care if the heroines sister is dead (a result of the hero and her laying together outside of marriage and her having a miscarriage).
It’s just rather… repulsive to me.
It doesn’t help the book was boring.
I think my journey with Mary Jo Putney ends here.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 2.5 📚📚💫 Some + some more.
(It is just plain bad though).
World Building(Immersion): ❎ No immersion.
Angst : ❎ No angst.
(Just the horrible betrayal of the sister and ex-fiancé to the sister’s memory).
Funniness: ❎ No funny moments.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 2 💖💖 Okay, but it was terrible.
Spice: 2 🌶🌶 descriptive but most culminations goes to a fade to black style.
Goriness: 1 🫀 Some descriptions of blood.
Sadness: ❎ No sadness.
Overall star rating : 1 ⭐️- There is a spot in hell just for this book.
————————————————————————————
Getting with and having feelings for your sister’s ex-fiancé- which loved her and she loved him- while the guy and you reminiscent about those said feelings, feels like a betrayal in both parties; it is also weird. I have a sister and it is just unspeakable, I don’t care if the heroines sister is dead (a result of the hero and her laying together outside of marriage and her having a miscarriage).
It’s just rather… repulsive to me.
It doesn’t help the book was boring.
I think my journey with Mary Jo Putney ends here.
————————————————————————————
RATINGS:
Plot : 2.5 📚📚💫 Some + some more.
(It is just plain bad though).
World Building(Immersion): ❎ No immersion.
Angst : ❎ No angst.
(Just the horrible betrayal of the sister and ex-fiancé to the sister’s memory).
Funniness: ❎ No funny moments.
Scariness: ❎ Not scary.
Romance: 2 💖💖 Okay, but it was terrible.
Spice: 2 🌶🌶 descriptive but most culminations goes to a fade to black style.
Goriness: 1 🫀 Some descriptions of blood.
Sadness: ❎ No sadness.
Overall star rating : 1 ⭐️- There is a spot in hell just for this book.
————————————————————————————
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2022
Original characters, beautiful location, sweet story
I breathed the fresh air and enjoyed the rustic location of the story. Signy and Ramsay are wonderfully developed main characters. Their unique life experiences and perspectives are atypical of their era. Their working relationship moves smoothly into friendship and then into romance. Their interactions with the other characters feel alive and fresh, bringing the people living in the archipelago of Thoray to life. Every bit of the story plays a role in its happy ending.
I breathed the fresh air and enjoyed the rustic location of the story. Signy and Ramsay are wonderfully developed main characters. Their unique life experiences and perspectives are atypical of their era. Their working relationship moves smoothly into friendship and then into romance. Their interactions with the other characters feel alive and fresh, bringing the people living in the archipelago of Thoray to life. Every bit of the story plays a role in its happy ending.
July 25, 2022
three and a half but can’t round up.
This was slow to start. While I love character development the plot dragged. Unlike the other books in this series none of the characters from the other books appear until near the end. While interesting it was slow going and the last 20% of the book was a rush to finish.
This was slow to start. While I love character development the plot dragged. Unlike the other books in this series none of the characters from the other books appear until near the end. While interesting it was slow going and the last 20% of the book was a rush to finish.
September 29, 2021
A Cozy, Warm, & Beautiful Book
So, I would describe this as a cozy romance rather than a steamy one. For me, that's not a problem at all. I love a slow-build where the hero and heroine truly get to know one another--and that's absolutely what this is. Mary Jo Putney’s writing style reminded me of Julie Garwood and Mary Stewart—both authors I really enjoy.
Kai Ramsay returns from an Indiana Jones-esque career abroad to become the new laird when his grandfather passes away. Signy Matheson is a lovely, fiercely stubborn artist who has basically been the previous laird's right-hand-woman for the past decade. When the two meet, Kai falls first and hard. But Signy is tired of all of the unasked-for responsibilities she has carried on her shoulders for years and longs to experience what Kai already has--adventure and the wider world. She also wants to pursue her art by studying under other artists.
The struggle Kai faces as he comes to understand this is really interesting. In some ways, the book feels very modern because Kai is such an accepting, open man who fully agrees that Signy deserves to have what he did—freedom to explore the world and to pursue her passions. Of course, that also means she would have to leave him behind and that push and pull is one of the book's primary conflicts.
The setting of the Scottish islands of Thorsay are a character almost in and of themselves. Kai's refamiliarizing himself with his home is one of the main points of action in the story as he and Signy travel about the islands and as he comes to know his people and must solve the financial problems left behind by the old laird. Mary Jo Putney is a master of worldbuilding. You come to love the islands and their hard-working people. There are rich details of landscape, food, dress, and many carefully composed, rich backstories. Putney could set a multitude of stories in Thorsay as she has created a beautiful, old world that is both homey, comforting, and fascinating to visit.
There is not a lot of action, but it is an enjoyable read nonetheless. One to curl up with on a crisp autumn day.
Steam Level: Very Slow Burn
So, I would describe this as a cozy romance rather than a steamy one. For me, that's not a problem at all. I love a slow-build where the hero and heroine truly get to know one another--and that's absolutely what this is. Mary Jo Putney’s writing style reminded me of Julie Garwood and Mary Stewart—both authors I really enjoy.
Kai Ramsay returns from an Indiana Jones-esque career abroad to become the new laird when his grandfather passes away. Signy Matheson is a lovely, fiercely stubborn artist who has basically been the previous laird's right-hand-woman for the past decade. When the two meet, Kai falls first and hard. But Signy is tired of all of the unasked-for responsibilities she has carried on her shoulders for years and longs to experience what Kai already has--adventure and the wider world. She also wants to pursue her art by studying under other artists.
The struggle Kai faces as he comes to understand this is really interesting. In some ways, the book feels very modern because Kai is such an accepting, open man who fully agrees that Signy deserves to have what he did—freedom to explore the world and to pursue her passions. Of course, that also means she would have to leave him behind and that push and pull is one of the book's primary conflicts.
The setting of the Scottish islands of Thorsay are a character almost in and of themselves. Kai's refamiliarizing himself with his home is one of the main points of action in the story as he and Signy travel about the islands and as he comes to know his people and must solve the financial problems left behind by the old laird. Mary Jo Putney is a master of worldbuilding. You come to love the islands and their hard-working people. There are rich details of landscape, food, dress, and many carefully composed, rich backstories. Putney could set a multitude of stories in Thorsay as she has created a beautiful, old world that is both homey, comforting, and fascinating to visit.
There is not a lot of action, but it is an enjoyable read nonetheless. One to curl up with on a crisp autumn day.
Steam Level: Very Slow Burn
January 7, 2022
Two and a half stars.
Kai Ramsay has spent years away from his home in Scotland's remote Thorsay Islands being a spy and an archaeologist. Then he receives a letter to tell him his only living relative, his grandfather the Laird of Thorsay, is dying and he must come home. The letter is sent by his dead fiancé's little sister Signy, who has blossomed from a child to a beautiful woman (Nordic goddess is mentioned far more than necessary). Signy has been the Laird's estate manager and general support for years and still blames Ramsay for her sister's death.
Despite their rocky start, Ramsay and Signy soon bond over their love for the Laird and the islands, together they discover an ancient settlement which has been uncovered by a strong storm, but the financial burden of years of hard winters puts Ramsay in a difficult situation.
I'm sorry but I'm bored just writing this summary. There are two half-hearted attempts at binging some dramatic tension to the story but frankly they are both damp squibs. Everything interesting seems to happen off-stage so the reader is simply presented with a fait-accompli - like they used to say at school, show your workings!
This is the sixth (possibly last) book in a series and (not having read the other five books) it feels as though Mary Jo Putney had to write a book for the final member of the group but wasn't feeling the love ... and neither was I. I felt that Mary Jo Putney had read a lot about ancient sites on remote Scottish islands and wanted to put it in a book. As a consequence neither Ramsay nor Signy felt like fleshed out characters, their 'romance' was laughable and the tension was non-existent.
Okay, I was under the impression that I liked Mary Jo Putney's books and that this was an aberration but looking at Goodreads my highest rating was only a three, so maybe this is me persisting in requesting an author who doesn't really work for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Kai Ramsay has spent years away from his home in Scotland's remote Thorsay Islands being a spy and an archaeologist. Then he receives a letter to tell him his only living relative, his grandfather the Laird of Thorsay, is dying and he must come home. The letter is sent by his dead fiancé's little sister Signy, who has blossomed from a child to a beautiful woman (Nordic goddess is mentioned far more than necessary). Signy has been the Laird's estate manager and general support for years and still blames Ramsay for her sister's death.
Despite their rocky start, Ramsay and Signy soon bond over their love for the Laird and the islands, together they discover an ancient settlement which has been uncovered by a strong storm, but the financial burden of years of hard winters puts Ramsay in a difficult situation.
I'm sorry but I'm bored just writing this summary. There are two half-hearted attempts at binging some dramatic tension to the story but frankly they are both damp squibs. Everything interesting seems to happen off-stage so the reader is simply presented with a fait-accompli - like they used to say at school, show your workings!
This is the sixth (possibly last) book in a series and (not having read the other five books) it feels as though Mary Jo Putney had to write a book for the final member of the group but wasn't feeling the love ... and neither was I. I felt that Mary Jo Putney had read a lot about ancient sites on remote Scottish islands and wanted to put it in a book. As a consequence neither Ramsay nor Signy felt like fleshed out characters, their 'romance' was laughable and the tension was non-existent.
Okay, I was under the impression that I liked Mary Jo Putney's books and that this was an aberration but looking at Goodreads my highest rating was only a three, so maybe this is me persisting in requesting an author who doesn't really work for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 27, 2021
Although Once A Laird by Mary Jo Putney is the sixth book of her Rogues Redeemed Series, it's my first book of this author.
When I saw this beautiful cover it instantly made me think of Scotland. Outlander. Jamie Fraser.
I absolutely loved the whole atmosphere of this story. I can't even describe it directly but... it made me wanna travel to the North and find a hot Throsayian laird!
Awwwww!
Okay so Kai Ramsay's grandfather, the current laird of Thorsay is about to take his last breath. Ramsay travels back home to stand by his side... and to be the next laird. Signy, who always helped the laird through the years, unfortunately has to extend her help to Ramsay... everything starts with some kind of antipathy. But is it really that or something more?
I REALLY REALLY LOVED SIGNY!
OMG! A strong and independent and self confident and talented, young woman! She's isn't afraid to say what she wants to say. She knows what she wants, and what she doesn't want.
I instantly fell in love with her! What an inspiration!
And Ramsay! Ha! He's a good looking guy, who needs to learn to be the new laird.
Their dislike for each other turns into something more, when they spend more time together. Both have a history together and they've to deal with their past as well.
Once A Laird is a beautiful love story with a really good sloooow burn aspect!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
Thanks to Kensington Books and Mary Jo Putney for this early copy via Netgalley and I'm sorry for the delayed review.
*This is my honest review with my own words.*
When I saw this beautiful cover it instantly made me think of Scotland. Outlander. Jamie Fraser.
I absolutely loved the whole atmosphere of this story. I can't even describe it directly but... it made me wanna travel to the North and find a hot Throsayian laird!
Awwwww!
Okay so Kai Ramsay's grandfather, the current laird of Thorsay is about to take his last breath. Ramsay travels back home to stand by his side... and to be the next laird. Signy, who always helped the laird through the years, unfortunately has to extend her help to Ramsay... everything starts with some kind of antipathy. But is it really that or something more?
I REALLY REALLY LOVED SIGNY!
OMG! A strong and independent and self confident and talented, young woman! She's isn't afraid to say what she wants to say. She knows what she wants, and what she doesn't want.
I instantly fell in love with her! What an inspiration!
And Ramsay! Ha! He's a good looking guy, who needs to learn to be the new laird.
Their dislike for each other turns into something more, when they spend more time together. Both have a history together and they've to deal with their past as well.
Once A Laird is a beautiful love story with a really good sloooow burn aspect!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
Thanks to Kensington Books and Mary Jo Putney for this early copy via Netgalley and I'm sorry for the delayed review.
*This is my honest review with my own words.*
February 11, 2023
Once A Laird by Mary Jo Putney is book six in her Rogues Redeemed series. Though part of a series, it reads as a standalone.
Signy Matheson is tired of being helpful. She wants to concentrate on her own dreams and desires. Her dreams and desires conflict on one point. She wants Kai for her own.
Kai Douglas Ramsay is the new Laird and as such must put his people before himself, except in one thing. He wants Signy as his wife.
They want each other, but is that their destiny?
Five stars. Well-conceived and thoroughly executed. I enjoyed all aspects of Once A Laird and highly recommended it to readers of historical fiction, especially historical romance.
My thanks to Kensington Books, Zebra, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Signy Matheson is tired of being helpful. She wants to concentrate on her own dreams and desires. Her dreams and desires conflict on one point. She wants Kai for her own.
Kai Douglas Ramsay is the new Laird and as such must put his people before himself, except in one thing. He wants Signy as his wife.
They want each other, but is that their destiny?
Five stars. Well-conceived and thoroughly executed. I enjoyed all aspects of Once A Laird and highly recommended it to readers of historical fiction, especially historical romance.
My thanks to Kensington Books, Zebra, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
February 15, 2024
3 1/2 stars rounded up, though I considered rounding down due to the ending feeling rather abrupt.
The last chapter wrapped up the series nicely by bringing back the couples from earlier books. However, it felt rushed and it seemed like there was more story to be told. But this couple was likable, their story was interesting and entertaining, and it was clear they would face their HEA as partners.
It was a different setting than most historical romance, not quite England or Scotland, though there were elements of both. The islands made for a unique forced proximity and a sense of community.
The last chapter wrapped up the series nicely by bringing back the couples from earlier books. However, it felt rushed and it seemed like there was more story to be told. But this couple was likable, their story was interesting and entertaining, and it was clear they would face their HEA as partners.
It was a different setting than most historical romance, not quite England or Scotland, though there were elements of both. The islands made for a unique forced proximity and a sense of community.
June 15, 2021
This story was unique and shared a lot of information about the Orkney Island which I always find interesting. I enjoyed the way the island life called to the two MC as I imagine it is a life that is not for everyone. The relationship between Kai & Signy just seemed a little fast for me, I would have liked to see a little more angst. Unfortunately this story does not have an epilogue which is one of my pet peeves with stories…just a personal preference, I like seeing a glimpse of the future and how the MCs are “doing”. There was quite a bit of inner monologue and a lot of repetitive phrasing in relation to Thorsay. It didn’t seem natural to me and unfortunately almost caused me to stop the story. Overall, 3 stars.
January 3, 2023
It was a disappointment.
January 1, 2022
This was my first read by Mary Jo and I was just bored with this story. Even though this one didn't work out, I may try another of Mary Jo's books.
November 15, 2021
The Rogues Redeemed series has been kind of a mess. (Partially because none of them are rogues so... this was a weird title.) I was looking forward to Will's story (the first) the most but that was pretty boring and generally lackluster. The following ones were somehow worse. I never could get past two chapters of book three. The fifth one was pretty good, although it still wasn't my favorite.
This one inhabited a weird space. Mary Jo Putney isn't particularly good at the romance part if I'm being honest. I like her characters and I usually like who she pairs together, but the romances tend to fall flat for me. It's more friendly than passionate even with the lustful parts. I don't mind it because I like her writing style. But this one just didn't work. Kai comes home after years away to find his dead fiancee's baby sister is now an attractive woman who has acted as the laird's assistant and basically runs everything. She would like to travel and paint, and she's prepared to leave when he is settled in. People suggest they get married. What follows is a string of scenes showing them as friends with a tiny bit of lust thrown in--which is admittedly basically what a relationship is but it doesn't come across that way on-page. So then we have them thinking about it--or rather Kai thinking about it since Signy wants to leave--as they traverse across Thorsay and Kai learns how to be laird.
This is a trope I hate: when other people constantly mention how good two people would be together. It's even worse in this one as the rationale isn't 'they make a cute couple' or 'they're clearly interested in each other.' No, this one is all 'Signy knows how to run the islands so she should marry him as a helpmeet' essentially. I mean, your partner(s) should help you, sure, but this is basically a denigration of her desires. She's destined to fall in love with Kai and thus stay on the isles. To be fair, Kai tries to still give her what she wants, but the plot still basically revolves around her just... giving up her life for him.
So the main plot is Kai learning to be laird which is interesting enough for a few chapters but really failed to capture my long-term attention. There are hints that there will be a villain somewhere down the line, but the book is too focused on archeological aspects to add this in properly, leading to an end where the villain is just suddenly villain. I mean, we all knew they were gonna be the villain but this was just painfully done.
Oh, and there's a line that's casually disregarded as soon as it's said: a female character is said to lock her door when her father drinks, implying incestual rape, which is... a choice. An unnecessary one, frankly, and that character's motives didn't need this anyway. Especially given it was basically glossed over immediately. I don't know about you, but casual incestual rape implications are not something that should ever happen. It's not casual. Don't bring it up just to dismiss it and never mention it again. Putney is often guilty of this; horrifying events are often glossed over for the sake of the romance which makes me angrier and angrier every time I see it.
Anyway, I didn't like the end either. It was supposed to be a big finale but this was a lackluster series so I didn't care. I also think it was overdramatic and I would've preferred the grand gesture to be of the romantic variety but whatever. At this point, I was just ready to be done.
This one inhabited a weird space. Mary Jo Putney isn't particularly good at the romance part if I'm being honest. I like her characters and I usually like who she pairs together, but the romances tend to fall flat for me. It's more friendly than passionate even with the lustful parts. I don't mind it because I like her writing style. But this one just didn't work. Kai comes home after years away to find his dead fiancee's baby sister is now an attractive woman who has acted as the laird's assistant and basically runs everything. She would like to travel and paint, and she's prepared to leave when he is settled in. People suggest they get married. What follows is a string of scenes showing them as friends with a tiny bit of lust thrown in--which is admittedly basically what a relationship is but it doesn't come across that way on-page. So then we have them thinking about it--or rather Kai thinking about it since Signy wants to leave--as they traverse across Thorsay and Kai learns how to be laird.
This is a trope I hate: when other people constantly mention how good two people would be together. It's even worse in this one as the rationale isn't 'they make a cute couple' or 'they're clearly interested in each other.' No, this one is all 'Signy knows how to run the islands so she should marry him as a helpmeet' essentially. I mean, your partner(s) should help you, sure, but this is basically a denigration of her desires. She's destined to fall in love with Kai and thus stay on the isles. To be fair, Kai tries to still give her what she wants, but the plot still basically revolves around her just... giving up her life for him.
So the main plot is Kai learning to be laird which is interesting enough for a few chapters but really failed to capture my long-term attention. There are hints that there will be a villain somewhere down the line, but the book is too focused on archeological aspects to add this in properly, leading to an end where the villain is just suddenly villain. I mean, we all knew they were gonna be the villain but this was just painfully done.
Oh, and there's a line that's casually disregarded as soon as it's said: a female character is said to lock her door when her father drinks, implying incestual rape, which is... a choice. An unnecessary one, frankly, and that character's motives didn't need this anyway. Especially given it was basically glossed over immediately. I don't know about you, but casual incestual rape implications are not something that should ever happen. It's not casual. Don't bring it up just to dismiss it and never mention it again. Putney is often guilty of this; horrifying events are often glossed over for the sake of the romance which makes me angrier and angrier every time I see it.
Anyway, I didn't like the end either. It was supposed to be a big finale but this was a lackluster series so I didn't care. I also think it was overdramatic and I would've preferred the grand gesture to be of the romantic variety but whatever. At this point, I was just ready to be done.
November 12, 2021
Once a Laird is the 6th book in Rogues Redeemed by Mary Jo Putney brings us to the remote Thorsay Islands in the far north of Scotland. It is here we meet Signy Matheson who has been helping the old Laird.
Kai Ramsay has been roaming the world seeking adventure. He left home and didn’t return for many years. Until he was called home. Taking the role of Laird with Signy helping him opens him to many things including recognizing the love that is growing within him for Signy. Only problem is that Signy is ready to spread her wings to work toward her dreams.
I loved the descriptions of the people and the land of the Thorsay Islands (think they are the Orkney Islands). The wild weather and the independent nature of the people made the story come alive for me. Kai and Signy are an interesting couple who really love the people and the land. I enjoyed their love story and their struggles to find their way. Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney is a good read.
Kai Ramsay has been roaming the world seeking adventure. He left home and didn’t return for many years. Until he was called home. Taking the role of Laird with Signy helping him opens him to many things including recognizing the love that is growing within him for Signy. Only problem is that Signy is ready to spread her wings to work toward her dreams.
I loved the descriptions of the people and the land of the Thorsay Islands (think they are the Orkney Islands). The wild weather and the independent nature of the people made the story come alive for me. Kai and Signy are an interesting couple who really love the people and the land. I enjoyed their love story and their struggles to find their way. Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney is a good read.
October 30, 2021
2021 bk 329. The last of the Rogues Redeemed series (I think). This does not have the pizzazz of the earlier titles. It is quieter, with the villain a vain and greedy man who they still have to live and work with after he gets his. I think this is what makes the book different. It's not just a simple story of romance in the midst of turmoil and trouble, it's the story of a couple who are in it for the long haul, looking for solutions to last a life time. I did enjoy the Rogues reunion at the end and wish that there could have been more of the visit and more of a capping of all of their stories, but perhaps there might be another book that would include them all?? Maybe?? Please ??
July 26, 2025
Not a lot of interpersonal conflict or tension, but the setting (a fictional archipelago between the Shetland and Orkney Isles) makes up for it, as does the hero's respect for the heroine and her wishes. Review to come.
June 14, 2022
So bland. So boring. The chemistry was non existant. Instalovey and not genuine.
Oh and the whole « i can feel it when an object is old by holding it and closing my eyes » was so bullshit 😭
Oh and the whole « i can feel it when an object is old by holding it and closing my eyes » was so bullshit 😭
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