Sometimes the most heroic live in plain sight.Tragedy stalks Gunn Castle, most recently when the heir to the Gunn chiefdom died, leaving the land vulnerable to attack. But security has come in the promise of a marriage alliance with the Clan Sinclair, the Gunns’ powerful northern neighbors. The search is on to gather the eligible maidens…except mysterious accidents befall all who join the laird’s … who join the laird’s widow at the castle. Meanwhile, messengers have been spotted along the southern border, and Clan Sinclair may be walking into a trap.
With war looming and a madwoman in their midst, the only hope for a peaceful future may lie in the hands of a disfigured Gunn recluse and the overlooked second son of Clan Sinclair.
If you like clean medieval romance, the Scottish Highlands, and cheering for the underdog, then you’ll love the first installment of this new series from Candee Fick.
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This book grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn’t let go until I turned the last page. Wow! I loved following the two main characters and seeing how they dealt with their “weaknesses.” Moira was a young lass when the story started out, but she showed a strength of character throughout the book. Despite all the tragedies that Moira went through, she continued to have a compassionate heart and always put others before herself. Evan was born a second son and fought with feelings of inadequacies and being invisible to his family. I enjoyed watching Moira and Evan’s friendship grow in the story. I recommend to those that struggle with low self esteem and those that love medieval romance. I received a copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
A beautiful & touching story in this author’s first book in the historical romance genre with some mystery involved. A story of three clans, Sinclairs, Gunns, and Sutherlands. In particular, Evan second son of clan Sinclair and Moira, daughter of the deceased laird of Gunn clan. The reader enjoys the faith these two learned at an early age despite what has happened to both of them as they have grown up. A very sweet and clean romance that I would recommend.
Vicki from Wyoming
I had been waiting for Gloria’s story for so long. She’s been the one character throughout the Wardrobe series who annoyed me so much. Is it terrible that I wanted her to get her comeuppance? Well of course it is, but I’m only human and she’s fictional so maybe it’s not so bad after all.
Something happened to me while reading this book and I owe it all to the writing of Ms. Fick. You see, I actually started to like Gloria and I thought her move to Branson, Missouri was just the reality check she needed to become the humble young woman who she became. She had to perform menial tasks before rehearsing and performing in the family-owned theater where she worked. I have to admit to respecting her for doing what she needed to do in order to survive and realize her dreams.
This series has focused on family and friends from the very beginning but in this one I liked the family dynamic more than I thought I would. The Sherwood family are hardworking and down to earth. I loved them all but have to say Nick is my favorite. He’s kind, caring, funny and the true friend Gloria needs as she makes a fresh start in Branson.
Although this is the third book in the series I think it can easily be read as a standalone and if you like sweet clean reads I recommend this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Scottish Highlands, medieval, danger, bravery! You will love Evan the overlooked younger son of a Scottish laird! Maggie shows brave strength when helping young maidens escape being taken to the castle where danger seems to happen. Maggie is also running from the man who attempted to kill her. Little does Evan know that the eighteen year old Maggie is actually Moira and the rightful heir to Clan Gunn. If you enjoy reading about ancient Scotland, you will want to read Stepping into the Light! I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Moria (Gunn) & Evan (Sinclair) are both “unloved” and think they are unlovable. I loved them individually and as a couple. I like historical fiction but I LOVED this book and can’t wait for book 2!!!! There is romance but also suspense, intrigue, historical info, and a plan to find the “real” villain. A sweet, clean, romantic read with a strong Christian emphasis.
Evan was the unwanted second son. Forgotten. Neglected.
Maggie hid behind her hair, knowing that the scar that traveled from her neck to her cheek was repulsive. She had seen that message in the faces of everyone she came into contact with.
How sweet Evan was to look past the scars into the woman Maggie was becoming. His encouragement that her that scars were a sign that she had survived was so encouraging. Scars are not a sign of failure. They are a sign of overcoming!
This is the author’s first foray into the world of historical fiction. She wrote a great touching, romantic and inspirational story. Loosely basing the work on the story of Snow White, she balances following the overall storyline of that tale and making the story her own. It was not so much a copy that as I read I thought “oh, and then this is going to happen in just this way”. It was a creative re-telling that was interesting and very well done.
I really liked the way Scottish dialect was integrated into the entire narrative and not just the dialog. Yet it wasn’t overdone, so it was not hard to read. Instead, it gave a lyrical sense overall.
This is a great start to a new series. If you enjoy medieval romance, be sure to pick this one up.
Read with a Preview at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Action-packed with jealousy, cruelty, murder, love, kindness, and trust in
God. A love story where the hero looks beyond the scars to see the true beauty of the heroine and letting God lead them both to where they need to be.
This is a brilliant tale of courage – courage to stand up for what’s right, courage to defend the weak, and courage to look past the scars on the outside to see the beauty on the inside.
At first, I thought the author had taken inspiration from a fairy tale such as Snow White, and maybe she did, but this is so much more than a simple fairy tale.
Moira lives in hiding under an assumed name. Because of her scar, she usually keeps her hair down to cover it. But, then a young man, dressed as a friar, sees past the scar. He soon becomes her hero as well as the protector of several other young women, leading them to safety. But, who is this Evan? If he’s not a friar, who is he?
Evan Sinclair simply wanted to scout out the locals to make sure his father wasn’t walking into a trap. What he learns is much worse. Can he be the man they need him to be? How can he be a hero when his own clan ignores him? The young woman with the scar is the brave one, helping calm and lead the other young girls. But, who is she? She seems more than a simple, small village girl.
I loved this story. So much emotion! I cried, I laughed, I cheered. The romance is gentle and pure. Two kindred spirits connecting.
Romance – PG / kissing
Language – PG / clean
Violence – Yes. The villain is very wicked!
My rating – 5 stars.