Elena has spent her entire life hiding her family name while walking the thin line between lady and servant in a Protestant household. She has kept the secret of her lineage for years, but with a new, fiercely Catholic queen on the throne, Elena’s Protestant caretaker is being targeted. And when Bloody Mary discovers Elena’s true identity, she must flee to Scotland to save her life.
Highland … life.
Highland warrior, Searc Munro, has secrets of his own. In a family of healers, his dark, killing magic must never be known. When his father’s life is threatened, Searc unleashes his lethal power to save him. With his clan’s suspicious glances and whispers plaguing him, he sets off alone, only to find another use for his magic in saving a beautiful lass being attacked in the forest.
Teaming up as exiles, Elena and Searc head toward Edinburg to find refuge. Yet, with a series of ritual killings haunting the city and a traitor attempting to assassinate Scotland’s regent, suspicion turns to Searc. As word of another British heir reaches the country, the two must learn to trust each other if they want to live.
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Searc Munro is my new book boyfriend….there, I’ve said it! lol Wow, such an exciting story Heather McCollum has written for him and Elena. This author always completely enraptures me with her stories. Being a series, we also reacquaint with characters from the previous books, something I always enjoy:)
Elena is quite the mighty warrior within her heart and is also quite good with a bow and arrow!! She’s on the run and hiding a secret. Searc has left home, feeling like the clan can no longer trust him now that his magic powers have been revealed and is making his way to Edinburgh when he comes upon Elena being accosted by thieves. This is when their adventure begins and they end up being “guests” of the Queen Regent. Amidst political danger, suspicions, murders, secrets and not knowing who to trust, Searc and Elena become much closer and fragile trust is formed between them. With heated passion and humour added to the mix, you get a thoroughly enjoyable story:)
I was so excited to read about Searc in this novel. We first meet Searc in Captured Hearts as a young man. Now he is full grown and a lovable HUNK! He has powers like his mother but where hers are a healing blue magic his is a life stealing red magic. He feels he is a demon and leaves the clan. On his travels he meets up with a beautiful lady named Elena. Elena has quite the parentage. She is also on the run from Bloody Mary of England. Searc agrees to protect her and see her too safety. She at first sees his magic in action and thinks he is evil but as she gets to know him realizes that he is actually a kind, loving and very protective. Without giving too much more away, they both work together to solve a mystery, young girls are being kidnapped and murder with ritualistic markings. They befriend the Queen regent of Scotland, Mary of Guisse and end up falling in love. When Searc’s parents show up they let him know they and the clan love and accept him the way he is and He decides to go back to his clan (and takes Elena with him).
I love the way Heather takes the history of this time and fits her characters in nicely. It as if Elena really did exist (survived) and had been living in the Highlands the whole time. The background is accurate and just fun to read. I couldn’t put this book down, but I can never put any of her books down and I end up rereading all her novels. When the previous characters (of her other novels) make appearances it is like a some family reunion or get together. I love knowing (or keeping up with) all the previous characters and their children. She adds a few new characters and you end up hoping they get their own story. Judith of the Davidson clan sound quite interesting. Either way the love these characters share and the adventures Heather gives them are very enjoyable. You will not be disappointed reading her novels.