Nearly killed while trying to win back his ancestral home, Black Richard MacCullough is left scarred and mangled; but some scars run far deeper than mere skin. No longer the handsome devil or kind man of his youth, now he focuses solely on rebuilding everything that was lost to the brutal Chisolms and traitorous MacRays. Revenge — while not nearly as important as keeping his clan from starving … starving – is the only thing that keeps his bruised heart beating. With his clan on the brink of starvation and annihilation, Black Richard doesn’t believe his life could get worse. Until King David II decides to put an end to the border wars himself, via a marriage between Black Richard and Aeschene MacRay, the daughter of his sworn enemy. Locked away and all but forgotten because she is deemed imperfect and useless by her father, Aeschene MacRay holds no hope of ever having a husband and family of her own. But hope is the only thing she has left: hope that her vision will miraculously return and that she will regain her father’s approval. But when news arrives that she is to be married off to the chief of her father’s enemy, she has only two choices: put her faith and hope in the monster that is Black Richard MacCullough or remain in the prison her father has created for her. When you’ve lost everything, any risk is worth the taking.
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Highly Addictive Highlander Romance!
Black Richard’s Heart has earned a permanent place on my favorites shelf and I am once again reminded of why Suzan Tisdale has become a must read author for me.
An intriguing plot, tear inducing moments, as well as laugh out loud moments, exciting action scenes, eccentric and colorful characters, all made for a thoroughly engaging story that I hated to see end.
I wanted to squeal with delight when I found out Suzan Tisdale was releasing a fifth installment from her Clan MacDougall series. So, when I had the opportunity to read and review Black Richard’s Heart, I did not hesitate. I was not disappointed. I loved every single page of it. Aeschene and Black Richard make a beautiful story. I saw the beautiful chemistry between the two from the start.
I am giving Black Richard’s Heart a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend this book, as well as, the rest of the series for readers who love a great Highland romance.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Excellent story. Keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to find out what happens next. I received an ARC of this book.
Losing his father and older brothers in one fight and being horribly wounded on the same field, Richard loses himself in working on his castle and fighting.
When Aeschene looses her sight as a young teenager, he father loses all interest in her. No one will ever care about a blind woman much less marry her.
When the king forces a union to create peace in the borders, neither one cares what the other wants, they both agree they don’t want to marry anyone.
Fighting, suspense, tension creates a wonderful timeline that is totally fresh and original. I could not put it down, I stayed up almost all night to finish it.
One of the best books I”ve read this year so far.
Black Richard MacCullough is left scarred and wounded after fighting to regain their ancestral home from the Chisolms and traitorous MacRays. He hears from the King it’s time to wed and put war behind them by marrying him to the MacRays only daughter. Aeschene MacRay has been a prisoner in her father’s house, ever since she’s been blind he’s neglected and shamed her. She see the King’s offer of marriage a way to having a happy life, home and family at last. Richard upon meeting his brides see a beautiful young woman and once he finds out she’s blind he’s amendable to the marriage, his bride will not see his hideous scars and be scared of him. I love these two as they slowly get to know one another, mistrustful of one another as love grows between them and the Clan grow to love her too. A great story of loyalty, love and betrayal. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
I own almost 20 stories by this author and this is my favorite. The character’s she writes are not cookie cutter’s. They will pull so many emotions from you that you will feel you are one of the character’s experiencing it all.
The h has to be one of my all time favorite heroine’s by ANY author. To have such a kind and sweet nature over what she has gone through touched my soul. Yes, I know these are fiction character’s, but it still made me wish I was in her circle of friends. She is no-one’s fool and I loved her spirit and spunk. Oh, how she handles some nasty character’s is priceless!
This story is like the Beauty and the Beast, except they both felt they were the Beast because of outward appearances. Also, the h’s best friend was a fierce protector of the h and that warmed my big Polish Heart!
At times I was frustrated over the H and had to remember what made him that way. There is lovemaking within marriage and heat level maybe 2 out of 5. I felt a powerful connection to them so when they came together it was filled with passion.
There are so many layer’s to this story and a few side stories, that you definitely get your monies worth. The action and suspense will keep you reading. So allow a nice block of time because you won’t want to stop until the very end. Oh, how I enjoyed the Epilogue too.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romance and trust build slowly, and a small tad of spice.
I received an advanced copy and all (ljb)
Black Richard is broken man, horribly disfigured with a perpetual sour mood to match his appearance. Aeschene, the gorgeous but blind beauty is the daughter of Black Richard’s enemy. Yes, this sounds like Beauty and The Beast, but it is so much more! Richard was raised to believe all kinds of male macho nonsense; love makes you weak and emotions are for women. What a mess some men folk make with the minds of their sons. As Aeschene became blind, she became useless in her father’s eyes. She was an embarrassment to him as was shut away. Despite being ashamed, she had a thirst for life. She wanted to feel useful and loved. As clan enemies in constant turmoil, the King ordered the pair to marry. What ensues is a beautifully written tale. The scenes, so well described by Aeschene’s maid for her, allows you to see the story come to life in your mind’s eye. While Black Richard and Aeschene are characters with depth and dimension, so are many of the supporting characters. I can’t wait to read some of their stories. If you love a long story full of clever twists and turns, you will love this tale. Suzan is a master at her craft.
One of those books that keeps you up late into the night because you just HAVE to finish it!
I absolutely loved this book. Black Richard is scarred and disfigured, thinking himself to be a monster. Still reeling from the death of his father and brothers, he doubts his life could get any worse until he gets word from a messenger from the King that he is to marry the daughter of his worst enemy, The MacRay. Aeschene MacRay has lived in a prison inside her home. Having lost her sight, she’s kept hidden by her father as being a shame to him and thought of as useless. These two were wonderful together. A man who thought himself a monster and a woman who could not see his ugliness. Suzan Tisdale did an amazing job of letting us see the landscape and Aeschenes new home through her lady maid/friends Mariesse eyes. It was so sweet the two them learning to trust each other and them falling in love with each other. The characters were well developed and and very believable. Secondary characters were as well. I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. My opinions are my own. Amazing job Suzan Tisdale. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next. I will be eagerly waiting.
A story with a heart of it’s own that encompasses so many emotions bundled together to create two people who would save each other. Two that seemed beyond any compassion or gentleness ever coming their way.
“Death could not come fast enough for Black Richard MacCullough.” The feelings a man who had just been through a three day bloody battle against the Chisholms, to take back the MacCullough’s Keep.
He had watched his father die and four of his six brothers. But it was not to be his day. He was saved by their healer, although he had begged for death. But he was to live and “was left looking like a monster.” One side was unmarred while the other was scarred and mangled.
When he was later ordered by King David to marry another of his enemy’s daughters, he could not believe it! He would have to forfeit everything if he did not go through with it.
Aeschene MacRay was the only daughter of the Laird and she was blind. Her father had kept her locked in a room for over three years with only her maid as her companion. She longed to be able to go outside and try to be useful but her father was ashamed of her.
When she heard the news she was to marry Black Richard she could not believe it! All the stories she had heard of him, but David, the King she had know since she was young, wanted the match to bring peace between the clans.
When Richard saw her, he could not believe such a beautiful lass was not married. As they talked together, something amazing happened. It was a chance at freedom for Aeschene and Richard felt feelings stir he thought he never would again.
Okay I have said enough. I want to just tell you the entire story because it affected me so. Suzan Tisdale has penned the perfect tale in her amazing words to make my heart smile at the end. Wonderful…
Ms. Tisdale delights the reader with an enchanting heroine who has no idea how beautiful, intelligent, or cunning she can be. Aeschene enchants Black Richard by being the sweet, honest woman whom she is, despite being the MacRay’s daughter. Black Richard is an unforgiving character who is bitter about the loss of his father and brothers, but somehow allows Aechene into his heart. He is reluctant to let her know his feelings, however. The hero and heroine together make a strong team, not to be trifled with. The secondary characters of Lachlan, Rory, Colyne, Raibert and others are well developed and have their own traits and personalities that set them apart. The characters come to life as they are each introduced and described. The world building is beautiful as seen through Marisse’s eyes as she describes the landscape and her new home to Aeschene. A remarkable story, it has been well worth the wait.
Loved it!!!! O m g … I loved this story!!! Black Richard and Aiesheene are more than a match for one another!!! I loved it so much I took my time when I grew tired, I stopped reading for a bit and still managed to get it read quickly. The twists and turns, ups and downs will have your crying and heart pounding… Suzan Tisdale sure does spin a wonderful tale!!!! I did receive an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review, but I also purchased a copy, of course!!!!
Black Richards Heart Worth the wait.
I have been waiting for Richard to have his own story ever since I was introduced to him in Laiden’s Daughter, ( sorry Ms Tisdale for badgering you) worth the Wait.
What a Life Black Richard had to endure, Loosing the majority of his Clan Including his Father & brothers Loosing his home almost dyeing himself . After finely getting his Home back the small clan started to restore the keep, But still the threat of war with the Chisolms and traitorous MacRays. is an ongoing Battle. Richard ( dear one) thought his life could get back to some kind of normalcy,
King David had other Plans He see’s an means to an end of these waring Clans. Enter the Beautiful Aeschene MacRay his enemy daughter To keep each of there lands & titles Richard has to wed MacRay has to give up his Daughter, ( no sweat of his nose ) MacRay did not think or feel to kindly towards his daughter she be blind & flawed.
So like all arranged Scottish marriages, Nothing goes as smooth as silk,
For the rest of the adventure You need to read it yourself. I tell you Suzan Tisdale has OUTDONE herself Brilliant, read . As for Black Richard who was referred to as the devil, In my opinion, He is a Saint Aeschene an Angel.
I was given this book as a gift, I was not compensated nor asked
to review this book, The Opinions of this book are my own.Black Richard’s Heart
This book is amazing! It is so emotional you’re going to definitely need a box of tissues. I love a good strong female character and Ms Tisdale has written another great one in Aeschene. In this book Black Richard is forced by Kind David to marry Aeschene to form an unwanted alliance between their two clans and hopefully stop a war. Richard’s face scarred from the last attack on their home and he is as angry as a bear at the world. Aeschene started going blind 3 years ago and has been abused and isolated by her family. Aeschene seems to thrive and flourish in her new home but her new husband does not trust her because of her family name. Black Richard and Aeschene are two broken people. Can they find a way to heal each other and keep their clan safe? I also love the side characters. Colyne and Raibeart are little rascals that run amuck until they encounter Aeschene. Keevah is the “auld wh0re” Aeschene befriends. Marisse is her sweet and faithful friend who supports her through her darkest moments and happiest moments. This is a beautiful story you need to read.
This was a A fun book to listened to. The narration was excellent I give it a solid 4.5 stars. She created a very good story with characters that you could easily imagine.