While six thousand Scots follow Robert the Bruce to wage war on the English at Bannockburn, Blane Ross is fighting his own war—single-handedly. After the indiscriminate slaughter of his village at the hands of English mercenaries, he wants revenge. However, when he stops at a castle for information and rest, he doesn’t expect to come across a fierce, beautiful lass in sole charge.
Desperate for …
Desperate for help, Ceana rejoices at the arrival of this impressive stranger. Dealing with her errant younger sister and her eccentric mother while trying to protect their clan hasn’t been easy. With all the men joining to fight against the English, it’s up to Ceana to ensure their fathers and brothers have a home to return to.
Her one secret doesn’t make matters any easier…
However, Blane doesn’t have time to aid the attractive lass, no matter how much her haunting blue eyes tug at a heart he thought had turned to stone long ago. The only way he’ll ever feel whole again is to ensure the mercenaries pay. But when she reveals her weakness, he has no choice but to offer her a few days of his time.
Before long, Blane receives his chance for revenge, but at what cost? Will Ceana and her family pay the price for his negligence just as his village did? Or can he protect them, even while he finds himself drawn to the stubborn woman and blinded by an attraction deeper than his thirst for English blood?
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This book is about Ceana and Blane. Blane wants revenge and he doesn’t have time to help anyone else. But when Ceana asks for his help, can he give it when all he wants is revenge. Is Blane able to see that the past doesn’t define a person. Will Blane run when he finds out Ceana’s secret? Ceana has spunk! Great book with lots of adventure…and of course romance. I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
He was revenge more than anything for the what happened to his village. He enters the raven where he find a line woman running it. She is pleased to see him and she tries to get him to stay longer and protect the village. He wants revenge more than helping her. Will she be able to convince him to stay? Will he leave? See what he will do
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Her Highland Defender” by Samantha Holt is a tale of one Blane Ross …whose motivation is solely based upon revenge. But for the lively blue-eyed lass named Ceana..he encountered at a castle he pauses at …may very well change his mind. As for Ceana herself…she needs a defender to aid her in defense of her castle from the English invaders …is this the warrior she needs?!? And IF her castle is safe…will her heart be?!?!? Read and See!! Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very exciting, suspenseful, dramatic, emotional and much more read. She is left to keep things together after her father and brothers go off to war. He is there to rest. There is so much more to this story and it grabs your attention and keeps you. I highly recommend it.
Excellent Heroine, Even if Stupid at the End
I have read a fair amount of books by Samantha Holt, and unfortunately, I find that the quality of her books is variable in quality. You never know what you’re going to get. But her good ones are good enough that I still check out every one when it shows up on my favorite book review site. Luckily, this is one of the good ones.
This book had an unusual heroine, and I always love it when an author chooses to give a main character a very different trait or physical disability. In this particular book, the heroine has trouble with her vision. She is nearly blind. In good light, she can see shapes and colors, but everything is blurry and indistinct. And in the poor light of the castle where she lives, she can’t see much at all. But she is super resilient. She has counted planks and paces, knows every uneven part of the flooring, and has a mental map of the layout of her home. She is but surprisingly independent and works very hard. In the book, we see her not only as the chatelaine (and current protector) but also mucking out stalls and beating laundry at a stream. She tries to be cautious (and still stumbles too often), but her poor vision doesn’t keep her from doing what she wants or needs to do. I like the hero in this book, mostly for the way he treated the heroine. He does learn of her vision issues after a little while, but he neither pities nor shuns her, which are both common reactions that have happened to her. He treats her with respect like anybody else, like the strong woman she is, while still trying to protect her and help her protect her people, even if she fights him on it.
There were a few things that I didn’t like about this novel. For instance, I don’t think that *all* the men of the heroine’s castle would have gone to fight the big battle at the Bruce’s side, leaving the women and children back at the castle and village completely vulnerable and unprotected. In most books I read, a small contingent of warriors is left behind. Of course, this is fiction, so I don’t know what it is historically accurate. But it just seems odd.
I enjoyed getting to know the couple as they got to know each other. But towards the last third or quarter of the book, things got a little odd because the heroine acted stupidly. I hate it when the plot turns on the heroine acting stupidly. It happens far too often in romances and some female-driven fantasy as well. She was not foreshadowed as being as impulsive as that moment of stupidity, though I don’t know if foreshadowing could have revealed the magnitude needed to justify the stupidity. She had to have known, seriously, that the hero would come after her, endangering himself. Duh! My other issue with a book, as with all of this author’s books, is that there were numerous issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage, so much to be distracting at times. Commas were particularly problematic, especially the required one between independent clauses in a compound sentence joined by a coordinating conjunction. This author puts out a ton of books, and she could afford to get these copyedited—or hire a better copyeditor.
All in all, though, I completely enjoyed this story, reading it for longer than I should have when I should have been doing other things. I think it was mostly because the heroine was so well drawn and very sympathetic, and the hero was what you would want him to be for that kind of woman.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Heart racing, action packed adventure in the past filled with dangerous and exciting charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and emotional turns…. was a great read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this thrilling journey!
Her Highland Defender is an interesting story about two people who meet during a war. He’s out to get revenge against the English who destroyed his village and she is trying to protect her village while dealing with a disability. The writing is good and the characters are strong, intriguing and well developed.
Can they strike a bargain?
Blane Ross is looking for shelter for the night. He’s on a personal revenge mission. Ceana is a young Scottish lass protecting her castle. Can they strike a deal that’s beneficial to both of them?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Scottish Highlands, 1314
Blane Ross was on a mission to tract with the English who had brutally attacked his clan and caused so many deaths. With Robert the Bruce facing down Edward II, no stranger could be trusted and he was wary. But he had to rest and saw a castle down in the valley.
What he finds is two sisters and a few servants but naught else to defend the castle. Ceana is the eldest and currently the head due to all the men going to war against the English and the ones who had been left had died of the fever. But when Blane arrives, she begins to have hope he will stay until others arrive and she will even tell him her secret.
A fast paced story with wonderful characters that come alive and drew me quickly into their lives. I could not wait to see what would happen to these two, with Blane anxious to leave and catch the English, but Ceara desperate for him to stay.
I have read almost everything Samantha Holt has written since about 2017 so it is wonderful to go back and read some of her older works. She is an amazing writer and once you read one of her tales, you will want to go read everything! Well done!
I really enjoyed this story and I’ve always loved it when one of the characters has a disability, it proves that love can find you, no matter if you’re whole or not.
Even with her disability, Ceana makes quite the heroine and I just loved her character. She’s strong but isn’t too proud to ask for help when Blane shows up at the keep. He’s on a mission of revenge but at the same time, can’t resist helping her out. This romantic Highland story takes place during the conflict between Scotland and England so there’s a lot of action, adventure, as well as love:) A wonderful novella that can be read in a few hours.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first time in reading this author but has been on my radar for a good long while. What took over to finally give in could not resist the promise of a tale with a Highlander in it. Robert has his hands full but so will they get even fuller with his meeting with Ceana. She too has her hands full with like his will get even fuller once they meet. As this one unfolds so does our heart taking in what blooms from this. This is quite the adventure but also woven with romance you get a escape that satisfies your thirst.
Blane has a mission, to hunt down the Englishmen that slaughtered his family and make them pay. While tracking them through the woods he comes upon a castle sees and opportunity to get a good nights rest. He doesn’t count on meeting Ceana and her family and feeling the pull to stay.
Ceana, her sister Kate and their mother, are standing guard over her father’s castle while he is out fighting the English. The few men that remained have been lost to fever and the women are struggling to keep the castle running. When Blane arrives, Ceana thinks she sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is comical since she is legally blind.
Blane finds himself drawn to helping this settlement in the way he couldn’t help save his own. But are his feelings for Ceana more than just helpful?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy without expectations, all opinions are my own. This is the first novel I’ve read by the author and I’m comfortable saying I will look for more titles in the future.
The flow of the storyline was great, action kept it moving at a good pace. Not a lot of wasted dialog throughout. Well done for my first experience.
Even blind, Ceana was strong and smart. I loved her character. Blane is on a mission to get revenge and kill the englishmen responsible for slaughtering his village. After weeks of tracking them, he is tired and finds sanctuary for a night at the home of Ceana. Her father, the laird, and his men are away fighting the English, leaving Ceana in charge of keeping the women and children safe. The renegade Englishmen have been spotted and she needs Blane to stay until her cousin and his men can come to safeguard the keep. But Blane is on a mission of revenge and even though he is attracted to Ceana, will he forgo his mission for several days to keep protect the castle from the English? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a gripping unpredictable romance this is. Blane of Ross Clan of Glenlochan was out for vengeance against a group of rogue English soldiers who slaughtered his native village. Tracking them for days he and his horse needed rest and sustenance. He came across a small village and fortress. He saw that there were no warriors to protect the fortress. All he needed was hospitality and he would be on his way. He would not get involved with the problems of the fortress. Then he met the beautiful Ceana. She is the daughter of the Chief of the Malcolm Clan and was in charge of protecting the castle and the villagers. Ceana believed Blane to be the answer to her prayers and she literally had to beg him to stay and help them. He agreed to three days. Ceana was waiting for her cousin and his men to come to their aid. Five days later Blane was still there. A romance had begun between he and Ceana. But they both knew he would never give up his quest for revenge and one day soon he would leave. Suddenly the rogue warriors were spotted and they had taken Ceana’s younger spirited sister hostage. Without Blane’s consent Ceana went to the men and traded herself for her sister. Ceana was not shy and she would gladly face any danger to save those she loved and cared for. She was a brave lass. When Blane found out he went to rescue her. He found he had another reason to live. He loved her and would see her safe. There was so much action in this story. It is indeed a page turner. Blane and Ceana made a good match. They both brave and would give their lives to keep those that mattered safe. But what happened after she was captured almost cost her life. So many complications so many dangerous situations and yet Blane and Ceana were determined to deal with it all. Ceana is an inspiration. When you read this, you will understand what I mean. I really enjoyed reading this and do recommend it.
HER HIGHLAND DEFENDER is a stand-alone, historical romance set in the Highlands of Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England in 1314.
I loved the strength of the Scottish women, left behind to mind the keep while their kin went off to war. This is our legacy. None is stronger than Ceana; near blind since birth, her father still trusted her with castle, keep, and village until someone could be sent to help.
Blane is fighting more than the English. He’s fighting the demons of guilt and revenge, until a blue-eyed lass captures him quicker than any sword could.
I loved reading about Blane and Ceana. They each had strength, loyalty, fearlessness, and compassion, but they also had faults. Ceana was headstrong and so determined to prove that her lack of sight didn’t hinder her, that she failed to “see” that we all need help at times. Blane was allowing revenge to lead him at first.
I loved seeing them grasp the life in front of them with both fists. War has a way of clarifying the timeline of a life. I loved that each was so willing to give for the other; to me, that is a sign of true love that will last.
I enjoyed this story and kept sneaking away from my chores to read… just…one… more….chapter. I look forward to reading more from Samantha Holt!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: HER HIGHLAND DEFENDER
Series: N/A
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Samantha Holt (as an ARC gifted copy)
The hero, Blane Ross can think of nothing but revenge against the English who killed his clan members. In his search in the Scotland highlands, he comes across a small village with a castle but no one around to ask for food & resting place for himself & his horse. He realizes that since there is no blood or looks of a battle, the residents must be hidden.
Our heroine, Ceana Malcolm, has been left by her father & brother while they go & fight against the English. She has been left responsible for the safety & welfare of her people. Ceana is almost blind, a secret that only a few people but this will not deter her from protecting her clan when a stranger comes to her village.
Even with her near blindness, I enjoyed Ceana as she made a wonderful heroine as she was feisty, strong but not afraid to ask for aid from the handsome Blane when he appears at the castle. Blane can’t deny the need to help Ceane out & agrees to stay a few days until her cousin arrives. Moving on from here, we have romance, a kidnapping & a lot of action with the conflict between Scotland & England but most importantly a HEA.
This is lovely novella that can be read in a few hours & I highly recommend it to all historical romance readers.
Her Highland Defender by Samantha Holt is the story of Blane and Ceana.
Blane is out to get revenge against the English mercenaries who destroyed his village. This leads him to come to Cenana family castle to rest. Ceana’s is working to keep the castle going after the men in her family leave to war. But when Blane comes she thinks he could be what she needs to help ensure their castle.
I enjoyed this book and hope to read more from Ms. Holt.
There are a few Spoilers in me review.
Blane Ross is out for revenge against the English who killed his clan members. As he is tracking them across the Scottish highlands he comes across a castle and a small village. He decides to go to the castle to ask for food and somewhere to rest for himself and his mare. But as he nears the area appears to be deserted but since there is no blood staining the ground decides the people must be hiding.
Ceana Malcolm was left in charge of her people when her father and brother went to fight with the Bruce against the English. Ceana has a secret though, one that not many know. Ceana is near blind, but she doesn’t let this stop her from defending and protecting her clan. Which she intends to do against this stranger who has come across their village.
Blane agrees to stay a few days until Ceana’s cousin arrives when she reveals that she is near blind. But her cousin doesn’t arrive on the day he should and Ceana is taken hostage by the group of English that Blane had been tracking. Blane, determined not to fail the woman he has fallen in love with, sets out to rescue her. But will Blane be able to save Ceana and create a life with her by his side?
Normally I enjoy Samantha Holt’s books but this one kind of fell flat for me. To me it’s as if some things were left out, Ceana’s mother, for instance, starts being referred to as Aileen but up until then her name hadn’t been introduced. And when Ceana is taken, her captor suddenly has the name of Sir Guy but until then it hadn’t been referenced. Not saying these detract from the story, I just thought it kind of odd.
I do hope others enjoy the book more than I did.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A sweet story. Ceana is a fierce lass who is trying to protect her people in the absence of their warriors. She is almost blind but determined to function fully. Blaine is searching for the English who killed his villagers when he stumbles into Ceana’s. The story tells the tale of their growing desire for each other. As they struggle to keep everyone safe by fending off the English without losing their lives. It is a story of fate and accepting people as they are.
Novella length stand-alone told in dual POV with HEA. I enjoyed this Scottish Highland romance! With all the men gone to fight the English Ceana is left to keep the village safe from mercenaries. Blane is tracking the English mercenaries that wiped out his village when he meets Ceana. They work together to keep her village safe and fight for one another. Loved the epilogue!