Duty drove him to possess her, but love will drive him to his knees. Eight years ago, savage Scots invaded Eve Decres’s home, murdering her family and plunging her into a nightmare. As sole heir to a strategically located castle on the border between Scotland and England, Eve became a prize to be wedded and bedded, and she fled into hiding. She survived by clinging to two dreams: one day … two dreams: one day reclaiming her inheritance, and finding love to build a new family from the ashes of her loss. But on the verge of beginning her journey to make her dreams reality, she makes a fatal error that alerts her enemies to her whereabouts.
Now, Eve is catapulted into a world of feuding clans and warring kingdoms where she’s forced to make a choice that threatens to destroy her chance at freedom and shatter her heart. Amid treachery and violence, she soon discovers her only hope dwells in tying herself to Grant Fraser, a noble, fierce Highland warrior. Though passion smolders between them, Grant is bent on vengeance and sworn to a duty that would thwart her own plans.
Bound by desperation but separated by conflicting desires, the spitfire lass and the determined laird must relinquish what they’ve long held sacred in order to overcome their foes and claim a glorious, unconquerable love.
From the bestselling author of the Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts series comes a new, richly drawn Scottish historical romance saga! The Renegade Scots series sweeps you into medieval Scotland and England and transports you into dangerous deceptions and daring feats with swoon-worthy heroes and fiery romances!
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This was an excellent read even though I hadn’t read the first two books in the series. I felt perfectly comfortable reading this as a stand-alone. The writing is excellent, the plot is well developed and the characters were interesting.
Eve Decres lost her entire family eight years ago when a group of brutish Highlanders was allowed into her home by a traitor. The Highlanders murdered her father and mother right before her eyes and abducted Eve and her sister Mary. Eve’s lady’s maid managed to help her escape and they’ve been hiding in the Sisters of Saint Cecilia Convent for the last eight years. The castle and leadership of the clan is her inheritance – when she turns eighteen years – and she has just done that. Now, she must choose a husband, one who loves her, and go back to her castle in order to claim her birthright.
Before Eve can find a man to love and who loves her in return, she is abducted from the Abbey by a cruel Highlander who plans to marry her in order to obtain her castle. Were all Scots – particularly Highlanders brutish barbarians? Eve believed that must be the case because all she had met seemed to be that way. This particular brute also had two boys as captives and unmercifully used the whip on them. Eve knows that the boys will soon die from the whipping if she doesn’t do something to stop it. So, she does the only thing she can – she promises she’ll wed her captor if only he’ll let the boys live.
Grant Fraser is a Highlander. He is honorable, brave, brawny and, of course, very handsome. He’s just managed to capture the man, Laird MacDougall, who is responsible for taking his brother’s life and he plans to capture MacDougall’s son, Aros, next. Yet, he soon learns that Aros has captured Grant’s young brother as well as the younger brother of Grant’s best friend – and – Aros is willing to trade the two boys for his father.
The prisoner exchange, betrayals, escapes, and romance that follow make for some exciting reading. The times were dangerous and turbulent, but love managed to bloom and lead to a HEA for our hero and heroine.
This book could have easily been a 5-star read for me. However, I didn’t manage to work up a real affinity for Eve because, frankly, she seemed to be one of those TSTL heroines because she kept taking foolhardy and thoughtless actions that just got her into trouble. I also thought the end was just too abrupt. I would have preferred less of the details at the beginning of the book in order to add more detail to the end – particularly winning Eve’s castle, Linlithian, along with the soldiers there. Then, I also had to wonder about nobody being concerned about the whipping the boys took. They were beaten to the point of dying – and yet, when they were returned home, nobody even mentioned cleaning the wounds.
As I mentioned, I haven’t read the earlier books. I’m sort of glad I haven’t read them because had I met Simon in those books I would have been grossly unhappy about his outcome in this book.
I hope you’ll give this book a read and enjoy it as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Eve Decres is an heiress to an English castle that stands in a very important place on the border with Scotland. She has been in hiding since the murder of her parents, but now she has come of age and can rule in her own right. Unfortunately once she is discovered many others want to force her into marriage to take control of her castle.
Grant Foster has had to become the new Laird of his clan after traitors of Scotland caused his brother’s death. Now he has to find his younger brother and his friend who defied orders to stay behind.
An action packed story full of danger and excitement. Fabulous characters that will draw you in from the first page to the last. I think I’ve guessed who will be the hero of the next in the series. I really look forward to reading many more.
I loved it.
Eve Decres’s has been in hiding with the Sisters of Saint Cecilia Convent for eight years ever since her family was killed by Scottish Highland raiders. She’s now turned eighteen and the castle and leadership of the clan is her inheritance and she’s ready to return home to her birthright. Aros MacDougal comes to capture Eve and she’s become the prize to be wedded and bedded. Grant Fraser just lost Simon, his Laird and brother. He’s just captured Laird MacDougall and his next is to capture MacDougall’s son, Aros both are responsible for his murder. What he doesn’t expecting is his young brothers to held captive by Aros and lovely young Eve also his captive, he knows he must rescue her too. Grant discovers she’s the long lost heiress to Linlithian, along with the soldiers there, soldiers he desperately needs to turn the tide of the war. I love Grant and Eve, Grant want her castle and land and all Eve wants is to be married to someone who doesn’t want her castle, just wants her. She ends up involved in a waring feuds between Clans. I loved this romance action adventure romance and I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book
My interest in this third book in Julie Johnstone’s Renegade Scots series was immediately captured by a gripping, emotional rollercoaster of a prologue. It was well maintained throughout the entire work with the intertwining stories of Eve Decres, a borderlands heiress in hiding, and Grant Fraser, a noble and fierce Highland warrior. Their tale is filled with terror, adventure, revenge, villains, treachery, and such a lovely, sweet romance. “They’d both had high walls around them before they met,” and it is up to them if they can tear them down. This is a lovely gem of a Highland tale. Ms. Johnstone has outdone herself with this one.
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this work to review. All opinions stated are voluntary and my own.
Brace yourself to be drawn into a heart pounding opener in the first page of this amazing story. A group of murderous, savage warriors took Eve Decres, after laying siege to her home when she was ten years old, along with her little sister Mary. Eve had just been named heir to her father’s estate just two nights hence, a prized border castle wanted by many and she was the pawn for someone to gain it through her.
She is able to escape the warriors when they are grabbed by the stablemaster from their castle and her maid. Unfortunately it appears her little sister and the stablemaster do not get away. She and the maid make it to a convent and there she stays until she is 18. Old enough to marry, she hopes to make it back to her home and take over.
But fate has other pathways in mind and Eve is captured by a ruthless clan who intend to marry her to their Laird’s son from the MacDougal clan. This is when Grant Frasier rescues her and the adventure begins. I truly fell in love with Grant and Eve. They had both endured a lot and they deserved happiness.
Julie Johnstone brings this story to alive with her gift in a way that truly had me envision the life and times during the early 1300’s in Scotland. It was a truly brutal time in history and she did not gloss over the facts, which made the words and descriptions come alive and had me captivated, as every book in this brilliant series.
An adventure with all the elements needed to make this one of my favorite of this authors. But who am I kidding? I feel that way about every book this author writes!
Highland Avenger is an awesome story of adventure and romance. Grant Fraser is now Laird of Clan Fraser and has vowed revenge against the MacDougalls, a clan allied with the English and responsible for the death of his brother Simon. Eve fled her home when her parents were murdered and has been in hiding for eight years. Before she can return to reclaim her home, she is kidnapped (by the MacDougalls) and rescued by Grant. What follows is an action-packed dangerous story that is hard to put down. Grant and Eve are wonderful characters. Both are honorable and courageous. This fast-paced story has murder, kidnapping(s), intrigue and betrayal(s), and revenge. There is also duty, friendship and love, acceptance, and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I highly recommend Highland Avenger and the rest of the Renegade Scots series.
I received an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.
Ms. Johnstone has written another compelling Scottish story with plenty of action, mistrust and a happy every after. Grant and Eve are two emotionally scarred warriors who are out for revenge to avenge the family they lost to greed during the troubled times of Edward and Bruce’s battle to rule Scotland. Grant saves Eve from one of the Fraser’s enemy’s. But he soon discovers Eve’s true identity and knows instantly they must wed. Though Eve does not wish to marry for anything but love she will do anything to save her long time maid/companion who protected her until she turned of age to take back the strategically placed castle which she was to inherit from her Father. Grant promises to protect Eve even when she seems to always find trouble or trouble finds her he manages to hold true to his promise to protect what is his. They want to both protect their own hearts from further hurt but fate seems to have other plans.
This is a must read and I highly recommend each of the books in this series. I received this book for an honest review.
Another thrilling story by Julie Johnstone, whether this is your first book or next in the series you will love it. Julie has really grasped the Highland genre perfectly with its rugged, fierce warriors to the strong, brave, independent women. Our hero is Grant Fraser loyal to King Robert the Bruce fighting to free Scotland from the wicked English King and Eve is our heroine determined to get her fathers lands back. Luck or fate brings them together though as always circumstances make it a rocky journey to find peace and love. Their journey takes you through the beautiful countryside of Scotland, you can almost see it through Julie’s wonderful words. There are shocks and drama as always along the way and I have to say a major surprise, you will have to read to find out! I never tire of reading about Julie’s highland heroes, I cannot recommend her books enough.
Eight years ago, savage Scots invaded Eve Decres’s home, murdering her family and plunging her into a nightmare. As sole heir to the strategically located Linlithian castle on the border between Scotland and England, Eve became a prize to be wedded and bedded, and she fled into hiding.
Now, Eve is catapulted into a world of feuding clans and warring kingdoms where she’s forced to make a choice that threatens to destroy her chance at freedom and shatter her heart. Amid treachery and violence, she soon discovers her only hope dwells in tying herself to Grant Fraser, a noble, fierce Highland warrior.
Please don’t start this book late at night if you’re wanting to sleep! Totally unputdownable, I read it in a sitting, everything else was on hold until I finished it. I was drawn in from page one & he attack on Eve’s family & totally held until the final page. I love the author’s books they are well written & well researched with strong believable characters. The pace of the book left me breathless at times. If you love highlanders, intrigue, skulduggery & of course romance then I’d highly recommend this brilliant read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I’ve read one of the previous books in this series. (Outlaw King book 1) I don’t think you need to read the other books, but it gives a little background.
Grant is newly appointed Laird if his clan, he wasn’t suppose to be the Laird, that was his brothers place, but he was murdered, so Grant has to step up. He has captured the man responsible for his brother’s death, but had been told his nephew is being held captive, so a swap is needed to save his brothers son.
Eve has been in hiding ever since her parents were killed (in front of her) she is the heir to a castle (it’s position is strategic to both the Scots and the English.) And now she’s eighteen, she can legally claim it, but being a woman if she marries then the husband has rights over the castle, so that makes Eve a target.
Together they need to trust one another, Eve doesn’t trust Grant, she thinks he is a brutish Scot, only after her castle, and he doesn’t trust the English.
I really enjoyed the book, it was full of action. Grant and Eve were a really great couple. We have a lot of action. We have prisoner exchanges, we have traitors and mistrust. In all it makes for a really good read.
Oh My Gosh…I am in shock! What a way to start a book! So very sad but you can’t help but wonder what else is going to happen. Highland Avenger by Julie Johnstone is book 3 in the Renegade Scots series and this book draws you in from page one to the very last page. This is a stay up all night to read as you will not be able to put it down. This is an amazing series and Julie has really out done her self on the historical portion of this series. Truly amazing! If you have not read a Julie Johnstone book, boy are you in for a big surprise. Though in a series this book can be read as a standalone. This story has deceit, fights, kidnappings, death, grief, hiding, traitors, understanding, sickness, a very strong women, acceptance, blackmail, evil, protection, honor, duty, a rushed marriage and love. It has it all and I very highly recommend you read this book, you will not be disappointed.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Wow! What a roller coaster ride of adventure. Highland Avenger by Julie Johnstone is book 3 in the Renegade Scots series. It can certainly be read as a stand-alone. This is one of those stories I consider as epic.
This story as kidnappings, escape, murder, betrayal, friendships, love, sacrifice, duty, and so much more. I would highly recommend it.
I received a gift of the book and have chosen to leave a review.
Wow, what a wonderful third installment in this series,. Julie Johnstone never fails to disappoint me with her writing and this is certainly no exception. This story is full of adventure right from the start. Barbaric Highlanders, innocent young girls, murder, betrayal, grief and much to keep you enthralled until the last page. The characters are so well written, evil as well as endearing. I highly recommend this book and the books in this series. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. Five stars.
Do you want action and adventure? Do you need to feel the fresh air of the highlands and the cool breeze going through your hair? Are you interested in clan politics, feuds, and two kings to appease? Do you want to know how far English Lords and Scottish Lairds will go through to gain greed and power? Do you want to feel the anguish and pain of the innocent or the brutal murder of the undeserving? There is loyalty, betrayal, murders, heiress in hiding, and in one moment of defending the defenseless, the heiress’s world is turned upside down and filled with desperate danger. Eve does not trust anyone. But she is determined to reclaim her birthright. In some respects, she is naive, but she also has the ability to reason after a bout of anger and confusion. When Grant saves her from a dangerous, lawless and unscrupulous clan forcing her to wed the Laird’s son, slowly she begins to trust him. Before Eve’s father was murdered before her, he told her to avenge him. Grant is an honorable and trustworthy warrior. He just became Laird when his older brother Simon was captured by the English and beheaded. Grant knew the Scottish clan responsible for it and vowed revenge on their Laird to make him suffer the same fate that befell Simon. Eve knew unless she wed, she would be a pawn to be fought over. She and Grant came to an understanding and wed. The adventure begins. There is suspense and tension everywhere. Whatever the characters were going through it was easy to identify with their emotions and feelings. I tensed when there was danger, I felt relief when they fought their way through and were victorious. I enjoyed the banter between Eve and Grant. It was amusing and at times funny. The attraction between Eve and Grant was palpable and could be felt. When they were able to share passion, it was so hot. But when they finally consummated their marriage the love, passion, desire and chemistry was off the charts. Loyalty to Grant was a given. It was an honor and a duty to protect all within his clan. That now included his wife Eve. But Eve would soon discover loyalty and honor was a foreign word to those who ought to have sworn fealty to her as their heiress. This is a must read. It is a page turner and you will not want to put the book down. It is a hard hitting look at the feudal system, the fight for Scotland’s freedom from England and the men and women involved fighting for their rights to live as a free people. I highly recommend this book. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Highland Avenger is book three in the Renegade Scots series by Julie Johnstone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has unexpected twists and turns. Johnstone is a master at peeling back her characters layer by layer and revealing the person beneath. I enjoyed Grant Fraser. He makes his debut in Highland Defender, book 2 of this series. But this is definitely his story and his time to shine. Eve Decres is a wonderful heroine. I liked her wit and fire. “The devil thought to wed her, take her castle, and apparently claim her loyalty, all through seduction! The Highlander surely thought highly of himself and his appeal to women. An image of the man’s blue eyes and thick, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair appeared in her mind. Oh, he was handsome. There was no point denying it. He was compelling too, with his dimples and half smile. And a bit intimidating being so tall and, well, solid. She’d never seen shoulders so broad or a chest and stomach so riddled with muscles. There was not a bit of fat on Grant Fraser.” There are a number of steamy scenes in this book. This is a fantastic series. Although this book can be read as a stand alone, I don’t recommend it. This series is too rich to miss out on even one book. I was gifted a copy of this book.
1296: Valley of Blood Borderland between England and Scotland:
Eve Decres, age 10, is the heir to her father’s Linlithian Castle. She has a younger sister, Mary. One evening she was kidnapped and forced to watch the killing of her parents and their knights. A stableman tried to free the girls and their maids. Eve saw her sister trampled by a horse and she went over her horse’s head into the water below.
1306: Scotland: Grant Fraser, his younger brother Thomas and his elder brother, Simon, are running for their lives as they have been betrayed. Probably by the MacDougall clan who said they would support Robert the Bruce but lied. Grant, along with Ross MacLorh, helped the Bruce, his wife and most of the men to safety, but learn Simon has been caught. Branded a traitor, Simon was beheaded. Grant and Ross plan revenge by capturing Laird MacDougall.
Eve Decres and her companion, Clara, have been hiding in Scotland at a convent. She has exchanged letters with her uncle who is running her castle until she is 18. King Edward had gifted her family with Linlithian, allowing her father’s heir to be a daughter if she is the first born. As Eve is now 18, she hopes to marry and live in her castle. She has spent time learning to protect herself and use a sword. Eve discovers Clara never sent her letters because Clara believes her uncle was the one to betray her father. While at the convent, she is captured by the MacDougall’s son.
I have tried to write this review to entice you, but not spoil this wonderful book. There is so much going on it’s very hard to put down. It’s a keeper for me!
Highland Avenger by Julie Johnstone is book Three in the Renegade Scots Series. This is the story of Grant Fraser and Eve Decres I have read the previous books (and Loved them!) but feel this can be a standalone book.
Eve is to inherit a prime piece of land that she inherited after her parents killed. Eve has been hiding in a convent but now she ends up being taking in a plan to marry her to claim the land. Grant has just become a new Lair of his clan after traitors killed his brother. Now he is working to find his younger brother and friend who went out without permission.
Eve and Grant are thrown into a situation that leads to adventure and of course love!
Loved this series and their story…can’t wait to read more from Ms. Johnstone.
Highland Avenger is excellently paced, thoroughly action-packed with characters who were easy to love, others easier to hate!
Author Julie Johnstone’s story read itself. I mean, there was no hardship staying with the read. Additionally, Johnstone’s writing voice, along with the scene pacing had me flipping the pages!
I whole-heartedly recommend this story to reader’s who love their heroes braw, sensitive and clever, and their heroines determined and savvy enough to get what they want.
A Little About What I Liked:
The story began with a prologue set in the middle of action, one of desperation for safety. Two young children are taken from home (Eve and Mary), their parents killed. The prologue leaves you, along with Eve Decres, launching over a cliff for certain death! My heart pumped with fear, loving every minute of where the story was heading.
In chapter one, we are introduced to Grant Fraser and his brother Simon. Simon was the laird of the Fraser’s. Again, more action in the upcoming scene. The enemy is Laird MacDougall, who is responsible for Simon’s death in a gruesome display of evil.
Laird MacDougall is the kind of man who makes decisions for his own gain, not for what is right for his people or country. This is the guy you’ll love to hate. Laird MacDougall is a greedy, and unfortunately, powerful man. The wrongs he is committing against the Fraser clan aren’t his first.
Eve Decres’ family has also been touched by MacDougall’s malevolent character. Stay tuned.
Eve spent 10 years in a convent waiting until her 18th birthday to reclaim her birthright of Linlithian castle. She barely escapes the convent just as her enemies find her. She’s kind-hearted and is a force to be reckoned with, by enemy and want-to-be friends. You’ll enjoy how she makes Grant’s world topsy-turvy.
The burgeoning trust between Grant and Eve takes center stage by mid-section of the tale. You’ll find humor, plenty of bantering and decisions made, not because of love, but because of necessity–from both sides.
A totally delightful read. I imagine book 1 and 2 in the Renegade series are just as enjoyable.
I just absolutely love Julie Johnstone’s books. I will have to say this particular series is by far my favorite. When I pick up her books the magic begins and I am transported back in time. I do not give a synopsis book reviews . I just like to tell you what I enjoy most about the books. In this book the particular women is very strong! I think Julie Johnstone does a great job of portraying a 18 year old girl thoughts as she has to navigate her future. I am a person who reads in order for the series so I would truly recommend going back and reading her other two as this is book 3!
Amazing adventure! Wonderful story of revenge that turned into a love of a lifetime!