Highlander’s Revenge

I loved this story. Alastair seems a bit crazed when we meet him in Highlander’s Captive, but we get a sense of who he actually is and what he may become. It is Rebecca that he seems to be himself with and Rebecca who helps him realize who he is. The war that is coming will either be realize or maybe it can be diverted, if he takes up his father’s mantle. There is lots of action, but it the depth of hurt and betrayal along with all his years in captivity that makes this story very riveting. I think what will Alastair do or how is he going to react? I think the author was kinder to Alastair than I would have been, but she kept to the core of his character no matter hard that had to be.

I really loved this book and this series! In this book the famous Blue Thistle is killed and his son is imprisoned for a very long time! Alaster is kept alive in the dungeon by one thing only his desire to avenge his fathers death that he feels responsible for. Having survived only because of Rebecca bringing him meals as everyone else has forgotten he was still alive. This is partly their love story but it is so much more than that! It’s about the pride and love the highlander’s have for their families, clans and even their lands! It is full of drama, action, romance and betrayal! Barbara Bard is the queen of highland Romance! I’m am anxiously waiting for the next installment in the series! I can’t recommend this book any more strongly. It was fantastic!

I really, really liked reading this book. It held me in suspense and the tension that had me holding my breath. There is a lot of action in this story. I have enjoyed the “McCall Clan Series”. It was great to catch up to the former characters and this story picks up where the last one left off. Catherine breaking Declan and Alastar out of the dungeon with the help of Rebecca, a house servant and kitchen maid. Rebecca sees them off and the three abscond to Scotland. Alastar does not go with Catherine and Declan. He is on a mission and refused to leave England till it was accomplished. I admired Rebecca and Alastar’s characters. Rebecca in the beginning was timid, tried to be invisible, but there was no mistake she knew what was going on around her. It was wonderful to see her bloom into a full-fledged confident woman who was working through her preconceived notions of highlanders and her other fears. She always seemed to me a confident person although timid. But as time went on, she really came into her own and “rocked” her confidence to Alastar’s amazement. She is also a very sensitive soul. She preferred people choose life over death and peace over war. She had a heart of gold, full of love to give to the right man. Now Alastar grew up with his legendary father “The Blue Thistle”. He learned to do good for others, was taught how to survive in nature and learned to swing a sword like a true warrior. His father was his hero. When he was older fighting alongside his father, he became impatient and did not listen to his father’s vital advice. It caused him to be captured by their fierce enemy Lord Athelred Flynn and he watched his father be eviscerated and killed in front of him. Flynn had a twisted sense of justice. He decided to let Alastar live in his dungeon until he died and no one remembered “The Blue Thistle”. He suffered inhumanely at the hands of the guards and was treated less than an animal. However, he never forgot the consistent kindness of Rebecca who would make sure he got at least one meal a day. He tried not to lose his mind. He exercised what he could and tried to keep one thought on his mind to keep him from delving into madness. Revenge. He wanted Flynn dead. He wanted to avenge his father. That was all that kept him going. He got his break when Catherine came to free her love Declan and Declan took Alastar with them. He plotted his revenge on Flynn and made his way back to Flynn’s estate. While there he was able to appeal to Rebecca’s sense of right and wrong and she helped him in any way she could. She made sure to let Alastar know that she realized why Flynn had to die but she wished there was a way to appeal for a truce and treaty. Rebecca’s only friend betrayed her and she and Alastar had to run for their lives. They cautiously made their way back to the highlands to the McCall Clan to warn them of Flynn’s impending war. It was interesting and moving how Alastar’s mind awoke to feelings long forgotten when he was around Rebecca. He thought his destiny was to be one way, while Rebecca continued to tell him and implore him that it could be different. He could continue protecting and fighting for the poor and weak but he could also have a fulfilling life. It took a while for this to get through his thick skull, but he began to see life from Rebecca’s perspective. On the way they stopped at a small village where his fathered was remembered. They were happy to see him return to take his mantle up. They had buried his father and saved his famous deep blue colored tunic and his sword and presented it to Alastar. He was moved and touched that these people were encouraging him to continue the good fight. He donned the tunic and became the new Blue Thistle. On their journey Rebecca fell in love with Alastar and knew he was her soulmate. She just had to work on Alastar to see life in a new light too. They were warmly welcomed by the McCall clan and he was happy to see Declan. It was touch and go between Alastar and Rebecca, but she refused to give up and eventually won battle after battle hoping in the end to win the war for Alastar’s heart. As the men spoke together on how to face Flynn and his army, the wives of the Laird and his family were all English lasses. That made Rebecca a little more comfortable. Alastar decided to go solo into Flynn’s camp to kill him and try to avert the war. Blair, Drew and Declan would gather the clans together to fight against their nemesis. That night Rebecca felt she had nothing to lose and put all her cards on the table for Alastar. He said he would consider what she had said. A very adventurous exciting story. Never a dull moment. There is plenty of action to keep your mind engaged. A wonderful romance full of danger and suspense. A story of emotional self-awareness, truth and the beauty of love. A very good read and I do recommend it.

This author’s books are always good and grab you and keep you reading. What a wild ride this one is with twists and turns and bumps in the road. The man she works for is hateful and cruel. Not only to her but to the man he has locked in his dungeon. She sneaks food and such to him and decides to help him escape but it backfires on her. But the man who escaped come back to save her. It only gets more exciting from here. A very well, highly recommended, definitely read book. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.

Evil and cruelty versus honor and compassion in war ravished Scotland. Regaining his freedom was a wonder for Alaster; leaving her way of life was inconceivable to Rebecca. The way they come together is told in an enlightened and believable story. Slow paced and repetitive at times. A favorable addition to the series. 3 1/2 stars.

In the romantic scheme of thingd, it was a grande gesture Rebecca made to free the prisoner (Alastar) when Dec and Cat made their bid for freedom. In reality, it took strength and courage and a bit of humanity on her part. I liked seeing Alastar and Rebecca’s connection grow as they fought to stay alive and free. Yay! Lord Flynn got his just desserts for his revengeful acts!!! I liked seeing the characters from previous stories and catching up with them and their lives. Sweet ending.