With her sister facing the gallows, she risks it all… even her heartLegendary Scottish laird and warrior Reid Douglas has never met his match on or off the battlefield until Lucy Livingston – his bride-to-be. Lucy is no meek maiden content to stay at home. She’s trained in the art of war and is determined to destroy the king Reid has vowed to protect with his life.Lucy doesn’t want to wed the … doesn’t want to wed the handsome, brawny laird, but it is an excellent cover she can use to get close to the king, who is engaged in a campaign to rid Scotland of witches. Lucy must protect her sister from enemies who know an accusation of witchcraft, no matter how tenuous, is a death sentence.
They should be sworn enemies. But Lucy can’t deny the sparks that fly whenever she vies with her husband in and out of their bedroom. And Reid finds his wife’s spirit intoxicating – making him long for more than war. Can two opposing warriors find peace in each other’s arms?
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The second book in Gerri Russell’s All the King’s Men series has plenty of sword play and great action along with sexy romance! I was happy to dive back into the excitement of Russell’s historical world in this second book after enjoying the first. In addition to page turning adventure, there are interesting bits of history woven into the story. I love the way the heroine in this story, Lucy, is a warrior along with the hero. She faces battle head on with courage and skill. If you enjoy historical tales filled with strong heroines and sizzling romance, this book will pull you in and warm your heart.
If you like historical romance you will enjoy this book
Love the story with a strong women characters. Love the story that conquers difficult situations. I cried and laughed and enjoyed this novel to the last line. Thank you
Good story about Scotland, the clans and arranged marriages
The dialogs between the characters was fun to read!
Nice read
This is one of the best action adventure romances I have ever read. This grabbed my attention from the very beginning and had me turning page after page to find out what would happen next. There were plenty of surprise twists and turns in the story. Gerri Russell is a genius the way she wrote about Lucy, a female warrior, as the lead character. To show her softer side she took charge of her fourteen-year-old sister who seemed to have epilepsy. In those days I am sure they called it something else but also thought it was a sign she was possessed with a demon. In those days killing witches and demons were the sport of the time. So many innocent people were killed without a proper trial or proof. A very sad and dark time in Scotland. The way the author wrote Lucy’s action scenes were amazing, so powerful, so exciting. She was a true warrioress. Reid is the Laird of Redhouse Castle. He is a renowned professional warrior. An honor guard to King James himself. He is a good laird but his past haunts him. He is fair, just, kind, intelligent, fiercely loyal to those he loves and has given his oath dedicating himself to the safety of the King and Queen. You have got to read this book. You will not be bored nor disappointed. I found I could not put the book down. There was something going on on every page. There was an arranged wedding between Lucy and Reid where they met the day of their wedding. Lucy’s father pushed for the match because of Reid’s direct connection to the king. There was the kidnapping of Esme, Lucy’s younger sister. She was to be charged as a witch. The dash to free her was exhilarating. There was the matter of Lucy being blackmailed into killing the king or her sister Esme would be turned over to the witch trial tribunal. There were spies, murderers, deep despicable clan feuds and an attempt to overthrow King James. There were plenty of evil characters to loath. The intrigue, the suspense, the battles, the courageous men and woman who fought for noble causes. There is so much to devour in this book. You will be completely satisfied by the end. I did not want the story to end. I wanted to find out how Esme’s new future turned out. I wanted to know if Lucy and Reid have children and if there are female children, will they be trained for battle like Lucy was? This is a must read and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Scotland, 1592. “Marraige was not about love. Marriage was about social positin and connection, as her father had reminded her.” Lucy Livingston had learned early that even family was not about love. A sister to protect because of her affliction, when threatened by a clocked figure her sister would be declared a witch if Lucy did not carry out his demand. Kill the King. At the same time the King had betrothed her to one of his men, Laird Reid Douglas, who he was close to. So Lucy would have to betray Reid to get to the King and her life would probably be over. But at least her sister would go to a safe place at least which the hooded man gave her evidence.
On the night of their hasty marriage, as they saw each other for the first time and he kissed her, there was a spark there between them. But as fate would have it, he was called to protect the King from an imminent attack and had to leave.
I was captured by the first page and this exciting adventure did not slow down. Lucy had so much heart and was strong, having trained as a warrior since she was young to earn the favor of her father, who gave her no acknowledgement.
Reid won my devotion with his strong sense of protection and honor. He was determined to help Lucy when he found out what was going on and catch the villian.
Gerri Russell successfully immersed me into this time and place with her wonderful descriptions and strong characters. This was a difficult era in history with so many killed due to strange beliefs and opposing faiths. My heart smiled as I turned the last page and knew I could not wait until the next in this series comes out! Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone, but you want to read book one also, you will be happy you did! I read this through NetGallery. ps, I love the cover!
Book: Romancing the Laird
By Gerri Russell
Series: All the Kings Men, #2
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook of
1.Tartan Book Reviews
2. Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3. Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
4.Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating:
Overall Rating: 5 Stars and 5 Kilts
July, 1592
Lucy Livingston’s gets blackmailed on the day of her betrothal to Laird Reid Douglas. The blackmailer proves this by touching her sister Esme’s chest, forcing her in an apoplectic seizure.This stranger threatens the one person Lucy loves the most and has cared for her entire life, her epileptic sister Esme. In this time period it was called the shaking sickness. It is also a time the King James Charles Stuart VI who was very superstitious about witches and those accused who floated were burned at the stake. The stranger wants Lucy to murder the king, as it is well known of her notorious talent with a bow and arrow. This religious zealot wants this done now, due to the King’s treatment of the people in the Catholics faith, not treating them justly or allowing them to practice their faith without persecution.
Now this religious radical threatens Esme, claiming he will make her sister go into an apoplectic seizure in public! In addition wickedly accusing her of being a witch with evil powers. This would cause Esme to be arrested, tortured and executed as a witch! This radical knows her betrothed, Reid Douglas is close to the King and one of his chosen guardsmen. He also knows Lucy would have both opportunity and skill to get this execution of the King done.His promise is that Esme will be taken care of at a nearby Abbey if anything bad happens to Lucy. Such as imprisonment or execution for the murder of the King. Not a way Lucy would ever be wished to remembered, as a treasonous traitor and murderer of the monarchy!
Lucy Livingston now has a letter from the Abbey, stating this is true, as her sister would be under their protection, if she can’t care for her sister in the future. Lucy she really has no choice, no matter how much she hates doing this, not the way she wanted to start her marriage. Especially now seeing how kind, protective and handsome her new husband is. As they get married quickly but he is called away to protect the King since he is one of the Kings elite guardsmen. This gives Lucy the perfect opportunity to murder King James. Lucy is living with a lot of guilt but has no choice in the matter. She will do anything to protect her sister. The problem is she is falling in love with her husband, even though she was royally commanded to marry him through the spoils of war. Can she trust him? Will he even believe her or just send her to the gallows as a traitor and executor of the King. The man her husband is sworn to protect.
Her husband also has his own secrets to protect as this is the third wife he won’t let anyone take away. He will protect anyone who is his learning his lesson from a tragedy of his first wife. This is the first time he has cared about another person in seven years. He finds his new wife absolutely perfect yet he is guilty of being attracted to his midnight warrior. A woman who might possibly be an assassin of the King, Reid will protect his monarch, no matter who the would be killer is. Plus there are spies under his very own roof and an enemy clan that wants him and anything he cares about dead. So much conflict and turmoil in this relationship is doomed, before it even has a chance to begin! Will Reid and Lucy even have a chance? Partners or enemies? Reader will have to read and find out the answer to these questions and so much more.
A book readers definitely don’t want to miss. Ms. Russell does it again and pens another masterpiece that I couldn’t put down! It was a definitely both a nail biter, yet it romance gave my stomach butterflies too, with the swoon worthy hero and unconventional protective heroine! This is the second in the phenomenal series, All the King’s Men. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. You can also read as a stand alone book or in book order. I highly recommend readers to read both.
Again Gerri Russell pens another masterpiece from start to finish. It has all the elements romance readers love. This includes my absolute favorite ingredient of factual history with an exhilarating fictional romance. Plus this novel includes iconic figures in Scottish history like King James VI and Queen Anne of Denmark. Sadly women being burned for witchcraft was very prominent during his reign and obsession as King. He even wrote a book on his reflections and how to deal with witchcraft in 1591 called Daemonologie.
So again I was blown away by this magnificent story which is absolutely brilliant. I am so thrilled Gerri Russell has returned to Scottish historical romance! As I have been reading her books for close to fifteen years, since her Stones of Destiny and Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars series. I absolutely recommend everyone to check out those books too as they are fabulous!
This book has the all the elements historical romance readers savor. As “Romancing the Laird” is another riveting, fast paced, action packed, nail-biting, romantic adventure. It is filled with true historical and fictional events which includes blackmail, murder, treachery, intrigue, clan wars, assassination plots, witch hunters, witch tortures, religious prejudice, religious fanatics, arranged marriages, betrayal, protection, trust, honor and love. The specialty for many readers will be the weaving of true history with a fictional romance. The setting was beautiful, dialogue was amazing and the plotting was absolutely brilliant. Both characters and secondary characters are both exhilarating and unforgettable. A book many readers will want to read multiple times, a definite for your keeper shelves. Now I can’t wait to read Lachlan’s story. I can’t imagine being forced to marry a woman from the clan that murdered your parents! Looking forward to reading “A Temptress in Tartan”, book #3 in this magnificent series, All the King’s Men by Gerri Russell!
I absolutely and unequivocally recommend “Romancing The Laird” by Gerri Russell
All the King’s Men by Gerri Russell
1.Seven Nights with a Scot – Quinn & Vivian
2.Romancing the Laird – Reid & Lucy
3.A Temptress in Tartan – Lachlan & Elizabeth (Lizzie) Release Date TBA
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy from the publisher through Netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advance copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.
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Set in the 1500’s Scotland when King James VI ruled and witch hunts were at a peak, Lucy Livingston would do anything to protect her sister who has been labeled a witch because of her seizures. When she is blackmailed and told to assassinate the King in return for her sister’s safety, she agrees. Lucy self taught herself how to use a bow and arrow and is a true warrior at heart. When she is forced to marry a warrior to the King, Scottish laird Reid Douglas, it’s the perfect opportunity to put the plan in motion.
When they meet at the altar, it is instant attraction and Lucy decides she can trust Reid with her secret. He vows to help protect her sister and plans are made to capture the man who is blackmailing her. Reid soon finds out his new wife can take care of herself and they fight alongside each other. Reid also has a past tragedy that he must overcome if he and Lucy can have a future together.
This truly was a wonderful book to read and I look forward to reading more of this author’s books!!
I was given a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Unloved by her heavily indebted father, Lucy Livingston has always tried to impress him with her fighting skills as a son would. But he only sees her as a tool for trade and agrees when she is betrothed to Laird Reid Douglas, a member of King James’ elite guard. Lucy might be hopeful for her future given the spark between herself and Reid, but she’s being blackmailed: if she wants to keep her sister Esme’s epileptic fits a secret and keep her from being tortured and executed as a witch, Lucy must use her husband’s position to get close to the king and assassinate him.
Lucy and Reid should be on opposite sides but she soon wonders if she might be able to trust him with all of her secrets and rely on someone else to help her for a change.
I liked that we saw conflict for our hero: his king is not that great and the hero disagrees with the witchcraft mania the king has started, yet he is sworn to protect him and still honors this pledge. I didn’t like this one as much as the first book in the series, but it was still enjoyable.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.