A Highland warrior battles to reclaim his birthright in the first of a new series filled with seduction, revenge, and soul-stirring passion… They call him the Beast–a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. … father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well…
Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian–a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim…but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?
more
“There is a savage beast in every man, and when you hand that man a sword or spear and send him forth to war, the beast stirs.” –George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords
Rating: MA due to violence, graphic and explicit sex scenes, trigger warning due to sexual attack of a female [unsuccessful], descriptions of death, and murder. Angst Level: medium-to-high: stressors due to violent acts. Source: own: 24-chapters with an excerpt from book 2: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid.
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** spoilers ***
Twelve-year-old Niall Braewick and his two younger brothers [8-year-old Faelan, and 5-year-old Cullen] were rushed out of Castle Kincaid when the attack came. He watched as each brother was taken in a different direction than his own. Niall didn’t understand. The three clans were friendly and were having a gathering… a festival. What had happened? The chieftains were allies. Why would the once faithful vassal clans Alwyn and MacClaren suddenly betray the Kincaids?
“As I have said, you have no reason to trust me, and an excellent reason not to.” –Robin McKinley, Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
The story jumps seventeen years later with Niall, now known as Beast the mercenary, plotting his revenge on those who murdered his parents, brothers, and clansmen. Now living in his former home was the Laird MacClaren and his family. This was where Niall met Elspeth MacClaren. Oh, dear. This was an amazing story. ICNPID [I-could-not-put-it-down]. It does have a soft cliffhanger with another Kincaid brother picking up the story in book two.
Highland Warrior Series:
Book 1: The Beast of Clan Kincaid [Niall Braewick and Elspeth MacClaren]
Book 2: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid
Book 3: The Warrior of Clan Kincaid
This is definitely a series I could re-read or listen to again without any boredom. The characters were well written, and it was hard to put down. Everything a romance needs; enemies, love, sexy scenes, and action. Lily Blackwood has helped me to fall back in love with Scottish romances.
Lily S. Thomas – Author of the Ice Age Alphas series and Galactic Courtship series
Feisty….. interesting story twists……liked it so much ordered the rest of the series….
I throughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very entertaining and kept my interest to the very end. The characters are wonderful and engaging.
Started really strong and finished with a whimper.
I realy really loved this book. I never write reviews but…I am so tired of books/authors throwing e off a cliff at the end…not the end. What a shock when I turned the page and there were no more chapters. Read it yourself…you”ll see. I don’t even mean the sex. I mean the 2 clans and all the families and children involved in the clan war. So, what? happily ever after? Heard of an Epilogue??
Compelling enough to read the next two books that continue the story,
This was my first Lily Blackwood novel. It is about three brothers who are forced to flee their castle and their clan when their parents (including their father the laird) are murdered. In this book, the oldest son, Niall Braewick, returns to the Highlands to recapture his home and assume leadership of his clan. Elspeth MacClaren, the daughter of his enemy, catches Niall’s attention and he is torn between his need to protect her and his thirst for revenge. For anyone who enjoys Highland romances, this is the start of a worthy series.
Fun quick read! I always enjoy time travel & this one was a different twist with fun characters.
Not my favorite but read it through to the end.
This was a great read. 1st book I have read by this author and will not be the last. I am starting the 2nd one in the series now.
The storyline details are fantastic and really helped to picture the scenes. The character’s feelings were believable, I did feel for a while that Bridget was being so nice because she had a sinister plot scheme, but guess not:). I dont want to go into too much more detail because I dont want to ruin it for anyone, but if you enjoy highland romances, I recommend this series 🙂