Fans of “romance à la Outlander” (RT Book Reviews), will love this sexy, action-packed Scottish historical as a battle-hardened Highlander will fight with all he has to save the woman he loves–even if she can never love him back.
After being unceremoniously jilted by her betrothed, Lady Mairi MacKenzie is humiliated and heartbroken – but she’s not desperate. As the daughter of an earl, she won’t … she’s not desperate. As the daughter of an earl, she won’t give her hand to just anyone, and she definitely isn’t swayed by a last-minute proposal from Laird Duncan MacRae. The powerful clan chieftain may be disarmingly handsome and charming, but he’s not a nobleman. Mairi doesn’t want his pity or his charity – even though his dark smoldering gaze makes her melt with desire.
The Highland Chieftain
By amyjarecki
Lords of the Highlands series:
The Highland Duke
The Highland Commander
The Highland Guardian
more
I’ve been a huge fan of Amy Jarecki for YEARS! I don’t read a ton of scottish historicals but lately I’ve been discovering there are some real gem writers out there who deliver stunning stories and amazing characters. Amy is number one go-to for Scottish romances. The Highland Chieftain did not disappoint! Dunn was positively sexy and made my kindle simmer. I loved the pull push relationship that he and Mairi had! They had one of those slow burn romances where they’ve known each other awhile but then circumstances throw them together and Mairi can’t deny what she feels for Dunn when he rescues her from the British Redcoats! I just LOVED their chemistry and their love story and this was a delicious read. I highly recommend!!!
What is better than a brawny, sexy Highlander? A brawny, sexy Highlander with a soft heart and written by the talented Amy Jarecki!
Devastated at having what she thought her life would be torn from her, Lady Mairi MacKenzie wants nothing more than to remain in her home. Alas, her father will not have it and forces her to attend the Highland Games. Poor Mairi’s devastation clearly shows and becomes unbearable when her former intended shows with his new wife. Unable to bear it any longer Mairi makes a decision that will put her
life in danger. What follows reveals lies, manipulation, and events that prove Mairi is stronger than she thinks.
Och, the last thing Laird Duncan, Dunn, MacRae needed was the spoiled chit that he once offered marriage to only have her and her father belittle his request. That alone should have hardened his heart to her but oh, how sad she looks. Dunn is determined to put her from his mind and heart and concentrate on winning the Highland Games. That is until the lady makes a hasty departure that could
cost her her life. Without hesitation Dunn rides to her rescue and spirits her away to safety until he can safely return her home. Though good intentions can come at a cost and this may just cost him his head and his heart.
Oh, how Mairi’s devastation and sadness and Dunn’s heartache and love jump off the pages! Add in a villain, adventure, and anticipation and you have a love story for the ages. Definitely in my top stories of the year. Thank you, Ms. Jarecki!
Since having been jilted by the Earl of Seaforth, Lady Mairi MacKenzie has lost her sparkle; all joy seemed to have drained out of her. Duncan “Dunn” MacRae, who has fancied Mairi in secrets for several years, saw his chance when Seaforth cried off, but Mairi refused. But her father has not relented: she will marry into the nobility, which is why the MacKenzies are headed to Urquhart Castle for the Highland fetes. Unable to lift her spirits, Mairi wanders off in the wood for some peace and quiet, which was not to be, as she is accosted by some Redcoats. Dunn had been keeping an eye on her, and a good thing it was, because he arrived just in time to rescue her from the ill-intentioned villains. Alas, more are coming their way, and the only way out is to run for their lives …
Amy Jarecki is always a wonderful writer, but with THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN, she has reached heights of uncommon brilliance. The author’s prose is as gorgeous as you will ever see: luminous, crisp, and utterly dazzling; the descriptions makes Scotland, voyages at sea, the Highland games, are as vivid and real as you can hope for on the written page; and the little trip to London Bridge was something I had never seen before. Ms. Jarecki sprinkles her narrative with delightful and enlightening historical details that make her story shine with welcome authenticity. Seldom have I read a historical romance that rang so true, especially a Scottish one, and the dialogues were utterly delightful as well, the author never straying from the era’s usage and still keeping the tone flowing and airy. Needless to say, the secondary characters, some recurring ones from previous books, are impeccably drawn; Lord Buchan was particularly intriguing …
It seems I’m always repeating myself when it comes to Amy Jarecki, but every book in this fabulous series is better than the previous one. Dunn is a magnificent hero: big, brawny, manly, honourable, and with a real tender Scotsman’s heart; he is a true romantic, and I simply adored him. Mairi acts like a well-bred early eighteenth century woman, yet she is not a dishrag, nor is she a reckless fool; she stood her ground when it was required, and not out of stubbornness; she behaved sensibly at all times. The romance is passionate, and I felt the immense love that Mairi and Dunn shared. There is a lot of action and adventures in THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN, as well as a splendid romance, and the storytelling is exceptionally smooth, there is nary a bump on the narrative road. If you love Highland romances, THE HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN is one you will not want to miss, because I truly felt I had been transported in another time and place for the time it took to read this outstanding book!
Just Another Book Bitch’s ALWAYS SPOILER FREE REVIEW
Current status…. trying to figure out how to marry a fictional character…from the past… I mean…it is 2018… Dunn MacRae… is the mouthwatering champion of the highlands. Breaks my heart. I really think I was born in the wrong era sometimes…then I make myself think of life without my iPhone and air conditioning …
This story is about how perfect Dunn MacRae is for me … FINE! It’s a love story about Dunn MacRae and Mairi MacKenzie. Don’t get me wrong Mairi is great. She’s lived a sheltered pampered life but she’s a strong and caring woman that won’t make you want to throw your Kindle (like some simpleton heroines can be) Mairi MacKenzie is the sweet heartbroken innocent daughter of an earl. When her engagement is canceled she’s humiliated. She’s left wondering what life has in store for her if anything at all…
I liked her I really did!
But Dunn MacRae is
EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
He’s the reason we buy, read, and swoon for romance reads!
Dunn is the sworn man of Captain Reid MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth. MacRae is the highland champion. Revered for his strength and courage.
“MacRae had earned his reputation because of his behemoth size and scale on the battlefield. He was a warrior. Ran into the face of danger when others were tucking their tails and fleeing.”
While Dunn appears to be the scowling brute on the sidelines he is SO MUCH MORE!. Dunn rides in to save our heroine and steals our hearts while he’s at it. He proves to be the hero with a heart of gold. He’s so sweet and romantic! He quickly became my favorite hero from all the Lords of the Highlands novels by Amy Jarecki. He takes the risk of showing Mairi how he feels even when he doesn’t think he could ever deserve her.
“By allowing his heart to take over his judgment, he was playing with fire.”
This was such an easy read. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Amy has an easy way with words that transports us to another time and place. She easily captures our hearts. The Highland Chieftain is definitely my favorite of this series. But what I adore most about the Lords of the Highlands series, is that they are all true standalones. You can read them in any order you want and truly enjoy them. I have, and I’m in awe of the author’s talent to make me feel like I’m not missing anything while simultaneously making me NEED the other books in the series. Well done Ms. Jarecki, I can’t wait for the next book!
Thanks to Forever Romance for a paperback ARC and Amy Jarecki for the opportunity to review.
Find/follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @JustAbookb & My Blog Page at justanotherbookbitch(dot)com
Laird Duncan MacRae must convince Lady Mairi MacKenzie that she is the one for his heart against the backdrop of danger and intrigue. So enjoyed this tale with all aspects of characters and story line. Definitely find a comfortable seat and settle in since you won’t want to put this one down.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
The Highland Chieftain by Amy Jarecki is book Four in the Lords of the Highlands series. This is the story of Lady Mairi MacKenzie and Laird Duncan ‘Dunn’ MacRae. I have read the previous books but fee this can be a standalone book. Mairi was set to marry a man that has been promised her since childhood but nearing their time he up an married someone else. Although it wasn’t a love match the embarrassment and loss of her life plan has set her into a depressed state. Mairi father is making her rejoin the world and the first person she runs into (more like run over by) is Dunn. Dunn shortly after her broken engagement offered for her hand in marriage to her father. But Mari thought he was asking out of pity for her and he though she turned him down because he wasn’t good enough. They try to avoid each other during the Highland Games but when Mairi life gets in danger…Dunn comes to save her.
This was such a great and exciting read….one that you won’t be putting down! Loved it!
Amy’s stories always are my favorites be it a Highlander story or a Romantic Suspense. This one is one of my favorites a guardian protector. Poor Dunn MacRae, Laird of his clan but under the fealty of the Earl of Seaforth, Reid MacKenzie. He’s always been in love with Mairi MacKenzie but she’s the betrothed of his fealty lord Reid, an earl. Reid elopes with his ward as we saw in the previous book and he immediately offers for the jilted Mairi now that she’s freed. Her Da declines without even consulting her as he has title plans for his daughter since she’ll not be Reid’s countess. Dunn has never felt worthy of Mairi since he’s not titled but he loves her. His opportunity comes again and he finds himself on a journey with Mairi to protect her from her social climbing father mixed up in the soon to be explosive politics of Scotland and England. I loved the twists and turns in this story and being able to see another highland laird rescue a damsel in distress. Thank you Amy and Forever publishers for the opportunity to review this story.
I enjoyed this addition to the Lords of the Highlands series. When we last saw Lady Mairi MacKenzie, she was reeling from being jilted by Reid MacKenzie, the Earl of Seaforth. They had been betrothed as children and Mairi grew up believing she would be his countess, but instead, he breaks their betrothal and marries Audrey, his ward. Mairi isn’t exactly heartbroken, but she is feeling sorry for herself and turns down a proposal by Duncan “Dunn” MacRae, believing the highland laird, a man who swears fealty to Seaforth is only proposing out of pity.
Dunn has long desired Mairi, but as Seaforth’s betrothed, she was off limits. When he proposes and is rejected, he knows he should just move on and forget about her, but the heart wants what the heart wants and forgetting her is just not possible. When Mairi is in danger, Dunn risks his life to save her, he kills three English dragoons that were intent on raping her and rides away with her when more soldiers show up. He had planned on returning her to her home immediately, but her father convinced he abducted her, has placed a bounty on his head and he cannot safely return her.
They hole up in his favorite spot, the Cavern of the Fairies and Dunn does his best to keep his desire in check. They spend time talking and Dunn offers to teach her how to defend herself. All is going well until Mairi gets ill and Dunn is forced to leave their sanctuary to get her to a healer. He takes her to his home Eilean Donan Castle and nurses her back to health.
Mairi has always been attracted to Dunn, but she never acted on it, first she was betrothed and later didn’t want to be pitied by him, but now she has come to realize there is much more to Dunn than she believed and she would like nothing more than to explore the feelings he has invoked. Before they become lovers, Dunn again proposes and she accepts, she is aware her father has other plans for her, but she is sure she can convince him to accept Dunn.
They enjoy their time together, but they long to get her father’s blessing and when pleas to Seaforth to intervene come to nothing, they decide to confront her father. But things take a terrible turn and Dunn is imprisoned. Mairi is devastated, she loves Dunn with all her heart and is forced to go to London with her father to save his life.
It seems all is lost for our lovers, but Dunn is not willing to lose Mairi again, he is relentless in his quest to marry her and more than once, his life is put in jeopardy. But when all seems lost, help comes from unexpected sources and Mairi will have to decide if her love for Dunn is enough to give up her family.
This was a fast paced, very emotionally driven story with a sigh worthy hero who loves Mairi with steadfast devotion rarely portrayed in romances these days. The story has action, steamy love scenes, a really vile villain, heartbreak, cameos from Reid and Audrey and a truly beautiful soulmate type love. The only thing that really bothered me was that the villain really didn’t suffer any repercussions for his treatment of Dunn and Mairi. But that aside, it was a good read and had a completely different feel from the previous books in the series. This is the fourth book in the Lords of the Highlands, but I think it could be read as a stand alone with no problems, however, if you want to go into this book with a better understanding of the relationships between Dunn, Mairi and Seaforth, I would highly recommend at least reading Highland Guardian first.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Lady Mairi MacKenzie is humiliated after the Earl of Seaforth passed her over and married his ward. Now Mairi’s father is dragging her to a Highland event for all the clans. All she wants to do is hide in her chamber, not be paraded around the games. Duncan MacRae has been in love with Mairi for years and had always stepped aside for Seaforth. Once the betrothal was broken, he asked her father for permission to court her, only to be dismissed and refused. When Mairi wanders alone into the woods, the trouble begins and only Dunn can save her. Will she change her mind about Dunn’s proposal and see him for the man he truly is?
I’ve read the other books in the series and this one was enjoyable as well although I though Dunn was a little sappy. He’s this hardened warrior and I thought there was a bit too much internal musing for him. I was also a little disappointed about Dunn’s treatment by Seaforth especially after Dunn’s loyalty for years. He didn’t seem to have his back at all and let him to his own devices. The plot moved along nicely and there was plenty of action to keep the story moving. Despite these criticisms, I enjoyed the book. Fans of Scottish romances will enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review and I was not obligated to leave a review.
Mairi sees her life in shambles. I see she is her own worst enemy when it comes to self-esteem.
She was betrothed as a young child to a boy child destined to be the earl of Seaforth, and her life was planned for her, which made life pretty easy, and rather suited her. But the unbelievable happens – the groom to-be breaks off the betrothal to marry someone else. Mairi is beyond humiliated, wishing to stay home and never show her face in society again–from the butterfly of the party to a dismal existence.
A certain Duncan MacRae, chieftain of Clan MacRae obviously had felt sorry for her because he asked for her hand. She only became further embarrassed. She would take no pity from someone who only would pick up the shattered pieces of her existence. Her father made that clear to her – the man only felt sorry for her.
Her father forces her to go with him to a gathering at Urqhart Castle. He wants her to marry well – perhaps a peer of the peerage. He will force her hand if necessary!
Duncan MacRae, even though a chieftain, who works to protect Seaforth and family has always been smitten by the spitfire, Mairi. She is so vivacious. When Seaforth begged off on the marriage, Duncan presented himself to her father to ask for her hand. Alas, she was not to be his.
Duncan is part of the festivities at Urqhart Castle and can’t keep his eyes off Mairi. While in the middle of the games, redcoats show up itching to make trouble and trouble they bring.
Where is Mairi? She traipses off into the forest just before they show up. Duncan notes redcoats take the same path.
Duncan isn’t in control of his emotions as he chases the men. He finds Mairi with her skirts up around her waist fighting off three lewd men.
This scene is terribly exciting as danger surrounds Mairi and now Duncan for having killed three men. He wants to keep Mairi’s reputation and honor intact, but as events unfold, it begins more and more difficult to do so.
Author Amy Jarecki keeps the tension coiling as they are chased through the highlands, but a Highlander knows his way better than any Redcoat while a Highland lassie pulls strength from her innerself. Now Mairi’s father is working against Duncan The man who saves his daughter is now being hunted with a bounty on his head!
You will simply love this nail-biting tale. I, as a reader, highly recommend Jarecki’s work. Don’t miss the rest of the series. She’ll keep you entranced.
Haven’t read yet
I was lucky to win a print copy of Amy Jarecki’s The Highland Chieftain, which is book 4 in her series Lords of the Highlands. I am offering an unsolicited and voluntary review of what I read.
Most reviews are positive about The Highland Chieftain. Some are not. I am one of the readers who really loved this historical romance. I now want to read the rest of the series. I find Amy’s prose wonderful. She developed two engaging characters in Dunn and Mairi. There was action, adventure, and a lot of good historical information. And most of all, a sweet, steamy romance. I agree with several reviewers who questioned how to marry a fictional character from the past. A handsome, brawny, kilted Highlander will tend to cause those yearnings. Enjoy the story!
Another great author
Highland Chieftain by Amy Jarecki
Lords of the Highlands #4
Mairi MacKenzie, betrothed for years, was jilted by the man she was meant to wed. She has had another offer but turned it down due to something her father said. While walking in the woods during highland games she is set upon by three dragoons who soon meet their maker at the hands of Dunn MacRae. With more dragoons on their heels they run for cover, spend time together and are set with a number of difficulties. The biggest difficulty is Mairi’s father with his aspirations of a title for his daughter. Of course the two eventually do find their HEA ending but much must be overcome before that can happen.
Did I like the book? Yes
Did I like Mairi & Dunn as a couple? Yes
Will I read more by this author? Yes
Was it entirely believable? Perhaps not but it was a fun way to spend the afternoon.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Grand Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
Another great story from Amy Jarecki! I loved the pace of the story and had to keep turning pages to see where this tale would take me. Danger, misunderstandings, a father who lost his path, and a love so strong it touched me deep, all of this combined to make a story worth reading and sharing. Mairi and Dunn made a great couple with the strength of their love and commitment to each other. I highly recommend this story.
I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
After being unceremoniously jilted by her betrothed, Lady Mairi MacKenzie is humiliated and heartbroken – but she’s not desperate. As the daughter of an earl, she won’t give her hand to just anyone, and she definitely isn’t swayed by a last-minute proposal from Laird Duncan MacRae. Dunn may be a battle-hardened clansman, but he’s always had a soft spot for Mairi. For years, she tormented him with flirtation – only to reject him. But he’s not giving up. When Mairi is attacked by redcoats, Dunn goes after the woman he loves. Dunn has always loved Mairi but wa denied her had in marriage by her father. Mairi’s father has led her to believe that Dunn proposed out of pity. I loved Dunn and Mairi’s story. What wonderful characters Amy Jarecki has created. I have always loved her books and this one is no different! I definitely recommend this book! You definitely don’t want to miss out on the feisty Mairi and the handsome Highlander Dunn!
What I loved about The Highland Chieftain:
1.Dunn loves Mairi and isn’t afraid of that!
2. Mairi and Dunn have a miscommunication/misunderstanding, which I normally hate, but they are able to get past it fairly early on (before the 1/2 way mark) and I loved that
3. Its really Dunn and Mairi against the world-her father, the Redcoats, and anyone else who stands in their way! They won’t let anyone hold them back!
4. I loved the relationship between Dunn and Mairi. They are very different-she was raised as the daughter of an Earl who was expected to marry well. He is a rugged highlander who has been the right hand man of the Earl of Seaforth. However different these two might be, they absolutely love each other.
5. Dunn says some seriously swoonworthy things throughout the story. Its so romantic!
I have absolutely adored each book in the series and I have been excitedly waiting for this book since I finished the final word in the last book. Dunn and Mairi were supporting characters in that book and I was excited to learn more about them. I’m sure I am in the minority, but I was sorely disappointed. Dunn, the Hero of the Highlands was taller than any man around and had shoulders the width of a horses hindquarters. He was a fearsome warrior. Yet, this book made him sound like a complete milksop – not in deed so much as in thought. I could understand him having some soft thoughts of love for his lady, but – good grief – to me he sounded more like a love-struck 12-year-old GIRL. I actually think this would have been better as a novella because it didn’t get really interesting until somewhere between the 50% to 60% range.
In the last book, The Highland Guardian, Mairi MacKenzie’s fiancé, Reid MacKenzie, the Earl of Seaforth, broke their engagement and married his ward. Mairi was embarrassed and felt she was ruined, but her father made her attend a Highland gathering anyway. At the gathering, the Redcoats came in and were breaking up the gathering because they had had a report that it was a Jacobite gathering. Mairi had left for a walk alone just before the Redcoats entered – and she was accosted by three Redcoats bent on violating her.
Ducan (Dunn) MacRae is a powerful Highland Chieftain who has been in love with Mairi MacKenzie since she was fifteen and he was four-and-twenty. He could never act on that because she was betrothed to his friend Reid MacKenzie. Dunn’s family had long been allied with the MacKenzies and had pledged their fealty to them. It seems that Dunn had always been at Reid’s back cleaning up Reid’s messes – and Reid was always in a mess.
When Dunn was attending a Highland gathering, he saw three Redcoats pursuing Mairi and he jumped on a horse and headed out to rescue her. He did just that, but then, the Redcoats were in pursuit and he couldn’t get her back to the gathering and her father. There was only one place Dunn could think of to take her so he could keep her safe until he could get her back to her father. It was nice to see them spend time with each other and get to know each other.
I was totally disappointed in Seaforth’s role in this book. Dunn is someone who had saved Seaforth’s life numerous times, he’d cleaned up his messes and always had Seaforth’s back. Then, Seaforth just basically left Dunn twisting in the wind. Yes, it was always explained away – the Queen had summoned Seaforth or the Queen had sent Seaforth somewhere, etc. However – there were things Seaforth could have easily done – he could have had his army standing at the ready to aid Dunn – he could have put in a good word with the Queen on Dunn’s behalf – all sorts of things and he didn’t do any of them. Definitely not what I would have expected.
The book is filled with ‘thoughts’ from Dunn mostly but Mairi as well. Those thoughts are pretty sappy I think. I’ll give you some examples, but be ready for about a half-dozen per page. Yes, having some of these thoughts is sweetly romantic – but there are just so many of them . . .
She looked like a fairy come to life, complete with wings and stardust sparkling about her ruby locks.
Sighing, he made himself a pallet and waited until sleep took away the pain of having his love trampled by the nobility of the lands he’d pledged his sword to protect.
He would walk across the snows of Ben Nevis barefoot in winter to ensure Lady Mairi’s safety.
Jesu, how could a man feel pain when presented with such beauty?
How dare he allow himself a moment of weakness. He was Lady Mairi’s sworn protector
He should never – not ever – show his emotions to Her Ladyship
A woman as fine as Lady Mairi must be treated with reverence and care
What we share is pure, divine. No one in all of Christendom can tear down our bond. Our love is greater than an ocean. It can withstand anything.
He would wait to share her bed forever if need be. No woman had ever come to mean so much to him. THIS was thought AFTER they had already slept together, but she didn’t want to ‘cheapen’ their love by sleeping together while pretending to be man and wife.
Again, I am sure I am in the minority with my review, but I can only write what I honestly feel about the book. If you read it, I hope you agree with the majority of reviewers rather than me. I am truly looking forward to the next book because I think this was an anomaly. I rated all of the other books in the series either 4 or 5 stars and I’m sure the next one will be right back up there as well.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”