An uncertain bride looks for love with a man as wild and mysterious as his Highland home in this new Scottish romance from a USA Today-bestselling author. Ordinarily, Lady Fiona Ormiston wouldn’t think of forming an alliance with an ungroomed, barbaric Highlander, despite the protection he offers. But now, by request of the king, Sir Adham MacFinlagh, a brazen stranger and outsider unlike … stranger and outsider unlike anyone she has met before, is to be her husband. Torn from solitude and the comfort of her family to make a home with the rugged knight, Fiona surrenders to Adham’s powerfully passionate–and shockingly tender–touch, only to discover her new husband’s family ties may lie with an enemy of the king.
A sense of duty may have brought Adham to the marriage bed, but it’s his powerful feelings for his beautiful, willful wife that will be his undoing. Ultimately, the bold knight will have to decide: Does his allegiance lie with his blood ties to the man who hopes to bring down the king or with the bride who has stolen his heart?
From the author “frequently credited with creating the subgenre” of Scottish romance with her Lairds of the Loch and Secret Clan series, The Reluctant Highlander is a rich historical tale of intrigue and desire (Library Journal).
The Reluctant Highlander is the 1st book in the Highland Nights series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced story of a young lowland lass unexpectedly married to a Highlander. The historic detail is an interesting, and I think accurate, telling of the period and place. Recommended to all who love Highland Romance.
Great author
Loved the book. Was easy to get into the characters.
Enjoyable but not the best she’s written.
Gave a good view of life in Scotland during the reign of King James I. Interesting characters.
Gwen you want to read more of the authors books, you know it’s good!
This delightful novel is filled with history and romance. The book covers some turbulent times in ancient Scotland — 1429-1431. It is a time when the king is trying to bring peace and continuity to his governance but many of the Highland lords don’t like his policies and they are supporting another to rule parts of the country. It is a time filled with subterfuge and the king isn’t sure who he can trust and depend upon. It is a dangerous time to be a Scot – not the most dangerous in their history, but still unsettled and turbulent.
Sir Adham MacFinlagh is a true hero in every sense of the word and I really liked him. Also he’s a true Highlander and warrior. Adham has a bit of a sad family history, yet he’s remarkably well adjusted and happy in his family relationship. He is a firm supporter of the king even though he doesn’t agree with everything the king wants to do.
Lady Fiona Ormiston is the daughter of the kings most trusted advisor. She’s smart, sassy and independent even though she’s in service to the queen. She thinks Highlanders are all barbarians and is surprised to find she likes Adham when she meets him while she’s out for a midnight swim in the loch (yes, she snuck out).
Through the machinations of the king and Fiona’s father Adham and Fiona find themselves married to each other. I’ve read several reviews that say this book is very short on romance and that they didn’t have time to fall in love. Well – I beg to differ. The book covers well over a year in time and although Adham is away a lot to do the kings work, he comes home regularly. The book plainly says that, so they have all of that time to learn to love and appreciate each other without each visit being specifically spelled out.
There is, of course, a set of bad guys aside from the turbulence and battles that take place. It is nice to see them get their comeuppance.
One thing I really liked was the ‘Glossary’ at the beginning of the book. I would have liked it to have been a little bigger, but I was happy that it had one at all because most of the books don’t.
“I requested and received this 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.”