He has chosen a chaste life, but he’s never been tempted like this…Callum has two childhood memories: a stone cross, and the wanton behaviour of his mother, memories that drive him to a take a vow of celibacy at the age of fourteen. Now twenty-four, Callum takes leave from his laird for a year to find the source of these memories and, hopefully, his origins. Weary of finding nothing but … but disappointment and sorrow at every Kirk and Spital he visits, and with his allotted time fast running out, Cal is compelled to escort a dying man’s daughter south to Restenneth Priory. But he never expects the dark-haired woman’s hope and determination to tempt him to recant his oath or to make him question everything he believes in.
At the tender age of six, Isla Beaton learned a hard lesson about never giving up despite the challenges and grief that might come her way. Now orphaned and alone at nineteen, she has discarded her girlhood dreams of a love-match in marriage, but neither will she accept the betrothal arrangement set up by her father years before. Instead, she must rely on Callum, a stranger her father sends to her door, to deliver her to the priory where she will dedicate the rest of her life to God. But as their destination draws closer, the time she spends with Callum and the one kiss they share has her wondering if maybe there is hope for the treasured dreams of a girl after all.
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This is the third book in a series, and it is the first one I have read, and I loved it, I didn’t feel that I had missed out on anything else but I now really need to read the first two stories, because MS Butler had bought the Scottish Highlands to life for me, a place I have always wanted to visit and she made me fall for Callum and Isla what a beautiful couple, this is a book that I enjoyed so much.
Callum is an orphan who has a couple of memories from his early childhood and at the age of twenty four decides that it is time to go in search of these memories and see what he can find out about his parents, he has been celibate because of memories of his mother and has a few decisions to think about. He ends up helping in a leper’s house and when a dying man asks him to escort his daughter to Restenneth Priory, Cal is determined to do so, but when he meets the lovely Isla his feelings are going to change this woman shows such strength and love.
Isla lost her mother when she was young and lived with her father in a small village, but by the time she was sixteen life had thrown some pretty tough challenges her way and she never has given up and when she is orphaned at nineteen her father has sent someone to escort her to the Priory and there will be a lot of challenges and trials along the way, and one of those is falling for this strong, caring and protective man.
Truly this is a story that I highly recommend, so very well written it bought to life, the characters and setting to make me feel that I was travelling through this road to find a true love and happiness. Cal finally found out about his family, and happily gave up his celibacy to marry the woman who held his heart and to see Isla grow even more with that courage and strength she possessed has left me smiling, thank you MS Butler, I did love this one.
The Saint by Allison Butler is book Three in the Highland Brides Series. This is the story of Isla and Callum. I have read the other books in this series, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Callum’s memories from childhood have turned him into the man he is today. Callum’s has swore to be celibacy which he has maintained now at the age of 24. But Callumis a care person who tries to help other that are in need or are weak. Callum sets out to research the memories that he has had to get the full meaning of what happened. When asked by a dying man to help his daughter, Callum cannot turn him down. This sets Callum on the path to meet Isla. Isla hasn’t had it easy her whole life but she goes forward the best that she can…even giving up her dreams of a love marriage.
Callum hasn’t ever been tempted to break his vow of celibacy until he meets Isla and gets to know her. But can these two overcome their past to make a future?
Enjoyed their story!
Memories from childhood can often affect our lives and that is the case with Callum. He only remembers his mother’s loose behavior and a stone cross, before he was left as an orphan. He want to devote his life to the church. But at the age of twenty four he goes on a quest, with two of his friends that were orphans also, to discover from whence they came. Along the way Callum ends up caring for some lepers and one man, Thane, who is near death, asks him to protect his daughter, who is alone, and help her get to her uncle.
It seems fate has taken a hand to lead him to Isla, Thane’s daughter, but there is more at stake than he could imagine! He finds her in dire circumstances and they find themselves fleeing for their lives and needing to get to her destination which is to devote herself to God. Yes I see a similarity her to her and Callum, but can they stop the attraction that blooms between them? Will they go their separate ways once she is safe?
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The characters were very descriptive and I could feel their emotions. Looking forward to reading more in this series and I know you will too! I read this through NetGallery
In an attempt to make up for the sins of his mother, Callum has lived a life of chastity and is considering devoting his life to the church, but he truly has no idea where he belongs or what will bring him peace. While he is working in a leper house he winds up inadvertently making a promise to a dying man to escort his daughter, Isla, to a priory in the south where her uncle is the abbot. Callum decides he will fulfill this duty and then give up on his search for the iron cross that is his only clue from his childhood memories that could help him piece together his origins. Upon his arrival at Isla’s home, he finds he is not the only one who has come for her and the two find themselves on the run from Isla’s betrothed. Callum is determined to keep to his chaste ways and be nothing like his mother, (who he remembers beckoned many men into her bed), but he feels immediately protective of Isla in a way that is more intense than his usual need to protect the defenseless. It’s not long before Callum is wondering just what he’s gotten himself into, nevertheless, he won’t go back on his work to protect Isla. Callum is surprised to find that Isla stirs feelings of desire in him that he’d long been able to bury and tries to keep his distance from her as much as possible, beyond what is necessary to protect her. Remembering nothing of his mother but her loose ways and striving to not be like her and to make up for her behavior, Callum is ashamed of his inability to control his body’s desirous reaction to Isla. Isla is headed for a life of devotion to God and Callum has set his course for a life of celibacy, never to have his own family, but that doesn’t stop either one of them longing for the touch of the other. Soon both begin to question what the proper course for their lives really is and if perhaps they belong together instead.
This was an enjoyable read for me, if a bit of a slow burn. It does lag a bit in the latter-middle of the book, but powers through to a satisfying end that left me wanting to read the other two installments of this series.
I received a complimentary ARC via NetGalley. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Saint is book three in the Highland Brides series. Callum is a man without a family or much of a past. He spends a year searching to discover his origin. While on his search, he encounters a young woman who needs his help. Isla Beaton is dependent upon a stranger when her father dies. Callum vows to see her safely to Restenneth Priory where her last remaining relative lives. Isla is intent on serving God, but one kiss from Callum threatens to destroy her resolve.
This is a very well written story and one of my favorite Butler books. I thought Butler told Isla’s point of view masterfully. Although this book is in a series, it truly can be read as a stand alone. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I was gifted a copy of this book from NetGalley.