Determined to keep the Macrory clan holdings out of the clutches of the Lord of the Isles and marauding pirates, King Robert II sends his man, Lord Ranald Scott, to hold Scaurness Castle. There, Laird Macrory lies dying, awaiting word from his son who is missing on the battlefields of France. If the son is not found before the old laird dies, Ranald will take over as laird--and marry Laird Macrory's headstrong daughter.
Lady Caitriona sees no reason she cannot rule the clan in her brother's stead, and is bitterly disappointed with the king's decision to send a man to oversee the castle and its people. Not only is Ranald Scott only distantly related to the Macrory clan, but he was her childhood nemesis. She has little trust or like for him.
Her disappointment turns to panic when the king's plan is completely revealed and she realizes she must wed Ranald. Pirates, treachery, and a 4-year-old girl stand between her and Ranald's chance at happiness. What will it take for them to learn to trust each other and find the love they both deserve?
Amazon best-selling author Cathy MacRae enjoys weaving tales of romance in the Highland mists. Her stories feature strong heroes and feisty heroines in pursuit of their happy-ever-afters in medieval Scotland.
When not writing, Cathy can be found curled up in a chair with a book or enjoying the outdoors with a German Shepherd or two. She is currently working on another Highland romance novel and planning her next trip to Scotland.
There was nothing terribly original about this story, and pieces felt borrowed from other, better Highlander books. Nothing reached in and grabbed me, and maybe I felt this detachment due to the familiarity. At times I skimmed, especially near the end. 2.5 rounded to 3 stars.
Set in the Highlands in 1377, this is the story of Lady Caitriona whose father, the laird, has just died. Unbeknownst to her, her father had asked King Robert II for help. The king sends Lord Ranald Scott to hold Scaurness Castle on Scotland’s western coast. Ranald has been told if the old king dies before his son returns from France, then he must take over as laird and marry the old laird’s daughter.
Caitriona would prefer to rule the clan in her brother’s stead and is not happy about being forced to wed her childhood friend she never liked. Added to that, she has a 4-year-old daughter, the product of a rape when she was 15, that she fears Ranald—like one of her other suitors—will reject. This is a well-written story, albeit long at times. The author has done her research to make it authentic and that is good. I enjoyed Ranald and his friends and the castle life MacRae has created. Caitriona (“Riona” for short and pronounced “Ree-na”) is a worthy heroine who has overcome great difficulties to take her place at the head of her people, that is until Ranald arrived. Treachery, battles, celebrations, a Highland wedding and an adorable child will keep you turning pages!
Ranald the hero is sent by the King Robert of Scotland, at the request of Laird Macrory who is dying, to secure the Macory clan’s castle and marry the laird’s daughter. A marriage that is not well received by all concerned as Ranald is not of the clan.
Riona is the heroine, who has been allowed to learn about the workings of the clan and weapons by an indulgent father. Her brother has gone off to fight the English in France and is believed dead. She now becomes a pawn among the clans of the area who want to take control of the castle. When Ranald arrives he has grown into a man from the boy who used to visit on occasion and torment her life.
A story of intrigue, secrets, fighting, and love. This book keeps you wondering what is going to happen next and how the characters are going to react. They are multidimensional individuals who make mistakes in the action of the moment but then ask for forgiveness. The entwining of Riona and Ranald’s past with their present and the problems they encounter keeps you interested throughout the book.
Lord Ranald Scott comes to Scaurness Castle to hold it for the King. The old Laird Macrory, head of the clan is dying and with the strategic location of the castle at the opening of an important river and port it is important to keep it out of pirates hands and the Lord of the Isles.
He arrives to find the castle under attack and that is just the start of his troubles. He is also ordered by the kin to marry the old Laird's daughter to keep the Macrory Clan loyal to him and the king. Lady Caitriona has other idea until she finally becomes The Highlander's Reluctant Bride.
If you like strong alpha male Scottish heroes, beautiful strong women and loyal clans with an added bonus of a wee small girl full of fun and questions that add humor, this is wonderful book for you.
MacRae’s beautiful writing flows easily across pages brimming with historical detailing, the lilting dialogue and rich descriptions of Scaurness and the surrounding land, really putting the reader right in the thick of Scotland.
Excellent story! I liked that Lady Caitriona was strong, despite being raped when she was 15, yet not a brat. Even when she is told she has to marry Lord Ranald Scott at the king's command, she is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and maybe learn to love him. What they don't know is that there are traitors in their midst and that an evil from the past is going to return.
Is this another of those originally published back in the 70s novels re-written to soothe today's butt-hurt crowd? It read that way to me. Although not badly written and with fewer GPS issues than normal for most Romance novels, I still did not enjoy this one. Too predictable, what with the author dropping major hints straight away, thus taking from me any chance for what-if's or an element of surprise later in the story. Too much modern, PC-minded bull for me to become immersed in what is supposed to be 1377 Scotland Romance. The thoroughly 21st Century thoughts, feelings, and mannerisms of the heroine, and the Metrosexual-behaving Hero who was about as flawless and thoughtful a 1377 Scottish Highlander as they came. Adding a child to the mix made it worse, further sealing my not-interested opinion of this surprisingly well-written tale of Reluctance at every turn. Nothing screams romance louder than a toddler running around in almost every scene to jolt the reader out of woo-hoo, eh Moms? I'm likely to be in the minority here, but why don't authors who truly believe in feminism, modern mentality without question, and Men Just Suck Because... stick to the Contemporary Romance genre, where they are more suited to voice their personal opinion in every chapter and create characters who fully agree with everything the author believes? Please, kindly stop cramming your modern moral outlook down my throat in your FICTIONAL ROMANCE novels! I cannot see Fictional Romance written this way (opinion-laden and 21st Century) as being able to stand the test of time, and that is a real shame. Or, will it still be a 'thing' in 30 years for opinionated strangers to re-write someone else's work to better suit their own moral outlook on life? *Sigh
over her bad temper and accept that.she is a fourteenth century , rather old to be still unmarried and not a twenty first century free to choose shrew . Anyhow , the Lairdy is " no sae bad" Good with dogs and horses and her wee accidental daughter . Not bad looking either . So a non eventful few long days preparing for the wedding , a long long wedding , with under tones of been here said that . A standard first night bedroom scene . So while they are putting off going back to the castle , maybe to get some peace from wee Gilda , it is taken by.pirates and the rest is worth reading , well., sort of
I believe this is the most exciting book I have ever read! I could hardly bear the tension at times. I could bear to have it end but the I couldn't bear not knowing what was going to happen next! Both the hero and heroine were fantastic and deserving of the bale. Just wow! This was a reference to the previous book and it sounded very interesting so I'm reading that next.
Okay, so I just really didn’t enjoy this book. It started out decently enough, even if the Scottish accent being written out so heavily is annoying. However, this book went from an interesting story to a drama fest with so many plot holes there was practically nothing that could be done to salvage it. The only reason I finished it was because I was enjoying making fun of it with my friend.
For centuries, women were but pawns used by men. Riona lived in a castle which was important to both King Robert of Scotland and the King of the Isles. Who will gain the lands of her birth after her father, The Laird, dies?
Castles, pirates, treachery, dictates and trust all mix together to tell the story of Ranald and Ree. It's a good story with twists and turns along the way.
Plenty of excitement, always something different going on. The treachery was almost to much, but it went with the times. To be pressed into marriage by you king, you forget that women were property.
Determined to keep the Macrory clan holdings out of the clutches of the Lord of the Isles and marauding pirates, King Robert II sends his man, Lord Ranald Scott, to hold Scaurness Castle. There, Laird Macrory lies dying, awaiting word from his son who is missing on the battlefields of France. If the son is not found before the old laird dies, Ranald will take over as laird--and marry Laird Macrory's headstrong daughter.
Lady Caitriona sees no reason she cannot rule the clan in her brother's stead, and is bitterly disappointed with the king's decision to send a man to oversee the castle and its people. Not only is Ranald Scott only distantly related to the Macrory clan, but he was her childhood nemesis. She has little trust or like for him.
Her disappointment turns to panic when the king's plan is completely revealed and she realizes she must wed Ranald. Pirates, treachery, and a 4-year-old girl stand between her and Ranald's chance at happiness. What will it take for them to learn to trust each other and find the love they both deserve?
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REVIEW: THE HIGHLANDER’S RELUCTANT BRIDE is the second instalment in Cathy MacRae’s Highlander historical romance series. This is Lord Ranald Scott and Lady Riona Macrory’s story. Following the death of Laird Macrory, King Robert sends Ranald to Scaurness Castle to secure and assume the position of Laird. To establish ownership, Ranald is ordered to marry Lady Macrory and is not surprise when she denies any claim of marriage. The two have a prior history that goes back a number of years.
The premise focuses on the building relationship between Ranald and Riona as well as defending the castle from would be claimants-a one time friend of the former Laird: and the head of the Laird’s guards. When treachery and treason is suspected Ranald must ensure his position of authority or lose control of the castle and the men.
The relationship between Ranald and Riona began as children but neither had seen one another in years. Their attraction to one another is immediate although both deny feelings or their emotions. But Riona hides a secret that she believes will push Ranald away and in doing so will discover that her past has come back to claim what he believes belongs to him. When Riona chooses her past over her present Ranald knows that the future he promised was never going to happen.
The world building continues with the inclusion of Laird Eaden Scott (Ranald’s brother) from the first storyline. With the backdrop of Scottish castles and the salt water ocean you can feel the moisture and dew on the misty shores. The secondary characters include family, friends and enemies all carefully placed who reveal bits and pieces about the history of the family and the guards.
Cathy MacRae pulls the reader into a romantic storyline of struggle, betrayal, heartbreak and love. The Highlander storylines are always a favorite genre for many romance readers and THE HIGHLANDER’S RELUCTANT BRIDE is the perfect romance read for love in the afternoon.
dying and his only son, Kennon, is missing, presumed dead. Not wanting Macrory's lands to fall to the Lord of the Isles, or heaven forbid, pirates, King Robert II sends Lord Ranald Scott, to not only secure the lands but also to marry Laird Macrory's only daughter, Lady Caitriona ( Riona).
All Riona remembers of Ranald Scott is that he found her an annoying nuisance as a child and once, accidently, pushed her over a cliff! Riona does not like the man, why on earth would she want to marry him? There are other reasons why she shy's from marriage, when she was 15 she was cruelly raped. That rape resulted in a little girl, Gilda. Riona will do everything within her power to protect her daughter.
This story is so full of atmosphere. MacRae has crafted a beautiful love story set in a desperate time where treachery seems to lurk around every corner. This book had it all, a great romance, a fantastic plot and characters that were believable.
I thought the budding romance between Ranald And Riona was lovely, and I liked the way their relationship developed over the course of the novel.
There were a few historical inaccuracies that I would like not to have seen. Contrary to popular belief, the kilt didn't become a popular form of men’s wear until the late 17th Century - Braveheart has a lot to answer for! Instead, they wore brats or tartan cloaks. However, I can understand, for the sake of the romance, why the kilts were included - we all love a Scot in a kilt!
I enjoyed this novel. It was fast paced and so full of drama that it kept me turning those pages.
In book 2, Ranald is sent by the king to secure Saurness Castle and marry Riona upon the old laird's death. Ranald and Riona knew each other as children and weren't especially fond of each other. Also there is the presence of little Gilda and her unhappy conception. There are many who wish to claim the castle, the laird ship, or Riona, as well.
This is another good story of an understanding man attempting to help a woman live her life after sexual abuse. It's about rebuilding trust and learning to live and love.
The treachery and sword fighting near the end are good additions and well written.
If you liked this book, try Ceci Geltenan, Duncurra book 2, Tadgh and Mairead's story.
I loved this book filled with excitement, history, love and romance. Set in Scotland of course, it's difficult not to insinuate yourself into the story. Standing on the sidelines, not visible, but there makes you feel included with the characters! All were well developed, and the plot fell right into many historical facts. Well done, to say the least! This is a must read in my opinion, and I don't want to give away any of the story... but I will say... I grew attached to Guilda. (If there are errors in my reviews, it's this stupid auto correct.)
4.5 stars I loved the first book in this series and hoped this one would be as good it was even better.Ranald and Riona's story had drama, romance, tension,pirates and an adorable little girl that steals the show.A tale of love overcoming obstacles past and present well written characters and a heroine with strength and character in spades would definitely recommend Historical romance at it's best.Looking forward to the next one.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this novel. She does a great job with dialogue. The only reason for a four star rating is the lack of formatting between points of view. Sometimes it was difficult to discern what was happening and who was speaking because of it. Overall, a great read. Loved the characters and their relationship. Well done. I will read more from this author.
This book was just as good as book one. It is a stand alone, but I recommend reading book one first. Riona is the heroine that is being forced to marry after her father's death. She has trust issues and secrets. Ranald is the hero that was sent to become Laird and Fiona's husband. He is fierce, but loving. Great story full of suspense, conflict, and action.