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Chieftain By Command

(Chieftain #2)

Frances Housden (Goodreads Author)

3.95 · Rating details · 238 ratings · 16 reviews

Gavyn Farquhar’s marriage is forged with a double-edged blade. Along with the Comlyn clan’s lands, a reward from the King. He is blessed with an unwilling bride, Kathryn Comlyn. And an ancient fort with few defences that desperately needs to be fortified before it can act as a sufficient buffer between Scotland and the Norsemen on its northern borders.

Gavyn needs wealth to

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ebook, 1st Edition, 260 pages

Published September 1st 2014 by Escape Publishing

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Aug 08, 2014 Sophia rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, net-galley-reads

The Scottish Highlands during the eleventh century were pretty exciting times particularly after William of Normandy invaded the lands to the south and the Norse and Irish were still invading the coasts as well. Exciting times indeed and a strong backdrop for an action and romance plot. I jumped in eagerly, moderately enjoyed the story for most of it, but my interest strengthened near the end.

This book is the second in a series and the one I happened to grab up first. It wasn't long before I rea The Scottish Highlands during the eleventh century were pretty exciting times particularly after William of Normandy invaded the lands to the south and the Norse and Irish were still invading the coasts as well. Exciting times indeed and a strong backdrop for an action and romance plot. I jumped in eagerly, moderately enjoyed the story for most of it, but my interest strengthened near the end.

This book is the second in a series and the one I happened to grab up first. It wasn't long before I realized that the events of the book before have a strong bearing on this story. I wasn't utterly lost because the author did a good job of recapping, but it would have been a vast deal easier to read them in order.

Kings like Malcolm of Scotland of Macbeth killing fame sought to strengthen their borders and gain loyal followers who would support their hold on the crown by rewarding their displaced warriors with lands and titles which is how Gavyn Farquhar found himself Laird of the Comlyn clan and wed to the feisty Scottish wildcat that is the last of her family. To hold these new lands, Gavyn thinks ahead and leaves his marriage bed and keep to earn needed coin as a mercenary in France. It's not like his wife Katherine will miss him as she made perfectly clear on their wedding night.

It has been two years since her husband left to fight in France and Katherine has learned a thing or two since she shrewishly lashed her new husband with her temperamental tongue. Back then she was angry that a Farquhar had gained HER lands now that her father and brother were dead and she was determined to prove that she could rule in his stead even though a woman. It seems she overestimated her abilities to rule in the laird's place as any authority she wielded was only in her husband's name and as to her anger about his clan roots? She knew very well that her father and brother's death was attributed to her father's ambitious greed and need for more power and land. With time to think, she has calmed and come up with a new plan. When her husband returns home, she will seduce him into falling in love with her. But that was before she shot an arrow at him.

Two years away and Gavyn knows he has work to do. He and the soldiers of fortune and the spoils of war he returns with are there to build up the strength of the clan's defense. The money will go to building stone walls and fixing things up along with paying seasoned fighting men to train his new clansman. But also on the agenda is wooing his wasp-tongued wife who blames any mishaps or dark deeds on his return. He will give her his body in their bed and protect her with his sword, but he knows its a mistake to offer her his heart because she will tromp all over it.

In the meantime, he must convince everyone, including Katherine, that he is worthy of his title as Chieftain of the clan. This proves difficult when others scheme to take away what he has fought so hard to win and one of those others is not afraid to brutally murder innocents to do it.

This one leaped out to the races with that passionate argument across the marriage bed as two strong personalities clash over who is in charge. This very type clash of wills was liberally sprinkled throughout the story. I will confess that the Taming of the Shrew storyline does amuse up to a point if I thought this Katherine was anything more than a willful, spoiled, petulant child. Most of the conflict in this book is a direct or indirect result of her actions. I'm never in the mood for shows of temper that don't have a good reason to exist so I guess feeling less than delighted with Katherine much of the time is on me.

Fortunately, there is more to the story and more to Katherine. There is intrigue swirling around Gavyn and Katherine. It's not a deep intrigue in that its not that hard to work out who is running around stirring up strife and doing the murders, but it does lend some excitement when the culprit ups the ante. There was also a secondary story line involving Katherine's greedy cousins and another storyline involving the three friends who come back with Gavyn for a summer visit.

The tempestuous romance between Gavyn and Katherine is just that. It haltingly moves three steps forward then two steps or all three steps back. Gavyn really shines in this story. He is everything a Highland Chieftain hero ought to be and he's a warm-blooded male who can appreciate a bit of spirit in his wife and a need to work at their relationship. Katherine has one of those mouths that just spews and she gets a wild hair up her nose and can't let it go even in the face of contradicting evidence to what she thought. I felt sorry for her a bit because she lashes out a lot when she gets unsettled or fearful. Gavyn tends to unsettle her and the only place that things are alright between them for the longest time is the bedroom where her stormy nature and unleash itself. She wants things to turn out right, but she doesn't seem to know how to go about it. It's not until she is in danger of her life that the full impact of what has become truly important to her hits her right when she's set to lose it for good. So her growth arc is a biggie and spans the whole book so you have to be patient.

All in all, this was an engaging historical romance that offered a solid historical backdrop, colorful characters and engaging plot threads. Historical Romance lovers who like a lot of heat, who like their men in kilts and who don't mind a medieval feel should give this one a try.

My thanks to Escape Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jul 23, 2014 Pam rated it really liked it

I love stories set in the highlands, the mystic and lore lure me in with intriguing characters and amazing settings. This book did not disappoint, I was pulled from the beginning to experience the people of this mythical time and place and the author tells a wonderful tale of heart and romance.

Gavyn Farquhar has married Kathryn Comlyn at the request of the king. She is unhappy as the pawn in this drama, knowing she has been manipulated by her father Erik the Bear, her new husband and even the Ki ...more

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Sep 12, 2014 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-book, highlander-romance, historical-fiction, historical-romance

Look for my review of this fabulous book on the Romancing the Book Blog in the near future.

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Jul 29, 2019 Judith Sherrod rated it liked it · review of another edition

Chieftain by Command

Not as good as the first one but good never-the-less. What newly created chieftain goes off to fight for a foreign king the day after his wedding and celebrate wedding night.

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Aug 08, 2017 Susana Rosa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The book was so good it was hard to put down! Man I stayed up all night into the wee hours or dawn! The plots the murders does he love me the kidnappingd omg a must read! Oh and the love scenes just very well detailed!

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Mar 03, 2019 Lady Whitbrooke rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance-scotland

The Raven

I wish Morag would have been more in this one. It was good well written. Loyal to the characters. Will read the next one.

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Sep 09, 2014 Lover of Romance rated it liked it

Shelves: genre-historical-romance, time-historical-medieval, character-highlander, setting-scotland, rating-3-blossoms, cover-color-green, page-number-200-299, publisher-small-pub-house, character-highland-lairds, time-scotland-wars-of-independance

Kathryn, was a unwilling bride, but followed the kings orders in marrying Gavyn, a groom, that abandons her to fight in France with his army of mercenaries. Its been two years since Kathryn has seen her husband, and when she sees a army marching toward her home, she knows she must protect her clan. Beings skilled with the bow, she fires at the leader, who unknown to her, is Gavyn, what a way to welcome her husband home from fighting in France right? Kathryn knows that despite the warm welcome, t Kathryn, was a unwilling bride, but followed the kings orders in marrying Gavyn, a groom, that abandons her to fight in France with his army of mercenaries. Its been two years since Kathryn has seen her husband, and when she sees a army marching toward her home, she knows she must protect her clan. Beings skilled with the bow, she fires at the leader, who unknown to her, is Gavyn, what a way to welcome her husband home from fighting in France right? Kathryn knows that despite the warm welcome, that even though she is perfectly capable of leading her people, she can only do so through her husband. She understands she needs to let him into her life and bed, and to make him love her. But there is a enemy afoot, and only with her Chieftain by her side, will they come together and find a love or will they lose a chance at a future?

Chieftain By Command is the second book in the series. Now this is my first time reading this author. I was granted a ARC copy via Netgalley, in exchange for a honest review. I have to say I have been watching this book ever since I first saw this gorgeous cover, with that hunk of a man in a kilt, totally DROOL worthy right? You ALL know it!! Well despite the yummy cover and the delectable blurb, I had not a easy time of this one. It took me much longer to read it than I thought it would. It was a very slow going book, there was some very positive qualities to this title, but in all honesty I had a hard time keeping engaged with it. Now if you have a quiet afternoon, and need some time to kill, and want to read a slow and steady romance...then this one is definitely for you.

Don't expect any excitement until the last part of the story (then it really kicked up speed ) but one of the things that I did love about this one, was the development of the relationship between Gavyn and Kathryn. You really seem how this author seems to focus on building up the characters, and what a slow but strong building up there is. There is a bit of intrigue and danger mixed up in the plot, that adds something more to the story, that keeps you into the book, but I did feel like it was missing a bit of something. I can't even put my finger on exactly what it was, but I felt it just needed something a bit more to be a winner for me. I am curious to see what this author will do with this series, and I would like to eventually try out the first book ,and see how it connects with this one.

I will say that Chieftain By Command, was a sweet and slow romance that builds up with each page read. A story that even though its not the highest rating, was a enjoyable interlude with some sexy brogues, a irresistible alpha chief, beautiful Scottish setting that makes you ache for a time of kilts, sword fighting, and passion in every breath you take. Be prepared to take a step into history with this one. Rich in passion and character building. POIGNANT AND TENDER!! ...more

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Jul 03, 2016 Romancing the Book rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

Reviewed by Julie
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book

I really enjoyed this Medieval period Scottish romance. The writing is really, really authentic to the time and so are the descriptions of landscape and apparel. The story is about the strength of Kathryn Comlyn who is married off to Gavyn Farquhar by the king’s command and her journey as the leader of her clan, her efforts to win her husband’s love, and the rewards she is blessed with due to her willingness to wor Reviewed by Julie
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book

I really enjoyed this Medieval period Scottish romance. The writing is really, really authentic to the time and so are the descriptions of landscape and apparel. The story is about the strength of Kathryn Comlyn who is married off to Gavyn Farquhar by the king’s command and her journey as the leader of her clan, her efforts to win her husband’s love, and the rewards she is blessed with due to her willingness to work with the cards she had been dealt.

Gavyn is a scarred Highland warrior who certainly finds Kathryn breathtakingly beautiful but when she rejects him he doesn’t force the issue, but instead runs away to fight and politic in France. So, in his two year absence Kathryn learns to rule her clan and does a great job it, but she also knows that her husband will return and in order to maintain all she has worked for she will have to win his love. That might be a rather difficult task since the two parted with venomous words and upon his return she nearly shot him with her arrow.

There is, however, trouble brewing with Gavyn’s return and a plot was already underway right under Kathryn’s nose. While Kathryn eventually makes progress in her marriage there are still many issues for the couple to work through, but danger rears it’s ugly head and the long fought for love the couple has found could all be for naught.

I thing the author did a great job of telling this love story which is such a wonderful departure from all those polite regencies out there. If the book has a flaw it is in the authenticity of the language. There is a glossary at the beginning of the book that will help, but at times this did slow down the pace for me. It’s easy to read, don’t get me wrong, it’s just slowed me down some as I had to read it more carefully.

This story has substance, intrigue, grit and realism that add to the slow and sensual love affair between Gavyn and Kathryn. The couple initially bonds sexually, but over time Gavyn begins to realize there is more to marriage than night time pleasures. He begins to wish for a true relationship with his wife. I loved the emotional and mature growth that took place with this couple, I loved all the plotting and intrigue and the final showdown where Gavryn will be Kathryn’s true hero. Once I started this one I couldn’t put it down! Well done. ...more

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Oct 09, 2014 Helen rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this story set in medieval times when life was pretty tough and Kings decided who you would marry Gavyn Farquar or The Raven as he is known is forced to marry Kathryn Comlyn by the King so as he can take over the lands and protect them but in his opinion the keep needs a lot of work and he needs wealth to do it and seeing that he has been a mercenary for many years since he was nearly killed in a battle and lost his memory he decides to leave his bride and go in search of wealth ...more

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Jan 26, 2016 Siona rated it really liked it

Woah. I feel like so much happened in this book! Gavyn and Kathryn were so amazing together!!! Some parts were soo sad but most of it was on point. I'm kinda just speechless. I don't know how to word how I feel but yea really liked this book. So much drama! (Hated Jamie and Bronwyn together! But pitied her at the end. Rob and Lhilidh were so sweet together and that last scene with them nearly killed me! The feels was just too much!) ...more

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Mar 09, 2015 Michele A. Blank rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A good follow-up

I was unhappy for the first third of this book as it seemed to drag and I admit to skimming a good bit, however, suddenly the story began to pick up. It was as if the author was learning the characters and once she got to know them, she was comfortable telling their story. It was worth reading.

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Sep 05, 2014 Loretta rated it it was amazing

What a great follow up.Loved the story of Gavyn, Morag's brother.Rewarded by the King for sevices to the crown, Gavyn is wedded to an unwilling bride and is given her land.Plenty of action , romance , exciting to the end.Loved it and it had a great ending. ...more

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Jul 28, 2014 Emily S. rated it it was ok

Shelves: adult-fiction, romance, historical-fiction

I never did get very involved in this story. It wasn't compelling and I didn't like the characters. Just meh for me. (hot cover though - points for that) ...more

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