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The Highland Clan #5
Ashlyn
A lass tortured by the past. A warrior who’s sworn never to love again.
Ashlyn was a wee lassie of eight summers when her mother brought her and her sister to live in the safety of Clan Grant. But despite the love and acceptance of her adoptive clan, Ashlyn is plagued by the past. Her continual nightmares—and her hatred of lads who hurt lasses—drive her to join the search for Ranulf MacNiven, an abuser of women. Ashlyn’s skills with the bow and her knowledge of MacNiven make her a natural fit for the mission, so her uncle, Chief Alexander Grant, gives her permission to join them, on one condition: she will be sent with a protector.
Magnus never thought he would marry again after losing his beloved wife, but Ashlyn Grant is one of a kind. Her fiery nature creates an answering fire within him, and he longs to soothe her hurts and help heal her soul. When his chief assigns him to protect Ashlyn, he is determined to do his job well, even though the lass will not let him touch her, let alone protect her.
To their mutual surprise, the more time Magnus spends with Ashlyn, the more he gets through to her. But can two people who are determined not to fall in love hope to forge a future together?
Ashlyn was a wee lassie of eight summers when her mother brought her and her sister to live in the safety of Clan Grant. But despite the love and acceptance of her adoptive clan, Ashlyn is plagued by the past. Her continual nightmares—and her hatred of lads who hurt lasses—drive her to join the search for Ranulf MacNiven, an abuser of women. Ashlyn’s skills with the bow and her knowledge of MacNiven make her a natural fit for the mission, so her uncle, Chief Alexander Grant, gives her permission to join them, on one condition: she will be sent with a protector.
Magnus never thought he would marry again after losing his beloved wife, but Ashlyn Grant is one of a kind. Her fiery nature creates an answering fire within him, and he longs to soothe her hurts and help heal her soul. When his chief assigns him to protect Ashlyn, he is determined to do his job well, even though the lass will not let him touch her, let alone protect her.
To their mutual surprise, the more time Magnus spends with Ashlyn, the more he gets through to her. But can two people who are determined not to fall in love hope to forge a future together?
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2016
666 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Keira Montclair
80 books524 followersKeira Montclair is the pen name of an author who lives in South Carolina with her husband. She writes fast-paced historical romance, often with children as secondary characters.
If she’s not writing, she prefers to spend time with her grandchildren. She’s worked as a high school math teacher, a registered nurse, and an office manager. She loves ballet, mathematics, puzzles, learning anything new, and creating new characters for her readers to fall in love with.
She considers her work done well when her readers shed tears over her stories, but there’s always a happy ending! Her bestselling series is a family saga that follows two medieval Scottish clans through three generations and now numbers over fifty books.
Contact her through her website, www.keiramontclair.com.
If she’s not writing, she prefers to spend time with her grandchildren. She’s worked as a high school math teacher, a registered nurse, and an office manager. She loves ballet, mathematics, puzzles, learning anything new, and creating new characters for her readers to fall in love with.
She considers her work done well when her readers shed tears over her stories, but there’s always a happy ending! Her bestselling series is a family saga that follows two medieval Scottish clans through three generations and now numbers over fifty books.
Contact her through her website, www.keiramontclair.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 17, 2022
I love Ashlyn and Magnus. They're both so wonderful, and this felt like a relationship between two sensible adults. I remember Ashlyn from the Clan Grant series so I expected her past trauma to definitely come up. And I love that it drove her to help other women. Ashlyn is such a fighter and Magnus supporting her throughout it all was so sweet. His own past was something that was dealt with really well. Overall probably one of my favorites in this series.
April 1, 2020
This is a good Highlander romance, and a good addition to the Highland Clan series. This one gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars.
I liked Magnus, and thought he was good for Ashlyn. I also liked that he openly admitted to her that he would always love his first wife, but that he could love her just as much. Many widowers have trouble accepting that they can love another person after their spouse dies -- so I was glad that Magnus was smarter than that.
I liked Ashlyn, and understood how her past drove her behavior. What happened to her as a child was sad, and she still dealt with the trauma as an adult. I liked how Magnus was able to get her to talk about it, and helped her to understand that she was not a bad person for what she did as a child. I did think, though, that she wouldn't have been able to have sex with Magnus so quickly -- she had spent years thinking she could never let a man touch her, but had sex with him after only a few days? I didn't believe that she would get over her trauma and fear of men that quickly.
I was glad that Ashlyn and Magnus found their HEA -- they were good together, and Ashlyn needed someone who understood what she had been through.
I also liked most of the other characters, especially the children, who were just adorable. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
I liked Magnus, and thought he was good for Ashlyn. I also liked that he openly admitted to her that he would always love his first wife, but that he could love her just as much. Many widowers have trouble accepting that they can love another person after their spouse dies -- so I was glad that Magnus was smarter than that.
I liked Ashlyn, and understood how her past drove her behavior. What happened to her as a child was sad, and she still dealt with the trauma as an adult. I liked how Magnus was able to get her to talk about it, and helped her to understand that she was not a bad person for what she did as a child. I did think, though, that she wouldn't have been able to have sex with Magnus so quickly -- she had spent years thinking she could never let a man touch her, but had sex with him after only a few days? I didn't believe that she would get over her trauma and fear of men that quickly.
I was glad that Ashlyn and Magnus found their HEA -- they were good together, and Ashlyn needed someone who understood what she had been through.
I also liked most of the other characters, especially the children, who were just adorable. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
January 9, 2017
I actually bought the audible version and the ebook version of this wonderful book, but thought I'd leave my review so others would become aware of other purchasing possibilities. If you have a computer but not a Kindle, Nook, or so forth, you can download the app and read it in ebook form or listen to it on audible.com. One of the things I love most about the characters written by Keira Montclair is that they always remind us that regardless of difficulties we may have experienced in our past, there is always hope for the future, it is what we make it, and the love of family or loved ones should never be taken for granted or turned away. Paul Woodson always gives a 5 star narration breathing life into these wonderful characters. I read the book first, and loved it, but am so happy and grateful that this series is also made into audio books. I adore audio books since they allow me to hear the characters verbal interaction with one another. Audible learning is just as important as sight reading, which is not always an option for many. Kudos to both author and narrator!!!
August 17, 2016
I remember Ashlyn (and her sister, Gracie) when they were children from "Journey to the Highlands" about their mother, Caralyn, and Robbie Grant. I wondered at the time if the trauma they experienced as children would affect them. Well, it certainly affected Ashlyn. This is her story and I enjoyed it very much. I hope there is a book about Gracie in the future. I have a feeling there will be!
September 2, 2017
Book 6 here i come.. but first i need sleep!
Kindle Unlimited Purchase
Omg.. I can't stop crying.. if you haven't already read the Grant Clan series please read that series first... This is about the children of the book Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant series Book 4) as with most of the books in both the series so far this book is FULL of triggers... If you have read the "parent" book you know the back history of Ashlyn... And what happened when she was younger... Now that she is a grown woman she is plague with nightmares... During this, wonderfully written, book we follow her jurney as she works through her trama... I have enjoyed all the books in the series so far this one is my favorite! Even with the book being "one big trigger".. here it is after 3 am and I could NOT put this book down... Off to bed I go night...
Kindle Unlimited Purchase
Omg.. I can't stop crying.. if you haven't already read the Grant Clan series please read that series first... This is about the children of the book Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant series Book 4) as with most of the books in both the series so far this book is FULL of triggers... If you have read the "parent" book you know the back history of Ashlyn... And what happened when she was younger... Now that she is a grown woman she is plague with nightmares... During this, wonderfully written, book we follow her jurney as she works through her trama... I have enjoyed all the books in the series so far this one is my favorite! Even with the book being "one big trigger".. here it is after 3 am and I could NOT put this book down... Off to bed I go night...
October 12, 2023
Este libro nos cuenta la historia de Ashlyn: sus miedos, sus vivencias de pequeña, los abusos que sufrió, que no soporta que la toque ningún hombre, que quiere llegar a ser una guerrera Grant para ayudar a mas mujeres... También la de Magnus, un hombre viudo, que perdió a su mujer y a su hijo en el parto, que se ha impuesto no juntarse con ninguna mujer. Los GRant quieren detener a McNives, que se supone que lo habían ahorcado, pero sigue vivo. Una partida de los Grant se trasladan a Edimburg para encontrarlo, y Ashlyn va con ellos. Magnus consigue poco a poco traspasar las barreras de Ashlyn. Lo único que se me ha hecho cansino es cuando ella deja de odiar a Magnus y se desinhibe, me parece un poco rápido y forzado.
December 10, 2024
exciting and well written
This story is probably one of my favorites for it covers so many subjects dear to me - women raising up against abusive men and having the ability to overcome and move on with their lives.
Ashlyn was a special woman in that she didn’t hide her hatred of men that resulted from past experiences. All she wanted was to become a great warrior . When given a chance of a lifetime to lead a group into battle, she had the courage to walk away, knowing her real longing was being with loving clan members and family.
This story is probably one of my favorites for it covers so many subjects dear to me - women raising up against abusive men and having the ability to overcome and move on with their lives.
Ashlyn was a special woman in that she didn’t hide her hatred of men that resulted from past experiences. All she wanted was to become a great warrior . When given a chance of a lifetime to lead a group into battle, she had the courage to walk away, knowing her real longing was being with loving clan members and family.
March 22, 2022
Good story!
I really enjoyed this story. It touched on some women's issues with repressed memories. As a survivor of incidents over 45 there ago, the pictures it described touched me. The lass was very strong and brave, and the lad was loving and offered just the right amount of support.
I really enjoyed this story. It touched on some women's issues with repressed memories. As a survivor of incidents over 45 there ago, the pictures it described touched me. The lass was very strong and brave, and the lad was loving and offered just the right amount of support.
May 20, 2017
Magnificent
Feel good book. How love can heal lose. Ashllyn and Magnus are the perfect match. They both heal one another after tragic past. The Grants and Ramsey are a remarkable stories by Keria
Feel good book. How love can heal lose. Ashllyn and Magnus are the perfect match. They both heal one another after tragic past. The Grants and Ramsey are a remarkable stories by Keria
September 28, 2017
Och!
Magnus is second only to Alex and I LOVED Alex. Fabulous book, great story. I thought the books in this series were a little flat compared to The Grants. This one pulled out of the slump to be a really good one. You'll feel for both Ashlyn and Magnus. Really good!
Magnus is second only to Alex and I LOVED Alex. Fabulous book, great story. I thought the books in this series were a little flat compared to The Grants. This one pulled out of the slump to be a really good one. You'll feel for both Ashlyn and Magnus. Really good!
April 15, 2018
Very much enjoy the characters and how they are developing from previous book into current story. Still bit of conflict/mystery and romance but not overwhelming. Looking forward to next book in this series.
December 10, 2021
Ashlyn (The Highland Clan Book 5)
Ashlyn and Magnus. Who would have thought those two would become a coup!e? The writer Keira Montclair, that's who. And what a tale she weaves of Scotland, friendship, love, war, and acceptance of the past. I loved this one.
12/10/2021.
Ashlyn and Magnus. Who would have thought those two would become a coup!e? The writer Keira Montclair, that's who. And what a tale she weaves of Scotland, friendship, love, war, and acceptance of the past. I loved this one.
12/10/2021.
September 20, 2023
A good one!
I have enjoyed this series a lot. The story of Ashlyn and Magnus is o e of the best. I loved the emotional strength Ashlyn has because of the strife in her past. Same goes for Magnus. Great story!
I have enjoyed this series a lot. The story of Ashlyn and Magnus is o e of the best. I loved the emotional strength Ashlyn has because of the strife in her past. Same goes for Magnus. Great story!
May 2, 2024
Great book
The best complement I can say which includes this book of Kieras as well as the previous in the series. She keeps me reading until I eyes close of their own volition, still reading. The only other author that holds me that well is Diana Gabaldon of the Outlander series
The best complement I can say which includes this book of Kieras as well as the previous in the series. She keeps me reading until I eyes close of their own volition, still reading. The only other author that holds me that well is Diana Gabaldon of the Outlander series
January 7, 2025
I think of the very Many books I’ve read in this past year, this book’s main man, Magnus, is my favorite! I loved everything about this strong man, his smiles, teasing, thoughtfulness and loving nature. A perfect lover/hero. Know it’s fiction, but it is what makes love stories worth reading!
October 5, 2025
Again, good except
Interesting plot and good character development. Would have given it 4 stars except for the explicit sex scenes. Normally, don't read books with them but enjoy Montclair's stories.
Interesting plot and good character development. Would have given it 4 stars except for the explicit sex scenes. Normally, don't read books with them but enjoy Montclair's stories.
May 15, 2017
Another great Highland romance
June 23, 2017
Review
I really like this series it's smart, action packed, and the characters build well from story to story. The romance is believable and sweet.
I really like this series it's smart, action packed, and the characters build well from story to story. The romance is believable and sweet.
January 5, 2018
Great book and author would highly recommend
January 17, 2020
Good read
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you
May 14, 2020
Wonderful
I loved the description of Magnus. As they usually are he was a fierce warrior and very loving person. It was a fun book, lots of fighting and loving. Loved the ending.
I loved the description of Magnus. As they usually are he was a fierce warrior and very loving person. It was a fun book, lots of fighting and loving. Loved the ending.
June 17, 2021
Great
The stories in this series get better. It's exciting to see the children have grown up and have stories of their own.
The stories in this series get better. It's exciting to see the children have grown up and have stories of their own.
September 2, 2021
Beautiful love story
I have enjoyed this book. Ashlyn overcame a lot with the help of Magnus by her side. Even when he needed to be at her side for the birth of their daughter.
I have enjoyed this book. Ashlyn overcame a lot with the help of Magnus by her side. Even when he needed to be at her side for the birth of their daughter.
April 4, 2022
Loving these books!
May 22, 2022
Really enjoyed it!
Beautiful! Sweet! The chemistry between the characters was special, and the attraction developed slowly, very nicely written! I have read the whole series!
Beautiful! Sweet! The chemistry between the characters was special, and the attraction developed slowly, very nicely written! I have read the whole series!
February 4, 2023
Very good, sometimes in romance books with an abused or raped lass, they give in too easily even though they are seemingly plagued with fears of men, but not in this book. I still think Ashlyn gave in a little fast, but I think it was written well overall.
August 16, 2023
Ashlyn (The Highland Clan Book 5)
Omg I loved this book!! Finally a female was kidnapped but strong! And again this book made me laugh out loud! Great book!
Omg I loved this book!! Finally a female was kidnapped but strong! And again this book made me laugh out loud! Great book!
April 9, 2024
Ashlyn
It was an okay story. There was some parts that I think were stretched. I know my husband and I wouldn't talk about his body parts like that.
It was an okay story. There was some parts that I think were stretched. I know my husband and I wouldn't talk about his body parts like that.
September 12, 2016
Honestly, I really wanted to like this one, folks. In fact, it is pretty dang hard for me not to like a Scottish historical romance when I find the main couple likable/respectable. What went wrong? Well, the author was taking too dang long to tell the tale regarding the heroine’s implied sexual assault when she was a young girl at the hands of Norsemen. I am not a fan of that material being interwoven in my romantic reads as it is. It is even more frustrating when it is drawn out in such a way we are told one thing, then something else is implied courtesy of the heroine’s confusing nightmares, then at 60% we find she was still a virgin and is mostly upset because she thinks she killed her attacker. If I didn’t know better, I think even the author didn’t really know what happened or kept changing her mind in how to handle this element.
At 55%, we know there may have been more than one man, there was groping, but was there more? No, I don’t want a blow by blow account, but since the author keeps shoving this in my face I wanted her just to spit it and out and be done with it. I didn’t appreciate the rehashing of it in nightmares. At first, she also implied nothing happened to the much younger sister, Gracie. Then I was lead to think otherwise. Which is it? Ms. Montclair, please make up your mind. At 60%, the hero is intimate with her and discovers she was in fact still a virgin.
Also, I could have lived without Rhona, the now deceased so can never do anything wrong wife of the hero, who he would mention at the drop of a hat. I.e., when he offered to braid the heroine’s long hair, because he did so every night while married to his beloved. At least these two women were so different he didn’t see any similarities and fell for the heroine early on in the book. He, however, had actually known the heroine for some time, just never noticed her/gave her a second thought/glance. The heroine was living with the clan during the time the hero’s wife died in childbirth, btw, and had felt bad for him.
What had me finally giving up on this one after grinding my teeth wanting the assault details put behind her? It was when I had to endure the heroine asking the hero if she could see his manly equipment right after they had a smexy moment that she ended abruptly. Frankly, folks, I felt insulted. Does the author really think I am that stupid to think that would actually happen? The “let me see/touch it, so I won’t be so afraid of it” scenario lead me to actually say aloud, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Then they would discuss his manly family jewels in casual conversation like it was no big deal, which I found crass/crude/unbelievable. If she does think we are idiots, she has another thing coming, rather going, and that’s me as I’m going to leave this one in my “didn’t want to finish” pile and move on to something better, which is a shame because I normally like her books.
Title: Ashlyn, Series: The Highland Clan (Book 5), Author: Keira Montclair, Pages: 211, stopped reading at 60%, hero still loves deceased wife but quickly starts to fall for the heroine, implied sexual assault,
(This review is based on Kindle Unlimited version, not ARC ebook.)
At 55%, we know there may have been more than one man, there was groping, but was there more? No, I don’t want a blow by blow account, but since the author keeps shoving this in my face I wanted her just to spit it and out and be done with it. I didn’t appreciate the rehashing of it in nightmares. At first, she also implied nothing happened to the much younger sister, Gracie. Then I was lead to think otherwise. Which is it? Ms. Montclair, please make up your mind. At 60%, the hero is intimate with her and discovers she was in fact still a virgin.
Also, I could have lived without Rhona, the now deceased so can never do anything wrong wife of the hero, who he would mention at the drop of a hat. I.e., when he offered to braid the heroine’s long hair, because he did so every night while married to his beloved. At least these two women were so different he didn’t see any similarities and fell for the heroine early on in the book. He, however, had actually known the heroine for some time, just never noticed her/gave her a second thought/glance. The heroine was living with the clan during the time the hero’s wife died in childbirth, btw, and had felt bad for him.
What had me finally giving up on this one after grinding my teeth wanting the assault details put behind her? It was when I had to endure the heroine asking the hero if she could see his manly equipment right after they had a smexy moment that she ended abruptly. Frankly, folks, I felt insulted. Does the author really think I am that stupid to think that would actually happen? The “let me see/touch it, so I won’t be so afraid of it” scenario lead me to actually say aloud, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Then they would discuss his manly family jewels in casual conversation like it was no big deal, which I found crass/crude/unbelievable. If she does think we are idiots, she has another thing coming, rather going, and that’s me as I’m going to leave this one in my “didn’t want to finish” pile and move on to something better, which is a shame because I normally like her books.
Title: Ashlyn, Series: The Highland Clan (Book 5), Author: Keira Montclair, Pages: 211, stopped reading at 60%, hero still loves deceased wife but quickly starts to fall for the heroine, implied sexual assault,
(This review is based on Kindle Unlimited version, not ARC ebook.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2016
I remember when Ashlyn was brought into the series in Journey To The Highlands. That surprising is one of my least favorite books in the series but when I seen Ashlyn was getting her own story I wanted to see how the little girl you cringed for turned out. I tell you they feel like family or friends these characters and to be able to pop in without a phone call and see whats going on is cool. If you read Robbie and Caralyn's story in book 4 your heart wept for Ashlyn and younger sister Gracie. Ash was such a fierce protector for Gracie. The little scamp gave up the only food she had and would starve herself to save her sister. Later in the story they get abducted and the scene flashed back in my head like I just read the book. The poor little darlings were so pathetic in how they were kept. If you haven't read that book don't worry because Montclair will fill you in this book so it's only necessary to read the previous books if you want to see their beginnings. The great Alex is back here and there and the mention of stiff bones are reminding me the great Laird is getting older. While I hate to see the process I know it's inevitable. Sigh.
You will love Magnus. I hesitated with him at first because he lost his wife 2 years prior through child birth and I was afraid he would spend the book mourning her but this is not the case. He very quickly realizes his feelings for Ash and even tells her. It is the h, ladies, that drags her feet but that does not last long either. He treats Ash as an equal and respects her abilities as a warrior. He helps her heal from her past and is the only person she ever tells the complete story of what truly happened. Ranulf MacNirven is being tracked down at books end so he is still at large. The grant warriors are off by order of the king to capture the villain who has gotten away so many times. It is Ashlyn who is the only Grant warrior who has managed to wound him in the process. I have a feeling either little Gracie will soon be getting her story or on their mission Jamie will get his. Either way their have only been two books I have not read by this author. She writes the good the bad and the ugly tosses in some romance and sensuality and in this one she put some humor. It was after the morning after Ash and Magnus stay in a hut and Magnus is washing up. No, I am not telling you more merely setting the scene for you. Ash has no problem just exposing her thoughts to Magnus and is very bold when she does so I loved the little verbal play until Magnus yields and looks for a snow bank. LOL. The only complaint I would have about this book is I feel the word hellfire was used way too much. Some pages had it 2-3 times. That was really my only problem with this book. Enjoy!
You will love Magnus. I hesitated with him at first because he lost his wife 2 years prior through child birth and I was afraid he would spend the book mourning her but this is not the case. He very quickly realizes his feelings for Ash and even tells her. It is the h, ladies, that drags her feet but that does not last long either. He treats Ash as an equal and respects her abilities as a warrior. He helps her heal from her past and is the only person she ever tells the complete story of what truly happened. Ranulf MacNirven is being tracked down at books end so he is still at large. The grant warriors are off by order of the king to capture the villain who has gotten away so many times. It is Ashlyn who is the only Grant warrior who has managed to wound him in the process. I have a feeling either little Gracie will soon be getting her story or on their mission Jamie will get his. Either way their have only been two books I have not read by this author. She writes the good the bad and the ugly tosses in some romance and sensuality and in this one she put some humor. It was after the morning after Ash and Magnus stay in a hut and Magnus is washing up. No, I am not telling you more merely setting the scene for you. Ash has no problem just exposing her thoughts to Magnus and is very bold when she does so I loved the little verbal play until Magnus yields and looks for a snow bank. LOL. The only complaint I would have about this book is I feel the word hellfire was used way too much. Some pages had it 2-3 times. That was really my only problem with this book. Enjoy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews