The Laird's Reckoning

by Jennifer Bray-Weber

Pirate or Laird…? Birk Bane was born the second son, the unwanted son, the unneeded son. Crossed by family and falsely accused of a crime, he flees Scotland to the sea where he’s recruited by a pirate. Five years later, he’s captain of his own ship and embraces his new life, though an ache for the woman he left behind remains. When he receives word of his father’s death and his clan is floundering, Birk begrudgingly returns home. Little does he know there’s more he left behind than a title…much more. Sheena MacRae helped Birk escape to safety years ago, always expecting he’d return. Time passes and she believes him to be dead. With her clan being terrorized and slaughtered, she accepts she is the only one who can stop the suffering by agreeing to marry Laird Gordon, the man behind the assaults. The man who is also poised to rule Birk’s clan. Despite the crushing need to hold Birk in her arms once more, his reappearance changes nothing. Sheena has too much to lose if she reneges the betrothal to Gordon. And while Birk’s intentions are to return to the sea after reclaiming his clan, she didn’t count on her pirate lover’s plan for revenge… The longer he’s home, the more betrayal Birk uncovers. There will be a fiery battle ahead for Birk and his brethren. If he survives, how will he choose between the life he loves and the love of his life?

168 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2017

About the author

Award-winning author Jennifer Bray-Weber is a proud native Texan and beach bum. The type to take on dares, she has been able to express her creative thinking through countless questionable, often hilarious, life experiences. Her interests include traveling, horseback riding, shopping, contemplating her next tattoo, rockin’ out to music, and, of course, digging her toes into beach sand.

Join Jennifer's mailing list for sneak peeks, excerpts, and free giveaways.

www.jbrayweber.com

Reviews

[InD'tale Magazine]

4.5/5.0

The novel is very well written, the characters well developed.

Read full review in the 2017 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Amy ~ Love At 1st Read]

My first thoughts reading this book were “how have I missed this series” and “when can I read the rest of it”. What a spectacular read! If you’re like me and are torn between what kind of historical romance you want to read next, The Laird’s Reckoning is a win-win. Swashbuckling pirates and the fierce loyalty of Scottish clansmen are all rolled into one amazing tale of betrayal, revenge, intrigue, and passion.

With the help of his love, Sheena, Scottish laird Birk Bane flees for his life after being accused of a crime he did not commit. Set up, accused of false coining, Birk leaves his home and the woman who means everything to him to escape hanging. He boards a pirate ship as part of the crew hoping to amass enough fortune to return home and clear his name. Though Sheena McRae’s love for Birk knows no bounds, she can’t abandon her clan and stays behind not knowing if she’ll ever see her love again.
Five years later, Birk returns. He’s no longer the troublesome lad who fled 5 years ago, but a formidable man come to lay claim to what was rightfully his. But upon his return, he discovers he may have waited too long. His father has died and his unscrupulous cousin has taken over as laird and sold the family shipping business to Rodric Gordon, a dangerous laird with ties to the English.
Life has changed for Sheena as well in the 5 years Birk has been gone. Her father’s health has worsened and she has had to take over clan affairs. In Birk’s absence, horrific events have occurred. Cottages have been burned down, innocent people murdered as Rodric Gordon has been acquiring lands all around them. Needing to ensure the safety of her family and clan, Sheena is left with no choice but to promise herself in marriage to Gordon. Her clan could survive under Gordon’s protection but not with bands of English soldiers or Gordon’s ruffians laying waste to their homes and families.
Conflict abounds as both Birk and Sheena are faced with difficult choices. Birk must choose between his love for life on the sea and his love for Sheena. Sheena must choose between her love for her family and clan or her love for Birk. It all comes to a head in an explosive climax where secrets are revealed and unpredictable threats jeopardize their chance for happiness.

I got so caught up in this story that I didn’t want it to end. Ms. Bray-Weber brilliantly crafted characters that won my heart. Birk was the ultimate bad boy but Sheena saw the good in him. She made him want to be better. While he’d suffered a rough life, Sheena could make him feel like nothing and no one else could. She gave him peace and happiness. Sheena was a proud, brave, strong-headed woman who would sacrifice everything, even her own happiness, for the protection of her family. They’d both changed in their 5 year separation. Choices each had made angered them, but they still had that bond. Their love for one another had never waned.
This story opens with action and adventure and never lets up. The author’s superb writing, intriguing plot, and exquisite descriptions of the countryside and people quickly pulled me into the story. I couldn’t help but agonize over and cheer for these tortured but strong and determined characters that Ms. Bray-Weber so beautifully brought to life. I can’t wait to read more of this series. I’m hoping some of the secondary characters find stories of their own.

[Monique]

Birk Bane was accused of distributing counterfeit coins, and had to leave Scotland, with the help of the woman he loved. Sheena MacRae cannot abandon her ailing father, she must stay behind and protect her clan. Five years later, Birk has become a successful pirate, but upon hearing that his father has died and his cousin Cam wants to sell the family shipping business to Laird Rodric Gordon, Birk has to return to Scotland. He could still be hanged if he is caught, but Birk will not let his heritage fall into the hands of Gordon, who is bent on acquiring everything that he can, with the help of the English. Sheena has done all she could for her people, but now she must make the ultimate sacrifice: marry Rodric Gordon before there is nothing left to protect.

From the first sentence, the reader is thrown right into the action, and there is plenty of that in THE LAIRD’S RECKONING; in fact, this is a romance that even male readers will enjoy. Ms. Bray-Weber establishes the setting quickly with crisp descriptions, that I was rooting for Birk and Sheena immediately. The author’s prose is refined and uncluttered, she gets her point across, but elegantly so, and the story is well constructed, and captivating. While local politics dominate the plot, it all felt realistic, and I cared about what happened, possibly because of a unique cast of characters, each of them very well fleshed out. No one is perfect, nor is anyone entirely evil, which pleased me very much. Sheena handled everything as best as she could in 1730, and she came off as strong, brave, and capable. I love Ms. Bray-Weber’s depictions of pirates; they are colourful, but believably so, and I’m pretty sure that’s how they were, as the author seems to have meticulously researched every element, and which she adds in the right amount, as the story is never weighed down by anything superfluous.

THE LAIRD’S RECKONING is very well written, there is not a dull moment, and there are exceptionally exciting fight scenes, as well as beautiful tender moments. Although this is book 6 in the Romancing the Pirate series, it is a perfect standalone, as I have no idea how it ties in with the other books, if it does, and I didn’t have the feeling I had missed anything. Jennifer Bray-Weber was a new author to me, and I’m very happy to have discovered her.


I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. See my review: http://www.buriedunderromance.com/201...

I give 4 ½ stars

[Jennifer]

The unwanted and disowned son of a Scottish Laird Birk Bane is framed for a crime he did not commit fleeing his home for life as fugitive among the pirate brethren that took him in. Sheena MacRae beautiful and strong stays behind in Scotland as duty to her clan demands even as her love flees with no promise of return. When Birk returns to face his past and set things right with his clan and his heart can he overcome all that has taken place in his absence?

The Laird's Reckoning book six in the Romancing the Pirate series seamlessly merges Scottish romance into the swashbuckling world of Jennifer Bray-Weber's fantastic pirate brethren! This author has a gritty quality to her stories that nicely pairs with her polished writing, immediately earning her reader’s undivided attention. Colossal amounts of research went into this book making it hard not to feel transported to the time period this story took place in. Ms. Bray-Weber has a real talent for in depth characterization, even with her secondary cast, forming strong reader attachments to her work. In Birk Bane, a Scottish pirate, this author managed to not only avoid creating a stereotypical character in one but two historical romance sub-genres developing a well-rounded intriguing hero. Birk's backstory was touching but never heartbreaking as he rose above his circumstances with the tenacity of his Scottish heritage and the skills of his pirate vocation. Sheena MacRae emerges as a resourceful woman overcoming the obstacles not only of her time but of her sex making Sheena the perfect match for Bane. Far from perfect Birk and Sheena are a couple who are that much more relatable because they struggle for what is right as opposed to what they want. With a love amplified by undying devotion this action filled story had no lulls. Unrepentant and dangerously sexy Jennifer Bray-Weber's pirates are what naughty fantasies are made of!

*I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.*
*While part of a series this work can be read as a stand alone.*

[April]

The Laird's Reckoning by Jennifer Bray-Weber is a beautifully written Pirate Romance set in 1730. "Romancing the Pirate" #6, but can be read as a stand alone.
A quick read, with a cast of characters that will take your breath away. They are believable, engaging and strong characters. I was glued to the pages from the first sentence to the last. I connected with these colorful characters. Just couldn't stop turning pages. The plot is filled with heart-pounding action, adventure, danger and romance. There are a some humorous moments to me, mixed in with the excitement of pirate fighting, passionate kisses, betrayal and a masterfully written love story.
"The Laird's Reckoning" in humble opinion is a must read. Great for an afternoon read at the beach, where you can hear the ocean and feel the breeze, and image pirates attacking your peaceful world, or, you could read it anywhere.

Jennifer Bray-Weber is a masterful storyteller who writes brilliantly and passionately. She knows how to bring her point across to her readers, without leaving out any of the story. She does not disappoint her readers.
I highly recommend this quick read.

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Becky]

After being falsely accused of fraud and his love breaking him out of prison, Bark has no where to go. The authorities are after him, his father won't help him and his forced to leave his love, Sheen to keep her safe. Five years he returns, now knowing his father is dead and he's losing his inheritance. He has to fight for everything he's lost and what he never had. Will Sheen still be waiting to welcome him with open arms or will he truly come back to nothing.
Good read. I enjoyed the authors writing, very easy to keep up with and pretty fast paced. I had fun with the story, but I wish there was more to it as a whole. More history before Birk left and how life was when he gone. All in all I enjoyed this and look forward to reading more. I gave this a "quick" four stars.
Reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock!

[Margaret Watkins]

This highly suspenseful novel kept me on the edge of my seat from the opening words of the first chapter. Woven into the history of the troubled times in Scotland, is the story of clans striving for supremacy, betrayal and murder. There are even some unexpected little surprises. Although this is a high adventure story, I personally battle with betrayal and deceit and found myself wanting to turn away from the unfolding of events. Nevertheless the book is well written with plenty of passion and excitement. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Leslie Sanchez]

I loved this story. I have always had a soft spot for books about Scotland, especially historical fiction. Birk is facing false accusations, a father that hates him, a cousin that wants to be him and a woman he loves with his whole heart and soul, what is he to do? Become a pirate! I love the way he comes back to try to clear his name and claim his rightful place and his woman, Sheena. Sheena is an extremely strong woman and has been handling her father's clan due to his health. She endures so much on her own. She always hoped Birk would come back somehow. But, is it too late when he finally does? I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[G]

Betrayal and a false accusation cause the separation of two young lovers. Both move forward in their newly found roles in life. Although, neither ever forgets the other. This is a story of heartbreak and triumph. I enjoyed reading about Sheena and Birk. Sheena was a strong, courageous, and loyal character. It was a pleasure to read about her. Birk chooses his destiny while he voyages through the circumstances that he is forced to navigate. "I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange of an honest review."

[Viper Spaulding]

Pirates, Scottish clans, family intrigue, this book has it all! And, of course, a wonderful romance ties it all together. Sheena and Birk are torn apart and separated for years, but their reunion is more than either could have bargained for. This was both an exciting adventure and a beautiful love story. The author does a wonderful job of describing the setting, events, and emotions of her characters. Captivating and exhilarating right from the very first scene! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Mary]

This is a fast paced, exciting adventure. Birk was a sweet, fun loving man, until someone set him up to hang and he had to leave Scotland. It turned him into a hard, bitter pirate, but still he could not forget the love of his life. Sheena is a strong, responsible woman who had her heart broken by Birk. She can't forget him, or forgive him abandoning her. The storyline is exciting and engrossing, the characters are interesting and the end is very satisfying.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors. This is my voluntary and honest opinion of it.

[Gwen]

Birk Bane, son of the Laird Bane, was framed with a crime punished by hanging in the 1700s. He ran away, with the aid of his young lover Sheena, daughter of a powerful clan leader. His fight to clear his name started the day a friend saved him from drowning in the sea. Great story about a good man turned "bad" when framed and the love that wouldn't die no matter how unworthy he thinks he might be. A very strong and smart woman in an era full of discrimination. Suspense, romance and bad guys all around. Very enjoyable read!

[SouthernAngel]

A historical Scottish read with piracy, villains, survival and love in 1700s where clans battle for supremacy. There is adventure, betrayal, murder. unexpected surprises.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Tabatha Pope]

OMGosh I've been waiting for Bane's story! It was more than I could have imagined. From the beautiful scenery described to the heart-wrenching romance, I loved every word! This is a story I will read over and over again. I can't wait to see what Bray-Weber can do next!!!!

[Pretzel Biscuit]

2.5

[Jody Allred]

Awesome

The books she writes are always the prefect match to everything a story is about. Pirates, fighting a nd Romance. Read all her books never a. Disappointment.