Highlander Defied

Courageous Highland Hearts #1

by Jayne Castel

Not all battles draw blood. A revenge-fueled clan-chief, his rebellious bride—and the marriage that will be the making of them both.

After nearly a decade in prison, Niel Mackay is now a free man. However, despite that he’s now a clan-chief, demons still dog his steps. He won’t be able to lie them to rest until he gains vengeance against his enemies. He also needs to beget an heir—but to do that he must take a wife. 

Beth Munro, the eldest of four sisters, dreams of a love-match like her parents. Unfortunately, she’s earned the name ‘The Cursed Bride’ after three men she was betrothed to all died shortly before their wedding day. All offers of marriage have now ceased. As such, the Mackay clan-chief’s proposal comes as a welcome surprise. 

But Beth isn’t prepared for a husband who will share his body, but not his soul. A battle of wills ensures. Beth refuses to live a compromise, yet her efforts to truly know her husband only make Niel fight even harder to strengthen the walls around his heart. He intends to put his wife in her place—but instead will she bring him to his knees? 

HIGHLANDER DEFIED is Book One of the Courageous Highland Hearts series. This steamy and emotional follow-up to Jayne Castel’s bestselling Stolen Highland Hearts series follows the lives of four battle-hardened Highland warriors and the courageous sisters who capture their hearts.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Medieval, Romance, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Medieval Romance

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2022

About the author

Multi-award-winning author Jayne Castel writes epic Historical and Fantasy Romance. Her vibrant characters, richly researched historical settings and action-packed adventure romance transport readers to forgotten times and imaginary worlds.

Jayne is the author of a number of best-selling series. In love with all things Scottish, she writes romances set in both Dark Ages and Medieval Scotland.

When she's not writing, Jayne is reading (and re-reading) her favorite authors, cooking Italian feasts, and going on long walks with her husband. She's from New Zealand, but now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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Reviews

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 1

2,5 🤔🤔⭐️s

It was taking forever for the hero to adapt to life since he had been imprisoned for a decade.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story by Jayne Castel — featuring Clan MacKay & Clan Gunn — this story follows Neil “Bass” MacKay who has just escaped from Bass Rock prison after being sent there by King James the 1st, as a sort of “hostage” meant to keep Neil’s father in line a.k.a. Stop attacking other clans.

After 10-years of imprisonment for no crime, Neil escapes and is looking to do two things: A. Avenge and attack Clan Gunn, B. Find a wife and work on securing an heir. The wife he agrees to marry, via letters, is Elizabeth Murray. Let’s just say Neil & Elizabeth each have very different ideas of what marriage includes and there were several times during the story I wanted to just Slap Neil — he is a hard headed Scot through and through 🙃

This is yet another story that makes me happy I didn’t grow up in medieval Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I recommend it to all my fellow highlander romance lovers!!

Overall 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the heroine, the hero took a while before I warmed to him

[Rebecca Locke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly sad. Neil MacKay is bent on revenge and not getting close to his wife, Beth. She tries everything to get through to him, but nothing works until a near-death experience changes his perspective. The end is good, but for me, it was almost too sad to get there.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highlander Defied
Courageous Highland Hearts #1
Jayne Castel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Neil MacKay has been imprisoned for almost a decade, and all of a sudden he finds himself a free man. He may be a Clan Cheif now, but demons still dog his every step. But he just can't leave sleeping dogs lie. He needs vengeance against his enemies and number one on his list is the Gunns, but he also knows he needs to take a wife and have an heir so he decides it's time to find a wife.

Beth Munro is the eldest of four sisters. She wants what her parents had and that's a love match. Unfortunately she has earned herself the name 'The Cursed Bride' after all three men she was betrothed to all died not long before their wedding days. Now all offers of marriage have ceased so when a proposal from Clan chief Neil MacKay comes in for Beth, it is more than a welcome surprise. But Beth is not prepared for a husband who will share his body, but nothing else. Beth is stubborn and refuses to a compromise, yet her efforts to get to know Neil make him shore up the walls taller and shove Beth away. He plans to put his new bride in her place. But will that even happen or will he finally understands how precious life is and how to love her with his whole being?

Wow Jayne Castel has really outdid herself. I was almost in tears during parts if this book. It had me right from the start and kept me within its grips until I closed the book. These were very special characters. Neil had to go on a soul searching mission with plenty if consequences just to realize who he was, but once he knew, he was amazing. Beth was sweet and she helped raise her sisters so she knew how to love, she just did not know how to realize what love was. Once these two admitted their love to eachother. I can safely say it was a love match. I highly recommend this story and can't wait to see how Ms. Castel gets the next couple together.

[Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Highlander Defied
Author: Jayne Castel
Series: Courageous Highland Hearts, Book One
Publisher: Winter Mist Press
Amount of Pages: 303
Release Date: 2/3/2022
Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

(Story mostly set in)
Castle Varrich
Kyle of Tongue
Lairg, Scotland 1437

After ten miserable years at Bass Rock Niel MacKay finally gets to escape! He got help from his cousin Amelia who devised a detailed plan for him to escape since she was married to the Governor of Bass Rock castle. It was obvious it was an unhappy marriage and her lover was a new guard at Bass rock. Furthermore, it was the perfect opportunity to escape since King James was dead! Now as a free man Niel wanted revenge against The Gunn’s who organized this betrayal against the King but were never punished. He was furious he couldn’t kill his own selfish father, who sent his only son to prison in his place as his father was now dead! His father betrayed King James and offered a trade so he wouldn’t get executed. It was his only son, he offered as a sacrifice to pardon him for his betrayal as a traitor to the King. This was to prove his loyalty to his sovereign and King James actually agreed! Now Niel also needed allies and to get his house in order first and that was a wife!

Beth Munro, is known as the cursed bride, since she had threes betrothals where all the men died for various reasons. This also created suspicions, rumors and problems by the small minded people of her village for her three lovely younger sisters too. As her they who no longer had suitors as everyone was fearful and felt men might die in their presence too. So when Beth gets an offer for an arranged marriage alliance with a powerful laird and clan she is thrilled! Beth truly thought she was to be a spinster and it was an enormous relief and he also agreed to allow her to bring her three younger sister to love with them at castle Varrich too. So she already thought she was marrying a kind and honorable man but she was in for a big surprise!

Niel wanted a beautiful and biddable wife, who ran his household and gives him heirs with no emotional entanglements. He was happy she was beautiful and had a healthy body to give him lots of heirs. The staff loved and respected her and she ran the house perfectly, but he didn’t like her boldness and opinions. So he needed to cruelly show her who was in charge and put her in her place immediately! Beth wanted a husband she would have an equal partnership with but most importantly would love and respect her. She wanted a marriage very much like her father had with both her mother and step-mother. So when he kicks her out of his bed on their wedding night she was devastated. Even Niel knew she did not not deserve this harsh treatment yet he was determined not to feel anything for this beautiful, passionate, intelligent, woman!

Now he was only obsessed with going to war with the Gunns! Shall this give him the satisfaction he is looking for? Will Beth accept a loveless marriage as Niel is following his fathers footsteps to ignore his wife? A man he watched visiting brothels and ignoring his wife in a loveless marriage. Now Niel feels a wife was only good for keeping his house in order, tending the gardens and giving him heirs. However, Beth does occupy Niel’s mind lot and he resents her for it. Will Beth accept this loveless marriage or fight in the name of love? Will Niel who is a damaged man ever be able to open his cold, icy, dark-heart or will his wife thaw it and realize what a wonderful and generous gift Beth truly is? Read and find out in this breathtaking story!

My go-to author Jayne Castel does it again and sweeps me away in another phenomenal brand new series that was absolutely amazing! A book I couldn’t put down and read in only one setting! It checks all the boxes for historical romance readers as it is another riveting, fast-paced , awe-inspiring, action packed romantic adventure that readers definitely don’t want to miss!

It’s a heart string puller so be prepared as it’s definitely an emotional read too. As it shows a special human understanding of cruelty, motivation and love. An extraordinary captivating book I highly recommend as it was absolutely brilliant in my opinion!

Disclaimer: I received an advance readers copy and agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through Booksprout. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

https://www.amazon.com/Highlander-Def...

[Gloria Pastorino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niel Mackay has just returned to his clan after ten years of wrongful imprisonment and he wants only one thing: revenge. But he also needs a wife and he has no time and no inclination to court a woman. A marriage of convenience is the right solution, but what if the chosen wife is not so biddable as he would have liked and stirs emotion he would have preferred to avoid?
Beth Munro has been very unlucky in love. Her previous betrotheds have all died and these unfortunate accidents have gained her the hateful nickname of Cursed Bride. So when a powerful clan chief asks for her hand, she’s happy to accept. Of course she’s not expecting a love match, but maybe some affection? But her husband is as handsome as he’s cold, so maybe she’s still cursed after all…
I must admit that I’m quite lucky with my ARCs lately… I picked this up for the “marriage of convenience” trope and I discovered a wonderful new-to-me writer who was capable of capturing my heart! This book is everything I could ask for in a book of this kind: a slow burn romance with steamy, but emotional love scenes and two very interesting characters. Beth is strong, witty, smart and lovable and after a rocky start she’s capable of understanding her husband’s attitude and state of mind quite well. Neil is stubborn, revengeful, and rightly so, and scared of loving and being loved: the epitome of the great warrior brought to his knees by love. The descriptions of places and even battles are magnificent, but never boring. I highly recommend this book and I’ll definitely read much more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niel Mackay has been in Bass Rock prison for ten years. The only thing keeping him alive is his thoughts of revenge against his father and the Gunns. With help, he escapes from prison with the knowledge his father and King James are dead. Both are responsible for his incarceration.
Once back at Castle Varrick as the rightful can-chief, he must seal his position with a wife and an heir. Beth Munro receives an offer to be the wife of Niel Mackay. A spinster known as THE CURSED BRIDE, she has lost three suitors before marriage. She hopes for of marriage of companionship and love, she is disappointed, for Niel does not know tenderness and affection. Is this marriage doomed from the start? This is a new series connected to the STOLEN HIGHLAND HEARTS series.
Castel writes very deep emotional characters that will touch your heart.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carole Burant · Rating 5 out of 5]

All he wants is revenge. All she wants is to be loved by her husband. I was so thrilled when I found out Niel would have his own story. The last I had heard of him, he was languishing in a prison for almost 10 years, thanks to his father!! I always enjoy the way Jayne Castel writes and this was no exception. The story is filled with emotion and you can't help but feel sorry for both Niel and Beth.

Very well written, very emotional and very touching. I now look forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, Beth is a saint. If I were in her shoes I would have given up. Neil is an asshole but it's justified cause of trauma. What I absolutely loved about this book is that you could tell that Neil grew. I really believed his journey to get there. Beth journey had it's ups and down. Being in love with a man who struggles with love and affection is tough. I'm happy with how their story went. The only issue I had was the battle aftermath. I was expecting the other side to retaliate but there was nothing. But maybe they'll bring it up in a different book

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Beth and Niel. I feel like it's not often that you get highland romances that center an arranged marriage and this one worked well! There were certain parts that I think were a bit more flushed out in the relationship arc but overall enjoyed it and dove right into the next. Excited for the stories related to the other sisters!

[HMU95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now one of my favorite Jayne Castel stories! Two super stubborn characters, but that made their love story all that much more fun to read! I loved how strong Beth is and how much you fought for Niel. Niel didn’t stand a chance! I also loved all of the historically accurate touches Castel weaved in to the story. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Smith Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niel Mackay has been at Bass Rock for a decade, and believes he'll die there until one day he is aided in his escape by a kinswoman. Niel's father Angus is now dead, and the person who ordered Niel to the punishment is also dead. He returns to his lands to reclaim his birthright as The Mackay and get revenge on the Gunns. Too bad all those he's angry with are either dead, or in a different place mentally and physically than they were ten years ago. It says something about being incarcerated, time stands still for the person imprisoned while every one else moves on. I wish the other folks in the book would have pointed that out to Niel, and kept pointing it out until his stubborn butt accepted this. But most probably found it pointless trying to change Niel's one track mind. Niel does think of other things though, he needs to get right on producing heirs, especially since he's ten years behind. Thirty five years old and no wife or children!

Elizabeth (Beth) Munro is known as The Cursed Bride with three betrothals where her all of her intended husbands had died before the wedding, everyone steered clear of Beth. When Niel makes an offering for her, Beth decides to make the best of it and accepts. She likes Niel, thinks he's handsome and that's a good start as any, right? Besides, if she doesn't jump at this chance she is likely to wind up a spinster. She's already 26!

Beth struggles to get through to her traumatized husband, but he is busy chasing his revenge. He's never really cruel to her, just neglectful. Niel has a notion of how things should be, and he won't be driven from it. Even though Beth is starting to penetrate his defenses.

But Beth can't stop him from taking back land that was once Mackays, and a senseless battle occurs with many dead before Niel can admit that maybe he might be wrong.

This book made me feel, with both of them circling love and affection but never quite hitting the mark until an a major upheaval forces them to confront their feelings. There are some really great lines in this book of how you can't control how another person acts, only how you react and they both learn a valuable lesson. I'm glad they found each other, I really felt they needed each other and they went on to live in love and support of each other until one of them passed and the other quickly followed. Happily ever after? Never. The world is too imperfect for that.

But they had each other, and that's a lot... for love, they gave it a shot.

I love this author, she certainly can invoke emotions in me with her characters. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: Niel Mackay finds he has friends in unexpected places, when they help him escape from his dungeon!

SETTING: Dungeon on Bass Rock, Firth of Forth, Scotland, in 1437.
Niel MacKay was sent to prison in place of his unscrupulous father, at the direction of Robert the Bruce, where he underwent severe beatings, near starvation, and robbed of hope for a better future. When he had nearly given up, a guard helps him escape. This book then picks up with what Niel then does with the life given back to him.

CRITIQUE: Ms. Castel has taken the true history of Scotland in this time period, actual events, even some of the important people of the time and has painted a word picture for us, painting in imaginary people who COULD have lived and experienced this time. Rich details about the places in the story, allow the reader to see what the characters are seeing, and to an extent, feel the emotions they are experiencing. The author includes valuable historical notes in the back of the book that summarizes various aspects of her research and delineates what is fact and what is her imagination.
This well-researched, and well written book fits right into the most recent series Ms Castel has published, and gives a satisfying answer to the questions of “what happened to Niel in prison” and “will he ever get out” that the reader may have from a previous book wherein Niel was taken to this infamous prison, from which no one escaped. Fitting back into his community and family is not quite as easy as one would hope, thus adding complications and substance to the story. This is historical fiction at it’s best.
.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise riemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of a new series by Jayne Castel, it's going to be a fantastic series! Niel MacKay is a prisoner at Bass Rock Castle in Scotland, he has been a prisoner for ten years! He is very bitter because his father who is responsible for telling the King of Scotland to hold Niel a prisoner so Angus Dow MacKay will not revolt against the crown of Scotland! The clan Gunn, Niel holds responsible also,so Niel has a lot of anger towards his father and the Gunn leaders. Niel cousin Amelia who he doesn't remember very well, helps him escape from the prison, Niel is very weak because he wasn't given much food,but he does make it back to Castle Varrich the seat of the MacKay clan. Niel is told all that has happened in the last ten years, and he is now head of his clan. Niel knows he needs to marry to get a heir, so he makes a contract with the Laird of Munro for his oldest daughter Beth, who is known as the cursed bride.Beth is hoping the marriage will turn into a love between her and Niel, but Niel is so bitter it's very hard on Beth,but she doesn't give up.There are so many secondary people in this book that add to the story, as Beth three sister's, who stay on at the castle after the marriage. Niel cousin Connor, Hugh, Robin,who are also Lairds of different MacKay clans. The battle scenes were very realistic, the emotions I felt were sad at part of the book, and happy for Beth and Niel.I was given this ebook as a ARC for my honest opinion of this book,I honestly recommend to read this book, the author wrote with such emotion through the story you feel the pain and happiness each person is going through. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

[Martha B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damaged, Complex and Redeemable

Damaged and complex characters are sometimes hard to like, much less love. Such is the case of Niel Mackay. Wrongly imprisoned in a rock hewn hell-hole for 10 years makes a man either better or vengeful. For this clan-chief, revenge and siring an heir is all he thinks about. Sadly, the woman he has selected as his bride dreams of a eventual love bond. It will take all of the courage, strength and kindness Elizabeth Munro possesses, as well as a wee bit of luck, to have any chance of making her dreams come true.

Just because fifteenth century Scotland is the backdrop for Beth and Niel's story, their story could be at anytime in history. Folks are folks and all of the emotions in this character-driven tale are timeless. Even if you are new to Jayne Castel's well written and deeply researched historical books, Highlander Defied is organized in such a way as to be a standalone read. Best of all, even against all the odds, Niel and Beth eventually achieve their desired happy ever after. They really and truly deserved a smile-worthy ending.

Content 411: In addition to a moderate amount of secular and religious swearing, this book also contains some descriptive marital intimacy.

Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.

[Nancy Yohe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwanted love.

Neil, the only child and heir of the MacKay was imprisoned 10 years ago at the order of the king when his father turned him over so he wouldn’t have to go to prison himself. Neil was full of anger and vengeance because of it and swore he would get back at those who were responsible, namely his father and the Dunns. His father died while he was in prison. When a little known cousin and a guard helped him escape he made his way back to his castle and his rightful place to lead clan MacKay. His first order of business was to find a wife and his second order was revenge. His cousin John found him a wife. Beth had been betrothed 3 times and each time her betrothed died prior to the wedding. That stopped all suitors for herself and her 3 sisters until she received a proposal from Clan Chief Neil MacKay. She felt the attraction between them the first time they met and hoped for a love match. Neil had other plans. He had no intention of letting her get close. He only wanted someone to take care of the household and give him heirs. He was cruel to her and hurt her emotionally until she withdrew. But she loved him. When he was injured in battle things began to change for them. It is a sweet story that I really enjoyed. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. As usual this author has such interesting story plots and the book blurbs reel you in. But I'm usually left unsatisfied in some way and wanting simply more of something by the end of her stories.

However, I really liked this one. It didn't go the way I expected or would have preferred (just a little bit) by having more angst or tension between Beth and Niel. I would usually expect more angst because Niel was not in a good headspace when they married nor did his expectations of what a wife's place was help matters. I did hope for more drama and angst tbh but as usual I didn't get it and honestly at this point I expected the disappointment.

Though I liked Beth a lot. I loved Niel. As usual with this author I feel as if I'm left wanting a full buffet when it comes to pealing back the layers to her characters especially the hero's but we only get crumbs.

Not much else to say. Beth and Niel were great for one another. I liked that Beth was resilient and didn't give up on Niel. Although I do wish it hadn't taken Niel having Beth's sister Neave meddling for him to admit his feelings.

All in all a low angst solid read that I enjoyed.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, again…so well written by the author, definitely has its challenges while reading. Beth gives her heart and soul into trying to work on her marriage with her husband and every time she faces him, Niel shuts her down.
Niel, who escapes from years in prison, has literally imprisoned his own thoughts, heart, soul…. So his focus is just to wed, have an heir and most importantly - get revenge! Justice, punishment on those who put him in there. I understand that sentiment. Throughout the book he gradually thaws, and is able to “look” at life, his wife, his people, differently.
I wasn’t a fan of the way they eventually made things right, having someone else do it for them… and I wasn’t a fan of someone else telling Beth that the marriage issues were her fault too, especially after every effort she makes. I realize that in a relationship their are two sides to every story… but in this case Niel actually feels guilty about treating Beth a certain way EVERY time. Which tells me, she made the effort, and he knew it and threw it in her face.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highlander Defied is the first book in the Courageous Highland Hearts Series. Finally. I’ve been waiting for Niel Mackay’s book since he was taken to prison in place of his father. After ten years in prison he has escaped with a little help. He returns to his clan as the Laird of his clan since his father died while he was in prison. He is very bitter from his father’s betrayal, the beatings from the guards and the loss of ten years.

Beth Munro is the Cursed Bride. All of her betrothed have died. Niel ignores the rumors and offers for her. He does not know that she is a strong individual. What a surprise he has coming! He only knows that she will fulfill his goals of providing a heir and giving him a strong allegiance for defeating his enemies. He is not interested in love.

This is a fast paced, steamy story. There were times that I felt like I was actually in Medieval Scotland watching the story unfold. Jayne Castel has written another fantastic book. Can’t wait to see what she has planned for Beth’s sisters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mia Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayne Castel has long been a favorite author of mine and I always look forward to her new books. Her “Highlander Defied: A Medieval Scottish Romance” Is Book 1 in the Courageous Highland Hearts series.

Though Niel MacKay was betrayed and imprisoned in his wicked father’s place for 10 long years he’s a escaped, free and now Laird of his clan but his heart still remains imprisoned and bent on revenge for those responsible. Needing an heir he marries Beth who wants to love him and wanted someone who loved and needed her.

This was a highly charged, emotional story filled with past trauma to overcome. At times it was sad but these two finally achieved their happily ever after. The writing was excellent the storyline was good and the characters were well written. I liked Beth’s character but it took me longer to warm up to Neil thou I could imaging the hell he suffered and the heartache he felt over his father’s betrayal. Is it any wonder he was so bent on revenge?

I enjoyed meeting the rest of the characters and look forward to their stories. The historical notes in the back of the book are invaluable.

Thank you so much Ms. Castel for this emotional love story.

[Gabz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to say how I feel about this one. It's decently written, but I really wasn't keen on Neil as a human and while Beth was endearing to start with, I felt that the author did her a dirty as the book went on. 

At about the 50% mark, the book went meandering with each of their stories and I found myself skipping through the bits because they really held zero appeal. That went on for about 20-25%, which didn't do much to endear the book to me further. And in the end, the whole thing felt like Deus ex Machina, this forced happy ending when there really hadn't been enough relationship growth to justify them ending up in love. 

I also found the X Mackay of Y thing to be rather annoying, because there were a lot of Mackays and it became quickly repetitive and felt like a bit of wasted space on the page. There were also segments dedicated to building up the next book in the series, which I also hate to encounter, because seriously, I'd like resolution to the current drama before I get embroiled in another. 

I can't quite put my finger on it, but on the whole it felt rather disappointing. 

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a lot by Jayne Castel and I'm really not sure why. This was an awesome read. Neil Mackay went to prison for 10 years in his father's place. When he escapes with the help of his cousin, he becomes his clan's laird because his father has passed away. To solidify his place and make an alliance with neighboring clans, he makes an offer of marriage to Beth Munro, the Cursed Bride. All they other men she has been betrothed to have died. Neil ignores the rumors because he knows that she will provide an heir and a strong allegiance with his neighboring clans, he is determined not to love her. He is in for quite a surprise when he meets this fiery, strong, and determined.. She wants to love her husband and for him to love her as well. This book is well paced, has great character development, action, steam, and more. This book and the previous series, Stolen Highland Hearts, are all available to read for free on KU. Great read!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have I been as upset about what happened to a character as I was about what happened to Niel Mackay in the Stolen Highland Hearts series. I am ever so grateful to Ms Castel for giving him his happy ending. Consumed with the need for revenge, Clan Chief Niel Mackay is intent on gathering his forces to defeat Tavish Gunn and his clan. Meanwhile, he needs a wife to ensure the continuation of his line. By marrying Beth, Niel secures an alliance with the Munro clan. Both have preconceived ideas regarding marriage based on their experience of their parents’ relationships. They don’t mesh and Beth finds herself beyond disatisfied. Strong emotion just thrums through this story. It excites and incites battles that are not all on the field. This is a vividly told tale filled with well developed characters, action, steamy encounters, emotional growth and lots of support. This is an exciting beginning to what is certain to be a thrilling new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge of the Laird🐺🍆⛲💪🔪

ADULT Alpha Male Highlander Romance💕 and Adventure.
Scotland 1437. The Sins of the Father...

Niel MacKay🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 has been wrongfullywasting away in an island prison for ten years since he was betrayed and sacrificed by his father , Angus👺, to King James👑 to keep himself from prison.

Rightfully, Niel🐺🍆⛲💪🔪 has had plenty of time to think about revenge on his father and on the Gunn Clan..

Secretly sprung from prison, he finds out his father is long dead💀, so that chance for revenge is gone. While on his path to revenge against the Gunns, he realizes he also needs an heir, so he decides to get married. But he thinks he can be emotionally detached from his new wife👰. How wrong he turns out to be!

ARC Provided by Booksprout 🌱
I also got this ebook from Amazon 📚with KU.

This is another great ADULT Historical Romance from Author Jayne Castel📚. Wonderfully written, I was pulled into The story immediately by the horrible circumstances of Niel's wrongful imprisonment.

[Chi Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being instantly attracted to each other upon their first meeting, Beth and Niel have vastly different views about how their marriage and relationship are to be.

After a decade of imprisonment, Niel returns to Clan Mackay a changed man. A man hell-bent on revenge and strategically taking on a wife who he does not wish to dally with when it comes to love and his personal matters.

Meanwhile, any attempts Beth makes in their marriage get shut down and she fights to keep her true emotions at bay about her husband and his view on their marriage.

This story was an emotional roller-coaster. It was well worth the wait and I was not disappointed! I truly could not put down this book and I was on the heartbreak edge of my seat, asking just how is our couple going to recover from this?

Definitely recommend reading and rereading this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful read. While not overly romantic, there was love and it was very real in how relationships can be. I always thought Niel was a bit of an arrogant arse and knew it would take a strong woman to change him. Luckily Beth was up for the challenge. I liked all the characters and it was nice to have an appearance from some characters from Stolen Highland Hearts series. I think Beth's sisters will also come with interesting stories. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
Great characters ✔️
Fast paced ✔️
Interesting ✔️
Steamy sex ✔️
This book can be read alone, but I loved the Stolen Highland Hearts series that takes places before and during Niel's incarceration at Bass Rock.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Emotional Story of Finding Oneself:
This is not your typical fluffy titillating romance story.
This is a deeply emotional love story that follows two people through many
obstacles before they find their true emotions emerge to reach a happy love story.
The authors skill takes us through each of their wants and needs so their relationship
can grow. Not always getting what each wants until they commit themselves to face
past issues along with each other's needs. It's a deep heartwarming story that brings
family from the previous series into this new generation. It is still a standalone story.
The story deals with war, past betrayals, romance, discovering passion, family and more.
I enjoyed this incredible love story and look forward to book 2. Neave and Johns story.
Adult Content after marriage:
I did receive an advanced copy via Booksprout for my honest opinion.

[Kay Folks]

Don’t quite know how to feel about this one.

I had just finished Highlander Pledged which features Tavish Gunn, which I loved. But in this book he’s the enemy and is attacked and his brother taken prisoner. So this leave you feeling conflicted about who is actually the bad guys.

I was glad to finally get Niel’s book. But he took a long time to warm up to, with only a desire for revenge against the Gunn’s. This meant he neglected his wife and only admitted to himself how he felt about her at about the 85% mark and only after he was gravely wounded.

They eventually get a happy ending but it felt a little false.

It’s extremely well written but I just feel too confused and conflicted to actually put a rating to it. For me I would have preferred a way of it working out without leading to war, he should have had his epiphany a lot earlier to me.

[R Rais · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book come in perfect timing of my need for Highlander book. And I LOVE IT!

Beth is the perfect h for our Highland chief. She's strong minded, fierce, yet sweet with enough amount vulnerability that make me love her.
While Niel have enough stubborn, hot headed, stupidness to last him a life time. Good thing he come to his senses on time.

Their chemistry is slow burn. Love the steamy scenes!
The side characters are lovable! Beth's sisters gonna be great to have their own stories.
I don't know how much I miss my Highlanders until I read this book. The world within, the clan, the people, even the war and the dispute, love it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.