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Secrets of Clan Cameron #1
A Laird without a Past
Escape to the Scottish isles with this rugged Highlander
His past is forgotten…
Can his mysterious healer unlock his future?
When Royce wakes with no memories and suddenly blind, his situation seems dire. The only thing he remembers is being attacked by shadowy figures...but not the beautiful woman who came to his rescue. Now Iona MacKenzie’s every touch drives Royce wild. But when news of a manhunt for him reaches them, Royce must uncover his past if he has any chance of saving himself—and the woman he’s falling for…
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Secrets of Clan Cameron
Book 1: A Laird without a Past
His past is forgotten…
Can his mysterious healer unlock his future?
When Royce wakes with no memories and suddenly blind, his situation seems dire. The only thing he remembers is being attacked by shadowy figures...but not the beautiful woman who came to his rescue. Now Iona MacKenzie’s every touch drives Royce wild. But when news of a manhunt for him reaches them, Royce must uncover his past if he has any chance of saving himself—and the woman he’s falling for…
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Secrets of Clan Cameron
Book 1: A Laird without a Past
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 25, 2023
7 people are currently reading
2154 people want to read
About the author
Jeanine Englert
39 books643 followersJeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN® and Golden Heart® Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. She was also named the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year in romance for A Laird without a Past.
Her Scottish Highland historical, Regency historical, and historical mystery novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers.
Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.
Her Scottish Highland historical, Regency historical, and historical mystery novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers.
Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 23, 2023
I’m so happy to be on the tour today for A Laird Without a Past, the first book in the Secrets of Clan Cameron historical romance series. The story follows Royce, a man who wakes with no memories or vision, and Iona, the healer who rescued him. It’s a unique and entertaining story, and I loved the romance between Iona and Royce!
Royce and Iona have such a great love story with so many tropes I enjoy, and their connection is really strong. Iona takes care of Royce for a lot of the story, which I found really interesting. She’s a capable, intelligent, independent woman who has suffered much loss in her life, and she doesn’t want to risk getting close to anyone again. Perfectly content to live alone and away from others with her beloved dog for company and her job as a healer to sustain her, Iona fights her feelings for the mysterious man who washes up on her shores. But the more time they spend together and the more they get to know each other, the harder it is for Iona and Royce to hide their feelings.
“You have taught me to be brave in an ocean of uncertainty.”
An amnesiac, Royce has no idea how he ended up in Iona’s care, but he does know that his feelings for her are ever-growing and true. He really sees her and understands and respects her, which is rare for Iona, who is often judged and whispered about. I like that Royce doesn’t take away her sense of self, and he respects her decisions even when he doesn’t understand or agree with them. His deference to and admiration of her makes Royce even more swoon-worthy.
Royce’s guilt over losing his sister to the sea when he was a child still haunts him, and it’s intriguing to see how this part of the story plays out. There’s some danger and mystery, and it’s clear that someone wants the secrets of the past to stay in the past. Luckily, Royce’s determination (and guilt) to find out what happened to his sister proves stronger.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are great, the setting sounds gorgeous, and Iona’s dog is a delight! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Special thanks to Rachels Random Resources for having me on the tour.
Royce and Iona have such a great love story with so many tropes I enjoy, and their connection is really strong. Iona takes care of Royce for a lot of the story, which I found really interesting. She’s a capable, intelligent, independent woman who has suffered much loss in her life, and she doesn’t want to risk getting close to anyone again. Perfectly content to live alone and away from others with her beloved dog for company and her job as a healer to sustain her, Iona fights her feelings for the mysterious man who washes up on her shores. But the more time they spend together and the more they get to know each other, the harder it is for Iona and Royce to hide their feelings.
“You have taught me to be brave in an ocean of uncertainty.”
An amnesiac, Royce has no idea how he ended up in Iona’s care, but he does know that his feelings for her are ever-growing and true. He really sees her and understands and respects her, which is rare for Iona, who is often judged and whispered about. I like that Royce doesn’t take away her sense of self, and he respects her decisions even when he doesn’t understand or agree with them. His deference to and admiration of her makes Royce even more swoon-worthy.
Royce’s guilt over losing his sister to the sea when he was a child still haunts him, and it’s intriguing to see how this part of the story plays out. There’s some danger and mystery, and it’s clear that someone wants the secrets of the past to stay in the past. Luckily, Royce’s determination (and guilt) to find out what happened to his sister proves stronger.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are great, the setting sounds gorgeous, and Iona’s dog is a delight! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Special thanks to Rachels Random Resources for having me on the tour.
July 20, 2023
Royce & Iona’s romance is so dreamy with the right dash of darkness. I couldn’t put the book down. It has the amnesia trope, gender swapped Beauty and the Beast, forced proximity and really reads like an historical fairy tale.
Royce leaves his home in search of answers. For over a year he’s been immersed in guilt and needs to know what happened to his sister and why. In the prologue, things happen to Royce that leave him temporarily without sight and his memory lost. Iona is who saves him. As a devoted healer, she begins helping him get better…along with her four legged companion, Jack.
To me, Trust, is such a huge theme in this book. With the loss of so much, Royce has to trust and depend on a complete stranger. It’s hard to get into too much without spoiling it, but there was something really dreamy about this book. It ties into the last series, specifically the last book of the previous series. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a good, quick to read Historical Romance!
Royce leaves his home in search of answers. For over a year he’s been immersed in guilt and needs to know what happened to his sister and why. In the prologue, things happen to Royce that leave him temporarily without sight and his memory lost. Iona is who saves him. As a devoted healer, she begins helping him get better…along with her four legged companion, Jack.
To me, Trust, is such a huge theme in this book. With the loss of so much, Royce has to trust and depend on a complete stranger. It’s hard to get into too much without spoiling it, but there was something really dreamy about this book. It ties into the last series, specifically the last book of the previous series. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a good, quick to read Historical Romance!
July 29, 2023
A Laird without a Past is a charming, splendid read.
After a misadventure at the sea with a couple of shifty strangers Laird Royce reaches unconscious the little island of Lismore's shore, here he is rescued by Iona, the solitary healer of the island.
When he wakes up without memory, they bigin a complicated and dangerous path to find out who he is and why he was there.
I couldn't get enough of Iona and Royce. They are both scarred, they fear the unknown future, but while Royce tries to face it, Iona prefers to hide. As their relationship grows, so they change their way of thinking little by little, I can say they are good for each other. I adored their shared moments, they were sweet and precious.
I absolutely loved this novel set in Scotland. Jeanine Englert writing is effortless and evocative, it seems to be on the island's shore with the characters.
I have a soft spot for a good Laird, even one who has no memory of being one, so I highly recommend to read this story.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
July 15, 2023
Royce Cameron has come to Lismore Island in order to try to clear up the mystery of what happened to his youngest sister Violet some twenty years before. There, he is attacked and left for dead until Iona McKenzie finds him on the beach being picked over by a couple of opportunistic men. After dispatching the two men, she drags Royce up the beach to her cottage where she nurses him back to health. If only his ordeal hadn't left him blind and without a memory, she might be able to help him more.
Although Royce finds himself frustrated that he can't see and can't remember who he is, he learns to cope with his infirmity, trying to help Iona while she struggles to sell enough medicines, as the area's healer, to pay off her debt to the local land baron. During his ordeal, Royce comes to care very deeply for Iona, who has been keeping herself away from the townspeople to hide her facial scar, and keep herself from caring about others so she doesn't get hurt. She'd spent her days with her rescued animals and her herbs, only, until Royce washed up on the beach.
They are both in danger, however, as some men come snooping around, trying to see if Royce is dead, or still alive. Iona keeps him hidden. Will Royce ever regain his sight and his memory, and will Iona ever be able to accept the love that Royce is offering her?
This was a wonderful story that I liked a lot. The one frustration I had was that we didn't find out what happened to Royce's youngest sister in this book. We are only told that he is still carefully looking into finding out the truth of the matter.
Although Royce finds himself frustrated that he can't see and can't remember who he is, he learns to cope with his infirmity, trying to help Iona while she struggles to sell enough medicines, as the area's healer, to pay off her debt to the local land baron. During his ordeal, Royce comes to care very deeply for Iona, who has been keeping herself away from the townspeople to hide her facial scar, and keep herself from caring about others so she doesn't get hurt. She'd spent her days with her rescued animals and her herbs, only, until Royce washed up on the beach.
They are both in danger, however, as some men come snooping around, trying to see if Royce is dead, or still alive. Iona keeps him hidden. Will Royce ever regain his sight and his memory, and will Iona ever be able to accept the love that Royce is offering her?
This was a wonderful story that I liked a lot. The one frustration I had was that we didn't find out what happened to Royce's youngest sister in this book. We are only told that he is still carefully looking into finding out the truth of the matter.
July 19, 2023
Royce wakes up in an isolated cottage without his memory or his sight. It turns out that the owner of the home, Iona MacKenzie, single-handedly dragged him from the shore and nursed him back to health. Royce believes that whatever cause him to wash up half dead on the bank of the loch might as well finish the job since he became such a burden to the kindhearted woman. However, Iona won’t let him give up that easily and is determined to teach him that he still has worth. When trouble finds them again will Royce be capable of protecting them both?
I loved this story and it was so nice to see a male lead who has issues that are taken seriously and with kindness. I liked the contrast of what Royce once was versus who he now is due to his environment and being in a “safe” space. Iona’s self consciousness was spot on and very relatable to everyone who has dealt with similar issues.
Rating: 5/5
I loved this story and it was so nice to see a male lead who has issues that are taken seriously and with kindness. I liked the contrast of what Royce once was versus who he now is due to his environment and being in a “safe” space. Iona’s self consciousness was spot on and very relatable to everyone who has dealt with similar issues.
Rating: 5/5
July 8, 2023
After reading Jeanine Englert’s previous series I was excited to read book one in her Secrets of Clan Cameron series. I was not disappointed! Laird Royce Cameron reads his late father’s journals and they bring up many questions. With his most faithful aide they go to one of the Scottish islands to find answers. They get ambushed and he is left for dead. However, the island’s healer Iona finds him and nurses him back to health. What follows is a relationship built on trust that has the undercurrent of attraction. Fabulous characters that are very realistic with Jack the dog being one of my favourites though! Iona and Royce get into some dangerous situations that could cost them their lives and I couldn’t guess how the story was going to develop. A cracking read that I would highly recommend.
July 21, 2023
We are back in the Scottish Highlands, catching up with the Clan Cameron. This story centres around Royce and his journey to try to discover the truth behind his father's actions years ago. You can read it as a standalone but I would recommend reading Conveniently Wed To The Laird first, which fills in some but not all of the family's past and introduces the main characters.
Royce, although an obvious leader, is at his most vulnerable, due to his injuries as a result of a vicious beating. Forced to rely on Iona, je takes a long hard look at how and why he has shut people off in the past. Iona also lives a soltary life, afraid of how people might see her, but her kindness and generosity shine through. With plenty of action and even more romance, this is an entertaining instalment in the lives of the Cameron Clan.
In short: secrets and danger
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
Royce, although an obvious leader, is at his most vulnerable, due to his injuries as a result of a vicious beating. Forced to rely on Iona, je takes a long hard look at how and why he has shut people off in the past. Iona also lives a soltary life, afraid of how people might see her, but her kindness and generosity shine through. With plenty of action and even more romance, this is an entertaining instalment in the lives of the Cameron Clan.
In short: secrets and danger
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
July 24, 2023
Amnesia, a broach and the sea witch...
Iona, is an outcast in her sea village of Lismore. She has a scar on her check and is thought of as a sea witch, a healer and is terribly lonely, living on the fringe of society. She does have a dog, Jack and a menagerie of animals. She rescues Royce, a stranger. Royce has lost his memory and his sight. He is dependent on Iona, who saved his life. There's a lot of mystery, who is he? Is he married? Why was he atatcked? Royce is looking for answers, answers that he went looking for and found a knock in the head and almost drowned, and Iona, who changes his life for the better. They both change each others lives.
Recommend.
Iona, is an outcast in her sea village of Lismore. She has a scar on her check and is thought of as a sea witch, a healer and is terribly lonely, living on the fringe of society. She does have a dog, Jack and a menagerie of animals. She rescues Royce, a stranger. Royce has lost his memory and his sight. He is dependent on Iona, who saved his life. There's a lot of mystery, who is he? Is he married? Why was he atatcked? Royce is looking for answers, answers that he went looking for and found a knock in the head and almost drowned, and Iona, who changes his life for the better. They both change each others lives.
Recommend.
October 7, 2024
Love this book and the author. I won this book in a giveaway. The author showered me with gifts including a bookmark with a miniature of her book.
The characters and the story are so well written that I felt like I was plunged into the location. I felt like I could see, hear, feel, taste, and touch what the characters were describing and kept me turning the page long after I should have been asleep.
The characters and the story are so well written that I felt like I was plunged into the location. I felt like I could see, hear, feel, taste, and touch what the characters were describing and kept me turning the page long after I should have been asleep.
July 22, 2023
What a wonderful gift for words from Jeanine Englert. The story and the characters pulled me in from the beginning.
It has been a long time since I have read a story so touching that you can almost reach out to touch the characters from their description.
Take a moment...or take days to read the story of Iona and Royce. It will leave you wanting to champion them both.
It has been a long time since I have read a story so touching that you can almost reach out to touch the characters from their description.
Take a moment...or take days to read the story of Iona and Royce. It will leave you wanting to champion them both.
July 25, 2023
My review of A Laird Without a Past can be found on my blog...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
January 13, 2024
A very sweet love story!
Read
July 2, 2023Historical Fiction, Sagas, Scottish Historical Fiction
Miniseries
Secrets of Clan Cameron (Book #1)
Miniseries
Secrets of Clan Cameron (Book #1)
June 20, 2024
What a sweet story. Enjoyed this one quite a lot!
June 6, 2023
The Laird without a Past by Jeanine Englert
This was my first book from Jeanine Englert and I'm a fan. She writes so beautifully, and the overall flow of the book is wonderful. Such emotion and honestly, I was hooked from the first page. Love, love, love - an absolute delight.
I just reviewed A Laird without a Past by Jeanine Englert. #ALairdwithoutaPast #NetGalley
[https://www.netgalley.com/member/book...]
This was my first book from Jeanine Englert and I'm a fan. She writes so beautifully, and the overall flow of the book is wonderful. Such emotion and honestly, I was hooked from the first page. Love, love, love - an absolute delight.
I just reviewed A Laird without a Past by Jeanine Englert. #ALairdwithoutaPast #NetGalley
[https://www.netgalley.com/member/book...]
August 4, 2023
Good start to the series. The book opens with a prologue as Royce pursues answers to the mystery of what happened to his little sister twenty years earlier. He meets with two men who have promised him a meeting with someone who knows, but the conditions change when he arrives. The next thing he knows, his companion is dead, and Royce is knocked unconscious and dumped into the water.
Iona is a healer on the island of Lismore. Scarred physically and emotionally, she lives alone on the outskirts of the village with her dog and the animals she rescues. While out late one night, she finds a man who has washed up on the shore and takes him to her cottage to treat him. But when he regains consciousness, he can't remember who he is, how he got there, nor can he see.
It is hard for a leader and warrior to find himself so helpless. Royce initially feels that he would be better off dead than being such a burden to Iona. But Iona refuses to low him to feel sorry for himself, and as he heals, she helps him adjust to his circumstances. I liked how she challenged him by using his pride against him, forcing him to prove himself.
Iona keeps herself apart from people, certain that no one wants to be around someone disfigured as she is. It is also a way to protect her heart from the pain of more loss. But because Royce cannot see her, she finds it much easier to be herself around him.
The relationship that forms between Iona and Royce is a slow-growing one. The chemistry is there from the start, but they must learn to trust before anything can come of it. I liked seeing that Royce's protective streak is intact, although his blindness handicaps him. It was sweet to see his kindness and how he tried to help her the best that he could. As his memories begin to return, he realizes he doesn't like the man he suspects he used to be. His time with Iona has changed him. Iona knows she is falling for Royce, but nothing can come of it. He will eventually return to his home, while she is committed to staying on Lismore as the island's healer.
There is danger in Royce's presence in Iona's cottage. Those who left him to die want to be sure that he did, and there are several close calls when they come searching. What is the secret that someone on the island is hiding, and what does it have to do with Royce's quest? A partial memory of a name sends Royce and Iona on a visit that leaves them with more questions than answers.
When Royce regains sight and memory, both must decide their future. Royce must return home and resume his duties as laird and wants Iona to go with him. But Iona's fears prevent her from following her heart. My heart broke for both as they faced a future without each other. I was rooting for Iona to face her fears and take a chance. The ending was sweet and emotional and everything I could hope for.
By the end of the book, some of Royce's questions have been answered, but there are still many more. I look forward to the next book to see how many are answered.
#netgalley
Iona is a healer on the island of Lismore. Scarred physically and emotionally, she lives alone on the outskirts of the village with her dog and the animals she rescues. While out late one night, she finds a man who has washed up on the shore and takes him to her cottage to treat him. But when he regains consciousness, he can't remember who he is, how he got there, nor can he see.
It is hard for a leader and warrior to find himself so helpless. Royce initially feels that he would be better off dead than being such a burden to Iona. But Iona refuses to low him to feel sorry for himself, and as he heals, she helps him adjust to his circumstances. I liked how she challenged him by using his pride against him, forcing him to prove himself.
Iona keeps herself apart from people, certain that no one wants to be around someone disfigured as she is. It is also a way to protect her heart from the pain of more loss. But because Royce cannot see her, she finds it much easier to be herself around him.
The relationship that forms between Iona and Royce is a slow-growing one. The chemistry is there from the start, but they must learn to trust before anything can come of it. I liked seeing that Royce's protective streak is intact, although his blindness handicaps him. It was sweet to see his kindness and how he tried to help her the best that he could. As his memories begin to return, he realizes he doesn't like the man he suspects he used to be. His time with Iona has changed him. Iona knows she is falling for Royce, but nothing can come of it. He will eventually return to his home, while she is committed to staying on Lismore as the island's healer.
There is danger in Royce's presence in Iona's cottage. Those who left him to die want to be sure that he did, and there are several close calls when they come searching. What is the secret that someone on the island is hiding, and what does it have to do with Royce's quest? A partial memory of a name sends Royce and Iona on a visit that leaves them with more questions than answers.
When Royce regains sight and memory, both must decide their future. Royce must return home and resume his duties as laird and wants Iona to go with him. But Iona's fears prevent her from following her heart. My heart broke for both as they faced a future without each other. I was rooting for Iona to face her fears and take a chance. The ending was sweet and emotional and everything I could hope for.
By the end of the book, some of Royce's questions have been answered, but there are still many more. I look forward to the next book to see how many are answered.
#netgalley
July 19, 2023
When Laird Royce Cameron sets out from Loch’s End in Argyll to get answers about his youngest sister Violet/Catriona’s disappearance years ago and his father’s possible involvement, he never expected to be ambushed or to be thrown into the loch and left for dead. But that is exactly what happened and Royce would have died if not for the intervention of Iona MacKenzie.
While swimming, Iona MacKenzie hears voices on the shore and sees some drunk men picking over what appears to be a dead body. She is enraged, her dear father’s body had received the same treatment and she won’t let this man be disrespected in such a fashion. She scares the men away and approaches the man, who to her surprise is still alive. As a healer, Iona can’t just walk away and manages to get him back to her cottage. She tends to his wounds and realizes that someone attacked him, not sure who or why, she keeps him hidden. It is days before he wakes and when he does, he has no memory of who he is, other than the name Royce and if that was not bad enough, he is blind! Iona helps him adjust and when bits of his memory return, she is there to comfort and encourage him all while trying to keep her own secrets and her heart intact. It soon becomes clear that the people who tried to kill him are still looking for him – but why? And the more time they are together the closer they get to finding the answers and the harder it is to face the fact that they will soon have to part. Will Royce regain his memories and his sight? Will he find the answers he is looking for? And will he leave with Iona or a broken heart?
This was such a great story and a fabulous start to a new series! I loved the connection between Royce and Iona and was delighted with their character development. This story has wonderful characters, warmish love scenes, secrets, danger, surprising revelations, a bit of heartache, hard choices, meaningful character development, an ongoing mystery, and finally a HEA with an epilogue. At the end of “Wed to the Laird”, the last book in the Falling for a Stewart series, I hoped that Ms. Englert was going to give us the Cameron siblings stories and she did not disappoint because this story was even better than I could have hoped for! This is the first book in a new series and it does have ties to the last book in the previous, while I think you could start this series without reading that series, I would highly recommend at least reading “Wed to the Laird” before starting this series – you won’t regret it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
While swimming, Iona MacKenzie hears voices on the shore and sees some drunk men picking over what appears to be a dead body. She is enraged, her dear father’s body had received the same treatment and she won’t let this man be disrespected in such a fashion. She scares the men away and approaches the man, who to her surprise is still alive. As a healer, Iona can’t just walk away and manages to get him back to her cottage. She tends to his wounds and realizes that someone attacked him, not sure who or why, she keeps him hidden. It is days before he wakes and when he does, he has no memory of who he is, other than the name Royce and if that was not bad enough, he is blind! Iona helps him adjust and when bits of his memory return, she is there to comfort and encourage him all while trying to keep her own secrets and her heart intact. It soon becomes clear that the people who tried to kill him are still looking for him – but why? And the more time they are together the closer they get to finding the answers and the harder it is to face the fact that they will soon have to part. Will Royce regain his memories and his sight? Will he find the answers he is looking for? And will he leave with Iona or a broken heart?
This was such a great story and a fabulous start to a new series! I loved the connection between Royce and Iona and was delighted with their character development. This story has wonderful characters, warmish love scenes, secrets, danger, surprising revelations, a bit of heartache, hard choices, meaningful character development, an ongoing mystery, and finally a HEA with an epilogue. At the end of “Wed to the Laird”, the last book in the Falling for a Stewart series, I hoped that Ms. Englert was going to give us the Cameron siblings stories and she did not disappoint because this story was even better than I could have hoped for! This is the first book in a new series and it does have ties to the last book in the previous, while I think you could start this series without reading that series, I would highly recommend at least reading “Wed to the Laird” before starting this series – you won’t regret it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
September 15, 2023
A Laird Without a Past is another knockout historical romance by Jeanine Englert.
I devoured this book in one sitting, which is typical for me when it comes to one of Jeanine’s books. She has this remarkable ability to write beautiful romances that just consume my whole world. This book is a spin-off series from the Falling for a Stewart series. We met the Cameron siblings in Conveniently Wed to the Laird. I am so pumped that Jeanine decided to give the Camerons their own series because I felt that instant connection with these siblings, and I want to spend more time with them. The first book focuses on Royce, the eldest of the Cameron siblings; he is on a mini-quest to uncover some dark secrets his father has kept hidden. Things don’t go as planned, and Royce is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he realizes he is blind and doesn’t remember who he is. All he knows is that he feels connected with this mysterious woman who is determined to help him.
Get ready; here comes the gushing. I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book. It has an interesting and engaging plot. I loved this mystery surrounding Royce’s father’s secrets and how they are connected to the disappearances of Royce’s sister. Adding this element was a clever way to connect this book to the other series. Jeanine leaves little breadcrumbs for her readers to keep them guessing and wanting to turn the page. This book has a lot of the romance story elements that I adore. There is a strong and fierce heroine who knocks down those walls around the hero’s heart and brings him to his knees. Then you have the perfect broody hot Scotsman who isn’t looking for love and has no intentions of falling for the heroine. But we all know the man is going to fall head over heels in love with the heroine. There are so many will they, won’t they moments between Royce and Iona. The chemistry between these two just leapt from the pages and gave me that wonderful butterfly in my stomach feelings. The story is nice and easy to read. It’s so easy to get absorbed in this story.
A Laird Without a Past is an addictive and fabulous book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romances.
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I devoured this book in one sitting, which is typical for me when it comes to one of Jeanine’s books. She has this remarkable ability to write beautiful romances that just consume my whole world. This book is a spin-off series from the Falling for a Stewart series. We met the Cameron siblings in Conveniently Wed to the Laird. I am so pumped that Jeanine decided to give the Camerons their own series because I felt that instant connection with these siblings, and I want to spend more time with them. The first book focuses on Royce, the eldest of the Cameron siblings; he is on a mini-quest to uncover some dark secrets his father has kept hidden. Things don’t go as planned, and Royce is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he realizes he is blind and doesn’t remember who he is. All he knows is that he feels connected with this mysterious woman who is determined to help him.
Get ready; here comes the gushing. I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book. It has an interesting and engaging plot. I loved this mystery surrounding Royce’s father’s secrets and how they are connected to the disappearances of Royce’s sister. Adding this element was a clever way to connect this book to the other series. Jeanine leaves little breadcrumbs for her readers to keep them guessing and wanting to turn the page. This book has a lot of the romance story elements that I adore. There is a strong and fierce heroine who knocks down those walls around the hero’s heart and brings him to his knees. Then you have the perfect broody hot Scotsman who isn’t looking for love and has no intentions of falling for the heroine. But we all know the man is going to fall head over heels in love with the heroine. There are so many will they, won’t they moments between Royce and Iona. The chemistry between these two just leapt from the pages and gave me that wonderful butterfly in my stomach feelings. The story is nice and easy to read. It’s so easy to get absorbed in this story.
A Laird Without a Past is an addictive and fabulous book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romances.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
August 15, 2023
Jeanine Englert is back with another swoon-worthy Scottish historical romance: A Laird Without a Past.
Waking up with no memories and suddenly blind has left Royce in fear of his life – especially as the last thing he remembers is being attacked by shadowy figures! Royce has no idea how he ended up in this situation or the reason why he might have been set upon – nor does he have a single recollection of the beautiful woman who had come to his rescue whom he finds himself attracted to: Iona MacKenzie. While Royce finds himself unable to stop himself from thinking about her, he realises that if he’s to have a future with the woman who has come to mean everything to him he must first uncover the secrets of his own past.
Royce cannot afford distractions of any kind – even if a gossamer touch of Iona’s is enough to drive him wild. When news of a manhunt for him reaches his ears, Royce knows that not only is he in danger – but also Iona. Royce will not let anybody harm a single hair on Iona’s head and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect the woman he loves.
Is Royce and Iona’s love strong enough to withstand all these obstacles coming their way? Or will dangerous enemies destroy any hope they might have had of a future together?
Jeanine Englert exquisitely blends passion, intrigue, tension and emotion in a fast paced, high stakes and enthralling historical romance with a strong and honourable hero readers will fall for and a spirited and intelligent heroine it is impossible not to relate to and root for.
Action-packed, highly emotional and wonderfully seductive, Jeanine Englert’s A Laird Without a Past is a superb Scottish historical romance that is simply sensational.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Waking up with no memories and suddenly blind has left Royce in fear of his life – especially as the last thing he remembers is being attacked by shadowy figures! Royce has no idea how he ended up in this situation or the reason why he might have been set upon – nor does he have a single recollection of the beautiful woman who had come to his rescue whom he finds himself attracted to: Iona MacKenzie. While Royce finds himself unable to stop himself from thinking about her, he realises that if he’s to have a future with the woman who has come to mean everything to him he must first uncover the secrets of his own past.
Royce cannot afford distractions of any kind – even if a gossamer touch of Iona’s is enough to drive him wild. When news of a manhunt for him reaches his ears, Royce knows that not only is he in danger – but also Iona. Royce will not let anybody harm a single hair on Iona’s head and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect the woman he loves.
Is Royce and Iona’s love strong enough to withstand all these obstacles coming their way? Or will dangerous enemies destroy any hope they might have had of a future together?
Jeanine Englert exquisitely blends passion, intrigue, tension and emotion in a fast paced, high stakes and enthralling historical romance with a strong and honourable hero readers will fall for and a spirited and intelligent heroine it is impossible not to relate to and root for.
Action-packed, highly emotional and wonderfully seductive, Jeanine Englert’s A Laird Without a Past is a superb Scottish historical romance that is simply sensational.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 23, 2024
Book: A Laird Without A Past
Author: Jeanine Englert
Secrets of Clan Cameron, Book #1
Length: 288 Pages
Publisher: (Harlequin)
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Scotland 1745
Laird Royce Cameron wakes up blind and with no memory at all! He knows he was attacked but has no idea who it was. All he remembers is the beautiful creature who had helped him except every touch she gives him makes him desire the beautiful Iona MacKenzie even more!
Soon he realizes he has a target on his back and is a wanted man plus he must somehow recover his forgotten memories or it may cost him his life. However not only his life but the life of the bonniest woman who saved him that he has given his heart to. Furthermore if anyone touches the hair on Iona’s beautiful head he will become a berserker and tear anyone apart! After all this is the women he has given his heart to
Read and find out the conclusion to this fast moving, page turning story that any highland fan will love! A new Harlequin author for me that already has me mesmerized from start to finish! A beautiful story that will stay with you long after you have read this breathtaking story! Definitely a book both historical and Scottish lovers do not want to miss!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Harlequin publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Author: Jeanine Englert
Secrets of Clan Cameron, Book #1
Length: 288 Pages
Publisher: (Harlequin)
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags
Scotland 1745
Laird Royce Cameron wakes up blind and with no memory at all! He knows he was attacked but has no idea who it was. All he remembers is the beautiful creature who had helped him except every touch she gives him makes him desire the beautiful Iona MacKenzie even more!
Soon he realizes he has a target on his back and is a wanted man plus he must somehow recover his forgotten memories or it may cost him his life. However not only his life but the life of the bonniest woman who saved him that he has given his heart to. Furthermore if anyone touches the hair on Iona’s beautiful head he will become a berserker and tear anyone apart! After all this is the women he has given his heart to
Read and find out the conclusion to this fast moving, page turning story that any highland fan will love! A new Harlequin author for me that already has me mesmerized from start to finish! A beautiful story that will stay with you long after you have read this breathtaking story! Definitely a book both historical and Scottish lovers do not want to miss!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Harlequin publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
July 25, 2023
This was my first book by Jeanine Englert but it won't be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this swoony Highland romance between Laird Royce Cameron and Iona McKenzie. I loved the twist on the Beauty and the Beast trope and how deftly the author used it to bring both characters through their learning arcs. The descriptions of Lismore and the area made you feel like you were right there and gave the book an "Outlander" feel to the story. There was amnesia, the loving but feisty healer, a blind hero both physically and emotionally, forced proximity - all the tropes I love in an historical! The author has a real gift with conveying emotion and sexual tension that brings the characters to life. An excellent read for summer time and I thank the publisher for providing me with an arc copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
July 26, 2023
The Laird Without a Past is the first book in the secrets of Clan Cameron Series. Iona MacKenzie finds a man who has washed up on the beach near her cottage. He is badly injured and as a healer, she vows to help him survive. She finds a name written in his clothing, Royce. When he finally awakens, he finds he has no memory or eyesight. He is dependent on Iona. Some men are looking for him. But why? This book is a page-turner for sure! Drama and romance flow throughout this book, along with an ending I did not see coming! The characters were well described and the scenes were easy to visualize. I would recommend this historical romance to all! I received this book as an ARC for my honest opinion
All opinions are my own.
All opinions are my own.
July 23, 2023
📚review📚 109th book finished in 2023
Jeanine Englert - A Laird without a past
Thank you so much Jeanine Englert and Rachel’s random resources for gifting me a digital copy of 'A Laird without a paste in exchange for an honest review.
I have been very lucky to read some great historical fiction in the last few weeks and this is another amazing book. I had no idea what was going to happen throughout the book, it took twists and turns that I did not predict and I loved how it all ended. I wish I had my own hut by the sea like Iona, I feel she had a dream life but that probably says more about me than anything else. I really enjoyed this book.
#gifted #giftedbook #booktour #adpr
Jeanine Englert - A Laird without a past
Thank you so much Jeanine Englert and Rachel’s random resources for gifting me a digital copy of 'A Laird without a paste in exchange for an honest review.
I have been very lucky to read some great historical fiction in the last few weeks and this is another amazing book. I had no idea what was going to happen throughout the book, it took twists and turns that I did not predict and I loved how it all ended. I wish I had my own hut by the sea like Iona, I feel she had a dream life but that probably says more about me than anything else. I really enjoyed this book.
#gifted #giftedbook #booktour #adpr
September 5, 2023
A sea witch, a laird, and a dog- that right there is all you need. Remote 1700s Scotland for this one - with some boats, murder, secrets, and past trauma. Royce wakes with no memories and is blind after washing ashore after Iona uses her strength and healing to keep him alive. We get tiny cabin, cute dog, bad guys, the sea, and love with this one. It was a super cute romance that went over some deeper issues of self and relearning love and caring.
I cant wait to see where this series takes us!
I cant wait to see where this series takes us!
March 14, 2025
i really did enjoy this book. it was nice and simple easy to read. i found it hard to put down at times. the chapters where nice and short too. i really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next 2 stories.
September 23, 2023
A little fast but what did I expect from a 279 page book
Better than that nun one for sure
Better than that nun one for sure
July 17, 2023
When Laird Royce Cameron sets out from Loch’s End in Argyll to get answers about his youngest sister Violet/Catriona’s disappearance years ago and his father’s possible involvement, he never expected to be ambushed or to be thrown into the loch and left for dead. But that is exactly what happened and Royce would have died if not for the intervention of Iona MacKenzie.
While swimming, Iona MacKenzie hears voices on the shore and sees some drunk men picking over what appears to be a dead body. She is enraged, her dear father’s body had received the same treatment and she won’t let this man be disrespected in such a fashion. She scares the men away and approaches the man, who to her surprise is still alive. As a healer, Iona can’t just walk away and manages to get him back to her cottage. She tends to his wounds and realizes that someone attacked him, not sure who or why, she keeps him hidden. It is days before he wakes and when he does, he has no memory of who he is, other than the name Royce and if that was not bad enough, he is blind! Iona helps him adjust and when bits of his memory return, she is there to comfort and encourage him all while trying to keep her own secrets and her heart intact. It soon becomes clear that the people who tried to kill him are still looking for him – but why? And the more time they are together the closer they get to finding the answers and the harder it is to face the fact that they will soon have to part. Will Royce regain his memories and his sight? Will he find the answers he is looking for? And will he leave with Iona or a broken heart?
This was such a great story and a fabulous start to a new series! I loved the connection between Royce and Iona and was delighted with their character development. This story has wonderful characters, warmish love scenes, secrets, danger, surprising revelations, a bit of heartache, hard choices, meaningful character development, an ongoing mystery, and finally a HEA with an epilogue. At the end of “Wed to the Laird”, the last book in the Falling for a Stewart series, I hoped that Ms. Englert was going to give us the Cameron siblings stories and she did not disappoint because this story was even better than I could have hoped for! This is the first book in a new series and it does have ties to the last book in the previous, while I think you could start this series without reading that series, I would highly recommend at least reading “Wed to the Laird” before starting this series – you won’t regret it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
While swimming, Iona MacKenzie hears voices on the shore and sees some drunk men picking over what appears to be a dead body. She is enraged, her dear father’s body had received the same treatment and she won’t let this man be disrespected in such a fashion. She scares the men away and approaches the man, who to her surprise is still alive. As a healer, Iona can’t just walk away and manages to get him back to her cottage. She tends to his wounds and realizes that someone attacked him, not sure who or why, she keeps him hidden. It is days before he wakes and when he does, he has no memory of who he is, other than the name Royce and if that was not bad enough, he is blind! Iona helps him adjust and when bits of his memory return, she is there to comfort and encourage him all while trying to keep her own secrets and her heart intact. It soon becomes clear that the people who tried to kill him are still looking for him – but why? And the more time they are together the closer they get to finding the answers and the harder it is to face the fact that they will soon have to part. Will Royce regain his memories and his sight? Will he find the answers he is looking for? And will he leave with Iona or a broken heart?
This was such a great story and a fabulous start to a new series! I loved the connection between Royce and Iona and was delighted with their character development. This story has wonderful characters, warmish love scenes, secrets, danger, surprising revelations, a bit of heartache, hard choices, meaningful character development, an ongoing mystery, and finally a HEA with an epilogue. At the end of “Wed to the Laird”, the last book in the Falling for a Stewart series, I hoped that Ms. Englert was going to give us the Cameron siblings stories and she did not disappoint because this story was even better than I could have hoped for! This is the first book in a new series and it does have ties to the last book in the previous, while I think you could start this series without reading that series, I would highly recommend at least reading “Wed to the Laird” before starting this series – you won’t regret it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
August 15, 2023
A Laird without a Past is a great little Scottish historical romance which I really enjoyed since I just returned from Scotland a month ago. Both Royce and Iona had hurts and fears from their past they must overcome in order to be happy together. This made for a nice easy afternoon read and I will be looking forward to the next one in this series.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date 25 July 2023
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date 25 July 2023
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