Review: The Recruit

The Recruit
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance/England/Scotland/1306
Highland Guard/Book 6
Ballantine Books/October 30, 2012

Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games.  Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed. 

The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?

After having lost the mood for historical romances, I must thank Ms. McCarty for getting me back into the mood with The Recruit.  With the sixth book in the wonderful Highland Guard series, Ms. McCarty leaves off focusing on established members of the guard and instead gives the reader a hero who must prove himself worthy to be taken into the brotherhood of the guard.

It's an uphill battle but Kenneth Sutherland is ready for the challenge.  What he's not ready for is the attraction he feels for Mary of Mar.  A complication he doesn't need in his life right now but one he finds to hard to resist.  I liked how Kenneth is not easily welcomed into the guard.  Given  his family history of supporting England up until the previous year, it makes sense the other guard members would be wary.

Mary is this gentle, kind noblewoman who finds herself caught up in the volital politics between King Edward and Robert the Bruce.  It's dangerous, not only for her but for her young son.   Mary is a heroine of her time, meaning she is basically at the mercy of men.  She is controlled by her husband and then by her king.  She has no say in where she will live or when she may see her son.  It was so easy to not only to like Mary but to emphasize with her.  She is portrayed as a woman of her time who still has strength of character.  Which isn't always easy for author's to pull off without  making the heroine feel too modern.  McCarty did a wonderful job in keeping Mary true to her time period.

Mary and Kenneth are a couple that you really root for.  As the story progressed, I wanted so much for them to have their happy ever after which isn't necessarily unique when reading a romance novel but with them I felt they deserved it so much after everything they went through.

If you love highlanders, romance, history and suspense - give the Highland Guard series a try.

Rating: A-

Highland Guard Series ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger
The Viper
The Saint
The Recruit
The Hunter (June 25, 2013)

TBR Challenge Review: The Saint

The Saint
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance
Scotland/1308
Highland Guard/Book 5
Ballantine Books/March 27, 2012

Robert the Bruce consolidates lands and loyalty in a bold war for Scotland’s independence, as his elite team of warriors, the Highland Guard, fight for king, country . . . and love.

Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain and to best his enemies. Called “the Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus hides a painful truth. It isn’t virtue or piety that keeps him silent, but a wound of love and loss that cuts so deep he cannot bear to speak of it. But when the woman who refused him is betrothed to his friend and fellow Guardsman, Magnus is tested by love’s battle cry.
 
A wild and innocent beauty, Helen chose family duty over her desire for Magnus. Now the anger in his eyes mirrors the tormented regret in her heart. But as deadly subterfuge stalks the King and his Guard, Helen vows to right her youthful mistakes with a woman’s determined spirit. Still, Magnus harbors secrets and an iron will not to weaken to temptation—or heartache—again. But as danger looms, it’s the kiss not of a saint, but of a sinner, that can save them.

In case you've notice, the blog has been very quiet lately.  I've tried to write a post about what has kept me from blogging but it's a difficult post to write.  So when I realized the TBR Challenge was coming up, I thought I'd try getting back into blogging with the familiar.  This book hasn't been on my TBR pile for very long but it's a series that I've enjoyed in the past and Ms. McCarty is a gifted writer. 

This is a favorite series of mine.  I love the time period as well as the premise of a group of secret military warriors with wicked weapons and espionage skills.   Such is the case with Magnus MacKay.  

Magnus has been fighting with the Guard for many years.  He keeps his private life private so none of the men know of Magnus' lost love, Lady Helen.  It's after they are reunited that Magnus realizes his feelings for Helen are just as strong as they were years ago.  But he can't have her since she belongs to another.  It's a very touching romance with Magnus and Helen at a distance of both the physical and the emotional.   I totally understood why Magnus tried to keep his distance - he was trying to be loyal to his best friend.  Helen realizes she made the wrong choice and wants to correct her mistake but she doesn't take into account one of Magnus best traits, his loyalty.  It felt like Helen pushed the issue too often and expected the past to be forgotten all while a war is being waged.  

The women in this series are strong, intelligent and conform to the expectations of the time period all the while trying to break free of those expectations.  It's an interesting illusion the heroines create.  The men of the series are all real heroes - meaning they are brave, loyal, intelligent and flawed.  They're also very different from each other, enough that it makes it easy to differentiate one from the other.  

The Saint is another solid addition to the Highland Guard series.  I do wish there had been more time spent on the relationship of Magnus and Helen with fewer big conflicts and hurdles for them to overcome.  Everything seemed to resolve itself rather quickly and neatly.   

Rating: B

Highland Guard Series ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger
The Viper
The Saint
The Recruit
The Hunter (June 25, 2013)

Review: The Viper

The Viper
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance
England/Scotland/1306
Highland Guard/Book 4
Ballantine/October 18, 2011

The war for Scotland’s sovereignty rages on—as Robert the Bruce is crowned king and the Highland Guard, his elite fighting force of legendary warriors, battle for land . . . and love.

Prized for his snakelike stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist but not to trust. His only loyalty is to his purse, his indifference sealed by bitter betrayal. All that changes when Lachlan is tasked to protect and deliver Bella MacDuff to the king’s coronation—and the proud, lushly sensual countess unwittingly challenges him to his greatest battle yet: to love again.

Passionate and devoted, Bella has defied Britain’s king and her own husband to place the crown on Bruce’s head, and for this she pays a terrible price: Losing her daughter and her freedom to her husband’s vengeance. Imprisoned with barbaric cruelty, she vows to reclaim her child, even if it means selling her soul—and her body—to a dark, lethal warrior whose eyes glint like steel, but who makes her skin tingle and her breath race. Together they embark on a rogue mission with sinister twists and turns that threatens not only Bella’s gamble to save her daughter—but also her heart.

This was such an emotional, intense romance.  The pain and uncertainty both the hero and heroine go through makes their happy ever after that much more satisfying.  Ms. McCarty has created a world of men and women who fight for their freedom as fiercely as they fight for their loved ones.  The Viper gives enough backstory to be read as a stand alone but I do think the reader would achieve a greater understanding of Robert the Bruce's men by reading the previous books.  Plus -they're all very good and worth the read.

Countess Isabella MacDuff is willing to stand fast in her beliefs.  It is this trait has brought her to her fate of imprisonment by King Edward I.  Not only is Bella imprisoned but she is to be made an example of Edward's power and wraith.  Bella is placed in a cage, high on a tower of Berwick Castle.  It's a brutal existance she endures and one cannot but feel the despair and loneliness she must endure.  Bella is a heroine portrayed with a noble dignity underlying a fierce protectiveness and loyalty.  This comes comes across well in her words and actions.  She also has this vulneralbility towards Lachlan even though she doesn't trust him.  I loved how Bella is shown to have her emotional side waring with her loyalties.

Lachlan MacRuirie could be called a mercenary and he's fine with that.  He doesn't pretend he's in Bruce's elite Highland Guard out of sheer loyalty.  Lachlan has responsibilities he doesn't care to share with his fellow guards but instead lets them go on thinking he is only there for selfish, monetary reasons.   Which is one reason he tends to stay on the periphery of the guards.  One of them but not as close as the other men are to each other.  Lachlan may seem cold hearted at times and he is but it's just his nature and McCarty does well in explaining his history and why he keeps himself closed off from everyone.  I really enjoyed getting to know this hero.

We connect again with some of the other members of the guard and while Lachlan tries to keep his distance, there is still that bond of brotherhood forged in war.  I think the other guards would have come to trust Lachlan more if he had only explained himself but that wasn't his way.  I liked how Bella shows Lachlan how to open up, if only a little, to the other men and allow for a closer bond.  The relationships are complex and well developed.  McCarty does well in showing the whys of each characters actions whether they make the best choice at the time or not.   

The historical descriptions are vivid in the setting, people and elements of the time period.  It's a cruel world with many ruthless, powerful people fighting for control.   I loved the feel of the story, the diversity of characters and the history of the time period.  It's not all shining knights and damsels needing rescue but a knight with a bit of tarnish to his armor and a damsel does her own type of rescuing.  Definitely a worthwhile series!

Rating:  A

Highland Guard Series ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger
The Viper
The Saint
The Recruit  (October 30, 2012)

Review: The Ranger

The Ranger
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance (Scotland/1308)
Highland Guard/Book 3
Ballantine/December 28, 2010

From Goodreads ~

Embedded deep behind enemy lines, Arthur “Ranger” Campbell is Bruce’s secret weapon as he wages his final assault on the enemies who stand against him. Recruited to join the Bruce’s secret elite fighting force for his prized scouting skills, Arthur’s razor sharp senses and ability to blend into the shadows make him the perfect spy. But when this shadow warrior must infiltrate the clan of the chieftain who murdered his father, his heart is locked on revenge. Inside he faces unexpected resistance from the sweetest of obstacles—a honey-haired siren who is his enemy’s daughter. But the vivacious, enchanting Anna MacDougall is a woman whose skill at uncovering deception rivals his own.

Intrigued by this ruggedly handsome newcomer to her father’s forces, Anna accepts the challenge his determined indifference to her arouses. Though anxious for the war to end and yearning for a quiet life with a good man to love, Anna is drawn to this mysterious knight whose eyes devour her but whose words push her away. But as danger, treachery, and the threat of looming war draw them closer into each other’s passions and secrets, a warrior made of steel must make a choice from the heart: love or revenge.

The third book in McCarty wonderful Highland Guard series is about Arthur Campbell who must play a game of cat and mouse with the enemy within their very ranks. I've been curious about Arthur or Ranger as he's known in the Guard. He's very loyal to Robert Bruce which makes his task of posing as a supporter of Edward beyond difficult.

Arthur Campbell's mission is a test of his abilities. Then he is additionally tested when he meets Anna MacDougall. She is the daughter of his greatest enemy, one that Arthur has swore revenge upon. Of course they fall in love but Arthur knows they have no future. I loved how conflicted Arthur is. On the one hand he has his mission which is critical to the cause he believes so strongly in. On the other hand he is falling fast for Anna and sees no way it can end well. He was continually walking a tightrope creating a tense and suspenseful situation.

Anna MacDougall is an unconventional woman of her time. She is well educated, with even her father asking her opinion. She adores her father and enjoys helping him fight Robert Bruce aka King Hood, any way she can. I love when authors give us intelligent heroines, especially in historicals. I think we expect contemporary heroines to possess intelligence but given the constraints regarding education placed on women throughout history, it's always refreshing to have a historical heroine with the brains to challenge the hero.

The love story is filled with numerous obstacles, the obvious being Anna and Arthur on different sides of the war. It wasn't an easy road to HEA, which made it all the more priceless when they got there. It didn't help that Anna was blinded to her father's faults. She practically worshiped him and even with evidence to his brutality, for an intelligent woman, she took far too long to realize his loyalty wasn't with her. The action and suspense run high through much of the story. McCarty does well keeping the balance of political intrigue and romance in place. And while the politics were certainly present, I never felt they overshadowed the romance.

I wanted to add one minor problem I have with this series. The covers. I really wish publishers would move away from the man-titty covers and give us covers that better reflect what's inside. Yes, the heroes are all well muscled but this is such an intelligent and well written series that there is far more than man-titty between the pages. I would direct pubs to the lush and beautiful covers of historical fiction. They are not only gorgeous but give a feel for the time period. JMHO

I'm really enjoying this series. It has everything I like about historical romances. In a way, it's more like a historical romantic suspense than strictly a historical romance. However you label it, this series is not to be missed if you're looking for something different than your regency and Victorian romances.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger
The Viper (October 25, 2011)

Review: The Hawk

The Hawk
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance/Scotland/1307
Highland Guard/Book 2
Ballantine/August 31, 2010

From the back cover ~

Erik MacSorley is unrivaled on the seas, a brilliant seafarer who has never encountered a wind he could not harness nor a woman he could not win—until he drags a wet, half-naked “nursemaid” out of the waters off the Irish coast. Ellie’s ordinary appearance belies the truth: she is in fact Lady Elyne de Burgh, the spirited daughter of the most powerful noble in Ireland, and a close ally of the English king. Worse, this confounding, fascinating, irresistible woman is determined to prove herself immune to his charms—a challenge he cannot resist.

Her captor may look every inch a powerful, rugged warrior, but Ellie vows it will take more than a twinkle in his blue eyes and a wickedly suggestive caress to impress her. Erik is as wild and untamed as the wind, sweeping away her resistance with a desire that resonates deep within her heart. Still, he is a man driven by loyalty, and she is a woman with secrets that could threaten his mission and jeopardize Bruce’s chance to reclaim his throne. As the battle for king and country sounds across the shores, will Ellie’s love be enough to finally tame the legend known as the Hawk?

This was a sweet romance of mistaken identity, dangerous situations and courageous men and women. If you read my review of the first book in this series, The Chief, then you know how much I enjoyed it and was looking forward to reading more in this series. After reading The Hawk I can't wait to read The Ranger, book 3.

This time our hero is a ladies man. Oh, my is he ever! Erik MacSorley or Hawk as he's know to his fellow Guards, is the youngest child with 5 older sisters. He loves women, all women. He enjoys their company and in true alpha male form is also very protective of them. One thing I did like is while he could be overbearing, he really did treat all women well whether they be lady or village maid. He's also very fierce in his loyalty to Scotland and almost a little too reckless with his own safety. I think it was a matter of being a bit overly confident in his abilities. He's an easy hero to like right off. He's one of those guys that is smart, good looking and charming but isn't arrogant about it.

Lady Elyne de Burgh is the daughter of the powerful Earl of Ulster and betrothed to Sir Ralph de Monthermer, former son-in-law of King Edward. But when she is captured by Hawk, she tells him she is a nursemaid, in an attempt to protect her life. So now she is Ellie, nursemaid and captive of the Scottish rebel, Hawk. Ellie is afraid and with good reason since she's in the hands of the enemy, even if he's gorgeous and a charmer. She's smart but also desperate to get away and does takes some serious risks but I really couldn't blame her. I liked that while she may have had a TSTL moment or two, she acted out of desperation and not stupidity. Certainly made for a more realistic read than her being the perfect captive.

The romance of Hawk and his captive is sweet and funny. I was pleasantly surprised at how amusing their dialogue was. Ellie is far better educated than the nursemaid she claims to be so her discussions with Hawk were not what he was expecting. She surprised him and sometimes confused him. She proved that he doesn't know women as well as he thought. LOL

Once again there is a lot of politics within the story. I loved how the various relations of this lord and that lady were woven with in the story. Some readers might not like all of the political and court intrigue - there are quite a few characters to keep track of. I like it when there are actual historical figures and McCarty does a good job bringing them to life.

I was caught up in the continuing story of the Highland Guard and Robert Bruce's quest for a Scotland free of English rule. I didn't enjoy The Hawk as much as The Chief primarily due to the story slowing down too much in the middle but it picked up towards the end with Hawk wooing and winning the woman of his heart.

Rating: B+

Books in this series ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger

Review: The Chief

The Chief
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance/Scotland/1305
Highland Guard/Book 1
Ballantine Books/March 23, 2010

From the back cover ~

An elite fighting force like the world has never seen...

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. To lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.

The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland’s war. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his agreement to command the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to his bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.

Although her husband’s reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in the glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina’s reckless bid to win her husband’s love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war against England, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and open his heart—before it’s too late.

Aside from westerns, historical romances set in the Highlands of Scotland are some of my favorites. The setting of the wild, rugged Highlands with the equally wild and rugged Highlanders makes for some enticing reading. The Chief holds true to that belief even though technically, Isle of Skye is where Tormod MacLeod rules as Chief of MacLeod. I found myself swept up not only in the political intrigue, the tension of the time period but also in the fragile and tenuous beginnings of the romance.

Tormod MacLeod is a leader, born to it. He's been leading his clan for over 20 years, since he was ten and his parents were killed in a raid. He allows nothing to come before his clan. Not even an unexpected wife. His reasons for marrying Christina Fraser are purely political, for the good of his clan. Tor is in for a surprise with his new wife. He expected them to lead separate lives, only spending time together in bed and even then he wouldn't allow himself the luxury of staying in her bed for the night. All that began to change with Tor coming to appreciate what Christina gave him, not only in bed but outside of bed. Even when his viewpoint began to change, he still stayed true to his character and put his clan above all. He simply began including his wife as part of his clan, not separate. Then he got stubborn, but more on that later.

Christina Fraser is caught between a cruel father and a man who both fascinates and frightens her. She is left without any choice but to set aside her honor and do what she can to save her sister. This puts her in a marriage she had no wish for but vows to make the best of. I was seriously thankful that she didn't bitch and moan about her situation. She wasn't always happy but she wiped her tears away and did the best she could. The one thing she could do that most women of the time could not was read. This was explained and I thought the author gave a plausible reason for it.

There is a lot of conflict, both with the politics of the time and the relationship between Tor and Christina. He wants to keep her out of his business, mainly the training of the Guard which must be done in secret. She wants to be part of his life, to know him and help him however she can. Tor begins to thaw and spend more time actually talking with his wife. Shocking, I know! But Christina does managed, inadvertently, to get herself into some trouble leading Tor to decide he was right after all, and that they should lead separate lives. No more getting close and sharing thoughts and feelings for this Highlander. Men!

Speaking of men... oh my, the Guards are coming! I loved the whole scenario of these fierce warriors coming together to form this elite band of warriors. The fact that many are born enemies only adds to the hostile environment that they must overcome. I'm looking forward to reading the books of all of the Guard. And while I don't have a favorite, I am completely intrigued by the ultimate loner, bad boy of the group - Lachlan "Viper" MacRuairi. I just know he's got a story to tell!

All of the Guard are give what they call "war name" or what we would refer to now as call signs. They reflect that warrior's special ability and in a way become terms of respect and affection. Another thing about these men, they are not knights, with the exception of one. This is mentioned a number of times, emphasizing the fact that they will not fight like knights but like warriors.

I was surprised at what a fast read this turned out to be. I tend to read historicals at a slower pace. I think because there is usually more narrative than there is dialogue. There was a lot of narrative but I still flew through the 400 pages fairly quickly which shows how much I enjoyed the story and the writing. The only minor problem I had was the language. Most of the time the syntax had the feel of the place and time but a few times it had a 21st century feel in the words and phrasing which caused me to pause and re-read, breaking the flow of the story.

I do hope that all the Guards get their own books. I'm fascinated with the period and the characters. The author, Monica McCarty, has extensive notes on the history and background of this series on her website. I had such fun exploring her site and learning more about the history that helped in inspire the series.

Rating: A-

The Highland Guard Series so far ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger