Review: The Hunter by Monica McCarty

 

 

 

The Hunter

By Monica McCarty

Book #7 in the Highland Guard series

I keep thinking that the next book in this series cannot possibly get any better and I continue to be wrong (thankfully!).


Ewen "Hunter" Lamont was perfectly matched with the fiery Janet of Mar and it was definitely a battle of wills. Ewen is a proud man of few words and is known as the most skilled tracker in all of Scotland. He's got something to prove and has been loyal to Robert the Bruce's cause from the outset. When he was asked to escort the nun Sister Genna back to the Priory after one of her covert courier runs, he doesn't question the assignment. Ewen is unaware of her true identity and is uncomfortably attractive to this holy woman. Sister Genna is really Janet of Mar who was believed to have been killed in the failed rescue attempt of her twin sister, Mary. Janet is a force and extremely independent, not seeing the need for his protection so the tug of war for control never ended.



The sexual tension between these two was heightened by their constant clashes and it helped create a perfect transition to their inevitable romance. They were a formidable team in the face of danger from the enemy English forces who were a constant throughout their journey. Janet dismantles this brooding warrior and he certainly disrupted her plans to really become a nun.


This story is outstanding primarily because of how wonderfully crafted Ewen and Janet are as characters and how well suited they are as a couple. She's exceptional and holds her own against any of Bruce's warriors and he provides her the challenge she never knew she was looking for. The adventures of the Highland Guard never disappoint in providing excitement and political intrigue in this series. The historical aspects of the era are finely woven into the wonderful storytelling, the result being a vivid portrayal of Scotland's fight for independence. But, the romance is the real jewel this time and made The Hunter a truly exceptional story.

Review: The Recruit by Monica McCarty

The Recruit 
By Monica McCarty 
Book #6 in the Highland Guards series
Historical Romance, Highlanders
★★★★

Scotland’s King Robert the Bruce is retaking his kingdom from the invading English. To win, he’ll need all the grit and courage of his elite band of warriors, the Highland Guard, men who fight without fear and love without limits. 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?

REVIEW:

While England and Scotland pause their war under a temporary truce agreement, Kenneth Sutherland is using this time to prove himself worthy of becoming a member of Bruce's infamous phantom warriors, the Highland Guards. Mary of Mar was so disillusioned by her first husband that she has no desire to ever look for love or be married again and works really hard to appear unattractive. However, Kenneth sees beneath the drab and is captivated.

I loved this story, with its messy romance, convoluted politics and taut, suspenseful action. Kenneth is extremely handsome and arrogant about his charm while Mary wants no part of him or any man. Even though she looks like a nun, Mary is smart and spirited, creating a challenge for the over confident Kenneth. Her resistance is like catnip to him and his pursuit of her made for some interesting moments.

Robert The Bruce's campaign to separate Scotland from England serves as an extraordinary backdrop for this romance. Mary is forced to live in England and Kenneth must use subterfuge to continue his relationship with her outside of Scotland while continuing as a recruit for Bruce's Guards. Their transformations, individually and as a couple, were compelling, realistic and touching There was just the right balance of angst and lust, never wearying you of either.

I love this series with its brawny, delectable warriors and delightful heroines. There are at least twelve members of the Guard and I hope this series goes the distance with stories for each of them. The war between England and Scotland never read so good!

(I received an ARC from NetGalley)

Review: The Hawk by Monica McCarty

The Hawk 
by Monica McCarty 
Book #2 in the Highland Guards series
Historical Romance
★★★★

The legend of the Highland guard continues. . . . Handpicked by Robert the Bruce to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule, the elite warriors of the Highland Guard face their darkest days. When Bruce is forced to flee, his bid for freedom rests on the shoulders of one extraordinary warrior. Erik MacSorley is a brilliant seafarer who has never encountered a wind he could not harness or 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. Worse, this irresistible woman is determined to prove herself immune to Erik’s charms—a challenge he cannot resist.

Her captor may look every inch a rugged warrior, but Ellie vows that it will take more than a wickedly suggestive caress to impress her. Yet Erik will sweep away Ellie’s 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 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?

REVIEW:

Erik MacSorley, called Hawk by his fellow warriors, is an amazing seaman and exhibits his skills when he eludes three English ships off the coast of Ireland after having abducted a so called nursemaid. It was actually Lady Elyne de Burgh, the daughter of the most powerful noble in Ireland, who had inadvertently witnessed a private meeting between Hawk and some mercenaries being hired for Bruce's cause.

Hawk and Ellie begin sparring from the outset and he wasn't accustomed to having any woman resist him. It was imperative that he meet up with Bruce at an appointed time but the English were relentless in their chase of Hawk, who didn't know that their doggedness was due to who he had captured. I liked Ellie and Hawk was absolutely formidable as a warrior. Though it took some time to develop, their romance was exciting and spirited with plenty of steamy moments and well worth the wait. The action was exciting and tension filled and I continue to appreciate the mix of historical fact and fiction in this series.

I loved this story with its perfect balance of action and romance. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

HR Review: The Chief By Monica McCarty

The Chief 
By Monica McCarty 
Book #1 in the Highland Guards series
Historical Romance, Highlanders
★★★★★ ♥

An elite fighting force unlike the world has ever 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. And 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 against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor’s 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 that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in 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, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it’s too late.

REVIEW:

Tor MacLeod, renowned for his skills with a sword and being a formidable Highland chief, is determined to stay out of Scotland's war against England. His first dedication is to his clan and he doesn't see the need to risk their livelihood in someone else's fight. He gets entangled in a scheme where he ends up with a wife and an agreement to train an elite group of warriors for the Scottish cause but has no plans to command them when complete. His new bride, Christina Fraser, turns out to be more than he anticipated, determined to win his heart in spite of his efforts to the otherwise.

This is a fascinating story, entrenched in historical fact but made even more interesting with the fictional characterizations. The relationship between Tor and Christina is very complex. He agrees to take her as his wife because of a number of factors, none of them having to do with love. She, though initially repulsed by the fierceness of this warrior, is enamored of this man and works hard to gain his approval not only as a wife but a lover.

Meanwhile, the intrigue abounds as loyalties to England and Scotland aren't always clearly delineated and there is a traitor in the midst of Tor's clan. The warriors assembled for the elite force aren't all on the same page and have divided allegiances to other clans. It takes all of Tor's skills to accomplish his goals (in secret) for this group while also managing his clan. He's also struggling with emerging feelings for his new wife that he's just as determined to fight off as he is to fulfill his role as chief.

The story is so well written and effectively weaves fact and fiction. The tone of the dialogue is in keeping with the region and the era and every relationship is carefully developed. I loved the evolution of Tor and Christina's relationship and while there were many steamy moments, you also experience her heartache as Tor refuses to commit anything more than physically. The ending is extremely exciting and satisfying and I definitely will continue this series.