Veena’s review of The Saint (Highland Guard, Book 5) by Monica McCarty
Historical Romance published by Ballantine 27 Mar 12
Monica McCarty continues her series of passion and intrigue in fourteenth century Scotland with The Saint, fifth book in her Highland Guard series. The Highland Guard is a secret band of elite warriors who fight for Robert the Bruce in his quest for an independent Scotland. One by one warriors in the Highland Guard snatch opportunities for love and happiness in the midst of blood and gore. Now is a time of rare calm and second chances.
Magnus Mackay has a will forged from steel and remains cool and calm under the most difficult circumstances and, above all, avoids women, earning him the moniker of the Saint. Unbeknownst to his friends, his celibacy hides a broken heart from the loss of his beloved Helen, wife to his best friend and fellow guardsman William Gordon, also known as the Templar.
In true Romeo and Juliet fashion, the lovers are separated by well-meaning family and the threat of clan war. Eighteen-year-old Helen Sutherland, daughter of one of the Mackay’s bitterest enemies, gave in to her own fears and family pressure to reject Magnus and marry William. As treachery stalks and violence escalates the newly widowed Helen, she is determined to win back her love and live life on her own terms.
Helen is one of the most likeable heroines in the series. She does not readily fit into the mold of a noble woman of her times and her journey to find herself and to reach for what she wants make me want to cheer. Even as Magnus fights his love for Helen, he displays a rare understanding and tenderness as he creates opportunities that support Helen’s journey in finding herself.
Intertwined within the primary part of this book is the strong secondary story of Helen’s brother William and her friend Muriel. William’s journey and the satisfactory conclusion to this love story is very moving. Both William and Magnus struggle with duty and social norms and their need for love and happiness. It’s heartwarming to see true love conquer all, even though I’m sometimes a bit impatient with all the angst.
Monica McCarty has the rare talent to successfully blend the rich history of the times with her love stories. I have read all the books in the series and have enjoyed each one of them and anxiously await the next one.
Grade: A
Summary:
Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain, and best even the most ferocious enemy. Called “Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus’s war name hides a far more 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 of 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 not the kiss of a saint, but a sinner, that can save them.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
