Veena’s review of The Raider (Highland Guard, Book 9) by Monica McCarty
Historical Romance published by Ballantine Books 25 Feb 14
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these stories of the Highland Guard as they rally around Robert the Bruce in his quest to take the throne of Scotland. Monica McCarty does a great job at bringing alive this tumultuous period in Scottish history and skillfully blending fact and fiction to create an unparalleled series. As we move into the eighth book in the series, we’ve seen other members of the guard commit to love, but Robbie Boyd is the enforcer who’s fueled by hate. He has no room in his heart for gentler emotions, even if he sometimes remembers a courageous young English girl who once helped him and his men escape imprisonment. When it’s his turn to repay the favor, will he repay her courage in kind or take from her the one thing she prizes above all else?
They’ve always been on opposite sides of the line. He’s Scottish with an unwavering hatred of the English, especially the Cliffords. She’s Rosalyn Clifford, the beloved sister of his most hated enemy. She makes the first move in their chess game. At only sixteen she risks her brother’s honor and severe punishment to help Robbie and his fellow prisoners escape imprisonment in her brother’s keep. Years later he returns the favor, taking her prisoner and holding her for ransom to enrich his King’s depleted coffers. His soul is so drenched in blood and vengeance that he’s in danger of losing all traces of nobility and knightliness that had ever existed in him. Will her love redeem him?
The first time they met she was too young and the distance between them too great. Now they have the time to give their attraction free reign and seal the bonds that had been forged so long ago. As she starts to make inroads and melt his heart, their time runs out. Circumstances are against them, and the specter of who they are rises up and drives the proverbial wedge. In the end it’s a simple choice of love versus hate.
What I really enjoy from these series are the brave women who have the courage to fight for what is right, no matter that they need to take a stand against the formidable warriors whom they love. Rosalyn loves her nephew and engineers his escape under the watchful eyes and ears of Robbie’s men, when she uses the bed sheets to create a rope that allows him to escape from the window, uncaring of the possible consequences to her person. Joanna might be married to the Black Douglas, whose name alone strikes fear throughout the borders, and yet this little slip of a woman has the power to make this formidable man come to heel for love of her.
Each story in the series stands alone and each guardsman finds his romance in his way that uniquely blends their unique skills and personalities. I’m waiting anxiously for the remaining members of the Guard to get their own stories.
Grade: B
Summary:
After consolidating his gains against the enemy English, King Robert the Bruce of Scotland sends his best soldiers to fortify the lawless borders. These legendary warriors of the Highland Guard let nothing come before king and country—except the calling of their heart.
Of all Bruce’s elite warriors, Robert “Raider” Boyd is the most formidable. A true patriot whose bare hands are a deadly weapon, Robbie is the fierce enforcer of the Guard, and his hatred of the English has been honed to a razor-sharp edge. But vengeance proves bittersweet when his enemy’s beautiful sister falls into his hands and he finds himself fighting temptation—a battle he badly wants to lose.
Lady Rosalin Clifford barely recognizes the rebel prisoner she saved from execution six years ago. Though her girlish ideals for fairness have matured into a passion for justice, Rosalin believes she betrayed her brother when she helped this dangerous man escape. Now her traitorous act has come back to haunt her. But she can’t deny the longing this tormented warrior ignites in her, or deny the passion that turns sworn enemies into lovers. Is the gentle love of a true English Rose enough to free Scotland’s most brutal warrior from a path of vengeance—before it’s too late?
Other books in this series:
