Review: A Highland Knight to Remember by Amy Jarecki

A Highland Knight to Remember 
by Amy Jarecki
Series: Highland Dynasty #3
Pub Date:  May 15, 2015
Publisher:  Rapture Books
Pages:  304
Format:  eARC
Source:  Netgalley
 

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

In 15th century Scotland, Gyllis Campbell arrives at the Beltane festival with one thing on her mind—to win the heart of Sir Sean MacDougall once and for all. Astonishingly, Sir Sean would like nothing more than to oblige the lovely lass.

But when news of his father’s death arrives, Sean races for Dunollie Castle. Unaware of Sean’s tragedy, Gyllis departs the festival thwarted. Worse, a terrible illness strikes her down, and she’s sent to the cloisters of Ardchattan Priory for healing.

Plagued by raids on his lands and deception in his ranks, Sean is embroiled in a battle to regain control. Pulled in a myriad of directions, adversity runs rampant as Gyllis struggles to regain her health and Sean battles the very demon who covets his title. Fighting for their lives, both must prevail before their love can blossom.

This was another detailed historical romance based loosely on the lives of real historical people. Several events in the book actually happened, and the fictional account is the love story between Sean and Gyllis.

Sean was actually John MacDougall, 11th Chieftain of Dunollie. Ms. Jarecki changed the name to Sean to avoid confusion because we have so many other historical figures in this book also named John. I really liked Sean in this book, who was known as the Lusty Laddie for his past womanizing ways. He was in love with Gyllis Campbell, his best friend Duncan's sister. But because of an ancient feud, he did not think a match between them would be approved. Not to mention Duncan still only sees Sean as that Lusty Laddie.

I must say that I did not care for Duncan in this book. Sean was his best friend but Duncan would not even give him a chance to court Gyllis. How quick he was to judge the Lusty Laddie when Duncan himself was a horrid womanizer before he married Meg. Pot and kettle if you ask me.

Gyllis has been in love with Sean forever, and fearing Duncan will never allow her to marry, decides to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately circumstances separate the couple in the midst of the Highland games, after which Gyllis is stricken with one of the horrible sicknesses of the time period. This leaves her crippled and downtrodden, seemingly without hope.

However Sean forces his way back into her life and things are looking up, except for the antics of the bastard Alan MacCoul. (MacDougall had an illegitimate older half-brother, Alan MacCoul, who really was a scoundrel and horrid person.) Learning of this, Gyllis shows great strength and determination to rescue Sean when he is in peril, despite her illness and frailty. I loved Gyllis' determination in the face of everyone treating her as a cripple and refusing to listen to her.

I enjoyed this book, as I have the the two previous installments of the Highland Dynasty series. The only aspect that I did not like was that it seemed a tad similar to Duncan and Meg's story (between the crippled aspect and the hero who needs saving). So I would just say to wait a bit between books so the similar aspects don't stand out. It was enjoyable either way though. I like these romances that throw in real historical events and people. It makes me feel like I'm learning something without being bored to tears by a history book. I would have learned a lot more in my history and mythology courses if the school would have included some love stories in the mix! Good job Ms. Jarecki.

I am looking forward to the next book, which is Helen's story. There was an excerpt from her story at the back of this book and I can tell it is going to be a heartwrenching tale.

Additions to my 2016 Scotland Itinerary

Take the passenger ferry to Kerrera, the island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides and see Gylen Castle.

Dunollie Castle (now in ruins) on a hill north of Oban. Part of Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds.

Dunstaffnage Castle (partially ruined), 3 miles NNE of Oban at the SW entrance to Loch Etive. One of Scotland's oldest stone castles, built by the McDougall Lords of Lorn and held since the 15th Century by Clan Campbell.

Castle Tioram (not featured in this book but nearby)

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Review: A Highland Knight's Desire by Amy Jarecki

A Highland Knight's Desire 
by Amy Jarecki
Series:  Highland Dynasty #2
Pub Date:  March 3, 2015
Publisher:  Self-Pub
Pages:  338
Format:  eBook
Source:  Kindle Unlimited
  

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

In 15th century Scotland, Sir Duncan finds himself rescuing Lady Meg from the clutches of the Earl of Northumberland, and he is knocked off guard by the sassy, redheaded lass. And aye, the tall, dark, and rugged Highlander challenges Meg’s piety with his every stare. 

Sir Duncan focuses on returning Lady Meg to her family and collecting his bounty before the lass can further sink her wiles into his heart. Lady Meg’s kidnapper, Northumberland, is plotting his revenge and is out to ruin them both. If Northumberland’s ruse is not exposed, Meg may end up becoming a nun, and Duncan a pawn in a deadly game. Join us on this passionate adventure as Lady Meg discovers herself – and her desires. 

This was another great historical romance loosely based on the lives of real historical figures. We first met our hero, Duncan, in Knight in Highland Armor as the son of Colin Campbell, first Lord of Glenorchy (also known as the Black Knight of Rome for his time fighting during the Crusades). Colin and his third wife, Margaret Robinson, were the love interests in the first book.

Now Duncan is all grown up and quite the ladies man himself. He has taken over carrying out the king's law for his father, and is leading a band of men known as the Highland Enforcers. We first meet our heroine, Meg, as she is about to be kidnapped by her brother's enemy. Meg is a beautiful lass with fiery red hair, but she has a misshapen hand so she thinks she will never be marriageable. Given the suspicions of the time, when such things could be seen as the mark of the devil, her assumptions were probably pretty accurate.

For me, this was a sweet love story. Meg did get hung up on Duncan's womanizing past several times, but I tried to ignore it as I know the ridicule she faced for her deformity diminished her self-esteem. I hated that she referred to her hand as "the claw" or "pincher" because I keep imagining her with some big lobster claw stuck on her arm. Meg and Duncan got to experience a ton of adventure in their journey to love - even though many parts of that journey were harrowing. I loved Meg's spirit and loyalty to Duncan, and I loved that Duncan looked past Meg's hand to see her true beauty.

As with Knight in Highland Armor, this is not a light fluff read. Its packed full of historical details, court intrigue, treachery, drama, heartache, betrayal, love and romance. I recommend this book to fans of heavier historical reads, and authors such as Virginia Henley and Kathryn Le Veque.

This book also will add a stop to my 2016 Scotland Itinerary - Tantallon Castle, where Lady Meg lived with her brother prior to her marriage to Sir Duncan.

Tantallon Castle and Bass Rock / East Lothian, Scotland
Ancestral seat of the branch of the Douglas clan known as the Red Douglases.

Tantallon Castle was the last truly great castle built in Scotland.
Built in 1350 and destroyed by the English Army in 1651.

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Review: Knight in Highland Armor by Amy Jarecki

Knight in Highland Armor 
by Amy Jarecki
Series:  Highland Dynasty, #1
Pub Date:  Jan. 1, 2015
Publisher:  Rapture Books
Pages:  382
Format:  eBook
Source:  Kindle Unlimited
  

My Rating:  
Sultry Scale:

Grieving from the death of his wife, Lord Colin Campbell listens to the cries of his newborn son whilst penning a missive to the king. With no marriage prospects, Colin petitions his majesty for help in finding a stepmother. Never again will he fall in love—the death of a woman brings more pain than losing a whole contingent of men on the battlefield.

Feisty, quick tongued and smart, Margaret Robinson is delighted when her father receives a messenger from the king…until she discovers what news he brings. In a sennight, she will wed the notorious Black Knight—her life is about to end.

Tension builds during the wedding and deteriorates from there…until an accident draws them together. Just when their love begins to blossom, a dire request arrives from the Pope. Colin must join the Crusades at once.

Their fragile love is forced to withstand the seductions of hell—Margaret tempted by a scoundrel laird—Colin courted by Satan himself. Aye, the war for Christendom could very well ruin their dreams forever. 

This book is a historical fiction romance - and I phrase it that way because I think it has a tad more historical fiction than romance. It is loosely based on real historical figures: Colin Campbell, the first Lord of Glenorchy, and his wife, Margaret Robinson. The setting is in the medieval era during the Crusades, when John II reigned over Scotland. Colin, known as the Black Knight of Rome, was a knight hospitaller with the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and fought in the Holy Wars against the Turks.

I would say this is a well-written, somewhat fictional account of Colin and Margaret. After his second wife died in childbirth, Colin sought help from King James II to find a stepmother for his son, Duncan. He hoped to have a matronly woman because he was heartsore after burying two wives in his young life. Imagine his dismay when he arrives at his wedding to discover the king and queen have chosen a comely young lass with moss green eyes and chestnut hair! As Colin is still grieving his late wife, things do not get off on the best start with Margaret. And unfortunately, just as the couple is growing close, Colin is called away to join the Crusades and is separated from his wife and family for a very long time. The story has not only an account of what occurred during the Crusades, but also the events that unfolded with Margaret in Scotland. Ewen MacCorkodale, the villain of the story, is also an historical figure, and legend says that he did in fact try to steal Margaret from Colin while he was away at war... and some of the events that happened in this book are indeed part of the legend.

Kilchurn Castle also plays a large part in this story, and it is indeed a real place (now in ruins). Legend says that Margaret did oversee its completion while Colin was away fighting.  I think it will be added to my Scotland itinerary when I travel there with Deanna in 2016.

At the northeastern end of Loch Awe, Argyll and Bute, lies Kilchurn Castle. Built in 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell, first Lord of Glenorchy, it now lies in ruin. It had originally stood on a small island but is now connected to the mainland after the water level dropped in the early nineteenth century
Photo:  Jacqui Mould

This was a fascinating historical read with enough accurate details to satisfy people who like to have some substance with their historical romance, but with a few steamy sex scenes thrown in to keep the attention of readers who prefer more romance than history. Because of the level of detail and subject matter, this is not a light fluff read. It contained weight and substance, and I felt like I learned something while I was reading.

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