Jayne Castel’s HIGHLANDER DEFIED – Authentic Historical Romance Set in the Highlands

Highlander Defied is book one of the Courageous Highland Hearts series. The series follows the lives of four battle-hardened Highland warriors and the courageous sisters who capture their hearts.

What a pleasure it is to read a well-written story based on considerable historical research, making it authentic for the period and the actual history. Such is this one by Jayne Castel.

Confined to prison on Bass Rock by King James, Niel Mackay spent his youth away from his clan. While he was gone, the king is murdered and Neil’s father dies. Neil escapes and returns to the Highlands to take up his role as Chief of the Mackays. His goals? To have vengeance on his enemies, the Gunns, and gain an heir. Hence, he needs a wife.

Beth Munro, eldest daughter of the Chief of the Munros, needs a husband. On the cusp of spinsterhood, she’s had a run of ill-fortune with three of her suitors dying before she could wed them. When a proposal arrives from the Mackay, she is quick to accept.

There will be trouble for the couple as Neil is emotionally scarred from his time in prison and he is unwilling to share his heart with his new bride. Beth means to change that, but Neil resists her efforts, that is, until a battle gravely wounds Neil.

Historical romance readers who love a story tied to actual history will like this one. I enjoyed it.

 

 

Jayne Castel’s UNFORGOTTEN – Well-written first in a Connected Highlander series

 

Set in the mid 14th century on the Isle of Skye, this is the story of Gavin MacNichol and Annella (“Ella”) Fraser. They were once lovers, despite that he was betrothed to her sister. When his family tells him he must marry his betrothed, he does his duty and abandons Ella. She flees to a nearby Cluniac nunnery where she takes vows. Eighteen years later, her sister has died and Gavin, now chief of his clan, suddenly appears at the convent to take Ella back to see her dying mother.

When he escorts Sister Ella home (alone with no escort, mind you), he realizes that the feelings he once had for her still persist. And, before long, she realizes it, too. The characters are well-drawn and there's some good action with outlaws.

This is a well-written story and I was enjoying it until it cut off abruptly, leaving a villain not dealt with and many other loose ends. (For example, Leanna MacDonald, the heroine in book 2, is a character in this story but we only get her problem, not the solution; Sister Coira the heroine of book 3 is also a character in this story, as is Drew MacKinnon, the heroine in book 4.) So it’s not a stand-alone. It’s a series that needs to be read as a whole.

There were a few negatives for me that might not bother some readers. There are several graphic sex scenes (which I skipped and they weren’t necessary for the story). There were a few historical anomalies that popped out at me: colors, such as pink and turquoise, not recognized as colors until later centuries, plaids of red and green, which came into being much later (they had muted plaids but not tartans as we think of them), and married women taking their husbands’ surnames (only their children did). Still it’s a good read and for any willing to commit to the four books, it’s a complete tale.

 Sisters of Kilbride series

 

Unforgotten

Awoken

Fallen

Claimed

Jayne Castel’s THE LASS HE LEFT BEHIND – A Sensual Scottish Romance Set in the Hebrides in the 14th Century

October is medieval romance month and I’m starting with one set in Scotland on the Isle of Mull. This is book one in the Rogues of Mull trilogy. It’s the story of Loch Maclean and Mairi Macquarie who were lovers at one time. When Loch, the eldest son of the Maclean chief, went off to fight with Robert the Bruce, he left Mairi behind, without a backward glance, breaking her heart.

 

He returns a decade later to find his father, the chief, dead and Mairi still single but angry at his betrayal. He shrugs and goes on about his business, assuming his role as the new chief. After all, he has treacherous MacKinnons and their raids and cattle thieving to deal with. But he continues to see Mairi, who runs the local inn, and can’t get their past lovemaking out of his mind. One night, she gives in and takes him to her bed. But in the morning she regrets it.

 

As for Loch, he will have to face the consequences of his actions and the ache in his heart from the loss of Mairi. There are several graphic love scenes in this well-written story and a fair amount of angst. The characters who will be the leads in books 2 and 3 are introduced in this first tale, adding dimension to the trilogy. I liked the atmospheric background as Mull is a beautiful isle and Duart Castle, the home of the Macleans, a clan monument. The tension between the rival clans will keep you guessing as they are not resolved in this first story.

 

 

Jayne Castel’s BLOOD FEUD – Intriguing Isle of Skye Love Story set in the 4th Century

Set in the Dark Ages of Scotland on the Isle of Skye, this is the story of warring groups and a peace reluctantly gained by a handfasting. Tea, the daughter of a Pictish chieftain of the Wolf tribe, is forced by her brother to handfast with Galen, chief of the Eagles, a tribe responsible for the death of her parents.

Galen is delighted with his fierce bride, well, except that she hates him. She is beautiful and courageous, a warrior. Tea wants nothing to do with the Eagles but the kindness shown her by Galen wears away her hostility.

 

This is the first book in The Warrior Brothers of Skye series. Well-researched with great descriptions of the isle and the tribes living there in the 4^th century, including what they ate. The story brings treachery, betrayal and much angst to the fore.

 

Those who love history in their historical romance and great historical details, as I do, will enjoy this tale from long ago Scotland. Castel does a great job of drawing the reader into the story and the lives of the characters.

 

Jayne Castel’s THE BEAST’S BRIDE - Great first in the Brides of Skye trilogy!

Set in 1346, this is the story of Rhona MacLeod, the headstrong daughter of a clan chief on the Isle of Skye. She has no wish to wed and so refuses all the suitors her father offers her. Finally fed up, her father decides to hold two days of games, the winner to get Rhona’s hand.

Taran MacKinnon is known to all as “the Beast of Dunvegan” because of his facial scars but he is the best warrior of the MacLeod. Taran is secretly in love with Rhona and never thinks to have her until the games. When he wins, he knows he faces an uphill battle for her love as she did not want to marry him or anyone.

The story is well-written and is guaranteed to hold your interest. Historical details add to its authenticity, and there are some exciting scenes. I did find the wedding night’s “we must consummate” or face your father’s wrath a bit unbelievable. (All Taran needed was a knife to cut his finger and voila! He’d have blood on the sheet.) But no matter. He is a hero you can love and Rhona comes to do just that. It’s a good story and a great start to the trilogy.

Jayne Castel’s BLOOD FEUD – Intriguing Isle of Sky Love Story set in the 4th Century

Set in the Dark Ages of Scotland on the Isle of Skye, this is the story of warring groups and a peace reluctantly gained by a handfasting. Tea, the daughter of a Pictish chieftain of the Wolf tribe, is forced by her brother to handfast with Galen, chief of the Eagles, a tribe responsible for the death of her parents.

Galen is delighted with his fierce bride, well except that she hates him. She is beautiful and courageous, a warrior. Tea wants nothing to do with the Eagles but the kindness shown her by Galen wears away her hostility.

This is the first book in The Warrior Brothers of Skye series. Well-researched with great descriptions of the isle and the tribes living there in the 4^th century, including food. The story brings treachery, betrayal and much angst.

Those who love history in their historical romance and great historical details will enjoy this tale from long ago Scotland. Castel does a great job of drawing the reader into the story and the lives of the characters.