The Highland Guard Series by Monica McCarty -The Saint, The Recruit and The Hunter-combined review

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

So before I get into this combined review I need to give you a brief synopsis of the previous books. This review consists of books 5, 6 and 7 but to appreciate these books, I do think that the reader should indulge in 1 through 4 first. That being said, Monica McCarty does give brief explanation in each book when other characters from previous books are included.

Our setting is early 1300’s, medieval Scotland/England just after William Wallace was executed. Robert the Bruce is trying to win control of the Scottish crown and has decided to form an elite warrior army. These warriors are the best of the best and each warrior possesses their own particular skill that is crucial to the team. These warriors are not all friends, and truth be told, they come from warring clans. However, to ensure that “The Bruce” wins this war, they put their differences aside. This elite army is top secret, and they are known as phantoms who attack in the curling mist and disappear just as quick. When they strike, it is quick, precise and DEADLY!

Here they are (the warriors that have their own book so far, with more to follow)!

THE CHIEF – Tor MacLoed, team leader and expert swordsman
THE HAWK – Eric MacSorley, seafarer and swimmer
THE RANGER – Arthur Campbell, scouting and reconnaissance
THE VIPER – Lachlan MacRuairi, stealth, infiltration and extraction
THE SAINT – Magnus MacKay, survivalist and weapon forging
THE RECRUIT – Kenneth “Ice” Sutherland, explosives and versatility
THE HUNTER – Ewen Lamont, tracker and hunter of men

Of course it goes without saying … behind every great warrior is a great woman! WINK! LOL

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THE SAINT – Book 5 of The Highland Guard Series

DESCRIPTON

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Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain and to best his enemies. Called “the Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus hides a 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 in 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 the kiss not of a saint, but of a sinner, that can save them.

REVIEW

Oh Magnus, bless your saintly heart my dear … you never had a chance with a woman like Helen! LOL

Magnus Mackay, the quiet saintly warrior of the bunch, holds a secret injury close. His broken heart. Years ago before this war, he met Helen Sutherland (the MacKay’s and Sutherland’s are warring clans) at the Highland Games. There is an instant connection that leaves a serious imprint. Through many years they secretly meet and fall in love, never consummating their love and leaving it honourable. Magnus proposes to Helen in front of her brother (whom he hates) and Helen is stuck making a quick decision that will alter their entire lives. She says NO! Her father is ailing and she cannot leave his side nor go against her families wishes. They are both heartbroken!

Years pass and Magnus is attending his fellow warrior and best friend William’s wedding. He is completely gobsmacked when he learns it’s to his beloved Helen (Helen is just as gobsmacked to learn her betrothed is BFF’s with her one true love). However, in true honourable warrior fashion, Magnus tells Helen that he doesn’t love her and her future belongs with William. She marries William.

William ends up dying in battle and has Magnus promise to watch over Helen (no one knows that the marriage was never consummated). Magnus reluctantly agrees. Off we go in the cat and mouse chase that these two engage in. However, what I loved about it was that the roles were reversed. Helen does everything she can to chase Magnus and make up for the wrong decision she made years ago. She is a strong girl who knows what she wants and uses her sensuality, healing capabilities to make her a commodity of the elite team, and favour of the king to seduce Magnus.

Secrets are revealed, lust if fed and a love stronger than both of them takes root all in the midst of a deadly war.

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THE RECRUIT – Book 6 of The Highland Guard Series

DESCRIPTION

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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

Next to THE HAWK Eric, The RECRUIT was my next fave. There was something about Kenneth Sutherland that made me crave more. We first met Kenneth Sutherland in The Saint, as he is Helen’s brother. Throughout The Saint, Kenneth begins to put the pieces together and discovers that this elite army is exactly his calling. He begs The King to give him a chance, but it’s his brother in law (Magnus MacKay) who stands in his way. Magnus lays it on the line and tells Kenneth if he wins the Highland Games he’ll petition the King on Kenneth’s behalf to consider allowing Kenneth to become a member of the team. Magnus has no intention of letting Kenneth win anything (and plays dirty in the process). Magnus doesn’t end up getting what he wants and Kenneth ends up going through recruit training (seriously harsh) and proves that he can be a contributing member.

While at the highland games, Kenneth is spied upon by Mary of Mar while he is having a “role in the hay” with another lady. There eyes meet and something explosive happens between them. When Kenneth tracks her down she agrees to one night of passion. Well one night isn’t enough and Kenneth is beside himself when he awakens to discover Mary is gone.

Mary of Mar was previously married to a Lord who neglected his family (Mary has a son with this Lord who is removed from her home to squire for an Englishman), while placing them in serious danger so he could participate in the war. Once he was killed, she vows never to marry again and live her life unnoticed. Well once Kenneth finds her, that all goes to the wayside.

The King has announced she is betrothed to Kenneth an it just so happens their brief night of passion has resulted in pregnancy. Slowly, Kenneth begins to peel back the barrier of Mary’s heart and makes her believe that marriage is possible. His secret of being an elite member of this phantom guard however just may change all that!

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THE HUNTER – Book 7 of the Highland Guard Series

DESCRIPTION

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Prized for his unbeatable tracking skills, Ewen “Hunter” Lamont accepts a dangerous assignment: locate a missing undercover courier. But this is no ordinary target. Ewen has met his prey before as “Sister Genna,” a fiery, forbidden woman forever etched in his memory after one stolen, sinful kiss. Now that he knows her real identity, he’s more determined than ever to keep her safe. But without the protection of the veil between them, fighting the allure of the beautiful lass may be the toughest battle this extraordinary warrior has ever faced.

After her ill-fated attempt three years ago to rescue her twin sister, Janet of Mar has found salvation acting as a royal messenger—until she surrenders to a darkly handsome warrior whose rough, sensual kisses stir feelings the woman in her can’t deny. But when betrayal leads to danger, and a crucial communiqué is put in jeopardy, Janet has no choice but to put her faith in the hunter who can find anything—perhaps even her heart.

REVIEW

Ewen Lamont comes from a scandalous marriage that forever has foreshadowed his own life. He is the son of “WILD” Lamont. A man who lived to beat of his own drum, was a drunk and never backed away from a challenge. After his sudden death, Ewen assumed responsibility of a small strip of land and a clan that has been neglected. In order to provide for his people, Ewen becomes a member of the guard. He is obedient, tight lipped and lives to correct his father’s errors.

Ewen is asked to track down “Sister Genna” who is actually Janet of Mar (Mary’s sister) whom is presumed dead after trying to rescue her sister (this is all in the book The Recruit). She has been a courier for the King, passing along top secret intelligence and using the cross as her cover. After a passionate embrace, Ewen kicks himself for compromising a nun. Once he finds out that she is not a nun however, but the twin sister of Mary, he is FURIOUS. Again he is called upon by the King to bring her to him so he can tell her that she is betrothed to another. While Ewen knows this information, he neglects to tell Janet as he knows she’ll fight going with him.

Through their journey, Janet tries to seduce her way into Ewen’s heart. Ewen does all he can to fight her off knowing that is he indulges in his lust he has more to lose than Janet. He is fearful the King will strip him of his land and force his clan into perish.

Throughout the highlands, these two get to know each other and the attraction only grows. Ewen also makes his position on Janet’s part in the war known and she will not give up the only thing in her life that makes up for past mistakes. A war of wills follows!

So Monica McCarty is by far one of the best highland romance writers I have ever read! She can write a beautiful love story but that isn’t what stuck me in this series. She is basing her love stories off real people and real events. At the end of each story, she includes an authors note. This note consists of her historical research, who is fiction, who isn’t, what battles occurred during that books time, how the English and Scottish worked apart and together. IT WAS FASCINATING to read how she brings it all together. Her books are full of battle and history and so much ACTION. While the fluff is amazing, and the sexual tension between hero and heroine is intense, I was captivated by the war and who stood where and why!

If you love the highlanders, do yourself a favour and snag this series. I have rated every book thus far a 5 out of 5. I have never been disappointed!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel T.

Copies supplied by Netgalley