The Raider (Highland Guard #8) by Monica McCarty-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 24, 2014

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?

REVIEW
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Man oh man. Monica McCarty knocks it out of the park once again, and goes on to prove she is my fave highland romance author of all time. This series is INCREDIBLE! Raider … OH RAIDER! SWOON and SLAP!!!!!

The Raider by Monica McCarty is the 8th book in her Highland Guard series. This series chronicles the war that waged Robert the Bruce against the English in the 1300’s and the elite special ops team called “The Highland Guard” that assisted in establishing Scottish independance . While some of these characters and battles are real historical facts and figures, the way Monica weaves a story full of fiction and romance is brilliant.

Robert Boyd (aka Raider) is about as patriotic and hard core as it gets. He hates the English with a passion that constantly drives him to conquer. He is known for his hand to hand combat, hard nature, supreme strength and many shake at the thought of facing him. One English Lord however (Lord Clifford), seems to consistently cross his path and has become his ultimate enemy. When the English play dirty, Raider finds himself captive with some of his fellow men. Certain to be hanged, it comes as a shock when a sweet English lass helps him escape his chains and assists in his freedom. Captivated by the kindness of the English beauty, Raider can never forget the kindness she showed nor the lingering kiss they shared.

Lady Rosalin Clifford is the epitome of kind, sweet and trusting. She is also the sister of Lord Clifford, and the once young lady who assisted the highland monster to escape. She now lives with a heavy heart, understanding she assisted in saving a man who has butchered her people, but troubled that she feels no regret in her actions. She dreams of this prisoner constantly.

Once again, Rosalin and Raider reunite when she is abducted with her nephew by the Guard members. Intent on using her nephew as collateral to force Lord Clifford into a peace treaty, Rosalin begs Raider to show her the kindness she once showed him and let them go. Years of battle have hardened Raider’s heart though, and his patriotic duty must come before his morals and virtue. Through much adventure, Raider and Rosalin once again begin to see beauty in the other. Rosalin continues to show trust and kindness consistently despite Raider’s constant degrading of her people. Raider battles his heart, unable to accept that he is falling in love with his enemies sister, and is certain there is no future.

This book was fabo! Full of action, intrigue, love, push and pull, anticipation, frustrations and smiles and some smexy scenes! I love it when a book makes me feel so much! I tell you though, Raider was really starting to tick me off and I would of loved to kick his rear end. Rosalin gave him chance after chance, integrated herself in the highland environment, and even felt empathy and compassion for the Highlander’s that have been oppressed by her people. Seriously the woman was somewhat of a saint. She was lovable and incredible and when she comes to the end of the tolerance level, it was hard to feel bad for Raider.

So .. will love be enough to over come years of battle? Is it possible for an English lass and a Highland Hero to put aside their differences long enough to understand that there is more to gain than there is to lose?? Flip that page! 😉

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Read the reviews for:

The Saint
The Recruit
The Hunter