Highland Defender (Renegade Scots #2) by Julie Johnstone-Review & Giveaway

HIGHLAND DEFENDER
Renegade Scots #2
by Julie Johnstone
Release Date: December 26, 2018
Genre: adult, historical, Highlander, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 26, 2018

To protect herself, she’ll deny her powers. To save her, he’ll break every rule he’s vowed to live by.

Lillianna de Burgh knows all about the legend surrounding the women in her family—that true love awakens the gift of sight within them. But given the horrific betrayals the power has brought her ancestors, she wants no part in true love or the supposed gift. Avoiding her fate seems simple enough since men have proven time and again that they wish to use her, not cherish her, even her own kin. Thankfully, when she flees England to escape her evil uncle, she finds herself in the company of a seemingly hard-hearted Highlander who thinks the legend nothing more than a myth. As they travel together, she comes to discover that behind his cold facade lies a fierce and honorable protector, whose mere touch ignites the passion within her. Yet, the more she tries to resist it, the more she seems to fall.

Renowned Highland warrior Angus MacLorh lives by three principles: put country above self, protect family at all cost, and never become entangled with a lass—not again. So when his future king needs him to accompany the far-too-lovely Lillianna to safety, Angus agrees, confident he can keep her at a distance, as he does all women. Yet the gentle, fiercely determined lady intrigues and tempts him at every turn, and when his greatest enemy captures her, he finds himself breaking all his rules to save her.

As the fight for the Scottish throne embroils Lillianna and Angus deep in danger, enemies near and far hunt them threatening their very lives. When the truth of the legend finally comes to light, can a lady determined to escape her destiny and a Highlander bent on facing his future alone overcome the barriers they’ve created and trust in their hearts to lay claim to the most glorious of love?

••••••••

REVIEW: Highland Defender is the second book in this new series by author Julie Johnstone, and what a series it’s becoming. Well written, imaginative, and twisty! I loved the first book Outlaw King and this one is a wonderful continuation of it.

This is the story of Lilliana de Burgh and Angus MacLorh. Lilliana is the cousin of Elizabeth de Burgh, wife to Robert the Bruce. Angus is Laird to his own clan and friend and follower of Robert. Robert and Angus are pretending to be loyal to Edward, King of England, while organizing the Scots to rebellion.

Angus has sworn never to fall in love again. He doesn’t mind a roll in the hay, but only with a woman who expects nothing else. He was distracted by a scheming woman once, and his father died as a result. His mother followed her husband in death soon after. The woman betrayed him, and her father attacked his castle and killed his father while he rode to protect her. He swore never to let his focus fade from his duty ever again and for years has kept that oath.

Lilliana is the legendary daughter of the seer of the MacLeod clan. She’s the focus of a legend that has men trying to use her powers or win her heart to get those powers. She has sworn never to fall in love or marry for that matter. Her father and uncle have tried to use her to get her powers and are still trying. To do so, they must find the amulet of legend that will awaken those powers or make her fall in love to awaken them.

Robert has asked Angus to take a message to his men in Ettrick Forest, that the King’s men are coming. He also tasked Angus with escorting Lilliana to Scotland and the Macleod clan. They must travel together for a long time to do this. The wonderful experience of learning about each other along with the denied, but mutual attraction makes this trip intriguing and fun. It is, however, also dangerous.

That’s the basic setup. Author Julie Johnstone has written another thrilling tale of the highlands that will entice you into this world. It’s a wonderful and exciting read that I loved! It’s full of danger, sensual and growing love, and even a bit of magic. I urge you to begin and continue this series…quite a ride!

Click HERE to read Georgie / Julie’s dual review of book on OUTLAW KING.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna S

Follow: Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter

Author Julie Johnstone first fell in love with romance fifteen years ago when she picked up her first romance novel in an airport gift shop on the way to Conroe, Texas for a family reunion and spent her whole weekend reading rather than water skiing, which up until then was one of her favorite things to do.

Julie is staying up way too late and typing furiously on her keyboard to finish her next book or blog with her fellow authors at Ladyscribes. Julie is married to an amazing lawyer and when she is not running her two precocious children to one activity or another she is trying to seek out some time to stay in shape and see her dearest friends.

Julie Johstone is graciously offering an ebook copy of HIGHLAND DEFENDER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Follow Julie Johnstone on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open internationally

9. Giveaway runs from January 4-8, 2019