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Highland Honor (Wild Thistle Trilogy #3) by Madelyn Hill-Review and Guest Post

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HIGHLAND HONOR (Wild Thistle Trilogy #3) by Madelyn Hill-Review and Guest Post

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 16, 2018

The final book of the captivating Scottish Historical Wild Thistle Trilogy

Lady Honor MacAllister can heal everything but a broken heart . . .

Lady Honor does not believe in marriage. Her father’s death broke her mother’s spirit and took her from her daughters emotionally well before her own death. When Honor is attacked in the forest, she keeps the event to herself, lest her lairds search for the man and strike him down. As a healer, she’ll do anything it takes not to cause harm. Rumors of attacks in the Highlands forces the lairds to increase guards and security measures. When Bryce Calder is assigned to protect Lady Honor, she fights the burgeoning attraction for the man, knowing she’ll never risk her heart to love.

Warrior Bryce Calder trusts no woman. Women only strive to better themselves through cunning, as his father warned throughout his childhood. When he is asked to escort Lady Honor while she gathers healing herbs, he is vexed. Training the men and protecting the clan are his duties, not following the sharped-tongued lass about the wood. With each passing day, Bryce becomes enchanted by Lady Honor, despite his father’s words, but his unworthiness halts any proclamation of his desire.

An unlikely partnership develops during the frequent trips to the forest and work in the apothecary. The walls each has erected to protect their hearts and their future crumbles. Until a stranger arrives at the keep. Lady Honor’s secret is threatened to be revealed putting in jeopardy the growing romance between the ardent healer and the reluctant warrior-suitor.

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REVIEW: HIGHLAND HONOR is the third and final instalment in Madelyn Hill’s historical, Highland WILD THISTLE romance trilogy focusing on Faith, Hope and Honor of Clan MacAlister. This is Lady Honor MacAlister, and Highland warrior Bryce Calder’s story line. HIGHLAND HONOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Honor and Bryce HIGHLAND HONOR follows the building relationship between is Lady Honor MacAlister, and Highland warrior Bryce Calder. Someone is stalking the forests of the Highlands surrounding Wild Thistle Keep, taking aim at the women in horrific acts of assault. As the family healer Honor MacAlister needs access to the large assortment of herbs and plants growing in the forests surrounding their home but she is no longer allowed to leave the Keep unaccompanied. Enter Highland warrior Bryce Calder, assigned as protector and guardian of Honor MacAlister, and the man with whom Honor will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Honor and Bryce, as the members of Clan MacAlister continue to hunt for the person responsible for the attacks against the women surrounding Wild Thistle Keep.

The attraction between Honor and Bryce does not go unnoticed by the people at Wild Thistle Keep but Honor struggles with memories of the past: how her mother suffered following the brutal death of their father; as well as her own secret and shame. Bryce’s attraction to Honor is visceral but his duty is first and foremost as a warrior, and protector of the woman with whom he will fall in love.

All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters including Lady Faith MacAlister, and Captain Graeme Ross (Highland Faith #2), and Lairds Hope MacAlister and her husband Aidan MacKerry, as well as the return of Nora and old man Connor, a former warrior battling wisdom and age.

Like the previous instalments HIGHLAND HONOR is a story of family, of honor, of hope and of faith. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is clean and sweet; the characters are heart warming and inspiring.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Highland Hope
Highland Faith
Highland Honor

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Creating Memorable Characters

By: Madelyn Hill

Creating memorable characters is the goal of all writers and we all have our favorites from books we treasure. Mine? I love Kit from The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Jane from Jane Eyre, Ave Marie from Big Stone Gap Series. And of course Harry from Harry Potter, in fact most of the characters from Harry Potter! Well-drawn characters stand the test of time, so the task is arduous.

As I create characters, I do a word sketch of their looks, habits, endearing traits, goals, motivation and conflict. If I am still uncertain about their singular focus as a character, I complete a poem called, I Am. This helps flesh out the true nature of the character. In my opinion, these facets must be known prior to writing. Of course there may be shifts along the way when your muse decides to skew the story in some manner, but having the background information completed can help with characterization consistency.

At the beginning of each novel, I add the character sketches before chapter 1 so I have quick access as I am writing. This is done for main and secondary characters. Then I create inspirations boards in Pinterest so I have a visual and can locate research content using an organized, easy to locate tool.

In the Wild Thistle Trilogy, the characters are driven by their father’s dying words: “Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule.” These parting words truly direct the goals of each character as well as their conflict. For Hope of Highland Hope, the statement increases her loyalty to the clan and her need to lead them to the best of her ability. For Faith of Highland Faith, the pledge is conflicting. Faith loves adventure and hunting and doesn’t want to remain at the keep, she wants to explore. Both are strong, fierce women who do not let traditional conventions stand in their way. Lady Honor of Highland Honor, is the peacekeeper between her sisters and the clan healer. Her skill directs her thoughts and actions and while her father’s death inspired her position of healer, she does her duty quietly without the fiery spirit of her sisters. But there is surprising strength in the quiet Honor.

And for the men. Ah, the men who have captured the hearts of these heroines, who are strong, loyal, and determined to forge their way in the clan as well as in the heroines’ hearts. Aidan of Highland Hope is determined to take what is rightfully his—the Lairdship—no matter if it means taking it from the beautiful Hope. Graeme of Highland Faith is conflicted between his love of the sea and his need to prove himself to his father. When he stumbles upon Faith as she hunts, he knows her ransom may be the answer to all of his prayers. He is a rogue, to be sure and finds Faith’s strength of character to be one of her best characteristics. And Bryce of Highland Honor, he is a warrior who pledges to protect the clan and clansmen at all cost. He trains the men hard and doesn’t understand why Honor refuses to see the value of his position and skill within the clan.

As a writer, creating memorable characters is a tough, but paramount. What may captivate one reader may annoy another. I feel consistency of characterization is key to ensure your characters are true to their goals, motivation, and conflict. Strong characterization and a compelling plot will create a story which may land your characters on someone’s favorite character list.

To see my inspiration, for each novel of the Wild Thistle Trilogy, click on the links below.

 

Pinterest Inspiration Boards:

Highland Hope: https://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68/highland-hope-book-1-wild-thistle-trilogy/

Highland Faith: https://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68/highland-faith-book-2-wild-thistle-trilogy/

Highland Honor: https://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68/highland-honor-book-3-wild-thistle-trilogy/

Highland Hope: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

Highland Faith: Amazon. com / Amazon.ca / Amazon. uk /

Highland Honor: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Follow: Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter/ Facebook / Pinterest

Madelyn HillI’m a mom, wife, and writer just living life to the fullest. A Michigan native, I’ve moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to marry the love of my life. Life is exciting, exhausting, chaotic and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love writing historical novels with a Celtic flair. Scotland and Ireland are my favorite locations to set my novels. Nothing is better than a hero in a kilt and a strong heroine to give him the run for his money!

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Highland Faith & Highland Hope (Wild Thistle Trilogy ) by Madelyn Hill-a review

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HIGHLAND FAITH / HIGHLAND HOPE (Wild Thistle Trilogy ) by Madelyn Hill-a review

Highland Faith

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 17, 2017

Lady Faith MacAlister wishes for adventure, be careful what you wish for . . .

Huntress Lady Faith MacAlister seeks adventure. Her father’s dying pledge tethers her to Wild Thistle Keep, thwarting her desire to explore the world beyond the palisade. Solace is found while hunting and providing sustenance for her clan. When snatched from the safety of MacAlister lands by a rogue bent on securing a ransom, she finds the adventure of her life.

Disgraced Captain Graeme Ross travels the high seas in search of bounty to sell in order to secure lands seized by the Crown. He longs to regain his honor in his father’s eyes and continually risks his life on the high seas. Lacking enough funds, Graeme and his crew follow Lady Faith MacAlister as she hunts. Out of need and desire, he kidnaps her. The lady captivates him for the moment he laid eyes upon her. Bold and spirited, she fights him. When he negotiates a ransom, deception tears the burgeoning romance apart.

Now, Lady Faith and Captain Ross seek to settle those differences hindering their union, despite the stretch of land and sea—and angry Highlanders standing between them.

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REVIEW: HIGHLAND FAITH is the second installment in Madelyn Hill’s historical, Highlander WILD THISTLE romance trilogy focusing on Faith, Hope and Honor of Clan MacAlister. This is Lady Faith MacAlister, and Captain Graeme Ross’s story line. HIGHLAND FAITH can be read as a stand alone without any difficult. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Faith and Graeme) HIGHLAND FAITH follows Lady Faith MacAlister as she becomes the captive of Captain Graeme Ross. Graeme’s father is about to lose his lands to the Crown and Graeme’s only chance to save his father is a quick influx of cash from an unlikely source. Enter Lady Faith MacAlister, second oldest MacAlister daughter and sister to the MacAlister Lairds. Lady Faith will find herself the victim of an abduction –but a willing captive within days when she loses her heart to Captain Graeme Ross. What ensues is the building relationship between Graeme and Faith, and the fall out when the ransom is paid.

The relationship between Faith and Graeme is one of enemies to lovers; a captive falling for her reluctant jailer but a man desperate in his attempts to save his childhood home. Graeme will find himself falling in love with the woman he holds hostage but a man that is more than willing to step up in desperate times. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of sexually graphic, over the top language and text.

Once again , there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Faith’s sisters Honor and Hope, as well as Hope’s husband Aidan MacKerry-MacAlister. We are introduced to the crew of the Blue Boy, all of whom will fall in love with our leading lady.

HIGHLAND FAITH is a story of family, love, desperation and betrayal. The premise is entertaining and enjoyable; the characters are colorful, honorable and inspiring; the romance is passionate and fated. Madelyn Hill invites the reader into a captivating story line as one couple finds love on the stormy seas.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

________________

Highland HopeHIGHLAND HOPE
The Wild Thistle Trilogy #1
by Madelyn Hill
Genre: adult, historical, Highlander, romance
Release Date: August 31, 2016

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

About the book: RELEASE DATE: August 31, 2016

“Remember, lasses. Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule,” were the last words Lady Hope MacAlister’s father spoke before dying. Those very words direct her every action and thought. Sword fighting and leading the men of her clan was second nature to Hope and she has little time for herself or any thoughts of love. Until Aidan MacKerry is captured spying on the clan.

She is beautiful, strong, and quick to pull a sword. But when he kisses her, all thoughts of the lairdship Aidan MacKerry seeks flee his mind. When the enemy continues to undermine Hope, Aidan is determined to aid her—only he didn’t think he’d lose his heart to the Laird of Wild Thistle Keep. When the enemy reveals Aidan’s secret, he must fight for his right to be laird and prove, despite their differences, he loves Hope.

The enemy refuses to back down and continues to threaten not only Hope, but the security of the entire clan. Only together will they be able to save the clan and save their love.

••••••••••

REVIEW: HIGHLAND HOPE is the first installment in Madelyn Hill’s WILD THISTLE Highland, historical, romance trilogy. This is Lady Hope MacAlister, and Aidan MacKerry’s story line.

Told from several third person points of view including Hope and Aidan HIGHLAND HOPE focuses on Aidan MacKerry’s return to his boyhood home-the MacAlister Keep, and a legacy he hopes to avenge and retain. Years earlier Aidan and his family had been ousted from their clan, and in the process Aidan and his father lost any hope of retaining the title of Laird. Enter Lady Hope MacAlister, the Laird of Wild Thistle Keep, and the woman with whom Aidan would fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Aidan and Hope, and the simmering betrayal that lies close to the surface regarding Aidan’s return.

HIGHLAND HOPE is a slow building story line that follows Laird Hope MacAlister as she struggles to gain the respect of the clan and the council but not everyone is happy with a woman in charge. Aidan’s appearance brings with it a renewed sense of purpose for the council, but a purpose that hides a secret agenda.

The relationship between Aidan and Hope is acrimonious. Hope senses that Aidan knows more than he is revealing; and Aidan is a man determined to regain the title he knows he deserves. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of sexually graphic language and text. I had hoped for more interaction between the leading characters.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Hope’s younger sisters Faith and Honor, as well as an older woman named Nora who is more of a mother figure to the MacAlister clan.

HIGHLAND HOPE is an engaging tale of passion and power. The premise is spirited and dramatic but predictable-the requisite evil is easily deduced; the romance is sensual and uplifting; the characters are dynamic and inspiring. HIGHLAND HOPE will entertain fans of the Scottish romance genre.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wolf’s Castle by Madelyn Hill-a review

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WOLF’S CASTLE by Madelyn Hill-a review

Wolf's CastleABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 11,2014

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

Can he forget the past and embrace the future?

He’s the beast of Lomarcan Castle. Tortured, angry, and bound and determined not to allow Vivian Stuart to invade his lair. Lord Galen Maclean refuses to be endeared to the lovely woman who has landed on his island looking to study alchemy. The island possesses secrets, secrets too horrid to share with the gentle woman. However, her beguiling nature brings light to the darkness of the castle and the few quirky inhabitants and edges into his heart.

Can she tame the beast within him to gain his love?

She was stranded on a remote island, her father dead and dishonored by her betrothed. Still, the lovely Vivian Stuart wears her heart on her sleeve and strives to redeem Lord Maclean. She knows his heart is good and the castle can be filled with love. Through science she learns more about the troubled lord and slowly but surely, the torture lord’s icy heart begins to thaw as Vivian shares the magical healing power of love

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REVIEW: WOLF’S CASTLE is an historical romance novel written by Madelyn Hill focusing on Lord Galen Maclean and Vivian Stuart. En route to the island where Wolf’s Castle stands, to exchange scientific research with the Laird, Vivian and her father will fall victim to one of Scotland’s many storms. Now that her father has died, Vivian and her servants have become unwelcome guests of Lord Maclean- the son of the late Scottish Laird. Lord Maclean has a few demons in his past and believes he is incapable of love.

The premise follows the developing relationship between Vivian and Galen built upon their mutual interest in alchemy-more specifically the process to turn chemicals into gold. But there are others hoping to steal Vivian’s father’s secrets and they will venture to Lord Maclean’s island to take back what they believe is rightfully theirs.

The relationship between Vivian and Galen is slow to build as Galen fights his attraction to Vivian with each encounter. Vivian and Galen’s own histories are marred with betrayal, lies and secrets, and with it will come heartbreak and sorrow when the truth is finally revealed. The sex scenes are limited, mostly implied but the attraction between our couple is a definite plus.

The secondary characters fuel a good portion of the novel-from back histories, to memories and a much needed push in the right direction for our leading couple. The world building includes the history of Wolf Castle and its’ inhabitants; the sights and sounds of the Scottish coastline in winter; and a story of lost love and letting go. The historical language of the time and the Scottish dialect are mostly absent although there are some words and phrases interspersed throughout the novel.

WOLF’S CASTLE is a quick romantic read with a little bit of everything: betrayal, heartbreak, secrets, lies, romance and a little sex. If you are a fan of the historical Scottish romance where the leading man is reluctant to fall in love and struggles with his own demons, then Wolf’s Castle is an ideal read for a lazy afternoon.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

About The Author beige

Follow: Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter/

Madelyn HillI’m a mom, wife, and writer just living life to the fullest. A Michigan native, I’ve moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to marry the love of my life. Life is exciting, exhausting, chaotic and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love writing historical novels with a Celtic flair. Scotland and Ireland are my favorite locations to set my novels. Nothing is better than a hero in a kilt and a strong heroine to give him the run for his money!

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