Page Princess: HER HIGHLAND DEFENDER by Samantha Holt

Title: HER HIGHLAND DEFENDER

Series: N/A

Author: Samantha Holt

Publisher: Helstone Press

Publish Date: 11.12.2015

Category /Genre: Historical Romance

Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing: A – near perfect

Received from: Samantha Holt (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Her Highland Defender

Date completed: 12.31.2019

Description from the publisher:

While six thousand Scots follow Robert the Bruce to wage war on the English at Bannockburn, Blane Ross is fighting his own war—single-handedly. After the indiscriminate slaughter of his village at the hands of English mercenaries, he wants revenge. However, when he stops at a castle for information and rest, he doesn’t expect to come across a fierce, beautiful lass in sole charge.

Desperate for help, Ceana rejoices at the arrival of this impressive stranger. Dealing with her errant younger sister and her eccentric mother while trying to protect their clan hasn’t been easy. With all the men joining to fight against the English, it’s up to Ceana to ensure their fathers and brothers have a home to return to.

Her one secret doesn’t make matters any easier...

However, Blane doesn’t have time to aid the attractive lass, no matter how much her haunting blue eyes tug at a heart he thought had turned to stone long ago. The only way he’ll ever feel whole again is to ensure the mercenaries pay. But when she reveals her weakness, he has no choice but to offer her a few days of his time.

Before long, Blane receives his chance for revenge, but at what cost? Will Ceana and her family pay the price for his negligence just as his village did? Or can he protect them, even while he finds himself drawn to the stubborn woman and blinded by an attraction deeper than his thirst for English blood?

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HER HIGHLAND DEFENDER is a stand-alone, historical romance set in the Highlands of Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England in 1314.

I loved the strength of the Scottish women, left behind to mind the keep while their kin went off to war. This is our legacy. None is stronger than Ceana; near blind since birth, her father still trusted her with castle, keep, and village until someone could be sent to help.

Blane is fighting more than the English. He’s fighting the demons of guilt and revenge, until a blue-eyed lass captures him quicker than any sword could.

I loved reading about Blane and Ceana. They each had strength, loyalty, fearlessness, and compassion, but they also had faults. Ceana was headstrong and so determined to prove that her lack of sight didn’t hinder her, that she failed to “see” that we all need help at times. Blane was allowing revenge to lead him at first.

I loved seeing them grasp the life in front of them with both fists. War has a way of clarifying the timeline of a life. I loved that each was so willing to give for the other; to me, that is a sign of true love that will last.

I enjoyed this story and kept sneaking away from my chores to read… just…one… more….chapter. I look forward to reading more from Samantha Holt!

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Also from Samantha Holt:

· The Angel’s Assassin

· Buckle Down

· Christmas Seduction

· The Crimson Castle

· Eden’s Fire

· Heart of a Viking

· Her Dream Cowboy

· Her Highland Defender

· How to Marry a Rake in Ten Days