Title: Highland Promise
Author: Alyson McLayne
Series: The Sons of Gregor MacLeod #1
Publication date: October 3rd, 2017
Pages: 384
Synopsis (according to Goodreads):
Five boys destined to become Highland lairds are fostered together as brothers. Darach, Lachlan, Callum, Gavin and Kerr fight for teir clans, for each other, and for their own true loves.
When forced to choose between duty and honor...
Darah MacKenzie vowed never again to let a woman near his heart after his betrothed betrayed him. It sparked an intense feud between his clan and the Frasers. With all-out war on the wind, Darach can't be distracted--not even by a sweet and charming lass who desperately needs his help.
This Highland Laird will find a way to have both...
When Darach rescued Caitlin MacInnes from the clutches of vile Laird Fraser, she vowed to never let men or misery rule her life again. With Darach and the MacKenzie clan, Caitlin finally feels safe. But when Laird Fraser shows up to claim what's rightfully his, or go to war, Darach will have to use all his brawn and brains to protect Caitlin--even if it means losing his heart.
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Review:
Who doesn't have a thing for Scottish Highlanders after the book series and subsequent TV series, Outlander, shined a light on them? Jaime was the first of many Highlanders I found a literary infatuation with so when presented the opportunity to read another Highlander tale I was more than willing to dive in with both feet.
Darach never planned to find anything by physical comfort with a woman. After being betrayed at such a young age, he had no desire to tie his life and his clan with another. The passed out lass being led through Fraser territory was not going to change that. At least that was what he thought before she opened her bright blue eyes and waxed on poetically about how he was an angel sent from above to rescue her. The innocence of the girl was shocking, amusing and, oh so, tempting. However, he knew that Fraser would not let his captive beauty go without a fight. The clan MacKenzie must protect her from future torment. But could saving her and protecting her cause Darach to lose the war with his hardened heart?
Caitlyn knew nothing of male attraction nor what it meant to live outside the control of her cruel uncle who had sold her to Fraser. So when her desire to touch, hold, and caress the rock solid warrior caring for her, she is equal parts confused and excited the prospect. But can she risk the war coming her new Laird's way because he had dared to rescue her?
I loved the connection between Darach and Caitlyn. Darach truly cared for her Caitlyn and was willing to move heaven and Earth for her even before he loved her. Caitlyn was so eager to please Darach as both a man and a laird tot he point of ever present trouble. However, the overwhelming innocence of her is bordering on unbelievable. You are going to tell me that a girl of almost 20, even back there, has zero idea of sex or how it works? Even with being locked up in her uncle's care or her parents being killed early, sex would have been seen or heard about in some idle manner. It made the book a little uncomfortable because it made Darach seem a little... pedophile-ish with the level of her innocence. Sometimes this fact was easy to get over and other times it was really hard to slog through. The discomfort I felt was only during the 'tupping' parts of the book, otherwise, I found the book incredibly well written and, at times, even side splitting hilarious.
Highland Promise brings an innocent angel and a roguish devil together to show the power of love to overcome any and all things.
