The Highland Henchman by Amy Jarecki
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Highland Force #2
Publication Date: April 1st 2014
ISBN: 9781495947247
Page Count: 355
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey
Buy Link: AMAZON
Synopsis: Intent on winning a Lowlander’s tournament, Bran MacLeod travels south with his laird. All goes as planned, except spirited Miss Enya Ross continually distracts him, and in the oddest situations. With no business lusting after a baron’s daughter, Bran decides to return to Raasay—until his laird pledges Bran’s services in the fight to reinstate Mary, Queen of Scots to the throne.

Enya has no deference for the lines of nobility, or for the Great Divide that separates Lowlanders from Highlanders. The way Sir Bran’s eyes hunger for her ignites an internal fire Enya cannot quell. All her life she’s wanted adventure and excitement, but now her every thought is consumed with the rugged Highlander.

With all odds stacked against them, can their forbidden love withstand the tumult of war and the menace of betrayal.

REVIEW

All Bran

Amy Jarecki's name is quickly becoming synonymous in my mind with adorable Scottish heroes. The lay-down-my-life-for-you-in-a-heartbeat kind of hero. And this one is no different. Except, perhaps, that we're going a bit younger this time. Sweet young love- dawww! Our hero, Bran, I believe was only around 21, and the heroine, Enya, 18-19. Although the latter is nothing unusual in this genre since it would be unlikely any older would still be unmarried.

The couple face so many trials and obstacles in THE HIGHLAND HENCHMAN. They are really up against it at every turn. Some of the events are quite brutal as well, and really made me gasp and the unfairness of it all. It seems a simple henchman is not good enough to even look at a chief's daughter, and anything further than that? Completely unthinkable. But the thing about all star-crossed lovers stories is that the forbidden nature of it only seems to add to the wanting.

Bran was truly delicious as a leading man. Fans of the series so far will remember him from book one as the 12-year-old cabin boy who showed Anne her first bit of kindness. He's all grown up now, and has been an adopted son to the couple and Calum MacLeod's right-hand man for half his life. Still, he is very young, and not looking for love at all. In fact he's more interested in proving himself worthy of his new knightly title in the Highland games held by Enya's father. But we all know love works on its own schedule, and he is simply bowled over by Enya's beauty and spirit, and it's not long before his heart follows suit.

Enya was a fairly sweet-tempered heroine, with a nice dollop of tomboyish tendencies that really added to her allure. She's an excellent archer and loves to ride. I enjoyed her character and how fiercely she tries to protect Bran at all costs, even agaisnt her own kin.

All together, this was another wonderful instalment in this exciting series, with twists and turns enough to keep any reader entertained throughout. 4 Stars! ★★★★

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.