Book Review: Knight in Highland Armor by Amy Jarecki


Scottish Historical Romance



Pages: 382
Series: Highland Dynasty Book 1
Publisher: Rapture Books
Published: January 1, 2015
Available: Amazon
Author Website: Amy Jarecki
Style: 3rd Person
Language: mild
Sexual Content: 3-5



Plot


Grieving from the death of his wife, Lord Colin Campbell listens to the cries of his newborn son whilst penning a missive to the king. With no marriage prospects, Colin petitions his majesty for help in finding a stepmother. Never again will he fall in love—the death of a woman brings more pain than losing a whole contingent of men on the battlefield.

Feisty, quick tongued and smart, Margaret Robinson is delighted when her father receives a messenger from the king…until she discovers what news he brings. In a sennight, she will wed the notorious Black Knight—her life is about to end.

Tension builds during the wedding and deteriorates from there…until an accident draws them together. Just when their love begins to blossom, a dire request arrives from the Pope. Colin must join the Crusades at once.

Their fragile love is forced to withstand the seductions of hell—Margaret tempted by a scoundrel laird—Colin courted by Satan himself. Aye, the war for Christendom could very well ruin their dreams forever.


Review



The story takes place within an eight-year span in the fifteenth century -- late 1400's -- and begins in the Scottish highlands.

Well written and a captivating read.

A handsome knight in charge of a large and profitable Scottish realm is in great need of a wife to help raise Colin's first-born son after the death of his second wife almost immediately after she's given birth.

The tension was there to justify Colin's hasty decision to petition King John about finding him a new bride -- and he did state quite clearly that it was more a nursemaid he was after than a wife -- but it didn't take long for that dire need to wear off in my mind and make me think that the marriage itself is doomed and that Colin is too quick to cast judgment -- on too many issues.

I wasn't pleased with the way in which Colin and Margaret started their married life, but then neither were they, so . . .

Both leads are well developed.

I favored Margaret over Colin most of the time. She is filled with female notions yet remains grounded when push comes to shove. She has a flirtatious streak and loves to sing/dance, but is also just as eager to help Colin build his latest castle and takes charge of the proceedings in his absence.

I found nothing bullish or 21st Century minded about the woman, which is refreshing when reading a Historical Romance novel.

There were instances where the wording sounded on the modern side, but you will be hard-pressed to find fault with the writing in general or even encounter a type-o or three.

Very impressive.

Once Colin had a change of heart, it was his turn to shine.

And later, while he is away on Crusade #2, I started to become upset with Margaret and her last-second decision to do what she believed was the best thing for her two sons.

Ewen, the antagonist, was also a well-developed character and I had difficulty (sometimes) trying to figure out what was so wrong with him . . . but it eventually shows itself, his true colors, and then it was real easy to see why Margaret was heading down a worse path than even I had suspected when it didn't seem as if she intended to wait any longer for Colin to return.

After completing the novel, we are privy to Amy's research into the writing of this book and it is enlightening.

An Historical Romance filled with moments of tension, moments when you want to take sides, and moments when you have to wonder if anything is going to work out for these two.

Can be read as a stand-alone, but it is the first in a series.


What would a Romance Novel be, though, without a Happily Ever After?


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Thought Bubble Never Pops #MFRWauthor

Ideally, He's What I Want - #MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge

Do You Keep a Journal or Diary? #MFRWauthor #bloghop