This was such a fun read. I am a sucker for fairytale retellings. Especially ones where the author keeps the magical element of the fairytale while adding their own unique elements to the story. Cornwall does an awesome job of doing that with her Snow White inspired Highlander story.

I never would have guessed a Snow White retelling and a Highlander story would work, but it definitely does. I liked that Cornwall included the fairytale aspect of the story, along with a historical side. Not to mention the fairytale ties she includes when it comes to Laire's character being similar to Snow White's, MacLeod being the Huntsman, the evil Queen, and a band of children who help Laire. Paired with romance, magic, danger, and more, and you've got a great fairytale retelling.

I really liked Laire. She's noble, intelligent, kind, and doesn't stand by idly when things begin to happen when her father brings home his new wife. Laire proves she's a strong, fierce, women who will whatever she can to save her Father, and the rest of her family from her wicked step mother. I really enjoyed getting to know her more as the story goes on.

There's a lot more to MacLeod's dark, brooding looks, than meets the eye. He has an unbreakable oath to the women who's married Laire's Father. As the Huntsman, there's nothing that this man can't track, including Laire. MacLeod has never failed at a mission he's been sent on. Everything changes when he decides to help her. He's a man with past and pain he keeps buried inside. The more Laire breaks down his walls, the more they start to fall for each other. The more I got to know MacLeod, the more I liked him. He and Laire have a lot to offer each other.

The Lady and the Highlander is my kind of romance. There's plenty of danger, intense moments, action, and of course some sizzling character chemistry. I love that it's a fairytale retelling mixed with so much more. There's substance to this book. I love it when romances have that. I'm a sucker for history, a good story, and great characters. This book definitely has that, along with a romance that will leave you wishing there was more to this story.

This may be the third book in Cornwall's A Highland Fairy Tale Series, but it's my first book in the series to pick up and read. I'm definitely planning on picking up the first two books.

The Lady and the Highlander by Lecia Cornwall
Fairy Tale #3

Fairy Tales have been a favorite of mine for decades so finding a rewrite of Snow White, a childhood favorite, that held my attention, hit the main points and was a delight to read provided me with an enchanting way to spend the day! Dark and delicious with an evil stepmother bordering on being a Borgia, or perhaps a vampire, bent on sucking the MacLeod family dry and with only one of twelve daughters to take her evil plot on and save the family – well – I found this enthralling! I loved the hunter’s backstory, the way the dwarves were children in need instead and the love story of Ian and Laire as it unfolded. This book is one that I thoroughly enjoyed and am eager to recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Glen Iolair, November 1709

THE LADY AND THE HIGHLANDER is a loose retelling of Snow White. Laire MacLeod's father meets and marries a widow in Edinburgh that no one seems to know. At their wedding celebration Laire notices that her sisters are acting very odd. Days later it only gets worse.
Iain Lindsey is bound to Bibiana for seven years, so acting as her hunter he has to bring her birds for her potions. When Laire flees to Edinburgh to find her uncle, Bibiana sends Iain to bring her home. That will not be an easy task...

This is my first Lecia Cornwall novel and I loved it. It's a fast paced well written story. I was a little leery of Iain at first but it didn't last long. The storyline and characters are well developed and I totally fell in love with the "dwarfs"!

It is always a pleasure to read a fairy tale told in another way. Whenever a new book is released with that theme, I look for it avidly.
Of course I have my favorite fairy tales, but overall, the stories satisfy me.

However, this one didn't enchant me.
I don't know if it was the fact of mixing fantasy - the witch, Bibiana - or it was because the prince didn't show why he came.
The main character, Laire, was graceful, but boring.
It's a pity because I really loved the 2 previous books.

2 stars

The third in the Highlander Fairy Tale Series by Lecia Cornwall is by far my favorite thus far. The Lady and the Highlander fashions its story after Snow White and the Huntsman. Everything about this story consumed me and kept me up until the story was complete. As I got closer to the end, I warred with my desire to slow down, because I didn’t want it to end, yet finish so I knew the conclusion.

What I loved most about this story is the epic feel that reads like a fairytale movie. The second thing I loved about The Lady and the Highlander is the hero, Iain Lindsay. He’s a sealgair or hunter for our villain, the witch Bibiana. As with all Snow White renditions, Bibiana is obsessed with youth and being the fairest in all the land. She convinces Donal MacLeod to wed her and places all of the MacLeod daughters under a spell. All but Laire MacLeod. Laire, with hair as dark as night and skin as pale as snow, is beyond compare. She’s also a tough cookie and escapes the clutches of Bibiana. Thus, Iain is sent to kill Laire, only instead, he falls in love.

But the love is not immediate and Iain is one who holds to his secrets and sins. He’s mysterious and dark, layered and extremely sexy. And quite dangerous.

But this man was most intriguing. He was simply called the hunter, the sealgair, and by no other name...He was dangerously dark, long, and lean. His sword hung low on his hip, and there was a dirk in his belt and another in his boot. Even in the midst of such revelry and merriment, he looked like a hungry wolf—a predator coiled to strike. She swallowed and ran her hand along the side of her skirt.

Despite her awareness of this man and how very dangerous he might be, their initial interaction is fueled with sparks. Sparks that just might save her life.

He turned, and she felt the moment when his eyes met hers like a touch. A jolt of surprise shot through her. His eyes stopped her breath, arrested her, made her lips part in breathless surprise. They were as hard and gray as polished metal...Slowly, those clear gray eyes gaze moved over her, taking in her violet silk gown and the locket at her throat. Awareness of him heightened every one of her senses. She could feel the softness of the silk against her skin, smell the damp stones of the wall beside her, hear her heart beating. It skipped a beat as his eyes stopped on her lips. She watched his mouth tighten slightly, saw his throat work. She flicked her tongue over her lips, suddenly thirsty.

And because of their immediate connection, however auspicious, Iain cannot bring himself to injure Laire. Killing innocents for Bibiana never affected him until now.

As a hunter, and Bibiana’s servant, he knew the scent of fear, but the MacLeod’s daughter smelled of nothing more than heather, fresh air, and clean, soft wool. He reached out and touched her face. She was so soft, so warm, despite the chill of the day. She gasped as his thumb brushed over her cheek and swiped the blood away in a single quick stroke, and that feminine little noise shot straight through him. Awareness rose higher, became interest, grew dangerous and delicious, and turned to temptation...He felt a shiver run through his limbs.

Yes, there is an initial spark between the hunter and the hunted. However, it’s not until they meet up again and are forced to work together, do we actually understand their connection and how they fall in love. How Iain will do whatever he can to save Laire. Yet, it’s Laire who ends up saving them all.

Yes, Laire is the bomb. Even when things seem futile, Laire digs deep to save the ones she loves, including her family under Bibiana’s spell, and her new friends—all seven of them ranging in ages up to eighteen—from destruction.

Honestly, if any of the major film studios were to make this story a film, I’d be first in line to see it. It’s breathtaking and epic and I loved every moment spent reading.

***

Laire MacLeod flees her home hoping to find help in ridding her family and clan of her beguiling Stepmother who for some reason cannot ensnare Laire.

Iain Lindsay is the new Lady MacLeod's huntsman and has been tasked to go after Laire with the help of her manservant Rafael, and to kill her.

Does Iain do as his mistress bids him or does he help Laire?
Can they break the spell that Bibiana has cast?

A thrilling twist on the classic fairytale superbly penned by Lecia Cornwall. One you won't want to put down.

I voluntarily received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and my views are my own.

The Lady and the Highlander is written so well there were times I was just kind of creeped out by the story line. Lecia Cornwall takes you into the castle so you see and feel the agony Laire is going through as she watches her family change from the fearsome MacLeod clan to one without a care. Laire’s father has married a beautiful woman who brings the changes to Laire’s beloved family and clan. She watches her besotted father lose his care for anything or anyone except his new wife. Her numerous sisters, who were always circumspect in their behavior, also, lose a care for anything but play.

The new Lady MacLeod has brought with her to the castle her own cook, manservant and hunter/sealgair. They ply everyone with a delicious drink that seems to be a potion Liare’s clan begins to crave made by her step-mother’s cook, Terza. Laire cannot find her clan’s own cook as she seems to have left the castle. The manservant, Raphael, serves only Bibiana, her new step-mother. The sealgair’s job seems to be that of bringing the cook birds has killed.

As Laire sees her family change drastically and after ingesting a very small amount of the drink, she realizes she must get help. She journey’s to Edinburgh to seek her uncle on her mother’s side since he studies plants and may be able to help. The sealgair was instrumental in helping Laire to escape her step-mother’s clutches making Bibiana very angry. Bibiana sends her sealgair to hunt Laire, kill her and bring back her heart.

The sealgair, Iain Lindsay, is in actuality a laird who through his own devious actions of almost seven years earlier is indebted to Bibiana and must obey her. Throughout the mission of hunting for Laire, Iain begins to change and lose some of his hard shell, though not his self-hate. Once in Edinburgh, he decides not to return to Bibiana and sends her someone else’s heart.

Laire eventually meets a group of children who become her protectors due to her care and help for them. The children had found her almost dead in the snow and decided they now ‘owned’ her. This group of children lives in the basement of Lindsay house and steals for their living. It is all very circumstantial and makes for a great story with the band of childhood thieves living in the very house Iain owns.

Ms. Cornwall brings a great fairy tale together, although it is kind of creepy at times. As the third in the highland fairy tale series, I can say that each get better. There is only a slight connection to the previous books in the series, so this is really a stand-alone book and a great one. This is a thoroughly enjoyable, but slightly twisted take on a fairy tale with a sweet romance dropped into the middle of it.

divine! creative and utterly delightful and enchanting

This was ok. It was not what I was expecting at all. Lots of mystic and witches. It was basically Snow White on steroids and in a kilt. I just couldn't really get into it for some reason.

It was great writing and she did weave the tale well, it just wasn't for me.

Received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

~ARC was given by the publisher, via NetGalley.~

The 3rd boo of the "A Highland Fairytale" series. We had Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and now Snow White.

From the start of the book, it was quite intriguing. There were the elements of magic and it sounded so mystical. I as read, the book, I was like expecting some kind of the way Snow White was written. However, I was surprise on the flow of the story.

It was good in a refreshing kind of way. Iain's curse, was more likely a promise. And Laire? I like her. She is just like her father, fierce and loyal to her family. I wanted to hate Iain, but somehow, the way he tried his best to protect Laire shows what his true feeling.

I was truly amaze with Laire though. She may look like a fragile flower, but her skills with a knife is something that was mind blowing. I was actually laughing when Iain was caught.

The unexpected way this was written gave it a good story. The way the rest of characters were introduce was something else too.

The their love for one another was really good. He was afraid of what will happen to her, and he really did his best to protect her, however, as the daughter of the Fierce MacLeod Laird, she is more capable of withstanding any obstacles thrown in her way.

The ending? It was good. I love it.

I never liked reading fairy tales. For me it is a mite shallow and superficial. But the way Lecia Cornwall, re imagine them, with the Scottish touch, makes it interesting. The dept of the characters makes each story more believable than the ones we are used to.

I look forward to the next book!

This is an honest review in return for this ARC. Fantastic story and characters. It will keep you reading until you eyes blur. Definitely different than your run of the mill tale. Put it on your reading list ASAP

The Listed books below I didn't finish because I either lost interest or didn't like them to finish them!

Publisher's Description:

Laire MacLeod’s father has married a mysterious widow who is a vain beauty that deals with potions and spells.
Laire does not drink them with the rest of her family and is the only one who could see through her stepmother’s games.
When Laire flees to find help from her Uncle, the Lady’s huntsman follows her with orders to kill. Laire must survive in a dangerous new city and find the antidote to a poisonous potion before it is too late.

Iain Lindsay is cursed. He is bound for seven years to be the hunter of a Lady who uses him to bring back birds to use in her potions.
When Laire MacLeod escapes the Lady’s nets, Iain tracks her to Edinburgh, where she’s found shelter with an unusual band of thieves, but he cannot bring himself to harm her. Instead, he finds himself falling in love with the MacLeod beauty.

But a Highlander’s oath is his bond, and the price for helping her is death, both his own, and of those he loves.

My Thoughts:

A stepmother who is not what she seems. A girl who manages to escape her wicked clutches.
We all are familiar with the fairytale. Mirror, mirror on the wall....
This is a well written tale gives us a new, adult take on an old story.
The storyline is well developed with interesting characters. Unlike the previous books in this series it doesn't wander on. It is still a lengthy book but not overly so.
Potions, and characters that are veiled by magic and an adult take on a much loved fairytale.
This new Lecia Cornwall fairytale book is not to be missed.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I have reviewed voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press Swerve for the ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This is the first Lecia Cornwall book I've read but I will most definitely go back and read the first 2 books in this series as well as some of her other novels. And yes, this is the third book in a series but you don't have to have read the other two to pick this one up.

When I requested to read this book I expected the typical historical romance but this book actually had a decent plot line to it which was a very pleasant surprise. There were points in the book (like when she meets the Thieves Clan) that were a little slow but overall for being a historical romance this book was really good and I think I've discovered a new favorite author.

Summary

Laire Macleod’s father, has remarried again, a elusive widow. But what shocks her is that upon the arrival of their new step mother. How obsessed her father is, or the strange way her sisters are acting. Laire discovers a plot, and its taking over her whole family but she is not affected. She is the only one that can save her family and she refuses to give up on them. But she is being hunted by her stepmothers huntsman, Iain Lindsay. But she has a goal in mind…reach her uncle who has knowledge of poisons and can release her family from the spell her step mother has placed on them before its too late. Iain Lindsay, has had to serve for seven years, and is contract is almost up. But for the first time, he wants something more than what “The Lady” desires, he wants to protect and love Laire Macleod. Even if its at the cost of his own life…
Plot and Story Line

The Lady and the Highlander is the most recent work in the Highland Fairy Tales. Now this book takes the place of the fairy tale of “Snow White” and man this was fun. And Snow White is the more rare of fairy tales that I have read, you rarely find a romance retelling of this one, and so I had such fun with this book and Cornwall did a splendid job creating this story and there are many similarities with the real story. Our Laire—is beautiful and caring. Our hero is the huntsman for the “Evil Lady and Stepmother” who desires to be the most beautiful out of all the land. And wants the ‘heart’ of Laire and demands her huntsman go after her and get it. Then we have a journey that Laire takes to find an antidote for the curse placed on her family. She stumbles upon the “seven dwarves” or a group of thieving children who aid her in helping her find her uncle in return of her cooking and cleaning for them. So there are some really strong connections to the actual fairy tale that I enjoyed quite a bit. And this story really is the “edge of your seat” kind of book. It can get pretty intense at times. Our hero starts out as a bit of a anti hero, or a hero that is torn. He has had a rough time of it, and we see him go on a inner journey of his own, where he looks at himself and decides to go against our evil stepmother at a very pivotal moment in the story. The timing of everything just fits right and I really liked how everything plays out in the end. The romance that develops between Iain and Laire was quite interesting. In the beginning of the book, we see them have a “moment” of chemistry and connection. So that connection plays a part especially with Iain and his struggling with his inner demons. But the moment he decides to help and save her, changes everything between them. I really enjoyed seeing them build their relationship despite the dangers and conflict that surround them. I have to say that I had a blast reading this book, and it does have a slightly darker theme than the previous two books, but than our villain of the story deals with dark magic…so it is expected but this author created a beautiful retelling of Snow White and I can’t wait to see which fairy tale she does next.
The Cover

I love this cover, with the red cape and the forest in the backdrop. However, I do feel like it has a more “Red Riding Hood” feel to it than Snow White.
Overall View

The Lady and the Highlander, is a truly magical and thrilling fairy tale retelling that takes you across the wilds of Scotland and into the heart and passion and mystery of this people….MAJESTIC AND BEEAUTIFULLY TOLD!!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, Snow White hasn't been one of my favorite fairy tales so I wondered how this was going to go but it ended up being very good, I'd say it's definitely a bit darker than the previous two books which I think adds to make the story more interesting; as for the romance? well, I ended up wishing and wanting more so yeah, I really liked it!!

The blurb pretty much establishes what the story is about so I don't think there's a need to add more on that regard. As for the characters, I think Laire was a great heroine, she's still innocent and naive in certain aspects but also brave and loyal, she cares deeply for her family, even if the problems seem like too much she's the kind of woman that won't give up without a fight.
Ian was sort of the tortured hero guy, he's definitely troubled by the things he has to do being at the service of Bibiana (Laire's stepmother) and when he's tasked with killing Laire, he's really uncertain about what he has to do, he wants to be free of Bibiana but he also doesn't want to kill Laire and as you'd expect as these two interact, feelings start to appear. I certainly likes reading about this, how they start to fall for the other, since Ian is hunting Laire for a good part of the book I wished there had been more scenes with the two of them interacting, It'd make them falling in love a bit more realistic but I still enjoyed it a lot.

Overall this is a pretty entertaining book, the writing is fluid, the story is interesting and truly, I think any fan of historical romance would love this story! I look forward reading more of Lecia's books!

Laire MacLeod’s father Donal has married a mysterious widow Bibiana who is a vain beauty that deals with potions and spells. MacLeod needs a son to be Laird when he’s gone. He had a son, twin brother to Laire but he died when he was only five years old & that’s the reason Laire does not drink anything but water & so doesn’t drink the potions given to everyone at the wedding breakfast and thus is the only one who could see through her stepmother’s games. When Laire flees to find help from her Uncle Hamish, who lives in Edinburgh, the Lady’s huntsman follows her with orders to kill. Laire must survive in a dangerous new city and find the antidote to a poisonous potion before it is too late.
Iain Lindsay is cursed. He is bound for seven years to be the hunter of a Lady who uses him to bring back birds to use in her potions. When Laire MacLeod escapes the Lady’s nets, Iain tracks her to Edinburgh, where she’s found shelter with an unusual band of thieves, but he cannot bring himself to harm her.
A Scottish take on the fairy tale & I loved the clan of seven especially Wee Kipper. Quite a dark story but then quite a few fairy tales are dark. Laire is a very strong Scottish lass that does all she can to save her family. Iain is strong & brooding but falls for Laire the first time he sees her. I enjoyed the book, which is the third in the series, & I’d recommend it & the previous stories too. The pace of the book is good & it kept me turning the pages. I look forward to more adapted fairy tales.

Laire MacLeod is the beautiful daughter of Laird MacLeod and is about to witness her father’s eighth marriage. Unbeknownst to all, he had fallen under the spell of the evil temptress, Bibianna. The evil woman drinks bird blood and eats bird’s hearts. She even has a handsome huntsman, Iain, who is directed to hunt down the beautiful Laire as she tries to find help for her father and sisters. I must stop here to say that I am not a fan of stories about the occult or socerery. This book was called a fairy tale so I decided to try it. It actually is the Scottish version of Snow White! I thought it was an engaging story with likable characters! It had those fun moments for me deciding good from evil characters! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it for readers of historical fiction and those who like magic, spells and love!

The Lady and the Highlander by Lecia Cornwall will be available April 4, 2017 by St. Martin’s Press. An egalley of this book was made available by the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

A surprisingly dark book, but nevertheless a romantic and exciting recreation of the classic fairy tale, Snow White! I was actually pretty fooled by the title, thinking this would be a Beauty and the Beast tale. The synopsis should have been a clue to the contrary, but what can I say - I have Belle on the brain. I especially liked how Lecia Cornwall took the concept of the seven dwarves and morphed it into seven orphan thieves. I loved the creativity. One of the things I love about the best fairy tale retellings is when I can spot the original elements of the story and how the author twisted it to suit the new tale. Leica does this very well!

The evil witch Bibiana is no longer the fairest of them all. Her new stepdaughter, Laire McLeod, has unknowingly claimed that title, and the witch means to make her pay. When Laire realizes her father and sisters are being entranced by Bibiana, she tries to escape to find help. Knowing that Laire could ruin her plans, the witch sets her Hunter, Iain Lindsay, after her, with explicit instructions: Come back with her heart in a box. But she doesn't anticipate that the Hunter may be her weakest link of all, for he has fallen under a different sort of spell and will do all in his power to keep Laire safe.

Laire and Iain were such complicated characters! I liked Laire's resourcefulness despite her privileged upbringing, and she really held her own against Bibiana and her ilk. Iain took a bit of warming up to, simply because he took a while to decide if he was actually going to kill Laire or not. A bit frustrating, that, because I wanted to hop on board the Laire/Ian train sooner. Once they both came together, though, it was magical.

Fantastic book by Lecia, once again! I can't wait for the next book in this series, if there are more planned.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

Any mention of a Scottish Highlander and I'm in! This was my first book by Lecia Cornwall and even though it's the third in a series, I didn't feel like I was missing anything since it'a a complete story for Laire and Ian. I wasn't sure how a retelling of the Snow White story would work but it really did! I enjoyed the "dwarfs" as a clan of young orphans that are thieves but only for things they need to survive.

Laire's father has remarried and her new stepmother, Bibiana, is breathtakingly beautiful. She has arrived at the castle with her three servants and has already bewitched everyone. Everyone except Laire who is also the only one who refused to drink the wine that Bibiana brought with her. Laire realizes she needs to escape to get help for her family. Surprisingly, Bibiana's huntsman, Ian, helps her to escape but is then sent to kill her and he can't refuse due to his debt. When Laire arrives in Edinburgh to ask for her uncle's help, she's drugged, robbed and left for dead when the clan of thieves find her and take her in. Within days the huntsman shows up and Laire is desperate to save herself and her family.

I loved the romance, adventure and surprise twists of this story.