The Highland Guardian by Amy Jarecki is Book Three in the "Lords of the Highlands" series. This is the story of Captain Reid MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth and Audrey Kennet. Reid and his crew were returning from France when they were attacked near the coast of Harlepool. During this attack Nicholas Kennet was killed but before he died he made Reid promise to take care of his daughter, Audrey. Reid agreed and thinking she would be a child figured he would put her in boarding school. But when he went to Coxhoe House to let her know of her father's passing he learns she just turned 19 years of age and already out of Finishing School. So Reid settles to marry the Heiress off to a stable man. But Audrey is a painfully shy wallflower or so she thinks until she learns that Reid is going to marry her off. Audrey does not want to be married off and goes forward to try and discourage this. But there is a man that wants her money who is willing to do what he has too to get it. But Reid is having a hard time fighting his growing feelings for her.
This was a really exciting love story that I could not put down! Loved it!!

Well, this is awkward, my Scottish romance book loving friends. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this series, book 3, The Highland Guardian, just wasn’t that engaging to me. Reid, the hero, and Audrey, the heroine, both came across as mechanical and so did the predictable, unoriginal, slow to unfold plot. I also just didn’t feel a whole lot of chemistry or soul mate connection between these two.

One scene in particular stood out as strange. The lengthy marionette scenario, where the main couple were playing with puppets, made them both look childish and immature, folks. It had me wondering if during the editing phase someone else tampered with its content too much.

At 60%, I lost all interest in continuing, despite the evil villain determined to get his way drama. I’m sure all ended well, and this main couple eventually got their HEA. I just didn’t feel the writing was up to par with what I normally expect from this author so did not finish it.

Here’s to hoping Book 4, The Highland Chieftain, which will feature a more dashing, Dunn, a hero who will sweep me off my feet once again. Reid really wasn’t that memorable. He was protective but this romance was very forgettable.

Title: The Highland Guardian, Series: Lords of the Highlands (Book 3) Author: Amy Jarecki, Pages: 368, stand-alone but part of a series, stopped at 60%.

Book 1 - The Highland Duke (Akira & Geordie), Pages: 384, 3/28/17

Book 2 - The Highland Commander (Magdalen & Aidan), Pages: 384, 6/27/17

Book 3 - The Highland Guardian (Reid & Audrey), Pages: 368, 12/19/17

Book 4 - The Highland Chieftain (not yet released), 7/31/18

(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship or affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

The Highland Guardian by Amy Jarecki
Lord of the Highlands #3

Reid MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth, was having a nice sail back home from France when everything went to sh*t in a handbasket. Finding his ship sinking, his friend mortally wounded and all on board swimming for their lives it was perhaps one of the worst days of his life…well…till that point…I do believe one later day in the book may have been quite a bit worse. Bidden by Nicholas Kennet to become guardian for his daughter Audrey what can Reid say but, “sure” thinking Audrey would be a little tyke…uh…nope, no way, no how. She was a woman full grown and rather tempting.

Audrey claimed to be clumsy and shy but as time went on some of the words I wrote down related to her included: young, smart, naïve, stupid (very stupid sometimes), emotional, caring, capable, calming, stimulating, healing, stalwart…and she loves with a big heart. She is nineteen.

Reid is a man with a purpose. He wants to ensure who will be the next king of England, has an earldom and all of its responsibilities, is part of a clan, has…well…had his own ship and is only twenty-three. He is sure he is too young to settle down though he knows he must someday.

Throw into this story an evil man or two, a romance, a ball, a gorgeous red dress, an escape, time on the run, old expectations and promises to deal with, new love to figure out, evil dragoons, a sadist and more and you have a thrilling story from beginning to end. I will say that Audrey seemed weak and rather pallid at first and her idea of doing things for herself usually fell flat on its face BUT she did grow as the stories pages accumulated and I thought she and Reid made a good couple.

Did I like the story? Yes
Did I like the main characters? Yes
Were the villains evil enough? Yes
Were there characters I want to know more about? Yes
Who are these characters? Well, I wonder if Chieftain Dunn Macrae and Mairie might have a book of their own at some point in the near future ;)

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and the Author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

This book was another wonderful read by Ms. Jarecki. Her characters are full fleshed out and she draws the reader into the story like a masterful storyteller. I adored Reid MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth. He was honorable and oh so sexy. Ms. Audrey Kennet is at first terrified of the Scotsman, but she soon realizes that he is the man she wants for her husband.

There are lots of twists and turns in this story. Reid suffers at the hands of an English captain and all Audrey can think about is rescuing him somehow. Just when you think Reid and Audrey are safe, another twists comes along. This book will keep your interest until the very last page. Fans of Scottish romances will certainly enjoy this one.

Thanks Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and netgalley for this ARC.

Amy Jarecki knows how to keep her series fresh. Each love story stands alone but brings back characters from the previous novels. Full of action, close calls, and steamy embraces- it's a historical romance lover's dream.

I really enjoyed this installment of the Lords of the Highlands - Reid (love that name!) and Audrey are both great characters and easy to like.

The story opens with Reid MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth returning from France with Audrey's father, when they are attacked by a British galley and Nicholas Kennet is gravely wounded. Reid manages to get them to shore, but Nicholas' wounds are too great and before he dies he makes Reid swear to take care of his daughter.

Reid arranges burial and sets off for Coxhoe Manor, to see to his ward and then return to Scotland and make alliances for "the Cause". Reid is a Jacobite, but he treads softly, he was raised as a ward of Queen Anne and she has a soft spot for him. He truly cares for Anne, but he is determined to see her brother named King once Anne has passed. He is working with the Duke of Gordon and the Marquess of Tullibardine to ensure that James inherits and he is annoyed that he must detour to see to Nicholas' child. But duty and honor are everything to Reid and he gave his word. He thinks he will stop by the Kennet estate, pack the child off to school and be on his way within days.

Upon arriving at Coxhoe, Reid is annoyed once more that the child has not appeared when he had her summoned over an hour ago, he is then shocked when Nicholas' daughter is not the wee lass he assumed, but a 19 year old woman. A very beautiful, rich woman. Reid then decides that he will just marry her off, make sure the estate is in good order and then be on his way.

Audrey is devastated by the death of her father and horrified that Reid intends to marry her off. Audrey is convinced she is a wallflower and has no desire to marry. For some reason, Reid makes her bold, she does not trust Reid and demands that he take her to her father's grave. When he doesn't comply, she takes off on her own, but is stopped by Reid's commander Dunn and returned to the house. Still not trusting Reid and grieving for her father, Audrey begins to look into her father's dealings and is shocked at what she learns.

She begins to trust Reid and they grow closer - there is attraction there, but Reid is in no position to marry Audrey. He takes her to a ball to meet suitors, but is unhappy with each man that dances with her. For her part, Audrey spends the entire night comparing all the men to Reid and they all fall short. When she is confronted by Mr. Wagner Tupps, he is cruel to her and threatens to destroy Reid and her father's reputation if she does not marry him. She is shaken by the encounter and seeks a moment to herself, Reid finds her and comforts her. Later Wagner claims to be the last male heir to the estate and demands to marry Audrey.

Reid refuses and begins to look for evidence to refute Wagner's claim. He swears to protect Audrey and they share a kiss. But Wagner is not done with Audrey and forces her to accept his suit. When Reid learns of this, he goes after Wagner, but the man grabs Audrey. Reid saves her, but Wagner gets away.

Things just seem to fall apart for our lovers, Reid is arrested and beaten, Audrey admits she loves him and helps free him from prison. He tries to push her away, but she insists on caring for him. They turn to Aiden, the Marquess of Tullibardine for help and hide out in his hunting lodge. Reid heals and he and Audrey become lovers. Audrey hopes for more, but Reid has secrets and a duty to his clan. They part ways and Reid fully expects to never see her again.

When news comes, Audrey with the help of Aiden's wife Maddie, leave England to bring the news to Reid. But they are too late and Audrey once again finds herself in danger and later learns Reid's secret and is crushed.

This was a very intense, very well written story, it has a lot of action, steamy love scenes, many twists and turns, secrets, a little heartache, old friends, a very nasty, persistent villain and finally a HEA that didn't seem like it could ever be.

This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title. I am happy to recommend this book and can't wait for the next book!!

I just could not get interested in this story.
The other books in the series, I enjoyed but not this one.

Highland Guardian by Amy Jarecki
Captain Reid McKenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, becomes the guardian of his friend and co-conspirator, Nicholas Kennet's is dying and requested Reid become his daughter Audrey’s guardian. Reid expects a spoiled young child, but is he in for a surprise it’s a beautiful nineteen your daughter. Reid is on a mission for the “the cause” and he doesn't have the time to take care of a young girl he expects to send her off to boarding school, but now he looking for Audrey husband instead. Audrey is a ravishing young woman that Reid knows he has no business becoming involved with, he has other responsibilities that must always come first. How can he talks of marrying her off and in the next breathe he kisses her with such passion? Reid has sworn to protect her, he intends to find her a husband and then go back to his mission. They’re both confused and unwilling to trust the other. It’s during their intriguing adventure filled journey as they travel through the Highlands that they find what love really is, but will their new found love have a chance to survive. I loved Reid and Audrey’s love story. 5 STARS!!!
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book of anthologies that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Romantic! Exciting! Suspenseful! This book reached out, grabbed me by the heart and dragged me back in time to Scotland during the early stages of the Jacobite movement. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. While this is the third book in the lords of the Highlands series, you can easily read it as a stand-alone. However, all of the other books are so good I know you’ll want to go back and read them as well.

Amy Jarecki has captured the feel of the time superbly. The English are riding roughshod over the Scots. They consider the Scots to be barbarians and see no reason not to mistreat and maim at every opportunity. You feel the tension in the air and feel the cruelty of the English. Is it any wonder that the Scots rebelled? The characters are fully developed, the writing outstanding and the story is well planned, well-written and very exciting. You'll fall in love with both Audrey and Reid.

Reid MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth is a Highlander through-and-through. He’s also a Jacobite. Not because he’s a religious zealot, but because he is concerned about the sovereignty of Great Britain and doesn’t want to be ruled by ‘outsiders’ upon the death of Queen Anne. He wants Anne’s brother, James, from the Stuart line to become king. He’s the leader of the Highlanders support of ‘the cause’ and has little time for other things in his life – especially NOT a young ward. When he and his crew are returning to England from a visit to James in France, their ship is fired upon and sunk off the coast. His whole crew escapes unharmed – except for Nicholas Kinnet. As Kennet lays dying, he extracts a promise from Reid. Reid promises that he will see to the care and well-being of Kinnet’s daughter. Reid has no time to care for a child, but he’s a man of his word and will see to her care. How long can it take to find a good boarding school for her?

Audrey Kennet has always been excruciatingly shy and awkward. She’s a wallflower of the first order – or so she thinks. So, what is she to do when an unkempt stranger shows up at her door and announces that her father is dead and he is her new guardian? Well – she certainly isn’t going to trust him! Then, he announces that he will be marrying her off as soon as possible. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! She has no intention of marrying just to suit her new guardian. She finds she has strength and courage she never existed within her and manages to keep Reid off-kilter at every turn.

There is a first-class villain, of course. He sets many bad things in motion – just so he can have Audrey and her estate. I won’t mention all of the treacheries he sets off, but it takes us on a wild ride of a story. It is fast-paced, chilling, heart-wrenching and – yes – romantic. What a ride! You wonder right up to the end if they’ll survive and get their HEA! Great read!

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

Amy Jarecki is a go-to author for me when I am in the mood for a highland romance. Her books are always quality work with a great story and endearing characters. In The Highland Guardian, Reid MacKenzie unexpectedly becomes the guardian to Audrey Kennet when her father dies. Reid thinks he's taking charge of a child rather than a young woman which makes for an interesting dilemma. Audrey's a shy, naive homebody who would be content to be left alone. Throw in a long-lost, creepy cousin who is after the Kennet estate and this book officially has everything I love in a good story.

This is my second book to read in this series, and I enjoyed it as much as the first. Not only does Jarecki write hot, steamy loves scenes, she also creates a beautiful love story that captures the heart of the reader. Highland Guardian is a captivating Highland romance that will leave you wanting more. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is because Reid kept going back and forth between having a heavy Scottish brogue and not having one at all. The story was great either way, but I think it would have strengthened the imagery of the character if Jarecki would have stuck it's one or the other. This is a must read for anyone who loves a highland romances.

A very readable romance when an Earl suddenly finds himself with a little ward who is not so little

Reid, the Earl of Seaforth, had no idea what he was getting himself into when he pledged to look after Nicholas Kennets daughter. Expecting a spoiled you child he's surprised to find a shy,beautiful young woman. And more importantly one he is attracted to.

Audrey doesn't know how to take Reid. One minute he's charming and the next bellowing about marrying her off so he can get back to his lands. But every time they're together something comes over them. How can he talk of marrying her off when he kisses her like that?? 

The more they are together the harder it is to resist what Reid knows he must. He is promised to another. But with danger around every corner he must do all in his power to keep Miss Audrey safe. But as the Redcoats capture Reid all bets are off. He must be rescued. And Audrey must be kept away from the vile Wagner Tupps. He'll never lay a hand on her if Reid has anything to do with it. 

It all comes crashing down in an epic fight with danger and deceit. Will they be overcome before they ever have a chance to profess their love?? Will secrets keep them apart long after the fights have stopped or will Reid be her highland guardian forever??

Amy writes such compelling stories that make you feel like you are there with he characters.

The Highland Guardian is an exceptional historical romance. Good solid plot and wonderful romance.

Amy Jarecki has done it again -- wrapped a beautiful love story into historical fiction. In this action-packed third installment of the Lords of the Highlands series, The Highland Guardian, Captain Reid McKenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, becomes the guardian of his friend and co-conspirator, Nicholas Kennet's daughter, Audrey. Nicholas is killed by English dragoons who sent cannonballs into Reid's ship. The story was based on William McKenzie, the real 5th earl, and his friend, the widower, Nicholas Kennet, and his only child, Mary Kennet, who married the real-life 5th earl.
 
Reid expects to find a child as his ward. Needing to hurry home to organize the highland clans, he intends to send her to the finest boarding school, but Audrey is no child. She is a gorgeous and shy yet feisty 19-year-old woman. This was a time when women could not inherit property, hence the need for a guardian.
 
Like the first two books in the series, this one is set against the backdrop of the Jacobite Rebellion. Reid needs to settle Audrey's accounts, and return to his duties in the effort to convince Queen Anne to name her half-brother King James of Scotland as her successor to the throne of England. Reid is charged with uniting the clans, and organizing them for "the cause". These were dangerous times, when one's opinion of the government must be kept under wraps; a time when there was no such thing as a free press. It was agreed that the clans would be peaceful until the death of the queen.
 
Because Audrey is female, she must be married, or there must be a search for a male relative to handle her affairs. Enter her nefarious and penniless half-cousin, the illegitimate son of her deceased uncle, along with a less-than-honest probate attorney. With all these life-like characters, the pace of the story quickens. I always hate for these stories to end. I want to know how their lives went on after the immediate danger had passed. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love The Highland Guardian.