Something about this was just terribly painful to read. Maybe it was the time period, it was probably the chracters, but this was just tough.

This was a charming read. Loved Tristan and the storyline a lot. Beautiful setting and very enjoyable, especially if you lice the genre.

Honestly i went into this book blind and with no expectations i was just very interested in what it would bring but honestly it missed the mark for me. Mainly because the main character heroine makes absolutely no sense in some of the choices she decides, while i do recognize that she’s naive and she’s gone through traumatic experiences that have shaped who she is now. but you can only excuse so much before it becomes idiotic and annoying. i’ve mentioned my love for character driven stories and i’ve had my fair share of annoying characters. there’s always a limit to what some people can excuse and she eventually just made me question my sanity while reading her.
the love story wasn’t gripping enough for me to keep invested into them, and it’s so sad because it HAD assassins in it and sexiness. it was definitely a miss for me.

Tristan is a killer for hire, and he is always successful. This story takes place during the Black Plague. Tristan rescues Rose from a pile of dead bodies that soldiers are getting ready to burn when he hears Rose call out, and he takes her with him.
There is passion, chemistry between Tristan and Rose, and plenty of twists and turns to keep your attention. You don't want to miss this one.

This book had an unusual meet scene Tristan McPherson, a hired assassin, unknowingly rescues Rose, the plague ridden daughter of his next target, the Earl of C. from being burnt alive.

However, the writing was simplistic, even though the book was set in the 1300, there were anachronisms galore, including paying a innkeeper 10 pounds for his bed, board and care.

The writing was simplistic, the book far too long, and we had a heroine with many TSTL moments.

The plotting was strange too, set pieces of gory killing, interspersed with the romance/ set pieces of story progression. There was a lot of tell, don’t show.

Not my favourite.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

If there is a book written by Paula Quinn that is not breathtaking, I haven’t found it. From her Children of the Mist series thru this one, she is a story teller of unmatched talent. This one is no exception. From the story to the characters you are drawn in from the very beginning. Well worth the time and money

I have read a couple of books from this author and have enjoyed them but I have to say this one..hmm I still can't even explain how I feel, it certainly was in no way what I was expecting. It wasn't bad but I think you kind of should be warned that it definitely will not leave you in a happy place. These two both had horrid upbringings and to me you can't really say it got that much better. Just be prepared to expect the unexpected, again if you are looking for a happy go lucky HEA, this isn't it.

I must admit Rose tended to get on my nerves. Yes she had difficult teenage years, because after her mother’s murder she spent 6 years locked in her father’s stronghold, with a limited number of servants, most of them hating her for being locked with her without any contact with their families expelled outside. So I understand she has a certain amount of naivety, but as soon as she’s recovered she plays the 50 thousands questions games with the hero, like a child who ate too much sugar. Add to that her TSTL moment when she decides to intervene in the hero’s mission to warn him of the premature return of his target, at the risk of being taken herself, and perhaps you’ll understand why I wasn’t convinced by this character. And she has a very good sight, because at one time she’s tied to a tree facing the trunk but she still sees the hero jumping between her and a bad guy lol.

Tristan is an unusual hero as he’s a killer for hire, but he only kills people who deserve it (robber, killer, …). He explains that after being a soldier during the war he didn’t know how to settle down, but he’s much less savage than in the synopsis. He repeats to himself several times that he doesn’t feel anything, that he doesn’t get attached, but quickly he’s under the heroine’s spell and she has him wrapped around her little finger. What’s more, as soon as she starts asking questions he honestly answers, opening up to her really quickly without keeping much secrets. Besides he’s really strong in fighting and relentless but fair with his adversaries – for example he only kills the guards if they persist in attacking him, and he never kills women or children.

On the plot side, the plague is quickly forgotten, and it’s the hero’s mission that will be at the center of the trouble in the couple: Tristan has been hired to kill Rose’s father, accused of killing his wife and his daughter. Of course the heroine takes the news badly, and she alternates between trying to convince him her father is innocent, and sulking, while the hero hesitates between looking for the truth as the heroine is still alive, or simply do what he was paid for. This story is quite convoluted, with revelations and lies and other revelations almost until the end, even if I ended understanding most of it a little before it was revealed.

As for the pandemic, let’s forget the fact the pulmonary form of the plague, the one the heroine catches through a sick man’s bloody splutters, is most of the time fatal in 3 or 4 days without antibiotics. I know, authors tend to take liberties with historical reality, and a dead heroine would have had less success – except in fantasy romance lol. And the hero makes her drink two or three swallows of a kind of herbal tonic that’s protecting himself (it’s a miracle treatment one should patent), that must explain not only her healing, but also her ultra-fast convalescence…

What’s more this novel is a strange mix of violence and good intentions: everyone admits easily love and/or admiration between two bloody battles. I only read one other book from this author, to which I didn’t give a good rating, but I don’t have any memory of it so impossible to know if it’s usual for her. Anyway I wasn’t hooked, I even struggled to go on reading it, and if I don’t give the lowest rating it’s because I’ve read worse.

There's a lot to recommend this book, but it didn't really work for me. I realize this is a personal preference but the book dealt with a lot of heavy topics like the plague, a mercenary hero, and a murder. And yet the author shied away from the love scenes and chose to write a fade to black moment for their first time together. I felt cheated because that wasn't what I anticipated when I picked up this book, and I swear I've read other books by this author that did not fade to black. I think others that don't mind closed door books will enjoy the story, but on a personal level this style of writing always feels a bit puritanical to me.

Tristan is a hired killer. As he's on his way to do his duty, he ends up rescuing Rose. Rose is terrified, alone, and close to death. Circumstances keep drawing them closer. Tristan doesn't understand his need to protect Rose. He's on assignment and must complete his job. Rose is a distraction that he doesn't need. Rose has always been so sheltered, but that doesn't stop her from seeing the good part of Tristan that no one else sees. Very intriguing book that had a great plot twist at the end. I highly recommend this book!

Falling in Love with an Assassin for Hire

He kills for coin, and her father is next. Rose is falling in love with Tristan. He saved her life, more than once, and he stole her heart. Could Rose convince Tristan that her father was innocent? Tristan might kill for coin, but he does not kill women and children. He does not kill the innocent.

This is an excellent read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved the twists and turns. There is romance, mystery, and adventure that is sure to keep you turning the pages.

Tristan MacPherson is an assassin. With a dark reputation to uphold, he makes sure every man he's paid to kill dies. You would think he has no respect for life, yet as he walks through a plague ridden town, he is pulled to a stop next to Rose.

Rose cannot believe how her bid at freedom is going. Treated like a fragile princess, protected by all around her, she has not left her home in many years. Someone in her past had tried to kill her, so her father and the 14 guards surrounding her have always allowed her the barest amount of life to keep her safe. Somehow though, finally, she is allowed to spend the winter with her cousin. The first town they come to, Rose is infected with the plague and left to die. Placed in a pile of bodies to burn, still clinging to life, is where Tristan finds her.

This book has a lot to love about it
a book taking place in the 1300s
a dark, assassin hero that cares only for his heroine
the black death (plague) being a plot device
highlanders
murder/mystery plot
slow burn, a few kisses, then a full scene after 80%

I feel rather awful about not liking this book. I am in the minority. Don't listen to what I say ahead. Seriously. I have a problem. My heart is dead and I dislike everything I read now. :( I haven't had a 5 stars in forever.

I really wanted to like this book. I really did. It has a hero type that I adore. I love the dark heroes. I love assassins. I love heartless men that are cold to everyone but fall hard for their heroines. Tristan is like that. And I didn't dislike him, but he didn't give me quite the depth of feeling I wanted.

Rose was okay. I didn't dislike her, but she did annoy me. I could have liked her, but I felt like her opinions changed way too fast. I felt like she fell in love with Tristan too fast. I felt like when she found things out about him, her opinion went from head over heels love to distrust in about 1 second. Did you love him? But now he's all “bad” and you can't even talk to him about it? Come on...

But what got me the most about this book was something about the writing. It was not what I remember from the last Paula Quinn I read. This book did not pull me in. The beginning I felt like was a lot better than the second half. I did enjoy them traveling together and getting to know each other. Then they are separated and it's all murder mystery nonsense. If I had been really invested in the characters I might not have minded, but I wasn't yet. I needed more of them together. I also waited and waited and waited for sex. At 80% there is a scene THAT IS FADE TO BLACK!!! I was SO disappointed. There is another scene right after but I was so over everything by that point. So sad.

Anyway, I know plenty of people will love this book. I hope you do. I'm not sure if I am always comparing others to my favorite authors and they just don't meet the bar or what.

Lady Rose Callanach has lead a shelter life for the last six years, she was badly burned in a house fire and then her mother murder and burned to ash. Her father sought to protect her and kept her a prisoner in her home, but she’s finally escaping for the winter. Her uncle is escorting her visit her cousin for the winter when Lady Rose comes into contact with the plague. She’s left to die and on the brink of death weak and barely able to speak when she’s rescued by a ruggedly handsome Tristan MacPherson just as she’s about to be set afire to burn. Tristan is a killer for hire with a list of men he’s set out to kill one by one. I love this story of a complete pure and innocent young lady and a hardened killer, she so learns he’s been sent to kill her father. Rose knows her father is innocent and together they search for the truth behind the murder accusations and who hire Tristan. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.

I have read many books by Paula Quinn and so far I have loved every single one of her books.

I couldn't put this one down. The story is well written and I liked the characters.

If you are into historical romance I do recommend.

Tempest Heart by Paula Quinn is book 5 in the Hearts of the Highlands Series. This is the story of Rose Callanach and Tristan MacPherson. I have not yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book. Rose has been kept at her father's house. Rose ends up getting the chance to go with her Uncle but soon that is a bad choice because the village gets the Black Plague and her family leaves her for dead. Tristan is a hired assassin who hasn't been home in a long while. Tristan comes through the village where the plague has come through when he hears a weak voice asking for help. Tristan ends up saving Rose which leads them into another adventure. I really enjoyed their story and this author's writing. I hope to read more of her books soon.

Tempest Heart is Book #5 in the Hearts of the Highlands series, but it may be read as a stand-alone (my case).
Lady Rose Callanagh is finally leaving for a trip to Hamilton with her uncle and cousin, after spending 6 years without going out her father's castle. It was the way her father, the Earl of Callanagh, had found to protect her from a madman who had burnt the earl's home and killed his wife in the past. On their way to Hamilton, Rose is infected with the plague and left to die in an inn. She's taken to a fire to be burnt with the plague victims, even being alive. Fortunately, a warrior sees her and rescues her, taking care of Rose.
Tristan MacPherson may have rescued Rose, but he's not a hero at all. Actually, he's a killer for hire. He takes pity on Rose, thinking she's close to death but not dead yet to be burnt alive. He plans to be by her side when she dies, perhaps as a way to atone for his sins. However, Rose survives the plague and Tristan is unable to leave the beautiful lady alone. As Tristan is heading to the village where Rose's home is, she goes with him and the two of them start to have feelings for each other. However, guess who is Tristan's next "bad person" to be killed?
I loved the first half of the book, basically about Rose and Tristan meeting each other and their interaction. It's a very nice part, both lonely people trying to establish a relationship, but too afraid to trust. Unfortunately, the second half focus on Rose's father, his possible misdeeds and the twists are more confusing than interesting. A pity. I hope Book #6 goes a different way.

"He wasn't afraid of being around death. Death was his occupation."
Death, yes, Tristan knew about death. He brought it to those that deserved it. So why had he helped the lass?
Rose had been left by her uncle when she was exposed to someone with the plague. She became sick and the guards were about to burn her with many of the dead when Tristan walked by. She had called out to him to help her as he walked by and he had. He'd saved her life.
But what she did not know is who was on his list to be eliminated.
Wow, what a great story that held my attention from the very start! The torchered handsome hero, Tristan and Rose, the heroine who had been secluded for most of her life due to someone setting their house on fire when she was little and then killing her mother too. Her father had tried to keep her safe, but it had come with a price.
An amazing journey filled with secrets, an unexpected meeting and attraction, murder and the redemption of a soul worth saving.

A very sweet and cute love story, with underlining of danger and treachery. The journey of Tristan and Rose starts with the horrific background of the Black Death and goes on to narrate how both of them face multiple dangers before reaching their final destination. It’s an enthralling read and the interaction between the hero and the heroine is very sweet.On the whole a good read and befitting addition to the long list of books by Paula

Rose is excited to be leaving her father’s keep and going with her uncle to visit her cousins. When they encounter the plague, her uncle leaves her for dead. Tristan is a paid assassin and when he sees Rose, he rescues her. What will happen when he discovers Rose is in danger? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, suspense and mystery. Rose and Tristan have great chemistry and the story is entertaining. I really liked it.

Tempest Heart by Paula Quinn is the newest entry in her Hearts of the Highlands series and is about an assassin-for-hire, Tristan MacPherson. He righted wrongs and her never killed a woman or child, but those were about his only restrictions. He often didn't know who hired him. He was on his way now, and he had a list. Rose Callahan was riding with her uncle and her cousin, Emma, and their men, her father finally relenting and letting her leave her home. She had been "imprisoned" there for years, ever since the murder of her mother. He was only trying to keep her safe, but she was thoroughly tired of it. As they stopped at an inn, Rose and several of her guards were accidentally exposed to the plague. Her uncle couldn't gather the remaining guards and her cousin quickly enough and they were gone. She was left behind and quickly became ill. Because there was no one to care for her she was gathered up with the dead and tossed on a pile of bodies to be burned. She could barely move, but she didn't want to be burned alive. That was when Tristan found her.

This was a long story, or it seemed so. It was important that Rose and Tristan got to know one another. She had been isolated so long, she had not experience with men. He was so cold-hearted, he had not experience with women, beyond a quick, paid-for experience. The plot was convoluted but interesting and well done. It was easy to follow. The setting was mostly the wilds and treated them as such ... full of various dangers. It was exciting, interesting, and very loving. Tristan learned how to love again and Rose learned how to trust. It was well-done. I loved it. I highly recommend it.

I received an invitation to read the ARC of Tempest Heart from Dragonblade, through Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #tempestheart