I wanted to like this so bad, it gets really good reviews and I’m a huge Highlander romance fan. But there were too many iffy sexist remarks (including one fairly early on regarding dubious sexual content), and I felt like the story and characters were very flat. Not for me.

The beginning was the most boring part, and it took too long. It started to get interesting once everyone wasn't talking in riddles and started communicating like normal adults, but that took too long and ended too abruptly.

A light romantic read of a love gone wrong through misunderstanding and time gone by. Where schemes and interludes abound, Fionna and Kennan are destined to rekindle what was lost. The plot twists keep it interesting as all characters hold their own. A good story to pick up for a light, feel-good read.

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a second chance romance between Keenan and Fionna, the first installment of the Highlander’s Pact series. Kennan, Laird of Clan McLaughlin, with his two (2) younger brothers return from war after 12 years to find their clan and finances in dire straits and they set out to rebuild their holding by marrying women with large dowries. When, Fionna’s brother, Angus, and ward, Dougal, from Clan Taylor, are caught trying to steal horses this gives Keenan the idea to use Fionna’s friendship with Aileen, the daughter of wealthy Laird Cameron, to assist him in wooing Aileen so he can hold up his end of the pact. To get her ward and brother back from Clan McLaughlin, Fionna agrees to Keenan’s plan. As the story progresses, we find out that Keenan and Fionna had a relationship and it ended right before he went off to war. The passion filled angst between Keenan and Fionna is palpable. Keenan is sexy and funny. Fionna is feisty, strong and smart. This story is fast pace with touching but predictable twists and turns. The sub-plots and supporting characters are done very well and helps round out the story. This a great first book of a series and I am excited to read the next installments.

I was new to this author but this book will not be my last. She has a good handle on the characters she writes and the story is awesome. This one is a not to be missed. Well worth the time and cost

A Pact. The brothers made a pact to go after rich lasses and bring their clan back and see their people fed well and protected. If that is what it would take then so be it.
Keenan had a plan and it involved the hostages he had just taken. Yes, Fiona Taylor, now head of her clan would help him achieve his goal of wedding one of her wealthy friends. When she did come at his summons, he could still see she was beautiful, but gone was the sweet innocence. Now only determination.
It was evident to Fiona that Laird Keenan MacLauchlin was not the gallant youth of her past. He had no heart left it seemed but she was determined to do whatever it took to get her brother and Dougal.
A story of a second chance that will be hard won and of secrets that remain from a love long ago. Such a heartfelt story of two injured souls who need to see what is in front of them to bring about a healing. I enjoyed this tale so much and look forward to the brothers !

Love, Revenge, and Second Chances

They were in love many years ago, and now, he is back for vengeance. What happened, and why did they find themselves at odds? Lies, deception, and secrets break hearts, but can those hearts be mended. It is possible, but truths and secrets must first be revealed. If you like Scottish historical romance, you might appreciate this story. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Scoundrel's Vengeance by Sky Purington is number 1 in the Highlander's Pact series and visits a family of brothers in Scotland, home from 10 years of war and making a pact to marry women who would bring wealth into the clan, something they desperately needed to rebuild after the devastation of war and illness in the Highlands. In order to accomplish this, Keenan MacLauchlin, the eldest brother and new laird seeks to gain the cooperation of Fionna, Chieftan of Clan Taylor in deducing her friend, Aileen, daughter of Laird Campbell thereby securing both an alliance and her huge dowry. He does this by capturing her brother, Angus, and a boy of the Taylor clan, Dougal and Holding them for ransom. The biggest problem is that her once love Fionna and planned to marry her, but she rebuffed him at the last moment. Securing her assistance will not be easy. For the sake of his clan he has to try.

Fionna is fierce and angry. She still can't believe he reneged all those years ago. But she must save Angus so she helps him. She gives away secrets of her friend Aileen, all the while her heart is breaking and her secret weighs on her. She is strong and smart. She tries to double cross him and retrieve Angus, but he figures it out. Keenan is a man roughened by ten years of war and a heart Fionna broke years ago. He knows what has to be done and he means to do it, for his clan. There are twists and turns in this book that make it a better, more complicated story. It's quite a good book with plenty thrown into a fairly few number of pages. I recommend it.

I was invited to read an ARC of Scoundrel's Vengeance by Dragonblade, through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #scoundrelsvengeance

This was my first time reading a Scottish historical romance and I have to admit that binging outlander piqued my interest in the genre. I searched the author on Goodreads before requesting the book and saw she maintained a generally great rapport with readers. So, I decided to give it a go and honestly I wish I’d read her work sooner.

I thought like most historic romances, this book would be big on the heaving bosoms, tight pants (kilts in this case), and double entendres but this delivered a delightful and less dramatic introduction into the Scottish romance genre.

Our author presented two strong characters, Fionna and Keenan.
Fionna Taylor is the Chieftess of Clan Taylor now that her father is dead. Her sex does naught to diminish her might and willpower. She leads her clan, unopposed, flanked by loyal clansmen who will willingly fight and die for her. Actions of her clansmen have put in her a position where she’s forced to confront her past sooner than she would like. And her past comes back to taunt her in the form of Keenan MacLauchlin.

Keenan is a leading member of the MacLauchlin clan and in an attempt to restore the security and future of his clans legacy, he makes a pact with his brothers to marry a wealthy woman from a neighboring clan. But to do so, he needs Fionna’s help. The same Fionna whose disdain for him matches his own.

This book made me guess a bit and I really enjoyed that. Their love story followed the misunderstanding premise but its intricacies didn’t border on the ridiculous. There were no harsh words that caused lovers to walk away vowing never to speak again or the rashness of thinking their love loved another – theirs truly was a valid misunderstanding. The writing is clean, the intimate scenes weren’t overly graphic and the supporting characters had strong personalities of their own. I loved the twist that I'm pretty sure most of us saw coming but it was delightful all the same!

Thank you for sending me this book - I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Purington's work!

Life in the highlands can be brutal at times. Not only is there war, but the plague. After returning from fighting in the wars, Keenan MacLauchlin and his brothers vow to marry women who will bring rich dowries to aid their devastated clan.
I loved reading about Keenan MacLauchlin and Laird Fionna Taylor. They were such strong characters and you could feel their emotions. They have feelings for each other - will misunderstandings keep them apart???
This is a great new series and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series. I definitely want to find out what happens with Keenan's brothers.

Finally, after years of being away fighting, Keenan and his brothers are going home to Scotland. Will home be as it was when they left or have situations become different? Imagine how they felt when they discovered their clan and others have been devastated by sickness. Now, came the problem of rebuilding and providing for what is left in the aftermath of the illness. Keenan and his brothers form a pact to marry to gain allies and money. Sky Purington is brilliant in illustrating her characters, providing interesting situations and building an exciting story line. I enjoyed this book and you will, too.

When advised by his men that they have captured horse thieves, Keenan is surprised by Angus and his sidekick-Dougal. At one time, he had thought Angus would be his brother, as he was in love with and had planned to married his sister. But, instead of meeting Fionna at their designated place, he left with his father to fight for Scotland.
Fionna is angry. Angry at Angus for getting captured, taking Dougal with him and for having to bargain with a man who betrayed her in the past. She agrees to assist him with winning the hand of her friend, Aileen. A bargain agreed to, but Fionna has another plan. She sends a messenger ahead and sets in motion a different outcome.
As Fionna and Keenan travel to Campbell Castle, Keenan remembers why he fell in love with her and maybe never out of love. But one of them has a secret and this secret will almost cost them their lives.

Wracked with hurt from past offenses, Keenan and Fionna face off against each other when he takes her clansmen as prisoners. Keenan is a war-weary hero and Fiona the Taylor clan' chieftain, after wars and illness decimated their stronghold. Both have changed dramatically since their carefree days when they were in love and planned to spend their lives together, before betrayal scuttled their dreams. However, the more time Keenan spends with Fionna, the more intense his feelings for her become. With plots and maneuverings, Fionna's scheme for Keenan's downfall is turned around and before she knows it, the truth she is hiding starts to surface. The plot has suspense and drama, and the story is generally well written. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Scoundrel’s Vengeance is my first novel to read from author Sky Purington. I was very impressed and really enjoyed her writing style. The first half of the book was very well written, but I felt the second half of the book was too rushed. I would have like to have seen more of Keenan and Fionna’s relationship develop and blossom. If you like strong Scottish lairds and lasses with a great mixture of romance and steam, then this book is for you. I will definitely try another book by Sky Purington!

Fiona Taylor has suffer these last few years with the endless war and the plague. She lost so much and now she’s the Laird Taylor of her Clan. Her brother Angus is captured by Laird Keenan MacLauchlin and he seeks a ransom of a different sort. He needs her to introduce him Aileen Campbell to make an alliance. Keenan needs a strong alliance to save his clan and only she can help him achieve his goal. Fiona and Keegan have a complicated history, they were in love wanting to marry when they’re Clans went to war and they each felt abandoned. I loved this complicated story of two young lovers torn apart by war and plagues, to be drawn together again and have their love rekindled and have a second chance at life, love and family. An excellent story I voluntarily read and wrote this review.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book, while relatively short it worked well and didn't drag out the plot.
Keenan has returned after years of fighting to his clan. Now he and his brothers are determined to marry well in order to return their clan to prosperity. The only problem is Keenan needs Fionna's help. The woman he left behind when he went to war. The woman who hates him. Yet when the two meet again sparks fly.
This was an enjoyable second chance at love book. I loved how strong and independent Fionna was becoming laird of her clan. I also really liked how Keenan was captive by her again so fast. Cant wait to read Keenan's brothers stories.

Scoundrel is right, my fellow Scottish romance book loving friends. This “new to me” author weaved an intriguing, second chance romantic tale featuring an at first, cold hearted, battle weary, calculating, hero turned back into a good guy once he learns the truth of some verra painful past secrets. It took Fionna, the strong, sassy, knew how to yield a sword laird heroine, finding ways to stay two steps ahead of him that ultimately saved this knucklehead from himself. Giving both of them a second chance at love following a verra l-o-n-g separation. The good news is it wasn’t overly long until they both were back on the same fighting side.

I breezed right through this quick read, enjoying the parts and contributions the loyal sub-characters played alongside these two, separated against their will lovebirds. Avid romantic at hearts may not take to the notion neither were celibate during the over a decade separation. I personally am glad at least to find Fionna was not playing the part of a spinster withering away. She’s had a lover or two over those years, and we are spared graphic details of Keenan’s conquests between the sheets. There is only brief mention he picked up some French smex expertise since the time they were each other’s “firsts” years ago. A skill set he mentally pondered he’d like to use on Fionna, despite his dastardly plan to compromise her friend. Yeah, like I said, scoundrel is right, folks. A scoundrel who sees the error of his ways.

The Scottish clan allies vs. common enemy was well scripted. I look forward to seeing Feenan’s brothers get their own HEA stories told one day. Also, Tavish, Fionna’s loyal friend, is well deserving of his own bonny lady love. Here’s to hoping those tales will be equally intriguing and filled with romantic drama, as well.

Title: Scoundrel’s Vengeance,Series: Highlander’s Pact (Book 1), Author: Skye Purington, Pages: 151, stand-alone but part of a series, verra bonny, sassy, smart, good with a sword, laird heroine, battle hardened heart knuckleheaded laird hero, second chance romance, big surprise, not romance safe for some due to his plot and both not celibate after meeting/being intimate years earlier, nothing happens with the OW.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Twelve years have gone by since Keenan and Fionna have seen each other and when they meet again, one thing is for sure....the attraction is still there! This was a wonderful story to read and a great start to the Highlander's Pact series.

I really loved both Keenan and Fionna's characters, both have changed in the 12 years since they saw each other and between the war and the plague, it has hardened them and made them strong. The storyline was a good one and I even guessed what secret Fionna was keeping from Keenan:) When secrets and misunderstandings are finally revealed, this couple can finally have their happily ever after!!

I now look forward to the next books in this series, after all, Keenan does have 2 brothers who need their own story:) Sky Purington is an author I always enjoy reading!

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book was enjoyable to read. The hero and heroine had back drama, 12 years prior. He was supposed to go to her and she was left waiting. There was, of course, a good reason for him not to show up. But she doesn't think so. So, in those 12 years, there had been plague and war and so many, many people died and there was a food shortage because there were no workers for the fields. It was just a hard time to live. All of Scotland was at war with certain allegiances. So, the hero and his two brothers agree to marry for the benefit of the clan. Our hero decides to wed the daughter of a clan by claiming her innocence and forcing her into marriage. He has caught a few of the heroine's clansmen trying to pilfer horses and since she is a friend for that daughter, he forces her to introduce him while they still have deep feelings for each other. I hate to say it was predictable, but the fighting between them went a little too far. And also, the heroine is the chieftain of her clan. I will say, I did like the story and it was a smooth read. There was nothing that had to be interpreted by the reader, it was an honest story. The grammar and spelling were accurate. I would recommend this story with 4.5 stars.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
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A Beautiful romance, torn apart by .....who knows , that years later is still burning.

Is it now too late?
Have the embers finally died down?

Keenan and Fiona need some divine intervention to help them on this .
He’s wanting her to introduce him to her best friend in the hopes of a marriage.
She’s not sure, but maybe it’s for the best.
Are they both just kidding themselves and each other.

I felt it was a little slow getting to the point but that didn’t detract from the book.
It was still enjoyable and had a great storyline.
Characters that I look forward to reading about too, the brothers and Fiona’s best friend .

This will be a really good series that I’m dying to get my teeth into .
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review