Emily and her sisters are starting over in the Highlands after her husband dies and she is given the title to the land. She hopes it will be a fresh start for them, but Ian MacGregor, who believes these are his and his family’s lands, has another idea. Will Emily be accepted or will the MacGregors drive her out? Or maybe something far more unexpected will happen.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the tension between Emily and her sisters and the MacGregor family. It’s that enemies-to-lovers feel and you’re just waiting for a crack in the hard exterior to break through. I found myself saying, “Come on!!” at the tension and conversations. Get together already!

I also really enjoyed reading about the historical background of the MacGregor lands and how far back some of the battles and distrust went. It’s amazing that deep-rooted anger can carry through centuries having a big impact on history.

If you’re looking for a book with strong-willed characters, some steam and history, Highland Renegades is a great fit!

Thank you to HFVBT, Cynthia Breeding and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own personal opinion.

reviewed on Chicks, Rogues and Scandals blog

Firstly, can we just take a moment have a little swoon over the cover?
My goodness, isn’t it amazing? It’s super pretty and with the burst of purple, it very striking, I love it!
This is not only a brilliant introduction to a new-to-me author’s work, but also a fabulous start to what I’m sure is going to an exciting, intriguing and very sexy series, I’m looking forward to what’s to come next, reading this you get glimpses of up what I hope are up and coming stories.
I really liked the relationship between determined Emily and proud Ian, they don’t exactly see eye, to eye to begin with, but you instantly see that there is a crackling chemistry between them, but as Emily was in an abusive marriage before she has definitely put up her guard towards other sex.
Emily is a tough cookie, she is strong-willed, inspiring and brave, she has a fragility that has come from what she had to endure and it takes time for her to trust she has spades of courage that has made her determined to live her best life alone without a man in it…that is until the oh, so handsome Ian comes stomping into her life….Oh, good golly I don’t think I can take all those swoon-some brooding glares.
When Ian finds out that his ancestral lands are to be claimed by a no-good Sassenach, he is fuming and decided to show her exactly what the highlands are made of and scare the young widow off back to London with her tail between her legs. Yet, the plan doesn’t exactly go as expected because she isn’t afraid of his glowers and sterns looks as others are and soon those glares and brooding silences turn to lust and want. He is confused by his feelings for her and even more as those feelings are in stark contrast to his duty
Oh, poor Ian, what a complex loyal man you are!
Cynthia Breeding has a way of capturing the reader imagination with her airy and atmospheric words, romance and intrigue swirl around you like a magical mist luring in and making keep turning the pages. Plus let us not forget the beautiful, stunning and most mesmerizing setting, each scene is crisp in historical detail, I can see those swirling rolling glens and in my mind’s eye.
Highland Renegade has everything that a fan of a historical romance fan looks for in a book; wonderfully developed character’s, steamy and sizzling chemistry, beautiful scenery, intriguing plot with a hint of mystery, plus sexy, brooding, ravishing men in kilts…..oh, be still my Highlander loving beating heart!!
Overall, it’s a wonderful story, great escapism. If you love historical romance and too-hot-for-their-own-good, sexy highlanders then this is a must read!

I love myself some highlanders so if a book comes out I try to get it, not always but as much as I can. So we meet Emily who is finally out of an abusive marriage, my heart went out to her I hate that. Emily has earned my admiration for surviving and now trying to make a better life for herself and her sisters and without a man. She is determined to make a better life and will do this in Scotland since that land is now hers. Ian MacGregor is set on making this old widows want to leave Scotland and sets out to maker her life impossible, but then he sees this widow and she is not old. He still needs to get the land and castle and he intends on doing that his people depend on him, if it wasn't for that pesky attraction. I enjoyed the book, not as much as I hoped to because this was a romance book and so I was expecting well romance, or more of it. Loved the brothers and sisters and will continue to read the rest.

This book was fun, and a delightful first book for me from Cynthia Breeding. I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers aspect, and that both Emily and Ian had to uncover secrets about the other along the way. I don't read too many books involving Highlanders because the language tends to trip me up, but I did enjoy this one and found it easy to follow along.

I don't know if this book will be particularly memorable to me, and I will say at times this book felt more like a suspenseful historical fiction novel, but I did enjoy it. I think the romance could have been cultivated a little more, because it came on it was abrupt and fast and it caught me off guard, but still steamy. I didn't quite believe that the two had fallen in love with each other, but honestly I've read stranger timelines so I can let it slide.

All in all, it was a good historical romance and I enjoyed my time with the MacGregor clan. I absolutely would read another book by this author.

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for my review copy!

Highland Renegade by Cynthia Breeding is the First book in the Children of the Mist Series. This is the story of Lair Ian MacGregor and Emily, the Dowager Countess of Woodhaven. Emily is a strong women who has survived a lot including a very abusive marriage that has left her wanting to never marry again. Emily has acquired lands and is head there to claim them but first she must overcome the Lair. So Emily and her siblings head off to Scotland to do just that. Ian and his clan members are no fans of the English so Ian sets in motion a way to get the English women to leave but treating her to the very hardships of their lives. But what he doesn't know is how strong a women she is and how much he would be drawn to her. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for more from this series and this author.

This was a fabulous quick, suspenseful, angsty romance set in the Scottish Highlands. I do love a historical romance and if you’ve read a few of my last reviews I was highly disappointed in my last one because I felt it was too over the top on behavior. This one however was more to my liking. It was very specific in the decorum and etiquette of the time period. Even the lack of faith the men had in the heroine’s business dealings and accuem was true to form.

We get two people who are fighting for their families survival and have competing agendas. Ian is working on political survival of his family and hoping to get their name restored in England so they don’t have to disappear “into the mist” again. Emily on the other hand just needs to provide for herself and her two sisters. Emily is super down to earth and somehow still fits in a lady of the times mold. She dresses appropriately, even if a season out of fashion, acts accordingly, and is super aware of how her actions reflect on the others around her. She is stubborn and willing to fight for what she wants and needs, but is also aware that men are used to controlling the situation. She handily inserts herself into Ian’s family business in a way everyone, except one, accepts that she has a knack for business and good decision making skills.

Ian on the other hand is the social butterfly and constantly running around trying to smooth things over where Emily and her sisters are concerned. Don’t get me wrong he acts a man of the time, but his duties as the head of household seem to be more important than the day to day issues of the estate. He is constantly working on getting his uncles, brothers, and tenants to not uprise against the English lady and her sisters. He’s trying to keep quiet that fact that she really owns them and could evict them at anytime. This is rather hilarious since everyone knows how fickle the King of England can be and the family finds out anyway. Once the anger has died down, it’s all about getting things prepared for the winter and saving Emily from a killer they don’t know.

Turns out the castle may be haunted, but no one wants to say it’s really those hidden passages they use to escape troops and other clans from, that is really causing the problems in the house. Emily takes everything like a champ and believes she can just outlast the killer by making the family love her. In part it is true, but in whole it goes back farther than Emily…she just doesn’t realize it.

After much ado about kissing, a setup, a stint getting sucked into the peat bog, they set the killer up and make a Happily Ever After for us. Emily and Ian finally give in to the fact they need and want each other and that even at their age, they can find love and it’s alright to go against family traditions.

As you can see I enjoyed this story with the witt of Emily and the brute strength of Ian. Just as I like my historicals. I’m only giving this one a 4 of 5 because there just wasn’t something that really stood out for me except the Scotch and I’m not sure that is enough to carry a 5 rating. Does that mean I don’t recommend this book?…No I’d recommend this one if you want a fun easy read that leaves you happy and satisfied in the end. I know the rest of the series is going to be about some of the rougher brothers and/or Emily’s sisters so I can’t wait to read those as they come out. Please give it a read and let me know what you thought.

Not your typical Historical Romance!
Refreshing & exciting.
Wonderful characters


***I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.***

#HighlandRenegade #NetGalley

Every now and then it is nice to enjoy a lovely historical fiction novel filled with suspense and a bit of sass. When The Dowager Countess of Woodhaven (Emily) shows up to claim her title and home, there are plenty of people who notice and don't like that an English lady is taking over their Scottish Highlands. There are sparks between Emily and Ian McGregor, the head of his family and protector over the people and the land. A very enjoyable read that I did not want to put down and did not want to see come to an end. This is Book One of the new Children of the Mist series so that means more stories to come!!!!

Definitely recommend for historical fiction fans, for those who like sass and fire in their enemies to lovers romances!!! Will definitely be reading more from Cynthia Breeding!!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Cynthia Breeding, and Entangled Publishing LLC for this temporary, digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. As always, my review is voluntary and my opinion is my own.
#HighlandRenegade #NetGalley #DebutAuthor

Highland Renegade was a book that I couldn't put down and am so excited for the next in the series. I absolutely loved both Ian and Emily, their love story was sweet and entertaining; even if it was a typical enemies to lovers story. The side characters were also very well developed and it really made me look forward to the next in the series. I loved how all the characters intertwined and the entire story moved at a nice pace.

This may have been my first book from Cynthia Breeding but she is quickly becoming a new favorite author.

Highland Renegade was a pleasant surprise. This is the first book from Cynthia Breeding that I have read and it was a pleasure to read. It was intense and had a steady pace.

Ian and Emily’s story was a tale of rivals to lovers. I thought that the love story progressed at a pace where you were able to see it bloom. The family dynamics was an added value and can’t wait to meet them all more in depth during other stories.

HIGHLAND RENEGADE by Cynthia Breeding, book 1 in a new series, "Children of the Mist". Awesome beginning to what promises to be an intriguing and captivating series! I throughly enjoyed HIGHLAND RENEGADE!!
A quick, intriguing tale set in the Scottish Highlands. Well paced, with intrigue, mystery, suspense, angst, romance and a HEA.

HIGHLAND RENEGADE is evocative, with lush and vivid scenery and sizzling.

Well written and well excuted. The characters are engaging and believable, as well as, engaging. The chemistry between the main characters make sparks fly. Has everything an Historical reader will enjoy.
#NetGalley, #HighlandRenegade, #Entangled, #CynthiaBreeding

"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however,  these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR

Sacrifice and compromise is what made this gracious, but strong willed, lovely, determined leading lady stand out, my fellow romance book loving friends. It seemed Emily was always willing to see the world through other’s eyes and tried to juggle what would work out best for all parties, whenever possible. However, her biggest priority was seeing to the care and future of her younger siblings, the main reason she was the Dowager Countess of Windhaven to begin with, which in and of itself was more nightmare than marriage.

Ian, the hero, and his family seemed to play the role of mean girls at first. Except for his younger sister, they were slow to trust and care about finding any common ground. Ian was also slow to grow a backbone and take a stand against his uncles, even when he started to realize Emily was it for him.

This leading lady put up with a lot, folks, including numerous attempts on her life. It was her patience and strength that overall had me giving this book a thumbs up. She deserved a HEA, and I’m glad this English lass got the man she wanted, despite Ian’s knuckleheaded relatives.

Title: Highland Renegade, Series: Children of the Mist (Book 1), Author: Cynthia Breeding, Pages: 400, stand-alone, HEA, clan leader hero, young guardian widow in need of funds, past spousal abuse references, get to know each other first, not steamy until near the end.

(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.)

When Emily, the dowager countess of Woodhaven, sets out for the title to the lands she received after her abusive husband died she never expected to meet such strong willed characters as the MacGregors. Ian leads the MacGregors and has tried to keep them from being kicked off their ancestral lands for years. Upon finding that the dowager countess, Emily, isn’t an old lady but a young lass not easily manipulated things take an interesting turn. As they come to know each other and their respective plights they come to respect and care for one another. Threats upon Emily’s life speed the process up as they struggle to find the culprit and solve an old family mystery. This is a fairly clean and sweet romance with just enough mystery to make it interesting and to draw you in. I can’t wait to see more of the MacGregors as well as Emily’s sisters.

I received a complimentary copy of this from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is a wonderful story to just get lost in. To venture back in time when things were simpler but harsh at the same time. Dowager Countess Woodhaven travels to Scotland with her two younger sisters. Emily was given a Scottish castle and land by the King of England. She was forced to sell their London townhouse to pay off her late husband's debts. The newly minted Earl of Woodhaven (actually his wife) was not accepting of keeping the three women on. Emily was in her mid-twenties to her late husband who was in his 60's.

The Laird of Clan MacGregor, Ian, is given little warning that Emily is coming. Their name is not in good standing with the English and the MacGregors do not want them there. They plan to make their visit as unpleasant as possible so they will cut short their visit.

There is mystery and mayhem afoot in the castle and with the MacGregor's neighbors. Someone is trying to harm and/or kill Emily; but who?

I adored the secondary characters as much as the two leading ones. I look forward to read more of the Clan MacGregor.

The author did a fabulous job in writing the story. There was so much detail to help understand the turmoil of the times. Having a dual POV format also helped to making Emily and Ian more human.

This is a slightly sexy novel in the fact that the "bedroom" scene comes very late in the book. Also the author does not go into graphic detail so to offend many. If you want an absolutely clean novel, then you may not want to read or again it comes late in the book and not much to it so you could skip it. I would not recommend this to anyone under the age of 18 though.

This was a good storyline with great detail, a bit of intrigue and very mild steamy parts. I enjoyed it I wasn’t fully enraptured but all in all it was a good read. I would be interested in the three other ladies if there is more to this series.

This was a fun novel with a cute romance, an interesting mystery to it, and filled with really awesome characters. I thought the writing was great as well, and the plot really moved and this book felt really fast paced. I haven't read anything by this author so this was a great introduction to her work!

Thank you Netgally and Entangled Publishing, LLC. for providing me with an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Let me start by saying I love highland romances and have never read anything by Cynthia Breeding I was excited to read this book. While the book was good its fell short from being memorable. I enjoyed the banter between the two families and the mystery. I just felt the romance fell short and it was just ok. Overall I would give this author another chance.

Having read this author before I was not timid to enter this one. It is nice to jump back in time when things were a bit different and what was the worries were not quite the same. Emily is going to be a bit different than most in those times and did not want a man to dictate to her. She can afford to now that lands can add to her freedom. Ian has a different idea about it all though and that is where it becomes something we pay attention too. Funny too the wrong conception he has on ages. Oh the fun part was the is the war that wages between them and the heat that rises. It keeps things going until the last page.

Highland Renegade is the first book in the Children of the Mist series by Cynthia Breeding. A lush, evocative, and sizzling-hot historical romance that is sure to take your breath away! Children of the Mist is a new series that certainly starts off to an engaging and captivating romantic series. The characters are strong and give the readers a romance that is sure to warm your heart. Highland Renegade is a well-written, engrossing romance that checked all the boxes for me.

Emily has been given the deed to lands in the Highlands. It is desperately needed as she and her sisters have no where else to go. She knows that the clan that originally owned the land, still lives upon it and will no doubt resent her moving in. But she hopes that they can all live together in peace.

Ian has plans for when the widow comes to visit his ancestral home... make it as unpleasant as he possible can and she wouldn't want to stay. Expecting an older woman, he didn't count on the determination of Emily to make the Highlands her home.

Ian and his clan are attempting to get their land back, but as Ian falls for Emily he begins to wonder what they will mean for her. Can they both get what they need?

I really enjoyed Emily and Ian's story. Emily and her sisters were desperate for a place to live so it didn't matter if their new home was a drafty old castle, she was determined tot make it work. Then we have Ian, who was just as determined to get the land back for his clan. It was interesting watching the back and forth between these two as they fell for one another and how their plans for a future was suddenly not so cut and dry. This was a great start to a new series!