I have always been fascinated by stories that take place in the past, in a time that is known, and yet hides so many secrets. And it is no secret that among my favorite stories are those that include sexy highlanders. Powerful warriors, whose honor and beliefs are reminiscent of true values and heart-warming romanticism.
My Highland Warrior is a story about such a man. Gabriel, after the unfortunate death of his older brother, becomes the Laird of a clan that is slowly drowning in the problems caused by reckless management and distribution of goods. Neither his will, nor his honor, nor the strength of his body is sufficient to provide all the necessary living conditions for those innocent people who are under his protection. No matter how hard he tries, he has no choice but to accept the outrageous conditions imposed on him. Yes, the price is too high to pay ... but there is no other choice. For all his people, for the smile on the faces of the children, for food in their bellies, he is cornered, without a way out. Married to a woman who hasn’t got her wits together. Beautiful like no other, a divine creature, but daft..... But is everything as it seems? What will happen when her eyes slowly begin to reveal truths that bring unprecedented relief but also unparalleled danger?
Miriam Minger has created a story that may not be historically accurate, but it is quite interesting and offers a new look at the past. A story that gives an overview of a society where women were just ordinary pawns without the right to will and opinion. Left to themselves and their resourcefulness to avoid the shackles imposed on them by the men who are responsible for their decisions and their lives. Magdalene is a character who captivates with her inventiveness. A girl, broken by pain after the tragic death of her sister and forced to an unthinkable solution to avoid a similar fate. Quite imaginative and cunning, she almost succeeds in her plan. But sometimes even the best plans have flaws. Gabriel, disgusted by what he is forced to do, tries to alleviate the situation. A noble and loyal, but above all an honorable man who is not afraid to look the truth for what it is. Their journey abounds with a range of interesting and funny situations that will make you laugh, but also quite romantic and tender moments that will soften your heart. The overall plot as well as the flow of the story are quite solid. Slightly stretched beginning and parts that are inclined towards ridiculousness, but overall, quite an interesting story that will keep your attention until the very end.
If you, too, want to immerse yourself in a world full of humor and romance, a little bit of mystery, and inevitable battles, then definitely check out this book. A story that with its imagination will make you enjoy to the end.

4.5-5 Stars!! This book is the first in a new series and I can’t wait to read the other books!! This book was so funny! I loved the main characters, Gabriel and “Mad Maggie”! I think ‘Mad Maggie’ will go down in history as my most favorite female main character EVER!! The first time they meet after the wedding, it’s hilarious! I highly recommend this book. It’s got a crazy lady, mystery, romance, a curse, bad guys, good guys, lies, near death experiences, royalty and more!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an ARC that was provided to me by the publisher!*

A quick historical romance, My Highland Warrior focuses on Gabriel and Magdalene whose unwanted marriage becomes the best decision of their lives.

An arrangement between Magdalene’s brother and Gabriel pulls Magdalene from her perfectly happy existence at a convent. Feigning to be insane to escape the brutalities she thinks will occur if she marries, Magdalene determines to do all that she can to escape her marriage to Gabriel. But the more she gets to know the kind, honorable, and trust-worthy laird, the more she realizes that his love might be worth the risk.

With a power-hungry brother, a generations-old curse, and a large number of people depending on them, this couple has many obstacles in their way. Luckily for Magdalen, whose fake insanity is physically and emotionally taxing on all those involved, Gabriel is a patient man. He’s also quite observant and sees through Magdalene’s act. I liked his character and felt he was developed well.

Magdalene jumps to a lot of conclusions and acts impulsively, and I was sometimes frustrated by her violent and disrespectful behavior. Though she did certain things to convince people of her madness, her amplified actions were, at times, inexplicable and mean-spirited. That being said, I think Magdalene has spent so much of her life under the thumb of unconscionable men that she just longs for safety. Once she finds that, she changes and shows her true self.

The romance is slow-building, though the connection between Gabriel and Magdalene is obvious from the start. Gabriel and Magdalene have great chemistry once they put down their defenses, and their union is sweet and a little spicy!

I also like the secondary characters, especially Gabriel’s nieces and closest friends. The girls were sweet with an exuberance that lightened the tone of the story. Gabriel’s friends were fierce and funny, as well as loyal and honorable, and I’m curious to learn more about them in future books. I’d like to learn more about Magdalene’s sister-in-law too. She definitely has a story to tell, and I’d love to see her find love after the terrible relationship she had with Magdalene’s brother.

Overall, this is a quick and entertaining read that will appeal to lovers of historical romance. Thanks so much to Netgalley, the author, and Oliver Heber Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. Well who would ever think to deguise yourself as a lunatic? Can love see through that facade to build a future? Nice read.

(2.5-3/5 stars) My Highland Warrior is the first in a new series by Miriam Minger. In it, Gabriel MacLaughan, a newish laird, marries Magdalene MacDougal for her dowry. Though she's of course beautiful, she's also supposedly mad. But Gabriel's people are suffering, so he makes the sacrifice. Mad Maggie, however, has just been feigning madness for four years in an attempt to avoid marrying. Her sister died after marriage to a cruel man, which--in addition to her jerk brother--made Maggie convinced that all men are awful.

The book a fast read, though the first two thirds are fairly dull. We never really learn enough about Maggie to understand why she's so convinced that her fate would match her sister's, and we have no real evidence that her brother treated her poorly. Gabriel is a bit easier to like as we see that he cares for his people and they for him. However, every time Maggie or Gabriel start to think the other just might be okay, something happens to convince them otherwise.

Somehow, in spite of not spending time together or having a single meaningful conversation, they fall in love with each other, though they don't admit it. On top of everything, there's this curse where every MacLaughan wife dies a freakish death. That mystery is pretty easy to figure out.

Around the final third of the book, my interest picked up a bit as the confrontation between Gabriel and Maggie's brother comes closer. (Saved this book a star.) However, that conflict and the whole dead lairds' wives mystery are resolved a little too easily.

Minger's writing is good; she obviously has skill. The plot is interesting as well. I just wasn't very satisfied with the execution of it.

I gratefully received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

My Highland Warrior was an enjoyable highland historical romance by Miriam Minger.

Gabriel was a swoon worthy hero, full of passion and a patient understanding and yearning for his unwilling wife Magdalene or known as mad Maggie. Of course, she's not mad and there begins their journey of love.

A generations-old curse, an honorable chieftain, a clever beauty—it’s the perfect recipe for a spirited Highland romance.