Once a Laird
Signy and Ramsay
Mary Jo Putney
Another beautiful tale from Mary Jo Putney.Ramsay must return home to the northern Scottish islands of Thorsay to take up the job of laird at his grandfather’s passing. He does so reluctantly but with a sense of ingrained duty. Signy is the little sister of his first love and she has become the right hand woman of the previous laird. She agrees to assist him for three months before she heads off to see the world. She opens his eyes to affairs of Thorsay’s people at the same time he falls in love with her and she him. They have treasure to find and obstacles to overcome but their bond has grown.
I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Absolutely excellent! As usual, Ms Putney develops her characters and gets us involved in their future! Kai is such a good man, not afraid to show his emotions! Signy is amazing, and we feel her struggles about her future! No spoiler here, but this is such a good story, I want to go find the Sea Cottage and stay a while!

This book is the sixth in the Rogues Redeemed series.

Kai Ramsey returns to Scotland after twelve years abroad to reunite his late fiancée’s sister Signy Matheson.

Romance is slow to my taste, though, the book, like all of Mary Jo Putney’s, is very well written and delightful to read its descriptions and the cameos of the rest of the rogues.

This conclusion to the Rogues Redeemed series is thoroughly enjoyable with a unique setting and a very appealing heroine and hero. It is time for Kai Ramsay to return to the Thorsay Islands in the far north of Scotland to take his place as laird, and he is surprised to find childhood friend Signy Matheson has grown into a strong, compassionate, creative, and yes, beautiful woman. Greedy relatives and nature in the form of a destructive storm will test them, but love and past friendships will overcome all. Recommended.

Exciting, slow-burn, Regency Romance set in Scotland

This is the sixth and final book in the Rogues Redeemed, Regency-romance series.

Kai Douglas Ramsay, who goes by “Ramsay,” has been wandering the world the past 12 years since the young age of 20, fulfilling his greatest desire, to explore the sites of ancient civilizations. Most recently he has settled in Constantinople for the past five years, working as a mysterious spy for the British Embassy, with the purposely vague title, “Under Secretary for Special Projects.” In that position, he has assisted, directly or indirectly, the protagonists of the five other books in this series in significant, often life-saving ways.

Several years ago, Ramsay was held captive in a cellar in Portugal with four other men. They banded together to escape a dawn execution as spies and, in the process, formed a lasting connection. The five of them vowed to utilize their new chance at life to atone for any past, major mistakes, and coined the name for themselves, “Rogues Redeemed.” The men vowed to meet up again back in England after the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars, which have recently ended. They agreed to leave messages for each other at Hatchard’s Bookshop in London to facilitate that reunion. Ramsay plans to connect with any of them who have survived the war when he passes through London on his way north to Thorsay, an island group that is part of Scotland.

Ramsay’s grandfather has been Laird of Thorsay for the past 40 years and is currently dying. He has summoned Ramsay home at long last, because he will need to assume the inherited position of laird. Ramsay is next in line because his father, along with his mother, died when Ramsay was a young child, causing him to be raised instead by his grandfather and his long deceased grandmother.

Signy Matheson is a 27-year-old, dynamic, charismatic woman who is single by choice. In addition to being a talented, self-trained watercolor-landscape artist, she has served as right-hand assistant to the old laird for many years. Her numerous duties on behalf of Thorsay have included: training female teachers for village schools, keeping track of and supporting local magistrates, and informing the old laird of any pressing needs of the poorer residents of the island kingdom, especially during recent years plagued by natural disaster and famine. Signy has a wonderful canine companion, Fiona, a smallish, sheepherding dog who is loyal, intelligent and affectionate. Signy is also a whiz with horses, and has trained the old laird’s magnificent stallion, Thor, to come when she whistles. Signy is basically an amazing Jill of All Trades.

Just before he dies, Ramsay’s grandfather strongly urges Ramsay to marry Signy, and Ramsay is definitely willing, because a woman like her would be an invaluable helpmeet in his new, demanding duties—and she’s a gorgeous woman he is very attracted to, as well. But Signy is burned out on her unpaid position as the person everyone in Thorsay feels free to make demands of, 24/7. When Ramsay broaches the idea of marriage, she informs him that she has no desire to marry. Her burning desire is to go to London and apprentice herself to a talented, female artist, and to travel the world as Ramsay himself did, starting with Paris, and continuing on from there. She proudly informs him he’s had his chance to travel, and it’s now her turn. But she is willing to commit to giving Ramsay three months of her time to show him the ropes in his new mission as laird.

Signy and Ramsay are admirable, highly sympathetic protagonists who are outstandingly suited to each other as equally strong, forceful leaders. I had already been intrigued by Ramsay in previous books in this series, and had been greatly anticipating experiencing him as the hero of his own book. I was not disappointed at all in my further fascinating acquaintance with him. He is an honorable, straightforward, highly intelligent, and quite sexy hero.

As is typical within the romance genre, this story is told from the alternating, third-person point of view of these two protagonists, which allows the reader to get to know both of their personalities and motivations very well.

I loved the fact that Ramsay and Signy are on stage together at least 90% of this book, and the growth of their relationship is a steady, slow-burn romance. I am delighted to report that there are no historically nonsensical, X-rated sexual escapades in this book, which is (thank goodness!) not Ms. Putney’s style.

The animals in this book are a delightful addition to the story. In addition to Fiona and Thor, there is a terrific, one-eyed cat named Odin who steals every scene he is in. These lovable animals aren’t just there for filler. Each one has an important role to play in the novel.

I found it a captivating change to read a historical romance set in a unique, island locale. Thorsay is vividly presented, and this beautiful, unspoiled, natural setting is crucial to every major plot event.

The end of this book offers an exceptionally satisfying HEA both to this book itself, as well as a grand finale for the series as a whole.

All in all, though this book stands on its own, with no cliffhanger—as do all the other books in this series—as a big fan of MJP, I personally have had the pleasure of reading all of the books in this series, and the link between them of recurring characters is well done and extremely enjoyable to experience.

Finally, I have to mention that this novel has a marvelous cover! Instead of a classic clinch, it offers a lovely portrait of Signy.

I rate this book as follows:

Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Action-Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was a delightful read in which we not only get strong and loveable characters, we also get the excitement of lost ancient treasures. I've always wondered what it would be like to discover items from the past, like Kai and Signy do:) I also loved the "Thorsay Islands" as the backdrop for the story.

Kai and Signy are so good together and I really appreciated the fact that there was no undue angst with their relationship, even though Kai use to be engaged to Signy's sister. As Kai tries to settle into being the new Laird, Signy is intent on the freedom to travel and spend more time on herself. Not everything works out as she planned but then, she hadn't planned on falling in love either:)

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

This was a sweet historical romance with some interesting historical and archaeological knowledge of the area where the story is set. I believe this must have been part of a series as some of the secondary characters seem to have their own stories. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to those that like historical romance.

Mary Jo Putney is a powerhouse in the world of historical fiction. Her Fallen Angel series earned a place on my keeper shelf years ago, as did the first half of her Lost Lords series. Around the last two or three books in that series, however, it's like she ran out of steam and hasn't quite been able to get chugging again. Once a Laird, sixth in the Rogues Redeemed series (which is a spinoff of the Lost Lords series), is no exception.

In this installment, the last of the five rogues who needed redeeming gets his turn. Called back from Constantinople to the Scottish island of Thorsay to take his place as laird, Ramsey is somewhat surprised to find himself happy to be home. Seeing his childhood friend Signy all grown up and goddess warrior princesslike probably has something to do with it, as does the opportunity to explore and discover the ruins and antiquities that abound on the island.

Signy, who had proved indispensable to the previous laird (Ramsey's grandfather) sets out to reteach Ramsey everything about the islands and their inhabitants. Wary at first (Signy more than Ramsey), the two eventually grow close. A few problems here and there introduce some conflict to the plot, but never does their relationship find itself in peril.

This is a cerebral book, driven by calm and matter-of-fact dialogue more than any kind of grand passion. I don't even think I'd describe it as a slow burn so much as a heating pad turned to a pleasantly warm, consistent setting. That said, I wasn't bored by the book. I liked both the characters immensely (Putney has a talent for writing strong and resilient heroines), and I found their story enjoyable to read...once. I also liked the cameos by the other redeemed rogues, though I do wish their stories had been more tightly interwoven.

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

Loved this historical romance. This book brings the past to life and incorporates the human elements that are a major part of it!!

Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney is a great historical fiction romance that was fabulous from beginning to end.

This is the newest installment of the enjoyable Rogues Redeemed series (#6). I have enjoyed the previous books, so I knew I had to read the newest one. Adding to my enjoyment is the location....Scotland!!!!!!

While this is part of a series, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand alone. Past characters are sprinkled in throughout the narrative, so it was a pleasure to see some of those memories reemerge.

1800s Scotland is a wonderful time period for this novel. The locations, landscapes, and daily lives are beautifully described. I loved Signy and Ramsey. The have a complicated and complex history, yet it is clear that they have magnetism and chemistry. Both are likable and interesting characters that have their own passions and well-thought intentions, yet have obstacles to overcome, individually as well as together. I enjoyed seeing these changes and the progression.

An excellent storyline and a wonderful addition to this series.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Zebra/Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Sorry, I wrote this book so it would make no sense for me to give feedback because of course I liked it!