This is the story of Brodie and Shinae. Brodie has been a loyal commander and leader for the McTiernays in the past. He is back after fulfilling another obligation that took several years. But his life is now stagnant. It has no direction. While out thinking about what he wants to do with his life, he rescues a nun from a very bad storm. When she awakens, she tells him her name is Shinae, and she is no longer a nun. She is heading to McTiernay land to find her sister. Brodie takes care of her and when found the next morning in the same bed, marries her.
This turns into a beautiful love story.
My criticism is this book is that while I enjoyed their story, there was so much other stuff going on. There was a 2nd love story, an attempted murder, an assassination plot, and a kidnapping.
Too much which involved too many people. I read all the previous books in this series and I was still confused at times.
Although I liked the story, it needed to be simplified a little with a few less characters.

The McTiernay brothers will always be able to depend upon Brodie Dunstan’s loyalty, his sword, and his strength. But there is another kind of bond—one that can fell even a fearless warrior…
Brodie Dunstan was an honored McTiernay commander when he agreed to leave and help an allied clan. Eight years later, he’s back among the McTiernays at Lochlen Castle, yet despite the welcome, Brodie feels he’s still searching for his rightful place. The moment he rescues a storm-soaked young woman on the road to Lochlen, he wonders if he’s found it . . .
From nun to killer to royal spy, Shinae Mayboill has had little choice in her life’s path so far. Now, caught in a compromising position with Brodie after her rescue, she’s ushered into a hasty marriage. To her surprise, Brodie is unlike any man she has ever met, with a tenderness that belies his powerful persona. Their passion deepens every day. But when Brodie learns the truth about her past—and the real reason she has come to Lochlen Castle—will there still be room for her in the Highlander’s heart?
Shinae is an ex-nun but more capable as a knife wielding girl.
Brodie thinks never to wed until he meets Shinae.
This book is not quite a romance. It is more a action story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

A Classic Highland Romance in a Beloved Family Saga

In the Arms of a Highlander has a fantastic set-up. Shinae is literally a knife-wielding nun who kills multiple attacking English soldiers in the first pages of the book. The novel thus seems poised for action and intrigue, but it greatly slows down after that--and as other reviewers have said, the massive number of appearances made by side characters is a big part of that. I am used to reading books mid-series and cameos of previous heroes/heroines/family are, of course, a big part of that, so guest appearances are nothing new. Unfortunately , I found myself skimming because there were just so many side characters that they began to blend together and detract from the love story.

Shinae and Brodie were a wonderful couple. They are interesting, likeable characters. Brodie is a great burly alpha hero, gentle and strong. I am sure established readers of Michele Sinclair's series will enjoy this book and as a Christmas-time family reunion style romance, it'll be like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold winter day!

This book left me a little confused on how I felt about it. On one hand, I really liked the love story between Shinae and Brodie but on the other hand, there were so many characters and plot logistics that had absolutely nothing to do with the central characters that it felt very disjointed. The entire conspiracy plot and possible murders were the storyline of other characters that only barely had anything to do with Shinae and Brodie, which probably wouldn't have mattered had I read the previous McTiernay books and knew all the people involved, but as a standalone, it just meant that for long stretches of time in the book, we barely see Shinae and Brodie in any meaningful way.

Those two are the definite highlight of the book, and special props for having a romance set in the highlands where the main characters are both older and more mature. While all the other couples in the book tended to scream and yell at each other, there was a quietness about Shinae and Brodie that spoke to a more interesting dynamic.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In the Arms of a Highlander was disappointing for me. I've read several os the McTiernay's books, and this one did not come close to the heyday of the series. My biggest problem with it was that there was never a focus on the main couple (Brodie and Shinae). Rather, the reader is subjected to the various woes of the families within the McTiernay clan and past characters and their children, but Brodie and Shinae are never really given the chance to shine. The book is boring because of that. The romance is lukewarm at best.

2 stars

This was an arc book , and my opinions are my own. I really enjoy Michele Sinclair's books. This one was a little different for me. It was about The McTiernay brothers. a part of a series. It can be read as a standalone. Shinae Mayboill is a former nun and spy who can take care of herself. Brodie Dunstan was former McTiernay commander, He doesn't know what he wants out of life. They have an instant lust connection. Of course they have obstacles in their path,
The only problem I have is all the different people in this story. Even if you had read every book, you can't keep up. It was a little overwhelming for me. I would like for the focus to be on the main couple.
All being said, it was entertaining and action packed. Thanks for the chance to read it.

Enjoyable Historical Fiction.
Shinae has been living as a nun, when she is tasked with the responsibility to go on a long journey to warn her sister and her husband that they are in grave danger.
The journey is hard, and soon Shinae and her friend find themselves in bad shape. Brodie, a highlander trying to find his way in the clan, discovers the semi unconscious Shinae and brings her to a cabin to save her.
The two are found in a compromising position and forced to marry. Will they be able to know and trust each other to find love and happiness? What will become of her sister and her husband, and the others in the castle when Shinae's message of danger is revealed?
Lots of Highlander spirit, some love, friendship, and laughs. Truly enjoyable.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have read all the other books in the McTierney series, and it was nice to be able to see all my favorite couples again!
Shinae when we first meet her is a nun defending her fellow sisters against an attack by the English.. She is quickly dispatching the English soldier using her two blades while the others escape.. When the fighting is over she decideds that she is going to make her way to her sister, (who we met in the last book).. However on her way her and her friend happen to get stuck in a rainstorm, lost and seperated.. Shinae is found by Brodie, who decides pretty much immediatly that he wants to take care of her... not knowing that she is fully capable of taking care of herself.

Brodie and Shinae have immediate chemistry and decide that they should marry.. which leads to the usual miscomunications and fights as they really don't know that much about each other. It was great when they finally realized that they loved each other..
There was also a plot about needing to uncover a spy who is killing off important members of highland clans.. While Shinae is keeping an eye out for anyone acting suspicious, we don't get a whole lot of forward movement with this story line until closer to the end of the book when her sister finally arrives.

I really enjoyed Shinaes and Brodies story, and I can't wait to see what Michele Sinclair is going to come up with next!

Fine. Nothing bad to report, but it didn’t grab me either. Similar through line to a lot of Scottish romances.

I enjoyed reading this book! It's been quite a while since I've read a historical romances, and loved this dive into historical Scotland. This was my first McTiernay book, but I found myself falling for the storyline and Shinae and Brodie. An ex-nun with a liking for blades, what more can you ask for? Pair her with a strong and protective Brodie and you've got a entrancing match. I breezed through this book and could not wait to find out how it ended. Now all I want to do is check out the other books in the series!

I want to first thank NetGalley and the author for allowing me to get the chance to read this before being published.
I love everything in Scotland, and lately, I have found myself drawn to the historical aspect of the Highland warrior. Conall portrays that wonderfully, but with a loving heart. It was nice to finally read a book and the main love interest wasn't an instant jerk with an outer shell. He comes across as protective, and aware in the beginning until he begins to get to know Claray. He accepts her quirks without a second glance, which it seems that nowadays most people find them to be deal-breakers. They work really well as a couple, and I enjoyed the storyline of this book.
The beginning and end were the most interesting to me, as they seemed to pack more information into the story. In the middle, I found days where I wasn't as motivated to read it because the characters and plotline seemed to thin a little bit. Claray was such a sweet and docile character in this book until the last few chapters, and that kind of took me by surprise a little, but I loved it.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, and it would be a nice, easy read on vacation or on a weekend. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates highlanders and Scottish storylines.
I just reviewed Highland Wolf by Lynsay Sands.

#HighlandWolf #NetGalley

If you enjoy Scottish based historical romances, this is for you! I have not read any of the other McTiernay books but I had no trouble jumping right into book 9 in the series. I am however now very curious about the other books and can't wait to read some of the other character's backstories. Coming from a large family myself, I love reading about them in books as well.

Although I don't tend to believe in love at first sight, I can completely sympathize with lust at first sight and as an ex-nun I'm quite sure Shinae would have been even more sorely tempted by this amazing hero.

Shinae was a very spirited ex-nun who loved helping people and wielding sharp (and deadly) blades. She was a fascinating character with a lot of unique qualities.

Brodie is every woman's hero. Strong, handsome, kind.... or maybe strong and silent type. I think he goes both ways throughout the story and it works for him!

The two of them have so much passion and independence so it was fun reading about their blooming love and to see them overcome arguments as any new couple would.
Overall, great read!

In the Arms of a Highlander is book nine in the McTiernay's series by Michele Sinclair.
It can be read as a standalone because that's exactly what I did. There were only a couple of times that I wished I knew a backstory on other characters but that just means there's another book I get to read. Eight of them to be exact.

I do love me some historical romance and when you throw Scotland and Highlanders in kilts into the mix, I'm absolutely sold! One thing I always have trouble with, however, is the insta-love. I believe in lust at first sight, but love takes a little bit of time. Then I remember that when I'm in the story world, anything is possible and I was able to enjoy the rest of the book.

Shinae was an absolute firecracker of a woman and I'm here for it. She knew how to protect herself as well as others. Her giving heart and gentle hand when it came to caring for others was a wonderful addition to her character.

Brodie is the Highlander we all want. Strong, extremely protective of the ones he loves, but a big softie to his one and only...that is, when her independence, and his unwillingness to bend, doesn't cause arguments between them.

The passion between the two is undeniable, but that's not the only thing going on in this tale. There is action and adventure, and well, another growing romance. I would like to back and read the books in the series as well as the one I know is coming next. Recommended to fans of historical romance, men in kilts, heroines, and steamy romance.

I would like to show my appreciation to Netgally for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

a great book. wonderful characters. amazing setting. good flow. I didn't want this book to end. Michele forms a vivid world that i never want to leave.

Steamy romance, a knife wielding ex-nun, a mystery, secrets, and a lot of family members made this book an enjoyable read!

I really liked Shinae and Brodie's relationship because them working through new and tough issues made it seem real. I wanted a little more romance when trying to figure out the mystery instead of focus on some other characters.

This book definitely had a lot of characters to keep track of. I think there were too many "C" name characters. I kept getting them mixed up.

Overall I enjoyed this book, especially all of the fierce weapon wielding women!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a digital copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In the Arms of a Highlander is the ninth in a series, but was the first one I read (I think). I suppose it could stand alone because innumerable passages are dedicated to explaining the various brothers and their wives and children. That said, it's not really possible to keep them all straight. I mostly just tried to learn a couple and then decided to skim the rest. I almost gave up about a third of the way through, but I opted to persevere.

Shinae is a former nun who throws knives and is good at living outside (half Gypsy), but that doesn't stop her from nearly dying of exposure on her way to one of the McTiernay castles where she's supposed to sort of spy and figure out the bad guy who may or may not be trying to kill her sister and her husband, one of the aforementioned McTiernay couples, or at least pass the warning along to them. Fortunately, she's rescued by Brodie, a McTiernay Dunstun Donovan something. They're caught warming each other up in a cottage and are told they have to marry. In spite of just having met and neither having a clue what to do with their lives, they are cool with it.

So all this stuff happens that is generally unrelated to what I thought the main plot was (the sister/murder plot) and also newlywed miscommunication stuff. And also another attempted murder that isn't the murder she's trying--rather lacklusterly--to prevent. Eventually, you think that part just isn't going to resolve, at least in this McTiernay installment, but then it does. But it all happens off page. Why tho'?

It's a readable book, sure, but if you like a plot that builds to a climax and then resolves, you'll be sorely disappointed.

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

This is the 9th book in this series. Be prepared for a lot of characters as characters from other books show up. I loved this book as it has a strong female character and a wonderful highland setting. And I enjoyed seeing returning characters

This was a great romantic story. The ex nun is on a mission to get to the castle before her sister and husband do. She has news from a spy that they are in danger and she needs to warn them. Along the way she gets rescued by Brodie. They instantly have a connection and end up getting married quickly, I love books that have strong female roles and this one is a knife welding heroine. It has a great story line and you can’t help but love all of the characters in the huge family,

This was a lovely story to read but be prepared to meet a LOT of characters! At times, my head was spinning from so many character descriptions, from the adults to the children. Putting that aside, Brodie and Shinae's story is filled with love, passion, secrets and danger.

When Brodie and Shinae meet, it's love at first sight and when they find themselves married shortly after meeting, it's a struggle for both of them to get to know each other and yet keep their independence. Brodie must learn to trust Shinae and he soon realizes that she can be stubborn and refuses to let him browbeat her. Shinae has been taking care of herself for a long time and doesn't need a man telling her what she can or can't do! As for Brodie, he's not use to having a woman speak for him!! This leads to quite a few explosive scenes:) Amidst all of that, the search is on for who in the clan is a dangerous spy.

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

We came across Brodie first in "To Wed a Highlander" book #2 in the series and Shinae is Mhairi's sister. Happy to have a book for them.
So many years have passed since book#2 and he is 40+ in this book. This slightly made me doubt whether or not I will like to read it (just my personal peeve) - but am glad I did.

Though Shinae and Brodie are the main characters, all our favourite MCs from previous books shine throughout the book. Every character has been written to play their part well.

Craving for more glimpse into the HEA of Brodie & Shinae.