"Highland Prodigy" is a thrilling journey into the Scottish Highlands that combines historical elements with a dash of romance, resulting in an engaging read.

The novel introduces us to a vibrant cast of characters, each with their unique personalities and compelling backstories. The author's vivid descriptions bring the Scottish landscape to life, immersing me in the beauty and ruggedness of the setting.

The protagonists' journey is captivating and empowering as they navigate challenges, uncover family secrets, and find love. The romance aspect is woven seamlessly into the historical narrative, adding a layer of warmth and emotion to the overall story.

The pacing keeps the reader hooked, with unexpected twists and turns that add excitement and suspense. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, capturing the spirit of the characters and the period.

While "Highland Prodigy" follows some familiar historical romance tropes, it also introduces fresh elements and perspectives, making it a delightful read for fans. The blend of adventure, romance, and historical intrigue makes this book stand out in Highland fiction.

Another gem by WIlla Blair, she is the queen of highland historical romance. This is the start of an exciting pulse-pounding series and I can't wait to read them all.

I was given an ARC by the publisher for an honest review.
I am a huge Outlander fan and this book just screamed Outlander to me. So naturally, I loved it. Can't wait to read the next one

This was a pretty standard romance set in historic Scotland.

Aftyn Keith is the new Healer after her mother's death. She tries her best, but she is ill-equipped and not fully prepared for the job. Unfortunately, that may not be enough for her to keep her place in the clan. A handsome Lathan warrior arrives with incredible healing skills and Aftyn realizes her days may be numbered. She asks him to teach her everything he knows, hoping she can save herself or risk being replaced by someone who has more talent. But the secret behind Jamie's unique talents is far more dangerous than either one realize.

It was a solid book, okay steam level, fine plot with decent action moments. Nothing that blew me out of the water, but enjoyable all the same. I liked the weaving in of magic with the healing abilities. I thought it was unique that the main male character was given the gift rather than the female, as we often see. There was a lot of historical accuracy, such as the fine line healers had to walk or risk being accused of witchcraft, and the whole underlying plot point of Aftyn's illegitimacy.

A good weekend read.

Title: Highland Prodigy – Highland Talents Heritage #1

Author: Willa Blair

Published: November 16, 2021

Book Type: NetGalley

Genre: Historical Romance

Cover Appeal: 3 stars

Synopsis: Jamie Lathan is a warrior through and through and will do anything for his clan. Jamie is also a gifted healer like his mother, a gift he fights and other fear. When a clansman is injured and Jamie is called to aid in his healing Jamie goes no questions asked. That is until he gets to the Keith manor and finds Aftyn Leith and an immediate attraction he hasn’t felt before.

Aftyn Leith has been left to take the place of healer after her mother’s untimely death. With not enough training and a journal that needs deciphering Aftyn is not prepared for the level of care the Lathan clansman need. When a very handsome Lathan healer shows up and Aftyn sees his training far exceeds hers and also leaves her a little curious she accepts whatever help Jamie will offer.

When Aftyn’s illegitimate birth and Jamie’s magical healing collide both need to make hard choices that may or may not lead them to each other.

What I Loved: I loved having a male healer point of view and how the author deals with a man of the time not knowing a woman’s body as one not only might not, but doesn’t have an interest in. I also love the dual point of views. I also love a historical romance that doesn’t leave out some harsh truth about the time period, it is what makes it authentic, no matter how unappealing it may be.

What I Liked: I liked that Jamie and Aftyn knew right away that they were attracted to the other, but it takes the other to figure it out. Isn’t that the way it always is? I also like the background on Aftyn and Braden’s birthrights and Jamie’s childhood. A little peak into the past.

What I Would Change: I really wanted more of Braden’s relationship with Aftyn and maybe a love interest for him too.

I loved this historical romance and can’t wait for book two! I will definitely be reading Willa Blair’s other series Highland Talents

A complimentary copy was received by the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Overall Stars: 4

#NetGalley #tracythebibliovert #professionalreader #HighlandProdigy

Highland Prodigy is packed with action. I was hoping for the romance to be more prevalent though. Jamie and Aftyn meet when Jamie is asked to use his talent as a healer to save someone. Aftyn, the daughter of a skilled healer, is still unable to heal the way she feels like she should, so she asks Jamie to help teach her. Their journey is full of action, danger, and a few sweet moments. Overall, it was a good read.


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

After all the stress I went through… 🤦

Official title: Highland Prodigy
My title: A Healer’s Journey
Author: Willa Blair
Publisher: Oliver Herber Books
Fav character: Niall (just dehs)
Readability: Bumpy
Type: Book - Series
3.7/5

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Premise of male with magical healing abilities inherited by his mother, that he puts to use
~ Set in ‘old’ Scotland, there is much use of regional words, terms and expressions

Jamie Latham, healer and warrior is called to the Keith clan to save a his clan member after an accident. When he arrives he is confronted with far more than he bargained for. It will make this hot-headed healer and warrior re-align his priorities and face his large gaps in knowledge. He will have to learn to adjust and fight more than skirmishes. He must fight himself, ailments, attraction and a clan, but the process will help him and those around him grow and his blessing will change lives forever.

Although the conflict set-up took a while, when it happened it was well staggered and while I believed in the conflicts and their staging, I was annoyed by the choices made by the protagonists, but what else is new?

✨Give it a read.

🌱THE MEH
~ The story seemed somewhat prolonged at times, a lot of the actions and conflicts were delayed which eased me close to boredom
~ I question Jamie’s reasoning abilities faced with powerful people who burn those like him at the stake - FOR GOODNESS SAKES JAMIE, REALLY?!
~ After alllll the stress I went through, I did not feel rewarded by the meager seggs. 😒

♡🌱 But that’s just me ;)

Book: Highland Prodigy
By Willa Blair

Series: Hidden Talents Heritage, Book #1

Release Date: November 16, 2021

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Overall Rating: 5/5Stars/

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Scotland, 1536

Jamie Lathan is a powerful warrior, who is absolutely well known with his talent and fierceness with a sword. He also has another hidden talent which not many know of-as it could put his very life in danger. He is also a talented healer, a skill he inherited from his mother. As for women alone it is so dangerous and for a man it’s deadly!

They live in dangerous times with Kramer’s book on witchcraft that King Henry VIII of England used for making things go his way! Plus these witch hunters were accusing innocent women who were successful healers of these crimes. This puts innocent women in both England, Scotland and Ireland in a dangerous and vulnerable situation, where they could be incarcerated, tortured or even executed. Now being a man who is a healer it would be even worse, so Jamie tried to ignore his powers. Yet it was like not using one of his limbs and difficult to ignore with his unique and special gift.

Aftyn Keith attempts to follow her mother who was the clan’s great healer after her death. The problem is she still an apprentice and was still learning. She is not as talented as her mother, plus being illegitimate is not helping keeping her place in her clan. Plus she is the Lairds daughter though he never acknowledges her and is mistreated by many in her clan. However each clan member had to contribute in some way as this was their duty. Yet the answer to her prayers happen as the gorgeous warrior Lathan arrives and had saved a dying kinsman. So Aftyn pleads with him to teach her, to save her place with her clan and to continue her apprenticeship with him.

Jamie put his life in jeopardy trusting Aftyn, yet she unintentionally betrays him and which might free the man she loves but loses the only home she’s ever known. Yet she couldn’t not help the man she loves, as her heart would of shattered into pieces as Jamie is her choice. No matter what choice she makes her heart will break it doesn’t matter how much experience Aftyn has in the healing arts! Will Jamie forgive her and accept her love? Read find out!

Another exceptional Willa Blair story I could not put down. I loved the unusual story like with a male healer which I found fascinating. Plus is was during a dangerous time where healers had to hide their abilities. As they were often accused of witchcraft, tortured, and possibly excecuted! It would even be worse for a man with these abilities. Plus the story is very fast moving where the heroine unintentionally betrays the man she loves! Will he forgive her and does she lose the only home she’s ever known? Life has not been easy for the heroine so I found this story rather emotional too. As if it was her fault she was illegitimate which was ridiculous! Shame on the people of her clan! This is a spectacular read which readers do not want to miss! I absolutely highly recommend Highland Prodigy by Willa Blair.


Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Oliver-Heber publishing through netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through Netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Highland Prodigy started off well for me and kept up a decent pace until about halfway through. At that point, it seemed a little like the author strayed from the story promised in the book's blurb, and then the book finished in an odd rush. Therefore, while I liked the book, I was also somewhat confused and disappointed by how it wraps up in the later half.

Jamie is both a warrior and a gifted healer; the middle of a set of triplets, he is the only one who has inherited an ability to heal people magically (for lack of a better word). The Lachlan clan knows of his and his mother's gift, but they keep the knowledge secret to protect them from being considered witches.

When a clansman named Niall is injured and taken in by the Keith clan, the Keith's young and inexperienced healer Aftyn is unable to help him. Jamie is retrieved from Lachlan land and taken to the Keiths to save Niall. Once there, things get dicey. Jamie is smitten by the overwhelmed Aftyn and simultaneously tries to hide his gift from everyone but the small contingent of three Lachlan warriors with him at the keep.

Aftyn's position with the Keiths is tenuous at best. The Keith laird--Aftyn's father--does little to acknowledge his illegitimate daughter and sets his eyes on Jamie as the clan's new healer. Jamie has no plans to stay, but he also wants to bring Aftyn back to the Lachlans. Both find their freedom at risk at random times, especially when the laird decides not to take no for an answer.

The blurb implies that Jamie's gift is discovered and he is in danger of being accused of witchcraft or something, so Aftyn has to risk herself to save him. However, that plot point doesn't really flesh out. Instead, the main roadblock is their inability to get away from the Keiths. Some potentially exciting scenes happen off page, and then the final chapter is a rush to the finish.

In spite of these gripes, I really liked both Jamie and Aftyn, and I rooted for their HEA. I wish we'd seen a little more interaction between them at the beginning to help explain why they fell for each other. I also wish Aftyn had a more explicit skill to make up for her lack of healing knowledge; there's an attempt to do so by describing her kindness and determination. I just wanted a little more.

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

Jamie inherited his mother's healing skills, but is trained as a warrior. When he is unable to save his best friend on the battlefield, he swears off healing and returns home. A call to aid a fellow clansman sends him to a clan lacking a skilled healer. Aftyn is the illegitimate daughter of the laird who's expected to follow her mother's footsteps as a healer, but doesn't have the knowledge or skills to do so. She hopes to learn from Jamie, but he can only teach her the knowledge.

This is the 1st book of the Highland Talents Heritage series. The twist of healer-turned-warrior is interesting. I enjoyed the read, and look forward to others in the series.

This is a series starter that is full of action but low on romance. Jamie is the son of one of the couple's from the author's previous series. He's likable but not necessarily a romantic hero. Aftyn is completely unsure of herself, and it's hard to see why Jamie has fallen in love with her. Their friendship though is believable, and the story is interesting enough. I would have liked to see more development of their relationship and more involvement from Jaime's parents since their relationship makes the current couple's possible.

I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Jamie Lathan is a formidable warrior, yet his life depends not only on his legendary prowess with a sword, but on keeping a dangerous secret. Like his mother, Jamie wields the power of healing magic. From childhood, he knew that those skills, often feared in a woman, would be condemned outright in a man. Discovery could mean imprisonment or death, but Jamie soon learns that denying his compulsion to heal is to deny the very core of himself.

Aftyn Keith desperately tries to fill the role of Healer after her mother dies unexpectedly. Still an apprentice, ill-prepared and hampered by her illegitimate birth, Aftyn knows that her best may not be enough to keep her place as a useful member of the clan. When a handsome Lathan warrior with healing skills far beyond her ken arrives and succeeds in saving his gravely injured kinsman, she begs him to teach her.

Jamie risks everything in choosing to trust Aftyn. But when she unwittingly betrays him, Aftyn is faced with a decision that may gain Jamie's freedom, but cost her the only home that she has ever known. In the face of her growing feelings for Jamie, she knows that either decision will leave her heart broken beyond any Healer's mending.

Jamie and Aftyn are meant to be together. This story is one of healing magic and violence.
Willa Blair tells a fantastic tale.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.