Hello Readers! Welcome to the Highland Beast by Amy Jarecki Book Blitz! Here you will find details about the book and author, my review of the book, blitz-wide givaway, and an excerpt from the book. Welcome!
Book & Author Details:
Highland Beast
by Amy Jarecki
(The King’s Outlaws, #3)
Published by: Oliver Heber Books
Publication date: June 29th 2021
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Synopsis:
When Sir Arthur Campbell leads an attack claiming Dunstaffnage Castle for Robert the Bruce, he is rewarded with both the keep and surrounding lands. As he assumes the lairdship, he finds a saboteur within his ranks. He sets a trap to ensnare the culprit, only to discover the rebel is none other than Rhona MacDougall—the only woman he has ever loved.
After her clan is devastated by war, Rhona refuses to bend to Arthur’s whims. Aye, he once stole her heart, but that was before he fought against her kin. When in his presence, she plays the demure lady, though behind the scenes, she’s doing everything in her power to subvert his authority. And she thinks she has him fooled…until he beats the lass at her own game.
Prepared to meet his condemnation, Rhona bravely stands before this man whom she has deemed a beast. But Arthur confronts her with a proposition she never dreamed possible—if she proves that she can change. If not, the desire long ago burned onto their souls just might hold them both captive for eternity.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55854463-highland-beast
Purchase:Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TebkOV
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-beast-amy-jarecki/1138006790
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/highland-beast/id1538364277
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/highland-beast-6
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Amy_Jarecki_Highland_Beast?id=tHoGEAAAQBAJ
My Review: Highland Beast by Amy Jarecki
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The author brings the sights, sounds, and passions of medieval Scotland to vivid life. The lush description of the backdrop is usurped only by the unforgettable characters that are carefully brought to life. This was a decadent tale of loss, treachery, and the redemptive power of love.
Authur, a knight under Robert the Bruce, is rewarded the keep and lands of Rhona’s ancestral home. He is handsome, brave, and intelligent. His heart has always belonged to Rhona. Rhona cannot surrender her belief that the allegiance of her clan comes first, even above love. She deceives and nearly destroys the only man she has ever loved. Allegiances and deceit endanger the couple’s fragile connection. Authur and Rhona must learn to trust each other and adjust their priorities to ensure that their love survives. The couple was written with love and care. The backdrop of the warring factions gave an edge and believability to the story. Both Authur and Rhona are solid and earnest, having complete faith in their loyalties. The battle for allegiance is captivating and, at times, heart-breaking. The couple’s love is fragile, and they have to strive to make it work. I enjoyed the complexity and natural feel of the characters. Their emotions and actions were believable and genuine.
The plot was fast and well-paced. The push and pull between the couple were perfect. The lush background of the story supported the beautiful dialogue. The story was an immersive trip through medieval Scotland. Forged in mistrust, the couple’s fragile love was believable and emotional. This was a beautiful gem of a book.
Highland Beast is the third book in The King’s Outlaws series. These gritty, sensual stories breathe life into the time of Robert the Bruce. These medieval romances are rich in history and full of emotion. I love this time and have, fortunately of late, had the opportunity to read more about this fascinating time in history. Although a love story at heart, the tale entices you with intrigue, action, and adventure. Each scene was lovingly written with careful precision and passion for the period. I could tell the author had done her homework, blending history and fiction splendidly. This is an electric, exciting book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
GIVEAWAY!
Blitz-Wide Giveaway (INT)
Grand Prize Giveaway – Ends July 15th
- $25 Amazon Gift Card
Enter Here
Excerpt – Arthur Sees Rhona for the First Time – HIGHLAND BEAST
Arthur ought to be listening to the king’s oration, but presently he stood utterly dumbstruck. He, the knight who marched beside Robert the Bruce and had taken the Pass of Brander wielding his sword as if driven by Satan, was completely gobsmacked. He’d fought for the king, he’d killed for the king, and he had pledged his life to the king. If anyone dared raise a hand against the man who had climbed from the depths of tyranny to challenge the greatest army in all of Christendom, Arthur would be the first to sacrifice himself to save his sovereign.
But at the moment, it was all he could do to keep his mouth from dropping open and his chin hitting his mail-clad, blood-spattered chest. True, he’d expected to see Rhona MacDougall at some stage. Just not today. And definitely not standing in the Lord of Lorn’s stead. Arthur had expected a fight at Dunstaffnage’s gates. He’d expected the unsavory task of escorting the elderly Lord of Lorn to the pit prison beneath the donjon.
Aye, he knew of the prison. He’d visited Dunstaffnage a handful of times in his youth—always for fetes and Highland games and, though his father held the seat of Lord of Garmoranless than twenty miles to the east, Arthur had never been to the fortress upon an invitation from Lorn. In truth, the Campbells and the MacDougalls were not exactly allies.
But that’s not what presently occupied his thoughts. By the gods, Rhona was more beautiful now than he remembered. And the lass had become so self-assured. Though she wore a matron’s veil, wisps of striking white hair framed her creamy complexion. Vibrant blue eyes were enhanced and fringed by utterly white lashes. In all his travels, Arthur had never met anyone with white hair such as hers. The color was as unique as the lass. Though clearly, she’d come into her own, facing the king of Scots like a Highland princess born to rule.
Mistress Rhona, Arthur reminded himself. When he’d received word that she had married, the news had cut him to the quick. But where was her husband and why was she at the head of the clan? Had Rhona’s spouse been one of the MacDougall soldiers in the Pass of Brander who’d fled with John? Arthur prayed the man hadn’t been one of the fallen. Fortunately for clan and kin, once the MacDougall had realized they were outnumbered and outsmarted, they had tucked tail and fled. The casualties were not numbered as Rhona had indicated with her ill-begotten use of the term massacre.
Regardless of what had happened in battle, Rhona was bitter, to be sure. From the moment their gazes had met, there had been a blaze burning behind those blues—eyes he still adored, though he had no right to do so.
I must reassure her of Robert’s plans.
While the king’s oration continued, Arthur stood at attention, rigid and unmoving, though every fiber in his body ached. Two nights had passed since he’d last slept. They’d marched, sailed, and fought like demons. And yet, the Bruce had not stopped for rest. Once the battle was won, they’d headed straight for Dunstaffnage. The king had won the right to claim this western fortress and it opened the door for the army to march northward and secure the Highlands for Scotland once and for all.
Exhausted and covered with filth, Arthur studied Rhona. What must she think of him? His face was splattered with so much blood and mud, it was a wonder the lady had recognized him. Did she blame him for Lorn’s demise?
Of course she does.
“With that, I bid ye all a good eve,” boomed the king. “I foresee a prosperous future for us all.”
As a cacophony of voices filled the hall with everyone asking questions at once, Arthur moved to Rhona’s side. “’Tis good to see ye, mistress.”
“Sir Arthur,” she said with a slight curtsey, her gaze trailing to his filthy surcoat. “I see ye’ve earned your spurs.”
He glanced downward; the silver spurs buckled to his heels were covered with mud. “I was knighted at the king’s coronation.”
The corners of her lips tightened, as if he’d just uttered a curse.
Author Bio
Multi-Award winning and Amazon Bestselling author, Amy Jarecki likes to grab life, latch on and reach for the stars. She’s married to a mountain-biking pharmacist and has put four kids through college. She studies karate, ballet, yoga, and often you’ll find her hiking Utah’s Santa Clara Hills. Reinventing herself a number of times, Amy sang and danced with the Follies, was a ballet dancer, a plant manager, and an accountant for Arnott’s Biscuits in Australia. After earning her MBA from Heroit-Watt University in Scotland, she dove into the world of historical romance and hasn’t returned. Become a part of her world and learn more about Amy’s books on amyjarecki.com, find her on Facebook and Twitter as @amyjarecki.
Author links:
https://www.facebook.com/amyjarecki
https://twitter.com/amyjarecki
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-jarecki
https://amyjarecki.com/newsletter/
https://www.instagram.com/jareckiamy/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5306959.Amy_Jarecki
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed learning more about Highland Beast by Amy Jarecki. Enjoy this book as much as I did and you might find a favorite new author!
readingrebelreviews.com 