Book: Ensnared by the Laird
By Emma Prince
Series: Four Horsemen of the Highlands
Released On:April 29, 2020
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook of
1. Tartan Book Reviews
2. Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3. Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
4.Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating: Smoking Hot!đ„đ„đ„
Overall Rating: 5 Stars and 5 Kilts
Scone, Scotland, 1332
Scotland was in turmoil after the Bruce’s death as his son David II was only 4 was not his majority. So this fake King, Edward Balliol steals the Scottish throne! During the second war of independence, this pretend monarch wants to make an example to any who does not support him. So he slaughters Scottish warriors in their sleep and a big traitor, Andrew Murray is the reason why and how! A man who betrays his own countrymen for coin!
After the devestating Battle of Dupplin in Pershire, Balliol crowns himself King of Scotland. The four Highland leaders were taken as prisoners to make an example of. They were Laird MacAyre, MacLeod, MacKinnon and MacNeal, who were all taken to a cold dark cell with very little substance to survive on. They were all sentenced to hang-except during their hanging, a miracle from God happened to save them. Domnall MacAyre was the first and his hanging had already begun, but the other three Highlander’s saved him. On this day they became brothers even though not by blood. The also made oaths of revenge and vengeance for all who were traitors to them and their country.
One was Andrew Muarray, who betrayed his own countrymen for coin to pay off his gambling debts. He secretly opened the camp fori Balliol’s men while everyone was sleeping to be slaughtered. He even tortured Bhaltair, Domnall MacAyre’s loyal warhorse. His horse would of alarmed the camp, but Andrew stabbed the beloved horse in the neck giving this beloved animal a slow death. Domnall was heartbroken but finished the job to put his horse out of his misery. Now he possessed Andrew’s knife which Domnall planned to kill him with!
By the time he reached one of Murray’s residents, he cat08ches what he thought was Andrew Murray asleep. Except he soon realizes he is pressing his knife to a beautiful lassies throat! As it was the beautiful face and exquisite form of Ailsa Murray. The sister of his enemy! Now he had to revise his plan and take Ailsa as a hostage. The problem is Ailsa is the exact opposite of her brother. She had been in prison herself forced by her brother, a sibling she barely knew after her parents death. Shortly , after their death he arranges a marriage to an unkind man three times her age. Ailsa’s parents had been kind but kept her sheltered from the ugliness of the world but she knew her duty. Yet she knew her father would have picked a kind, honorable man, in her age bracket that she could one day learn to love. Her brother only cared to pay off his gambling debts, selling her off like a farm animal. Yet she also still did not want her only family left to die.
At first she tries to escape but after spraining her ankle and he gently cares for it, seeing Domnall help a homeless urchin, and protecting her from ruthless characters again and again. As she starts picking the chinks from Domnall’s armor and see’s the truth in both her brutal abusive brother and this honorable Laird, her abductor. She doesn’t want Domnall to mark his soul and regret something he won’t be able to live with or take back. Plus soon feelings of the heart start pumping through both their veins that they both try to deny and hide from. Yet you can’t dismiss or hide from love. What road will Domnall take? He has so much guilt the more he feels for Ailsa. He knows by murdering and killing her only family member might destroy any future of happiness for them! Yet can he betray his highland brothers from the prison oath they all made to get revenge and vengeance to all the traitors that caused so much death and carnage to their people and Scotland. What road will he follow the one of vengeance and revenge or the one of honor and love?
A beautifully written novel from cover to cover. Plus it takes the reader from what is right and what is wrong. From darkness to light. Should she choose an evil brother just because they have the same parents? Plus can an angelic naive sister open her eyes to her brothers dark misdeeds and evil treachery that caused the deaths of so many? Can she trust a stranger that she sees as a truly good soul who is only trying to do what he feels is right? Yet she knows this honorable Laird will damage himself in the long run, that will eventually break his spirit and darken his soul and change his light forever.
This is the first book in the Four Horsemen of the Highlands series by Emma Price. It is a book readers don’t want to miss. It is an action packed, fast-paced, page-turning, romantic adventure that historical romance readers love. Yet it is weaved with true history and a fictional dramatic heart-pulling story and passionate romance. The setting is breathtakingly, filled with multi dimensional characters, captivating dialogue, with clever plotting, that absolutely blew me away! It was totally brilliant, as I was gasping for air never knowing what would happen next!
I highly recommend Ensnared by the Laird by Emma Prince.
Disclaimer: I received a gift copy from the author for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.
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