About the Book:

The key to his past…

…lies with the enemy sharing his bed!

Part of The Lochmore Legacy: a Scottish castle through the ages! Rory Lochmore had expected to wage battle, to claim land and finally secure his standing within his clan… Instead he won a wife. A McCrieff wife. Their convenient marriage could unite the two long-feuding clans forever. But can a political alliance give way to a passion strong enough to stand the secrets of the past?

ABOUT THE SERIES:     

The LOCHMORE LEGACY is an interesting series of four books, each taking place in a different era, but involving the same mystery.  Rather uniquely, the stories start in the Victorian era, and each book goes backward in time, and reveals another piece of the puzzle.  Book One, HIS CONVENIENT HIGHLAND WEDDING by Janice Preston is Flora and Lachlan’s story, taking place in 1848.  Book Two, UNLACED BY THE HIGHLAND DUKE by Lara Temple, Joane and Benneit’s story, takes place in 1815. Book Three, A RUNAWAY BRIDE FOR THE HIGHLANDER by Elisabeth Hobbes, takes place in 1513, and is Marguerite and Ewan’s story.   This Book Four, SECRETS OF A HIGHLAND WARRIOR by Nicole Locke, Rory and Ailsa’s story is the finale to the series and takes place in 1293.  There is an epilogue in Book 4 by Janice Preston, which brings us full circle back to the Victorian era, as Flora finally learns the family secret.

Click on all or any of the titles below for direct Amazon buy links:     

Secrets of a Highland Warrior (The Lochmore Legacy Book 4)

A Runaway Bride for the Highlander (The Lochmore Legacy Book 3)

Unlaced by the Highland Duke (The Lochmore Legacy Book 2)

His Convenient Highland Wedding (The Lochmore Legacy Book 1)

My Review:

The Lochmores have been awarded some prime land that their enemies, the McCrieffs, also coveted.  When several missives to the McCrieffs go unanswered, Rory Lochmore, son of the chief, takes several of his men with him and proceeds to confront the McCrieff chief directly, and hopefully, without bloodshed.  Instead of the chief, who is gravely ill, Rory is met by Frederick, who is the heir.  Frederick surprisingly invites the Lochmore men to dine, and rather than start a battle, he has another suggestion.  Frederick’s daughter, Ailsa, is the McCrieff healer, and he would like for her and Rory to marry.

Rory is a complicated man.  He’s big, strong, and a well trained warrior, yet he has a very vulnerable side.  He has always wanted to please his distant father, the chief, and has sometimes even questioned his parentage.  Now he has to make a quick decision on his own.  If he agrees to this marriage, there is a possibility of reduced hostility between the clans, though outright peace is doubtful.  He doesn’t know if his father would urge him to marry, or to fight.

Ailsa is as surprised by her father’s suggestion as Rory is, as Frederick never gave her any clue what he had planned.  At first, she is adamant in her refusal, but the more she thinks, the more she concludes that the marriage would be a good thing.  Rory agrees, and that very night they wed.

The newlyweds felt an immediate attraction, though they’re also wary and unsure.  The early days of their marriage are plagued with intrigue, deceit, poisonings, and mistrust.  Rory finally takes Ailsa to his home, feeling that his parents are disapproving of the marriage.  Instead he finds his parents gracious and welcoming, and eventually has a heartfelt and emotional conversation with his father that is truly beautiful, and gives Rory much peace.

As Rory and Ailsa get to know each other better, their love and passion grows, and they form the foundation of a solid and happy marriage.  These two strong individuals eventually have a love so deep that it becomes legendary in both their families.  Though their love has grown to epic proportions, the enmity between the clans lives on, despite their hopes of bringing peace.

SECRETS OF A HIGHLAND WARRIOR reveals the secret that has tantalized readers through the previous three books in the LOCHMORE series.  A passionate and satisfying love story makes a fitting conclusion to an enjoyable and very well written series.  Since Book Two, I had been hoping that the series would end with an epilogue which takes us forward to the Victorian era to tie up everything in a neat bow, and I wasn’t disappointed.  Janice Preston wrote a beautiful, perfect epilogue, which brought a stellar series to a conclusion that was all any historical romance lover could ask for.    ~Rose