Book review: The Hunter (Highland Guard #7) by Monica McCarty

The war for Scotland’s freedom continues as King Robert the Bruce battles on. At his command is an elite army of trained warriors, soldiers dedicated to their king, their country—and to the remarkable women they love.

Available as of June 25th 2013
Prized for his unbeatable tracking skills, Ewen “Hunter” Lamont accepts a dangerous assignment: locate a missing undercover courier. But this is no ordinary target. Ewen has met his prey before as “Sister Genna,” a fiery, forbidden woman forever etched in his memory after one stolen, sinful kiss. Now that he knows her real identity, he’s more determined than ever to keep her safe. But without the protection of the veil between them, fighting the allure of the beautiful lass may be the toughest battle this extraordinary warrior has ever faced.

After her ill-fated attempt three years ago to rescue her twin sister, Janet of Mar has found salvation acting as a royal messenger—until she surrenders to a darkly handsome warrior whose rough, sensual kisses stir feelings the woman in her can’t deny. But when betrayal leads to danger, and a crucial communiqué is put in jeopardy, Janet has no choice but to put her faith in the hunter who can find anything—perhaps even her heart.

This is book 7 in the Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty. I have to admit i have not read all the books in this series. I'm usually pretty compulsive about stuff like this too. I have not had the time to go back and read all of them. This is actually only the 2nd one i have read. Some things are not always clear but you can figure it out soon enough and i don't feel too left behind.  Once i read the blurb for book 6 The Recruit i was intrigued enough to read it and i enjoyed it so much it stuck with me enough that when i saw The Hunter i knew i wanted to read it.  The Hunter is Ewen Lamont's code name in the Highland Guard. His job as a tracker for the guard nets him the job of locating a missing Courier. That Courier turns out to be Janet of Mar disguised as Sister Genna. The missing and thought dead twin sister of Mary of Mar the heroine from book 6. Janet had a plan to save her sister and when it went horribly wrong and she was terribly injured in the process she felt such guilt she decided to let everyone think she was dead and become a courier for King Robert. She believes she can never receive forgiveness for what she caused no matter what she does but still she needs to help to make partial amends if nothing else. Ewan is in precarious position since he has only a sliver of land left  to for his clan and the clan itself  is banished. He can't afford to make the king angry.  Once he finds out who Sister Genna really is ( Janet) his attraction to her grows but then he finds out that's she's to be betrothed to another. Now he's trying to protect her and fight his attraction for her.  Janet is totally in the dark about being betrothed and up until she starts to get to know Ewen plans to really become a nun.  Both Janet and Ewen have some self hate going and something to prove. Each is trying to understand the other. It takes  Ewen a long time to give into the inevitable but he finally succumbs to his love for Janet.  Action packed with no shortage of bad guys.  The characters are well thought out and individual. Janet is a bit of a rebel and a lot of her dialog portrays as a tough woman but at the same time she comes across as vulnerable too. Ewen is a BIG tough guy too and is horrified by what he feels for Janet when he thinks she's a nun. Later he still struggles with his feels and his need to be blunt. Overall a very enjoyable story and i still hope to read the back list and hopefully any future books. 4 out of 5 stars for The Hunter by Monica McCarty

Monica Mc Carty has a really interesting section on her website dedicated to this series. You can get a brief back history of everything that has happened so far and a whose who as well as some history. At the back of each book is short history lesson too if you are interested. It all really adds to the experience. Find all that here www.monicamccarty.com

Book review: The Recruit (Book 6 Highland Guard series) by Monica McCarty

The Recruit

Scotland's King Robert the Bruce is retaking his kingdom from the invading English. To win, he'll need all the grit and courage of his elite band of warriors, the Highland Guard, men who fight without fear and love without limits.

Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce's secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth's best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar's bed.

The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?

This is my first Monica McCarty book. I do love my Scottish Highlanders though so i was pretty sure i would like this book. This is book 6 in the Highland Guard series and i have not read the others in the series. I don't think it hurt that i didn't but like all series it always adds something if you read them all and in order. It would've helped explain some of the back story of the secondary players in the book.. Mary of Mar has had a hard life since she married at 14. She had a son who was taken away from her when he was a infant after her husband at the time was executed for treason. She lost her twin sister and has been trying to lead a quiet unassuming life in England although she is a Scot. That all changes when she is sent on a mission to Scotland and meets Kenneth Sutherland.  Kenneth has been trying to get into Robert the Bruce's secret army. He's tired of coming in second best all his life and fighting for everything he wants. He's competing in the highlands games to hopefully get where he wants to be. He meets Mary in a odd place caught in a compromising position. They are to be potentially betrothed but Kenneth doesn't know that when he beds Mary later and then she disappears. Months later once he finally get into the secret army and is back in England on a mission he finds Mary again and discovers there is a still a big spark and a huge secret or two. I really enjoyed this book. Both Kenneth and Mary had to do a lot of growing and changing through out the book to get where they needed to be by the end.  There were a lot of trust issues to overcome. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. I felt sympathy for both Mary and Kenneth for the disappointments and hurts they endured in their lives and rooted for the happy ending. A few places i felt it lagged some and a few times i felt like i was missing some information that probably was mentioned in previous books. Still enjoyed it immensely though and hope i can go back and read the previous books. I would also like to mention the authors notes at the end of the book where she talks about how the story is based loosely on historical events with a little tweaking by her. She gives some interesting facts on what really happened in a historical sense. I liked that a lot and if you read the book you should be sure to check that part out when your done. 4 out of 5 stars for The Recruit by Monica McCarty.

Find out more about Monica McCarty and her other books on her website here. www.monicamccarty.com