Highland Treasure
Highland Brides
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4.5 • 344 Ratings
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- $3.99
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
A Buchanan brother finds a love to treasure in this scintillating historical romance from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands…
After escaping from the English soldiers who attacked her home and imprisoned her in a dungeon, Lady Elysande de Valance is grateful for the rugged Scots who are escorting her to safety in the Highlands. Even with danger dogging their every step, she hadn’t expected to welcome the strong comforting embrace of their leader, Rory Buchanan. They say he’s a healer, but she finds the heat of his touch does so much more…
Let his brothers get married—Rory is too busy tending to the sick to be bothered with wooing a bride. But when he is tasked with accompanying a family friend’s “treasure” to the Highlands, he is surprised to learn the treasure is a beautiful woman on the run—and even more surprised to discover bruises hidden by her veil. Rory makes it his mission to tend to her injuries and protect her, but the thought of losing her makes him realize that perhaps it is his heart that is most in need of healing…
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In a genre filled with gruff alpha males, Highland Treasure stands out. The ninth book in Lynsay Sands’ bingeable Highland Brides series follows Lady Elysande de Valance, who is on the run from the man who murdered her parents and nearly killed her. Elysande turns to family friend Rory Buchanan, a gentle healer, to transport her to safety in Scotland. Even as they are pursued by the tenacious villain, Rory’s first priority is tending to Elysande’s wounds and mending her broken heart. We loved the breathless action-adventure parts of the story almost as much as we adored reading about a hero unafraid to show his tender side. Sands’ romance will delight her fans, but it can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone if you’re new to her writing.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sands's regressive ninth Highlands Brides romance (after Hunting for a Highlander) hinges on unconvincing sexual chemistry and graphic depictions of abuse. Lady Elysande de Valance is beaten bloody by Baron de Bucci in the prologue, and the balance of the story deals erratically but explicitly with the physical consequences of this trauma. Painted as stronger than the other women around her (including a village woman who dies "with relief" after a similar beating), Elysande escapes de Bucci a family friend turned traitor to the crown and takes flight with two loyal minions and an escorting squadron of Highlanders, called in as an implausible favor. Among the Scots is Rory Buchanan, a skilled healer and warrior with a propensity for lurking to watch Elysande get naked. The ensuing plot is standard stuff: pull off innumerable hairsbreadth escapes on a cross-country odyssey to warn Edward III of de Bucci's treachery and fall in love along the way. The portrayal of Elysande as exceptional among women continues throughout and will turn off many readers ("Elysande De Valance was one of those rare women a man could like, admire, respect, and still want in his bed"). The resulting romance strikes sour notes with enough frequency to keep the reader wincing right alongside Elysande.
Customer Reviews
It was good, but...
I have looked forward to Rory’s story more than the others, I think, because he was always saving the day, he is the hero Buchanan brother. I felt a little let down TBH. His story needed more action. We needed the introduction of Elysande to the others. We needed de Buci’s capture... anyway, it was still a good read.
Rory Meets His Perfect Match
We finally get an HEA for Rory Buchanan, one of my favorite of the Buchanan brothers.
Rory has been too busy healing to bother with a wife but he has met his perfect match in Lady Elysande de Valance.
The story opens with Elysande in the dungeon, beaten badly by the men of de Buci, once a close family friend but now he has killed her father and soldiers and her mother has been maimed (and soon dies). Two loyal servants have rescued Elysande and sneak her out of the castle to two soldiers who had been away when the massacre occurred. They are tasked to deliver Elysande to Rory to guard her and take her to her family in Scotland.
Rory has been in detestable England healing a wealthy nobleman and is anxious to go home to Scotland. He and his men accept the task of delivering Elysande to her family but soon discovers how badly injured she is and admires her bravery in traveling with barely a complaint. He vows to heal her but finds that Elysande has also been taught healing by her mother. Rory also learns that Elysande has a vital message to deliver and that she is being pursued by de Buci. The trip is fraught with danger and Elysande has several “accidents,” making Rory suspicious that they have a traitor in their traveling party. The person is finally discovered and all is saved.
I have loved Rory throughout the previous books. He’s a gentle healer but, being a Buchanan, he has also trained as a soldier and can hold his own in battle. In Elysande, he has found someone who can be a true partner with her also being trained In healing. Admiration soon turns to love and their romance is sweet and intimate. I love the townspeople who rally to help them and having brother Alick along adds humor to the story. The only issue I had is that there seemed to be a chapter missing between the showdown with the traitor and the epilogue. Although the epilogue was a good one, I would have liked to see another chapter to finalize the story with action rather than jumping forward to the epilogue where the rest of the action is just explained after the fact. This drops the story down to a 4 rather than a 5 for me.
Highland Treasure is truly a readers absolute treasure!
Highland Treasure
By Lynsay Sands
Series: Highland Brides, Book #9
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: January 26, 2021
1)Celtic Barb’s Saltire Book Review Blog
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Heat Rating: Hot
Overall Rating: 5 stars/ 5 Saltire Flags
Scottish Highlands
Lady Elysande de Valance is attacked by English soldier’s who threaten have to
been abusing her. Now of the do no!”to maim, rape and disfigure her face and cut off her limbs and they lock her in a dungeon. Luckily she is rescued by the brave honorable Scottish warriors who will now guard her safely to the breathtaking highlands. The Scottish Warriors are very brave, protective even with knowing that they could be attacked at any moment with her enemies in search of her.
She is even more shocked that she is welcomed with open arms by the Buchanan healer who seem to be her escorts leader. Now Rory takes his job very seriously and has no interest in getting ties down to one lass. As he is too busy trying to heal the weak and helpless who need to be healed by him. He feels he has enough brother for the job as bridegroom. As he has no interest in that job nor title!
Except he has be charged with a job of bringing a friends treasure to the highlands. He is absolutely shocked it’s a lass ans not just an wench but a beautiful woman running for her life. On top of that he sees that someone has abused this beauty. Of course the healer and the man wants to keep her safe, heal her wounds and destroy anyone who tries to harm a hair on her beautiful head! So besides healer he is also her protector. As he gets to know this treasure he realizes he realizes his heart is now open abs might need healing itself it he was ever to lose her. Will Lady Elysande’s enemies discover and find her to take her away forever. Shall Rory’s heart break if he ever loses his treasure. How will LLady Elysande respond to healers passionate touch? Will she accept him or push him away? Read and find out!
Another phenomenal Lynsay Sands reads that had me glued to my seat. Again many sleepless hours as I could not put this masterpiece down. I absolutely loved it and I loved that a man was a healer for a change. That definitely put a different spin on it which was extremely clever. I have been reading this author for decades and it a sure thing that her stories will always entertain! This novel was no different, I total love it from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to all historical romance reader. As this gifted author is the true treasure indeed!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Avon Books I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through Netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.