The Highlander's Tactical Marriage

Fletcher pens an absolute masterpiece

Book:The Highlander's Tactical Marriage
By Jenni Fetcher
Series:Highland Alliances, Book #2
Publisher : Harlequin
Number of pages: 272
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Argyll, Scotland 1360

From book one ( The Highlander’s Substitute Bride by Terri Brisbin) The MacMillan Clan never expected after twenty years the exiled traitor, Alexander Campbell, to come back and try to take the land and Castle the King awarded to the loyal MacMillan Clan after his betrayal. After-all the MacMillan’s had not been guarding and protecting their Castle, borders and lands the way they should have been. They had been too over confident that no one would attack their castle and lands which was an enormous mistake! The final result ended with the Campbell’s slaughtering half the clan including their Laird, which now made Ross MacMillan the new chieftain. Ross knows they were now a weak, defenseless, clan, unless they got new alliances as the Campbell’s as well as other dishonest clans will come back to destroy them! They needed strong warriors to protect their lands and borders as well as financial support. The best way to get that is through marriage alliances and not only for Ross himself, but his two younger siblings Fergus and Elspeth too. Now Ross sent Fergus to the Barron Castle and Elspeth to wait for her betrothed Leith MacLachlan at the Abbey.

Fergus MacMillan is furious as Coira Barron is the last woman he ever wanted to see again and definitely not chose as a bride again! As she had broken his heart and betrayed him six years ago. On the evening of their nuptials she abandoned him, humiliated his family and married someone else! He had decided after that nightmare he would never marry again! He had never went after her or her clan for revenge or restitution. He wanted to pretend it never happened and never expected to see her beautiful face again. Now she is a widow and due to an alliance to save her castle, protect her lands and borders plus her young, five year old son, Gregor’s, title and inheritance. Fergus snd Coira are being forced to marry each other again and hopefully this time she won’t runaway! So Fergus definitely arrives with a chip on his shoulder and his bride-to-be is more than a little fearful and apprehensive. However, he soon learns maybe his new wife isn’t the cold, faithless, betrayer he thought her to be!

Coira who is now a widow with a five year old son and infant daughter begs her uncle uncle-in-law Brody MacWhinnie, not to force this alliance to a man she betrayed, but not in the way he thinks. She was forced to marry Nevin Barron, another man who she thought cared for her, but it was only for her rich dowry. They had a terrible marriage and despised each other for these past six years. Not only that but due to her first husband betraying his entire clan, to get their forgiveness he tell lies of how she seduced him for his title, which was the furthest from the truth. Most of his clan always treated Coira horribly due to Nevin’s lies, only his cousin Kendrick, her maid Grizel, and the elder warrior Malcolm were kind to her, as everyone else was cold and cruel. Of course her children were her world! Now she needs to protect her lands and castle for her son’s title as Laird as the Campbell’s are on their trail once again!

For Fergus this was his brother Ross MacMillan’s orders for this alliance with MacWhinnie who Ross doesn’t trust but is a wealthy and powerful clan. They both know Fergus is the best warrior to defend the castle. Fergus understands the Campbell threat who might attack at any moment and understands how this clan needs his protection to build a defense against their enemies. Fergus is furious he has to marry this woman and her motley crew of warriors that definitely need to be trained, to protect this castle and sharpen their warrior skills more seriously. His plan is to abandon this woman and her children once he has trained the warriors, repaired the castles weaknesses and the Campbell threat has passed. As he promises he will never open his heart again except both Coira and her children seem to be warming his cold heart more and more each day. As soon as unravels the past as he was a tongue tied young man six years ago and soon realizes some of the past mistakes were his own. Everyday his heart is opening a little bit more but worries she will leave him once again. Will Coira leave Fergus again? Will they be able to even survive a Campbell attack? Do Fergus and Coira have a chance to fix their past heartaches and mistakes to begin again? Read and find out?

Jenni Fletcher pens a beautiful, riveting, romantic story filled with all the inspiring elements that historical romance readers love! This is the second book in the Highland Alliances series which was beautifully written. It is filled with hatred, deception, betrayal, misunderstanding, forgiveness, loyalty, passion and love. I love that each book in this series are interconnected. Although you can read this book as a stand alone book, but I suggest you read all three books in this phenomenal series. I personally think readers will get more details reading each book in this series and the backstory for each MacMillan sibling. This spectacular story definitely was a heart melter and heart string puller. I think five year old Gregor and his puppy Duffy were definite scene stealers too. The dialogue and plotting was absolutely brilliant that I found myself holding my breath and gasping for air not knowing what would happen next! A captivating and and exhilarating story that was an absolute delight!

Disclaimer: I was gifted an advance reader’s copy from the author. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.