| Title | : | Highland Arms (Highland Chronicles Tales, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 205 |
| Publication | : | First published July 21, 2011 |
Five years after an ill-fated Jacobite rebellion, Rory Cameron works as a smuggler to raise money for the cause–until Catriona uncovers a plot against him and exposes his activities. Now, Rory is faced with a decision that could either save their lives or destroy both of them.
But he’s running out of time…
Highland Arms (Highland Chronicles Tales, #1) Reviews
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Reviewed By BlackTulip for
Booked Up
This novel has two components I like very much: Highlanders and smugglers! Luckily for me it is an interesting and entertaining book as well. You won't get any rest, which is good and you won't be able to wait to know what is going to happen next. This a story full of romance, suspense and intrigue.
The author has a wonderful way of describing the highlands. I really could imagine myself in the wilderness and feel the gust of sleet on my cheeks or see the rugged landscape ahead of me. In my opinion it is a very important character in itself. Later in the book she describes, with the same vivid way, a slummy part of Edinburgh that you don't want to discover more; all you want to do is hold your nose and get away.
The heroine Catriona MacKenzie is a lowland, spirited, and innocent young woman unjustly banished from her home for something that was not her fault. But instead of feeling abandoned, she discovers that for once in her life she can be free, at least much more than she could ever be at home. She is very curious and excited to explore which is going to complicate the situation very much.
Rory Cameron is everything that you can hope for in a Highlander, rough, heated, and impatient. He is also a smuggler and his only goal is raising money and arms for the Jacobite's cause, until Catriona arrives on the scene.
Their attraction is evident early in the story, but they both fight it for different reasons. Both characters develop in a very interesting and positive way in the end.
There are two splendid villains. Catriona's brother who is a gambler, and a womanizer. He is selfish, self-centered, and has no love for her. She is only a tool in his hands. And there is her former betrothed and brother's friend, John Henderson who is also a nasty piece of work.
This book was fun to read from start to finish. I give it a 4/5. -
This was a very enjoyable book from start to finish. The writing style flows easily, a smattering of the Gaelic, and strong dialect, here and there to keep the reader engaged. From the outset you can tell Catriona MacKenzie is a woman with a will of her own, albeit she is trapped in a web of deceit by her own despicable brother whose machinations continue to cause Catriona problems. Cathie Dunn accurately portrays the difficulties a woman of the times faced when reputation was tainted-the insecurity of her situation a tangible thing. The wildness of the highlands, as a place of banishment, becomes the place Catriona most wants to be in, but that wish for the simple country life is thwarted by a heinous villain- the detested man she’d been betrothed to. The twist and turns of the plot take the curious Catriona through some nasty adventures, before the story ends, the vivid description by Cathie Dunn evoking very realistic images of countryside, city life and stunningly beautiful secret hidden places! Cathie Dunn weaves in some splendid secondary characters who help save lives, in more than one way, and in more than one incident. The stirringly handsome Jacobite supporter, Rory, goes through some soul searching times driven by other loyalties as he battles with his attraction to the beautiful Catriona. The movement, and concealment, of items for the Jacobite cause has to be reconciled before he eventually makes a momentous decision about Catriona…and about their future…but in true historical fiction style he has to do a bit of rescuing first!
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An action-packed historical romance. I could not put this novel down. Cathie Dunn has created the dishiest of leading men and it's impossible not to empathise with the hideous situations that protagonist, Catriona finds herself trapped in. The author skillfully sets the scene of days gone by in a very different Scotland, through the most poetic narrative. A fantastic and captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
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This story swept me off my feet. An epic historical romance full of smuggling and glittering caves with dangerous redcoats lurking around every corner. I was bewitched and lapped it up, desperate to see what happened to Catriona and Rory. There are some loathsome characters; Angus and John keep the suspense going right until the very end, but that threat is balanced by the sweet relationship between Auntie Meg and Catriona which I found, at times, really moving. It was also interesting to learn about the history of the period and I particularly enjoyed the court scenes in Edinburgh which were peppered with lots of lovely details. Can’t wait to read more of the Highland Chronicles.
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HIGHLAND ARMS: is a good read. RORY is a wonderful hero of the highlands, CATRIONA is from Edinburgh. The book is a long story/tease and they don’t really trust each other till the end. Lots of description, needs more romance.
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This book was burning up my kindle; it's a hot one! Perfect for anyone who, like myself, never quite got over the first few Outlanders and are yearning for a way to jump back into the Jacobite era.
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Highland Arms
I've not previously read any of Cathie Dunn's work but, I was attracted by the Highland Arms book cover, so I purchased the book to give it a whirl.
I love Cathie's gift of setting the scene with the perfect amount of vivid description that makes you feel your there in the story. I liked all the characters but I was sad there wasn't more storyline with old lady Meg. I kept imagining twist and turns that involved her but sadly nothing more came of her. The only other thing that I didn't like was Catriona's behavior. She was written as a strong character having to constantly cover up for her brother who ill treated her at every turn. She endured his constant needling calling her a strumpet in front of others and falsely ruining her reputation and life but she didn't cry. However, she cried through every scene there after. I would have put her as sterner stuff through most of it and cry through the worst of it. I would like to read more from this author. -
Review by Robin: Highlanders, Smugglers…Can’t wait to find out the rest of the romance, suspense and intrigue. And Ms. Dunn supplied all that you could ask for and more.
From the imagery of the Highland wilderness to the streets of London you always felt as if you were there. Along with the strong characters, I wanted to keep reading just to find out what would happen next.
Catrionia Mackenzie, wrongly accused by her family, is taken from her home in Edinburg and sent to the Highlands to live with her Aunt Meg. She thinks that being banished is the worst thing that could happen. Soon this high spirited, innocent woman will see things differently.
Rory Cameron, everything a woman wants in a man let alone a highlander. He is rough, warm and very much on edge. Rory is the proverbial bad boy with good looks. He is a smuggler, only wanting to help his cause with money, weapons and whatever else they may need to win.
His life was complicated enough and then in walks Catrionia. Making him change his way of thinking, about his old life.
They meet in an inn as Catrionia escorted by her brother and a few others to the Highlands. The attraction between Rory and Catrionia is evident at that first meeting.
Watching this relationship develop is interesting. It starts fast and makes them each pull away for different reasons. But as fate would have it they are destined to be together.
Catrionia’s brother and ex fiancé find out about the smuggling that Rory is involved in, and want the weapons for themselves. They feel that Catrionia is an object to be used for their own wants. You use them for your own gains then pawn them off or get rid of them. Women are to be used. They don’t care who they hurt along the way.
Throughout this whole story Catrionia finds out so much about herself, family and life. She finds that she is actually stronger than what she thought. She is a survivor.
Catrionia finds the freedom she longs for. In doing so she discovers things as she explores her new home, which adds complications. But, she finds out what true love, friends and real family in Aunt Meg are all about. She come to care for everyone around her especially Aunt Meg.
Secret Caves, a powerful cause, throws two unlikely people together. With the help of real friends and family Rory and Catrionia are able to fight the odds and find their happily-ever-after. Moving their beloved Highlands into a new era.
A compelling story teller Ms. Dunn takes us from a dirty city to the beauty of the country. We find along the way that although deceit by those you love can hurt there are ways to heal and with that healing you just may find the strength to overcome all the wrongs against you and become much stronger. Maybe just maybe love will find you along the way and take you into a journey of romance with a smuggler and helping a cause bring freedom to your new home.
I canna wait for more from Ms. Dunn. -
Yes!
Yes, you should read this book. It is very well written easy to follow. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. -
Originally posted at:
http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Taken away from her privileged life in Edinburgh because of her brother Angus setting her up then lying to her parents, Catriona MacKenzie finds herself in the harsh Scottish Highlands and soon tangled up with life-threatening intrigues that she knows nothing about. Her curiosity puts her and others in danger that escalates into suffering for all of them.
The compelling, big, handsome Highlander Rory Cameron, who is a distant relative of Aunt Meg, Catriona’s godmother whom she has been sent to live with, is attracted to the tall, black-haired, amber-eyed Catriona. But when he learns her identity, he is hostile toward her even though his body roars to life with desire every time he sees or even thinks about her. However, Rory’s clandestine “business” takes precedents over his personal needs. His efforts to scare her away nearly get her killed. His rejection of her erodes Catriona’s sense of self-worth even more making her feel that “nobody wants her”.
The despicable brother Angus and his cohort John Henderson are master manipulators and make life miserable for her and the Highlanders that have weapons hidden that Angus and John want. These two along with spies and Redcoats that are determined to squelch a Scottish rebellion create some heartbreaking events that show just how cruel some will be to get what they want regardless of how much it hurts others.
Since I always long for a strong, capable heroine, I kept hoping Catriona would do more constructive planning and ecome more capable of getting out of tight situations without having to be rescued again and again. However, her character does gain some depth as the plot unfolds. Her true concern for Aunt Meg and her desperate love for Rory shines through. Also her comparison of life in Edinburgh to life in the Highlands reveals a change in her values and her ability to judge what is worthwhile and what is frivolous in life.
Cathie Dunn’s descriptions of the magnificent, unpredictable Scottish Highlands and Catriona’s sense of belonging there is remarkable.. Ms. Dunn’s description of the squalid part of Edinburgh in the early eighteen century assails the senses—one can almost smell the fetid filth and feel the dankness that enshrouds the narrow dark alleys that are so different from the section of Edinburgh where Catriona’s family lived.
With the help of friends, Rory and Catriona find their happy-ever-after as their beloved Highlands moves into a new era with new challenges. -
Catriona MacKenzie, due to her vile brothers lies, has been banished from her home in Edinburgh to her godmother’s estate at a remote manor in the Highlands. As her father ponder’s Cat’s future, Cat’s curiosity manages to land her straight into trouble and into the arms of a notorious Highlander who at the moment is tempting his own fate. Years earlier Rory worked behind the scenes of an ill-fated Jacobite rebellion, now Rory is working as a smuggler to raise arms and money for the cause. However, when Catriona discovers and innocently exposes his plans Rory must decide whether his cause is worth losing the woman he has come to love.
*** It is almost strange after reading as many books as I do to run across similar plot lines (evil brothers) consecutively, and just when you think you couldn’t discover a more despicable sibling you come across another one more despicable than the last – her brother Angus. Bad enough Catriona had been covering up Angus’ misdeeds all her life, to keep her parents from being broken hearted, but for him to engineer her ruination – whew that took the cake!
Ms. Dunn did her research well, and sending Cat, who was brought up in Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands was like sending a butterfly to the north pole. One had to be tough to deal with the Highland elements where only the strong survive. However, Ms. Dunn created Cat as a survivor and what should have felt like isolation to the city bred Cat exposed her instead to a clean smelling and vibrant paradise. In fact it was her pure joy of exploring that landed her in the middle of Rory’s plans for the newest Jacobite uprising.
The romance was handled quite well as Rory, afraid to show Cat his feelings, knew that any involvement with him would be extremely dangerous for her. However, the worse danger was the behind the scene mechanisms of her vile brother that blended quite well with the story line which Dunn took and weaved into a terrific edge of the cliff surprise ending.
Bottom Line: This was a wonderful Scottish Historical Romance that I truly enjoyed and devoured from the first to last page. Those readers who enjoy this genre, or just a beautiful romance are sure to treasure HIGHLAND ARMS.
Marilyn Rondeau, for
www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com -
Sexy and fun, reading "Highland Arms" gave me something to look forward to every night. As a historical romance, it felt authentic, especially in the way females were at the mercy of their male family members.
Unfortunately for Catriona, her father is blind to the faults of her nasty older brother, who is determined to use her to his own ends. Her reputation falsely besmirched, Catriona is shipped off to the Highlands to a distant relative.
The toe-curling Rory Cameron walks into the picture, thus complicating both their lives. Rory is busy fighting the good fight, and has no wish to become emotionally involved with a woman. Sadly for him (and happily for us) his attraction to Catriona complicates the matter.
Secret tunnels and gun-running smugglers make the story that much more enjoyable. And naturally Catriona's brother shows up to make trouble again.
Dunn is a masterful writer, and as a reader, I wouldn't hesitate to put myself in her hands again.
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An entertaining read
This is an entertaining read with good characters and a pretty engaging plot, though the damsel in distress is a bit old fashioned. Recommended for romance fans. -
A perfect holiday read, escaping into the world of the dashing and heroic Rory Cameron in the beautifully described Scottish Highlands as he has his hands full with strong willed Catriona. With her reputation in tatters and an evil brother always lurking, Catriona finds it hard to resist Rory's obvious charm and intrigue.
A well written, fast paced, action packed period romance that sizzles with tension, lust and adventure. -
Full of intrigue and adventure
Catronia has been banished to the Highlands to live with her godmother. Her brother and her ex-fiance have conspired to ruin her reputation.
Rory Cameron, a distant relative of Auntie Megan, is deeply involved in arms smuggling in preparation for another rebellion.
This is a story with political overtones as well as murder, kidnapping and secret passages. -
Enjoyed it!
This was a good Highland romance and I truly enjoyed it. My heart just went out to Catriona as she just wanted someone to love and want her. It took Rory some time to come around as he was so devoted to the Jacobite cause but he came through in the end and oh what a romantic proposal! For those of you who dislike graphic love scenes, there aren't any in this book. -
Finding love
I have come to love Cathie Dunn book she has done a excellent job on this story about a woman who finds love and finds out what her brother has done. I give this story a four star rating because of the story -
This was a fast paced, romantic historical adventure set in the gorgeous Scottish Highlands.
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Great reading!
Well developed characters, interesting plot, overall an excellent escape!! Look forward to reading more of Ms. Dunn's work. Lovely book! -
Beautiful Scotland
Decent story line, suspenseful & clean! I enjoyed it. Believable plot & characters. I would definitely recommend it to friends & family.
