A Victorian romance with kidnapping, murder, a sacred treasure and spies who work for the Queen. Johanna Templeton, an American author, came to London to care for her sister and her niece. After her sister's death, her brother-in-law takes his daughter on a trip to Scotland. Things go from bad to worse when they both disappear. Johanna must ransom her niece with a first edition book left in her possession. Enter Connor MacMasters who has more than one reason to protect Johanna. There's a lot more involved than just a book. If only Connor can persuade her to give him the answers to his questions. A little long and slow on the adventure. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I received a copy from NetGalley and this is my freely given review.

This was definitely an over the top but fun read. A historical romance adventure with a hint of mystery and the paranormal blended into the mix. Toss in a gothic book writing spinster, and a sexy Alpha-male kilt wearing Highlander, and that is there not to bluidy well love?

Johanna Templeton is a woman who's greatest adventures seem to be the gothic stories she writes. She is an American who now lives in London to help take care of her niece, after her sister died, as the father seems to not be the best parental figure. One day, he decides to take his daughter with him on a business trip.

Johanna thinks nothing of this until she receives notice that her niece is being held for ransom and she must deliver the goods to get her back. So she up goes to the Highlands, to make the exchange. However, Conner McMasters, as part of his duties to the mysterious Order, has been following her and interferes in her dealings with the ruffians and essentially kidnaps her.

He and his family and clan have apparently dedicated their lives for generations to protecting/recovering precious/historical items, and somehow this has morphed into a duty to the Crown as well - over the top, but I am willing to suspend belief for escapist fun in between pages. At stake here, is the Demon's Heart - a legendary cursed ruby that is said to have caused grief to many, including Mary, Queen of Scots. It is being sought after by a deadly villain, a nemesis of the McMasters, and the man responsible for holding Johanna's niece hostage. A bit of fourth wallish fun when you consider that Johanna is a gothic penny dreadful writer herself. By the way, toss in an evil murderess countess, and a female assassin too for a bit more spice, a wee bit of family feuding, and of course hot angsty Highlanders in kilts... and shortbread. Add a HEA with kittens and what more do you want. Just call me satisfied because I just enjoyed it so darned much.

I so should have been studying for a test, but instead spent my time finishing this book, because it was just so bluidy fun to read. Who the hell wants to read about pancreatitis and abdominal compartment syndrome when you can read this instead?

Gah!! Tara Kingston's story knocked me right out! I absolutely loved The Highlander Who Loved Me!! Historicsl romance isn't usually my thing but I was captivated from the very first page!!

Johanna and Connor's story was filled to the brim with adventure, intrigue and heat. I loved their connection as they worked together to find a hidden jewel yo.save Johanna's niece This story was so swoony and fast -paced I could not put it down!

5 stars!

Laughter, tears and feeling of love is what I felt throughout this book. Great plot, pace, character's and dialogue. I will be reading more of Tara Kingston's novels and I recommend to everyone who enjoys a heartfelt novel!

I LOVED Johanna and Connor's story!!

Johanna was a strong heroine just trying to save the only thing left of her sister, her niece. Connor was trying to duty his duty for his country, but his heart kept getting in the way!

A strong start to a new series and I can't wait to see what Kingston has in store for us!

This is an amazing book! Full of romance and adventure!! Love the characters and the msytery to solve!!

My favorite read is one that is fast paced with lots of action, has danger, intrigue, villains, and likeable characters especially when one is a Highlander. His book as all that and more. Throw in an ancient artifact that gives off evil vibes and you have a great reading adventure. And this book is a reading adventure starting with first chapter and continuing all the way through the book. Johanna is an American, in London caring for her niece after her sister dies. Her brother-in-law lives a secret life, one Johanna is not aware of. Unfortunately when under the pretense of spending vacation time with his young daughter, both are kidnapped. Now it is up to Johanna to ransom her niece by delivering a valuable manuscript to very evil man. Enter Connor MacMasters, an operative for a secret group that tracks ancient artifacts. His mission is to keep this particular artifact away from the villain. He adds to this, keeping Johann safe and finding her niece. Along the way, they find mutual attraction and their own adventure. This is one of those books you would like to read from beginning to end without stopping. It is the first book by Tara Kingston that I have read, it will not be the last. I would love to read more about the MacMasters clan and the ancient guild try belong to. I do hope she has more stories along this vein in mind. Loved it.

Johanna Templeton came from England to America to look after her sick sister and niece Laurel. Johanna’s sister passes away and Johanna stays to take care of Laurel while her brother in law continued to disappear from business trips. When he decided to take Laurel to Scotland Johanna didn’t know anything was wrong until her brother in law was killed and Laurel kidnapped. Johanna had received a ransom letter for Laurel Johanna has to take a certain book to the kidnappers.When Johanna brings the book to the kidnappers they don’t have Laurel. The ransom was actually about finding the map to the demon’s heart- a rare ruby linked to the MacMasters family.Johanna is rescued by a Highlander Connor and he is determined to protect Johanna. Johanna and Connor are attracted to each other but armed assassins are determined to get Johanna to their boss Connor does not stay in one place long because of being a spy. That leaves little if any time for a relationship.. Connor is on a mission as a spy for Queen Victoria. When meeting Connor tries to keep her troubles to herself. .
I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the intrigue and suspense.This is fast paced. The plot was good and I definitely enjoyed reading this. But I did feel this book was a little long and could have been shorter. I did find it hard to put down as I wanted to know what what was going to happen next. But I thought Johanna was overly distrustful of Connor when he had rescued her and felt maybe she had an issue with trusting men or maybe just trusting. This story had a lot in it: adventure, suspense, mystery, romance, a demon’s heart jem, action, murder, thieves, kidnappers, artifacts, passion, betrayal, greed, and so much more. I really liked the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

I'm sorry to say this book didn't hold my attention.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to enjoy this book with a female author in a time when woman should stay home and mind the children. A woman who was willing to throw caution to the wind to rescue a beloved niece and do anything it took to save the girl.

Instead we were given a mishmash of random characters who all seemed pulled from different plot points of different stories and thrown all together to try and continue in a plot they weren't fully aware of.

The entire novel we have Connor rationalizing why he can't possibly have a future with Johanna; and arguably, his reasons as a spy for Queen Victoria, are rather sound. Than, in the final words, we are supposed to believe that he has magically and wonderfully found a solution but it is never revealed precisely what the solution is.

Johanna who refuses to accept help to save her niece and is just plain frigging -stupid-!

Than the motley crew of villains that have been assembled, including the villainous poisoner, all serve to illuminate the point that a woman is only empowered if she has beauty. We have Countess Ella, a ruthless murderess whom is known far and wide as one to not cross. Even the other villains cower in fear of her. Yet as soon as her face is cut, her beauty marred, she is suddenly weak and Cranston is able to stand against her and even murder her.