a mad dash through the highlands!

3.5 stars
A young Gypsy healer finds herself on horse back racing through forests, dodging trees and bullets and the English after helping a Scot she finds wounded by a musket ball in the leg on the battlefield.
Akira Ayres prides herself on her healing abilities. She knows that the Scot, Geordie is more than he seems, just by his manner and actions, and occasional mumbling so when he's feverish.
She contracts to help him to safety. Unfortunately they are pursued by an English Captain who sees the capturing of Geordie as a stepping stone to his own advancement.
Geordie, the Duke of Gordon cannot be allowed to be captured, else all will be forfeit. He has gone into battle in disguise without followers. Fighting against his English sovereign is treasonous. I really found Geordie's stance reckless, given his responsibilities towards his people.
Akira and Geordie's mad dash to safety is heightened by their growing attraction for each other.
Akira is proud of her abilities and independence, even if it comes at a price. Geordie is bound by his status and the Queen's decree to form an alliance within the confines of his social class. This seems like a relationship doomed to be less than satisfactory, at least for Akira. I found Geordie insensitive to Akira's dilemma given the few choices she has.
Not as satisfying as some previous Jarecki novels, but I still look forward to the next in this new series. 

A NetGalley ARC
(March 2017)

Kudos to Author Amy Jerecki for writing a riveting historical romance. Her print debut starts out with an outstanding bang. This book is filled with intrigue and is set at a very fast pace. One of the things I really liked about this book is how she describes her scenes throughout the book with mesmerizing detail. For example, in several scenes you can smell the blood and feel the fear of being attacked.

Her characters feel very real and for me are believable. Geordie is a heart throb and the two sides of his personality are shown in a manner that leaves no doubt that he wants something better for himself regarding personal relationships and family.

Akira is magnificent. Her fearless, caring personality adds the needed spark to an already outstanding read. Her personality teaches the reader the lesson of being kinder, more understanding and how to care more for others.

I give this 4.5 STARS for transcending class structures in a meaningful way.

I am a fan of Amy Jarecki and her Highland Dynasty series, but this book didn't have that same feel. I was unable to connect to the characters and the romance felt forced from the beginning. I'm not totally sure if it was the writing that put me off, or if I just wasn't in the mood for a historical romance at the time I read this one. I lost interest and started skimming around 60%... but did enjoy the last 20% as the action came to a head.

The Highland Duke 'The Highland Duke' by Amy Jarecki is book One in the "Lords of the Highlands" series. This is this the story of Akira and Gordon 'Geordie'. Geordie is a Duke who is in danger and has been shot. When Akira finds him he talks her into helping him and then offers to pay her if she can get him a horse. Geordie needs to get away as fast as he can. Akira is a gypsy healer of sorts who finds Geordie and tries to help him. When they are discovered by Redcoats they take off together. Geordie knows that Akira saved his life and he needs to keep her safe. Akira is just a commoner along with her family. Their family is nothing in the eyes of her village, but she tries her best to help them and others. Geordie being a Duke knows that anything that comes of Akira and his attraction couldn't lead to marriage due to her being a commoner. But with lines like this: (Akira)'Stop' she said with a gasp, her fists showing up between them. 'Why is it I have so much difficulty resisting you?' (Geordie) 'Believe me, lass I am the one who has been rendered utterly powerless'
Akira was a strong women who knew her place, had pride and held her virtue as her only great possession. Geordie had allot to over come from his past but he was a strong hero. I truly enjoyed watching these two grow and overcome so much. I even loved the secondary characters so much that I hope to see more of them! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily.
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Waking up on the battlefield in the aftermath of the desastrous  Battle of Hoord Moor, Geordie or rather George Gordon, the first Duke of Gordon does not only have to deal with a musket ball in his tigh but also with the fact that he mustn't be found by the redcoats as his lands would be forfeit if he was discovered. When Akira Ayres, the nearby village's healer finds him, he gets her to help him. When they are discovered by the redcoats, a wild ride begins and a flight that'll take them high up into the highlands. This trip will change their life forever ...

Akira's life hasn't been easy up to now and she isn't very happy when circumstances force her to flee with Geordie - and with a bunch of redcoats at their heels. A bunch of very determined redcoats at that. 
Akira and Geordie not only have to try to stay ahead of their pursuers but Akira also has to try to keep the severely wounded Geordie alive. Fighting together and getting to know each other, the two of them form a bond. Could there be a future for a duke and a gypsy's daughter? And, even more pressing, will they be able to stay ahead of the redcoats and thwart all their plans to capture them?

I loved the chemistry between the two main characters and I loved that Geordie is very straight forward when it comes to his feelings and that even though he is a man and acts like one, he doesn't want to take advantage of Akira but wants to do everything for her that he can do. Well, the bad part is, that sometimes that is not enough. Sometimes all the feelings and all the good intentions are not enough no matter how much it hurts to realize that. 

Akira's family - well, I guess everybody needs an Uncle Bruno, right? Someone who will protect you no matter what, someone who shows you how to survive and someone to watch out for you. Alright, I loved the story and I loved that the good ones win and the bad ones, well, they don't. And it felt so good to see them lose!

This book is sweet and wonderful, romantic, funny and gripping. I really enjoyed reading it!

Author Amy Jarecki sizzles with The Highland Duke! I am so excited about the Lords of the Highlands series! I could not put The Highland Duke down! Jarecki takes the reader on one hell of an adventure in The Highland Duke!  Akira and Geordie are sensual, smart and exhilarating.  The Highland Duke is non-stop action from page one!

Author Amy Jarecki creates suspense with ease in The Highland Duke.  The world she built is easy to imagine.  I could feel the breeze and see the Highlands while reading.  It made me ache to be there. Jarecki forges a magical experience with The Highland Duke.

Akira and Geordie are in the race for their lives in The Highland Duke.  The dramatic tension is high as they flee the redcoats. I love that Akira is a strong woman with a mind of her own.  She is not one to be run over. Geordie is a loyal warrior determined to do right by his clan.  He is not prepared for fiery Akira but is ready for the challenge.   It is so much fun taking this journey with them as they get to know each other and fall madly in love.

Akira and Geordie are a fierce couple! It’s easy to fall in love with them in The Highland Duke.  If you are looking for a thrilling story with a passionate couple then Amy Jarecki’s The Highland Duke is for you.

The Highland Duke is one action packed historical romance. From the opening pages, we are launched into an adventure that never lets up making this a fast paced and fun read. When Akira, a gypsy healer intervenes in "Geordie's" life and puts him on the path to recovery, she takes huge risk and ends up on the run. Unbeknownst to Akira, Geordie is a Duke and he's on the wrong side of the English law in the battle to restore James Stewart to the thrown.

I've read enough historical novels to know that Jarecki does a great job capturing the predicament that Akira and Geordie are in. The story revolves around Geordie getting home alive and Akira finding her way home safely. The time they spend together awakens their passion and it's a lot of fun being in their heads. There's a fair amount of intrigue as an English captain set his sights on seeing Geordie stripped of his dukedom. Akira's role and her standing as a commoner is impacted by being in his life. The tension builds as does their connection - turning from them from strangers to a lot more. Jarecki captures their flirtation and growing attraction in the ongoing banter and heightens the drama in perfect accordance.

This is a fun read that I flew through as I was anxious to get to see how Geordie would resolve his issue and make Akira happy. 4 stars and recommendation in historical romance

received in exchange for a honest review.
Amy Jarecki writes a wonderful female lead. She is strong and capable but also vulnerable and not quite comfortable when she is falling in love. She isn’t used to the attention of a man and it confuses her. she is a very sweet and giving young lady. Akira doesn’t come from money and society, she is a healer and gypsy but she has more class and style than the aristocrats. she treats everyone the same and shows respect to all. 
Geordie is the duke she helps. He is shot while fighting against the queen’s men. When you first meet him he seems gruff and arrogant. He sees Akira and is attracted and intrigued. she treats him like a man not a duke so he doesn’t change the situation. She knows he is from money but not who he is. She baffles him. She stands up to him and doesn’t back down. She makes him look at his own behaviour and actions. She also makes him feel alive and wanting to be a better man. He doesn’t see her as a gypsy but as a capable and wonderful person and healer. He wants to know her more and as they are going on the run to get to his land he does. She keeps him alive and sasses him as well. She intrigues him and he at times frustrates her. They are definitely attracted to one another. 
I loved how his children are towards Akira as he sees her as more but with the times they are in and the crown after him it is hard for them to be together the way Akira would like. It is her mom that comes up with a way for that to happen. But along the way there, he does a heroic rescue and sees a different side to tinkers and gypsies. He comes to their defense and it was awesome. Akira changes him for the better. He was already a great guy but this just has you swoon. And the moment in the forest with the family so so swoony. 
the story is fun, sweet and entertaining. We see Akira grow confident in love and Geordie find a woman that he loves and is willing to risk it all for her. Great story, plot, characters and romance.

Amy Jarecki is a new to me author and I am so glad I read this book because I absolutely loved it so much that I am going to purchase a paperback copy of this book as soon as I have the chance because I know I will want to read this book again in the future. 

This book is filled with action, adventure, chemistry and I just love the main characters (Akira and Geordie).

If you are a fan of Historical Romance I think you will like this book as much as I do. 

I give this 4 out of 5.

This historical romance set in 18th century Scotland is fast paced, adventurous and action-packed. The story is well-constructed and filled with intrigue and memorable characters. The hero, The Duke of Gordon, aka Geordie, always stands for what he believes in. As a Highlander born and raised, he has challenged Queen Anne’s Government troops and ridden against the English crown. He is a fervent Jacobite, supporting the rightful king of Scotland, James Stuart, exiled in France.

Badly shot in the leg, he is saved by Akira Ayres, a street urchin with Gypsy ancestry and a skilled healer. She accepts to flee with him and gets into trouble for helping him. The sequences of their journey across the Highlands moved with rapidity and were exciting and full of drama. The Duke has powerful enemies, determined to ruin him, who will stop at nothing to catch him. 

I loved the main characters in this story, they are well-portrayed and complex. They come from two totally different  worlds,  but they share a deep emotional connection.  They just make sense together and I loved how their relationship progressed as the story unfolded.  Akira has no notion of Geordie’s standing in society, he hides his identity to protect her. Akira is forthright, kind and competent, she is an endearing heroine. Her past is touching, she has grown up in poverty and she makes Geordie realize how privileged he has always been. His title comes with responsibilities, he can’t run from who he is, but he wants to become a better person for her. Akira doubts the depths of Geordie’s feelings, she isn’t sure she can trust him. He may have turned her world upside down, but she has values she can’t compromise on. 

Amy Jarecki has delivered a cast of quirky, interesting characters and a suspense filled plot in a fast paced romance I didn’t want to end. The author’s love for Scotland, its rich history and tumultuous past is reflected in her imaginative, evocative and captivating storytelling. I’ll definitely follow this talented author in the future. 4.5 stars

Traveling over a hundred miles in each direction, Akira leaves her home, mother and sisters for the unexpected adventure of a lifetime. As a healer she should be respected, but as a gypsy she feels she is not. But her traveling companion fills her with confidence and gives her the courage, strength and determination to continue her journey until her task is finished. So many obstacles to overcome! So many new people to meet! So many Redcoats chasing them! With adventure on every page and a new obstacle around every corner it's difficult to put this book down. You'll understand why Amy Jarecki is a favorite author.

George Gordon, the Scottish Duke of Gordon, is taking part in a battle on the side of the Jacobites, but he’s doing so secretly.  He’s not displaying his clan’s banner or taking his own warriors along because he doesn’t want to risk losing his dukedom or his lands.  Unfortunately, Geordie (as he prefers his friends to call him) is injured and will no doubt be found soon by the Redcoats and be branded a traitor.  However, Akira Ayres, a young healer, who was searching the battle site for wounded men, finds him first.  She tends to the bullet wound in his leg, but soon the British approach, and they have to flee.  Akira, whose family is struggling to survive, agrees to being hired by Geordie, and will tend to his injury and travel with him as he heads to safety.

Geordie doesn’t reveal his status to Akira for two reasons – first, if she’s ever questioned about him, she’ll be unable to confirm his identity, and, second, he quite likes not being fawned over because of his title.  As they flee, Geordie inadvertently leaves behind his flask, which has the ducal monogram, and which is found by an overzealous British captain.  Said captain is determined to bring the duke to justice as a traitor, and even hopes that some of the duke’s lands may be his reward.  He refuses to give up, and travels all the way to the duke’s castle to confront him directly.

While travelling, Geordie and Akira were forced to be close to each other, sharing a single horse, and snuggling up to each other at night to stay warm.  As Geordie starts to heal, he begins to feel lust for the lovely gypsy healer.  Akira is an innocent, and is somewhat bewildered at feeling desire for the first time.  She fights it, knowing her own mother’s history, and how a woman can be loved and left.  Inevitably, they give in to their passion.  When they finally reach the castle, and it becomes obvious that Geordie is a duke, Akira is not sure where she stands.

THE HIGHLAND DUKE is the first book I’ve read by Amy Jarecki.  It’s described as the first book of a new series, yet I felt that I was missing information about the duke.  He is shockingly divorced, something very rare in 1703, but we don’t have many details.  I would have liked more information about his marriage, how the divorce came about, and why he was such a libertine while he was married.  This void left me wondering if he could ever be true to Akira, if and when they ever committed to a real relationship.  It also seems that Geordie and Akira didn’t give serious consideration to the difficulties that would occur because of the difference in their stations in life.  A duke is a far cry from a bastard gypsy girl, but perhaps it’s a testament to their intense romance, that any misgivings were secondary to their desire to be together.  Geordie certainly showed his determination and his heroic side in regard to Akira and her family.  If you enjoy an unconventional Scottish romance with an abundance of adventure, THE HIGHLAND DUKE may be just what you’re looking for.

This is a first story in a new series by Amy Jarecki and I think you’ll have a lot of fun reading it.

From the moment our heroine finds our injured Scotsman, the story takes off as she’s trying to save his life, at her peril. As they’re fleeing across the moors of Scotland,  the story moves at a fast clip and our duo gets to know each other.

I loved the complexity of these two characters and their different backgrounds were well depicted so watching them fall for each other was so much fun.

Akira was everything I like about heroines, devoted daughter and sister; a caring healer and all around kind person, and yet she was strong and wise.

Geordie, the hero, was someone I liked right from the start. He was not just a handsome man, but he was wealthy, loyal and he was a highly respected duke. I loved the intriguing baggage he brought to this romance and couldn’t wait to see how it would be resolved.

What I also loved was the authors ability to suck me into the setting and transport me to the Scotland of old and take me on a journey through history I could almost touch.

If you’re a fan of men in kilts and opposites attract romance, as well as history, this is a perfect story for you.

Melanie for b2b

The Highland Duke is a historical romance with one of my favorite tropes, the secret identity. Because of the political climate at the time, the Duke of Gordon has to hide his support for King James III. But, when injured in a battle he should not have been at, he needs the help of a local healer, Akira. Forcing Akira to run off with him to heal him puts her on the wrong side of the law in the duchy she lives in. Gordon doesn't tell her who he is, insisting she call him 'Geordie'. She doesn't mention her family's gypsy heritage.

As a History scholar (I have a bachelors degree in History with a focus on military history), I appreciate historically accurate stories. This is a time period that was very tumultuous in British history but often only told from the side of those who supported the Protestant line. So, to have this story told from a Scot who supports the Catholic line of King James is unique! Also, when I was in Rome in September I actually saw the tomb of King James in St. Peter's basilica. Ok, back to the book.

Akira is a bit naive, but it works. She is mistrustful yet driven to do her job as a healer to save anyone and everyone, regardless of how or why they were injured. She didn't go to the battlefield looking only to help the soldiers of one side of the war. Geordie is a big oaf but you kind of love him anyway. Obviously, he is injured and that is causes great pain, so he is cranky and takes it out on Akira, because, well, she is there.

I was worried that Geordie was going to keep Akira as a 'dirty little secret'. After she slept with him, I was worried he would treat her like a kept woman. While that would solve LOTS of her problems (she could learn to read, her family could get out of their terrible circumstances, etc) it wouldn't be love. The first 1/2 of the book felt very slow to me. I think because I was expecting Geordie to keep her a secret or at least downplay what they have, I was skimming to get to some action that might confirm my suspicions. There is still the tension from the redcoat soldiers searching for them but I was afraid once that threat had passed, Geordie would screw things up royally. This doubt in the hero kept me from fully investing in the story, honestly. I will fully admit that I was perhaps being judgmental and projecting on Geordie, so keep that in mind!

Sometimes an author makes it very difficult to write a review for a book as wonderful as THE HIGHLAND DUKE. Akira and Geordie are both engaging characters, the story is superbly constructed, and the dialogues are spectacularly and believably simple, witty and intelligent. I appreciate how Ms. Jarecki inserts just enough Scotticisms to convey the brogue, the lilt of the language, which keeps the dialogues light but still sounding authentic. I admire Amy Jarecki’s subtle hand in handling every facet of this book: the author did extensive research without bogging down the narrative, the descriptions are crisp, the characters well defined, and I just loved pertinent little details, such as the use of rags to curl hair.

The twist in the romance is one I had never seen before, and I thought it was extremely clever, because I feared things would not unfold as I wished for Geordie and Akira. THE HIGHLAND DUKE is one of the loveliest romances I have read recently, and I felt it was the meeting of kindred souls. I will be waiting for the next book with bated breath because it will be explosive!

I love a good Highlander tale and I couldn’t pass this one up (sexy cover, anyone?). The Highland Duke‘s love story centered around two people separated by class and station: A Scottish Duke and a Gypsy healer. Forced to escape with her wounded patient, the two find love on their uphill and battle-driven path to happily ever after. But it isn’t an easy path, and the suspense, action, and slow burn romance heat up as the pages keep turning.

The romance between Geordie and Akira was slow and built with no pretenses. Both ignored their outside worlds in order to keep each other alive, all the while falling in love between horse chases and back-door escape routes. The way in which they intricately became close with one another in the most subtle of ways was beautiful. I especially enjoyed how they worked around their very real differences in wealth and royalty–his abundance and her lack of. It created tension, both emotional and sexual, and brought them closer in resolution. Geordie’s outer strength complemented the inner strength of Akira well; what he lacked, she made up for and vice versa. They played well off one another which created great banter.

As a new reader to Jarecki’s works, I found her historical writing to be very engrossing and well-researched, both things crucial to the genre. Even with the plot dragging a bit in a few places, the story still managed to keep pulling me in to it, my needing to see the resolution to the intense storyline overruling everything. I loved Akira’s strong sense of will and what was right–she was a badass in her own right. It was fully enjoyable seeing such a strong female character in this sort of tale. The Highland Duke is a great book for all Scottish lovers, historical romance junkies, and those who love a good tale of a woman overcoming her class to find the love she deserves.

The Highland Duke is the first book in the Lords of the Highlands series by Amy Jarecki. 

Akira Ayres is of gypsy descent, she lives with her mother and sisters in one room. They are poor as church mice, but Akira does her best to look after them all. She is a healer and earns what food they get from helping people with their ailments. 

After a skirmish between the Scots and some Redcoats, Akira who is a healer goes to the battle area to see if there is anybody she can help. She comes across a wounded highlander, he's bleeding, a lot, from a musket ball to the leg. She knows she must help him and sets to removing the ball and binding the wound. 

The wounded man is George, the Duke of Gordon. He was fighting incognito under his cousins banner rather than his own, against the English when he was shot. If it was discovered that he had any part in the skirmish he would end up forfeiting his land and title and any chance of getting the rightful person back on the throne. He would also find himself hung for treason.

When Akira finds him he can't give her his real name or tell her who he is for fear that she could be forced to tell if she were questioned by his enemy. He introduces himself as Geordie. Not long after Akira starts to tend to his wounds, a redcoat begins to close in and Geordie knows he has to get home to safety and the only way to do that is with Akira's help. She's doesn't want to leave her family but when he offers her payment, enough money to feed her family for a year, she has no other choice but to help him to his home.

The time they spend getting back there is fraught with trials and tribulations, but somewhere along the way an attraction starts to grow between them. One that is ridiculous because although she doesn't know his true identity, Akira can tell Geordie is of the higher classes, and somebody like him could never be with a common poor person like her, and especially one that's a gypsy.  Any thoughts of romance often end up taking a back seat to the drama involved with getting the man home and fully healed safely.

The trouble won't end there though because the redcoat that was following after them has a strong suspicion of who Geordie is and he won't let it lie. If he captures the man and proves him a traitor to the 'usurper' he would win great favour from the Queen. He isn't 100% sure of Geordie's identity but after questioning people he knows that Akira is a healer and that she was the one on the run with the man. If he can get to her, he will make her confess to who she was with.

Will they be able to keep him from getting proof of Geordie's participation in the skirmish, and can Akira be kept safe when she leaves his home to return to hers? What of their budding relationship, can that stand any chance when he has kept his true identity a secret. How can they even be friends if he can't trust her?

This story was so much more than a romance, it was full of intrigue, excitement and drama. Akira is a strong female character who can give as good as she gets, and she is faithful to those that deserve her trust. She won't let Geordie down no matter what. In fact if it were a case of life or death between them, she would chose herself to die. Would Geordie do the same for her? You will have to read the book to see. You can be assured that the redcoat is not going to give up easily and that the drama that unfolds will make you want to read and keep on reading until you find out what happens.

This book was a fantastic read that I fully recommend. It has just the right amount of everything to make it perfect, and the passion when it happens is hot hot hot. How could it not be with a sexy highlander involved!   I loved the setting of the story, I love the history the author managed to put into the story, and the description of Scotland just left me wanting to jump into the book and be there. This is just the first book in the series, and if it's brilliance is anything to go by then I cannot wait for the following books to come!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

Highland Duke by Amy Jarecki brings us into the conflict between Scotland and England in the 1700s.  Akira Ayres, a healer went out onto the battlefield after the battle and found a wounded Scot off the edge of the field.  She agrees to help him as he offers her money and her family was desperately poor.  The scottish man called Geordie had a musket ball in his leg.  Akira managed to get him away before the English found him and started to help him heal.  What she does not know is that he is the Duke of Gordon, a lord of the realm and if found would be found guilty of treason. She only knows they seem to be tracked by the English and Geordie needs to heal.  

Highland Duke by Amy Jarecki was enjoyable.  I liked the storyline and the characters.  I felt the emotions of Akira especially as Geordie’s lineage becomes more apparent.  What Geordie didn’t know or understand was Akira was of gypsy descent and as such was considered the lowest of the low. A love and marriage story with people two different ends of the economic spectrum during the 1700s - an impossibility.

Akira Ayres was a healer above all else and when she happened upon a brawny Scot with a musket ball in his thigh, Akira had no doubt she must act to save him.   Even though the hated English were closing in on them Akira could not let another man die for not being brave enough to tend his wounds.   Even as Akira does her best to ease his pain and help him out she was definitely intimidated by the fearsome and huge brutally handsome highlander who refused to tell her his name.

Geordie knew that if Akira ever knew he was the Duke of Gordon, both of their lives would be forfeit.  The only way to keep her safe was to keep her by his side day and night.  However, the more time he spent with the sassy lass, the harder it seemed to let her go.  Despite the difference in their social standing Geordie was determined to make Akira his.

***  Again this is a new author to me and don’t you know I am just going to have to put Ms. Jarecki on my author watch list.   I really enjoyed THE HIGHLAND DUKE with its fast pace, great writing and and  wicked good dialogs.  I wasn’t always happy with Geordie assuming that his elevated status was insurmountable to making Akira an honest woman – I understood it – I just didn’t like it!

There were a lot of scenario’s where Akira was captured and released - some of them were even quite humorous but most were not.  However each attempt to free Akira was devilishly clever and the entrance of Akira’s Uncle Bruno was for me one of the highlights of the hit and run scenario’s found in the book .

Bottom Line:   Don’t be afraid of new authors - Ms. Jarecki’s THE HIGHLAND DUKE brought me a lot of pleasure and I highly recommend to fans of Scottish Historicals!

Marilyn Rondeau

Wow this was a scorching Hot historical romance, I loved it!!