John Erskine, Earl of Mar, inherited a pile of debt from his father. The estate had been mismanaged for years and everything needed repair. John had been working to repair the damage caused by his father, but he couldn’t pay the debt off. The only reason he was a member of Queen Anne’s council as Secretary of State for Scotland, was because the money he received for the position allowed him to stave off his creditors. Now, he’s recently lost his beloved wife and he has two young sons to raise. John is almost the same age as his father was when he died and he has vowed that he will not, absolutely WILL NOT, leave the same kind of mess for his sons. Even though he deeply mourns his wife, he decides to marry an heiress in order to put his estate to rights and pay off his father’s debts. He’ll never love again, but he’ll honor and respect a new wife.

Lady Evelyn Pierrrepont, the oldest daughter of the Duke of Kingston-Upon-Hull, is appalled at her father’s dealings, his smuggling and the way he treats the servants. She’s learned a lot about him in the last year – and none of it was good. So, when she was offered the opportunity to make a difference, she gladly took it. She’d do her part to support Prince James and help the common people by spying on her father’s dealings and providing the information to the cause. Her mission was coming along nicely until she received a marriage proposal from the Earl of Mar. She certainly didn’t want to marry him – he was just like her father! But – she has no choice – her father has already made all of the arrangements.

Evelyn’s spying garners even more and better information once she is married, but she has begun to respect her new husband and is reluctant to continue. Then, things go dreadfully awry and she, John and the children are all in great peril. Can they escape the wicked Duke of Argyll? They barely manage to escape London, then they trek across the mountains in the Highlands, cross an ocean, confront a villain all while being chased by the English dragoons. There is definitely never a dull minute in this exciting fast-paced story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Were there problems with the book – Goodness yes – a number of them. It always makes me a bit nuts when an author gets the basics wrong – something as simple as the banns being called but they are going to marry in a week – nope. However, I still enjoyed the read.

This is the sixth book in the series, but it totally stands alone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

“In this moment, there’s no place I’d rather be than in your arms.”

Newly widowed and debt ridden, John Erskine, the Earl of Mar, is in search of a bride and stepmom to his two young sons. After meeting Lady Evelyn Pierrepont, the Earl feels as if she is a good fit for his family. But Lady Evelyn has secrets that could cost him more than just the loss of his position in the Queen’s court.

Lady Evelyn Pierrepont is an activist for the common people. Tired of seeing how her father uses his power and influence over the servants and those less fortunate he deems beneath him, Evelyn does everything she can to offer aid. On a chance meeting, Lady Evelyn becomes the confidant of a Frenchman who professes to share her disregard for the Queen’s policy and the other gentry within parliament and offers her a way of furthering their cause…become a spy for the Jacobites.

What starts as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes one filled with passion, but only within the confines of Eve and John’s bedchamber. Each of them suspects the other of keeping secrets, and misunderstandings and lack of communication could cost these lovers the ultimate price...treason’s death at the hands of the hangman or worse.

Amy Jarecki has written a fast paced Highland adventure filled with intrigue and romance. While this is the 6th installment to the Lords of the Highlands series, it may be read standalone. I found The Highland Earl impossible to put down! Loved and highly recommend!

Received in exchange for a honest review.

I liked the John more than Evelyn. John was working hard and doing what he had to for his family. His job wasn’t one he liked completely but he did what he could for his people and make sure things weren’t worse than they could be. He was honest,loyal and true. He knew that many found him to be working both sides of the fence and prickly but he knew the truth and that was what mattered. He stayed true to himself and his family and Scotland. He treated those that worked for him well and wanted to better their lives. He treated them like family and those in his earldom area he was kind, fair and just to. He worked hard to keep them safe and well piad for their work.

Evelyn was snobby to me. She felt she was fighting injustices for those who worked. ONly she didn’t think that anyone who had a title could be anything but like her father-stingy and greedy. She painted this brush on John and was rather aloof towards him as she quietly worked against him. She put him and his family in danger for a cause. A good cause but the person behind it was shady to me. She didn’t open up to John but painted him based on what she had heard about him and even as she saw his different sides she kept justifiying her actions with her father’s actions and how John is in his day job.

There was attraction and John was more open to it than Evelyn. I loved how even after she cost him alot, he was there for her and protecting her. He went out to prove his innocence and hers as well. It was at this point that they acted on their attraction and we see Evelyn open up and learn to trust John. She sees who he really is and he forgives her. He is a good guy-misunderstood but good. He does what is right for the people no matter what. Heck every inch of the way, Evelyn did silly things-from the dress shop before they were married to putting his family in danger-John was always there and showing he was a good man. a honest and true man. At the beginning she ignored it but she did have doubts I’ll give her that only she justified her actions by thinking of her father and his actions not how John was. I loved seeing John proe her wrong and her have to keep justifying in her mind what she was doing. It got harder and harder for her to and you grew to be angry with her for her actions. They came from a good place but she used them as a shield of armour and to make her self seem better than those around her. She wasn’t. She wasn’t a bad person just misguided and skewed in her views of herself and others. John helps her to see herself and what is really going on and he humbles her.

The story was interesting and I loved watching John fall in love and prove himself to be a wonderful, caring man. The plot was entertaining and the romance was a slow burning one. Overall a good story.

This was an entertaining book. Lady Evelyn Pierrepont finds herself in a marriage of convenience with John Erskine, the widowed Earl of Mar, a widower with two young sons. His sons need a mother and he needs money. Evelyn wants to continue her secret efforts to support Prince James and the Jacobite cause. The events of this story held my interest and the book was fast-paced. I enjoyed this book and would read other books by this author.

I loved this book! Amy writes with such passion, such feeling that it comes through expertly on the pages. John and Evelyn start out rocky but thru all their perils find the way to one anothers hearts.

John is a widower with two sons and some might claim the most eligible bachelor. But his seemingly wishy washy politics make it hard to know if he stands for his Scottish countrymen or has sold out to the English and the queen. But once he decides that Evelyn will meet the needs as mother of his sons he goes after her.

Evelyn doesn't know what to think. She supports the true king as a Jacobite in secret. Her father's unseemigly business dealings are against everything she is and John seems to agree with her father. How can a union work? But Maybe she can use him and his place on the queens cabinet.

Despite the growing attraction between them the distance caused by untrust is abounding. And that distrust causes dangers that Evelyn never dreamed possible. Aligning herself with someone hiding his true nature brings out Johns protective side. And protecting his wife and family, not to mention clearing his name as a traitor is first on his list.

Evelyn never wanted to put the boys in harms way. But with them safely away she is all alone with her husband. And tucked away from all troubles and trials their love begins to bloom. The trust begins to be built and passions ignite. Will they be able to safely clear their names and gain the queens trust or will they forever be called traitors running for their lives?

Amy Jarecki has another amazing romance. I did not realize Evelyn and John were based on real people and events until finishing the book. The historical aspects of their story appear to be well-researched and add to the book to keep you wondering what will happen next. John and Evelyn’s marriage, as with most of the time, begin as a marriage of convenience. You really feel and ‘see’ these two fall in love. Their relationship begins as strangers, both deciding to marry for their own reasons. They go from strangers to lovers, with admiration, respect, and then love growing between them.

Of course, there are difficulties along the way that add to the element of danger for them. Even the period in which they are not speaking is respectful and not filled with unkindness, just separation. This a great ‘feel good’ book to enjoy as part of the Lords of Highland series.

This is a very well written book with a lot of intrigue and action happening. John and Evelyn are a good match. The story kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next and how the story was going to end, how it was going to be pulled together. The setting or world building in this book is tops. A lovely story that was easy to read. I also enjoyed the secondary characters who helped pull everything in tight.

Book: The Highland Earl by Amy Jarecki

Series: Lords of the Highlands, Book #6

Release Date: June 25, 2019


Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
1)Tartan Book Reviews
2)Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3)Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
4)Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Book Rating: 5/5 Stars/Kilts


The Highland Earl by Amy Jarecki

April 1713

Scottish, John Erskine was recently widowed with two young sons Thomas and Oliver. The Earl of Mar, who is also The Secretary of State of Scotland. Plus his boys needed a mother to care for them. Though John is still healing from a broken heart and promises never to love another wife. It was just too painful and shattered his tender heart into pieces. He couldn’t go through this heartbreak again. John has also been the subject of some negative press being in Queen Anne’s cabinet for many years. He being mocked by the pubic being called Bobbin’ John to belittle him.

John feels the English, Lady Evelyn Pierrepont, would be a perfect mother figure for his sons, the beautiful young woman would be a perfect Countess. Yet unfortunately she does not feel the same. As she feels he is just like her greedy, cruel father. Evelyn has no wish to marry this Scottish Earl who is the catch of the season for unmarried noble women. Yet her father who is taken by the Earl’s title and position at court gives her no choice. The one thing in Evelyn’s favor: is to be able to spy on her own husband under his own roof. Yet she begins to question perhaps she was totally wrong about the Earl of Mar?

The more time Evelyn shares with her new husband John and his young son’s the more she cares. Could this be love? Soon she realizes affiliation and partnerships change and the ones she had considered friends are actually her foes. These enemies might actually ruin the Earls reputation and his life including his boys. Will he ever be able to forgive, forget and move on with his traitorous wife? Can he ever trust her around his children or had she ruined their future happiness where he must send her away?
An action packed book that readers don’t want to miss!

Lords of the Highlands series:

The Highland Duke
The Highland Commander
The Highland Guardian
The Highland Chieftain
0The Highland Renegade
The Highland Earl (will release on June 25th)
All can be read as stand alone books but I definitely recommend to read them all.


Amy Jarecki pens another nail biting, riveting, fast paced, page turning, romantic adventure, in her sixth book of her Lords of the Highlands series. A book I totally got swept away in, that had me gasping with delight! My favorite book recipe, is weaving true history with a fictional romance. I loved that this author researched and used a true member in history and his wife, a swoon worthy hero and archer, risk taking, heroine.


This book has all the elements that historical romance readers love. It is awe inspiring, action-packed-novel, filled with extraordinary plotting, phenomenal storylines, mystery, suspense, treason, treachery, intrigue, espionage, betrayal, heartbreak, duplicity, deception, forgiveness, trust, faith and naturally love. An emotional book that I couldn’t put down! I absolutely loved John and Eve’s story - a book I will never forget!

Another stunning setting with brilliant multi dimensional characters, especially the young son Oliver, who is an absolute heart string puller! This included magnificent dialogue, and captivating plotting that was absolutely incredible! This book included detailed storylines that took my breath away. I can’t recommend this exhilarating book, The Highland Earl by Amy Jarecki enough!

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and Grand Central Forever publishers for a fair and honest review. I voluntarily agreed to read, review, blog and promote through netgalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.


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The Highland Earl is the sixth book in the Lords of Highlands series. It was an okay story, but I did feel that there was not enough romance in it. I felt that there was more of a physical attraction between John, Earl of Mar and Lady Evelyn. They get married without really knowing each other. They marry each other to serve their own purpose. He to gain a stepmother for his sons and her dowry. A dowry that will help him repay most of the debt that his father left behind. Evelyn's purpose was to spy on him. She had been assisting a group of people to aid the common man. Which later caused her to have problems in her marriage.
Sadly most of their relationship through out the story is them hiding things from each other and having lots of sexy times. Their marriage has been mostly them having dinner and John visiting her at night. It is not until we hit the climax of the story that we see them get to know each other better. Unfortunately it took too long for me to that connection outside their bedroom.

The Highland Earl (Lords of the Highlands Book 6) by Amy Jarecki is an awesome Scottish romance. While book 6, it can be read as a stand alone.

Well written and well crafted with charming, engaging and realistic characters. From the first page I was hooked as I followed John Erskine, the widowed Earl of Mar, with two small sons, and who needs to remarry as quickly as possible. And the beautiful, rich, and feisty Lady Evelyn Pierrepont.

Action packed with Evelyn and sensual interactions, danger, spies, turmoil, betrayal, innocence, a marriage of convenience, treachery and challenges. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, as Evelyn and John, transverse the highland countryside, learning the extent of the betrayal that could prove deadly for John. If they can't find the truth, before it's too late, John, could lose his lands, his sons, his wife, his love and his life.
Another keeper by Amy Jarecki! WOW, what an exciting and intriguing story of love, treason, with a climatic HEA. A must read for fans of Scottish Romance, Historical Romance, where, history meets fiction.
#NetGalley, #TheHighlandEarl,#AmyJarecki

Rating: 5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewer: AprilR

Still reeling from the death of his beloved wife, John Erskine, the Earl of Mar, must nonetheless remarry as soon as possible. His two young sons need a mother figure and he has too many responsibilities with his own estates and his position as Secretary of State for Scotland to do it all himself. Lady Evelyn Pierrepont seems a perfect choice, especially since her dowry will enable John to finally pay off his father's debts so his sons will be free from financial stress.

Evelyn has no wish to marry the rough highlander but agrees, knowing this position will enable her to continue on as a Jacobite spy, so long as her husband never finds out.

John can't bear the heartbreak of falling in love again, but he and Evelyn have an undeniable chemistry and soon she also finds herself growing attached to her new family. But with both Evelyn and John keeping secrets and making biased assumptions, their blossoming relationship is as much at stake as are their lives.

Frankly Evelyn's naivete and willingness to wholeheartedly believe gossip rather disgusted me. Luckily, it disgusted her too and she worked hard to make amends to John and to actually get to know him as his true self. This book had a bit of everything: characters who showed development and grew together, steamy times, romance, danger, intrigue, plus cute kids. Once the heroine got it together, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let's see, an English Lady who believes in Prince James and the Jacobite cause (a spy).
A widowed Scottish Earl known as "Bobbin"John, who is a member of Parliament, a confidante of the English Queen Annie, still trying to get out of his dead father's debt and needs to marry a woman with a substantial dowry. A dishonest Duke, Spanish gold and a French spy. Don't forget this is also a very good romance.
If this doesn't keep your nose in the book, I don't know what will.
A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

I have read all the books in this series and absolutely loved them. "The Highland Earl" has a lot going on and there are twists and turns throughout the book including spies, betrayal and love. John Erskine, the widowed Earl of Mar, married Lady Evelyn Pierrepont for her dowry to get rid of crippling debt left by John's father. Though married as strangers, John is drawn to Evelyn until she betrays him in the worst way. Now branded as traitors, John and Evelyn are one step ahead of the dragoons as they try to clear their names.

I really loved John--he was noble, loyal and and fiercely protective of his family. Evelyn grew on me as the book progressed. The plot moves along at a good pace although the I found the ending rushed with some plot elements left unresolved especially Argyl who left no stone unturned to capture John and Evelyn. Without spoiling the ending, who else heard what Queen Anne said to John? Was his word now good enough for the realm and the man hunting him?

4.5 Stars!! If you like older, still fit & handsome man with a younger woman, than you would like this. There is a lot of mystery, a little romance & a little ‘oh my gosh, what’s going to happen now!?’! Plenty of surprises too! I really enjoyed this book! I highly recommend it too! It’s a standalone book but it’s the 6th book in the series! I’m planning on reading the series since this was the first book I’ve read from it! I hope the other books are as good as this one! Next book definitely needs to be about the ship captain Keenan Cameron!!! I really liked him!! Ha! Anyway, great book & I highly recommend you read it, even if you haven’t read any of the other books in the series!
*I received this book to read and review at no charge from the publisher and I gave my honest opinion.*

The Highland Earl
Lords of the Highlands #6
By Amy Jarecki
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

John Erskine is the widowed Earl of Mar, and needs to remarry as quickly as possible. He meets Lady Evelyn Pierrepont and decides that she is exactly what he's looking for. She's young, pretty, and comes with a dowry that will see his father's debts are payed off and ensure his boys are not left with any debt when he departs this world.

Evelyn Pierrepont is not looking to get married and settle down. In fact she has no desire to wed wed the Scottish Earl, but at least she'll be able to continue living a double life as a spy as long as her husband doesn't find out. As time goes on Evelyn finds herself sexually drawn to her husband in a way she doesn't understand and as she grows fonder of her ready made family the last thing she wants to intentionally do is put them in danger. As alliances shift and enimies get closer and closer, everything and everyone she loves will be at risk. Will they run for their lives or will they face the very demons that she has created with her mistakes?

Amy Jarecki brings us a wonderful story filled with secrets and spies. The main characters were absolutely delightful. John and Evelyn may have started out as strangers, but it didn't take long for them to make cozy together. There was always something happening so there was never a dull moment from the get go. Ms. Jarecki you are so very talented and I truly enjoy reading your books.

Outstanding read. A blend of history, romance, and espionage. A strong, powerful Earl needs to marry after losing his wife and has two sons and Evelyn never wants to marry. She is too involved in political spying. What culd go wrong?

This was an absolutely-delightful, romantic romp. It had all the essential elements that make for a great, historical romance read. The story line was interesting, and the characters were complex and rich with life. I enjoyed this book immensely!

#TheHighlandEarl #AmyJarecki #NetGalley