This is book 4 in The Sons of Gregor MacLeod series and due to unfortunate circumstances I was unable to read book 2 and 3. However, I had no problems reading this installment and really enjoyed it.

The character development is well done! Deirdre MacIntyre goes from bullied daughter/sister to finally standing up for herself and I loved every minute of it. Laird Gavin MacKinnon is angry and bitter. And who wouldn't after having their son stolen and still not being able to find him after 2 years. He goes through quite a transformation as well. The banter is quite witty between all characters in the story, Especially between Kerr and Isobel.

The plot is one don't think I've read and I did enjoy watching it unfold. It's mystery, adventure and passion rolled up in a well-written story.

This is a good storyline with good characters and setting. It was a difficult situation and while the writing is good the subject made it not quite so easy to read. Still I enjoyed it overall and like Gavin and even came to like Deirde.

This is the 4th book in the series and can be read as a stand-alone. Laird Gavin MacKinnon isn’t the same after his son disappeared two years ago and he continues his search for him. His search leads him to Deidre where he finds his son but Ewan doesn’t recognize him and wants to stay the woman he knows as his mother. Gavin takes them both but what will happen when her clan comes to take her and Ewan back? Fast-paced read with an intriguing story and characters. I liked it.

Highland Captive
by Alyson McLayne

WOW! I just adored this, there’s plenty of intense and emotional situations. A page turner that keeps the reader engaged. Deirdra and Gavin meet under stressful circumstances but their attraction is instantaneous but complicated. He’s found his kidnapped son that happens to be Deirdra’s son of the heart the child gifted to her to love as her own..
Plenty of intrigue and mystery, a villain that has escaped capture from the beginning of the series. Keeps readers wondering who’s behind all the clan wars and who's trying to destroy Gregor Macleod and his sons, and why? I’m definitely curious and can’t wait to read the next one!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed this story so much, I didn't want it to end!!! This author sure knows how to capture your attention from start to end and it proves again why I love my Highlanders so much.

Laird Gavin MacKinnon has become a tortured soul, searching for his young son who went missing over 2 years earlier. I can't even imagine going through that, not knowing where your child is or even if he's still alive. When he finally finds him, he also finds out that Deidre MacIntyre has been raising the child as her own and they have a bond that cannot be broken.

There is heartache, decisions to be made, danger, humor (his foster brothers are a riot!), intrigue, as well as a slow burn romance between Gavin and Deidre. Everything you could ever want in a historical romance!!

I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Rage and retribution!

When Laird Gavin MacKinnon discovers his lost son Ewan in the care of a young woman, Deirdre MacIntyre he is filled with rage and the need for revenge. Deirdre is disturbed and like a mother bear with a cub flees, after all this wee lad is her son!
Taking back his son it seems will include Gavin taking this ridiculous woman who claims to be the mother of HIS son.
But more than that, by taking Deirdre war with her clan becomes imminent, just another result of retrieving his son.
What Gavin did not expect was to come to have feelings for this so determined woman.
A worthy Highlander romance.

A Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley

Highland Captive is the fourth book in the Sons of Gregor MacLeod but it can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read any of this authors books so I was totally impressed with this book. Reading it was like being on a roller-coaster, one minute I was laughing at the characters witty banter and then I was crying for the suffering the characters went through. The series is based on five boys that Gregor MacLeod fostered and this book is Laird Gavin MacKinnon’s story. Deidre MacIntyre was raising Ewan as her son and thought he was her husband’s son, but when she saw Gavin at the spring gathering she saw the resemblance. Scared that her son would be taken away, she returns home. Gavin’s son, Ewan, had been lost for over 2 years but he never gave up searching for him. When his sources told him he was living with Deidre he followed her determined to have his son. Removing Ewan from Deidre was not as easy as Gavin thought it would be because Ewan didn’t remember him and the bond between Deidre and Ewan was strong. Deidre was determined to stay with her son. Gavin had to decide between sending her home or letting her stay which would start a war with her clan. There was also a mystery of an unknown enemy that was causing Gavin and his foster brother’s problems. This book was great and I can’t wait to read of the other brother’s HEA.

Series: The Sons of Gregor MacLeod #4
Publication Date: 7/30/19
Number of Pages: 448
**4.25 Stars **

Laird Gavin MacKinnon is a very, very angry man, filled with rage, and he has every reason to be that way. Two and a half years ago Gavin’s almost-two-year-old son, Ewan, went missing. Others thought he was dead, but Gavin was convinced that he still lived. Ewan disappeared when his mother took him to the fall festival against Gavin’s wishes. While she was there, she contracted the plague and died – and Gavin went missing. Some thought that Ewan also died of the plague, but Gavin just didn’t believe it.

At this year’s fall festival, Gavin is meeting an informant who says she knows where Ewan is and for a reward, she’ll tell him. As Gavin is walking the streets he notices a woman watching him. Could it be the informant? He recognizes the woman as the wife of the future laird of the MacIntyre clan. Why is she looking at him like that? When he confronts her about it, she flees.

Deirdre MacIntyre is the wife of the next laird of the MacIntyre clan and the youngest daughter of the laird of the MacColl clan. She was married at the age of fifteen to a man she’d never met. About two-and-a-half years ago, her husband, Lewis, brought home a small child and gave him to her. He told her the child was his illegitimate offspring and that she was to raise him as her own. His name was Ewan.

When Deirdre saw Gavin on the street during the festival, she panicked. He looked exactly like her Ewan – and she was sure – no matter what Lewis told her – that this was Ewan’s father. But, he was so very angry.

Gavin’s men finally take him to meet the informant – and the name she gives him – is Deirdre MacIntyre. When Gavin and his men tear off looking for Deirdre and Lewis’ camp, they find that she’s already fled. They’ll find her – and she’ll pay for what she’s done!

Gavin rescues Ewan, but Deirdre refuses to let them leave without her. Gavin lets her come with them, but fully intends to send her back as soon as they arrive and get Ewan settled.

This was a good story that kept me moving from page-to-page. I liked Deirdra, but I didn’t like a few of the things she did in the beginning. However, she quickly redeemed herself in my eyes and I really admired her for the woman she became. I loved Gavin from the first page to the last. It was lovely to watch them grow to care for each other and support the other in sharing Ewan’s love. One thing that I really liked was the way the author chose to take care of Deirdre’s marriage so that she and Gavin could have their HEA. I could actually put myself in both Deirdre’s and Gavin’s place and believe that I could very easily act as they did, so I found it easy to forgive them.

You could read this book as a standalone, but to understand the whole overarching theme of the books, you should probably read them in order. I believe there were some good hints about the ongoing mystery of the man who is trying to destroy Gregor MacLeod and his sons – and now, I can’t wait for the next book.

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

Highland Captive is the fourth installment of Alyson McLayne's series The Sons of Gregor MacLeod. If you haven't read the prior books, you'll be comfortable jumping in right here. However, you'll find yourself wanting to go back and catch up. Ms. McLayne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors ever to write about braw Highland warriors and bonnie lasses.

Laird Gavin MacKinnon has become a hard, bitter man after his wee son Ewan disappeared. However, he has never given up hope that his child is still alive. He discovers that his son is living with Deirdre MacIntyre, who claims to be Ewan's mother. One night he and his men breach her keep to regain his child; she refuses to let them leave her behind. Deirdre claims her husband, who is rarely at home, told her Ewan was his bastard and gave her the child to love. On the journey home when Gavin is about to send Deirdre away, he discovers he cannot, for his son's sake...and his own.

Oh, what a beautiful story this was, with two damaged souls who discover the missing pieces of their hearts. Gavin was a broken man after his son was gone. Deirdre had a horrible childhood, a lonely marriage and suffered self-esteem issues and had no confidence. There were times their relationship had me bawling like a babe, snickering like an idiot, and fanning myself because of the heat they generated. In addition to Gavin and Deirdre, other wonderful characters included his sister Isobel, her cousin Kerr, and Gavin's foster brothers and foster father Gregor. I'm just adoring this series, and can't wait for the next one! Keeping my fingers crossed for Kerr and Isobel!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Highland Captive by Alyson McLayne is book 4 in the Sons of Macleod series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review this book, the premise sounded intriguing, so I accepted the offer. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

I quickly became enmeshed in the story from the first page and remained thoroughly entranced until the last. The writing is emotional, and the characters are enthralling. I did have an issue with the storyline, but it did not take away from my overall enjoyment.

I enjoyed Deirdre MacIntyre’s character a great deal, but she does have flaws which makes her human. She is a nurturing mother who will do whatever is needed to protect her son. That’s clear, when she gathers their belongings and flees a gathering. I admired her determination to protect her son since her encounter with Laird Gavin McKinnon leads her to believe he’s violent and could possibly be the father of the child she’s raising as her own.

Laird Gavin McKinnon is a hero to be reckoned with, a brave, menacing warrior at first glance. However, once he has his son, his softer side comes out. He remains the fierce Laird throughout the story as he seeks vengeance against the individuals who kept his son from him for over two years. While he has reason to distrust the woman who’s been raising his son, he recognizes her deep love for Ewan. His desire for her is overwhelming, but his honor keeps him from acting on that desire.

The romance between Deidre and Gavin is complicated. I struggled with the moral dilemma of their attraction. I will refrain from stating what the moral issue is as I don’t want to give anything away, but it is the reason I can’t give a full 5 gold crowns for this remarkable story. However, the chemistry is so strong it’s palpable, and I could understand why they did come close to giving in to it. And of course, the sexual tension is amazing.

If you enjoy a highland romance with plenty of action, a fierce Scottish warrior and a compelling plot, then you will enjoy Highland Captive. While this is the first book I’ve read by Ms. McLayne, it will not be my last. Happy reading!

I loved every single book in this series thus far. I can't wait to read more for Kerr and Isobel. At first, I hated Deirdre, but once we got to about 30% into the story I fell in love with her. She stood her ground. In the beginning, my heart was broken for Gavin, but the further into the story I started to resent him and just wanted him to open his heart and feel everything other than fear and hatred. You could tell that Gavin and Deirdre had feelings for each other. I hate that it took forever for them to admit how they feel. I think out of the four books, this was my favorite. So worth the read.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I have been waiting and waiting for Gavin’s story. It seems Gavin has been withdrawn since his son was taken away and we have wondered we he was in each story of the series.

Now we meet Ewan and the woman he calls “mother”. And it doesn’t take too long for Gavin to realize he is not given either up.

I had a hard time with Deidre when she was first introduced but she grew on me. And seeing Gavin differently and with his son was wonderful.

Loved this series and this story especially.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Sons of Gregor MacLeod has been an amazing series with highland warriors defending their clans and each other. This is Gavin’s romance and personal trial. He has hunted for his son for two years finally finding him with Deidre, wife of the MacIntyre heir. The hints are strong that Deirdre and Lewis’ marriage is not a typical one, yet, she is raising their child, or so she claims. It takes a bit of time before she admits Ewan was given to her to raise.

Deirdre appears to change from a quiet, mousy woman to a strong, protective one, but, I think, she was always a strong woman. She had just learned at an early age to be quiet for her own self-protection. Mistreatment at the hands of her own family kept her quiet. There is a continual comparison of the lion and the mouse as Deirdre finds her inner strength to protect those she loves as well as the MacKinnon clan and the other lairds.

One of the first things Gavin promised, as he was kidnapping her, is he would not lie to her even when she would not like what he had to say. She even began to trust Gavin as he began to see the real Deirdre. He recognizes how she truly loved and mothered his son well while she had him as if he truly were her son. This just seemed to make her all the more appealing to Gavin. Their relationship has a strong connection, with Gavin constantly reminding himself that she is married, even when he wants to take her in his arms. I like that they really tried to keep that in mind in their contact with each other. It made their HEA all that much more meaningful.

Of course, we still do not get to see the villain of the series, but he is still there with the continued buildup of who and why. Although a standalone book, I have enjoyed reading this in sequence of the series.

3.5- 4

I liked the story and the plot line. Kept you reading. It bogged down though and I wanted the story to get to the point in many places. I loved Gavin and how he changed throughout the story. Deirdre too went through a transition from a mouse to a lion. I enjoyed the story.

Highland Captive is the 4th book in this series and can be read as a standalone I would encourage you to read the other books first just to understand the bond these 5 fostered clan leaders have.

Laird Gavin MacKinnon's son is missing and feared dead, then word comes that he is alive. Deidre is married and claims her husband's son by another woman as her own. She then sees Gavin is no longer certain that Ewan is her husband's child.

Gavin retrieves Ewan and Deirdre because she refuses to leave Ewan. This begins a journey of distrust between Gavin and Deirdre and possible war with her husband clam.

Ms. McLayne does not disappoint. This book/series has strong & interesting characters with a strong bond. The plot is well-developed with twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the next book.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

What an impossible situation when Deirdre sees a man who has her son's eyes but is a brute to her - so she does what any good mother would do and runs. Gavin has been searching for his son for two years and those two years have hardened him and his friends and family con't like this new version of him.

And to add to the drama is Isobel and Kerr's strange relationship where you are not sure that they even like each other but boy do the sparks fly when they interact!

When Gavin finally gets past his jealousy of the love that his son has for Deirdre, he strives to do what is best for his son's welfare even if he still is like a stranger to his son. Good thing that Deirdre also wants the best for Ewan and helps him adjust to the new situation.

The back story continues with the attacks against this group of brothers and while they still don't have any answers, it seems like they might be pointed in the right direction and may resolve this conflict.

Kind of suspected that there was more to Lewis and his story but not what was revealed! Glad that he was finally able to set things right for himself and Deirdre and they all got their HEA.

For two and half long years Gavin MacKinnon, Laird of MacKinnon has searched for his young son Ewan. Ewan disappeared when Gavin’s wife Cristel took the boy to a market day gathering, she returned ill with the plague and died without giving Gavin any information about what happened to Ewan. Most believe the boy perished, but Gavin refuses to consider the possibility and will never stop searching for his boy. A lead about Ewan has brought Gavin back to the same gathering that he disappeared from.

Deidre MacIntyre nee MacColl is at the gathering at her husband Lewis’ request when she sees Gavin and knows that he is the father of her son Ewan, seeing him terrifies her and when he confronts her about her interest in him, fear sends her running back to her home and her son, wondering what Lewis has done.

Gavin is sure Deidre is the woman the witness saw with Ewan. So he along with his foster brother Kerr follow her to her home and find Ewan, but even then, Deidre denies that Ewan is Gavin’s son and much to Gavin’s dismay, Ewan doesn’t know who he is and refuses to leave his “Mama”. Left with no choice, Gavin takes Deidre and Ewan back to his keep. He plans to send Deidre back just as soon as Ewan becomes comfortable with him again. He knows that taking Deidre is likely to cause a clan war and he welcomes the fight. But what he doesn’t plan on is falling in love with her or the trouble brewing within his own clan!

This was a good story, but compared with the previous books, I didn’t feel like it was as well thought out and plotted. At the end of this book, I had more questions than answers and was truly baffled about a few things. I also had a hard time liking Deidre at the beginning, I sympathized with her pain – but Ewan was not her son and she knew Gavin was his father, but she lied and tried to keep Ewan from Gavin, even knowing the pain he has suffered for years without his son, that just seemed beyond cruel to me. But Gavin wasn’t much easier to like, he was just so angry and determined to get rid of Deidre that it was a bit hard to side with him. The writing in general was good, but the first two-thirds of the book seemed to drag and then the last third flew by in a flash, with multiple villains, shocking secrets, a long awaited love scene, more questions than answers and an epilogue that left me feeling a little disappointed. This is the fourth book in the series and I would recommend reading the books in order rather than trying to figure out the ongoing mystery of who is trying to destroy the Sons of Gregor MacLeod by starting with this book first.

❤️❤️❤️1/2
💋💋
Quite a good adventure, but I didn’t connect with the characters as I have in other books .

May have just been me , so don’t solely just the book by this one review. Please read others to get a good overall picture.

Good writing in general and the storyline was great . It’s got a beautiful romantic element that is really good. That I did enjoy!
The two are perfect in so many ways and they do light up the pages with their love .

I’d give it Three and a half stars.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Since being rejected by his late wife and now the disappearance of his beloved son, Ewan, Laird Gavin MacKinnon is a shadow of his former self. He's never given up hope on finding Ewan alive and his search brings him to a woman who claims his son to be hers, despite the fact that he's the spitting image of Gavin, so Gavin takes them both home with him, deciding to deal with the woman later.

Deidre MacIntyre goes willingly with the brooding, dark laid so she can stay with her adopted son. Largely ignored by her husband, Ewan is all Deidre has. Things aren't adding up for Gavin, but the more he gets to know Deidre and sees her interact with Ewan, the less Gavin wants to give her up, even when her clan threatens war to reclaim her.

Deidre really annoyed me for the first half or so of the book, especially when she tried to keep Ewan from Gavin even knowing that was his son. The more she got to know Gavin and open up to him, however, the more I grew to like her and I enjoyed seeing Gavin's character development. This is my second read from this author and I enjoyed it much more than the first, so I'll be following this series more now.

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

Highland Captive is a romance of misunderstanding, lies, deceit, finding your strength, and well love. Ewan was stolen when he was but a babe and given to Deirdre to raise. When seeing a man who resembles her son to a t she gets scared and runs. But of course the Laird won’t let her go because he’s missing his son and won’t stop until he finds him.

Nothing goes as planned and now that he has his son back, Gavin has more problems than he knows what to do with. Add in his crazy foster brothers, a vindictive sister, and a woman he wants to go away. Things are difficult enough without falling for Deirdre and on up and coming war but life can’t be simple.

It was good and I enjoyed Kerr and Isobel along with the story in general really good!!