Romancing the Laird by Gerri Russel is a wonderful historical romance story. It´s set in Scotland and it´s the second book in "All the King's Men" and sort of takes off where we left of in "Seven Nights with a Scot", that the first book in the series. But now we are following Reid Douglas and Lucy Livingston.
There are 5 books in this series.

The second title in Gerri Russell's 'All the King's Men' series, this is the story of Lucy and Reid. Reid is one of the legendary seven of King's and Lucy is someone who is trying to assassinate the king to save her sister. The romantic suspense read takes the reader through an eventful journey.
The story has various elements of Scottish history. Overall a very good read. Eagerly awaiting the stories of all of the seven men.

This is one of the best action adventure romances I have ever read. This grabbed my attention from the very beginning and had me turning page after page to find out what would happen next. There were plenty of surprise twists and turns in the story. Gerri Russell is a genius the way she wrote about Lucy, a female warrior, as the lead character. To show her softer side she took charge of her fourteen-year-old sister who seemed to have epilepsy. In those days I am sure they called it something else but also thought it was a sign she was possessed with a demon. In those days killing witches and demons were the sport of the time. So many innocent people were killed without a proper trial or proof. A very sad and dark time in Scotland. The way the author wrote Lucy's action scenes were amazing, so powerful, so exciting. She was a true warrioress. Reid is the Laird of Redhouse Castle. He is a renowned professional warrior. An honor guard to King James himself. He is a good laird but his past haunts him. He is fair, just, kind, intelligent, fiercely loyal to those he loves and has given his oath dedicating himself to the safety of the King and Queen. You have got to read this book. You will not be bored nor disappointed. I found I could not put the book down. There was something going on on every page. There was an arranged wedding between Lucy and Reid where they met the day of their wedding. Lucy's father pushed for the match because of Reid's direct connection to the king. There was the kidnapping of Esme, Lucy's younger sister. She was to be charged as a witch. The dash to free her was exhilarating. There was the matter of Lucy being blackmailed into killing the king or her sister Esme would be turned over to the witch trial tribunal. There were spies, murderers, deep despicable clan feuds and an attempt to overthrow King James. There were plenty of evil characters to loath. The intrigue, the suspense, the battles, the courageous men and woman who fought for noble causes. There is so much to devour in this book. You will be completely satisfied by the end. I did not want the story to end. I wanted to find out how Esme's new future turned out. I wanted to know if Lucy and Reid have children and if there are female children, will they be trained for battle like Lucy was? This is a must read and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was the First Book I read by this author I really enjoyed it I loved that Lucy was a kick ass female and was willing to do what she had to do to protect her sister I was happy when she finally trusted her husband enough to tell him what was going on and was happy they was in time to save her sister

Romancing The Laird is the second story in Gerri Russell’s All The King’s Men series. Set in sixteenth century Scotland this story is woven into a time when witches were persecuted, and when constant power struggles swirled around the Scottish court.
Heroine of the story Lucy Livingstone is no ordinary Scottish lady, having taught herself to be a warrior from a young age after the death of her mother led her father to ill-treat her and her younger sister Esme, who suffers from a shaking sickness. Lucy is fiercely protective of Esme and agrees to attempt an assassination of King James in a bid to save Esme’s life.
Reid Douglas, who marries Lucy early in the story, is one of the king’s inner circle and is committed to protecting his sovereign from danger, leading to internal conflict for Lucy, who finds she is attracted to her husband when he kisses her passionately after their brief marriage ceremony.
With intrigue and double cross swirling through this story it is no surprise that the plot moves quickly. Although I knew that there would be a happy ever after for Lucy and Reid at the end of this story I was swept along with their story and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Romancing the Laird by Gerri Russell
With her sister facing the gallows, she risks it all… even her heart
Legendary Scottish laird and warrior Reid Douglas has never met his match on or off the battlefield until Lucy Livingston – his bride-to-be. Lucy is no meek maiden content to stay at home. She’s trained in the art of war and is determined to destroy the king Reid has vowed to protect with his life.
Lucy doesn’t want to wed the handsome, brawny laird, but it is an excellent cover she can use to get close to the king, who is engaged in a campaign to rid Scotland of witches. Lucy must protect her sister from enemies who know an accusation of witchcraft, no matter how tenuous, is a death sentence.
They should be sworn enemies. But Lucy can’t deny the sparks that fly whenever she vies with her husband in and out of their bedroom. And Reid finds his wife’s spirit intoxicating – making him long for more than war. Can two opposing warriors find peace in each other’s arms?
This is Reid Douglas and Lucy Livingston's story.
“One moment more,” Reid said as he took the edges of her veil in his hands. He peeled the lace back, slowly, as though almost afraid of what he might find beneath. Then when he settled the fabric on the crown of her head, he stepped back.
They stared at each other.
Reid’s eyes commanded most of her attention; the startling blue seemed almost too blue to be real. Then, he blinked, and another smile stretched across his lips. Heat rushed to her cheeks and down her throat. His gaze followed, lingering on the edge of her bodice where it molded against her breasts. Interest flared in his eyes.
Lucy drew a tight breath and turned to face the minister. She would have been thrilled to witness such an emotion from the man who would soon be her husband if she didn’t have to betray him in the days ahead. She shuddered at the memory of the threat to her sister. Since that night, a dagger had ever been strapped to her thigh.
Marriage was not about love, Lucy Livingston reminded herself as she took aim at her target and with trembling fingers let her arrow fly. Marriage was about social position and connection, as her father had reminded her not a quarter of an hour ago.
The arrow hit the target with a satisfying thwack at dead center. Her satisfaction slipped into despair with the next beat of her heart. Even nervous, she could perform the evil deed that was being thrust upon her. Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, forcing back her tears and her desperation.
As a child, she’d learned even family was not about love. At least not her family. When two daughters had been born instead of two sons her father had distanced himself from the women in his life. Lucy tried to change his mind, tried to win his affection, even going so far as to teach herself how to fight with a quarterstaff and a bow—just as a son might in order to protect his family. But nothing Lucy did changed her father’s attitude toward his wife and daughters, especially when he discovered his youngest daughter, Esme, had an incurable affliction.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Romancing the Laird by Gerri Russell is a 3 star book.
Gerri 's Books with Tule:
Seven Nights with a Scot
All the King's Men
Romancing the Laird
All the King's Men

Romance set in the Jacobean era in Scotland. An arranged marriage between Reid and Lucy is a slow burn with a lot of secrets, but they overcome the challenges and find they have more in common--valuing family, honor, warriors--than they have differences. I enjoyed this romance.

For purists, there is some modern terminology, but the story is strong and a great read.

**received a review copy from netgalley

Set in the 1500's Scotland when King James VI ruled and witch hunts were at a peak, Lucy Livingston would do anything to protect her sister who has been labeled a witch because of her seizures. When she is blackmailed and told to assassinate the King in return for her sister's safety, she agrees. Lucy self taught herself how to use a bow and arrow and is a true warrior at heart. When she is forced to marry a warrior to the King, Scottish laird Reid Douglas, it's the perfect opportunity to put the plan in motion.

When they meet at the altar, it is instant attraction and Lucy decides she can trust Reid with her secret. He vows to help protect her sister and plans are made to capture the man who is blackmailing her. Reid soon finds out his new wife can take care of herself and they fight alongside each other. Reid also has a past tragedy that he must overcome if he and Lucy can have a future together.

This truly was a wonderful book to read and I look forward to reading more of this author's books!!

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

Scotland, 1592. "Marraige was not about love. Marriage was about social positin and connection, as her father had reminded her." Lucy Livingston had learned early that even family was not about love. A sister to protect because of her affliction, when threatened by a clocked figure her sister would be declared a witch if Lucy did not carry out his demand. Kill the King. At the same time the King had betrothed her to one of his men, Laird Reid Douglas, who he was close to. So Lucy would have to betray Reid to get to the King and her life would probably be over. But at least her sister would go to a safe place at least which the hooded man gave her evidence.
On the night of their hasty marraige, as they saw each other for the first time and he kissed her, there was a spark there between them. But as fate would have it, he was called to protect the King from an immenient attack and had to leave.
I was captured by the first page and this exciting adventure did not slow down. Lucy had so much heart and was strong, having trained as a warrior since she was young to earn the favor of her father, who gave her no acknowledgement.
Reid won my devotion with his strong sense of protection and honor. He was determined to help Lucy when he found out what was going on and catch the villian.
Gerri Russell successfully immersed me into this time and place with her wonderful descriptions and strong characters. This was a difficult era in history with so many killed due to strange beliefs and opposing faiths. My heart smiled as I turned the last page and knew I could not wait until the next in this series comes out! Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone, but you want to read book one also, you will be happy you did!

Miss Lucy Livingston's father has betrothed her to Laird Reid Douglas, sight unseen. While getting ready to go, a masked man enters her bedroom which she shares with her sister Esme and threatens that it she does not kill the King, he will make sure her sister will be hung as a witch. Esme has a health condition which causes seizures and they believe may prove she is a witch. Reid is one of the King's protectors and this may get Lucy close enough to assassinate him. When Lucy and Reid see each other at the wedding, there is a chemistry between them. After the wedding, Reid and his men to go the Castle as the King is in danger. While there, a female warrior shows up and is close enough to hurt the King but she cannot. She finds the courage to tell Reid about being blackmailed and he swears to protect her and Esme. The Douglas Clan has a longstanding feud with the Ruthven Clan. There have been deaths on both sides but one needs to eliminate the other. Will Esme be saved? There is a traitor in the midst, will they find out who it is before it's too late? Will Reid and Lucy be able to stand together and be strong enough to work together? I loved that the heroine is strong in body and spirit. I loved Reid who is a man that cares about those he loves. I received this book from Net Galley and Tule Publishing for a honest review.

Once again returning to the time of James VI’s rule of Scotland, Romancing the Laird highlights the plight woman during this time. Gerri Russell brings the time alive with the dangers, the incredible ingenuity of women. Of course, men are in charge, able to make accusations and hold women to a set standard in that has been chosen for women.

Warrior Reid Douglas is an honest man with strong sense of integrity; Lucy Livingston could do much worse in this arranged marriage. She is certainly not what Reid had expecting, maybe she is more. If only her sister’s life did not hang in the balance, her father wasn’t so disgraceful and she wasn’t being blackmailed. Use her husband-to-be or trust him, that is the question she faces. It is easy as you read to put yourself in her place, fearing the consequences if she does not choose well. Also Reid was easy to understand, his loyalty, his determination to do right and the conflict this caused with Lucy’s original plan.

Book: Romancing the Laird
By Gerri Russell

Series: All the Kings Men, #2

Release Date: April 30, 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: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Overall Rating: 5 Stars and 5 Kilts


July, 1592

Lucy Livingston’s gets blackmailed on the day of her betrothal to Laird Reid Douglas. The blackmailer proves this by touching her sister Esme’s chest, forcing her in an apoplectic seizure.This stranger threatens the one person Lucy loves the most and has cared for her entire life, her epileptic sister Esme. In this time period it was called the shaking sickness. It is also a time the King James Charles Stuart VI who was very superstitious about witches and those accused who floated were burned at the stake. The stranger wants Lucy to murder the king, as it is well known of her notorious talent with a bow and arrow. This religious zealot wants this done now, due to the King’s treatment of the people in the Catholics faith, not treating them justly or allowing them to practice their faith without persecution.

Now this religious radical threatens Esme, claiming he will make her sister go into an apoplectic seizure in public! In addition wickedly accusing her of being a witch with evil powers. This would cause Esme to be arrested, tortured and executed as a witch! This radical knows her betrothed, Reid Douglas is close to the King and one of his chosen guardsmen. He also knows Lucy would have both opportunity and skill to get this execution of the King done.His promise is that Esme will be taken care of at a nearby Abbey if anything bad happens to Lucy. Such as imprisonment or execution for the murder of the King. Not a way Lucy would ever be wished to remembered, as a treasonous traitor and murderer of the monarchy!

Lucy Livingston now has a letter from the Abbey, stating this is true, as her sister would be under their protection, if she can’t care for her sister in the future. Lucy she really has no choice, no matter how much she hates doing this, not the way she wanted to start her marriage. Especially now seeing how kind, protective and handsome her new husband is. As they get married quickly but he is called away to protect the King since he is one of the Kings elite guardsmen. This gives Lucy the perfect opportunity to murder King James. Lucy is living with a lot of guilt but has no choice in the matter. She will do anything to protect her sister. The problem is she is falling in love with her husband, even though she was royally commanded to marry him through the spoils of war. Can she trust him? Will he even believe her or just send her to the gallows as a traitor and executor of the King. The man her husband is sworn to protect.

Her husband also has his own secrets to protect as this is the third wife he won’t let anyone take away. He will protect anyone who is his learning his lesson from a tragedy of his first wife. This is the first time he has cared about another person in seven years. He finds his new wife absolutely perfect yet he is guilty of being attracted to his midnight warrior. A woman who might possibly be an assassin of the King, Reid will protect his monarch, no matter who the would be killer is. Plus there are spies under his very own roof and an enemy clan that wants him and anything he cares about dead. So much conflict and turmoil in this relationship is doomed, before it even has a chance to begin! Will Reid and Lucy even have a chance? Partners or enemies? Reader will have to read and find out the answer to these questions and so much more.

A book readers definitely don’t want to miss. Ms. Russell does it again and pens another masterpiece that I couldn’t put down! It was a definitely both a nail biter, yet it romance gave my stomach butterflies too, with the swoon worthy hero and unconventional protective heroine! This is the second in the phenomenal series, All the King's Men. I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. You can also read as a stand alone book or in book order. I highly recommend readers to read both.

Again Gerri Russell pens another masterpiece from start to finish. It has all the elements romance readers love. This includes my absolute favorite ingredient of factual history with an exhilarating fictional romance. Plus this novel includes iconic figures in Scottish history like King James VI and Queen Anne of Denmark. Sadly women being burned for witchcraft was very prominent during his reign and obsession as King. He even wrote a book on his reflections and how to deal with witchcraft in 1591 called Daemonologie.

So again I was blown away by this magnificent story which is absolutely brilliant. I am so thrilled Gerri Russell has returned to Scottish historical romance! As I have been reading her books for close to fifteen years, since her Stones of Destiny and Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars series. I absolutely recommend everyone to check out those books too as they are fabulous!

This book has the all the elements historical romance readers savor. As “Romancing the Laird” is another riveting, fast paced, action packed, nail-biting, romantic adventure. It is filled with true historical and fictional events which includes blackmail, murder, treachery, intrigue, clan wars, assassination plots, witch hunters, witch tortures, religious prejudice, religious fanatics, arranged marriages, betrayal, protection, trust, honor and love. The specialty for many readers will be the weaving of true history with a fictional romance. The setting was beautiful, dialogue was amazing and the plotting was absolutely brilliant. Both characters and secondary characters are both exhilarating and unforgettable. A book many readers will want to read multiple times, a definite for your keeper shelves. Now I can’t wait to read Lachlan’s story. I can’t imagine being forced to marry a woman from the clan that murdered your parents! Looking forward to reading “A Temptress in Tartan”, book #3 in this magnificent series, All the King's Men by Gerri Russell!

I absolutely and unequivocally recommend “Romancing The Laird” by Gerri Russell

All the King's Men by Gerri Russell

1.Seven Nights with a Scot - Quinn & Vivian
2.Romancing the Laird - Reid & Lucy
3.A Temptress in Tartan - Lachlan & Elizabeth (Lizzie) Release Date TBA


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy from the publisher through Netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advance copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

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Whoa! Talk about a kick ass heroine! For once, the spotlight is on the heroine instead of the hero! In this case, shine that light on Lucy Livingston - a jack of all trades and this time a master of everything! She knows how to fight and at the same time knows how to run a household. The fight scenes were awesome - one of the reasons why i wanted to grab a copy once i read that Lucy was suppose to be trained in the art of war! and i am so glad the fight scenes did not disappoint.. Yes, it's an insta love kind of book but i don't have a problem with that at all.. Overall, totally loved it!

ARC provided by Netgalley, Tule Publishing and Ms. Gerri Russell

I would not ignore any highlander books. I love them that much!
I did not realize this was the 2nd in series, but that did not stop me from reading.
What I liked was the plot and character development. What I did not like was the fact that it ended.
Another great read!

I really wanted to like this book a bit more than I did. I usually like a Scottish set romance, but unfortunately this book didn’t really grab my interest in the way other books by this author have.

I liked some of the premise a lot, an accomplished maiden, skilled as a man in combat, which Gerri Russell has handled well before in The Warrior Trainer. A marriage of convenience - a favourite trope of mine. Unfortunately it didn’t work as well as I would have liked it to. There was too much instalove between the hero and heroine, the conflicts in the book didn’t really hold my attention, and the whole issue with the sister and her fits being healed so simply just didn’t feel plausible.

I was disappointed because I usually really like this author’s work.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I did not realize this was the second book in a series until after I read the book. There were some comments that alluded to some backstory that I did not know, but it overall did not take away from the plot. I thought it was great that Lucy taught herself to fight. It did seem a little unbelievable, though, that she would be that good a swordswoman if she did not have a training partner. I loved that the relationship between Lucy and Reid was based in trust. While it took her a moment to get there, it was not a hidden secret the whole book causing strife between the two. Too often plots are a bit asinine due to lack of communication or lack of trust. The insta-love was a bit much, but worked okay within the plot. Overall I thought it was a fun, quick historic read that would appeal to fans of Scottish romances.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Wow, there was just non-stop action throughout the book as Lucy and Reid have to figure out who is trying to kill the King and save Lucy's sister, and during all that spend time as newlyweds!

We get to see more of Quinn and vivian in this book and see the set up for book 3 with Lachlan and a daughter from the Ruthven clan - who have been trying to kill the Douglas clan and wipe them out.

Since I love to have a bit of intrigue with my romance, this was a great mix and interesting to see who was the spy and who was behind all the trouble. I really enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next one as that sounds pretty intriguing!

Forced to become an assassin by an unknown blackmailer, Lucy Livingston must do what she can to keep her sister’s, Esme’s, epileptic fits a secret and keep her safe from being accused and executed as a witch. Lucy must used her new husband’s position to get close and assassinate the King.

Scared for her sister’s safety and life Lucy is willing to become a killer. But soon finds the situation increasingly difficult as she trys and fails. Lucy and Reid should be on opposite sides, with their opposing goals for the King’s life, they should be nothing but enemies. But quickly Lucy begins to wonder if she can trust Reid, to be able to tell him all her secrets and learn to rely on someone other than herself. And vice versa.

The main reason why I wanted to read this book is because Romance is a genre that I have never read a book in. Despite the fact that I love romantic subplots in books and TV shows I have never gone out of my way to read a Romance novel. But I am so glad that I read this one.

It was very a easy to read book and very enjoyable to read. I thought that the book was not overly saturated with historical facts, written dialects or *ehem* “steamy” scenes. I don’t think I could have coped if there had been too much of the latter too. Personally, I would have liked a bit more background in regards to the historical setting. There are parts about the witch trials and James VI’s rule of Scotland, but I would have liked a bit more detail to just make it feel more believable of the time this book is set.

Even though I enjoyed reading this book I was not very invested in the two main character’s romance. It was very much an insta-love kind of romance. I felt that the romance between Reid and Lucy was a bit bland at times. Their interactions were not particularly rememberable for me, except when they end up fighting/sparring at one point in the book. I feel like if there had been more scenes like that then maybe I would have felt like routing for them a bit more.

This book is a sequel, but I have not read the first book and I could easily understand the plot. I would recommend this book if you are looking for an easy to read Romance, set in 1500s Scotland. One thing I would say though is that it is a good idea to have a basic knowledge of the witch trails at this time. Russel does write a bit about the history of this time in her author’s note at the end which I thought was a pretty good overview of the time period this story is set.

I love the idea of falling in love with a laird, being swept off your feet and enjoying all Scotland has to offer. This was not the book.

Lucy was bland. Her thought process didn't always make sense, her conversations, especially with Reid, could have had more well... anything. It was simple and didn't grab the attention.

I read the first chapter and put it down. I tried to come back to it. I couldn't dedicate more than ten minutes here and there because the story didn't interest me. The words were for the wrong time period, as was the thoughts.

Was it a horrible book? No. Would I recommend? Also no

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this novel.
This is the second book in the series, and I enjoyed book one also. Not wanting to compare the two, I found Lucy a strong female character who knows how to physically defend herself. We don’t hear too often about female characters in that era being strong, so it was a nice change. Having the story based on historical events and names helped to keep it more authentic.
3.5 stars