I couldn't wait for this story and wondered how this author would fit it into the timeline of events. There was war brewing between Scotland and England along with a sudden change of monarchy so fitting a romance amongst this was quite fitting I thought.

Loved Ciar, the hero. A fierce Highlander, a bit rough around the edges and he considered himself not too handsome. But after the author's description I pictured him standing with one leg on a rock at the top of the Highlands with the wind blowing through his hair and beard.

Also loved Emma from the onset. At times I felt she was a strong, independent woman and at other times wondered why she felt the urge to sneak around undetected. I loved the story, somewhat reminding me of Beauty and the Beast.... but her rescue attempt threw me off. With the country in turmoil, I found it far too risky and dangerous for her to travel alone with a 16 yr old stable boy. The dragoons were already combing through Scotland and there had already been one murder.

I love this author's work, would read every single story she taps out, but this one wasn't one of my favorites. Definitely still worth the read. My favorite part of this book was seeing the world through Emma's eyes. It made me realize how much I take for granted. I was gifted an ARC and wanted to post a review.

The tale of Emma Grant and Laird Ciar MacDougall is a love story for the ages.

Emma Grant loves her brother’s friend Cair MacDougall, the only man that has ever treated her like a “normal” person, because of her blindness, most people either ignore her or treat her like she is damaged, but not Cair. He always takes time to talk to her and treats her with respect. How could she not love him? So when she learns that he has been captured by the English and is being accused of murder – there is no way she is going to let them hang him!

Cair MacDougall is on a mission for Scotland when he witnesses a murder, he intervenes awakes to find himself shackled and slated to be executed. He is ready to resign himself to that fate when the unthinkable happens – he is rescued by Emma! Now they are both on the run for their lives and Ciar knows he must find a way to prove his innocence, so he can keep this amazing woman for the rest of his life.

What a wild and crazy ride this book is – it is everything you could hope for in a romance book and more. This is the eighth book in the series and does have some connections to the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

This is book eight in the Lords of the Highlands series, so if you enjoy this one there are plenty more to keep you occupied!

I’ve been re-watching Outlander lately and I was definitely in the mood for a little more sexy Scottsman so this was the perfect book to pick up. Plus it has a fierce, brave, blind heroine looking to stand on her own two feet and not be coddled and handled with kid gloves.

Emma Grant and her family are at Achnacarry Castle for the wedding of Sir Kennan Cameron and Divana Campbell, but tensions are high in Scottland due to the political climate and the Lairds attending the wedding end up heading off in different directions to gather support and rally troops. As our leading man, Ciar MacDougall heads on his way he gets involved in some trouble and wakes up imprisoned in Fort William. Emma decides she’s going to break him out of prison, but can she do it?

I did have some questions about the authenticity of Emma’s experience with blindness though and thought that aspect of the book could have benefited from input by sensitivity readers.

If you enjoy a good friends-to-lovers trope, and you’re in the mood for some adventure, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at Titillated Termagant Romance Reviews (https://titillatedtermagant.wordpress.com/2021/01/27/the-highland-laird-by-amy-jarecki/)

My Rating: 4 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.

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Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: I found that this came pretty close to instalove, for me

Relationship dynamics: The Highland Laird (H) / The Blind Gentlewoman (h)

Physical descriptions: Ciar is described as having severe, rugged features, with blue eyes, obsidian hair and quick-growing facial hair. Emma is described as having blue eyes and auburn hair and a slender frame.

Sexual content: Some; on-page and explicit.

Triggers: Ableism – historical perceptions of blindness and blind people; public humiliation (of h, not by H)

Grammar/Editing: My ARC had a few typos, layout issues and a lone word choice issue (agreeable vs. amenable).

Review: This novel, set in the Scottish highlands in the early 18th century, is fairly quick paced, at least until the end, at which point the pace slows and the plot becomes regressive in terms of both plot and character development. The afterword includes interesting historical facts about the real people that were featured in the novel and how they were fictionalized for the story, though, which is a nice feature.

The main characters are Ciar and Emma. They are a very sweet couple who are very devoted to one another, generally. However, I was a little dismayed with how Emma develops. She breaks Ciar out of prison very self-sufficiently, but then once she is with him her confidence becomes entirely tied to his presence in her life. Without him, she regresses, and becomes unsure of herself. Ciar is a fairly consistent character, thankfully, and never treats Emma like she “can’t.” This cannot be said of other characters, such as her brother Robert, who all underestimate her based on her blindness and are generally ableist and dismissive. If a character in the novel isn’t ableist, they are fairly peripheral (perhaps the author is relying on their descriptions in other books in the series?). The villains were suitably awful, however, and got appropriate comeuppance by the end.

All that being said, as usual, when there is an animal supporting character, they steal the show: Albert is Emma’s budding seeing-eye dog and he was a highlight of the story, for me.

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Highland Laird (Lords of the Highlands #8). By Amy Jarecki. 2020. Forever (ARC eBook).

The Highland Laird is set in 1714 during the Jacobite Rising right after Queen Anne’s death and the time is turbulent for all of Scotland. While on a mission Laird Ciar MacDougall, chieftan of Dunollie, comes across red coats robbing from a Scotsman they had just murdered. Stepping in to see justice done, Ciar is blindsided and thrown in the prison at Fort William.

When Emma Grant, the younger, blind sister of Laird Robert Grant, hears of Ciar’s predicament, she sets out to see him freed. Ciar is her brother’s childhood friend and loyal ally. Emma has also been in love with him since their first meeting. When the bonny slip of a lass, who has always amazed Ciar with her outlook on life, sets him free; there is no choice but to go to ground together to stay out of the clutches of the British. And while they work together to clear Ciar’s name, they concede that they have captured each other's heart.

Ah, the best-friend’s sister trope with the Scottish Highlander treatment. Jarecki has done it so well. I adored The Highland Laird. What an adventure these two had. Ciar may be rough-hewn but he is all tender-hearted when it comes to Emma. And Emma’s tenacity makes her such a treasure. The settings, action, and romance of The Highland Laird, as always with the Lords of the Highlands series, are wonderful.

Amy Jarecki is an author that never disappoints! The same thing happened here where plot hits you from beginning to end, romance follows and beauty on pages flowers.
This book was a fast read for me. I can't wait for her another one already!!!

Emma Grant has been sheltered and underestimated her entire life. Her blindness may set her apart, but she's just as fierce and loyal as any of her clansmen. So when she catches word that her brother's best friend is in jail, she doesn't hesitate to race to the brawny Highlander's rescue.
Laird Ciar MacDougall is on a vital mission for Scotland when he witnesses a murder—and then is blamed for the death and thrown into a Redcoat prison to rot. He never thought he'd be broken out by a slip of a lass and her faithful hound.
I loved Emma. People treated her like she was a fragile thing but she is far from fragile. She is a characters from the first book of the series and I am so glad that we got to have a story for her. Emma has had a crush on Laird Clar for years and even though she can't see him, she can know him with her heart.
I believe this is the last book of this series.
I received this from Forever and NetGalley for review.

Got lost in the Highlands once again!

With each new read in the Lords of the Highlands I fall more and more in love with this time period and the people who lived it. It may be fiction but these characters feel so real, their stories so vivid, I want them to be real…

Emma was blind but her view of the world was inspiring and any obstacles she met were quickly jumped over, around or simply batted down. Her friendship and love for Ciar was years in the making as he treated her as simply a person, not a blind person. When she had the chance to save him for a change, well, she was up for the challenge… Ciar was a strong leader with a heart of gold, for Emma at least. He had a ruthless reputation but how he cared for Emma was telling and made their story not surprising at all, despite the many surprises the story actually held.

Full of political intrigue, action and swoony romance, this story is just one of the reasons why this series and author have become one of my favourites…

The Highland Laird is another swoon worthy entry in the Lords of the Highlands series by Amy Jarecki. I look forward to each new release in the series because they are always filled with wonderful characters, rich history, and true love!

In this edition, we learn more about Emma, the sister of Robert Grant (from book 7). She was born blind. Reading of her struggles and triumphs was great, but also realizing that she faced discrimination made me love her even more. She wants adventure in her life and she takes it. Ciar has known Emma for years, for he is allies with Robert Grant. He and Emma share a kiss one evening, but then Queen Anne dies, and Ciar must leave.

I loved that Emma saved Ciar. I loved that Ciar loved her for it! I loved that Ciar supported Emma's goals of having adventures and being independent, but still held her when she cried and comforted her when she hurt. Their time in forced proximity is HOT.

The Highland Laird will appeal to historical romance fans who like well researched history, dynamic characters, and a love worth earning. Jarecki does her research and still honors the romance as well.

An exciting adventure with two wonderful characters that win your heart from the beginning! A strong highlander, Laird Ciar MacDougal is attending a wedding as well as Emma Grant, who is the blind sister of Laird Robert Grant, Ciar's best friend. This is a major outing for Emma, being away from home and all that is familiar, but she has Ciar who seems to be close by to help.

Ciar has always been protected and watchful for Emma but has never treated her as anything other than the special person she is... He also has a strong tendre for her but fears her brother would not welcome his suit of her.

This is an amazing journey through terrible unsettling of the country, adventure, murder, and everything needed in a fabulous tale. Amy always brings the settings alive and her amazing characters become real. I highly recommend!

Oh look a new book by Amy Jarecki!! I downloaded this book right away and I couldn't wait to read it .

I have to admit that I have loved every books in this series and I will have to say that I love The Highland Laird. It is actually my favourite book in the series.

Fantastic book and I do highly recommend

Emma may be the strongest and most interesting female heroine ever written. Ciar says it all when he tells Robert he may have always loved Emma. I cannot recommend this love story enough. The Highland Laird is truly the best of the Highland Lords series.

Emma caught my attention in Robert and Janet’s story, The Highland Renegade, with Robert’s care and protectiveness of her. To see her now as the woman she was meant to be showcasing her disability and how it does not hold her back at all.

Ciar respects her and encourages her to do more and be more. I loved that he gave her Albert, allowing her to grow even more independent. This is a sweet, heart-warming story leading to their HEA.

Loved this book
I cried a lot for Emma. She was very brave when she had to be. I’m so glad she came out of her shell and bloomed. And she got her happy ever after
Ciar was definitely the perfect man for her

I got so wrapped up in this book I didn’t want to stop reading, if I could’ve I would have read day and night to finish

I received my copy in exchange for an honest review from netgalley.com

Emma Grant has been sheltered most of her life because of her blindness, but her friends and family have underestimated her abilities in life. She’s been in love with her brother’s best friend Ciar MacDougal her whole life. Ciar is a rugged highlander known as the Beast, he’s always been polite and respectful of Emma, always coming to her rescue when needed. When she learns he’s being held hostage and imprisoned for a murder she knows he didn’t commit nothing will stop her from going to his aide. It seems Emma has always loved Ciar, he’s always been a true friend and always listened to her, he’s always treated her has a person and been amazed by her accomplishments. I love how these two grow and love begins to blossom as they run and ride from the Redcoats as Ciar sets about trying to prove his innocents and keep Emma safe from the Redcoats. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Action packed, sexy, exciting and emotionally thrilling journey filled with intriguing and engaging charters, witty banter, heart racing twists and exciting passion. An edge of your seat read that was highly entertaining form beginning to end.

The Highland Laird is the 8th book in the Lords of the Highlands series by Amy Jarecki. Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone novel.

Emma Grant was born blind. She has led a very sheltered life although manages to have some independence by learning the 'lay of the land' so that she can count steps etc and find her way around places that she is familiar with. Her brother is very protective of her especially because a lot of people think that blindness is a sign of evil. He keeps her safe with him and she rarely leaves the keep. In this story, she has to leave the security of her home in order to attend a wedding with her family and most of the other Highland Lairds and their families at Achnacarry Castle.

Laird Ciar MacDougall has been good friends with Emma's brother for many years and he has always treated Emma as an equal. Where other people either ignore her or treat her as an invalid, Ciar has always made her feel good about herself and despite the age difference between them, she has always had a crush on him. Much to her delight, he is attending the wedding also.

Time spent together sees Ciar and Emma enjoying a mutual attraction towards each other. Emma can't believe that Ciar seems to want to be more than just friends and he can't believe he is thinking of giving in to his attraction when he knows her brother will be furious. Before they have much chance to explore their feelings Ciar finds himself in jail. He witnessed a murder but before he could avenge the victim he is knocked out by the soldiers guilty of the crime and set up as the culprit himself. He could be heading for the hangman's noose sooner rather than later.

When Emma hears that Ciar is in prison and nobody is able or willing to do anything to help him she knows his time is short and is determined to help him herself. I won't go into details about how, but she does manage to get him free. From that moment they go on the run together and being in such close quarters and with the danger pending they can't help but give in to their attraction. Ciar has to somehow clear his name before he can offer marriage to Emma, and then they both have to deal with her brother. Do they manage to do either? You will have to read the book to find out!

This book was amazing. I love that Emma was a hero despite her blindness and that she had Ciar, the big strong warrior willing to love her, protect her and yet still let her have her independence. Their love story was a delight to read. When you add to it the tensions in Scotland about Queen Anne being on her death bed, and who her successor would be and you have a riveting story. I was truly captivated and enjoyed every minute of the story, especially the wonderful passionate moments between Ciar and Emma. They are such a wonderful couple. The epilogue to their story was really special, I smiled all the way through it. This book definitely earns the 5-star rating I am giving it and I definitely recommend it.

The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki is book 8 in the Lords of the Highlands Series. This is the story of Laird Ciar MacDougall and Emma Grant. I have read the previous books which did add to my enjoyment of this one, but I did feel it can be a standalone book. Emma was born blind but she hasn't let that stop her from living her best life even when her family try to keep her protected. Emma has had a crush on her brother's best friend Ciar and he has even started to notice her more although he has always treated her as a equal. When Ciar ends up being taken to prison for something he didn't do, Emma knows that she has to act to save him. This of course puts them on the run which allows them to open themselves up to their feelings. I am a fan of Ms. Jarecki's writing so I enjoyed this book a lot and I do recommend it along with her writing.

The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki
Lords of the Highlands #8

Emma Grant may not have had eyesight her entire life, but all of her other senses are superior to most. She has learned many skills and is capable of much although her brother still sees her as fragile and in need of care and protection. There is one man that befriended her when they were both children that treats her as if she is normal only letting her know he is there should she need him and that is Laird Ciar MacDougall, her brother’s friend and ally. The blurb pretty much spells out what will happen in the story and yet there is much more to it than what is in the blurb. Will the two realize that they might have more than friendship if they allow themselves…and if circumstances permit? Probably ;)

What I liked:
* Emma: strong, resilient, capable, able to do more than most believe she can. She is a force to be reckoned with. I liked her.
* Ciar: big, strong, wise, a beast in battle, loving and tender with those he loves. He is perfect for Emma.
* Albert: a superior dog with the ability to assist Emma once he is trained
* Sam: a good lad that I hope will appear in a future book
* The abilities that Emma has acquired from knitting to lock picking – and the skills she would love to learn if given the chance
* Emma’s ability to state what she wants and to reach out for them
* Ciar’s loyalty, love, tenderness and care for Emma – also his honorable side and desire to see justice done
* Emma’s family in spite of their sometimes overprotectiveness
* The writing, story, and all that took place in the story even if the story did require me to suspend belief at times.
* All of it except…

What I did not like:
* The British…the three liars and thieves as well as their commander
* Being reminded of how evil occupying forces can be to the people/natives of the lands they occupy

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Without a doubt!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever-Grand Central Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

i don't know if we can call blind heroine in the highlands a trope per se, but i've definitely read books with this casting before and i like them. a lot. amy jarecki continues to write these wonderfully nuanced romances with heroes who history has placed on the losing side, the highland laird is no exception.

but there's so much intrigue and political maneuvering in the setting that makes it the perfect backdrop for these swoony, romantic stories. every time she publishes one, i'm convinced it's the last one, we're looking at number 8 here. but if the lords of the highlands series continues, it's no hardship because these stories are just super enjoyable.

**the highland laird will publish on october 13, 2020. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/grand central publishing (forever) in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by Amy Jerecki and I look forward to reading more, particularly in this series! While it's number 8 in her Highland series, you can easily read this as a standalone, though I look forward to going back and looking for familiar characters.

Emma is our heroine and what a courageous woman she is. Born blind and highly protected by her brother, Emma has grown up extremely sheltered. In some ways this was necessary as some believe her blindness to be a sign of evilness. Naturally Emma is a wonderful girl with a huge heart. So when she accompanies her brother to a wedding, she is pleased to find her childhood crush in attendance.

Ciar. Ah, what a hero! He's one of my favorite type of heroes, a true alpha male with a heart of gold and an ability to be gentle in times of need. Unlike some, he treats Emma like a woman instead of an invalid. And they come to see that a childhood friendship has blossomed into something else entirely.

But soon enough, a good deed by Ciar gets him in trouble and surprisingly Emma is the one to get him out of it! They find themselves thrust together as they deal with their situation - another one of my favorite tropes, something that pulls the couple together somewhat unbothered by others.

I really loved everything about this book outside of the epilogue, it really made me lose a little respect for Emma. She lost part of her strong and fearless nature and dealt with some insecurities. It was a touching scene, but should have happened far before their HEA. It felt like a step back for these two. Still overall a good read that makes me want to dig into Jarecki's other novels.

My opinion is my own and freely given.