“I intend to have the memory of this time with you to cherish in my heart for the rest of my days…Let the rest of our lives be an endless adventure.”

Emma Grant has lived in a cocoon of protection since the day she was born. Her brother has done all he can to ensure her safety, but even the all-powerful Robert Grant could never have predicted his sister would run off to risk life and limb to rescue his long-time friend Ciar MacDougall from the gallows for a crime he didn’t commit.

Laird Ciar MacDougall finds himself facing certain death at the hands of the English. So, when he’s rescued by a wee lass and her pup, he can barely believe it…for the beautiful Emma Grant, whom he’s long held in the highest esteem, has been blind since birth, and the last person he ever dreamed would be outside his prison cell offering him his chance at freedom.

Forced to flee and go into hiding until he can prove his innocence, Emma is thrilled to finally be free and living a grand adventure with the one man who has always treated her as his equal rather than an invalid. Emma is not going to let the opportunity pass her by to finally tell Ciar how she feels, and offer him her heart, body and soul…

Amy Jarecki’s The Highland Laird was impossible to put down! Imperfect characters are my fav, and the author has woven a romance with a hero that isn’t necessarily swoon worthy handsome, but has a kind heart, and a heroine that “sees” all the good in the world and has a way of sharing her sight with those she’s around. Loved and highly recommend!




**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

Amy Jarecki did such an amazing job in writing this book! I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and all of the drama. A blind heroine made the story really unique, particularly during a time period when blindness was thought to be a sign that you are evil. Her saving grace was being the sister of a laird and sheltered by him. The way the story began drew me in, as the reader is dropped into the middle of a wedding celebration and the heroine is trying to find her way around blind. It really gives us a great perspective of what that must be like and how dependent someone might be on others looking out for them. It certainly made me appreciate my eyesight, as bad as it is.

Emma Grant has always trusted Ciar MacDougall, ever since he was introduced to her when she was a child, and he never looked down on her for her blindness. Now that they are both grown, Ciar is the chieftain of Dunollie, an ally to her brother, and completely out of her reach. While they may be friends, a blind woman could never marry such a powerful man. Ciar has admired Emma from afar, but he knows that to pursue a relationship would mean certain tragedy, as war is brewing that could lead to his death. He can't stay away for her sake and so he must put country ahead of love. When he is captured by the British and held for a crime he didn't commit, Emma rushes to his rescue. Soon they are on the run, and when forced into close proximity, the burning embers of their passion for each other ignite, when not even danger can stop their love from growing stronger each day.

Emma and Ciar were a lovely couple, one that was easy to get on board with from the very start. Emma was a sweetheart, hampered by her blindness but determined to live a full life in spite of her limitations. Ciar was the perfect person from here, made obvious as he refused to treat her any differently from other people. He danced with her, made sure she was taken care of at every opportunity, and he was determined to make sure that she would be happy, even if it wasn't with him. The history of the time period made their love very poignant for me, as I didn't realize how ostracized blind people were during that time. At one point a reference is made to a man who was killed because of his blindness, and it put Emma's situation in a dangerous light. Had she not been born into a powerful family, she would likely have found herself in a similar situation. That's what I love about Amy Jarecki's books - not only do you get a great romance from it, but you also learn a lot about the time period.

I haven't read every book in this series, so that should tell you how easily you can jump in and out of this series depending on what book you want to read. Out of eight books, I have only read two of them, and both I thoroughly enjoyed. I am eager to read what comes next, whether there are more in this series or we get a brand new one to enjoy.

Amy Jarecki is a new favorite of mine for historical highland romance.
This is part of series, but can be read as a stand alone.
I enjoy books where characters are not perfect. The heroine in this book is blind. She doesn't stop her though. The hero has known the heroine since they were young.
I enjoyed reading Emma and Ciar story.
Action in this story too.

This book was the love story of Emma Grant and Laird Ciar MacDougall. We have met both characters in previous books of the Lords of the Highlands series. I found the premise of this very interesting because of Emma being blind. I love a story that has someone beating the odds. I truly enjoyed the incorporation of the dog and how she trained him to assist her.

I found the love story between Ciar and Emma very sweet. They had known and cared for each other for years. While there are parts of the story that are a little hard to believe as what could realistically be happening for the time period, but this is easy to look past. There is action, adventure and some very sweet love scenes. This was a nice love story that flowed well. I would recommend it to people who enjoy Donna Fletcher, Hannah Howell, Mary Wine or Lynsay Sands.

Bravo Amy Jarecki!

What a brilliant and inspiring story! The Highland Laird is chock full of danger, intrigue, unlikely saviors, and wonderfully vibrant characters. Cair and Emma are intriguing characters on their own, but put them together and it brings a new world to life. Hands down, the absolute best part of this book was dear Emma. Her sheer strength and tenacity for life is awe inspiring. When she would describe the world as she "sees" it, I had to take a moment to let that soak in. It encourages the reader to experience something ordinary in a beautiful way. I loved how Cair never held her back. At times he might have been frustrated with her choices, but he was ever patient, always seeing her as a capable and powerful woman, gifted with a unique perspective of the world around her. I could go on and on, but here is the bottom line.
Amy Jarecki has created a story that will capture all your senses in a heartfelt way, complete with a story brimming with danger, love, respect, and courage. The Lords of the Highland series continues to get better and better and I can't wait for more.

Ciar, the hero, was so incredibly swoon worthy in how he interacted with the heroine I don’t even know where to begin. My, oh my, Hmm...Hmm...Hmm. He had me right away with his Scottish alpha protective manly but always incredibly caring, gentleman ways. Good gravy, it was so sweet how this warrior, ruggedly handsome lad chatted and danced with Emma, the blind, sweet, sheltered, innocent, but verra courageous leading lady. Already well acquainted childhood friends, they seemed to have a perfect, natural rapport that was a sheer pleasure to witness and watch grow into so much more.

Emma may have been sheltered and protected her whole life but this lovely lass had gumption when it really counted. She’d swallow her fear and do whatever she felt was necessary, especially when it came to protecting Ciar. You’ll have to decide for yourself if she was always wise in doing so. I for one was impressed and rolled with it, folks. So naturally it was great to see these two well deserving love birds get their HEA.

Starting after the anticipated, inevitable fall-out drama was wrapped up regarding Ciar’s circumstances, I did feel the storyline had peaked then dropped off to a slower, steady, marching to a marital drum now beat. I guess you could say mainly after he had to fight for their love. They said “I do” so I thought the book was basically done, but it continued 35 pages or so more, taking us along with them into new territory. This ending felt like a favorite of mine format I've often seen romantic tales in this genre begin.

I thought Emma's few, brief, weeping, mental meltdowns, injury, and first married now smex scene at her new home was a tad embarrasing for her overdone. This gal had been so strong I wasn't sure how I felt about her now crying and feeling so insecure. It did continue to give Ciar even more reason and opportunities to shine as a loving, doting husband.

In either case, I’m really glad I got to spend time with these two verra likeable, sweet together, clear to to verra end main characters.

Having read all the books so far, I must say books 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8 were my personal favorites. Don’t let the first two words of the titles trick you into thinking these are cookie cutter romances. Each one is a unique stand-alone romantic tale, just part of the same series. Keep them coming, Ms. Jarecki, because I’ll keep coming back for more!

Title: Highland Laird, Series: Lords of the Highlands (Book 8), Author: Amy Jarecki, Pages: 352, pub date: 10/13/20, sweet, innocent, blind, courageous heroine, good guy warrior laird hero, virgin heroine, no OW/OM drama, no love triangle, no cheating, very graphic smex scenes late in book, some violence. Rating: 4 - 4.5 stars

Book 1 - The Highland Duke
Book 2 - The Highland Commander
Book 3 - The Highland Guardian
Book 4 - The Highland Chieftain
Book 5 - The Highland Renegade
Book 6 - The Highland Earl
Book 7 - The Highland Rogue
Book 8 - The Highland Laird

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)