Cover Image: Highland Treasure

Highland Treasure

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I liked this book, I enjoyed the romance, the dynamic between the characters was well thought out and the chemistry between them was great as well! Rory was a great highlander, and I liked him a lot! I thought he and Elysande brought a lot to the book! The writing was also really well done, and the pacing was just right! You didn't feel rushed, you didn't feel like it was dragging. Cant wait to read more from her in the future!

Was this review helpful?

Lady Elysande de Valance after being taken captive by De Bucies and his the English soldiers to beat and brutalized her. Her mother enlist the help of highlander healer Rory Buchannan to get her treasure to safety to the Sinclair family in the Highlands. Elysande is determined to deliver the matter of life message her mother has given her to her Sinclair family. After the beating she’s taken traveling by horse is brutal for her, but Rory the healer discover how badly beaten she was tries to help her, make her more comfortable and ends up losing his heart to the beautiful brave Elysande. It’s a race to the Highlands with the English soldiers hot on their trail before their caught. Elysande. Rory, his brother and his men will die trying to keep her safe and they have their hands. I love them together it was a great story filled with adventure, romance and intrigue. I have voluntarily read and reviewed.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 stars, rounded up.

When renowned healer Rory Buchanan receives a message begging him to take Mairghread de Valance’s “treasure” to her sister at the Sinclair holdings in Scotland, he cannot refuse, but he is not prepared when he learns that the treasure is actually her daughter.

After being betrayed and nearly beaten to death by a family friend, Elysande de Valance of Kynardersley is drowning in pain and grief and not sure who to trust, but something about Rory touches something deep in her and gives her the courage to tell him all – including the plot by her attacker, Baron de Buci, to kill King Edward III.

As they travel, a bond forms between them, and soon it becomes clear that de Buci isn’t done hunting Elysande and Rory will have to play a deep game of intrigue to keep the woman he has come to love safe!

I really liked this book, it was a bit more intense than the typical Lynsay Sands book, but it was a very riveting read! Rory and Elysande are so perfect for each other and I just loved the fact that she is also a healer and how put-out he was about it – that small detail and his reaction added some much-needed lightness to the book and save the story from being too grim. The heat level of this book was not quite at warm as the previous books, but it was just right for the story. This book has a bit of everything: intrigue, betrayal, murder, warm love scenes, a bit of lightness, another shocking betrayal, and finally a HEA complete with a fantastic epilogue. The book did have title errors and I did feel like the fate of one of the villains was left unanswered, but overall neither of these things impeded my enjoyment and I would happily recommend this book. This is the ninth book in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems!

Was this review helpful?

Highland Treasure is whopping #9 in Lynsay Sands' Highland Brides series. I've read all of the previous books in the series, but Sands does a great job of allowing this to read as a standalone. Highland Treasure focuses on the central couple, but she gives us just enough about previous characters and relationships to be interesting and informative.

Since the Buchanan brothers were first introduced in Highland Brides series, Rory has always been a complex secondary character and, since he's the resident healer and everyone's always getting attacked, he often played a significant role in his brother's storylines. He's definitely a favorite of mine, and I've been looking forward to him finally getting his happily ever after. It's possible that since he was such a favorite, no one was every going to be good enough, but I'm honestly a little disappointed who Rory ended up with. I've just admire some of the other heroines the Bucahanan brothers have ended up with so much more. I found Elysande to be rather naive and bratty. She's in danger, and while Rory and his men are trying to protect her, she often thinks she knows better - like ordering her guards away or being far too trusting. I also just never bought into the chemistry the couple supposedly had.

What I love about Sands historical romance books is that she's reliable. I always know what I'm getting. Romance and some sort of mystery. So while Highland Treasure follows a somewhat predictable damsel-in-distress plot line, it's enjoyable with sweet moments paired with hilariously crazy antics Sands is known for. Her books are always a delightful escape, and Highland Treasure doesn't disappoint on that front. I also liked the introduction of new characters beyond the Buchanan brothers (who are almost all married off now). Alick's the last man standing! Looking forward to this final brother finding his highland bride.

TW/CW: threats of rape and violence against women (not detailed on the page)

Was this review helpful?

The story starts with Elysande's father and many of his people murdered and her in the dungeon. With the help of a few loyal servants that were not killed she is able to see her mother before she passes away. Her mother tells her to go the Buchanan healer that is in England as he can help her get to her sister. She is given proof there is a plot to kill the king and must warn him.
When she meets the Buchanan healer (Rory) he agrees to see her safely to Sinclair.
Elysande had been beaten while she was in the dungeon making the journey on horseback difficult, She had not complained as Rory pushed them to travel quickly and when by accident he saw how badly she was beaten the healer in him wanted to help, He felt she was the strong type of women he would want if he was looking for a wife. With each day they traveled and shared things about their lives along with several mishaps along the way they fell in love. The journey and the characters they met along the way were described in such detail I felt like I was right there with them in the story. It was very enjoyable.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this advance reader copy and was not compensated in any way.

Was this review helpful?

This is book 9 in the Highland Brides series but it could absolutely be read as a standalone, although I recommend the other books in the series as well. In this one we (FINALLY!! LOL!) get Rory Buchanan's story! Rory is the healer for his clan, but he also travels and helps those that may be in need. He feel's like he is too busy healing to bother looking for a bride. Lady Elysande de Valance is grateful for the escort of the Scot's to get to the highlands and safety. After she escaped from the dungeon's that she was being held in by the soldier's that invaded her home, she just wants to get to safety. Rory didn't realize that when he was asked to accompany a friend's "treasure" to the Highlands that it would be a woman. A woman on the run and covered in bruises. Rory knows it is his mission to heal her and protect her, but he also realizes that there may be more at stake than just their safety.

I have been waiting and waiting for Rory's story, and I absolutely loved it!! Rory is, as always, this stand up man with a beautiful soul! The fact that he can be so gentle when he is trying to help someone but also perfectly capable of protecting the people he cares about has always made me love him. Elysande has a strength that you can't help but love but she also is loyal and loving. Not only to her family but to those that she considers under her protection. There was intrigue and suspense right from the start to draw you in, but for me the characters made everything for this book. I couldn't put it down once I started it, and I definitely didn't want it to end just with how much I loved it. I can't wait for the rest of the brother's stories now!

Was this review helpful?

Lady Elysande de Valance is able to escape the English soldiers holding her in a dungeon and is grateful to be on her way the safety of the Highlands. She is lucky to escorted by healer, Rory and even though he isn’t looking for marriage, sparks are flying between them. Will he be able to let her go once his job is complete? Fast-paced read with loads drama, suspense and steam. Great characters and a fast-paced and entertaining story. I really liked it.

Was this review helpful?

I've read a couple of books by Lynsay Sands in the past and enjoyed them. This one was more on the OK side than on the "like" - a couple of things bothered me that brought my rating down.

Repetitive writing. To me that always feels like the author tries to fill the pages to make her word count. Also, I can't remember that this author did this in her previous books.
The relationship lacked chemistry. I can't say they were bad together, I just had a hard time seeing them as a couple.
The storyline was a little...unexciting although I have to say that there was a twist I didn't see coming.
The ending was...dissatisfying and a little dull.

With all that being said this isn't a horrible book, not at all. I enjoyed parts of it, I liked the tenderness and care these two characters showed one another. Rory's  protective nature was especially sweet.

This book can be read as a standalone and the author does a great job introducing the reader without making them feel overwhelmed.

I'm not giving up on this author, she can write some fabulous Historical Romance, this one just didn't hit the mark.

“You are a man worthy of love.” Tilting her head, she added, “People may need a healer, but they do not love them. They love the man."

Was this review helpful?

Rory has been my favorite Buchanan brother and I am so glad that his book was amazing!!! There’s the lady in danger that has been a staple of this series and while there’s danger and drama it’s balanced perfectly with sweet romance and laugh out loud moments.

Elysande is on the run after her parents are killed and her home is taken. Rory has been tasked with bringing her to safety and he has mixed emotions that this one woman he truly wants to care for won’t use him for his healing skills. This aspect was my favorite part because she loved him for more than what most people needed him for. Between daring escapes, steamy scenes and royal subterfuge I couldn’t put this book down.

Was this review helpful?

Talk about a heroine being tested by fire. A reader meets Elysande while she’s in the middle of a life and death situation. Right away, this reader wanted the heroine to be safe, to find justice for her family, and I wanted her to stop hurting, both physically and emotionally. The author wanted to make sure that I was vested in the fate of Elysande, and Ms. Sands was 100% effective in creating that link.

I remember the last story, when Rory’s brother, Conran, was mistaken for him. Although there was a substantial plot, the sense of humor, adventure and romance was quicker to happen and grins were more prevalent. Highland Treasure has an extra serious bent because more than Elysande’s life is on the line and she feels that pressure every step of the way, in every place that they stay. Rory starts off doing what’s right but the quest quickly turns personal. I enjoyed watching their friendship and relationship grow. The moment both realize they have red hot chemistry happens in the absolute darkness of night in a forest, alone, when Rory has to apply more pain salve on Elysande’s bruises. That scene was the tipping point and I knew right then that not only were they going to be great together, but once that genie is out of the bottle, there’s no putting it back in. It gets quite hot. Even during those times, there were elements of humor and embarrassing instances which made for fun reading.

No story written by Ms. Sands is heavy-handed in dark plots – there are moments to spice it up, to provide motivational conflict and drama, but they are short lived, placed perfectly and give the right level of backdrop to showcase the strengths of both hero and heroine. This novel is no different. It’s entertaining, interesting and at times, quite adventurous – in short, a great read.

I felt so bad about one of the bad guys. I mean, I really hope that he can be redeemed because I truly felt that he was a victim too and shouldn’t be written off. I hope Ms. Sands lets readers know the full skinny when she’s ready. As it is, he served his diabolical purpose in this book.

Highland Treasure ended with a truly surprising and broad-scoped happy ever after that was over-the-top wonderful and satisfying. I enjoyed it so much and was left with a happy glow. There was so much joy it was almost perfect. There is one thing the author didn’t do and that was answer the biggest question about Elysande!! How could Ms. Sands not do an epilogue of the epilogue!! I hope to find out the answer in the next book. There WILL be a next book in the Highland Brides series, right?

Was this review helpful?

I have too say Lynsay never disappoints when it comes too either of her series and I just wish I had whatever this type of talent comes from. She is always in on time in releasing each publication without fail and more often then not she delivers an intriguingly suspenseful yet hopefully romantic mystery. I’ve always been fascinated by historical romances and the dress and brogue described and never has Lynsay disappointed me.
In this publication of the series Rory finds true love and a partner equal to his brilliance in every aspects. Lady Elysande de Valance is a courageous, sassy spit fire who knows her worth but deems almost everyone worthy of love. It is absolutely a most read, enjoy!

Was this review helpful?

4 out of 5 stars

Highland Treasure is the ninth book in the Highland Brides series by Lynsay Sands and each book follows a member of the Buchanan family. This one is Rory's story and I couldn't have been more excited to see what romance was in store for the healer brother. I loved him in all of the previous stories and was very interested in seeing who he would end up with and Elysande couldn't have been a better match. This book has one of my favorite historical romance plot lines where the hero is escorting our heroine somewhere across the country, I love this "bodyguard' type of story. Their romance was so sweet and incredibly slow burn, which I should've known from how soft Rory has been in previous books. I loved their chemistry and, as always, Lynsay Sands has some of the wittiest dialogue. Great banter between the couple makes me love a romance even more! This series has some of the best plot lines I've read in historical romances, as well. It's always exciting, dramatic, and fun. I do wish we got to see some more of the Buchanan family members in this one, though. They made for the funniest scenes before and this book had almost none of that until the very end.

I'll always recommend this series to readers that are just wanting to read historical since its very easy to read, and Highland Treasure having that "bodyguard" trope makes it a great recommendation to romance readers wanting more of that!

Was this review helpful?

This is a new to me series, though I have read other books by Lynsay Sands.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was engaging, the characters well developed and immensely likeable. Even though it's well into the series (number 9), it definitely stands on its own.

Overall, a nice, easy read with a solid plot. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romance.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this one and even though I haven't read the first eight books in the series, I don't think I missed out on anything. With that said, I will definitely be picking up the rest as I'm curious to know more about Rory's family.

I thought Sands did a great job of building the trust and relationship between Rory and Elysande. She's been through a lot and her will to survive is definitely driving her forward. When she finally comes to realize she can rely on Rory to help her, the connection is clear.

I will be looking forward to picking up more books by Sands as this was a great introduction (for me) to her writing style and with a full cast of highlanders to catch up on, I think I will be diving right in.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this story. It was so exciting, Romantic, and suspenseful. Rory Buchanan is a renowned healer, scot, and so kind. He doesn't care for the English but for a price, he will go to them and try to heal them. He has just finished a job in England and is ready to go home. As he starts his travels, he receives a note that his help is needed to get a treasure to the Sinclairs in Scotland. He heads out to pick up the package. When he arrives in the forest, he finds a cart with a couple of bags in the back. As they are looking around, down the hill comes two English men and a girl.
Elysande de Valance A young woman who was running from a very cruel man. He killed her parents, the soldiers, and civilians in the castle. He beat her mother to death, broke her neck but she didn't die
she managed enough time to help her daughter. Who had also been beaten. She tried very hard not to slow them down in the dash to escape De Buci.
The characters were courageous, brave, strong, and generous of spirit. Rory Buchanan wanted to help the woman but he was short a few weeds (wolfbane for pain). Scots and English, both tried to help them. So much went on in this tale of intrigue, murder, and even traitors to the English crown.
It kept the suspense high, the interest even higher, and surprises everywhere.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved Elysande and Rory’s story. It’s a never-ending barrage of excitement! Never a dull moment for Elysande as Rory and his men help her get to safety from the man who murdered her family. I was constantly on the edge of my seat. Not to mention the slow burning fire that begins between Elysande and Rory, the further they get from England. Very steamy.
5 stars!!!

Was this review helpful?

The inimitable Lynsay Sands has just delivered another exciting Highland tale filled with wit, cross country chases, love, honor, and betrayal. It is unusual for me to love both of the main characters equally, but, this time, I loved both of them. I normally love one of the leads and will, at best, like the other. Of course, I’ve loved Rory throughout the series and have really looked forward to him finding his special lady – and I am so happy that she really was special. While this is the ninth book in the series, you can totally read this as a standalone without being the least bit lost. That said, it is a wonderful series and I highly recommend all of the books.

Brutally beaten, shaken, kicked, and locked in a dungeon, Lady Elysande de Valance has just barely managed to escape the castle in which her parents and all of their soldiers were murdered by de Buci, someone thought to be a friend. Just before her mother died, she gave Elysande a letter to take to Rory Buchanan who just happens to be in England. The letter asks Rory to deliver a treasure to her Sinclair relatives in the Highlands of Scotland.

As a gifted healer, Rory is being paid a small fortune to travel to England to heal Baron Monmouth. Normally, Rory wouldn’t charge for healing, but the Baron asked him to travel all the way to England – and he offered the payment – and he is English … Just as Rory is taking his leave of the Baron, Rory’s brother, Alick, delivers a note to him. The note asks Rory to deliver a treasure to the Sinclair’s in the Highlands.

When Rory and his men reach the clearing to which the note directed them, all they saw was an abandoned cart. No horse attached to the cart, nobody around at all – just some bags piled on the cart. What? Then, three riders appeared at the edge of the woods. When the riders tell their tale, Rory immediately agrees to help.

As they all head out for the Highlands, de Buci and his soldiers are in hot pursuit. Rory and his men have to keep the badly injured Elysande safe, figure out how to save the English King along with his son, and manage to make it back to the Highlands in one piece. Of course, along the way, love happens as well.

I loved Elysande because she was smart, savvy, brave, honorable, witty, and stubborn as the devil himself. Sometimes she was a bit too stubborn, but she was also faithful and loyal to her people and her king. What she endured, without complaint, lets you know how resilient she was.

This was a lovely, exciting, couldn’t-put-it-down read and I can hardly wait for Alick’s story. I hope you’ll give the story a try and that you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. BTW – the epilogue is absolutely priceless – you should read the book just for that if nothing else.

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

Was this review helpful?

This book was given to me as an arc from netgalley in return for a honest review.

This book takes you on an adventure. I did really enjoyed Rory and Elysande's story. There are some violent triggers in this book but other than that this book was fun, and the connection between characters was almost immediately. There are plenty of cute moments such as, they fall asleep as a group in order to protect her and somehow she always ends up on top of him or in his embrace. The plot is good the only thing that I felt this book needed more was chemistry. Although the main characters connected right away, I wanted to see more relationship development between the two. I felt the word love was used too loosely and too soon.
This book is from the Highland Brides series and is book #9 but can be read as a standalone. I recommend this book if you like a little bit of mystery and traveling tropes. Oh and bonus is that this book has a awesome epilogue.

Rory a Scottish healer embarks on a journey in delivering Elysande a English lady to safety to Scotland and to deliver a murder plot plan to the English king after her family is brutally murdered.

Lady Elysande was also severely beaten and locked up in her castle's dungeon. Right before her mothers death, her mother plans her escape. She falls right into the hands of Rory.

As they travel through England to Scotland they form a bound. Rory becomes very protective of her, and she is annoyed at first but realizes he does this not only to protect her but he truly cares for her. It wasn't intentionally but they both fall in love with eachother, and it was sweet. Amongst them their is a trader traveling with them. They don't know who at first but accidents keeps to happening to Elysande. Rory has his suspicion of who the trader is, and he was right. He does his best to protect her and succeeds. In the mist of everything that is happening Rory claims her to be his wife to save her reputation and she accepts it. By Scottish law that's good enough but they do end up marrying before a priest.

Was this review helpful?

Lady Elysande de Valance has barely escaped with her life after being beaten and imprisoned when her family’s home was attacked by a man her father called a friend. She’s thankful to have met up with her mother’s Scottish connections who have agreed to escort her to safety in the Highlands but is afraid they’ll consider her to be too much trouble and leave her behind. Though her attacker pursues them in their flight, Elysande is surprised to find herself feeling safe and comforted by their leader, Rory Buchanan.

Rory has been too occupied with learning all he can about remedies and healing to be bothered with finding a wife. But when he is asked to see a “treasure” belonging to a family friend safely delivered to the Highlands, he’s shocked to learn the parcel is in fact a lovely woman on the run from desperate enemies and hiding bruises beneath a heavy veil. Rory is determined to view her as a healer only, to treat her injuries and keep her safe, but he increasingly finds himself losing his heart to her.

I loved this book. It was a classic Sands Highlander romance and exactly what I needed right now. This is actually the first book I’ve really savored in quite some time. I’ve long looked forward to Rory’s story as he has always been solidly in the background helping his brothers to their HEA’s and I just knew he’d make a great strong yet sensitive hero. He did not disappoint. Elysande’s stubbornness was a bit frustrating at times, but only served to highlight Rory’s patience and how truly well-suited he was to her, plus her hesitance was very justified given what she had just been through. I love seeing Rory and Elysande get to know each other and develop the trust between them through the challenges they encountered and sheer forced proximity. There is some on the road routine in which some scenes are similar in terms of action, but for me this was where the MC’s got to know each other and discuss things they had in common, as well as where the romance took root, so I never felt bogged down.

The villain may have been handled fairly easily here, more so than in previous books in the series, but that smoothness and light was just what I needed. This was sweet and steam and two people who wanted to be together and didn’t bother playing games about it, which really worked for me. This had some of Sands’ characteristic banter and cuteness, but also some elements of suspense along with a sweet romance. It was also delightful to see some of the other Buchanan brothers again. This is one of my favorite fictional families and I look forward to Alick’s story now even as I’m sad that we only have one sibling left to get his HEA.

I thoroughly enjoy these types of Highlander romances and wish we got more of them as new releases. Also, I have to say this is one of my favorite covers ever. If you’re stressed and need to escape and wind down, this is your book.

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

Was this review helpful?

This is my first from the Highland Brides series. I have been "going to" start reading these books for ages and am so glad that Avon let me read this one early. I really enjoyed the adventure and hijinks of getting the heroine to safety and the way that that suspense and tension helped to ramp up the relationship between the main characters. After Elysande is captured and beaten, Rory is asked to help transport a "treasure" to safety. When he discovers that it is Elysande and she has been badly beaten, as a healer he must care for her. The danger and excitement kept me turning pages and was the perfect escape during a highly stressful week. I do think that I would have been better served had I read the whole series, but it just makes me that more excited to dive in.

Was this review helpful?