This is a low angst romance! Ramsey returns from living abroad as a British spy and antiquarian after learning of his grandfather's impending death. He returns to find Signy has grown into a beautiful and capable woman but is the little sister of his lost first love. There is some tension there but it resolves pretty quickly. This novel is extremely character driven, which I don't mind, but is something to be aware of. It's also a part of a series but stands on its own. Loved the details about Ramsey's interest in the islands' archeological sites!

I've always loved Mary Jo Putney's historical romances, but unfortunately this one is far too slow and boring. The characters are fine, but the story moves at a snail's pace with almost nothing interesting happening chapter upon chapter. There is also very little conflict between the hero and heroine, as they work together quite well and are equally attracted to one another.

As much as I was looking forward to this book, it was a DNF* for me. :(

*Did Not Finish

Once A Laird by Mary Jo Putney is book six in her Rogues Redeemed series. Though part of a series, it reads as a standalone.

Signy Matheson is tired of being helpful. She wants to concentrate on her own dreams and desires. Her dreams and desires conflict on one point. She wants Kai for her own.

Kai Douglas Ramsay is the new Laird and as such must put his people before himself, except in one thing. He wants Signy as his wife.

They want each other, but is that their destiny?

Five stars. Well-conceived and thoroughly executed. I enjoyed all aspects of Once A Laird and highly recommended it to readers of historical fiction, especially historical romance.

My thanks to Kensington Books, Zebra, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

This book wasn't offensively bad, it had some good aspects and decent characters.
My problem would be the writing style, it was really stiff and lifeless, some parts felt like reading a history book, also, the dialogues between the main couple were a little bit boring, their romance felt really cold.
I didn't like how the love story wasn't the main focus, it was more of a coincidence along the way.
The ending depended on me having read the previous books in the series to be considered wholesome, which sadly, I haven't.
* I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review *

A sweet regency romance set in Scottland. When Kai returns to become the laird of the land, he is captivated by Signy's beauty and fiery spirit. A lovely historical romance with a great setting.

Young men and women who leave their Amish communities to seek a new life among the English do not always find happiness even though sometimes it’s cruel circumstances in their childhood that necessitate a fresh start. Such was the case with Rachael Schwartz. Why did she come back years later to the fictional town of Painters Mill, Ohio, only to be viciously battered to death in her motel room? Chief of Police Kate Burkholder’s job is to find Rachael’s killer(s) and bring them to justice. A responsibility made more heartbreaking by her personal memories of the young girl she once babysat: “Kate remembers Rachael as the only girl who was as bad at being Amish as Kate was―and those parallels dog her.”

After Rachael left the Plain life, she wrote a tell-all book about her past. Chief Burkholder needs to read it so she visits Beerman’s Books, where Barbara Beerman greets her by name.

“I’m looking for the book written by Rachael Schwartz,” I tell her.



“Ah. You and everyone else. I heard about the murder. Do you guys know who did it yet?”



“We’re working on it.”



She nods. “Well, we have her book.” She pushes herself to her feet and rounds the counter. “The tourists love it so much we have a tough time keeping it in stock.”



“Have you read it?” I ask.



“The day it was released. Talk about tell-all. Rachael Schwartz didn’t pull any punches.”



“So I’ve heard.”



“Apparently, she wasn’t fond of her brethren.”



“Did she name names?” I ask.



She shakes her head. “There’s an author note in the beginning of the book saying the names were changed to ‘protect’ the identities of people depicted.”

What a title: AMISH NIGHTMARE: How I Escaped the Clutches of Righteousness. Chief Burkholder has her work cut out—to put real names and faces to the anonymous righteous folk Rachael named in her tell-all. And to separate the wheat from the chaff because it’s possible that Rachael exaggerated in her memoir. Kate remembers the young Rachael as adventurous, rebellious, saucy, and charming but ultimately troubled; a girl who fought the constraints of her Amish upbringing.

Attending Rachel’s autopsy is not only Kate’s introduction to the victim but also a way to get “inside the mind of a killer.” Even for Doc Coblentz, the stand-in coroner who has examined countless corpses, Rachael’s mutilated and battered body stands out.

The doctor sighs. “I’ve seen a lot of injuries, a lot of deaths. Motor vehicle accidents. Farming mishaps. You name it. This woman suffered a tremendous amount of physical injury.”



I resist the urge to shudder. “Says something about the killer,” I say.



“That’s your forte, not mine. Thank God for that.”

It never gets easy for Kate, looking down at a dead body, but in this case, it’s the little things that churn her up. She glances at Rachael’s undamaged bare feet: “It’s the pink polish on the toenails that turns me inside out and rouses the stir of outrage.” Much like J.D. Robb’s stalwart Eve Dallas, Kate Burkholder never loses sight of the humanity of her victim. Adding even more insult to the mortal injuries Rachel suffered, Doc tells Kate that the beating most likely continued after Rachael’s death. Who hated Rachael that much? Kate suspects that it was unresolved events in Rachael’s teenage years that have culminated in her murder. What happened during Rachel’s rumspringa?

“Rumspringa” is the Deitsh word for “running around.” It’s the time in a young Amish person’s life when they have the opportunity to experience the world without all those Amish rules, usually right before they become baptized and join the church.

Kate interviews everyone connected to Rachael—her oldest childhood friend, the local bishop (a conversation which leads to Kate’s brother Jacob), and a policeman with a questionable reputation. She tracks down Rachael’s sexual partners and grills Andrea Matson, Rachael’s roommate and business partner for insights into the woman Rachael became in Cleveland. Kate has been tipped off to Rachael’s lifestyle by her significant other and police colleague John Tomasetti, an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

“One more thing that may or may not be related to any of this. It appears Rachael Schwartz and Andrea Matson lived above their means. I checked the books on the restaurant they own, and they barely make a profit. And yet they live in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city.”



“So where are they getting their money?”



“Still digging,” he says. “Anything new on your end?”



“Spinning my wheels mostly.”

Another act of inexplicable violence occurs. Kate embraces the universal dictum, “follow the money,” and discovers that Rachael financed her lavish lifestyle by blackmail. One step leads to another—who’s tired of paying blackmail or is perhaps petrified of their secrets being exposed?

Fallen is not for the faint of heart. There is a brutal killing and sordid secrets: Kate herself may be in danger. The thirteenth Kate Burkholder mystery is another unputdownable Amish-set story. Brava Linda Castillo.

A wonderful setting and exceptional characters bring this story to life.

He had left home when young and did all he could to stay away, having traveled extensively and almost lost his life imprisoned during war. But now he has to return due to the imminent death of his grandfather, the laird, and step into his position.

She had been the sister of his betrothed, who had died, and in the years past had been the laird's helper in running the estate. She was not quite prepared for his return, but she knew she would help him.

A sweet story that takes a journey that will warm the heart!

The sixth book in the Rogues Redeemed series. Kai Ramsey comes back to Thorsay Islands, Scotland when he gets notice that the aging laird is dying. He meets Signy Matheson again. I enjoyed seeing this story with its ups and downs get a HEA. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This story was very entertaining. I found this story to be a very warm hearted story. Kai was very dedicated to his grandfather, his home and his people. The story reads with ease for me. I thought the narrative and dialogue was clear. There are some wordings that I had to understand what the meaning meant. I like the realism to the story. The romance was a heated story, but it was the exciting part.

When he learned of his fiancée’s death, Kai Ramsey set out to roam in search of interesting archaeological sites rather than return home to the isle of Thorsay after completing his studies at the University of Edinburgh. He’s spent the past ten years as a scholar, antiquities collector, and sometimes spy, spending much of his time in Constantinople and even facing imprisonment a time or two. He’s enjoyed the danger and adventure of his life, but when he learns his grandfather, the old laird is dying, he immediately responds to the letter summoning him home, somewhat reluctantly returning to the island.

Signy Matheson has spent her life caring for the people of her remote island, working as the laird’s right hand. She’s strong and capable, and she knows the people well and that knowledge will be indispensable for Kai as he relearns his home and takes over the role of laird. Kai is shocked to find Signy has become a beautiful woman, but she’s resistant to his courtship even though the desire between them is clearly mutual. But with Kai’s persistence and their need to team up against forces working to their detriment, that spark between them is harder and harder to deny.

Though I haven’t read every single book in this series, I think this was a gratifying conclusion, having all the Rogues together at the end, even if that ending was slightly abrupt. I enjoyed this story well enough, but I have to say it was rather lacking in romance and that aspect definitely felt undeveloped, especially when compared to the rich detail and clear research behind the descriptions of archaeological finds and Signy and Kai’s travels around their fictional island. I was entertained by that description, and it made me long to visit the Scottish isles again, but I didn’t much care about Signy and Kai’s relationship. Her resistance to him went on for a long time and after a while, it just didn’t make sense. I also think I was a bit hung up on him having originally been with her sister and that just felt a bit icky, though thankfully enough time had passed to make it less so. This was definitely a slow burn with much more focus placed on the reasons Signy and Kai shouldn’t be together as well as on the adventure and tedium of him taking over the lairdship than on their romance. There was some intrigue introduced fairly on in the book that had me excited, but nothing ever really came of it, and I think that suspense angle could’ve been included a bit more, perhaps. Overall, this was a fine read with a likeable hero, a decent heroine, though she fell into the category of ‘the lady doth protest too much,’ and a nice reunion scene, but I’ll not likely reread this one.

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

Kai Douglas Ramsey is called back to be come the laird of his clan cause his grandfather is dying. He's been wondering the world. Signy Matheson, who was the sister to Kai's fiance who died is her grandfather's right hand women. Working together they fall in love once his grandfather died.

Ms. Putney writes reliably high-quality Regency romances featuring complex and intriguing characters. Kai Ramsay left his remote Scottish island home to seek adventures abroad, following the death of his fiancée. Returning home to be with his dying grandfather, he finds that Signy Matheson, sister of his fiancée, is effectually running the estate. Sparks ensue, first conflictual, and then – eventually – romantic, as Kai falls in love not only with Signy but also his ancestral home on Thorsay. Recommended.

3.5 stars - rounding up because I rounded down on book 1

Mary Jo Putney is one of my favorite authors, and I was very excited to receive an advance review copy from Netgalley. I have read all five of the previous Rogues Redeemed series as well as the series before. They are all good, but this was not my favorite. I can't quite put my finger on why. If you have read and enjoyed the other stories, you will want to read this one also. If you have not read them, this can be read as a standalone; but my favorite was book 4.

Both the hero and the heroine were very likable. A jerk hero is the typical reason I may not love a book, so that wasn't it. The setting was both beautiful and unique.

I love the name Kai Ramsay. (My husband's name is Ki.) He was educated, experienced, wise, open-minded, and thought of women as equals. Signy Matheson was independent, very smart, personable, beautiful, and a talented artist. She was also the younger sister of Kai's dead fiance.

Somehow I felt the story was slow, yet some of the challenges were wrapped up too quickly. These two worked well together and were able to solve problems concisely. They openly talked through everything - no drama due to lack of communication. I appreciate all that, but it just didn't inspire me to keep reading. I pretty much read a chapter a day. The characters were comfortable, but the story wasn't overly compelling. This is a good option for a specific mood.

Although Once A Laird by Mary Jo Putney is the sixth book of her Rogues Redeemed Series, it's my first book of this author.
When I saw this beautiful cover it instantly made me think of Scotland. Outlander. Jamie Fraser.
I absolutely loved the whole atmosphere of this story. I can't even describe it directly but... it made me wanna travel to the North and find a hot Throsayian laird!
Awwwww!
Okay so Kai Ramsay's grandfather, the current laird of Thorsay is about to take his last breath. Ramsay travels back home to stand by his side... and to be the next laird. Signy, who always helped the laird through the years, unfortunately has to extend her help to Ramsay... everything starts with some kind of antipathy. But is it really that or something more?
I REALLY REALLY LOVED SIGNY!
OMG! A strong and independent and self confident and talented, young woman! She's isn't afraid to say what she wants to say. She knows what she wants, and what she doesn't want.
I instantly fell in love with her! What an inspiration!
And Ramsay! Ha! He's a good looking guy, who needs to learn to be the new laird.
Their dislike for each other turns into something more, when they spend more time together. Both have a history together and they've to deal with their past as well.
Once A Laird is a beautiful love story with a really good sloooow burn aspect!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
Thanks to Kensington Books and Mary Jo Putney for this early copy via Netgalley and I'm sorry for the delayed review.

*This is my honest review with my own words.*

Historical Romance with more

I love Mary Jo Putney's books and have read the rest of this series. I really liked this one, "Once a Laird", for the situation and romance, of course, but, even more for the descriptions of the setting, especially the archaeological finds. The characters are strong and opinionated, they make you want to talk to them! Definitely another winner from Ms Putney.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I am a big fan of Romance books and I found this one to be a very enjoyable read. I will be looking for more books from this author.

I read an earlier book from the Rogues Redeemed series. though I'd forgotten it until there was a crossover of characters towards the end of the book. This is set in the years shortly after Waterloo, so maybe 1820ish. Kai Ramsay, the designated heir, comes home to Thorsay (a fictional archipelago based on Orkney) when he receives news that his grandfather, the laird, is fading fast. He's been away from the islands for 12 years, having adventures (and possibly being a British spy) around Constantinople. Dutifully he returns home, arriving just in time to say goodbye to his grandfather who has been ably assisted in his declining years by Signy Matheson, the younger sister of Kai's long-dead fiancee. Granddad tells Kai to marry Signy, and the stage is set. The two fall in love slowly (after resolving a few issues), and Signy, full of common sense, helps Kai to take up the lairdship. There are financial difficulties and a bit of a problem with Kai's rich cousin, but to be honest there's not much tension in the first half of the book. Oh, someone takes a pot-shot at Kai. but it doesn't seem to be of much significance and it's not followed up. It's a sweet love story but without a lot of highs and lows. Kai is interested in antiquities and there's interest there. Eventually the other 'Redeemed Rogues' from pervious books, all make an appearance to give the book a good ending. Though there isn't much of a plot this is oddly charming with interesting main characters.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. I have read several books by M J Putney so I was looking forward to this one. I have the utmost respect for authors so I do not give criticism lightly. In this instance, I was very disappointed. I would have liked more heart and life and the end just left me adrift. So many things were left unsettled.

The final rogue is redeemed in the last book of the Rogues Redeemed series, Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney.

I have been reading this series for what seems like a long time, since this was a follow up series to the Lost Lords … The Lost Lords ran for 7 books and Rogues Redeemed has finished on a 6th book. That’s a lot!

This last story tells tells Ramsey’s redemption as he finally returns to his Scottish home to take up the mantle of Laird… he has been away for many years traveling the world since his fiancée passed… now he is home making amends and finding himself very attracted to the woman his deceased fiancée’s sister has grown into. Together they take on tackle the former Lairds debts and see if there is a way for them to find happiness together.

This book felt slow going to me as the main characters explored the archeological sites… their slow burn romance and the re-familiarizing of the Laird with his people and responsibilities didn’t capture my interest too much…

I did enjoy getting a glimpse of all the Rogues reunited together for the first time since their imprisonment together during the Napoleonic War. I do wish that the reunion was a larger part of the story though.

Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney was release October 26th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books and Zebra Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#OnceALaird #MaryJoPutney #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

I absolutely loved this book... so much in fact that i purchased the Audible too and cant wait to listen to it!!!
Ravenna and Courtland both complicated. Within the storyline I enjoyed a runaway bride, scandal, adventure, compromising position, villainy and sizzling romance. The storyline is well developed and strong with character that were absolutely marvelous!

I was gifted this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.