Interesting plot vividly drawn.

Kai Douglas Ramsay left the remote Thorsay Islands in Scotland when his sweetheart died. His life was one of danger and adventure and a restless pursuit of antiquities. When the tale begins Kai is with the British Embassy in Constantinople acting as the Under Secretary for Special Projects. Read spy and problem solver!
Kai is one of five men held captive in a cellar in Portugal during the Napoleonic wars. They were to be executed by one a French colonel as spies. They managed to escape and made a pact to meet after the war. Their stories move forward and this is Kai’s.
Kai’s childhood friend and sister to his dead fiancé, Signy Matheson calls him back to the Islands, back home. His grandfather the Laird of Thorsay is dying. (BTW I’m inclined to think that how the fair Gisela died whilst true, was overacted.)
I must say I enjoyed Kai’s story. Putney’s prose had me visualising the landscape, the various Viking artefacts Kai and Signey uncovered. I swear I could smell the sea air. There’s lost treasure, looters, danger and love.
The flow between events was not as smooth as I’d hoped for but a captivating work despite this.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

He's had his fun, now she wants her turn.

Kai has been feeding his wanderlust for a dozen years after his first love Gisela died.
Now, her sister, Signy, has summoned him home to take over as laird.
I felt really bad for Signy, who got stuck for those twelve years being essentially the laird (unpaid, unthanked) of their village, while he had his fun. Now, she wants to travel herself and has plans. Plans that Kai wants to change as he wants to marry her, cause hey, she'll be great at doing what she does (being the laird) so he can pan off those responsibilities to her. That frustrated me, that as well as Kai idolized her sister Gisela, who died.

2 stars

Once a Laird reads more like a textbook than a romance novel.

Utilizing a setting that based on islands like Orkney and the Hebrides, Putney litters the book with descriptions of what life must be like for people living so far up north and the history that comes from such a place. I would not have minded this aspect of the book if Putney had balanced it with the central romance.

However, I felt like the romance was constantly kept on the back burner and utilized a lot of telling instead of showing it actually progressing. So much of the book is driven by action and we never really get to spend a lot of time in the characters' heads. Because of that, I never felt like there was any build. Romantic moments would occur between the characters and every single time, I would question how we got there because they frankly came out of nowhere.

I'm not sure if this book is typical of Mary Jo Putney's writing, but I'll have to dive a little deeper into her backlog before I determine once and for all whether this is an author that I would like to keep up with.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

The first of this series that I’ve read, and of course the last in the Rogues Redeemed series.

It was so easy to get into, and understand.
It’s also made me want to read the others too.
Excellent writing and entertaining reading await you.

A Thorsay Laird returns home to a changing island he grew up on. His grandfather and childhood friend need him and his life must be put on hold or maybe alter for good, depending on his decisions.

Loved every page, I’m off to get the rest.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

I loved this story. It was so rich in its descriptions of characters and places that I wanted to visit Thorsay the entire time I was reading it even though it is a fictional place.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once a Laird is the sixth installment in Mary Jo Putney's Rogues Redeemed series. It follows the dashing Kai Ramsey, whose grandfather's impending death calls him home from his travels to the island of Thorsay, of which he will soon become the laird. Instrumental to the former (and new) laird's success is young, strong, beautiful Signy Matheson, who has dreams that feel far bigger than the little island she has grown up on.

Overall, I had a good time with this book. It was a quick read, and fairly standard fare for historical romance. It wasn't particularly detailed -- I could pinpoint a range of time it may be set in, but nothing exact -- and it often felt like it could be removed from basically any historical moment, but it did lean into the aesthetic of a historical, far northern isle populated by a hardy people. The conflict was straightforward -- will Ramsey succeed as laird? -- and the romance neither happened too quickly in proportion to the length of the book nor drug itself out unnecessarily.

I will admit that I expected more in terms of spice, as we got few scenes, and those we did get didn't really linger in any details, but I can appreciate how that choice aligned with the general surface-level feeling of the book at large.

I hesitate to call this book basic, however there really wasn't a significant amount of depth. That can be a boon or a detractor, depending on the reader. I'd definitely recommend this as a light historical read, however not if you're the kind of reader who likes a lot of depth and detail to your historical romance.

A solid ending to the series, “Once A Laird” brings the final Rogue, Kai Ramsay, home to the isles of Torsey. An isolated an windswept place (think Shetland), Kai has spent much of his life away from the islands, and is surprised at how at home he feels on his return. He assumes the title of laird when his grandfather dies and inherits his grandfather’s advisor, his childhood sweetheart’s little sister Signy. Now grown into a strong and capable woman, Signy might be just what Kai needs in his life, as a laird and as a man.

Kai stood out to me because, although born to be a laird, he wasn't interested in money and power but in the past. What we would call today an amateur archaeologist, Kai has travelled the world to learn about ancient peoples and how they lived. He isn’t interested in finding antiques to sell for riches or to furnish his study. He looks for the everyday items that can help teach about the people of the past. Back on the islands you feel his enthusiasm for a possible project of surveying the ancient sites with Signy, especially after a storm shows them new ones. It is impossible not to get swept away with his enthusiasm, and you realize he will bring that energy to every aspect of his life, even the parts of being laird he isn’t so sure how to handle yet. He certainly does so with courting Signy! They are a well matched couple, down to earth and invested in their people and helping everyone they can as much as possible.

An interesting and different location from usual, Mary Jo Putney does a wonderful job bringing the islands and their wild beauty to life in this lovely story, with the kind of solid and practical people and romantic partnership you can see lasting a lifetime and beyond.

I received an Arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

WONDERFUL!!! Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney is book 6 in the Rogues Redeemed series and though in a series this book can be read as a standalone. What I really loved about this story is how well it was written and so original. The descriptions are so very vivid and you feel that you can see it all. The character are charming and the romance between Kai a d Signy just makes you want to sigh. This is really a wonderful read! This story has a antiquity that comes home, a strong women who can take care of anything, a death, ruins of old, a loan that is coming due, greed, rescues, strong storms, being partners, good friends that survived, an injury, thieving and know you found your soulmate. I am highly recommending you read this book. It is just WONDERFUL!!!!

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney (Rogues Redeemed #6) 3.5 stars

This is the sixth and final book of the Rogues Redeemed series and while I would like to say it ends with a bang I can't. The series ends with a gentle pop. Kai Ramsey has spent the last few years working for the Foreign Office in Constantinople. He receives a letter from his grandfather to come home because his health is failing. He has responsibilities to the people on his Scottish island because he will be laird after his grandfather dies. His grandfather has been able to keep things running because of Signy Matheson, a local girl and a talented artist. She is the little sister of Kai's first love who died. What follows is the growth of two characters with a love story which simmers in a slow burn. I like that the previous characters from the other five books show up and give a catch up report near the end. A quiet enjoyable book to read on a weekend afternoon.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

This one a quick and easy historical read from Mary Jo Putney. Kai has returned home after being away for 12 years and finds Signy the little sister of his lost love all grown up. This book had lots of really good elements that should've drawn me in but really didn't hold my interest.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

This delightfully told tale quickly ensnared me with the wonderful characters and the vivid descriptions of life in the northern islands of Scotland. You quickly come to understand that life on those islands is never easy, but it gets in the blood of the inhabitants and they can never truly leave it behind.

Kai Douglas Ramsey was born with a wandering soul. He always longed to explore the world and investigate its antiquities. When his fiancé, Gisela, died while he was away at university, he just didn’t return home. Luckily, his grandfather, the laird, understood his needs and allowed him that freedom of travel. He served his country, of course, and helped defeat Napoleon – and still undertakes a few clandestine missions for the crown. He always knew he’d have to return home, and he always intended to do just that, but not yet – because that would mean his grandfather was ill and Ramsey would have to take on the role of laird to his clan. That word finds him in Constantinople, and he quickly resigns his position and heads home – praying the entire time that he will arrive in time to say goodbye to his grandfather.

Signy Matheson, younger sister to Gisela, was a gangly young woman when Ramsey left nearly twelve years ago. She certainly isn’t that young woman anymore. Now, she’s tall, beautiful, and blessed with all the womanly curves a man dreams of – and she looks at him with total disdain and loathing. What happened? Why does she loathe him? They were friends when he left.

After the death of her sister left Signy totally without family, the old laird took her in, and in return for that, she became his right hand. That has been especially true over the last couple of years since his health started to decline. Now, she knows enough and could easily take on the role of laird herself – except she wouldn’t want to do so. Her dream is to travel and to study under a gifted painter. She’ll definitely do those things after the old laird dies and his grandson returns.

This is a delightfully entertaining, straightforward romance. The main characters are both mature enough to know that they should not jump straight into a marriage or love relationship. Ramsey knows he has a lot to learn from Signy since he wasn’t there for tutelage under his grandfather’s hand. This isn’t any great angsty tale filled with navel-gazing and negative internal thoughts. It is two people growing to love each other and learning to overcome the grief each of them feels for the losses in their lives. There are no exciting cross-country chases, no intense stress, etc. There is a villain, but our intrepid duo takes whatever steps they can to deal with him, but if he wins, they are prepared for that as well.

There is a lovely epilogue where the ‘Rogues’ (and their lovely wives) show up on the island and I loved seeing them and their comradery again. The author's notes are wonderful, be sure to read them! I also loved meeting Ramsey’s friend, Broc MacKenzie, and I hope there is a budding romance between him and the artist, Sophie MacLeod. Maybe we will be treated to that story in the near future. I’d also like to see what happens with Ramsey’s cousins Axel and Anabel. However, since none of those are part of the original ‘Rogues’ story, maybe there will be a spin-off series featuring those lovely, lovely islands that the author described so well.

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

I received an ARC for an honest review. To note I binged the series first and quite enjoyed them. This one was an enjoyable read. Did I find it riveting and full of excitement like the others? not really. But this one had it's own charm. Signy and Kai had a slow, sweet fall into love. It did rather feel that the grandfather pushed them together. Signy seemed like a strong, independent heroine but didn't get a chance to really prove it, in my opinion.

I did LOVE the "reunion" of the men though!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once A Laird is a well-crafted, beautiful love story. The story had a sweeping, epic feel. Although having a captivating plot, I felt the first sixty percent of the book was too descriptive and moved slowly. However, the last fourth of the book picked up speed and caught my attention. This section of the book was excellent.

Both Kai and Signy were well-rounded, colorful characters with intriguing backgrounds and a shared tragic past. After many years of school and exploring, Kai comes home to a much different future. Kai’s transformation from wanderer to Laird was fascinating and realistic. I loved Signy’s spunk and fire. I liked that she was intelligent and independent.

I believe my struggles with this book were due to the writing style and my personal preferences. This is a slow-burn novel; there is much detail and sweeping descriptions. I appreciated this attention to detail and depth of the writing. I would have preferred that the pace moved more evenly and gained momentum quicker. That being said, the plot and writing were excellent, and it was evident that much love and dedication was put into this novel. I would recommend this book with the byline that it slowly builds momentum; however, stick with it. This poetic romance is worth the effort.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After years of wandering and avoiding his home, Kai Douglas Ramsey is called home from Constantinople to Scotland to assume his responsibilities as Laird of Thorsay, as his grandfather is dying. Ramsey left Thorsay over a decade ago after the death of his one and only love, Gisela Matheson, and has led a life full of adventure, which included being held prisoner and barely escaping death with four other men in Portugal and helping one of those men rescue abducted women from a harem! But now he must put his wandering behind him and return home to fulfill his promises and face his memories. When he arrives he is greeted by Signy Matheson, Gisela’s younger sister, and is happy to learn his grandfather still lives but is surprised by the cold reception from Signy.

Signy has been harboring anger towards Ramsey for years, as she blames him for the death of her sister. But once Ramsey confronts her about her hostile demeanor, she realizes he had no idea how Gisela died and that his grief upon learning the truth is real. They end up comforting each other and true friendship blooms. Sadly, Ramsey’s grandfather dies not long after he arrives, but manages to tell Ramsey to trust Signy and goes a step further and tells him to marry her. An idea that seems ridiculous, until they spend more time together. And soon Ramsey knows that his grandfather was right, Signy is the perfect woman for him, now he just has to convince her!

This was a well-written, nicely-paced, gentle read. The book has a lot going on, secrets, surprising discoveries, treasure, very mild love scenes, cameos from the other “Rogues” and their loves, and a HEA featuring an “It’s a Wonderful Life” type ending. Overall, I liked this book, but I felt the whole Gisela plotline was wrapped up too neatly, and maybe it's just me, but I felt like there was no way it would have been that easy for anyone to move on that fast. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the relatively angst-free read. This is the final book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problem, but if like me you have been following the series, you will be delighted to catch up with the previous characters. And it is worth noting, this author always has the best author notes and this book is no exception!

*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.*

I really enjoyed this book, liked the romantic story as well the history of a Scottish island. It was the first one I have read of Mary Jo Putney and I can’t wait to read more from her, already made a note of the previous books which have been added to my ever growing to be read/ get list

He yearns to escape his past...

After the death of his fiancée, Kai Ramsey left Scotland to roam distant lands. He has searched ancient ruins, collected priceless antiquities, and escaped certain death after being imprisoned as a spy during the Napoleonic War. Ramsay has lived on the edge of danger for years—but everything changes the day a letter arrives for him from Scotland...

She’s determined to protect her future...

Signy Matheson has dedicated her life to the people of Scotland’s remote Thorsay Islands. With a fiery spirit and agile mind, she is a faithful ally to the aging laird. But now their leader is near death, and Signy must summon his successor at once. It’s time for Kai Ramsey to come home...

Together, they discover ancient treasures and disturbing attraction...

When Ramsay returns to Thorsay, he’s shocked to find that Signy has blossomed into an alluring beauty, and a force to be reckoned with. Their complicated past interferes with their unspoken desire as they work together for their people. Until a wild storm sparks first passion, then unexpected danger when a treasure trove left by their ancestors comes to light...
________________________

Once a Laird is the sixth book in Mary Jo Putney’s Rogues Redeemed series and is a historical romance.

This is the first book in this series and by this author that I have read and I enjoyed it but didn’t feel very invested. I’m not sure if that’s maybe partially because I don’t have any prior investment in these characters from background information in the previous books in the series. I won’t rule out the possibility because it seemed fairly clear that the men Ramsay had been trapped with in that cellar had been significant to other books in the series.

It just sort of seemed to me that we were following Ramsay(and often Signy as well) as they traveled Thornsay without much really happening to drive the plot forward. I thought this book could have easily been quite a bit shorter and still gotten the same amount of story across.

My big complaint is with the missed shot. (view spoiler)Honestly this plot point just felt like a massive waste of time and words.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would read more by this author, I’m not sure yet if I plan to read more from this series though.
_____

I would like to thank NetGalley and Mary Jo Putney for sharing an eARC of Once a Laird with me. This is my honest review.

This was SO enjoyable, that I went on to read more books in the series. Even though this is the last one in Rogues Redeemed (I think), it is not necessary to read the previous ones--if anything, this book enriches the others so I was invested to learn about Kai's friends. They are the Rogues with whom he had survived a near-death experience in the Peninsular Wars.

The story takes place on a fictional island, Thorsay, whose culture and history is based on the real Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland. Kai is the heir to the laird of Thorsay, and he is about to die, so he asks Kai to return home and take his place as the new laird.

Upon his return, Kai meets the "little" sister of his former love, Signy. She is now grown into an admirable and capable young woman who has helped the old laird while Kai was away from the island. Both Kai and Signy are two of the most likable characters I've encountered in historical fiction. They are both decent, caring people and as they fall in love, their relationship is honest without silly games and misunderstandings--the dialogue is clever and funny. Their back stories are fascinating and have helped to shape the people they have become. Actually I liked all of the characters, even some of the "villains." MJP doesn't write one-dimensional characters, so I could understand the motivation for their actions in a mysterious discovery one the island. The mystery is fascinating and unique.

I can HONESTLY recommend this book and the entire series of Rogues Redeemed.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley, and this review was voluntarily written.
#OnceaLaird #NetGalley

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC. I really like how this book sounds but I believe I need to read the other 5 before I read this. So far what I have read it is a definite 4 stars from me.

i throughly enjoyed this well-written, entertaining historical romance. The main characters were strong, intelligent and interesting. The story was captivating and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Usually I find the standard 3rd act conflict really annoying, but this time I liked how it wasn’t the main characters relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington publisher for an eArc to review.