Warning this one is a SLOWBURN and it's really good. This book moves at a pretty quick pace. Before I knew it I had read more pages than I had intended to. Because as we see Rory and Juliana start to develop feelings for each other, we also get lots of adventure as they try to make their way back to Strae Castle.

On the evening of her sister's marriage to the laird of Clan MacGregor, Juliana Caldwell is abducted by a rival clan. Rory MacGregor, the clan's best tracker, is sent to find her and bring her back.

When catches up to her and her captures, he tells them they are handfasted. Knowing they'll have no choice but to hand her over. He only hopes that she doesn't contradict him in her usual manner so that they can leave without any problems.

Chaos erupts just as they leave the gates and now they are being pursued by a man who won't take no for an answer.

Thanks so much to Entangled, the author and Netgalley for this ARC to review.

I really enjoyed this book, this is the first book from Cynthia Breeding I have read and I found her writing to be accessible, well paced and engaging. Cynthia peppers this novel with tropes that I absolutely delight in- English Heroine and Scottish Hero, forced proximity, handfasting, mutual care-taking scenes, and road-trip. I think she did a lovely job interweaving these elements to create a nice plot to drive the hero and heroine on their journey of discovering love.

Juliana, the heroine, is bold and headstrong, she has had some past trauma (trigger warnings are stated before the start of the novel) that motivates her thoughts on her future as well as they way she stands up for herself. The hero-Rory, is smart and strong, and as they begin their journey together he is slowly realizing new feelings that are arising within him in regards to Juliana. In the first book in these series there appears to be some foundation work around Juliana and Rory's relationship which early on leans towards irritation and also contradicting the other. They both know how to get on each others nerves and this creates a nice banter between them early on. Slowly they begin to look past the surface to discover hidden feelings and respect. There are some really charming scenes in which Rory shows Juliana how to use a knife to defend herself, and it was really nice to see Juliana find her agency around how she could take control of a situation and be her own hero.

This novel is a very slow burn. Juliana's past makes her extremely cautious around men and she has to learn to trust Rory entirely before she can fully open up to him and explore a more physical side to their relationship. I do like that Juliana and Rory are able to discuss her past and that because he is aware of her past he can be a much more considerate and gentle lover. While I do find their relationship to be sweet and have the potential to grow deeper, I do feel like it was lacking something that makes me truly believe in the deepness of their love. I feel like their romantic feelings where still in the foundation building stage when this novel was coming to its conclusion.

Overall, this novel was a really enjoyable read. Cynthia Breeding created a plot that was entertaining with some nice action. I would recommend if you like a nice highlander romance, that is low on the angst and has two people learning that they can work stronger together while still having fun contradicting each other.

A fiery and feisty Sassenach lass sparks with a warrior highlander. Julianna has no time for men especially Rory MacGregor. He finds every opportunity to aggravate and upset her. This is the second in the Children of the Mist series and it is just as exciting as the first. The plot moves at a great pace that keeps you invested in the story. The conversations are sharp and witty as Julianna and Rory trade barbs back and forth. As they try to out run their pursuers it gives them ample time to get to know each other and change their feelings towards each other.

This book was very cute and adventurous but ultimately it fell flat for me with the romance and the plot of the story. Juliana and Rory have a cute and spicy romance. I think many people would like the hero trope done in this book and they will fully and truly fall in love with the characters and the book I just did not.

This is a good story. Juliana is a strong character. After being raped at 16, she is determined never to marry. A Cameron meets her and decides he will have her so he kidnaps her. Rory, the best tracker of his clan is sent to save her. Rory and Juliana have argued since the day they met each other. I don't want to write a spoiler, so I won't tell you what happens. I can say that the characters have great chemistry. Rory teaches Juliana how to defend herself, and encourages her as she becomes a stronger woman. Truly enjoyed this story and look forward to learning more about the supporting characters in books to come!

Another great highlander book. Love all of Cynthia Breeding books, and this one did not disappoint.
Juliana is always bickering with Rory, it seems no matter what she says he will say the opposite. But, when Juliana is abducted by a sworn enemy , it is Rory that goes to her rescue. When the only way out of a sticky situation is to say they are engaged, it seems things get a little more interesting between the two. It is not a safe or easy way back home, but somewhere along the way the chemistry between the two starts heating up. Can they find a way back home safely and find a happily ever after together?
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Juliana is in Scotland celebrating her sister's wedding. Although far from England she is enjoying her time except for 2 issues: Rory, one of the groom's brothers, whom she cannot seem to get along with and Neal, the son of another Clan Laird, who has decided he wants her as his wife.

The morning after the wedding, no one can find Juliana and Neal and his crew has also left. He has apparently taken Juliana. Juliana's sisters are in a panic so they decide to send Rory to go get her as he is the best tracker in the Clan.

Rory finds Julianna but the only way he can get her away from Neal without taking a chance of losing his own life is to tell Neal that he and Juliana have handfasted. Right about the same time Juliana is telling Neal's sister that she will never marry and a few hours after Rory and Juliana leave, the sister tells Neal what she said. Now he knows Rory lied and is not a happy man, Neal gathers his men and goes after them.

Will Juliana and Rory make it home? Safely away from Neal?

I really like the story of Rory and Juliana. They travel through snow, rain, illness and injury and it really takes this time for them to get to know one another. They come to appreciate the minds behind the mouths and come to respect one another. Then there is the attraction which throws a wrench between them and Juliana's secret...oh and the fact that Juliana thinks handfasted means betrothed only...

I received a free copy pf this book and agreed to leave an honest opinion.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. A well written tale although I thought the heroine was a bit of an eejit. Worth your time and money.

Juliana and Rory make an interesting pair in this sometimes witty and sometimes poignant tale. Juliana is afraid of intimacy because of a long ago incident. Rory is cock sure of himself being the best tracker in the highlands. There is no one he cannot track. A fake hand fasting is the only way he can think to save Juliana.
Cynthia Breeding writes a very witty story
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Juliana Caldwell came with her sister when she came to Scotland to claim her inheritance. Emily married the eldest MacGregor who was also the laird of the clan. She loved her sisters and since her parents had died. They had leaned on Emily. Juliana had been abducted and no one could find her.

Rory MacGregor was one of the brothers. He was tall, handsome with black hair, and broad shoulders, he and Juliana always argued over everything, and neither wanted to get married. After two hundred years the clan had again won its recognition, they no longer had to hide away from people. Rory was the best tracker of the clan and he had to go find her.

A lovely story of all the twists and turns needed to escape from someone who wanted a bride, who did not want him. Neal Cameron was going to have her no matter what. It was winter and Scotland is very snowy and has blizzards. It is deadly to travel in. All the people they met along the way were helpful and kind. It was a novel that made you hope they got away. Would they make it back home?
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Book: Highland Hero
By Cynthia Breeding

Series: Children of the Mist, Book #2

Publisher: Entangled

Release Date: June 14, 2021

Book Rating: 5/5 stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Stars


Strae Castle, Scottish Highlands
1774


English Juliana Caldwell is in Scotland to celebrate her sister Emily’s wedding to Ian, the Laird of Clan MacGregor. This was the heroine and hero of the first book“Highland Renegade,” in the Children of the Mist series. Rory is Ian’s brother and Emily’s sisterJuliana! Both Rory and Juliana do not get along or mix together, as they are like oil and vinegar. If one says black, the other says white, she finds Rory very arrogant, conceited, and full of himself, a man she truly detests!

Now during the wedding ceilidh festivities ot their siblings, Neal Cameron of another clan kept bothering Juliana making passes at her and not accepting no as an answer. He has a horrible reputation of being abusive to women he had been courting and kidnaps Juliana Caldwell! On top of that he is planning to force her to wed him, as bride-stealing is not an uncommon practice in the highlands no matter that English law forbids this illegal practice. So Clan MacGregor sends their best tracker which is Rory MacGregor to rescue Juliana who also happens to be Laird Ian MacGergor’s brother. Now it isn’t that simple to find Clan Cameron since their castle was destroyed by the English in the Battle of Culloden in 1746. So they move from clan to clan, but recently heard they are currently staying with Clan MacLean.

Rory does find the rotten Neal Cameron at MacLean’s castle and tells both clans that he and Juliana are handfasted. Will Juliana who detests Rory MacGregor go along with his deception to free her from her abductors? Juliana is not familiar with this term handfast until it is explained as a betrothal, but Neal demands they must kiss to convince their devotion of each other. The problem is Juliana had previously been raped and does not want any man to ever touch her again! On top of this she definitely does not want to get married ever! Can she be that talented of an actress to convince her abductors of this deception?

The Cameron and MacLean Clan’s have no choice but release Juliana though Neal does not believe them and plans to prove it! Neal Cameron finally does realize this handfasting lie has been one big ruse and hunts the couple down in all kinds of foul weather! During this time, Rory and Juliana took the long route home to Strae Castle, as they were trying to keep the Cameron’s off their scent as Rory knew it was only a temporary pass. He knew they would eventually re-track them again and try to abduct Juliana again. If Neal Cameron catches them his temper would be furious by now! Could it be possibly fatal for either of one of them and will Juliana be ravished for a second time in her tragic life? Can she even respond to Rory’s love? The one time when Juliana had only been shown violence when being intimate with her previous attacker! She is not certain if this is normal for a man and woman to be intimate or not?

This is the second book in Cynthia Breeding’s “Children of the Mist” series which an absolute gripping tale right from the start. It does explain right at the start the heroine had been previously raped. So it is definitely an emotional story, but written in a non-offensive, delicate and beautiful way. It is similar to a cat and mouse game being chased by the villains throughout the novel with so many obstacles in their way. It is also a romantic adventure as two people who couldn’t get along but found their way. It also shows readers how the heroine discover both courage, bravery, strength, determination and love in herself . The heroine also realizes not all men are evil and have a big loving heart as well as be honorable, protective, brave and trustworthy too!

I definitely loved this novel from starts to finish that can be read as a stand alone book too. It is a book historical romance readers will definitely enjoy that I highly recommend!

Children of the Mist by Cynthia Breeding
1)Highland Renegade * Ian and Emily
2)Highland Hero * Rory and Juliana

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Entangled Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Oh that Rory... Scottish, handsome, hard-headed, arrogant. What's not to love in a hero? Our heroine is Juliana. His opposite and therefore match made in heaven. She is taken. Since he's the best tracker, he has to go and rescue her. Oh the twists and turns and tables turned... she even has to rescue him along the way. This is a fantastic love story as we watch these 2 get to know and love each other on the journey back home. This is part of a series, which I have not read. The cover hooked me so I read it. I intend to read the series, especially the next one. I am committed now. Don't miss this one folks!

If Juliana Caldwell said the sky was blue, Rory MacGregor would tell her it was gray, with a storm due any minute. No man gets under her skin more than the arrogantly handsome Scot. When she is abducted by a rival clan, Rory is the last person she expects or wants to call her hero..

Whew! Who doesn't love an enemies to lovers trope?

Highland Hero by Cynthia Breeding is the second book in this series. There are a few trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault, and violence so beware if you are easily triggered by this.

My issue with this book is that the characters just did not gel well. There wasn't enough steam and tension for me and I found them both to be a bit...lacking in character development. I skimmed through the majority of it. Just not my cup of tea (probably because I AM easily triggered).

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After the MacGregor family name and estates are restored, and Laird Ian MacGregor marries Emily, the former dowager Countess of Woodhaven, Juliana is overjoyed for her sister. But, she makes a mistake, and while walking the garden following the celebration, Juliana is kidnapped by Neal Cameron, the son of a rival clan laird, who wants to make her his bride, against her wishes. Now, Rory MacGregor, the brother of Ian, and best tracker in the clan must find Juliana and return her, even if there is a hatred between the two. But, the only way to do so is for Rory to claim he and Juliana are handfasted, and flee as quickly as possible. Juliana doesn't understand the true meaning of being handfasted, rather she thinks that it is more like a betrothal than a marriage, and she has no intention of ever marrying, not after what she has suffered in the past. Her and Rory must battle the elements to get home, with a furious Neal hot on their heels, and try not to lose their hearts in the meantime.

Now, this was a book I just devoured! As soon as I had met both Rory and Juliana in Highland Renegade, I couldn't wait for their own story. Since their first meeting, they've always snapped at each other, and done just about everything they could to annoy and aggravate the other. But, no matter what, when someone else hurts them, they will do whatever it takes to avenge them. Rory is the best tracker, and he quickly catches up to Juliana and the Cameron's, but not fast enough to get her and flee without having to claim to be handfasted. And, because Juliana agreed to it, albeit without knowing the truth about it all, they are bound by it for a year and a day. However, Juliana had already said to the Cameron's she would never marry, and now Neal is out for revenge. He hates Rory, and will do anything to get at him, and if that means stealing Juliana, he's more than happy to do that. The adventure that Rory and Juliana find themselves on to flee and return to safety, in the Highlands in December, was fantastic, and it facilitated such a slow burning romance, from enemies to lovers, with genuine affection, perfectly. Now, the book started with a trigger warning for rape, and it was really appreciated, and the discussion over Juliana's rape - in the past, off screen, but spoken about - was dealt with such care, and showed us another side to both Juliana and Rory, while also explaining why Juliana was so against marriage. Because the book is mostly a 'road trip' adventure, we don't see much of the other MacGregor's, but I'm hoping that future books see Alisdair and Lorelei's romance, or even someone for Fiona or Devon. I can't wait to read more!

Highland Hero is my first novel to read by author Cynthia Breeding, and I was very impressed! The plot was good, I enjoyed both main characters, and the romantic tension kept me hooked. The only complaint is that I did not get to see more of the characters once they were finally together. Unfortunately, that seems to be the trend lately in romance novels. Other than that, I felt the book was a great read! I look forward to reading more by Breeding.

I DNF’d this book! At the front it had trigger warnings for rape which I appreciate a trigger warning for but honestly 2 chapters in and it is said so flippantly in both chapters I cannot carry on with it! Perhaps putting a trigger warning in your netgalley description would also be a good idea!

Highland Hero is a mostly gentle read, despite the calamitous events described in the book's teaser. There weren't too many points were I was holding my breath or anxiously turning pages. Although we are given to believe that Juliana's abduction will drive the story, the true conflict is in whether Juliana's horrible past experience with a man (see the trigger warning) will keep her from finding happiness with Rory.

At first, I really didn't care for either Juliana or Rory since it seemed that all the did was squabble. Juliana was extra annoying because she seemed to be my least favorite sort of heroine: one who is too stubborn to be smart. However, after a while, she does prove to have common sense, a protective nature, and a fighting spirit, and I started liking her more.

There's nothing inherently wrong with this story. I just found it to be a little slow for my taste. But readers who like a very slow burn will probably enjoy it.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

This is almost an enemies to lovers story, that in some ways gave me the Unhoneymooners/ Shipped feeling but in a highlander setting.

Juliana's sister is about to marry Rory's brother and they both enjoy trading quips to poke at each other while just on the cusp of hating each other. Juliana's family are English, while Rory's family are highlanders and he tries to explain the traditions to her. One of the local clan's chief son's has taken a liking to Juliana and Rory warns her not to be alone anytime during the wedding since in the highland's you can steal woman to be your bride. She does not believe him and get taken the night of the wedding. Rory is set after her and this is where it turns into a fun adventure story will lots of interesting situations and characters along the way. I really enjoyed this book and will be reading it again.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Highland Hero by Cynthia Breeding. I love Highland romances and this one was really good. I am not going to give any spoilers but I will say this. If you like Historical Highland Romances, You need to check this one out!

This is the second book in the Children of the Mist series. It features Juliana Caldwell and Rory MacGregor. These two live to disagree with each other while fighting the attraction between them. When Julianna is kidnapped by a rival clan, Rory is forced into the role of hero by his brother and new sister-in-law.
Rory is the best tracker in his clan, so he is quickly finds and rescues her. He declares that they are hand fasted in order to save her. They make their escape, but everything that could go wrong, does. In order to elude the villains, they are forced to take the long way home. They are an entertaining couple that have many obstacles and stumbling blocks thrown in their path.
The author delivers a well thought out story with a wonderful reading pace. The dialogue is both entertaining and amusing. I found this book to be a wonderful read and I look forward to future books in the series. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy the works of Hannah Howell and Lynsay Sands.
I was provided a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.