I don't even have words for how much emotion this book pulled from me.

Scottish highlands clan drama, although drama isn't the right word for the war that is raging around them in the countryside. Both main characters are pulled this way and that way. The side characters are meaningful, full of life and have their own established personalities. The world that is built is full of life and expressive, you can feel the energy from one environment to the next and really feel like you're entrenched in their lives.

Elspeth is fiery, fierce, vibrant in a way that I you don't see in a lot of historical fiction books. She knows exactly where she stands in things and even though her place is meant to be the proverbial kitchen she stands up for herself and for those she loves. Once she understands the situations around her, she doesn't let go of righting the perceived wrongs of those around her.

Calum is a man with true convictions, he's stuck between a rock and hard place. Fighting for his people and those he feels responsible for he does things he wouldn't normally does and even though the results aren't exactly aligned with what he had hoped he's one to roll with the punches.

Their love story is beautifully broken. Elspeth believes that she needs to do what is right by her clan and Calum is the same and they wind up spending time with one another and seeing each other as they are. Without the restrictions and requirements of those around them. It's almost disheartening the number of things they must travel through and fight against to truly be where they should be. But they make it through.

This book is a beautiful story of love and perseverance. Definitely a must read and 100% worth of five stars.

⚔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️Book📚Review⚔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️
Book:The Highlander's Stolen Bride
By Madeline Martin
Series:Highland Alliances, Book #3
Release Date: 3/29/2022
Publisher : Harlequin
Number of pages: 267
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Argyll, Scotland 1360

All three MacMillan siblings had been forced into marriage with clans for strong and wealthy alliances Especially after half there clan had been slaughtered by Alexander Campbell’s Clan. A traitor who had been exiled to Ireland by the King and his castle and lands were forfeited awarded to the MacMillan clan. At least now he was dead but now they had to deal with his son Calum.

Elspeth MacMillan had been waiting in the abbey waiting for her betrothed Liam MacLachlan. A man she considered more like a brother having grown up with and she also knew he was self-centered and very spoiled by his family and clan. She had no romantic feelings and dealing with a man who was so vain and everyone coddled was not something Elspeth was looking forward to in this marriage. Unlike her brothers who both ended with love matches hers would never turn into love.

Now the Abbey Elspeth had been residing at had been attacked, as it was obvious they were looking for her to use as some sort of ransom. So she went to hide at Castle Barron where her brother Fergus and new wife Coira lived. Now she was on her way to castle Lachlan where she will meet and marry Leith MacLachlan. On the way Elspeth had a bad feeling and she was correct they were attacked by their enemies the Campbell’s . Now that Alexander was dead his son Calum was the new Laird and abducted Elspeth and brings her to Ireland. Except Calum is not the monster his father was, as he can’t even feel any remorse for his own father’s death knowing how horrible he was. This father had always criticized and abused Calum because he looked for peaceful solutions to problems to avoid war. He only abducted Elspeth to use as leverage to ease his clan’s suffering and for peace and to get his lands in Scotland returned.

Calum had heard all the rumors of how unattractive Elspeth was when she was younger, but it was obvious she had blossomed. As Elspeth MacMillan was the most beautiful woman he ever saw in his life. She also starts to understand that the Campbell’s were far from living in a palace and in luxury and were near starving living on a barren land. Calum and Elspeth start falling for each other and she wants to help his people.

Yet her brother won’t agree to peace as the Campbell’s are still attacking and killing on Macmillan land. So Elspeth starts to wonder if she’s been a fool to trust a man who really wants to kill and maim! Will Calum ever be able to convince Elspeth that his heart is pure and he truly does want peace between their two clans? Even though she is falling for a man from an enemy clan, will she marry a man that Is like a brother? Will her brother the MacMillan Laird ever accept a Campbell’s word or will he make him pay with his life for kidnapping his baby sister? Read this and find out.

I have been reading Madeline Martin since her very first Highlander debut book as an independent author. Now she’s with many publishing houses like Harlequin and I couldn’t be happier for all her success as a New York Times Best Selling Author! Madeline Martin pens another brilliant story that definitely pulled my heart strings. This is the last book in the phenomenal Highland Alliances series. Each book is interlinked with a MacMillan sibling who needs a strong clan alliance since the common enemy is the exiled Campbell clan who is attacking them. Due to Alexander Campbell’s betrayal, it is former Campbell lands that the King awarded to the MacMillan clan.

Bestselling authors Terri Brisbin, Jenni Fletcher and Madeline Martin all did a wonderful collaboration which I absolutely loved. It is filled with all the elements Scottish historical romance readers love! I have to admit I am a little melancholy now that I have finished this marvelous series. If you love a riveting, awe-inspiring, fast-paced, romantic Scottish adventure filled with deception, betrayal, mystery, suspense, passion and steaming hot romance. You definitely don’t want to miss “The Highlander's Stolen Bride” By Madeline Martin! You can read as a stand alone book but personally I highly recommend your read all three books. I am definitely happy I read all three! I can’t recommend this book or the entire series enough.

Highland Alliances Convenient marriages to save their clan!

Highland Alliances Series

Book 1: The Highlander’s Substitute Wife
by Terri Brisbin
Book 2: The Highlander’s Tactical Marriage
by Jenni Fletcher-TBR 2/22/2022
Book 3: The Highlander's Stolen Bride
by Madeline Martin-TBR 3/29/2022

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

Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Highlanders-Stolen-Bride-Highland-Alliances-ebook/dp/B09HKV67CR/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-highlanders-stolen-bride-madeline-martin/1140236773

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Highlander_s_Stolen_Bride_Mills_Boon.html?id=hmpREAAAQBAJ

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-highlanders-stolen-bride/id1588240714

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-highlander-s-stolen-bride-4

https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780369711694_the-highlanders-stolen-bride.html

An excellent story with the most wonderful characters which I've come to expect from Madeline Martin. I started reading the book late yesterday afternoon and actually stayed up half the night to finish it because I just couldn't put it down!

Has there ever been a hero as brawny as Calum and yet with such a gentle soul?! All he wants is peace for his clan after all the battles and chaos his late father had caused, even being ousted from Scotland. Desperate to ease his clan's suffering, he kidnaps Elspeth and plans to use her as a bargaining chip in exchange for peace and getting their lands back. What he never bargained for, though, is how quickly she makes a place for herself in his heart!! As for Elspeth, it doesn't take long for her to understand the plight this clan is in and wants to help all she can. Calum is not at all what the rumours said he was, he's definitely not like his father was and when passion heats up between them, they both wonder if peace can ever happen between their two clans.

Tons of action, some swoon worthy moments, some heart in the throat moments and an ending that will put a smile in your heart. Simply put, I absolutely loved this story!!

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Like many highlander stories, this book involved two people who find love despite being from opposing clans. Their story is full of conflict and has a fast-moving plot. Elspeth and Calum are alike in their loyalty to their families and their innate goodness. Ironically, it is their similarities rather than their differences that keep driving them apart. No OW drama, a little OM drama, and plenty of action. A quick and entertaining read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley.