Series: Highland Brides, #3
Tropes & Traits: virgin hero; slow burn
Publication Date: 01.20.19
Genre/Setting: Historical; Scotland, 1404
Rating: 4 stars
| In an attempt to make up for the sins of his mother, Callum has lived a life of chastity and is considering devoting his life to the church, but he truly has no idea where he belongs or what will bring him peace. While he is working in a leper house he winds up inadvertently making a promise to a dying man to escort his daughter, Isla, to a priory in the south where her uncle is the abbot. Callum decides he will fulfill this duty and then give up on his search for the iron cross that is his only clue from his childhood memories that could help him piece together his origins. Upon his arrival at Isla's home, he finds he is not the only one who has come for her and the two find themselves on the run from Isla's betrothed. Callum is determined to keep to his chaste ways and be nothing like his mother, (who he remembers beckoned many men into her bed), but he feels immediately protective of Isla in a way that is more intense than his usual need to protect the defenseless. It's not long before Callum is wondering just what he's gotten himself into, nevertheless, he won't go back on his work to protect Isla. Callum is surprised to find that Isla stirs feelings of desire in him that he'd long been able to bury and tries to keep his distance from her as much as possible, beyond what is necessary to protect her. Remembering nothing of his mother but her loose ways and striving to not be like her and to make up for her behavior, Callum is ashamed of his inability to control his body's desirous reaction to Isla. Isla is headed for a life of devotion to God and Callum has set his course for a life of celibacy, never to have his own family, but that doesn't stop either one of them longing for the touch of the other. Soon both begin to question what the proper course for their lives really is and if perhaps they belong together instead. This was an enjoyable read for me, if a bit of a slow burn. It does lag a bit in the latter-middle of the book, but powers through to a satisfying end that left me wanting to read the other two installments of this series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. |
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