Review: Highlander Redeemed (Guardians Of The Targe #3)

Highlander Redeemed (Guardians Of The Targe #3)

by Laurin Wittig 

Blurb:

Scotia MacAlpin may be only eighteen years old, but she’s no stranger to trouble. Her latest incident—which resulted in a death and forced her clan into battle—has made her an outcast among her exiled people. Scotia is tired of being ignored and overshadowed by her sister, a gifted Guardian of the Targe, and she’s become hell-bent on destroying the army out to capture the ancient Highland relic for their English king.

Duncan of Dunlairig has looked out for Scotia since she started to walk. She was as restless and reckless then as she is now—only the stakes have become higher and more perilous. While the rest of Clan MacAlpin ostracizes her, Duncan secretly helps Scotia become the warrior she yearns to be. But the real test of her skills may come when he needs her help—and her long-forgotten heart—in this thrilling and romantic Guardians of the Targe tale.

Themes: historical, highlanders

Rating: 3.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The full power of the highland targe has finally been unleashed in the most unexpected of ways and is wielded by the most unlikely of guardians. This series was one that I stumbled across cruising through available netgalley romances one day and I was intrigued.  While each story has had its own ups and downs I was especially looking forward to reading Scotia’s story just because I knew, somehow, that she would be the catalyst for great change, whether ultimately that change was good or bad I couldn’t have predicted.  Scotia’s story is one of a young girl finding her place in her clan and growing up finally, after years of letting her emotions rule her every decision and ultimately leading her into disaster after disaster.  Her recent losses have galvanized her, though, and she is determined to find a way to avenge those she has lost, even at the expense of her own life.  Luckily Duncan is there to mitigate her reckless nature and teach her the true meaning of being a guardian.  Scotia grows up slowly, but fully only when she realizes that Duncan’s love if a gift that she cannot risk for revenge and thankfully she grows up fast because the enemy is right on their doorstep when she finally realizes her true potential.  Her doubts and fears about joining her sister and cousin as a guardian of the Highland Targe have kept her from meeting her true potential but once she touches that place inside her she unleashes a formidable weapon that could have dangerous consequences if used recklessly.  Duncan was the kind of highlander I love to read about, subtle in his power, but sweet and determined to improve the circumstances of his clan members.  That quiet strength and sexiness was lost on Scotia for a good bit of the story, but thankfully he is steadfast in his love and finds a way to teach Scotia that a warrior is not a person hell-bent on killing those that affront them, but a person willing to sacrifice their own lives for the protection of others.  I was a little sad to see the end of this series, as it was always a sweet reminder of the simpler times when love was sweet and innocent, but I enjoyed reading Scotia’s story and seeing the Guardians come together with their men and their clan to defeat their enemies and make the highlands safe once again.  Great work, Laurin.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.