I received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Highland Flame by Mary WineAlso in this series: Highland Spitfire, Highland Vixen, Highland Hellion, Between a Highlander and a Hard Place, Wicked Highland Ways
Series: Highland Weddings #4
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on September 5th 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Scottish Highlands, Medieval Era
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 1492602531
Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father’s run down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory.
Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission—return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her—and the spark between them is immediate. With a target on Jane’s back, she knows the only way to stay safe is to go with Diocail. But the real trouble will be guarding her heart from her newly ignited Highland flame…
Highland Flame is a story that I have been highly anticipating for quite some time. Ever since I read book three of the series “Highland Hellion” and we saw the courage and strength of this one man, Diocail. I just knew that his book would be great and you know what it WAS!! This book worked for me in so many ways probably even more so than the previous two books. I don’t think that I could pin point one certain aspect that just made this book as a whole work, but I believe it was various things that made Highland Flame a stunning romance that tugged at my heart strings.
This story begins with with Diocail, who has recently taken over the Gordon clan as their laird. For too long, this clan has gone into despair, their people suffering, children starving ,even his soldiers willing to do anything for a scrap of food. Diocail had the courage to take over the clan that needed someone worthy and strong but now he has a bigger task, bring the clan together and making sure they prosper once again. But he knows that more than anything he is in strong need of a wife, who can aid him. He just never expected the woman he would marry might not be the woman any highlander would want but would definitely prove herself and be the best cure for the clan.
Highland Flame is a story that brings two people that are complete opposites from each other. Our heroine, is a woman that has gone through quite a bit of struggle. She is an Englishwoman, who found herself without a husband, determined to not become a prostitute, and along in Scotland with no friend or aid to speak of. When Jane first runs into Diocail, she realizes that she is in trouble. Because she wants him, but knows it could never be possible. However, Diocail, refuses to leave a woman like Jane alone, knowing there are many Highlander wolves that would rape and abuse her. So he keeps her with his men while they trek back to his home. The attraction between Diocail and Jane is so hot it practically steams off the pages, but we also see so much depth to their relationship. The beginning especially, we see that even though they argue and fight, there is also something deeper growing between them. Their relationship starts out a bit angsty, but boy it’s the kind of angst I really like to see happen in a romance. It flowed just right for these two. And once they accept each other here, than this is where their relationship turns more intimate and I couldn’t get enough of these two learning each other slowly.
He wanted her to choose him. Seducing a woman with less experience wasn’t very difficult. He’d already have claimed her if that was what he wanted. No he craved something different from her. Something very personal. Nothing less would satisfy him.
The full dynamics of the story that adds all the variety and spice that I have come to expect from Mary Wine, was just the right flavor. We see a intrigue/danger side to the plot. Not everyone in the clan is happy with Jane as the Laird’s wife and wants to take her out. Then we have the antics of Diocail’s men, who want to make sure that they fall in love and boy what they come up with is hilarious. I loved the closeness and bantering between them and most especially how loyal they are to Diocail. You see how much they would do anything for him. Especially in making sure he falls in love with his wife. hehe, Then we one of my favorite characters, a little boy that Jane discovers in the beginning of the story, who becomes their adopted “son” of sorts. And he just added a right touch to the story, he was simply adorable but he also breaks your heart because of how sad his situation is. I did love seeing the way Diocail, Jane and their entourage of men close ranks and protect this little boy who has just lost his mother to disease.
Highland Flame brings together a various array of elements to a heartbreaking but heart winning romance….a story full of strife, struggle, and pain but also healing, fulfillment and the power of love. A story that gives you all the feels—-captures the heart of the reader!! WELL DONE MARY WINE!
What do you think about Mary Wine? Have you read her books? What do you like most about her stories?
What do you love most about Highland clan dynamics?
Oh you are the queen of historical romance!!! I need to ask your faves of this genre since I’ve only read one series so far. Awesome review, as always. Anyway. The hero (on the cover) is SO yummy. ??
haha yeah I love it so much. Its the genre that got me hooked onto romance. Since I started reading romance historical romance was pretty much all there was except for a few authors that did contemporary. So I highly recommend you try this genre and soon!!!
Here are some links to posts I have done.
Historical Romance 101: This is a series of posts a group of bloggers and I hosted to share our love of the genre.
https://addictedtoromance.orgcategory/historical-romance-101/
Here is a book discussion I did about historical romance
https://addictedtoromance.org2017/01/09/tea-and-biscuits-book-discussions-historical-romance-is-my-favorite/
Here are my historical romance recommendations pages
https://addictedtoromance.orghistorical-romance-series/
https://addictedtoromance.orghistorical-romance-singles/
I sure wondered about him in the last book and wanted more
oh I did too…so I think you will like this one. 🙂
Oh shoot, I completely forgot I had this book! I have really enjoyed the books in this series, and I’ve been so curious about Diocail. I’m glad you enjoyed this book so much! It sounds absolutely wonderful. 😀 Great review, Renee!
P.S. I finally read So I Married A Sorcerer! I loved it. <3
Have a lovely week. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
haha then you totally need to read this one because you will love it!! I just know it.
And yay for reading So I Married A Sorcerer—-so dang good right?
This sounds like another winner for Mary WIne! I love this series of hers, and she’s doing such a great job with these unexpected couple. I’m excited for Jane to find her HEA.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Lovely review! I can’t wait to read it after seeing your glowing comments. 🙂 I just love Mary Wine’s writing and it sounds like such a fantastic cast of characters here. Bumping this one up on the TBR… lol
Glad to hear this one worked so well for you. I like it when I am already looking forward to a characters side when we meet the in earlier books and even better if it’s as good as you hoped for. The romance in this book sounds really well done with how you describe to depth and chemistry of their relationship. Nice there is also a bit of danger/ suspense. Great review!
I really need to read this series. I do want to try Mary Wine and I love Highland romances. I am so glad you enjoyed this one. Great review!
Gah! I still have to catch up with Highland Hellion. Can I read this one before Highland Hellion?
I discovered Mary by pure accident because I was craving some highlander romance. So Happy Fate threw her in my TBR path lol