A Highlander’s Healer
(Kellsey Isle’s Clans Book 1)
By Heide Middlebrook
Publisher: Passion Leaf Press
Page Length: 342
Genre: Historical Romance
The year is 1411. The campaign season has come to the Highlands of Scotland along with the conflict between Highlanders and Lowlanders in the pursuit of the Earldom of Ross. Caught in the chaos is young Greer McGray, a bold Scottish healer, and Rory MacKearsin, a talented mercenary for the opposing clan who suffers in silence (haunted by dreams he believes are demons threatening him) from a mysterious condition undiagnosable at that time: PTSD.
Greer’s teachings passed down from the medical kindred are tested with her own nonconformist treatments in a race against time to save Rory after Greer finds the mercenary mortally wounded. Unable to turn him away, her keen medical instincts are placed to the edges of reason when feelings spark between the pair.
Once Rory discovers a warrior whose obsession with Greer has led to the murder of her brother, Rory vows to protect Greer and seeks justice for her loss.
A choice that will force the pair onto a treacherous journey surrounded by Scottish knights, secret castle passages, and Highland spies leading them to the ultimate battle of Harlaw… where Rory’s and Greer’s destinies will be sealed for all time.
Each book in the Kellsey Isle's Clans is a standalone book within a series featuring protective heroes, strong female heroines, adventure, spice, and an epic happily ever after!
How could the enemy be so captivating?
There is a time to heal the wounded and a time to run. Now was the time to run because Greer did not want to find herself on the receiving end of a victorious enemy warrior’s wrath. However, when a beautiful grey wolfhound seeks her help, she cannot resist him, despite her better judgment. She follows the majestic creature into the woods, where she discovers his master, Rory MacKearsin, lying wounded on his horse.
Greer knew all too well who Rory was; his reputation as a feared mercenary preceded him. She should walk away and pretend she had never seen him, but something compelled her to stay. As a healer, she couldn’t ignore the fact that, at this moment, Rory was not the notorious enemy warrior, but a man in desperate need of help.
Taking him into her home, Greer does everything she can for the injured man. Yet, never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined the consequences of bringing Rory into her life, nor did she foresee that this man would find a place in her heart.
Experience the thrill of epic battles and the warmth of blossoming love in “A Highlander’s Healer (Kellsey Isle’s Clans Book 1)” by Heide Middlebrook. This captivating historical romance takes you to the turbulent 15th century Scotland, where passion and conflict collide in a beautifully woven tale of love and survival.
The story opens amid a battle, effectively setting the tone for the narrative. The clans are at war with each other, and much blood will be spilled until one party yields or is ultimately defeated. Middlebrook does not shy away from the horrors of warfare, resulting in some very distressing, and sometimes shocking, scenes. However, while the battle scenes are an integral part of the story, they do not overshadow the protagonists’ love story, instead, they become a part of it. It is almost as if the next battle will be the one to decide the lovers’ future, if they both survive it, that is.
The Scottish Highlands are portrayed with striking vividness, painting a landscape that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is treacherous. This dramatic setting not only serves as a backdrop but also profoundly shapes the atmosphere and impacts the characters’ interactions throughout the narrative. From tense battlefields to intimate bedroom chambers, detailed descriptions of the physical environment enhance the story’s ambiance, pulling readers into its enchanting, yet often dangerous, world. Likewise, the unpredictable Scottish weather is also vividly rendered.
As the plot unfolds, Middlebrook expertly crafts a scene of a Scottish Highlands encampment during wartime. The tents are tightly packed together, creating a sense of urgency, while the air is thick with the smoky aroma of cooking meat mingling with a hint of sweat, evoking the harshness of life experienced by warriors and those who followed them. Similarly, the clamour of voices, the rustle of fabrics, and the distant metallic clang of weapon training provide the reader with an immersive experience, making it feel as if they are present alongside the characters, witnessing everything first hand. The skilful use of descriptive language allows the reader to feel the weight of despair and the flicker of hope that hangs in the air, making it an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Highlands in the early 15th century.
Greer is a character that readers cannot help but love. She is strong in the face of adversity, courageous in front of her enemies, and willing to adapt if it serves her purpose. Greer’s expertise lies in her healing skills, but she is also a warrior in her own right. Thanks to her late brother, Lachlan, she is proficient with a bow and is not afraid to use it. But beneath her fiery independence is a vulnerable young woman, who seems to be all alone in a world dominated by men. There is also the lingering threat of Gregan Mackay, a vile man who is responsible for her brother’s death but who is also hell bent on making Greer his bride. But when fate throws Rory into her life, everything changes.
Rory MacKearsin is depicted as a formidable and brooding mercenary, carrying the weight of his experiences in every tense line of his body. While he initially presents a stoic facade, a surprising layer of warmth emerges in his interactions with his loyal wolfhound and majestic horse, revealing a gentle side that contrasts sharply with his rugged exterior. This juxtaposition not only enriches Rory’s character but also deepens the connection between him and Greer, offering a glimpse into the man behind the mercenary. Both Greer and Rory are complex and multi-faceted, exhibiting both strengths and vulnerabilities. Middlebrook successfully establishes their connection through subtle gestures, shared glances, and emotionally charged dialogue. Their interactions are realistic and believable, and their romance is swoon worthy, further enhancing their appeal to the reader.
Middlebrook has crafted her characters to come across as very human in the telling. Despite being a mercenary, Rory struggles with flashbacks, particularly when he is asleep, as well as panic attacks that are often triggered by loud noises, such as shouting. As a result, he is unpredictable in battle and, initially, cannot be relied upon to hold the line, as his actions are driven more by his fears than by his chieftain’s commands. However, Greer is determined to help Rory find a sense of peace. Set in a time when mental health was not well understood, Greer demonstrates significant insight. She draws on the knowledge passed down through her family of healers, including her mother, as well as from the writings of Hildegard of Bingen, and by doing so, she begins to help Rory to heal. The emotional toll that warriors must have faced during an era when Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was neither named nor recognised is truly thought-provoking. It makes one wonder how these warriors managed to function after everything they had experienced and witnessed. The portrayal of Rory’s mental health issues was expertly executed and thoughtfully developed.
Gregan is portrayed as a cunning and ruthless antagonist. Although the reader encounters him only in snippets, his presence resonates throughout the story. Gregan is driven by an unrelenting desire to capture Greer and install fear in her, even when he is not there, and during moments when she should feel safe. The way he infiltrates her life is chilling, creating a constant tension that permeates the narrative. Readers will find themselves biting their nails on numerous occasions, desperately hoping for Greer’s safety and Gregan’s downfall.
In this novel, there are several secondary characters, but it is Murdoch MacDarren, the physician and barber-surgeon of Clan MacDarren, who causes Greer the most annoyance. This is mainly because she possesses a greater knowledge of healing than he does, which does not sit well with him. However, Greer refuses to be deterred or bullied by him. The interactions between them are often intense, with Murdoch having to concede to her expertise each time, even if he is reluctant to do so. As a result, readers find themselves as exasperated as Greer is, wishing that Murdoch would step aside so she could carry out her duties and save more lives.
Middlebrook has an engaging writing style that draws readers into the story. The use of authentic Scottish dialect adds a rich cultural texture, bringing the characters to life and allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the world she has created.
“A Highlander’s Healer (Kellsey Isle’s Clans Book 1)” by Heide Middlebrook is an exceptional historical romance that captivates readers from the very first page. With richly developed characters and vivid imagery, the author transports the reader to a different time and place. The emotional depth and authenticity of the story resonate powerfully, making it a memorable read. This is a timeless tale that will not only engage today’s audience, but will also continue to enchant future readers as well. Book 2 of the series cannot come soon enough.
I Highly Recommend.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Congratulations on such a lovey review.
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