The Ranger: A Highland Guard Novel (The Highland Guard Book 3)

I read ALL this series YEARS ago. But I always go back & reread them bc they are just so .... Delicious! I've always said The Viper is my fav of them all. But it's SO hard to choose. & Whenever I reread 1, I must reread them all bc 1 scene reminds me of another & another. But Viper, Ranger, Hunter, Striker are among the notable. About in that order. Altho, the book The Ghost has a few FAV scenes but I think that's bc it brings in Lachlan (Viper) again. As for my review, pick up 1 of this series & you'll not be disappointed. But those few are the best. Lachlan is the most... Redeemed & swoon-worthy in my eyes. But I love a bad boy who's misunderstood. Arthur is the sweetest I think in that reserved way. I could go on & on. But I'm off to reread since my kids are asleep & won't disturb me as much. 1 final thought. I've LOVED Hawk's character in every one of these. & He's def a hunk but For some reason his story doesn't stand out as 1 of my favs. Don't get me wrong, he's still a dream boat & the story is phenomenal. Just, if I had my pick...off to read some more swoon-worthy exploits, for some reason hearing what Arthur Campbell does to that spear just.... Excites me every time even though it's nothing vaguely sensual. Idk. Ohh & Recruit it's also another good one. & How could I forget Saint! Though his story is harder for me to read! Ugh. See, I could go on & on.

Monica McCarty has written a delightful series. Developed plot and characters that are entwined with the other books in this series make an enjoyable read. I've enjoyed this series.

My mother in law got some of the other books in this series for me, and I decided to read them over my vacation, they were a delightful read. Historical fiction, with a little saucy romance thrown in. I love history and really enjoyed the historical side, and who does not love descriptions of good looking men in kilts? The thought of a covert type military group during the time of Robert the Bruce seemed a little far fetched in theory, but it worked very well in this book, with the guerrilla style of warfare a new thing for that time period I had a hard time putting the book down, and had to go online to order this one.I would read these again.

Arthur has been sent by Robert the Bruce to spy on a key enemy chieftain, thinking it only too convenient that this chieftain is the very same one that he wants vengeance against for the death of his father, but upon arriving he finds his attraction to the chieftain's daughter, Anna, interfering with his ability to attend to his mission. This is definitely my favorite of the series thus far! More than the others I felt there was legitimate reason for Arthur to hold out as long as he did, struggling with commitment under the circumstances, not just delaying for the sake of being difficult. Anna was great! A bit naive, but strong and bold, never afraid to say what she means, preferring to get everything out in the open so everyone knows where they stand, which is why Arthur with his necessary secrets confounded her so much. The exploration of the question of loyalties, both Arthur's and Anna's, as well as the one-sided view we can sometimes have of some people, especially those close to us, was great! The next book in this series is The Viper.

I have already loved the Chief and the Hawk, and now I love the Ranger. Every single word written from the point of view of this amazing hero is, well, amazing. I could totally believe his anguish, his dilemma, his struggle, his jealousy even. Anna was a bit harder to believe at first. It's not her fault, though. The series is such that unless the hero proves to be a total lackwit or a first class a#%^*##, your sympathies will lie with him from the start. And Arthur is not difficult to like at all. So the stacks were layered against Anna from the start, given that she was on the other side of the battle. She was a bit annoying at first, and I wanted to push her away from Arthur just so she wouldn't jeopardize the mission. But slowly, Anna reformed herself, and her plight even endeared her to me. It's not easy to love a man who sends mixed signals at best, and downright refuses you at worst. We know what's really going on, but Anna doesn't. I loved the scene when she goes to meet Hugh Ross. Arthur at his jealous best, with a dog in the manger attitude. Anna rightly calls him out on it. The chemistry between them is potent, and so is the plot. I don't want to spoil it all, but there came a time when I wanted to rip John of Lorn with my hands to tiny shreds! Another winner by McCarty. I didn't think she could make a hero more likable than Hawk. Ranger is not more likable, but just as much. And his angst makes him adorable, which is what Anna is supposed to be, lol. Loved it.

It was a good book, but I did not get into this one as much as the first 2 I read. Some people may be turned off because Anna's father asks her to get an eye on Arthur so she totally throws herself at him so much people notice. Arthur is attracted to her but does everything in his power to act as if she is just a nuisance, and act as if he is not interested in her at all. She is also making it near impossible for him to do the job he came for. It is this way thru over half the book. Then he realizes she may lead him to some info he needs and his feelings are starting to be too strong to ignore so things change. It is a no win situation as he is out to kill her father, and he knows she will never forgive him. Plus you add in the fact that he is a spy working for the other side. I had a hard time rating this one just because I was not as in to it as I should have been. It is not a bad story and the last part of the book is good so I gave it a 4. Sexual context is low to medium.

I loved this book. Arthur is one of the Highland Guard for Robert the Bruce, but his role is different than the others. He is used as a spy and works best on the outside looking in and observing secretly. But this assignment puts him in the castle of Laird MacDougall, the man who killed his father. Anna is Laird MacDougal’s daughter with a secret of her own. When Anna and Arthur cross paths, there are definitely sparks but their roles in this war put them at odds at times. That does not stop the fire from burning between them. I loved Arthur so much. He was in a hopeless position from the start.

STORY BRIEF: During battle Arthur's father could have killed Lorn but allowed Lorn to live if he surrendered. The fighting was over, the father turned his back, then Lorn stabbed and killed him. Arthur was a boy when he saw this. He vowed to kill Lorn for revenge. It is now years later. Arthur is one of the Highland Guard, a group of special warriors serving King Bruce. Most of the Scottish clans are united under Bruce except for about two. One of them is Lorn's. Lorn is recruiting fighters to join him in fighting Bruce. Arthur joins Lorn as a spy. The problem is he falls in love with Lorn's daughter Anna. She wants him and lets him know it. He tries to be cold and insulting to her. He knows she will hate him when she discovers he is a spy. Arthur's uniqueness includes a psychic intuition knowing what is going to happen a few moments before it happens. He also has great skills with a sword and spear. When a spear is thrown, he can grab it out of the air before it hits the target. He's the strong, silent, observant, loner type. Anna is smart, perceptive, determined, kind, and smiling. She wants to help others. REVIEWER'S OPINION: Most of the story is Arthur's approach-avoidance conflict. He loves her but has to act like he doesn't. After their first passionate sexual encounter she tells him she loves him, but he acts like he doesn't care. He says "You see what you want to see - not reality. Little girls who believe in faerie tales only grow up to be disappointed" (page 248). By this time I was tired of his act. I wanted him to say yes I love you but let's not do anything until after the coming battle. So my summary: his hurting her and reluctance went on for too long. It was no fun after a while, and I skimmed a few parts. There was some torture in the book which was unsettling, but not as bad as it could have been. The rest of the story was ok but like many others. There were some good battle strategies and action and some good parts in the end. The author's note in the back of the book was impressive. She was historically accurate as much as possible regarding clans and battles. Sex scenes were ok but might have benefited from a little more emotion. Unfortunately I'm annoyed with the publisher's cover picture not matching Arthur who has dark hair curling in loose waves at his neck and forehead. Cover guy has no hair below his ears. DATA: Story length: 406 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 3. Estimated number of sex scene pages: 17. Setting: 1307-1308 Scotland. Copyright: 2010. Genre: historical romance with a little paranormal.