| Title | : | The Highlander's Gift (Stolen Bride, #8) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 278 |
| Publication | : | First published March 27, 2018 |
An injured warrior...
Sir Niall Oliphant was betrothed to the Bruce’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth, until she declares that his wound in battle has incapacitated him as a man. Because he does not wish to marry the spoiled royal, he is glad to pass her off to his brother Sir Walter. He's more than content to fade into the background with his injuries and remain a bachelor forever. Until he is presented with an offer from the Earl of Sutherland to marry his only daughter, a lass more beautiful than any other, who makes him want to stand up and fight again.
A lady who won't let him fail...
Bella Sutherland, daughter of one of the most powerful earls and Highland chieftains in Scotland, can marry anyone she wants—but she wants no one. When she spies the injured warrior at the Yule festival who has been shunned by the Bruce’s own daughter, she makes her choice. What is better than no husband? A husband who cannot truly be husband at all. But she won't be satisfied with letting him languish. If there's one thing she's learned, its not to give up.
With them both satisfied that they are gaining a marriage in name only, imagine their surprise when love blossoms and passion ignites?
The Highlander's Gift (Stolen Bride, #8) Reviews
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Audio - 5 stars
Story 3 stars
I loved that there wasn't any relationship angst between the H and h, but the story overall was too cute for my tastes. Even with the action scenes, it just wasn't gritty enough for me. -
2.5
The villain plot felt unnecessary. -
I LOVED SIR NIALL AND LADY BELLA'S STORY!!
Niall and Bella fell in love when she was 9 and he was a few years older. Bella had bested Niall at archery in a kids tournament at her father the Earl of Sutherland castle. They both won one round and Bella insisted they share the win.
Twelve years later Niall has lost his arm in a battle. He is feeling down and half a man. Niall is engaged to marry Robert The Bruce's dauther Princess Elizabeth. Elizabeth breaks the engagement and Niall is very happy about this. There is only one female he can never forget and that is Lady Bella Sutherland.
Many Lairds have proposed to Bella but she has denied them all. When she hears Niall being put down by Princess Elizabeth and breaking there engagements. She ask her father to offer her hand to Niall. She has never forgotten him either. They Marry!
This story is a true Romance Love Story. Niall and Bella stick together and show there undying love for each other. I loved these two Characters. They are well written. All the characters in the story are developed. The story is sensuous . Bella is surprised that Niall had been lying to Princess Elizabeth about not only losing his arm but his manhood too.
There is a jealous villain. Who keeps attempting to kidnap Bella and kill Niall. This adds suspense to the story. But Macgregor gets his due.
The Highlander's Gift is a very good story and will go on my re read list. I like it when couples work together. -
A fairly standard rollicking Scottish historical romance in a lot of ways, there are some deeper aspects to The Highlander’s Gift than most. Yes, Niall Oliphant is a ‘supreme warrior’ type, but there’s a lot more to his story, because Niall lost his left arm in battle and has had to struggle to relearn everything one handed, from dressing himself to a new way of fighting. When a spoiled princess rejects him as a cripple, he’s convinced he’ll never marry.
Bella, daughter of Laird Sutherland, has other ideas. Incorrect ones, since she believes an arm wasn’t the only thing Niall lost in that battle. Thinking a husband in name only will suit her, she convinces him into marriage.
I actually found Bella’s misapprehension about Niall’s marital capabilities absolutely hilarious, and I wish it had been played out for longer. That and the way Niall’s lost arm were dealt with were well done, as was Niall’s character. From the beginning, he was presented as a fair, kind-hearted man, and his dark moments were more than understandable given the severity of his injury and what it meant for his future.
However. There was plenty about this book I didn’t like, and it’s not just confined to the excess of Scots dialogue - my brain got really tired of the constant ‘ye’s’ in every line of dialogue.
Bella’s ‘magical conception’ despite her supposed barrenness was an insult to infertile women everywhere. The fact she was supposedly one of the best archers in Scotland and also well-trained to fight was completely useless considering she never shot anything more intimidating than a target and allowed herself to be carried off not once but twice, without doing anything more than kicking and screaming. She was pretty much the opposite of a self-rescuing princess despite her training. I desperately wanted her to pull a dagger out of her sleeve and stab her kidnapper in the throat, at least the second time around after having learned her lesson the first time, but no.
It’s hard to rate a book where you like one half of the main pairing but not the other. The author actually includes disabled representation… and then displays breathtaking insensitivity about infertility. I considered a three-star rating, trying to be fair, but eventually realized that given the opportunity, I don’t think I’d read another book by this author simply because of the really overdone Scots dialect. At the end of the day, I didn’t really like it, and therefore I have to give it two stars.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through Barclay Publicity. -
THE HIGHLANDER'S GIFT by Eliza Knight is the 8th Book in The Stolen Bride series. This is the story of Sir Niall Oliphant and Bella Sutherland. This is the first book I have read in this series, so for me it was a standalone book.
Nail Was injured in battle making it so that his future wife would not marry him which left him to go on his way to becoming a recluse of bachelor. Bella did not want to get married but with little choice she thought that Nail would be a safe choice.
But their feeling start to grow making them both want more.
Exciting read and one that is hard to put down. -
5/11/2022 - relisten
6/20/2021 - I’m sitting here with a goofy smile on my face – because this was such a fun listen. The Highlander’s Gift by Eliza Knight is the first book in the Sutherland Legacy series featuring the next generation from her Stolen Bride series. While I haven’t listened to that, I had no problems enjoying this.
I love that Knight gives us the Grumpy/Sunshine trope without making the hero, Niall, a jerk. He’s really just frustrated by his injury and his inability to live a life he thought he would. Bella is dealing with her own perceived shortcomings by living life her way and won’t be dragged into marriage for the sake of traditions. These two together compliment each other beautifully. I adored that Bella is Niall’s cheerleader in every way and that he encourages her unique personality. This is very low angst relationship-wise as most of the suspense/conflict comes from external sources. Bringing this couple even closer.
The end, while perhaps being slightly predictable is adorable and I can see myself listening to this again soon. Though… I have Strath & Eva’s book – The Highlander’s Stolen Bride – queued up for listening to next week.
Narration:
I loved Antony Ferguson’s narration. Ferguson’s accents, voices, and inflections were perfect. He also has a fantastic voice for women & children. It really was an enjoyable listen.
Note: At the time of this review, the audio is included in Audible Plus. -
The Highlander’s Gift by Eliza Knight
Stolen Bride #8
The Sutherland Legacy #1
Amazing! I came into this series thinking it was book one of a NEW series only to find out it is book 8 of an ongoing series. That said…I had no trouble following the story and enjoyed it thoroughly! In fact…looking back at previous book blurbs in the series I found out that the heroine is the daughter of Magnus and Arabella who starred in book one of this series and it seems that there is going to be a spinoff series for the progeny of stars of previous books in the series.
What a delight this book was! Niall Oliphant and Bella Sutherland meet as children at a tournament and come out tied in the areas they compete in…and though young, develop an admiration for one another that lasts years. Ten or more years later Niall has been to war, lost a limb, is feeling unmanned and is engaged to a princess…a princess he does not and who does not want him. Bella is aging out of the marriage market and for a number of reasons has no desire to marry…not really…not unless Niall should happen to show up and want her.
The story of how they end up together, their friendship that grows into love, the warmth and charm and caring and how they thwart a villain all make for a wonderful story that left me feeling good long after I finished the last page. I am eager to read more of this author’s works as I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have read by her so far!
Thank you to Barclay Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars -
i should really stop buying the $1 romance ebooks... but i will not
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Cute, solid story. I’d say the chemistry between the characters wasn’t very hot or compelling, but overall it was entertaining.
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I strong 3.5, above average historical romance novel. Eliza Knight always writes a good story with interesting characters, and unique plots. This one in particular has a handicapped main character.
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I read it. Every sentence delighted me, I was overwhelmed by countless feelings. It made me think. А lot…..
A book that will simply make you think a little deeper, if some things have changed over time. Wartime. Pain from visible and invisible wounds. Accepting the shortcomings, the diversity.
Love as the driver of our lives, but also the consequences of war and survival at the same time. Loss as part of everyday life. Destruction and helplessness. Resentment. Eliza Knight simply masterfully weaves all these emotions into a wonderful story of love and loss, acceptance and rejection.
The very beginning of the book delighted me. Coming out of the shackles of acceptable behavior at the time, the two main characters, at an early age, as well as the supporting characters are portrayed in a simply masterful way.
The story that follows is really wonderful, a big catch of characters and romance that made me sigh from dreams and long for my own Highlandler.( my husband should not read that )
The daughter of a very powerful man, with the ability to choose whom she wants for a husband, but does not want anyone. Raised to be strong and her own in every way, but in the end still pressured by her parents. The main heroine is a reflection of strength and courage, too aware of her abilities and possibilities, as well as her disabilities, marked by the beliefs of the time - a woman who is reduced to the womb of giving birth to children, a woman who is not complete. The secret that crushes her shoulders forces her to choose him, her old chavalier, the one who will not leave her in the lurch. But is that the only reason she chooses him?
Strong, consistent, but humorously naive at the same time, Bella is a character that is easy to remember. The passion that awakens in her, and the opportunity to discover that world of carnal love and lust is one of the most interesting parts of the book,
Bella's misunderstanding of Neil's marital abilities is absolutely hilarious. Her naivety about the physical relations between a man and a woman is absolutely irresistible. Her path through which she will reach the truth simply attracts every reader.
Her courage, dedication and love are worthy of respect.
What is really consistent throughout the story is her belief in his abilities, as a warrior, as a husband, as a partner. A man worthy of everyone's love.
And he? Once powerful and brave to infinity, a man worthy of the king's daughter's hand, now utterly destroyed and worthless, wrapped in the dark shackles of only self-pity and suicide. Betrothed to the king's daughter, only to be ridiculed and rejected. An injured man, worthless in his own eyes, crippled in more than one way. How to live when the meaning is lost, the desires are extinguished? A man who goes through hell himself, a struggle to accept his new self and survive, a struggle in which his family plays a huge role. And it does not happen in an instant, but is perfectly woven throughout the book, as a process that lasts.
Once again brave and worthy, a real warrior in every sense, Neil is a character who simply attracts you. The hard struggle to succeed and overcome all obstacles, to get to know the new self and to accept it is simply too powerful to ignore. Despite all the difficulties in his own life, does he stand in line for her? Is that really the incentive he needs?
Is that childish obsession much more? Can any obstacle be overcome when desired?
He is the answer to all her prayers. She is the cure he needs. But is it enough?
Is love enough? Will love succeed in spite of everything and will exceed their expectations from that in-name only marriage?
Read this story and you will not regret it.
The story of pain and joy with which this talented author manages to shake us with every written word. A book you will definitely not be able to leave until you read it. -
4.5 Stars!
So, if you've read my reviews before, you already know I love historical books. What you might not know is that in my 20's (a loooong time ago, LOL), I was a Virginia Henley fan and adored her Highlander books. Still have them and even if I haven't re-read them in a couple of years, they're still close to my heart. The Highlander's Gift has the same ineffable quality to it than in those books. It had a compelling storyline, a great cast of characters and a romance that made me sigh dreamily and long for my own Highlander.
Bella was strong and resilient, naïve but passionate and very likable. I loved that while she was strong-willed, she wasn't capricious and she knew when to listen to Niall so as not to fall in harm's way. Niall was very alpha, even when he was vulnerable and depressed after losing his arm in battle. I loved that he was so chivalrous with Bella and that he actually listened to her. While this was pretty much insta-love, it worked great for them, considering their backstory. They had great chemistry, fit together perfectly, and damn, if they weren't hot, hot, HOT together! *fans self*
I also adored Walter and I hope we'd get to read his story with Elizabeth, just because I want more of him, even if I was so annoyed at her. Philip and Mary were so sweet, too. I liked Bella's parents, but I wasn't too sure about Niall's until the end.
Regarding the MacGregor arc, ugh, I hated him, he was awful. I would've liked his motives for hating Niall to be a little less immature, though, but I guess it moved the story along.
Other than that, I definitely have no trouble recommending this book! It was all I was hoping for and more. I'll definitely be checking out more books by Ms. Knight.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *** -
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Like coming home , it’s so familiar
This was a genuine pleasure to read .
The first in the Sutherland Legacy, and a continuation of The Stolen Brides Series .
It gave me goosebumps to realise the level of friendship and affection between the two main characters, Niall and Bella .
They were so easy to befriend and love, as were Walter and Strath .
Niall has to overcome much to prove to himself ,and the rest of the world ,that he is still a warrior to be contended with, this he can only do with the love and support of family ,friends and the woman he has loved most of his life .
Eliza has tapped back into the heart of the highlands and the previous series with ease and produced a very worthy novel , I’d say one of her best .
This is a story that is full of love and courage, with tears and laughter in every page and as always a HEA , as it should be .
I read an advanced copy of this book and chose to submit a review -
when u wanna read this book so bad but are a cheap ho and refuse to buy it
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An okay read, but too slow….. the author needs to tighten up her writing, provide more momentum. Instead, she engages too much in rumination and reflection, and repeatedly (via introspection) tells how / why the heroine is barren and the hero is depressed — understandably because he lost his arm.
I didn’t like the princess, so I’m not happy that Walter is married to her.
I didn’t like Niall’s parents or his servants, being so mean to poor Mary. What kind of upbringing did he have, with such an environment? Didn’t make sense.
Also, the hero would certainly not have turned his back on a wounded, cowardly, dying dog. He would have known better, being the intelligent and experienced warrior he is.
The epilogue — I expected this to happen, given this is a romance, but …. How? A miracle? -
Publisher's Description:
An injured warrior...
Sir Niall Oliphant was betrothed to the Bruce’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth, until she declares that his wound in battle has incapacitated him as a man. Because he does not wish to marry the spoiled royal, he is glad to pass her off to his brother Sir Walter. He's more than content to fade into the background with his injuries and remain a bachelor forever. Until he is presented with an offer from the Earl of Sutherland to marry his only daughter, a lass more beautiful than any other, who makes him want to stand up and fight again.
A lady who won't let him fail...
Bella Sutherland, daughter of one of the most powerful earls and Highland chieftains in Scotland, can marry anyone she wants—but she wants no one. When she spies the injured warrior at the Yule festival who has been shunned by the Bruce’s own daughter, she makes her choice. What is better than no husband? A husband who cannot truly be husband at all. But she won't be satisfied with letting him languish. If there's one thing she's learned, its not to give up.
With them both satisfied that they are gaining a marriage in name only, imagine their surprise when love blossoms and passion ignites?
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this newest Stolen Bride story by Eliza Knight. Her books always entertain me.
Bella has been infatuated with Niall since she was a girl of nine. At that time he offered to let her compete with the lads in a Knight for the day contest. Who would think that she could win?
Bella will accept no one's offer for marriage and is constantly on the lookout for Niall. When his brother, Walter shows up to offer for her she discovers that Niall is already betrothed to the Bruce’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth.
Niall wants nothing to do with the spoiled princess and when she refuses to marry him due to his injury he is happy to pass her on to his brother Walter.
When Bella and Niall meet again, Bella is certain Niall is the answer to her prayers. What better than a husband would be a husband who cannot truly be husband at all.
With both Niall and Bella satisfied that they are getting what they want, a marriage in name only, what will happen when love blooms between them?
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual level of 3 of 5 flames. This story is more one of gaining trust than of a heated romp between the sheets.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily. -
The Highlander's Gift is a very, very good book.I usually blow through the books of this genre, but this one had me pausing, re-reading, and thinking.I could not help but think about the parallels between the battle wounds of yesterday and the same of today. Not only battle wounds but also of other injuries and visible scars that are obvious for all to see, and the emotional and mental baggage that is carried with those also. Warfare of yesterday was a bloody, brutal business. It still is. While this is a love story it is also the story of survival and hope. Back in the time of this story medicine was not what it is today. Serious injuries did not end well for the patient. Some survived, more died. I think it took a bit of guts in this day of PC and such for Eliza Knight to write this well-written story. I liked so many different parts of this book. I liked how she was not afraid to put onto
paper his betrothed, The Princess, was abhorred by Niall's lack of an arm and how he was no longer a whole man. Nowadays this is very un-PC to say or even think so people are silent and hide their inner horror for fear of public humiliation and retribution, but yet, the feelings are there. How Niall struggled and went through his own personal hell feeling the same way. How he overcame with the help of his family and friends and it did not happen in the blink of an eye. How the healing was still an ongoing process throughout the book. How Bella, while marrying him for one reason, never doubted his inner strength as a warrior, the boy she had worshiped, the unknown man she believed he had been. Her attempts to make him see the man he was, he still is and he is still capable of being the protector he wished to be. I am a Veteran, I find no offense in how this story was written. I have witnessed the hell warriors go through and how they attempt to cope, the small and major victories they attain, the time it takes them to recover and the ongoing battles they fight every day.
I liked this story, the plot line, the development of the characters and how it kept me engaged and reading. I am sure there were many one-armed, one eye, one-legged warriors and there still are, along with others injured outside of warfare, doing as Niall and proving to themselves and others, they are still "whole" men (and women) despite their injuries and personal trials. As with the book, in real life, there can be happy endings. Congrats, Eliza Knight on a timely, well-written book. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine without
influence. -
DNF @ chapter 8
I'm so mad at this book!! It started sooo good and that's what annoyed me the most.
So, the book starts with Bella as a little girl. She wants to compete with boys in some tournament, but they won't let her because she's a girl. Then, a boy steps out and he convinces the others to let her try. They all compete and at the last part of the competition, only Bella and the boy, Niall, remain. He lets her win that part (she beat him fairly at archery before that) and he becomes her lady. It was so sweet and it reminded me a lot of The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne, the book that made me like historical romances. That was prologue, and chapter 1 opens to Bella being 21. Things happen and I just want to say a few things. I loved that Bella seemed to be strong and had her own mind; I loved her parents and how they supported her. Niall has come from war where he lost one arm. He's struggling to go on like that. And now they meet. So, in previous chapters, Niall's brother talk about his whorish ways, while Niall says nothing about himself in that regard, so I'm assuming he hasn't been with anyone, because he also said how he often thought about Bella, he went to war and he's not that old (I assume he's a couple years older then Bella, so not older than 23-24. I'm aware that guys lose their virginities way sooner, but I thought that he had other things to keep him occupied). I was wrong.
I'm not sure the exact order of the events, because I started reading this a few days ago, and was too mad to write a review then. Anyways, he made a comment once how no one ever kissed him like Bella, and I gave him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he only kissed someone, but was still waiting for Bella. Then, some other time, he wonders how long it's been since he had a woman in his arms, and I was so mad. Bella never kissed anyone and she refused all her suitors, because she was hoping to marry Niall one day, so why couldn't he do the same?? If you could make Bella be strong-willed, confident and capable, why couldn't you make Niall a guy who couldn't forget his childhood crush, and was faithfully waiting for the day they'll meet again. Yes, they were children when they first met, and he only saw her one time after that, but if she waited for him, why couldn't he do the same?
When I read a romance novel I expect something romantic, and having a girl wait and pine for a guy, while does the opposite is not romantic!!
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This is book one in the new brand new Sutherland Legacy series. I have read this author's stolen bride series which I started in 2012 with the Highlanders reward. This was the story of Magnus Sutherland and Arabella de Mowbray.
This new story, is the story of their daughter Bella Sutherland who is not only a stunningly beautiful lass, but a capably trained warrior. Bella is trained by her father, uncles and brothers. She does not want to marry, but her parents have been extremely patient with her, and they have determined at this time that she has to marry. She is really in love with another.
Niall Oliphant is a renowned Warrior who is betrothed to King Robert the Bruce's daughter in an arranged marriage. Niall is a big mess after he receives a horrific battle wound which devastates him to the extent he no longer has a will to continue on. His brother refuses to give up on him even though he has given up on himself.
You will be captivated with Niall and Bella's story. For me, this story is a "Keeper". Bella helps him in a way that strengthens him and he without knowing completes her in her entirety. In essence, they complete each other.
The love and bond between siblings is great in the story! It layers the story with great dimension. You laugh out loud, you swallow deeply because you feel their pain and love, which to me is essential in the making of a successful story.
Bravo! I look forward to the next story in the Sutherland Legacy. I am hoping it does not take long to publish. I predict this author is going to be on a roll with this new series. I hope in each new story there is a disability that needs to be overcome and that in essence brings the heroes and heroines together to create a memorable tale. -
Sir Niall Oliphant is betrothed to the Bruce’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth. After he’s wounded neither of them wants to wed the other so Niall wants to force her off to Walter his brother. He plans for Walter to be Clan chief instead on himself, he feels the clan deserves a whole man to lead them.
Bella Sutherland’s father has been searching for a husband for her and she keeps rejecting all the men her father has presented to her with. Bella over hears the wounded warrior tell Princess Elizabeth he’s wound in more than one way and cannot be a true husband to her. Bella feels his rejection and she decides what’s better than no husband, a husband who cannot truly be husband at all and tells her father the Earl of Sutherland she has decided who she wants to marry.
Niall has no plans to marry he just wants to heal from his injuries and be left alone that is until the Earl of Sutherland offer his only daughter, Bella. He has fond memories of Bella from his childhood, he’s been in love with her most of his life. Her courage makes him want to stand up and fight again. Niall has lost his sword arm, but he still has the heart of a warrior, and with the love of his family and Bella he has much to overcome to find his way back. Loved this book of the wounded warrior and his Lady, the struggles they endure to find their HEA is totally worth it in the end!!!
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review. -
The Highlander's Gift
Eliza Knight
Bella as a young child was great with archery. She practised ever day. Her parents allowed her to even take up wooden swords and leaned how to fight like the boys. She would fight with her brothers and they would teach her how to fight. There was a tournament and she wanted to be a knight for a day.
All the lads were getting ready to play in the younglings games and Bella demands to take part. All of the boys are laughing out loud and one of the lads steps forward and she socks him in the face. He looks at her and says I was going to tell them to let you have a go but you hit me. She is grateful and participates as they all lineup and let the arrows fly only to come past through to the next round.
She and Niall make it through and the first set of arrows fly it is called a tie the next round she lets him go first then she lets her arrow fly and she splits his in his called the champion.
Years later he has lost something and is living in the shadows. His brother forced him out and up. He tells his brother that he went to ask Bella for her hand in marriage because you see Niall is betrothed to another who doesn’t love him , but when his brother tells him she refused him and that she loves another he is crushed. He later goes to a tournament and meets Bella’s father and is unaware that she has been told she must pick a man or they would for her.
What will happen? A lot of things, I can tell you that I really enjoyed this story.
I will also warn you that there is adult content. Apart from that it is a good story. -
Fantastic, enthralling, romantic....So many ways to describe the new Eliza Knight release!! One day...technically a matter of hours was all it took to read this gem. It was a page turner I could not put down. Between the h/h and their personal trials as well as someone trying to kill them, the story has you totally captivated as their happily ever after seems just a breath away at ever turn only to be dashed by venomous highlander who wants to take it from them. There have been many heros with scars, eye patches, limps etc; however this highland warriors scar from battle is heart wrenching and his struggle to cope is just as real. The way it is written and the strength he finds in his lady knight is immeasurable. Eliza's research that went into this story and the heroins gift is impressive. I knew she was going to do something with a wow factor and boy did she deliver. I love a great historical romance, especially one with some extra steamy moments, and as expected Eliza Knight delivers the steam as always. Fantastically writtten, enthralling story, a hero you want to take home, a heroin who prides you with girl power and a backdrop that stimulates the readers imagination! Thank you Eliza for sharing your gift of story telling, we the readers are so lucky!!! Highly recommend this book, you wont be able to put it down!!!
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Sigh. I was not prepared for the emotions that came through the pages on this wonderful story. Eliza Knight has captured the very essence of feelings of the wounded hero and the hard recovery that most of us can only imagine. Sir Niall Oliphant comes back from battle wounded and with injuries he has a hard time healing from and trying to overcome. Rejected by a woman he was betrothed to due to those injuries, he has no hope of marrying and being happy. But fate has another plan and he is offered to marry Bella Sutherland, someone he has known since childhood and held a strong regard for through the years. Bella has her own reasons for never wanting to marry but when presented with Niall, she feels everything will work out. Thinking their marriage would be in name only due to his wounds, it is amazing to watch these two reclaim their friendship and see the true affection grow between them. This is truly a story that can be related to even today. Overcoming physical and mental wounds through the support of family, friends and a true mate who was meant to be. This book held me captive from the first page and it made me tear up as well as tug at my heart for all the right reasons. I just want to thank Eliza for bringing us another story that will stay in my thoughts for long to come.
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Love isn’t blind. It’s strong, relentless and sees beyond faults and can over come disabilities.
Even as a child Bella’s spirit and determination was keenly on display. During a fest at her home, she forced her way into a “boys only” match bested the archer she would love her whole life long. She had no desire to ever marry having met the only man she could ever care for, only to learn of his betrothal. Fearing herself barren, she convinced her parents for a time to let her run free.
But even loving parents, come to an end of their patients and demand Bella choose a husband or her father will choose one for her.
Bella is a strong character, has warrior skills, is compassionate and has a good knowledge of how to handle people. Naill is one of the bravest, skilled warriors in Scotland but a year ago he lost an arm in battle. With the help of his brother he has fought to over come not only the darkness that swamped him but to regain and even surpass, in some places, his fighting skills. Now he must face life again, a betrothal to the King’s daughter who has only contempt for the cripple that she grumbles for all too hear is only half a man. Naill thinks perhap he would have been better off dying on the field of battle. -
This is the first book in a new series by this author and a spin off from a previous series about a Scottish Highlander clan, the Sutherland’s.
Bella is the eldest of Laird Magnus Sutherland’s daughters. At age twenty one, she’s practically a spinster, and she’s been allowed by her parents to refuse more than just a few suitors. She is beautiful, stubborn, and she can shoot an arrow as well as or better than the men in her clan, but she fears marriage. She has her reasons.
Niall is the eldest son of another Laird. A year before he suffered a grievous injury in battle which has shaken his confidence as a man and a warrior. He feels unworthy to lead his men or to be a husband.
As children, Bella and Niall met once at a tournament, and each has a pleasant memory of it. It is their shared remembrance of that day, along with an interesting set of circumstances, that bring the two together in a tale that involves action, battle, and romance. The story also has a number of colorful characters and I hope that Strath’s story is next!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the series.
I read this as an arc which affected my review in no way at all. -
Engaged under false pretenses, Sir Niall Oliphant is still reeling from the fact he dodged an arranged marriage to a spoiled princess and got engaged to a woman who thinks he is only half a man. Not that he corrected her assumptions. Bella Sutherland has always been the one who got away. The one girl who stayed in his memories from the time they were kids. Defiant, determined, and pure she sees him in a way that makes him want to be better for her. For Bella, there would never be a time for marrying. From a very young age, she knew that being barren would keep her from ever being a wife or having a family. She had made her peace with it. But her father wouldn't let it go. So if she had to marry, she would do it to a man who couldn't be a husband in the true sense of the word. Except, that Sir Niall might feel like less than a man because of his lost arm, but every other part of him worked perfectly well, particularly when his wife was around. To fall for each other was inevitable, but when a vengenful ex comes to destroy them, their trust in each other and their love will be the things that will save them and set them free.
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Sir Niall Oliphant lost his left arm in battle and wants to give up on life. He was an incredibly talented archer and warrior. Now he sees himself as half a man who is betrothed to a spoiled princess that he doesn't like at all.
Bella Sutherland has trained with her father's warriors all her life. The bow is her favourite weapon. As a child she beat all the lads in a tournament. She has held a wish close to her heart ever since that day. Her parents are insisting it's time for her to marry, but they don't know the terrible secret that means no man will ever want her.
This is a marvellous story about our wounded hero learning very important lessons. The special gift our heroine gives him is very clever and must have taken a lot of research on the part of our author.
This is part of a series but each book can be read on it's own. I have loved each one I have read. They are all action stories full of sexy Highlanders and strong and independent women.
I look forward to the next one. -
The Highlander,'s Gift
Eliza Knight , writer extraordinaire . The tale of Bella and Nial. The love begins when Bella is 9 and Nial a little older. They were competing in an archery completion for children. Girls were not allowed but Bella insisted on having her a chance to be crowned Knight For The Day. She won the tourney after Nial insisted that she should be allowed to enter. Bella won. Ten or more years passed with no contact between them. They never forgot each other. Bella is sure she will never marry because she thinks she is barren and Nial is despondent and on his way to being a drunk. He has lost his left arm in a battle and does not ever want to marry but he is engaged to Princess Elizabeth, Robert Bruce's daughter. Please read this to find the book's story and the ending of this novel is very heart warming end to this series and readying the reader for the next series. You Will Not Regret the purchase of this one. -
I write my reviews in real time as I experience the story. I am listening to the audiobook version.
I love the way these two met each other as children. It adds a sweetness to their love... an innocence.
I enjoyed the story and the sex scenes were steamy (which is always a plus). I also enjoyed meeting new, likeable characters. I do wish there had been more expansion on the story between Phillip and Mary (and back story for why Mary is mute). I'm also a little bothered that there was no recompense for Mary being treated so cruelly when they threw her out of the castle.
I would also like to have known more about why the MacGreggor wanted revenge specifically on Nial, and was fixated on Bella. Surely marrying the princess wasn't the only reason... it wasn't personal, and the King chose her suitor. I wish that backstory had been a little more fleshed out and/or made a little more sense.
All in all, a great story! -
Sir Niall Oliphant was betrothed to the Bruce’s daughter, Princess Elizabeth, until she declares that his wound in battle has incapacitated him as a man. Bella Sutherland, daughter of one of the most powerful earls and Highland chieftains in Scotland, can marry anyone she wants—but she wants no one. Niall believes he is not a whole man until Bella comes into his life and she gives him strength. Bella knows that Niall is stronger and more capable than he believes. She believes in him and that is what he needs. Bella is a spitfire and it’s just what Niall needs. loved Niall and Bella’s characters! This was a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. I have read may of Eliza Knights books and love this story. I would definitely recommend it.
