The Fearless Highlander

Highland Defender, Book 1

By: Amy Jarecki

Narrated by: Joel Froomkin

Heir to the most notorious clan in the Highlands, Hugh MacIain hides his identity while imprisoned in the bowels of Fort William's hell. Aye, this braw warrior has endured horrors that should have seen him dead, though now it appears it's the bloody flux that will send him to Satan's fire.

Optimistic, competent, and captivating, Charlotte Hill takes pity on the fevered prisoner sprawled atop a cot in the fort's surgery. When finally the Highlander opens his eyes, he seizes her heart with a pained stare. Truly, this is no commoner - but in 1692, a warrior loyal to the Jacobite cause and the daughter of a government colonel may as well be worlds apart.

After his escape, Hugh snatches his chance to woo the lass, until disaster strikes. While war and lust for vengeance force Charlotte further from Hugh's arms, the couple's romance seems aimlessly adrift on the open sea. Before they sail too far apart, can the tender love of an English lady coax a determined Highlander from his path of revenge?

©2016 Amy Jarecki (P)2016 Amy Jarecki

Slow start

Would you try another book from Amy Jarecki and/or Joel Froomkin?

I have read several of her books. This is the one I liked the least

Did Joel Froomkin do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No. I often could not make out what characters was talking. I sometimes had a hard time understanding him

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Narrative Issues.

Very good yet sad story. Narrator was well versed with many characters however, some lines were too heavily accented which made part of the lines inaudible.

Great Story

What did you love best about The Fearless Highlander?

I loved Hugh's and Charlotte's story. I found myself talking to the narrator as I listened to the story especially when the awful injustice was done to Hugh's clan. This part was so heart wrenching. And Charlotte herding the sheep..hahaha...well you'll just have to listen.

Highlander

Too many racy sex scenes which did not add to the story but rather detracted from its content. The language was also an issue

Historical Fiction with a Romance

If you could sum up The Fearless Highlander in three words, what would they be?

Sexy, factual, and violent.

What other book might you compare The Fearless Highlander to and why?

Outlander in that it takes historical facts and events and creates a fictional love story around them. It also does a good job of taking you back in history by describing life at the time the story takes place with various chronologically-inclined details, which many other historical romances just barely touch upon. When done well, I enjoy getting a cultural experience of the time period while being entertained with interesting characters and a good story; both Outlander and this book do just that.

What does Joel Froomkin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A voice that fits the characters well. His brogue was so strong at first I had to get acclimated to it, but once I did, it suited the novel nicely. I was pleased with his performance and his ability to differentiate between the various characters.

Any additional comments?

This book gets pretty dark at times, and it doesn't shy away from violence, actual or implied. If you're looking for a feel-good, light-hearted historical romance, this isn't for you. This has steamy romance poured over actual barbaric events that took place in Scotland in the late 17th century. I liked this book even more because of this as it makes this story something different, and more accurate, when compared to many other highland romances. Due to my enjoyment of Book One, I look forward to continuing the series.