As the right hand man of the Earl of Argyll, Jamie Campbell is the most respected and feared man in Scotland.  Jamie’s newest mission from his cousin, the earl, is to determine if the Lamont clan is harboring any of the outlawed MacGregors.  Jamie’s cover is simple; he comes to the Lamonts under the guise of seeking the hand of Caitrina, The Lamont’s daughter.  What Jamie doesn’t count on is his reaction to the lady in question.  Caitrina is beautiful, spirited, and doesn’t hesitate to stand up to him.  She also wants nothing to do with a hated Campbell.  But when Caitrina’s world comes crashing down around her, it’s up to Jamie to protect, defend, and love the fiery beauty who has so quickly come to hold his soul. 

Political intrigue provides a fascinating backdrop for this sensual, engaging romance by Monica McCarty.  Highland Warrior starts off Ms. McCarty’s fantastic Campbell trilogy on a definite high note.  Jamie is everything you want in a hero.  He’s honorable, intelligent, protective, and loyal, but at the same time he never seems unrealistically perfect.  I will admit he swept me off my feet from the very first.  As for his heroine, Caitrina was interesting in her own right.  Because of her sheltered upbringing, Caitrina came across as a bit spoiled, naïve, and unnecessarily stubborn.  While I understood her actions and reactions, I liked but didn’t love her at first.  Then tragedy struck and Caitrina proved her mettle and earned my affection and respect. 

Highland Warrior is an intelligent, captivating story.  I loved how Ms. McCarty blended fact and fiction in an interesting way, which indicated that the book is well-researched without ever reading like a history lesson.  Readers new to Ms. McCarty’s work will surely be charmed and fans of Ms. McCarty’s first highlander books, The MacLeods of Skye Trilogy, will be glad to know that those heroes and heroines make a brief appearance in Highland Warrior. 

Enthralling from beginning to end, Highland Warrior is not to be missed!