Paula Quinn has created a wonderfully spun story of medieval politics and religion, court intrigue and at the heart of it, two Scottish warriors battling for their king and each other. In the court of King James and Queen Mary, Tamed by A Highlander sets the stage and the pace for this captivating ride through medieval England.

Captain Connor Grant left his love, Mairi MacGregor seven years ago in Camlochlin to serve in the king’s army. Banishing him from her life, Mairi takes up fighting thanks to the teaching of Connor’s mother Claire, and becomes part of a secret alliance set to root out King James’s enemies.

With a skilled hand, Quinn has assembled a really fine cast of characters we come to know, like, love distrust and fear. Readers will be pleased with the right amount of backstory and quick dialogue that moves the plot as much as the treacherous medieval fighting.

Alex, ably assisted by the likeable Lt. Richard Drummond and cornet Edward Willingham and sometimes by with the questionable rogue and childhood friend, Nicholas Sedley, is  captain of the guard for the King. When he discovers that Mairi is at court with her brother, he vows to fight for her over the troubled Henry de Vere, Lord Oxford. But Oxford beautiful but vicious sister Elizabeth has designs of her own and together, the siblings hatch their own plan to ensnare their prey.

I enjoyed this story very much especially since we were taken into Connor and Mairi’s POV to get a sense of each perspective and rather than question their feelings and not act on them creating more drama, it was refreshing to cheer them on as they resolve not to ignore but to face their difficulties if they are going to make any headway as a couple.

Sharp senses and wits are more highly pointed out than her beauty which only accents the latter more so. And, makes her even more desirable to childhood friend and sweetheart Alex who has come to view and respect her and her warrior skills in a new light.

Palace politics offer some sharp turning points in the form of a devious plotting, betrayal by those unsuspected and clever maneuvers by the Oxfords. Mairi is thrown for a loop when her brother Colin MacGregor has vowed his allegiance to the king and will stay to help preserve the Catholic king. But as she and Alex rebond, Connor vows to ready Colin. All in preparation for a secret he will share with Mairi who is desperate to return to her beloved Camlochlin.

Quinn has deftly brought to life, the religious and political defenders of King James, ramping up the next battles and helped the reader through the maze of treacherous court goings on through fully realized characters, rich scenes and emotion guided not only by love but politics.

Tamed by a Highlander is a great read with enough wields of the blade, to keep readers guessing and reactions on alert – just as an good highlander is prepared for battle. Don’t fight it, give in to this delicious read. While the poor editing (in my version) marred some of the flow, thankfully it did not affect the wonderful tale populated with compelling characters! 

~ Helena