Highland Blessings by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Reviewed by Vickie McDonough

"A stirring tale of forbidden love set against the backdrop of ancient Scotland will keep you turning the pages and thinking of the characters long after you finish the book."

Can a kidnapped bride find love in the arms of her enemy?

On the day of her wedding, Akira MacKenzie is kidnapped by a warring clan, and she barely survives the trip across hostile territory. The only daughter of her father, the laird of the MacKenzie tribe, she was bartered as a pawn for peace when she was just a wee girl. But when the laird of the MacPhearson clan refused to marry her, she chose another man to wed. So why would the MacPearson laird go to all the trouble to kidnap her now?

Bryce MacPhearson made an oath to his dying father—to see that the peace treaty with the MacKenzie clan was honored, no matter what. Kidnapping Akira before she married seemed the only way. But his brother, the MacPhearson laird, still refuses to marry her, and Bryce can’t force him. He refuses to send Akira back to her family, hoping his brother will change his mind when he sees how lovely his captive is. Something about the spirited woman calls to him, but he must ignore any thoughts of her. She is to marry the MacPhearson laird, and Bryce must find a way to make it happen.

Nobody cares what Akira wants. She is but a means to an end. She’s angry at her father for bartering her future. She fiercely resents the MacPhearson warrior who stole her, and yet something about the man intrigues her. She prays to God for freedom, but even her prayers seem to fall on deaf ears. Has even her God abandoned her?

Highland Blessings is the debut novel by Jennifer Hudson Taylor. Akira’s character is strong and believable. She’s a heroine that readers will admire and cheer for. Bryce is the kind of hero we all love to read about: handsome, brave, and honorable. He’s determined to keep a promise to his dying father, no matter the cost.

There were a couple of minor things in this book I found a bit difficult to believe, but other that than, I found Highland Blessings exciting, suspenseful, and heart-tugging. A stirring tale of forbidden love set against the backdrop of ancient Scotland will keep you turning the pages and thinking of the characters long after you finish the book.

Vickie McDonough is an award-winning inspirational romance author. She has written four Heartsong novels and five novellas. Her stories have placed first in several prestigious contests, such as the ACFW Noble Theme, the Inspirational Readers Choice Contest, and the Texas Gold contest. She has also written books reviews for nearly five years and enjoys mentoring new writers. Vickie is a wife of thirty-one years, mother to four sons, and a new grandma. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling. Vickie loves hearing from her readers via e-mail.