Customer Reviews

Highland Rebel: A tale of a rebellious lady and a traitorous lord

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In her second book, Judith James has written another wonderful story.

First off, anyone expecting this to be an ordinary romance may be disappointed. Highland Rebel is different. When I started reading, they didn't have the same kind of romance they do now. I grew up reading Daphne Du Maurier's King's General and Frenchman's Creek, Raphael Sabatini's Captain Blood and The Black Sway, Anya Seton's Katherine and Green Darkness as well as most of Mary Stewart and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.

I loved these books; their sense of adventure, their all encompasing stories and wiled away many an hour reading and rereading over and over again. But as much as I loved them, there was something missing. Although they are all very romantic, there just wasn't enough romance, even though they were romance. They have stayed with me for years

And then the romance genre in it's present form came into being and I love it. But I really miss those sweeping sagas I used to read; the 'swashbucklingness' of many of the romances of yesteryear; the real sense of the times that is often missing in historical romances of today. There are very few historicals I read anymore that make me want to look further into the history of the times they were written in. I used to do that all the time in my beginning romance days.

And then I read Highland Rebel and it is an incredible hybrid of both. Ms. James has created a story and time that is vivid in it's richness. Very seldom anymore am I pulled so deep into a different time. Highland Rebel is a sweeping epic that takes the readers from the Highlands of Scotland to the court of James II to the island of Ireland. The research is amazing and the author incorporates into the story of Catherine Drummond and Jamie Sinclair is a seemless and amazing way.

Along with the wonderful setting, the characters of Cat and Jamie are so richly and lovingly created. We meet them both after a battle. Cat has been captured and Jamie decides on a lark to save her life by claiming her with marriage but she escapes shortly after that. Jamie follows and is captured by her clansmen. You see Cat just isn't any ordinary woman of the highlands. She has been raised to be the new clan leader. Intelligent, shrewd, beautiful, strong, she is a wonderful heroine; the kind you don't often seen in historicals - a person in her own right and not just the daughter of her father or the love interest of the hero. When I noticed that Wendy was also reading Highland Rebel, I emailed her, knowing that she's all about the strong heroine, but she wasn't far enough into it to offer an opinion. Athough, she did keep it with her when the late summer fires of California struck. She did the same thing with Broken Wing last year.

And Jamie - what a truly fascinating character he is. Although he grew up abused by his father and deserted by his mother, he has retained a joie de vivre that makes him totally irresistable.

After Catherine escapes, Jamie takes off after her as he really doesn't want to remain married. He's lived a life of genteel poverty and King James has a bride that will help him out of his 'situation'. But things don't go as he planned.

The book follows the story of Jamie and Cat as they bicker and plan to divorce each other - at their own convenience. Wem the readers, see early on that these two are perfect for each other, but it takes them, especially Jamie, much longer to see the thing that is the very best for him is right in front of him. We see them develop a deep and enduring friendship. Catherine is frustrated once she gets to England with the restrictions put on her because of her sex, but Jamie makes her his boon companion and shows her a side of life she never would have know. He recognizes and respects her for the person she truly is and in return, Cat becomes his best friend, someone who has his back, even literaly in one scene. She stands by him when all others abandon him. She rescues him and rather than being resentful, he appreciates all that she is.

There's nothing like a deliciously handsome bad boy and a wonderfully strong heroine to kick the day up a notch. For that matter, this pairing tends to kick the evening up a notch as well. HIGHLAND REBEL by Judith James was a wonderfully passionate and action filled romance that left me flipping back through the book, searching for more. Her writing flows nicely, her characters come alive and the story was so beautifully developed that the pages would just fly by without me even noticing.

Jamie is the hero of this story and what a hero he is! He's definitely not your typical knight in shining armor. He can be polite and chivalrous, but typically his demeanor can be described as that of a rogue. Growing up in a tough environment, Jamie had to learn early how to detach himself from the world. He lives his life attempting to create something for himself out of nothing. Jumping back and forth between religions and political side, the only thing he cares about is his self and his own advancement. That is until the day he sees a helpless woman get captured by the band of bloodthirsty and cruel soldiers he is supposed to supervise.

Catherine was her father's favorite child and often reminded that it was a shame she was born a female. Nevertheless, she spent her childhood in her father's footsteps and has grown up into something of a tomboy. She accompanies the men on fishing trips and raids, much to the disappointment of her brother and cousin. It's the latest mission, a mission to rescue one of her kind caught in a battle with the English that might spell Catherine's demise. Surrounded by men looking for a bit of entertainment, the only prayer in sight is the strange gentleman with the hard eyes and devious scheme. Before she knows it she's free of the men after her flesh yet she finds herself in the worst place of all: married.

James has written a great story full of so many twists and turns that it was impossible to not stay engaged with the characters. The marriage between Jamie and Catherine occasionally flip flops between being beneficial and a nuisance between one party and the other. This adds a bit of humor to the book at times and suspense at others. The underlying political intrigue is wonderful as we watch Jamie attempt to make a life for himself and Catherine attempt to take back her lands from her overbearing male kin. With a pair so oddly matched, James has really created a great story in making the two rely on each for the solutions to the many problems that arise.

HIGHLAND REBEL is quite the passionate romance and I think a large part of this is due to the fact that James's characters were so well developed. By the end of the second chapter, Jamie and Catherine already come to life and the reality that they create continues through to the very last page. It's not easy to create fictional characters with a feel of authenticity, but James has accomplished this in HIGHLAND REBEL and the story is better for it.

Outside of great characters, another thing that really makes a book wonderful to me is the tension. The story needs to have tension - a feeling of being pulled along - in order to capture the readers' interest and keep them turning the pages. This feeling of tension is what makes you say, "Okay, one more chapter," and then makes you continue turning the pages after that chapter. I am pleased to say that James did a wonderful job with the tension in HIGHLAND REBEL. I love to read so it's already difficult for me to put books down but I have been known to do it. With HIGHLAND REBEL, as with a few others, I found myself making excuses to stay up late to read or get up early to get a few extra hours in. Even though I was finally able to put the book down for the night, it haunted my dreams and inevitably would find its way into my hands in the morning. That's the sign of an awesome book.

Fair warning time: This book has adult themes and adult scenes. I would give it a sensuality rating of 4 out of 5.

I definitely have to give HIGHLAND REBEL top marks. I figured the book might be good from the synopsis, but fell in love with it by the second page. The emotion that James writes with and the ability she has to draw you into the story, making your heartbeat rapidly was just amazing. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great Romance or a great Action. This book encompasses the best of both of those worlds.

In Judith James' Highland Rebel Jamie Sinclair is a solider, a master of disguise, a little bit of a rogue, and almost penniless. Nevertheless, the ladies love him and he has a promising future with a woman waiting for him back home in England who has money. His hopes of a well off and comfortable future are dashed in the heat of battle when he meets and marries a young Scottish girl- Catherine Drummond. Jamie does not know it at the time, but she is rich... very rich. Jamie's intention for marrying her is to save her from the evil thoughts and hands of his bored, blood thirsty soldiers. Catherine soon pays him back for his `kindness' by nursing him back to health when he is all but beaten to death trying to get her back once she inevitably runs from the marriage. Beaten over the head and sent back to England in disgrace, Jamie is left penniless again and falls out of favor with the King for snubbing his former soon-to-be wife for a Scottish rebel girl.

Catherine, however, finds that she quite likes being married without the burden of having a husband around. Years pass, but circumstance takes Catherine to England to meet the King and hopefully begin to sell her people's whiskey to the court for a profit. When she sees Jamie again, they come to an understanding that they will pretend to be married for a while before splitting amicably. Catherine promises Jamie that she will pay him handsomely for playing his role.

Problem is, they soon begin to develop a powerful attraction toward one another. It is hard for Catherine to endure Jamie playing his charms on other women and not her, and Jamie feels increasingly possessive of the beautiful and charming Catherine. Because the two of them knock heads relentlessly, they convince themselves that they should not pursue one another, which only causes more confusion and anxiety. And, of course, more attraction.

If you do not like the typical "gasp and passion" romances that populate bookstores, Highland Rebel is a book that you will like. The characters are well relayed and have depth, each with their own personality and motivating forces. The romance itself is slow moving and complex, so there is a realistic and often times wonderfully frustrating progression from disdain to friendship and ultimately to love. Jamie and Cat do not fall all over each other, so the plot is not cliché as so much romance fiction is.

Judith James knows her history and it shows in the elegant way she presents the English Royal Court of James, as well as the harsher but beautiful Scottish Highlands of Catherine's heritage. My area of history, as anyone knows, is Rome, so I fully enjoyed what I was able to learn from Highland Rebel. Subtle beneath the passion and romance is a variety of great, valuable historical information. I was absolutely delighted by the matter of fact way James presents her world such that we absorb without feeling inundated by details and facts.

Highland Rebel is also very well written and I like how it plays out the way that Jamie and Catherine slowly come together. I dislike the brand of romance that has the heroine in the arms of the man as soon as they meet. The best female counterparts are strong willed and resistant. The greater the conflict, the greater the reward at the end when all differences are mended and the couple finally comes to accept the feelings they have. Jamie seems to be worth it, though, because he is the right kind of rogue- rough, smart, and misunderstood. And Catherine defies the expectations placed on women to achieve independence as much as any woman can. I can't say that I blame her. Naturally, this makes her the perfect fit for the unconventional Jamie.

Too bad they didn't see it earlier!

You will quite like Jamie at the end, rogue though he is. You come to understand why he is the way he is due to his own father and upbringing. Cat, too, comes across as a bit cold. However, once her character comes out, you really learn to respect her for her boldness, her wit, and her strength. She is a take charge kind of girl, but not kick butt; Cat is weak and flawed in her own way, which makes her more of an engaging and believable character. There are some definite character changes that occur toward the end, as the two of them change each other enough to allow love to take hold and come to fruition. Highland Rebel is a truly entertaining story, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes heated, sometimes absolutely frustrating. A page turner, for sure.

Catherine Drummond is a Highland heiress who is just as comfortable in the ballroom as she is in boy's breeches. When she is caught in an enemy camp, she fears the worst until a handsome devil rescues her by marrying her. She wants her freedom, and her chieftan wants her to marry a man of his choosing, so the marriage is actually to her benefit. She sends her new husband on his way back to England until such time she requires an annulment.

James Sinclair is charming, handsome, and has many faces. He's quick witted and can blend in easily as a beggar on the street, or as one of the King's favored in the palace. When he sets his eyes on Catherine, he figures the marriage would be easily annulled and she would be safe. He didn't count on her out-witting him and sending him back to England.

So after a year goes by and Jamie finds himself almost ruined, he is surprised yet delighted to see his wife upon his doorstep. She has a proposition to make with him that could fix both of their problems. The biggest hurdle of all though is the attraction the two of them have.

Highland Rebel is filled with a rich historical background that lends credence to the story. Jamie and Cat are two polar opposite characters that simply sizzle together. They belong to one another like peanut butter and jelly. The fireworks between them is phenomenal and the romance is tender, yet molten hot. The reparte' between the two of them had me in stitches sometimes. Highland Rebel is a historical romance treat you won't want to miss.

Highland Rebel is an absolutely fantastic read and enthralling to the very last page. I'm actually surprised that the average rating isn't a bit higher. Both the romance and historical pieces are magnificantly written.

Jamie and Catherine are both charasmatic and have high chemistry. As a therapist, I'm impressed with the author's respresentation of the consequences of childhood trauma and neglect have on personality development and resulting impact on romantic relationships. Jamie has been emotionally scarred while growning up, and Catherine is the only woman able to get past his tight defenses that protect, making for a relationship that is full of emotional twists and turns.

I especially appreciate the characterization of the male lead. Typically, male romatic heroes are more strongly masculine. Jamie's long, lean elegance is so much more engaging, yet he still manages to be very male.

The talented Judith James has written three novels, and I do hope she will write many more.

What an intelligent, historically fascinating, romantic and moving book. Not to mention original. I adored the main characters. Jamie was precious, a wounded soul but pragmatic and fun loving and never mean or cold. But pretty fierce when it came down to it. Cat was very real, strong and brave and also fierce but still a woman. She was more than just a hoyden in breeches, I can say that much. This novel was a journey (there is lots of "road time" for those that enjoy that, which I do) in many ways. The characters grown realistically, fall in love unwillingly but are helpless to stop it. They are one of my top favorite pairs in this genre, no doubt. If you want some more solid story from a romance novel, read this. Oh and it's good and spicy too, btw.

Though the story lagged near the end, the characters were so fun I had to keep reading. The history was believable as well. The plot was light hearted and I found myself laughing at the characters' antics throughout most of the book.

Catherine a Highland beauty and Heir to her family's fortune is captured by a self serving English rogue who seems willing to sale his loyalty to the highest bidder. After escaping in the midst of battle and being recovered by her family, Catherine has to tell her family that Jamie forced her to marry him while in captivity . This angers her highland clan because they have hopes of her making a family alliance with another clan. And so begins the tale of Catherine and Jamie. The book started out a little slow for me but after a couple of chapters the book picked up and was a really enjoyable read, Typically when reading romance novels by the time your to the end you feel worn out by characters and are ready for the book to end, but not so with Jamie and Catherine I really hated to see it end and it left me wondering what the future held for these two. Wont regret buying this one !

Judith James has written another solid historical romance. This one takes place in Scotland, England and Ireland in the late 17th century.

It begins in 1685, as Charles II dies and James II ascends to the throne. Jamie Sinclair, earl of Carrick and Carlyle, an English peer and a spy who is a master of disguise, converts to Catholicism and serves the new king as he needs the money for his estates. Leading soldiers to Scotland to dispel the Protestants, Jamie saves a Scotland lass, who he first thinks is a camp follower, from rape by marrying her. Little does he know that she is Catherine Drummond, laird of clan Drummond and an heiress with title and fortune. Cat is also proficient with a sword and was raised at the French court. Jamie intends to annul the marriage and take the wealthy English bride that James promised him but when Cat is rescued by her clan, Jamie loses that option. So, he decides to recapture his new wife, but she is smarter than he and sends him back to England. Soon, Cat finds she needs her husband and so she comes looking for him offering him a divorce and the good graces of his Sire if he will aid her. He needs what she offers so he accepts. In the meantime, they find great camaraderie and have many adventures wearing various disguises. James gives a good picture of James II's court.

Though Jamie enjoys many women, and particularly likes the lowborn as he was raised by servants, he loves none. He tells Cat he can only offer pleasure and friendship and grows surly when she mentions love. But Cat is tired of his whores and his games. When Jamie leaves her for 6 weeks pursuing William's claim to the throne, and her clan calls, she goes back to Scotland. Then James II falls to William and Mary and war with the Highlands looms. And Jamie fears for Cat.

Cat is a wonderful heroine. Similar to the heroine James created in Broken Wing, her first novel (and a great one!). Cat is independent, strong willed, dresses like a man and is able to take care of herself. Wise in the ways of the world but ignorant of love, Cat can rule a clan but finds she is unwilling to play Jamie's games. Jamie is a wonderful kaleidoscope of a character...so many sides and faces, all of them charming. And somewhere in them is his heart. The side characters are varied and well developed. James creates a world that fascinates.

This is a great romance rich in history and details. James' has a unique writing style and weaves a wonderful story with a believable romance. I highly recommend it.

Wow -- this is the first book I have read by Judith James but you can bet it won't be my last. What a talented author who brings her complex and unusual characters to life with such charming and clever dialogue. Her descriptions of both the characters and their surroundings paint such a "visualization" in the reader's mind. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by Ms. James.