Scotland. Kilts. Betrayal. Love, and pirates to boot! This book has everything I wanted for a good read! It was my first book for he summer break and I was finished waaaay to soon. Jennifer Bray Weber has penned another winner in her long list of swashbuckling pirate tales. This time we weren't on the warm waters of the Caribbean, we skimmed the coast of Scotland. Turns out this area has just as much passion and adventure as it's warmer counterpart.
Loved the book. Loved the characters. Loved the ending.

Deliciously entertaining.

"She glided toward him with her shoes dangling from her fingers and his gaze latched upon the sway of her hips. The sea breeze caught in her skirts, fluttering and teasing about her ankles. Such delicate things, her ankles. He wanted to plant kisses upon them. Strange that he never had that desire with any other woman."

Jennifer Bray-Weber continues to deliver with her newest pirate story. Action... adventure... and, of course, romance! Whether she's keeping your heart racing with her adrenaline fueled chase scenes, or stealing your breath with the beauty of the romance, trust me, you will keep turning the pages until you breathe a huge, satisfied sigh at the end. A great vacation read. Order now!

OMGosh I've been waiting for Bane's story! It was more than I could have imagined. From the beautiful scenery described to the heart-wrenching romance, I loved every word! This is a story I will read over and over again. I can't wait to see what Bray-Weber can do next!!!!

Birk Bane was accused of distributing counterfeit coins, and had to leave Scotland, with the help of the woman he loved. Sheena MacRae cannot abandon her ailing father, she must stay behind and protect her clan. Five years later, Birk has become a successful pirate, but upon hearing that his father has died and his cousin Cam wants to sell the family shipping business to Laird Rodric Gordon, Birk has to return to Scotland. He could still be hanged if he is caught, but Birk will not let his heritage fall into the hands of Gordon, who is bent on acquiring everything that he can, with the help of the English. Sheena has done all she could for her people, but now she must make the ultimate sacrifice: marry Rodric Gordon before there is nothing left to protect.

From the first sentence, the reader is thrown right into the action, and there is plenty of that in THE LAIRD’S RECKONING; in fact, this is a romance that even male readers will enjoy. Ms. Bray-Weber establishes the setting quickly with crisp descriptions, that I was rooting for Birk and Sheena immediately. The author’s prose is refined and uncluttered, she gets her point across, but elegantly so, and the story is well constructed, and captivating. While local politics dominate the plot, it all felt realistic, and I cared about what happened, possibly because of a unique cast of characters, each of them very well fleshed out. No one is perfect, nor is anyone entirely evil, which pleased me very much. Sheena handled everything as best as she could in 1730, and she came off as strong, brave, and capable. I love Ms. Bray-Weber’s depictions of pirates; they are colourful, but believably so, and I’m pretty sure that’s how they were, as the author seems to have meticulously researched every element, and which she adds in the right amount, as the story is never weighed down by anything superfluous.

THE LAIRD’S RECKONING is very well written, there is not a dull moment, and there are exceptionally exciting fight scenes, as well as beautiful tender moments. Although this is book 6 in the Romancing the Pirate series, it is a perfect standalone, as I have no idea how it ties in with the other books, if it does, and I didn’t have the feeling I had missed anything. Jennifer Bray-Weber was a new author to me, and I’m very happy to have discovered her.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This review is also posted on Buried Under Romance book blog.

I give 4 ½ stars

My first thoughts reading this book were “how have I missed this series” and “when can I read the rest of it”. What a spectacular read! If you’re like me and are torn between what kind of historical romance you want to read next, The Laird’s Reckoning is a win-win. Swashbuckling pirates and the fierce loyalty of Scottish clansmen are all rolled into one amazing tale of betrayal, revenge, intrigue, and passion.

With the help of his love, Sheena, Scottish laird Birk Bane flees for his life after being accused of a crime he did not commit. Set up, accused of false coining, Birk leaves his home and the woman who means everything to him to escape hanging. He boards a pirate ship as part of the crew hoping to amass enough fortune to return home and clear his name. Though Sheena McRae’s love for Birk knows no bounds, she can’t abandon her clan and stays behind not knowing if she’ll ever see her love again.
Five years later, Birk returns. He’s no longer the troublesome lad who fled 5 years ago, but a formidable man come to lay claim to what was rightfully his. But upon his return, he discovers he may have waited too long. His father has died and his unscrupulous cousin has taken over as laird and sold the family shipping business to Rodric Gordon, a dangerous laird with ties to the English.
Life has changed for Sheena as well in the 5 years Birk has been gone. Her father’s health has worsened and she has had to take over clan affairs. In Birk’s absence, horrific events have occurred. Cottages have been burned down, innocent people murdered as Rodric Gordon has been acquiring lands all around them. Needing to ensure the safety of her family and clan, Sheena is left with no choice but to promise herself in marriage to Gordon. Her clan could survive under Gordon’s protection but not with bands of English soldiers or Gordon’s ruffians laying waste to their homes and families.
Conflict abounds as both Birk and Sheena are faced with difficult choices. Birk must choose between his love for life on the sea and his love for Sheena. Sheena must choose between her love for her family and clan or her love for Birk. It all comes to a head in an explosive climax where secrets are revealed and unpredictable threats jeopardize their chance for happiness.

I got so caught up in this story that I didn’t want it to end. Ms. Bray-Weber brilliantly crafted characters that won my heart. Birk was the ultimate bad boy but Sheena saw the good in him. She made him want to be better. While he’d suffered a rough life, Sheena could make him feel like nothing and no one else could. She gave him peace and happiness. Sheena was a proud, brave, strong-headed woman who would sacrifice everything, even her own happiness, for the protection of her family. They’d both changed in their 5 year separation. Choices each had made angered them, but they still had that bond. Their love for one another had never waned.
This story opens with action and adventure and never lets up. The author’s superb writing, intriguing plot, and exquisite descriptions of the countryside and people quickly pulled me into the story. I couldn’t help but agonize over and cheer for these tortured but strong and determined characters that Ms. Bray-Weber so beautifully brought to life. I can’t wait to read more of this series. I’m hoping some of the secondary characters find stories of their own.