Highland Temptation

Highland Temptation (Highland Knights #3)- Jennifer Haymore
Random House
Release Date: August 23, 2016 

Rating (out of 5):
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Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Synopsis: When Lady Emilia Buchanan discovers that her despicable father has been scheming against the crown, she turns to the Highland Knights for protection. Spirited away to a safe house on the outskirts of London, Emilia is surprised to find herself sharing close quarters with a soft-spoken, musclebound Highlander. Before long, curiosity gives way to an alarming attraction. Emilia has learned firsthand from her father that men are not to be trusted. She just never met one so honorable and loyal, so powerful and, yes, tempting.
 
Ever since Waterloo, Colin Stirling has struggled with memories that haunt him night and day. Driven near to madness, he no longer trusts himself with meaningful relationships of any kind. At least in this temporary sanctuary, Colin can withdraw from the world—that is, until his stunningly gorgeous charge learns the full depth of his pain. In Emilia, Colin sees a kindred spirit with battle scars of her own. He also senses a chance to heal . . . and to find love.
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The third book in the Highland Knights series picks up where Highland Awakening ended: solving the mystery around the quiet Lady Emilia.  The Highland Knights protected her father from shadowy threats for almost a year, but now she is the one in need of protection- from her father.  She's learned he is behind a devious plot to overthrow the Regent and the entire House of Hanover and he'll make sure she doesn't stop him. The Knights, especially Colin Stirling, instantly agree to help protect Emilia and end her father's treasonous plan.

It would be easy to assume that Emilia, routinely beaten and abused, is a quiet, meek, biddable girl who's only act of defiance was to run away from home.  And Emilia herself believes that for some time.  But Haymore does a wonderful job of bringing Emilia out of her shell and opening up to life and the possibility of love and happiness.  While some readers with a history of abuse might be disturbed by a few of Emilia's memories and situations, Emilia becomes a wonderful role model for someone refusing to give up and determined to not only take back her life but to live it without fear.  The road might be hard, and there are always setback and doubts, but Emilia learns not only is it possible, but that she is stronger than she imagines- especially when it comes to those she cares about.

Colin is another character with a traumatic past.  He's spent 10 years in the army and after Waterloo has a case of PTSD so serious that he's convinced he's slowly going mad.  By helping Emilia, Colin learns that strength comes in many forms, and sometimes that includes allowing someone to help you fight your demons.  These are two troubled people convinced that the other is capable of healing, but they take much longer to believe they themselves are capable of that.

Highland Temptation is a fast paced and exciting adventure, with excellent and deeply drawn characters and sinister enemies to defeat- both from within and without. The series can be read as stand alone books, and readers who enjoy Scottish romance will definitely find themselves tempted by Colin!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.