Never Fall for a Highlander

Book: Never Fall For A Highlander Author: Callie Hutton Series: The Mackays of Dun Ugadale, Book #1 Length: 192 Pages Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags Dun Ugadale, 1661 Helena and her older sister Jena are little girls since their mother died and their Aunt Dorathia raised them. She is a healer for the Sutherland clan and their Aunt assumed both would learn this job. As they became young women, Jena was not interested however Helena did enjoy being a healer. Her sister met and fell in love with a Mackay warrior named Blair. Now she was expecting her first child and wanted Helena to help with her delivery. So Helena went to the MacKay clan to see the sister she missed dearly. Unfortunately Helena and the handsome laird who got hurt in battle become close. Their healer can’t even stand the sight of blood and doesn’t seem ready to be a healer. So Helena took over the duties as the MacKay healer trying to train their healer though she admitted this job was not for her. Laird Robin MacKay and Helena Ross fall for each other, she knows it is a mistake and that he must marry for an alliance for his clan. Afterall she is only an orphan of a blacksmith not suitable at all. Except her heart is breaking knowing the truth. Robin had been advised by the elders since he became laird at such a young age it is his duty to marry and get heirs. He had told him he had not been ready previously. He soon realizes he only wants to marry Helena as that is the woman he loves. The elders are furious saying she is not appropriate and insults her which makes Robin see red! Letting them know he is the boss as the laird, not these old men who advise him! He soon is forced to make a decision that could ruin his chances to have the woman he loves. As the Gunn woman in the forced alliance is being abused by her evil brother. She also claims her brother will make an alliance with someone who might kill her. She was already in one abusive marriage and threatened to take her own life. So what shall Laird Robin MacKay do? Shall he marry the lass he feels nothing for to save her from harm or marry the healer he loves? Read and find out! Hutton writes a beautiful emotional story I absolutely loved. This is the first book in The Mackays of Dun Ugadale series which was absolutely brilliant! I look forward to Craig MacKay’s story next in Never Marry a Highlander. Disclaimer: I received this advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Robin Mackay is Laird of Clan Mackay. He has worked and gained confidence, and wants to convince his council to advise, and let him make decisions. Helena Ross, a healer and midwife, has come to Dun Ugadale to be with her sister when her baby comes. At the same time the baby decides to arrive, the laird is injured. Circumstances make it necessary for Helena to see to both situations. Can she handle both? You bet! This is a truly enjoyable beginning for the new series. The storyline is good, and the characters are likable and quite entertaining. There is some excitement, a bit of intrigue and danger, wit, and humor. Along the way, Robin and Helena fall for each other, but duty may prevent their being together. A charming, fun Highland romance. I look forward to what’s next, Craig’s story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This is the first in Callie Hutton’s new series, it is a spin off of the Sutherland’s of Dornoch Castle Highland stories titled The Mackays of Dun Ugadale. Although some characters from the previous series are mentioned or even appear in this book, previous reading is not required. Having said that you will want to after reading this. When she was a child, Helena and her sister Jena were taken in by their aunt Dorothea, the Sutherland healer when their mother died. For many years she has trained to be a healer and midwife with the hope she would take over from Dorothea when she retires. Jena married and moved to the Mackays Castle, where Helena has traveled to help in the birth of her sister’s first child. Having been born a Ross, Helena has never really felt she belonged with the Sutherland’s and has desperately missed Jena since she moved away. The Mackays healer is young and very inexperienced and Helena begins helping out and tries to teach her but the lass is very squeamish and this leads to a big headache for Helena. Robin, the Mackays Laird, feels an immediate attraction to Helena but is being pressured by the clan council to make an advantageous match that will strengthen the Mackays position. When he is injured in battle, Helena and Robin give into their passion, leading to headache for them both. Eventually our couple, after many bumps in the path to true love get their happy ever after. This is a great start to the new series and I highly recommend this book to the reader. I received and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest opinions and review.