The Highlander’s Defiant Captive by Anna Campbell

The Mackinnon and the Drummond clans have feuded for so many years no one quite remembers what started it all. Callum Mackinnon, Laird of Achnasheen and head of the Mackinnons, wants the bloodshed to end and after his attempts to reason with William Drummond, Laird of Bruard and head of the Drummonds, fail, he takes drastic action. Mhairi Drummond is the fair daughter of William and his heart. When Callum kidnaps her, his plan is to win her over, make her his wife and force the two clans to make peace. What he didn’t anticipate was Mhairi being as stubborn and strong willed as her father.

The series goes back in time to 1699, more than a century, to visit a legendary story recounted briefly in the first book. The story begins with the kidnapping so the true natures of both Callum and Mhairi are presented unfiltered. I loved how Mhairi didn’t give Callum an inch of leeway and the unexpected battle of wills made me her instant fan. She’s smart, strategic in thinking and resourceful. Callum, while filled with good intentions, was unprepared to have to work so hard to win Mhairi’s heart. He’s handsome, charming and unused to having to work this hard. I really liked both characters but was secretly rooting for Mhairi to gain an upper hand.

There were lots of challenging moments as it wasn’t all about Callum and Mhairi. Not everyone in the Mackinnon clan was on board with Callum’s plan and the Drummonds’ reaction to the kidnapping kept things tense and dangerous. I enjoyed the story from the onset and liked how Callum and Mhairi’s relationship developed. I’m also glad that the series went back in time to provide clarity around the Mackinnon history as it gives better context for the current stories. This is a favorite.

Book Info

• Release Date: September 27, 2019
• Series: The Lairds Most Likely #4
• Page Numbers: 237
• Publisher: Self

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(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)