Highland Courage

Duncurra, Book 2

By: Ceci Giltenan

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Her parents want a betrothal, but Mairead MacKenzie can't get married without revealing her secret, and no man will wed her once he knows.

Plain in comparison to her siblings and extremely reserved, Mairead has been called "MacKenzie's Mouse" since she was a child. No one knows the reason for her timidity and she would just as soon keep it that way. When her parents arrange a betrothal to Laird Tadhg Matheson, she is horrified. She only sees one way to prevent an old secret from becoming a new scandal.

Tadhg Matheson admires and respects the MacKenzies. While an alliance with them through marriage to Mairead would be in his clan's best interest, he knows Laird MacKenzie seeks a closer alliance with another clan. When Tadhg learns of her terrible shyness and her youngest brother's fears about her, Tadhg offers for her anyway.

Secrets always have a way of revealing themselves. With Tadhg's unconditional love, can Mairead find the strength and courage she needs to handle the consequences when they do?

©2014 Susan Cusack/Ceci Giltenan (P)2014 Susan Cusack/Ceci Giltenan

A good listen

My first Highland romance. I've returned so many lately as I became bored with the characters, so many are inconsistent. I think I've been spoilt by Georgette Heyer over the years. I stuck with this one, and in conclusion found it a reasonably good story line with likeable hero & heroin

Love the series and its intensity!

Any additional comments?

“Fear and courage are brothers.” Quote from Highland Courage

The adage, you reap what you sow comes to mind in this wonderful Highland tale.


I was so excited when I finished this audio, I immediately purchased Highland Intrigue, third in the series.

Mairead came to Tadhg’s keep with rumors and gossip aplenty. Many thought her nickname was given as weakness. Rather it was given for her coloring compared to her family. The memories of a painful experience when but fourteen had turned the vivacious young, tender-hearted girl into one that feared people, therefore her seemingly timid demeanor. If she ventured forth from her home, would she run into the young men, now much older, who had attacked her and taken what she didn’t willingly give?

I love how this ‘mouse’ of a woman made her way into the hearts of her new clan, whether it be taking part in knowing the elders of the clan or winning over the steward. She had so many skills to benefit this clan, but she tread carefully. They hadn’t had a chatelain since Tadhg’s mother passed away some ten years previous.

Mairead was a pure heroine in my eyes. She sought people out, helping the village people. She’d listen to their problems and tried to solve them. Her heart was only full of forgiveness when she dealt with the animosity of her clansmen.

Ceci Giltenan kept me listening intensely, cheering Mairead on as she approaches her marriage with total truth, open heart and strong will. However, her past will haunt her once again. This time she has the support and respect of Tadhg as well as his new founded love.

Truly this was an inspirational book. Mairead had learned to take care of herself and speak up for herself. There were many facets of this story and characters which added to the suspense. Flan, Mairead’s brother played a huge part in the new direction of Mairead’s life. Oren, the steward, once won over, could not do other than see only the good in Mairead. Two village women exhibited how important loyalty is to their Laird. Mairead overcomes much with her steadfast character.

Narrator Paul Woodson did a marvelous job telling this story. He was fully engaged with each character’s personality and emotion which engages the reader. Pacing was perfect. His voice for women is certainly believable and his Scottish accent adds to the pleasure of the listening placing the listener within the Highlands.

Pretty good

Rushed ending again. This seems like the normal ending for this author. Overall story was pretty good.

This was a very sweet and enjoyable romance.

The story was fun and interesting with lots of sweet romance and a few lessons along the way. It’s a well written story.

"Highland Courage" is the perfect name for this novel.

Ceci Giltenan has written a wonderful Scottish novel. Paul Woodson narrated it beautifully. Looking forward to listening to the rest of this series!

Excellent

I am just starting to buy audio books I wasn't sure if I would like it but I do. The story was well written and the story was one I had to follow because the author sets it up for back in the day a lot of authors make mistakes that way this one did it write I enjoyed listening to it I would recommend this book

Good book

Any additional comments?
This is a series, but this book easily is a stand alone book. I like the heroine - she is a determined little "mouse" hoping for courage. I particularly liked this book because there are not a lot of nail biting nerve shattering situations, and the intense situations that do exist in the plot are fairly quickly resolved. Excellent reader.

Really good Story

Any additional comments?

I am so happy I listened to one more book by this author as I didn't care for the first in this series at all. This was a really good story, good characters and a lot went on toward the end that kept me listening whenever I could. Sometimes it was slow paced but just when I would think that, it picked right back up again. I very much enjoyed this story.

Paul Woodson was, once again, a delight to listen to.

Well plotted

I enjoyed both the book and the audio. The dialect was hard going at first but once my brain adjusted, it added to the authenticity.

ENJOYED THIS SERIES

This story is just a pleasant story of love, passion and kindness. It was a story with no nail-biting sessions, however, a few tense moments. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys love and romance.