A Hundred Breaths (The Hundred Trilogy)

By: Jean M. Grant

Narrated by: Rosalind Ashford

Healing his heart...with her last breath.

1263, Scotland

Simon MacCoinneach's vengeance runs deep. The blade is the only way to end the bloodthirsty Nordmen's reign upon Scottish soil. His soul might be lost, but the mystical Healer he kidnaps from the isles could be the answer for his ailing mother...and his heart.

Isles-born Gwyn reluctantly agrees to a marriage alliance with this heathen Scot in return for the sanctuary of her younger brother from her abusive Norse father. Her brother's condition is beyond the scope of her Ancient power, for larger healings steal breaths of life from her own body.

As Simon and Gwyn fight to outwit her madman father and a resentful Norse betrothed, Gwyn softens Simon's heart with each merciful touch. Gwyn's Seer sister foresees a bloody battle - and an end to the Nordmen - but Simon will also die. Will Gwyn save Simon on the battlefield even if it means losing her last breath?

©2019 Jean M. Grant (P)2019 Jean M. Grant

Romantic adventure

A wonderful romance. I really enjoyed this story. I'm a sucker for anything Scottish and this fit perfectly! Adventure, romance, danger... all the elements that make an excellent story. The narration was excellent. I received a free copy in exchange for review.

A Great Twist on a Historical Romance

Healing his heart...with her last breath - 1263, Scotland - Jean M. Grant is a new author for me. I really enjoyed listening to this audio. The unusual aspect of this Historical Romance is the added element of mystical powers. The writing is so good that the mystical parts are just as believable as everything else going on during the time period. Simon has endured so much from his childhood and his only path is to fight for revenge. Gywn is from a family of healers with the exception of her ruthless father and she knows nothing else but kindness and compassion. I will say that it was not love at first sight for Simon & Gywn and the banter and slow burn just added to their frenetic chemistry and ultimate connection. As the story unfolds, so do truths and lies between Simon and Gywn, their families and clans and the uncertainty of what will happen to them. This is an angsty, very descriptive-detailed story of love and forgiveness. Rosalind Ashford was great with narration.

Perfect! LOVED IT!

Another winner as romance develops between family enemies, wars are fought, kidnapping, cruel fathers, secrets, clashing religions, and a lot of very good writing. The imagery is wonderful and the world is vivid. I found my heart actually pounding a little faster with fear for Gwyn as she watches battles unfold. Although there are some explicit terms in the sexual scenes, it’s not written with a heavy hand, it's just enough to feel their intimacy and the heat. In my review of “A Hundred Kisses,” I compared the imagery to Outlander, and here I have to again... Outlander's story is more engaging than the sex scenes, even though they are 🔥 HOT.

Be aware that the beginning is heavy with circumstance information, family background and people. Stick with it for a couple chapters. Rosalind Ashford has the PERFECT voice for this listen as she flows between voices seamlessly.!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. My review is HONEST.
TWO THUMBS UP HIGH!
👍🏻👍🏻

The cost of a breath

The first in the A Hundred Kisses series, this book takes place about 30 years before the other book – a prequel of sorts, although certainly a full-length book in and of itself. These books are creative in their execution – from the barbaric Nordmen pillaging their way through Scotland, to the healing abilities of Gwyn and her family, there’s a lot to unpack.

Gwyn is a healer – she’s able to heal wounds but doing so takes away her breaths. Each person saved takes time off her life. Even knowing this, she continues to offer help to many, including complete strangers. When she saves Simon, he takes her prisoner – hoping she can heal his mother. They wed and begin an arduous journey to his mother. Along the way the two begin to develop feelings for each other.

Gwyn comes from an interesting family – from her violent father to her healing mother to her brother who can sense lifebloods to her seer aunt, Gwyn comes by her abilities honestly. Her story fascinated me as I watched her try to navigate through the treacherous waters of her life. I cheered for her as she became an independent woman but my heart broke as I realized her life would be shortened because of her selflessness.

I’ve listened to A Hundred Kisses, so I know how these stories turn out and if you haven’t yet listened to it, I encourage you to. This is a great series. And this book’s epilogue takes place after A Hundred Kisses, so I got a glimpse of the characters I’ve come to know well. I can’t wait for the final instalment to see how this all wraps up.

A little slow but good story

I really like the story overall. Jean always writes great characters. I have a hard time when there is too much backstory because I get bored easily but that is just me. I enjoyed this book.