Highland Knight of Rapture

Highland Dynasty Book 4

By: Amy Jarecki

Narrated by: Dave Gillies

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Another steamy Scottish historical romance by Amy Jarecki set in 1493: After five years of marriage, Lady Helen has failed to produce an heir. Giving birth to a lass, Helen's husband rejects her and openly takes a lover while she endures in silence.

But war is brewing. The MacDonald feud with the crown comes to a head and with it arrives Helen's childhood friend, Sir Eoin MacGregor. Eoin and his men join with the MacIain Clan to quell the rebellion. But when he witnesses Helen suffer undue humiliation, his troubles escalate tenfold.

If Eoin helps the lady escape, he will break the sanctity of marriage. Worse, the king has commanded Eoin to fight beside her barbarous husband. To rescue Helen from tragedy worse than death, will the gallant knight find the strength to mask his deepest desires to save the woman he's always loved?

©2015 Amy Jarecki (P)2015 Amy Jarecki

A Little Tedious at Times

The opportunity for an engaging tale was present. The behavior of many of the characters eft a lot to be desired.

Amazing, Well-Researched Scottish Romance!

What made the experience of listening to Highland Knight of Rapture the most enjoyable?

This tale is captivating and teeming with history, betrayal, conflicts, action, passion and love. I highly recommend HIGHLAND KNIGHT OF RAPTURE to anyone who enjoys historical Scottish romances! Actually, you cannot go wrong with any of Amy's books!

What did you like best about this story?

I would have to say that the pairing of Amy's writing with Dave's narration make this book ROCK for me. Amy does a great job of drawing the reader into her stories. I'd like to share the following snippet from this book. It's one of my favorite scenes when Eoin asks Helen to read to him. Still my beating heart!

He kissed her temple. "Would you read to me?"
"You wouldn't grow bored?"
"Not if you were reading, my love."
Helen slipped off the bed, tiptoed into the main chamber and retrieved the book from the table. When she returned, Eoin had situated the candelabra to provide good light, and arranged the pillows for comfort.
How wonderful it was to be with a man who actually cared enough to do simple things like fluffing the pillows.
He opened his arms and beckoned her to him. "Come and tell me what this story's about."
"It would be my pleasure, sir knight." Helen climbed up and snuggled into his arms. She opened the cover and read the title. "'The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle'." She looked at Eoin and grinned. "The story begins when the mystical knight, Sir Gromer Somer Joure, challenges King Arthur to discover what women desire most, or face dire consequences."
He rested his chin on her shoulder and peered at the pages. "You have me entranced already."

What does Dave Gillies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dave Gillies is the phenomenal narrator for this book. I can't get enough of listening to his clear, sexy voice. He seamlessly differentiates between the characters voicing both the male and the female voices realistically. His dramatization is the perfect pairing with Amy's Scottish tales and his delivery is nothing short of polished perfection.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed, cried, swooned, cringed and listened with baited breath. I would share that some of the physical and verbal abuse that Lady Helen was subjected to was difficult to listen to at points. Helen was small of stature, feisty, strong-willed and loyal to her family and duties, but I was glad when she finally came to the unpleasant realization that enough was enough and allowed Eoin to help her. I'm glad that Eoin and Helen found each other again even though it was, at times, a painfully onerous path. Sir Eoin is not only Helen's hero, but mine also.

Any additional comments?

HIGHLAND KNIGHT OF RAPTURE by Amy Jarecki is the fourth engrossing installment in her extraordinary Highland Dynasty series. Amy is one of my favorite authors. She writes amazing, addictive, well-researched historical Scottish romances.

In the previous book, A HIGHLAND KNIGHT TO REMEMBER, Duncan, Lady Helen's brother betrothed Helen to Chieftain Aleck Maclain to solidify an alliance with Aleck's clan. I feared for Helen then.; Those concerns were validated in this book. I'm grateful that Amy did not make readers wait long for Helen's story. This is the story of Lady Helen and Sir Eoin MacGregor.

Enjoyable Book

This was a good story and the chemistry between Helen and Eoin was evident. However, I was tired of how Helen continuously thought her husband would act honorably and he clearly told her and showed her that he wouldn't. If there is more to come to this series, I will get the book.

I also enjoyed Dave Gillies as the narrator.

captivating

Truly a romantic and suspense book. Could not put it away - listened every chance I could

Does honor lead the heart or the heart lead honor?

Any additional comments?

Good knights of past times valued their honor above all.

Question: What is more honorable? To help a married woman in a marital abusive situation or to honor the sanctity of marriage and what convention society demands? Eoin, childhood friend of Helen, found it difficult to decide how to proceed and with that Amy Jarecki weaves a delicious love story you won’t want to miss!

I read this book about seven months ago and have just finished listening to its narration by Dave Gillies. I enjoyed the listen and appreciated the story even more the second time around. Mr. Gillies is in touch with its characters' emotions, so much so, the reader is drawn into the emotional grip the characters find themselves. I highly recommend this series and Ms. Jarecki's writing.

Never having birthed a child, author Ms. Jerecki sure made me feel I had in the opening scene of this simply exhilarating highland read. And with all the pain and near death I experienced, I also got to float on the cloud of bringing into the world a charming little lassie bairn. It’s wonderful when a talented author propels the reader into the past with her descriptive scenes, have you experience birthing a child during a time in history where many die from childbirth. To bring a child into the world, may very well be your end.

Quickly you are put into the picture. Lady Helen has a despicable husband, Sir Aleck – with uncouth words-- a pathetic example of a knight, even though in a position of importance--Chieftain of Mingary.

Lady Helen, on the other hand, was long-suffering, soft-spoken and always tried to do her best by her husband. If any would speak ill of him (and they certainly had cause), she would quietly admonish such talk. But patience and turning the other cheek can only go so far in an abusive relationship whether physical or mental. When her husband demonstrated in front of all, his affection (and more) for his leman, Mary, Lady Helen wished to retire to an abbey. Her husband didn’t even want to see his bairn because she was a lass not a lad. Life deteriorates most abominately for Lady Helen until those of compassionate heart and bravery step forward to help her out of this quagmire.

We’ve met Eoin before in the series, however, this story is his and Helen’s. He became my hero, too, as well as Lady Helen’s. He had choices to make and he had me cheering him on all the way. I love these kinds of heroes--enough to make my heart pitter patter. Lady Helen presented quandaries to him; the knight side of him, the man part of him, the moral and right part of him speaking at once.

Sir Eoin had loved Lady Helen long before her marriage to Sir Aleck; even when she was a wee lassie. Could he stand back and watch her mistreated, violently hit by her husband? Sir Aleck was so unlikeable even when not considering how he treated his wife, that Sir Eoin felt like running him through with his sword just to rid the world of filth. But unfortunately, they were fighting for the same king and he had to tolerate the man.

Family is an important part of this story. How will they react to Lady Helen’s decision to leave her husband? Will they ridicule her, return her to him, disown her? Place her in an abbey? Will Sir Eoin be judged poorly?

I’ve enjoyed the earlier books of this series and this one is as enchanting as the others. Amy Jarecki writes stories leaving the reader/listener happy and wholly satisfied that good CAN edge out evil if the hero and heroine’s love is pure, deep and enduring.

On the Edge of Desire a must read so much more

absolutely loved it the history in this book is thrilling the desire is wanting must-read so on the edge of lust

weak heroine

I liked it but Helen was weak and wishy washy. it was annoying at times. I liked the hero though

The narration was excellent, and I love this story

Listening to this story on audiobook took me back to the highlands, and I enjoyed this story all over again, having read the book several years ago. The narration of Dave Gillies kept me interested and brought Helen and Eoin's story to life with his vocal characterizations of all the characters. If you don't have the luxury of time to read this story, grab a hold of the audio and listen as the words come to life.

Wonderful book.

What did you love best about Highland Knight of Rapture?

I loved how Lady Helen became stronger as the story went on though I had to keep reminding myself when I questioned why she did the things she did - that I'm from a different time and women didn't have the rights and freedoms like we do. Sir Eoin didn't give up on her though.

Have you listened to any of Dave Gillies’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Dave Gillie's is a wonderful narrator and he certainly doesn't let the listener down in Highland Knight of Rapture.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't know if it would be considered moving, but I did have to laugh when Mary gave birth to a girl!!

Any additional comments?

This is a great story. I love Amy Jarecki's books. This particular story is hard with the verbal and physical abuse but the listener has to keep in mind that this was a way of life back then. I loved Sir Eoin. He stood his ground knowing the consequences.

excellent

Like in the other books, Ms. Jarecki did not disappoint and told by one of my fave narrators, Mr. Gillies... 5 stars from me. His voice is easy to listen to, warm and passionate.
It was a hard to listen to some parts where Helen gets abused by her husband, he made me so mad.
I'm glad that Eoin and Helen found each other again, it took some time, but they find their HEA.