When a Warrior Woos a Lass (Highlander Vows- Entangled Hearts Book 5)

***3.5 Stars***Story beings in 1360 AD on the Isle of Skye, ScotlandThe past haunts them. Treachery awaits them. Love will save them.A shattered lass…A tortured highlander…A union…This is a wonderful story of a badly damaged man and woman who have horrific pasts and how they come together to become whole again. It was truly incredible. It's the first book I've read by Julie Johnstone and the first Scottish Romance as well but it certainly won't be the last. I've already purchased the next book in the series.Our Hero: Laird Alex who is working for the king is playing a dangerous game to gather information that will make him look like a traitor to get at the truth. He believes he will never marry and has only been with women who are into domination, ties, bonds, and pain...along with the pleasure. He was horrifically abused when he was sent to the old Laird to be trained along with other young boys. They were required to live at his home and it was brutal torture day in and day out, every kind of abuse imaginable including times when the boys were made to live in the dungeon. One day Alex's father made a surprise visit and found a girl who was a friend-only to Alex on the floor murdered in front of Alex because he wouldn't give in to the sexual advances with the old Laird. His father was horrified by what he saw. If he had arrived a moment later, his son, Alex, would have been molested. He took his son home but never bothered to free the other boys who were in worse shape than Alex. Alex tried to go back and help them unsuccessfully when his father and men caught up with him. During his time with the old Laird not only was he abused but the Laird's wife seduced him and introduced him to 'the dark side of sex.' Because of what had happened to Alex he could only have sex if he inflicted pain and he dominated. His father demanded that Alex never tell another living soul and he made him feel shamed, as though it was his fault. He told him if he ever told anyone they would think him weak.Our Heroine: Lena has lived a life of horror. Bought by a very evil man as his property/wife she was abused in every way you could possibility imagine and then some. This was his and his family's way to torture her brother who was a Laird in his own right. After years she was finally able to escape and then her husband was murdered. For two years she has done nothing. She won't dance because she cannot tolerate a mans' touch without it sending her into what I call a modern day panic attack. She would much rather remain a wallflower for the rest of her life. The King has approached her brother telling him he was going to have to have her married off. The King is the one who decides who marries whom and to him a marriage is a strategy placing a woman who can aid and help her man in conflicts and battles and even better if she is pretty and can hold the enemy's attention. Her dead husband's family has already sent word to the King that they want to buy her back with the intent of more horrid abuse to get at her brother and family. The only good thing to happen to her lately was that very evening she had danced with Alex without having an attack.The King needs to get Lena married pronto because her dead husband's family wants to buy her again for nefarious purposes. He knows of the awful abuse she has suffered at the hands of her dead husband and his family. He's given her a choice between three men but he is starting to notice the draw between Lena and Alex.Oh yes! This was super great!!! I definitely recommend it and will reread it soon.It seemed to take too long to get to the much awaited answers and to find out to what degree the hero suffered? Raped? Sodomized? Beaten? Burned? And then it lasted 2 seconds and on to other things. Either that or it could stand to be shortened.

I have read half the books in this series, and they are stand alone. As the author warns this story may have an impact on those you have or know someone who has been physically abused. It is talked about after the fact, and you are spared the actual event.Both our H/h have different demons to overcome and for different reasons. We discover the h's almost from the start and why she can't stand to be touched. Our H was so patient with her that you will take to him right away. But, the abuse that the H endured takes most of the story, like an onion being peeled away, bit by bit. You understand his reluctance in sharing the tail.Love blossoms slowly and they don't hold back when they realize their feelings. We have several villains and that kept the story moving for me. There are some secrets, but they don't last forever thankfully.My ONLY problem was towards the end with an old friend of the H's. I felt it was resolved way to quickly, but other than that I loved the story and the way the author pulls you into caring for this couple.There is lovemaking, very mildly described and not often, very tender because of what the h endured previously. We do get HEA, and no cliffhanger for our couple, but one of the secondary character's is left up in the air and her story is next. I have it on my wish list hoping it will go on sale. Not that this author's stories are not worth the price, they are, but I read to much to afford it. Love the Wish List capability on Amazon. There is no cheating either in this story.I am not going into the blurb, as many have explained it, just what you may get out of reading this amazing story. (ljb)

I liked everything about this great book. Lena and Alex have stories that are beyond difficult. The author draws you in to care about them and all that has happened to them. Truly a wonderful read

Holy cow, Julie Johnstone has written another amazing story!!Kidnapped as a child, abused in adulthood, Lena MacLeod wants nothing more than to be left to herself and try for a normal life, sans husband. An impossibility with the brothers (and their wives) she has been reunited with who alternate between trying to shield her and smother her with good intentions. When the king has gives an edict that she’s to marry all her fears spring to life. Her only saving grace is she has been ordered to marry Alex MacLean, the only man who seems to understand what she’s been through.Alex MacLean feels something for the beautiful sister of his best friend but knows he will never be able to act on any feelings. The fact that she’s his best friend’s sister only plays a minor factor, the main reason Alex knows this is he has a dark side that no one knows, nor will ever know, about. A dark side he can attribute to one man and one woman. When the king approaches Alex regarding a matter that no one is to know about, he doesn’t stop there as he demands a marriage between Alex and Lena.As Alex and the king put their plan in motion, Alex is torn between his loyalty to the king and his feelings of what is best for Lena. But as Alex tries to juggle both he soon comes to learn that his wife is a force to be reckoned with. Will Alex help Lena to heal and let her do the same for him or will he destroy any chance he could have for a happily ever after?The sixth book in Ms. Johnstone’s Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts series is just as amazing as the first!I was gifted a copy of this book.

Alex and Lena are a good match. Their story is both poignant and interesting. There are dark moments from their abusive pasts which are sometimes hard to read. There is not much detail, but it wrenches the gut.I could have given this five stars if not for the awkward transition Lena makes from frightened, angry mouse to formidable lioness. I never doubted her ability to change, but it happened too quickly.

Kept my interest all the way through. Great characters. Really enjoyed how strong the main female character is. Good story. Interesting step into talking about sexual abuse

A beautiful love story full of adventure and courage. Both hero and heroine have a horrible secret in there past. Stuck together in Marriage, they find the trust and love needed to concur all. Great read.

A great book by a great writer. Just loved it.

Lena's story has come to life, and she blossoms beautifully. It is always nice to see a happy ending for people that have gone through hell and survived it.

This book, similar to the other books in this series, has a good storyline, passionate love, strong characters and is an enjoyable read. However, I think the wooing part could have been a bit longer. And the part where Alex reveals his secrets seemed a bit like a fast narration to me - I had expected more emotion there.