The Highlander's Substitute Wife

Riveting love story! As the new chieftain, Ross needs to marry and solidify an alliance at the same time. Only, the wife he thought he was getting was replaced by her father with her less-favored sister. This romance beautifully centered on the careful development of Ross and Ilysa's connection in the midst of impending attack, deceitful allies, and even treachery within her family. It's a sweet story of finding one's self-worth, trusting each other, and fitting in with her new clan. The writing couldn't be better, with realistic descriptions that render an aura of authenticity, making the reader feel right in the midst of the action. I enjoyed this story immensely, and highly recommend it for anyone who loves medieval highlander romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Book: The Highlander’s Substitute Wife by Terri Brisbin Series: A Highland Alliances, Book #1 Publisher: Harlequin Release Date: 1/25/2022 Book Rating: 5/5 stars Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags Caistéal Suibhne (Castle Sween) Argyll, Scotland, 1360 Twenty years ago Alexander Campbell became a traitor and enemy of their King, therefore his landing and holdings were awarded to the MacMillan clan. This elder Canpbell was an enemy the MacMillan’ s never expected to see again, but they very much miscalculated. As the MacMillan clan were not prepared for an attack and were late in sounding an alarm to warn everyone ! They had been over confident and not guarding and protecting their lands, people and castle as they should have been . Now the elder Laird had a full grown son and the MacMillan’s didn’t even know what other clans that might be aiding them and becoming their allies in this battle. The Macmillan clan were annihilated where half the clan, villagers and even their cheiftain was wiped out. Now the commander of the clan Ross MacMillan was the new laird and he knew they needed help financially and other clans support so this won’t happen again. The best way to do this was through marriage alliances. Ross also had two younger siblings, Fergus and Elspeth, who he sent away for protection and to wait for their arranged marriages as well. Of course his siblings are not happy about these forced alliances with strangers, but each of them must do their duty to save and strengthen the clan. Plus they knew they would be attacked again and they must be prepared this time so they would win this battle. Now Ross had made arrangements with Iain MacDonnell for marriage with his eldest daughter Lilidh which included gold and warriors to help rebuild and aid his clan for the next battle. Except he tricks him and gives him his beautiful younger daughter Ilysa the deformed nun. Though to look at her it was difficult to spot the deformity which was a lame arm. This was a temendous insult to Ross and his clan but he knew if he refused this marriage he would be declaring war with another clan and playing right into Iain MacDonnell hand and would lose everything ! Now he wonders if she was sent to spy on them as was she part of this insult. It was to promise one daughter and get another, but the more he gets to know this daughter the more he wants and desires this woman. Ilysa had been humiliated by a broken betrothal three years ago and was sent away to a nunnery three years ago. She had been abused by her father all her life and her sister abused her mentally. After this experience she never wanted to marry again and even though this was a punishment she loved the abbey and the nuns who lived here. She would of been happy to live their her entire life, but she knew she could never take her vows to become a nun as her cruel father would find another. She assumed Ross would be another abusive, hateful, man that would beat her like her father to get his way. Ilysa found this attractive, young, lairs different then most men especially a man who would never lift a hand to beat her. They both have trust issues and find it difficult to open their hearts and easier to believe lies and stories made up by others. Is Ilysa just the Trojan horse her father sent to spy and weaken the MacMillan clan who will ultimately be destroyed? Will Ross not realize and treasure what’s right in front of him? Another magnificent Terri Brisbin novel that readers don’t want to miss! Terri Brisbin is one of my favorite authors on the planet that I absolutely love! I have been reading her wonderful books for over twenty years and am never disappointed. Always one of my go to authors for sure! Again, this new Highland Alliances series is absolutely brilliant, where hers is the first book of the series and where authors Jenni Fletcher and Madeline Martin follow. It’s another extraordinary read that I could not put down, I do warn it’s not all unicorns and rainbows and have a handy box of tissues nearby. Highly recommend