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Highland Steel (Guardians of the Stone Book 2) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 2,537 ratings

"A tale so engrossing the reader will immediately search out the rest of her books just to make the enjoyment last a bit longer!" —inD'Tale Reviews

Defying her laird and brother, Lael of the dun Scoti clan takes up her sword to fight beside the MacKinnons in order to return Keppenach to its rightful heir—to Broc Ceannfhionn. She'll risk everything to keep the stronghold out of the hands of King Henry's Butcher... even her life.

They call him The Butcher, but not even Henry's henchman would hang a woman. Riding into the gates on winged fury, Jaime Steorling cuts the raven-haired beauty down from the gallows only to discover himself a willing prisoner of Lael’s heart. In the end, only a bond of love between bitter enemies can bring healing to broken nations.

Embark on a journey into magical Medieval Scotland, to a time when the shadowy Picts are in peril of vanishing from the annals of history, and Scotland itself will arise as a nation from the ashes of betrayal.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Tanya Anne Crosby pens a tale that touches your soul and lives forever in your heart. - Sherrilyn Kenyon #1 NYT Bestselling Author

"Tanya Anne Crosby is a master of her genre, bringing the history and lore of ancient Scotland and her unforgettable characters vividly to life." - Internationally Bestselling Author, Laurin Wittig
"Enchanting landscapes, breathtaking betrayal, and heartwarming passion herald Tanya Anne Crosby's
triumphant return to ancient Scotland..." - Internationally Bestselling Author, Glynnis Campbell

"Tanya Anne Crosby returns to writing historical fiction as only she can: superbly and beautifully ...." - Suzan Tisdale, bestselling author of Rowan's Lady

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Tanya Anne Crosby is a five-time nominee for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She is best known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters. Tanya has written for Kensington Publishing, Harlequin, and Avon Books/Harper Collins, where her fifth book Once Upon a Kiss launched the Avon Romantic Treasures line. She lives with her husband, two very spoiled labs and two ex-stray cats in northern Michigan and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. Her favorite color is green. She once tried to change her name to Anne (in the third grade) and has a dual citizenship (U.S. and Spain), which she fully intends to put to good use now that the kids are grown and have their own cars.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00M3FU9VU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oliver-Heber Books; 3rd edition (October 17, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 17, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 335 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1500964158
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 2,537 ratings

About the author

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Tanya Anne Crosby
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Tanya Anne Crosby is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty-five novels. She has been featured in magazines, such as People, Romantic Times, and Publisher's Weekly, and her books have been translated into eight languages. Her first novel was published in 1992 by Avon Books, where Tanya was hailed as "one of Avon's fastest rising stars." Her fourth book was chosen to launch the company's Avon Romantic Treasure imprint.

Known for stories charged with emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters Tanya is an award-winning author, journalist, and editor, and her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. In 2013, she penned her first romantic suspense novel, Speak No Evil, which appeared on the USA Today list.

Tanya and her writer husband split their time between Charleston, SC, where she was raised, and northern Michigan, where the couple make their home.

Join Tanya on Facebook at Facebook/tanyaannecrosby or visit her Web site at www.tanyaannecrosby.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,537 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this historical romance novel, particularly the story between Jaime and Lael, with one customer noting how Lael's character evolves throughout the series. The book features well-developed characters, with one review highlighting the hero's wisdom and patience, and customers appreciate the strong female protagonist and humorous dialogue that makes them laugh out loud. Customers praise the writing style, with one noting the amazing continuity from the first book, and they find the book easy to read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

116 customers mention "Story quality"116 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, particularly Jaime and Lael's narrative, and find it well written.

"...An excellent story!" Read more

"As usual, Ms. Crosby has presented her readers with an outstanding story peopled with wonderful characters...." Read more

"...Her characters are well developed and more importantly they are so believable I can clearly see them living their lives with all the joy sorrow and..." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this story...." Read more

43 customers mention "Character development"39 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting how Lael's character evolves throughout the story, and another highlighting the heroes' wisdom and patience.

"...presented her readers with an outstanding story peopled with wonderful characters...." Read more

"...Her characters are well developed and more importantly they are so believable I can clearly see them living their lives with all the joy sorrow and..." Read more

"A Scottish romance with lots of good and bad guys. Characters are interesting and the story keeps you engaged even for light romance." Read more

"...The Pros: I really like the character of the hero, Jaimie The Demon Butcher, although he doesn't live up to his name...." Read more

36 customers mention "Romance"36 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as a fun Highland romance with great passion.

"...They are rich in Scottish lore and this series is no exception...." Read more

"...He's smart, kind and deals justly with problems as they happen. Lael is a problem. She and Jamie have been ordered to marry...." Read more

"...a forced marriage, mysteries, hot passion, seduction, and plenty of action which holds the reader spellbound from the first page through to the last..." Read more

"A Scottish romance with lots of good and bad guys. Characters are interesting and the story keeps you engaged even for light romance." Read more

22 customers mention "Series quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series quality, with one customer noting how the continuity from book 1 was amazing, while another mentions how it gets better with each installment.

"...They are rich in Scottish lore and this series is no exception...." Read more

"...The continuity from book 1 was amazing. I'm looking forward to reading book 3!" Read more

"...I do revere not wanting to put it down. Very intriguing novel. I love the series." Read more

"Just what you would expect from an awesome series, but this one had me laughing out loud, parts of it were funny...." Read more

22 customers mention "Writing quality"18 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer describing the author as a wonderful storyteller.

"...I loved all the character's, they were so richly written. I didn't think I would enjoy this book because our h in book 1 wasn't likable...." Read more

"...Hilarious circumstance for the heroine at the end. Crosby is great writer and tells a wonderful love story. RECOMMENDED READ." Read more

"I enjoyed this story, which has good writing, lots of detail, and interesting characters...." Read more

"It is well written. The characters are realistic and believable...." Read more

21 customers mention "Strength"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strength of the characters in the book, particularly the strong women and well-crafted world.

"Lael of Dun Scoti is a woman who knows who she is. She is strong, loyal and loves her family more than anything...." Read more

"...Loved the twists and turns as well as all the characters. Highland Steel was a gem!" Read more

"This was a great story, it has action, love and loyalty. The heroine was strong natured and giving. The hero had wisdom and patience...." Read more

"A great story of a strong woman and her falling in love with a strong man. Tanya Anne Crosby is a very good storyteller!" Read more

6 customers mention "Loyalty"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the loyalty portrayed in the book, with one customer specifically mentioning falling in love with a strong man.

"Lael of Dun Scoti is a woman who knows who she is. She is strong, loyal and loves her family more than anything...." Read more

"This was a great story, it has action, love and loyalty. The heroine was strong natured and giving. The hero had wisdom and patience...." Read more

"A great story of a strong woman and her falling in love with a strong man. Tanya Anne Crosby is a very good storyteller!" Read more

"...He was a good man with a warm and considerate heart. And even though she loved him she was still kind of hard towards him...." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with dialog that makes them laugh out loud, and one customer particularly appreciates the hilarious circumstances for the heroine at the end.

"...Hilarious circumstance for the heroine at the end. Crosby is great writer and tells a wonderful love story. RECOMMENDED READ." Read more

"...were thoroughly entertaining and the storyline was unique and equally entertaining...." Read more

"...from an awesome series, but this one had me laughing out loud, parts of it were funny. Can't wait for the next one in this series." Read more

"...The plot was intriguing, and the dialog made me laugh out loud...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    This story is difficult to put down. Wars between peoples of different beliefs can sometimes be changed due to unforseen events. An excellent story!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023
    As usual, Ms. Crosby has presented her readers with an outstanding story peopled with wonderful characters. Lael is from a vanishing group of highlanders who still follow the old ways and where she has trained her whole life to be a warrior. She fights with the men when they try to take a castle, she stands firm when faced with hanging, and she manages the castle resources when handed the keys. But she grows from the close-minded person of her beginnings to a much more understanding person after her forced marriage to the Butcher. It takes all of Jaime's wisdom and patience to deal properly with his unpredictable and volatile new wife. In the end, all he can do is offer her his love and hope it's enough. Recommended.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
    What can I say. I discovered Tanya Crosby years ago and have always enjoyed her stories. They are rich in Scottish lore and this series is no exception. Her characters are well developed and more importantly they are so believable I can clearly see them living their lives with all the joy sorrow and despair that life brings to us all no matter where or when we live. I can't wait to begin the next episode and travel back in time with Keane and revisit with all the characters that make up his story.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2014
    Lael of Dun Scoti is a woman who knows who she is. She is strong, loyal and loves her family more than anything. I have been waiting to find out who would get the best of her and how they would do it without taking her spirit away.

    She gets captured during a raid on a castle and almost hung but Jamie Steorling keeps that from happening. Jamie is King Henry's man and he has been sent to take control of the castle and the area around it. He's smart, kind and deals justly with problems as they happen. Lael is a problem. She and Jamie have been ordered to marry.

    Both are strong within themselves but they have little trust for others. Together they learn how trust can help them overcome the obstacles put in their way by the King and each other. Boy do they try each other's patience.

    It was wonderful to see Lael come out of the shell that she has been in for a long time. It was wonderful to see her learn just who she could be and to trust in herself. It was wonderful to see her learn to trust someone other than family and to see where that love would take her.

    I really enjoyed this story. I enjoyed seeing how the characters in the first Guardians of The Stone book have changed and can't wait for the next book in the series.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2014
    Tanya Anne Crosby is one of the authors at the top of my auto buy list. With this author I don’t even read the description, I just have to see her name. She has another winner with Highland Steel, book 2 of The Guardians of the Stone Series, which follows Highland Fire.

    The heroine is a lady warrior with skills and honors to match any male warrior and is ready to fight to the death to defend and protect her clan and home. The hero is known as the King’s Butcher with a reputation which makes his enemies quake in their boots. Helping a friend of her clan defend and reclaim his keep, against her brother and laird’s orders, the group is captured and held prisoner until the Butcher arrives, as he is claiming the keep for his own. The Butcher rides through the gates at the same time the heroine and her friends are being hanged. The Butcher takes immediate control by cutting her down as she is actually swinging and puts a stop to the hangings; however he still holds them as captives. Can these bitter enemies overcome all and answer the sparks of passion flaring between them?

    I highly recommend this book to any reader and it now has a home on my read and reread keeper shelf!!! The story flows perfectly and Tanya Anne Crosby has delivered a captivating page turner which includes a forced marriage, mysteries, hot passion, seduction, and plenty of action which holds the reader spellbound from the first page through to the last page. A thorough almost nail biting Scottish Highlander adventure which allows the reader to actually escape to the Scottish Highlands for a time.

    I finished the book in one sitting and I am anxiously waiting on the next installment to this series. I highly recommend any of Tanya Anne Crosby’s series or stand alone books.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2024
    A Scottish romance with lots of good and bad guys. Characters are interesting and the story keeps you engaged even for light romance.

Top reviews from other countries

  • evelyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read from start to finish
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2023
    Wasn't long enough!!!
  • lisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping warrior romance
    Reviewed in Australia on December 10, 2017
    I loved the first book ‘Highland Fire’ and this is just as good. It opens with warrior Lael in the middle of getting hanged, listening to her comrades strangle to death one by one before her turn comes. Lael is a wonderful heroine who won’t compromise her fighting values. The author takes you into Lael’s mind where she is always plotting to come out on top, even if it means dumping her hot new hubby. At the same time she is a good boss who seeks her servants’ opinions and motivates them along the way. She is not a cliche heroine so you are never quite sure what she will do next.

    I like the storyline too. It keeps the tension going to the end. It does slow down slightly in the middle. Even so it’s a gripping story and good escapist fun. For those who like to know there are a few (tasteful) sex scenes and the odd grisly death.
  • Maxine Leslie
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great story of a strong woman.
    Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2015
    This was a story of the history of the clan system of scotland. There was humour and romance. Also enjoyed the writing style of the author.
  • Wildfly56
    4.0 out of 5 stars A highland tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2017
    Another highland tale a good weekend read. The characters are strong but gentle too and romance builds. some editing or continuity errors from one book in the series to another. Illness and contaminated brook versus well! Whilst slightly annoying not detrimental to reading this series
  • Rosewood
    4.0 out of 5 stars A big fan of Crosby's characters
    Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2016
    Book 2 of the " Guardian's of the Stone Series " - Lael, a strong warrior woman, rides with Broc to fight for Broc to get his Keep and lands back from King David of Scotland. They lose the battle and are on the point of being hung when Jaime, the King's Butcher Demon, arrives - riding in and stopping the hanging. I loved when Lael who at that point is a prisoner, jumps onto the King and attacks and hits him. I like the characters in this novel - I liked how love turned Lael from a warrior princess into a warm, gentler woman.

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