The Arrow: A Highland Guard Novel (The Highland Guard Book 9)

I’ve never read a historical romance series quite like the Highland Guard. These are not your average highland love stories. Of course, author Monica McCarty always delivers a strong, sexy alpha male, but that package includes realistically flawed yet fierce heroines, excellent writing and tons of (accurate) history that is fully integrated in every aspect of the storytelling. This includes a detailed Author’s Note at the end highlighting which historical people, places and events helped inspire or were included in the story.This series tells of Robert the Bruce’s bid for the Scottish throne and war against England for Scotland’s independence. Despite being #9 this book can easily be read stand alone, and I encourage readers who are really interested in this book without reading the others to go for it! The story is truly Gregor and Cate’s, but any pertinent information about past events and characters is easily added in the narrative without bogging it down.I read these books for the romance (which is always wonderful) as well as the overarching story of the war and to catch up with other members of the Highland Guard. I’ve been following this series since the release of the #6, The Recruit, and honestly it keeps getting better and better. I have to admit I’ve read all McCarty’s books, and while her first trilogy is high quality her improvement over time is noticeable. There will be three more books in this series. I am excited for them, but I’m also anxious to see what this talented author will choose to write next.Enough of that, on to the actual review…Readers have long-awaited the story of Gregor McGregor, the best archer in Scotland...who is also known as the most handsome man in Scotland. Or maybe we all just wanted to know what woman could possibly snare a man who can have anyone he wants. Both Gregor and Cate weren’t what I expected but I found myself loving them. Their internal motivations were fully fleshed out. Sometimes that inner monologue was a little long for my taste but it helped me understand Gregor especially, which I think was important because even as a reader it’s easy to overlook his depth in the face of all that sexiness.Cate is actually Gregor’s ward. She was 15 when her village was decimated by the English and Gregor was one of four Highland Guard members who responded in the aftermath. After fishing Cate out of a well she latches onto him. Gregor ends up bringing her home to his mother where Cate causes all sorts of problems over the years, from learning to fight like a boy to, more recently, catching Gregor’s romantic attention. So when Gregor has some time off he does what any good guardian would do and goes home to find her a husband.Cate isn’t averse to getting married...as long as that man is Gregor. She’s adored him since the moment she laid eyes on him. There are some parallels between Cate and the women who usually chase Gregor (this causes problems later on), but one of my favorite parts to this story was how clearly Cate saw him. There is definitely some hero-worship going on but she is also the only woman beside Gregor’s mother who he’s ever allowed to know him. The attraction on his end didn’t seem very genuine at the beginning but by the middle it was palpable from both sides.I basically devoured this book up until the last quarter. That’s where the angst begins. I knew the strife (the real strife anyway) in Gregor and Cate’s relationship would come sooner or later. Notwithstanding my other quibbles this was a five star read for me...until Gregor does something that made me want to chuck my Kindle at the wall. I just couldn’t get over it and it honestly knocks a whole star off my rating. Then there is another conflict concerning Cate’s true identity that, though it was a nice twist to the story, I didn’t really care for.The Arrow and the Highland Guard series really turns highland historical romance on its head. I haven’t read or heard of any other books like it. Readers get the domineering, sexy males this subgenre is so famous for, but each heroine also stands out as well. I wasn’t dying for Gregor’s story as much as other readers (I honestly thought The Striker would be next) but Monica McCarty definitely delivers.

Squee!! This is my FIRST ARC book! I was over the moon to receive an advanced copy of this book to review! I ADORE Monica McCarty’s series. In fact, I recently re-read ALL of the Highland Guard books in anticipation of this book coming out at the end of August. Was I ever thrilled to be gifted a copy. I have now read it three times and let it digest before I wrote a review.I have been anticipating Gregor’s story since The Chief. What would Monica do with the most handsome man in Scotland? Well, a lot. It’s a great story, full of history and steamy scenes. She is getting to the end of this series (hopefully there are at least two more) and she has made sure to include updates on our favourite heroes since the first book was published.I enjoyed getting to know Cate and Gregor. They are complex characters who have a lot of baggage. Cate is not only traumatized by the razing of her village, but she hides a secret from Gregor about her parentage (spoiler – not hard to guess if you have been following the books). Gregor is tired of being wanted only for his beauty and the years of war and subterfuge have left him in rough shape. Dealing with Cate is a distraction he doesn’t want or need. However a furlough home allows her time to throw herself at him. I enjoyed how she harbours a deep love for Gregor and believes enough in it to take liberties with his patience and forbearing. I thought it was a cute introduction how she informs Gregor that he has children, although we quickly learn she has adopted way ward children in an attempt to build a family of her own.Things between the two progress from avoidance and annoyance to passion and trysts. Gregor comes to realize that he wants her and they get. it. on. The sex scenes are well written as usual. I love how he likes to talk dirty, regardless that she’s a virgin and it’s hot. He has a preference for cupboards and dark rooms that is quite naughty. If only every virgin had such a virile and handsome man deflowering them!But alas, the happy couple are torn apart by misunderstandings and Gregor’s insecurities. It was really hard to read about him turning to another woman. Don’t fret – he doesn’t go all the way, but enough that if you like your hero’s above reproach then this is disappointing. I am impressed that the author actually showed this flaw in the hero. This is the first book where there was a suggestion and almost infidelity. Of course it is witnessed by the heroine and it sets the stage for the final third of the book.Since Gregor was a bad man, he must suffer. And suffer he does. McCarty makes him the most repentant man in Scotland (and maybe England too). I loved that his fellow Guardsman were witness to this and made it more amusing and heart wrenching. The love of a good woman must be honest and won and Gregor certainly learns this by the end of the book. It made me fall a little harder for him, hearing how broke up and battered he was waiting for Cate. I liked the cave man mentality when he took any man to task for looking or breathing in her direction. The author uses this plot point for some well needed humour and more interaction with the awesome Guardsmen.I love it when a historical romance hero is brought to his knees. To read about the most handsome man in Scotland begging and lost without his woman was an awesome tale. I know this book will be high on my re-read list and I CAN’T wait for the next in the series.Reviewed for Kiltsandswords. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Monica McCarty has done it again! She has the innate ability to take what her imagination conjures up and to put it down on paper so realistically you feel you're right there watching everything unfold before your eyes. Her stories grab you and draw you in so completely that when the end of the book comes, it's disappointing! 😕 Why? Because you want more, and more.The two main characters, Cate and Gregor are two of my favorite characters from all of her books, but then I tend to say that about everyone of her books I read. I always fall in love with her characters......😘. This story was different from most from this series in that there was not much action pertaining to the war against England. With that said, it did not detract from the storyline or the impact the story had on me. The twist and turns in this story are few, the concentration being on Cate and Gregor. I love Cate's spunk and determination, her courage and her passion for Gregor. Gregor is strong tall and perfect, so perfect he has women dropping like flys at his feet.....flirting with him, cornering him and trying to trap "the most handsome man in Scotland." Needless to say, he's unconvinced when Cate tells him she's in love with him. She sets out to prove her love and the fun begins, with jealous women, misunderstandings, and all types of chaos! 😳. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have....happy reading! Cheers! 🍻

I love the Highland Guard series by MonicaMcCarty and fell in love from the Chief and my most favourite will have to be Striker's story. After reading this, I imemdiately read next book in Series: Striker and realised why that is my favourite and hate this one.1) Characters had no connection. No witty conversation, no shared dreams, nada!2) Expecting something romantic for Arrow, the most handsome of the bunch. I feel he was short changed being saddled with a determined brat.3) And the heroine could have been less of a brat and focus instead on her soft qualiltes. I already appreciated that she not a beauty nor tall nor sexy but a brat? My poor Gregor...Only read this through after paying money is to read the other Highland Guards as well whom I all love.

Review. The ArrowAs a young orphan, Cait is rescued by Gregor MacGregor (The Arrow) after her village is decimated by the English for harbouring The Bruce's men after a battle. He takes her to live with his family, whilst he carries on fighting for the Bruce only going home occasionally.Whilst he is away, she grows up and has fallen more in love with him as she has grown and just wants him to notice her as a young woman and not the little girl he'd rescued.He has noticed, but is at war with himself for having feelings for his ward. This being said he decides he will find her a suitor to be betrothed to, but Cait has other ideas.Monica has done it again, you will be hard pressed not to put this down. It has all the elements you could wish for, the humorous interaction between the characters, the action and the romance. I absolutely loved this book as I love the series, more please.

OMG can she get any better LOVE LOVE LOVE these books really can't wait for the next one. I think I may even start reading them again. Such quality Monica is a marvelous writer so exciting. Shes just too good that you want to finish it too quickly because you can,t put it down. Carry on the excellent books Mrs Mc Carty. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series of books their awesome

If you're used to the talents of Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught, this will make you cry. There was so much potential for this to be a good story, but where was the editor? There is not much scene setting and I fear the plot has been lost in the detailed portrayal of the hero's and heroine's feelings at every turn.

Absolute heaven!! By far the best Scottish romance writer of them all and this series is fantastic, hooked from the first sentence as always I only wish she could write faster. This series is a definite keeper to re- read over again which I do before a new story is released.I hope there are more as no one is as good.