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Highland Guard #11.5
The Rogue
What’s not to love?
Not only is Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, one of the most important and wealthiest men in the kingdom, he’s charming, devastatingly handsome, and the favored nephew of King Robert the Bruce. Even so, when Isabel “Izzie” Stewart meets the vaunted knight, she’s glad he’s her cousin’s soon-to-be betrothed and not hers. He takes himself far too seriously, to her mind, and seems to be acting out the role of the “perfect” knight. In her experience, men who are too good to be true usually are. But when Izzie starts to wonder whether her first impressions might have been wrong, she discovers a complex, compelling man who is far from perfect and more seductive than she ever imagined.
Not only is Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, one of the most important and wealthiest men in the kingdom, he’s charming, devastatingly handsome, and the favored nephew of King Robert the Bruce. Even so, when Isabel “Izzie” Stewart meets the vaunted knight, she’s glad he’s her cousin’s soon-to-be betrothed and not hers. He takes himself far too seriously, to her mind, and seems to be acting out the role of the “perfect” knight. In her experience, men who are too good to be true usually are. But when Izzie starts to wonder whether her first impressions might have been wrong, she discovers a complex, compelling man who is far from perfect and more seductive than she ever imagined.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2016
About the author
Monica McCarty
36 books2,907 followersWhat do you get when you mix a legal career, a baseball career, motherhood, and a love of history with a voracious reader? In my case, a Historical Romance Author.
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
Like most writers, I’ve always loved to read. Growing up in California there was always plenty to do outside, but all too often I could be found inside curled up with a book (or two or three). I started with the usual fare: The Little House on the Prairie series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit, Watership Down, Nancy Drew, and everything by Judy Blume. Once I cleared off my bookshelf, I started swiping books from my mom. Some, like Sidney Sheldon’s The Other Side of Midnight, probably weren’t the most appropriate choice for a pre-adolescent—although they were definitely illuminating. I can still remember the look of abject horror on my mom’s Catholic-girl-face when I asked her what a virgin was. After that rather brief conversation, she paid a little closer attention to what had disappeared off her book shelf, and steered me in the direction of Harlequin and Barbara Cartland romances. I was hooked. I quickly read through the inventory of the local library and was soon buying bags of romances at garage sales.
In high school, with the encouragement of my father (who I think was a little concerned about the steady diet of romances), I read over eighty of the Franklin Library’s One Hundred Greatest Books ever written—including Tolstoy, Confucius, Plato, and the entire works of Shakespeare. Some of them were tough going for a teenager, but the experience would prove an invaluable foundation for college. After reading War and Peace, I wasn’t easily intimidated.
For some reason Monica decided to go into writing and not fashion.
After graduation, I loaded up the VW (Jetta not Bus) and trekked down I-5 to attend the University of Southern California, majoring in Political Science and minoring in English (see why all that reading helped!). I joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and when I wasn’t studying or at football games, did my best to support the local bartending industry. Ah, the good old days.
With that kind of fun, four years of college wasn’t quite enough. So leaving Tommy Trojan behind, I traveled back up north to Palo Alto for three more years of study at Stanford Law School. Once I survived the stress of the first semester, law school proved to be one of the best times of my life—garnering me a JD, life-long friends, a husband, and an unexpectedly intimate knowledge of baseball. (See “The Baseball Odyssey” below).
Law School was also where I fell in love with Scotland. In my third year, I took a Comparative Legal History class, and wrote a paper on the Scottish Clan System and Feudalism. So I immediately dropped out of law school and went on to write Scottish Historical Romances…well no, not quite. You see, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer. My father was a lawyer, I was a “poet” (i.e., not into math), and I love to argue. It seemed natural.
So I finished law school, got married, passed the CA bar, moved to Minnesota (with a few stops along the way), waived into the MN bar, worked as a litigator for a few satisfying years, moved back to CA, had a couple of kids, realized that a legal career and being a single parent for most of the year (due to husband's career) would be extremely difficult, and THEN decided to sit down and write.
And how did I end up writing romance? It’s not as divergent as it seems. What I loved about being a lawyer are the same things I love about being a writer—research and writing. The only thing missing is the arguing, but that’s what a husband and kids are for, right?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
April 23, 2016
The Rogue wasn't great, but it wasn't bad, too. The hero's narcissism irritated me at first, but I managed to grow immune to it by the 40-50% marker. I expected a lot more resistance from the heroine, though. I didn't expect her to melt like putty in his hands .
Overall, this was okay. It has its faults but it still delivered for a novella.
UPDATE: I originally rated this three stars, but decided to round down. I felt like I didn't enjoy the novella enough to give it that rating. I'm not a big fan of the Douglases so I guess that put a damper on things as well.
Overall, this was okay. It has its faults but it still delivered for a novella.
UPDATE: I originally rated this three stars, but decided to round down. I felt like I didn't enjoy the novella enough to give it that rating. I'm not a big fan of the Douglases so I guess that put a damper on things as well.
April 26, 2016
I can't claim this wasn't my cup of tea because that's just not true. The Rogue flat out was a disappoint because it felt like a retelling of The Rock. Only this time with Elizabeth Douglas's cousin Isabel “Izzie” Stewart and Sir Thomas Randolph. Similar storyline with similar outcome. You might feel differently, in which case enjoy.
October 29, 2016
I wasn't a big fan of Thomas Randolph but was very interested in learning more about him after Ella broke off their betrothal. Isabel (Izzie) Stewart was someone I wanted more from as she was more spirited and intriguing than her cousin, Ella.
I liked the story but was hoping for more action involving the Highland Guard, which just doesn't happen here. The one action event was covered in the last story so this was limited to the developing relationship and romance between Randolph and Izzie. Since my primary attraction to the series is the focus on the historical elements, it fell short of my expectations.
Thomas isn't the most likable character but Izzie draws the best out of him. It's a good story but it just didn't have the elements I've come to expect from the series.
I liked the story but was hoping for more action involving the Highland Guard, which just doesn't happen here. The one action event was covered in the last story so this was limited to the developing relationship and romance between Randolph and Izzie. Since my primary attraction to the series is the focus on the historical elements, it fell short of my expectations.
Thomas isn't the most likable character but Izzie draws the best out of him. It's a good story but it just didn't have the elements I've come to expect from the series.
June 1, 2019
Reread.
Rating. 3.5
Was good but not great. It had a great start but was average from half way point till the end.
Rating. 3.5
Was good but not great. It had a great start but was average from half way point till the end.
November 17, 2023
I loved the cruelness due to his idiocy!
August 7, 2016
A perfect Book !! And now I want to re-read all of the highland guards série !!!
June 20, 2017
#52 for 2017 RC
Genre : Historical Romance
A novella about Thomas Randolph and Isabel Stewart which their story start in The Rock.
Genre : Historical Romance
A novella about Thomas Randolph and Isabel Stewart which their story start in The Rock.
September 26, 2016
You really need to read The Rock before this one as it runs parallel. Randolph was betrothed to Izzy's cousin. The story is set up really well in the background so I was excited read this. Aaaand, I ended up a little disappointed. Since it's a novella, it's more recapping the scenes from The Rock and tells me the story. When the storyline does get past The Rock, it continues to do this. At one point Izzy is kidnapped and rather than being in the moment, it's more summary and telling us. As Randolph was an original guard member, Bruce's beloved nephew and in real life one of Bruce's key knights, this so should have been a full book! His past when he switched sides was glossed over even though it's what drives his pride and not breaking his betrothal. In The Hawk when he turns himself over, I had the impression it was more to save Hawk's men from being killed. I never really thought of him turning his allegiance against his uncle. Now, it's more about barbarian/Scottish vs. knight/England again.
3.5
3.5
April 28, 2016
1 star for the cover model.
June 5, 2016
Randy is irritating but it remains a cute good story.
April 26, 2016
This is another Monica McCarty mind blowing masterpiece so make sure you have no plans for the day! As I simply could not put this one down which is my usual for reading a Monica McCarty novel! This is book #11.5 , a novella but the length is meaty one hundred and sixty six pages! So it feels more like a full book then a short novella. If you have read her previous book The Rock #11, it falls right into place and sets us up for the next book The Ghost releasing on May 31st and sadly that is the last book in this dozen book series. So find your comfy reading area, sit back, read and enjoy the ride! I know I definitely did!
Edinburgh Scotland, 1314
In this novel the heroine is Isabel (Izzie) Stewart, cousin to Elizabeth Douglas. Elizabeth was getting ready to accept the proposal from Mr. Too-Good-To-Be-True, Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, that everyone refers to as Randolph. He was like the Prince of the realm, all the women at court wanted him, he knew how to put on a big show and be charming, handsome, debonair, gracious, chivalrous, intelligent, sings like an angel, just like the Knights of fairie tales. Of course being a favorite nephew of King the Bruce and all the right political connections and very wealthy didn't hurt his image either!
Izzie could tell it was all a big show to impress and saying only what others wanted to hear. In other words she thought he was a big fake and didn't impress her in the least. Izzy was a realist if something was too good to be true, it usually didn't exist. Oh she understood arranged political marriage for titles, properties and wealth! Plus looking the other way after you have birthed the expected heirs while he takes as many mistresses as he desired! No fidelity and no feelings of love just a life headed for misery as far as Izzie was concerned!
Her cousin Elizabeth understood all of this and deserved better, plus the fact she was in love with someone else! The man she loves is only a blacksmith, who is bellow her class! Thom MacGowan, her childhood friend, once her brother Jamie's best friend, but had a falling out some years ago. Jamie would never approve plus Thom had nothing to offer Elizabeth, but then he does a favor for the King that put him in a different light. I suggest you read The Rock to find out more details.
Izzie herself will never settle for this type of political marriage as she wants a love match and a man who will honor his marriage vows and be faithful to his wife. She is not they type of woman to look the other way, while her husband has another life without her. Plus, she also wouldn't want an empty headed pigeon either! In other words it couldn't just be a marriage in bed only! They had to have meaningful discussions with common and similar interests too.
Then Elizabeth throws her cousin Izzie and Randolph together and she soon see's his true colors and finds he is not as shallow and vain as she once thought. Actually he is quite intelligent, honest, caring and all the qualities Izzie admires and more. He shows what is hidden behind that metal armor and more that he never shared with anyone! Passions ignite after they get to know each other and the attractions and affection grows after a few romantic interludes. Randolph would never call off the planned betrothal to Elizabeth as like most Highlander's he is man of honor.
Randolph had promised Jamie Douglas ( The Knight) he would ask his sister Elizabeth to be his wife. A woman that he feels nothing for, but would be the perfect wife for a political marriage. A wife that could look the other way after he tires of her and takes up with other women. She would know what to expect with this type of marriage. It was all perfect and practically gift wrapped and tied in a perfect bow! Well it had been until her irritating, outspoken, smart and beautiful cousin, Isabel Stewart storms into his life and straight into his heart unknown to him! He honestly didn't know what to do about it!
This only heads for heartache as many years ago Randolph betrayed the Highland Guards and he would never do it again. So how will Izzie ever put the pieces of her broken heart together? What about Elizabeth Douglas will she also leave her love,Thom MacGowen and marry a man just for wealth, title and position? but a man who will be true? Will Randolph actually put Izzie aside for a woman he doesn't care for? If he does this - will he regret this decision setting Izzie aside for a political marriage? Or will he finally open his heart and do the right thing honor be damned? For the answers and more you must read this magnificent story that I highly recommend!
Monica does it again with my favorite type of read with true historical facts in her fiction romance that pulls the heart strings. Another fast paced, riveting, heart warming captivating adventure that readers won't be able to put down! It had me rooting for the couple even thought they seem to be heading toward a life of heartache and misery! Of course a few times I wanted to smack Randolph in the head too...lol Hoping he would soon open his eyes and smell the coffee - to see what was right in front of him! I always love revisiting main characters who make appearances from precious Highland Guard books too. As you will see a few familiar characters in The Rogue!
Again I loved The Rogue, no secret Monica McCarty is one of my favorite authors in the Scottish historical genre. I love her weaving true Scottish heroes and history into her own fictional romance. It's my favorite combination for reading my favorite genre Scottish historical romance.
Sadly the next book The Ghost, book #12, will be the last in her magnificent masterpiece Highland Guard series, which I have absolutely and unequivocally loved each and every one! Thank you for writing such wonderful satisfying stories that I will never forget!
I highly recommend The Rogue you can read as stand alone or in book order, but I highly recommend you read all the books in Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series as they all spectacular from start to finish in my opinion.
The Highland Guard Series
1) The Chief
2) The Hawk
3) The Ranger
4) The Viper
5) The Saint
6) The Recruit
7) The Hunter
7.5) The Knight - ebook novella
8) The Raider
9) The Arrow
10)The Striker
11)The Rock
11.5) The Rogue - novella in ebook and print paperback
12)The Ghost - TBR May 31, 2016.
Edinburgh Scotland, 1314
In this novel the heroine is Isabel (Izzie) Stewart, cousin to Elizabeth Douglas. Elizabeth was getting ready to accept the proposal from Mr. Too-Good-To-Be-True, Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, that everyone refers to as Randolph. He was like the Prince of the realm, all the women at court wanted him, he knew how to put on a big show and be charming, handsome, debonair, gracious, chivalrous, intelligent, sings like an angel, just like the Knights of fairie tales. Of course being a favorite nephew of King the Bruce and all the right political connections and very wealthy didn't hurt his image either!
Izzie could tell it was all a big show to impress and saying only what others wanted to hear. In other words she thought he was a big fake and didn't impress her in the least. Izzy was a realist if something was too good to be true, it usually didn't exist. Oh she understood arranged political marriage for titles, properties and wealth! Plus looking the other way after you have birthed the expected heirs while he takes as many mistresses as he desired! No fidelity and no feelings of love just a life headed for misery as far as Izzie was concerned!
Her cousin Elizabeth understood all of this and deserved better, plus the fact she was in love with someone else! The man she loves is only a blacksmith, who is bellow her class! Thom MacGowan, her childhood friend, once her brother Jamie's best friend, but had a falling out some years ago. Jamie would never approve plus Thom had nothing to offer Elizabeth, but then he does a favor for the King that put him in a different light. I suggest you read The Rock to find out more details.
Izzie herself will never settle for this type of political marriage as she wants a love match and a man who will honor his marriage vows and be faithful to his wife. She is not they type of woman to look the other way, while her husband has another life without her. Plus, she also wouldn't want an empty headed pigeon either! In other words it couldn't just be a marriage in bed only! They had to have meaningful discussions with common and similar interests too.
Then Elizabeth throws her cousin Izzie and Randolph together and she soon see's his true colors and finds he is not as shallow and vain as she once thought. Actually he is quite intelligent, honest, caring and all the qualities Izzie admires and more. He shows what is hidden behind that metal armor and more that he never shared with anyone! Passions ignite after they get to know each other and the attractions and affection grows after a few romantic interludes. Randolph would never call off the planned betrothal to Elizabeth as like most Highlander's he is man of honor.
Randolph had promised Jamie Douglas ( The Knight) he would ask his sister Elizabeth to be his wife. A woman that he feels nothing for, but would be the perfect wife for a political marriage. A wife that could look the other way after he tires of her and takes up with other women. She would know what to expect with this type of marriage. It was all perfect and practically gift wrapped and tied in a perfect bow! Well it had been until her irritating, outspoken, smart and beautiful cousin, Isabel Stewart storms into his life and straight into his heart unknown to him! He honestly didn't know what to do about it!
This only heads for heartache as many years ago Randolph betrayed the Highland Guards and he would never do it again. So how will Izzie ever put the pieces of her broken heart together? What about Elizabeth Douglas will she also leave her love,Thom MacGowen and marry a man just for wealth, title and position? but a man who will be true? Will Randolph actually put Izzie aside for a woman he doesn't care for? If he does this - will he regret this decision setting Izzie aside for a political marriage? Or will he finally open his heart and do the right thing honor be damned? For the answers and more you must read this magnificent story that I highly recommend!
Monica does it again with my favorite type of read with true historical facts in her fiction romance that pulls the heart strings. Another fast paced, riveting, heart warming captivating adventure that readers won't be able to put down! It had me rooting for the couple even thought they seem to be heading toward a life of heartache and misery! Of course a few times I wanted to smack Randolph in the head too...lol Hoping he would soon open his eyes and smell the coffee - to see what was right in front of him! I always love revisiting main characters who make appearances from precious Highland Guard books too. As you will see a few familiar characters in The Rogue!
Again I loved The Rogue, no secret Monica McCarty is one of my favorite authors in the Scottish historical genre. I love her weaving true Scottish heroes and history into her own fictional romance. It's my favorite combination for reading my favorite genre Scottish historical romance.
Sadly the next book The Ghost, book #12, will be the last in her magnificent masterpiece Highland Guard series, which I have absolutely and unequivocally loved each and every one! Thank you for writing such wonderful satisfying stories that I will never forget!
I highly recommend The Rogue you can read as stand alone or in book order, but I highly recommend you read all the books in Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series as they all spectacular from start to finish in my opinion.
The Highland Guard Series
1) The Chief
2) The Hawk
3) The Ranger
4) The Viper
5) The Saint
6) The Recruit
7) The Hunter
7.5) The Knight - ebook novella
8) The Raider
9) The Arrow
10)The Striker
11)The Rock
11.5) The Rogue - novella in ebook and print paperback
12)The Ghost - TBR May 31, 2016.
April 25, 2016
More like a rounded up to 3 stars, but I'll just leave it at that:
Three entertaining stars.
I apologized for disregarding Randolph throughout this series (he was NOT my favorite person, to be honest). Yet he turned out to be rather likeable after all, at least not as pig-headed as James Douglas (I know, I know, I have to stop comparing them!) and he followed the grovelling path nicely.
And Izzie - of course, don't forget Lady Isabel Stewart! - I've always liked her much better than Elizabeth or Joanna Douglas. So, this pair do not aggravate me as the Douglases. Thank gads!!! (That's the last, I swear!) This was the kind of lass that would compliment the array of tough spouses of Highland Guards. This is one of my favorite quotes from her:
Set during the siege of Edinburgh Castle period, this novella is one of the less war-like story of the series. Also, because the story took place concurrently with those in The Rock, a lot of the sequences only described as an aside. In light of those, I wouldn't recommend this novella to be read as a standalone. I'd suggest reader to finish The Rock first as to have more sense of the goings-on in this novella.
A somewhat predictable plot - discounting the events happened in The Rock - post siege. But since we got to meet Hawk and a couple other guards there, I didn't mind so much. He taught Izzie a good thing to irritate Randolph.
I hereby forgive Randolph for the past disloyalty and antics he had done. And now I finished this, I'm ready to dive into The Ghost! :)
Three entertaining stars.
I apologized for disregarding Randolph throughout this series (he was NOT my favorite person, to be honest). Yet he turned out to be rather likeable after all, at least not as pig-headed as James Douglas (I know, I know, I have to stop comparing them!) and he followed the grovelling path nicely.
And Izzie - of course, don't forget Lady Isabel Stewart! - I've always liked her much better than Elizabeth or Joanna Douglas. So, this pair do not aggravate me as the Douglases. Thank gads!!! (That's the last, I swear!) This was the kind of lass that would compliment the array of tough spouses of Highland Guards. This is one of my favorite quotes from her:
"When I fall in love, it will be with someone who knows how to laugh at himself, who doesn't mind making a few mistakes, who doesn't think the world is his personal stage, and who has something meaningful to say beyond what he thinks I want to hear."
Set during the siege of Edinburgh Castle period, this novella is one of the less war-like story of the series. Also, because the story took place concurrently with those in The Rock, a lot of the sequences only described as an aside. In light of those, I wouldn't recommend this novella to be read as a standalone. I'd suggest reader to finish The Rock first as to have more sense of the goings-on in this novella.
A somewhat predictable plot - discounting the events happened in The Rock - post siege. But since we got to meet Hawk and a couple other guards there, I didn't mind so much. He taught Izzie a good thing to irritate Randolph.
I hereby forgive Randolph for the past disloyalty and antics he had done. And now I finished this, I'm ready to dive into The Ghost! :)
April 27, 2016
Fabulous! All the right ingredients!
Don't you just love a good highlander romance with all the accoutrements.
A handsome knight who works at being perfect, refusing the messiness of love, a quick witted young lass who tempts him beyond endurance to imperfection, a lurking villain, and well-crafted passionate moments. Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, and Isabel 'Izzie' Stewart are star crossed lovers indeed. Their path to true love is strewn with quicksand and nearly insurmountable boulders of misunderstanding and plain old stubbornness.
First off Randolph is almost betrothed to Isobel's cousin Elizabeth Douglas. But as we saw in The Highland Guard #11, Elizabeth is busy denying her feelings for her childhood friend, the blacksmith commoner Thomas MacGowen, dubbed the Rock. Meanwhile, Randolph is busy denying his deeper attraction for Isabel. It seems he can't help but dig himself further into the mire, in his relationship with the very irritating Izzie. Spectacularly so!
Brought low by the unknown emotion until now of love, the Rogue finds within himself newly minted 'barbarian instincts.'
A fab novella that fills out the tale hinted at in the Rock, and earns Randolph a new nickname from Hawk, that of Brigand!
Don't you just love a good highlander romance with all the accoutrements.
A handsome knight who works at being perfect, refusing the messiness of love, a quick witted young lass who tempts him beyond endurance to imperfection, a lurking villain, and well-crafted passionate moments. Sir Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, and Isabel 'Izzie' Stewart are star crossed lovers indeed. Their path to true love is strewn with quicksand and nearly insurmountable boulders of misunderstanding and plain old stubbornness.
First off Randolph is almost betrothed to Isobel's cousin Elizabeth Douglas. But as we saw in The Highland Guard #11, Elizabeth is busy denying her feelings for her childhood friend, the blacksmith commoner Thomas MacGowen, dubbed the Rock. Meanwhile, Randolph is busy denying his deeper attraction for Isabel. It seems he can't help but dig himself further into the mire, in his relationship with the very irritating Izzie. Spectacularly so!
Brought low by the unknown emotion until now of love, the Rogue finds within himself newly minted 'barbarian instincts.'
A fab novella that fills out the tale hinted at in the Rock, and earns Randolph a new nickname from Hawk, that of Brigand!
April 25, 2016
Probably my least favorite book in the whole series. The H was an such an ass.
The h was okay, not my favorite, but passable.
All in all, I wish I could've skipped this.
The h was okay, not my favorite, but passable.
All in all, I wish I could've skipped this.
May 1, 2016
Rounded up from 2.5 stars because of Hawk's commentary and Izzy saving herself. The story might have worked better, for me, if it had been in The Rock.
June 13, 2020
Ugh! I can't believe I read this one out of order. But the good news is it doesn't matter. There are no spoilers for The Rock or The Ghost, which in my case, will be the final books of the series. I always try to read the books in series in order, not that anyone cares.
This book is Thomas Randolph's story. I don't remember a lot about him from the previous novels, but it is recapped in short in this book. The part to keep in mind is that The Black Douglas doesn't like him. Good. I didn't like The Black Douglas, but I did like Randolph and I especially liked Isabel.
Randolph is supposed to ask Douglas's cousin, Elizabeth, to marry him. The details are all worked out and it's just a matter of Randolph asking her. It's to be a marriage of convenience, of course, but Randolph doesn't care. He was still determined to prove himself to the others of the Highland Guard after defecting for a time to the English. He'd told Douglas that he'd marry her and was determined to do just that. Gosh darn the consequences!
But that was before Isabel worked her way into his heart when he wasn't looking. She was everything he didn't want in a woman. She laughed at him (something he despised), she was brutally honest, and she didn't care one whit for his peacock ways and his prowess with women. She didn't go all batty on him or fall at his feet because he was so handsome, debonair, and just happened to give her a smile or spoke to her. She's intelligent, witty, sensible, and made him work for her affections. He was the type that had women falling all over him all the time and he expected her to do the same--with no strings attached.
Not so fast, buddy. Isabel wants more than pretty words and a gorgeous man. She wants something Randolph can't give. She wants loyalty, respect, and love. It matters to her that he is supposed to be marrying Elizabeth, who happens to be her cousin, too, and she fights the attraction to Randolph, knowing that it's wrong. Randolph isn't going to keep it to one woman and she feels sorry for Elizabeth for that, but she isn't going to have it any other way. I admired her for that. I admired her for her spunk and her "take-no-hostages" attitude. I admired her for her loyalty to her cousin and her ingenuity when times got rough. I liked everything about her, which is something I can't say for every heroine. If she were an actual person, I would want to be her friend.
This book is shorter than the other books of this series, but has plenty of feels and steam. It's lacking nothing. It measures up with the rest of them, minus the war action and the fighting of the Highland Guard and their quest to get Robert Bruce on the throne. Bruce is already there and now they're taking castles. It wasn't a huge part of the story, but still made Randolph come out looking more heroic than he already was.
It's always so cool to see the other members of the Guard in these books, but in this one, McSorley (the Hawk) was like the Dr. Phil of romance. McSorley is one of my favorites of this series. His wit and charm never cease to make me laugh.
This earned a solid five stars.
This book is Thomas Randolph's story. I don't remember a lot about him from the previous novels, but it is recapped in short in this book. The part to keep in mind is that The Black Douglas doesn't like him. Good. I didn't like The Black Douglas, but I did like Randolph and I especially liked Isabel.
Randolph is supposed to ask Douglas's cousin, Elizabeth, to marry him. The details are all worked out and it's just a matter of Randolph asking her. It's to be a marriage of convenience, of course, but Randolph doesn't care. He was still determined to prove himself to the others of the Highland Guard after defecting for a time to the English. He'd told Douglas that he'd marry her and was determined to do just that. Gosh darn the consequences!
But that was before Isabel worked her way into his heart when he wasn't looking. She was everything he didn't want in a woman. She laughed at him (something he despised), she was brutally honest, and she didn't care one whit for his peacock ways and his prowess with women. She didn't go all batty on him or fall at his feet because he was so handsome, debonair, and just happened to give her a smile or spoke to her. She's intelligent, witty, sensible, and made him work for her affections. He was the type that had women falling all over him all the time and he expected her to do the same--with no strings attached.
Not so fast, buddy. Isabel wants more than pretty words and a gorgeous man. She wants something Randolph can't give. She wants loyalty, respect, and love. It matters to her that he is supposed to be marrying Elizabeth, who happens to be her cousin, too, and she fights the attraction to Randolph, knowing that it's wrong. Randolph isn't going to keep it to one woman and she feels sorry for Elizabeth for that, but she isn't going to have it any other way. I admired her for that. I admired her for her spunk and her "take-no-hostages" attitude. I admired her for her loyalty to her cousin and her ingenuity when times got rough. I liked everything about her, which is something I can't say for every heroine. If she were an actual person, I would want to be her friend.
This book is shorter than the other books of this series, but has plenty of feels and steam. It's lacking nothing. It measures up with the rest of them, minus the war action and the fighting of the Highland Guard and their quest to get Robert Bruce on the throne. Bruce is already there and now they're taking castles. It wasn't a huge part of the story, but still made Randolph come out looking more heroic than he already was.
It's always so cool to see the other members of the Guard in these books, but in this one, McSorley (the Hawk) was like the Dr. Phil of romance. McSorley is one of my favorites of this series. His wit and charm never cease to make me laugh.
This earned a solid five stars.
January 19, 2024
3.5 Stars!
I enjoyed this one much more than the Rock.
I loved both MCs - even though the heroine may not be as breathtakingly beautiful as the previous book. Somehow, the MCs in this installment match and compliment each other perfectly. They are amazing together.
I loved their chemistry.
And their internal battle.
Despite this being a short book, I truly enjoyed it.
Very sweet but still full of angst.
I enjoyed this one much more than the Rock.
I loved both MCs - even though the heroine may not be as breathtakingly beautiful as the previous book. Somehow, the MCs in this installment match and compliment each other perfectly. They are amazing together.
I loved their chemistry.
And their internal battle.
Despite this being a short book, I truly enjoyed it.
Very sweet but still full of angst.
November 30, 2022
This novella should have been the main book while "The Rock" was the novella, because I care WAY more about Randolph and Isabel than Thomas and Cate. Also Randolph is a more significant character to the larger war effort so in general his story just would have been so much more interesting. But fine, I guess the series can't be perfect.
February 16, 2019
3.5 stars
Loved this h ... H was wishy-washy and a jerk ... but I liked the way he decides he may be in love; by deciding that since he is miserable, he must be in love ...
Loved this h ... H was wishy-washy and a jerk ... but I liked the way he decides he may be in love; by deciding that since he is miserable, he must be in love ...
November 20, 2021
3.5 stars.
January 23, 2024
4 🌟's
loved these two nerds
loved these two nerds
November 4, 2021
it was okay.
May 19, 2016
Enjoyable 3.5 stars
After reading the reviews for this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. It seemed like readers fell into two camps - they loved it or they hated it. I think I am in the middle. I liked it - but I didn't love it. After reading The Rock and being disappointed, I had high hopes for Randolph and Izzie. Maybe, I expected too much and that made a perfectly good book fall a little short for me.
While the story is concurrent with The Rock - I did not feel like it was a retelling of that story (Thank the Lord). In fact just the few glimpses of Elizabeth in this book was enough to make me hate her all over again - LOL. Izzie was by far a better heroine and one of my favorites in the series.
Thomas Randolph was a bit more of a jerk than I was expecting and his treatment of Izzie was shabby. He also seemed a little dense - was it really that hard for him to understand how hurtful his words and actions came across?
He did redeem himself at the end and I loved that Izzie made him work for it - but that seemed like a somewhat recycled theme from The Rock and The Knight.
I did enjoy the cameo by Erik MacSorley aka Hawk (my favorite hero in the series) and I liked both Izzie and Randolph at the end of the book.
As always, the authors notes were fascinating and the writing was great. I would recommend this novella and am looking forward to The Ghost.
After reading the reviews for this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. It seemed like readers fell into two camps - they loved it or they hated it. I think I am in the middle. I liked it - but I didn't love it. After reading The Rock and being disappointed, I had high hopes for Randolph and Izzie. Maybe, I expected too much and that made a perfectly good book fall a little short for me.
While the story is concurrent with The Rock - I did not feel like it was a retelling of that story (Thank the Lord). In fact just the few glimpses of Elizabeth in this book was enough to make me hate her all over again - LOL. Izzie was by far a better heroine and one of my favorites in the series.
Thomas Randolph was a bit more of a jerk than I was expecting and his treatment of Izzie was shabby. He also seemed a little dense - was it really that hard for him to understand how hurtful his words and actions came across?
He did redeem himself at the end and I loved that Izzie made him work for it - but that seemed like a somewhat recycled theme from The Rock and The Knight.
I did enjoy the cameo by Erik MacSorley aka Hawk (my favorite hero in the series) and I liked both Izzie and Randolph at the end of the book.
As always, the authors notes were fascinating and the writing was great. I would recommend this novella and am looking forward to The Ghost.
April 27, 2020
It was...okie dokie!
As far as novellas go for this series, this story was one of the better ones. Maybe the fact that it was an extremely fast read that I could get it over with a.s.a.p. was a contributing factor, as well as enjoying Hawk’s comedy relief. Wasn’t exactly in love with Randy but I liked him better than Jimmy Douglas, and Izzy was at least a stronger heroine in this book. I think it also helped that there was already a known backstory about the lovely couple from the previous book ‘The Rock’.
As far as I know, the next book is the last one.
Come on, Me Like Reading, you can do it, you’re almost there, the Green Mile (thanks Stephen King).
Sorry but not sorry, the series is dragging its heels at this point, which truly is a pity, and with the following twelfth book will hopefully bring the sweet release of the Otherworld for the brawny Highland Guard brethren and their lasses.
“Death before surrender!”
Indeed, Phantom warriors, indeed.
*salutes*
Shite, talkative family members that I’m holed up with during this Covid-19 pandemic are converging on me to *shudder* socialize again. I fear I must flee to my Introvert Bedroom Haven where I can silently read Highland Guard book #12 in the hopes that they won’t hear me and, thus, won’t be inclined to knock on my door. At least for a short reprieve before I am summoned by my awesome teenaged kid. ❤️
To the Ghost!
As far as novellas go for this series, this story was one of the better ones. Maybe the fact that it was an extremely fast read that I could get it over with a.s.a.p. was a contributing factor, as well as enjoying Hawk’s comedy relief. Wasn’t exactly in love with Randy but I liked him better than Jimmy Douglas, and Izzy was at least a stronger heroine in this book. I think it also helped that there was already a known backstory about the lovely couple from the previous book ‘The Rock’.
As far as I know, the next book is the last one.
Come on, Me Like Reading, you can do it, you’re almost there, the Green Mile (thanks Stephen King).
Sorry but not sorry, the series is dragging its heels at this point, which truly is a pity, and with the following twelfth book will hopefully bring the sweet release of the Otherworld for the brawny Highland Guard brethren and their lasses.
“Death before surrender!”
Indeed, Phantom warriors, indeed.
*salutes*
Shite, talkative family members that I’m holed up with during this Covid-19 pandemic are converging on me to *shudder* socialize again. I fear I must flee to my Introvert Bedroom Haven where I can silently read Highland Guard book #12 in the hopes that they won’t hear me and, thus, won’t be inclined to knock on my door. At least for a short reprieve before I am summoned by my awesome teenaged kid. ❤️
To the Ghost!
June 17, 2020
Monica McCarty's heroines tend to ruin her books for me, (terribly immature, demanding, daft, etc.), but both of the men in her novellas in this series (James Douglas in The Knight, and Thomas Randolph in this one (as well as Isabel)) are real people and actual great-grandparents of mine, so of course I had to read theirs! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed The Knight, (the heroine was even believably reasonable), and similarly I enjoyed about the first 1/2 to 2/3s of this one (til about the time they take the castle). The inconvenient but inevitable romance was developed well and both characters were pretty likable. The second part though, the hero just continued to be SO resistant to acknowledging his feelings, and the heroine became considerably less and less reasonable as well. =/ Events went sort of haywire also. Without the ending portion I might have given it 4 stars, but as it is, 3 stars seems slightly generous. Still, I'm happy someone wrote a couple stories based on my distant ancestors and that I read them!
March 4, 2017
Yet another impressive romance story in the Highland Guard series. Sir Thomas Randolph the new Earl of Moray and favorite cousin to King Robert The Bruce is planning to marry Elizabeth Douglas, but her infer orating cousin Isabel/Izzie is getting under his skin or in his skin.
The Rogue is taking place simultaneously as Bk. 11 The Rock. Elizabeth is truly in love with her childhood friend Thomas MacGowen, while being supposedly courted by Randolph. Elizabeth throws Sir Randolph and her cousin Izzie together so she can be with Thomas MacGowen. Soon Izzie and Randolph find themselves attracted to each other and falling in love. What to do? Does he break his agreement to marry Elizabeth or hurt the women he truly loves Isabel/Izzie?
The story is fast paced, romantic, exciting and very sensuous. I loved the storyline and the way all four of these favorite characters find there way to there perspective HEA!! I Highly Recommend The Rogue and the entire Highland Guard Series!!
The Rogue is taking place simultaneously as Bk. 11 The Rock. Elizabeth is truly in love with her childhood friend Thomas MacGowen, while being supposedly courted by Randolph. Elizabeth throws Sir Randolph and her cousin Izzie together so she can be with Thomas MacGowen. Soon Izzie and Randolph find themselves attracted to each other and falling in love. What to do? Does he break his agreement to marry Elizabeth or hurt the women he truly loves Isabel/Izzie?
The story is fast paced, romantic, exciting and very sensuous. I loved the storyline and the way all four of these favorite characters find there way to there perspective HEA!! I Highly Recommend The Rogue and the entire Highland Guard Series!!
April 27, 2016
I am really surprised by the not so great reviews on here! I may be biased as I am a huge Highland Guard fan, seriously the paperbacks are taking over my shelves!
I love the historical written in a modern way that I can understand smoothly. Randolph and Izzie are a cute couple and I was rooting for them in The Rock, given that we got a glimpse of them previously I can understand why this story is a novella.
They have a story of annoying at first sight turned romance. it is quite charming and found myself smiling during reading.
Monica skips over a lot of details, the capturing of the castle etc because they were previously covered, making this such a short read (approximately 3 hrs w/ breaks) It definitely isn't a stand alone.
Give it a shot, I think it is worth it if you have enjoyed the other 10 books in the series, they are my kilty pleasure! ( <- terrible pun)
I love the historical written in a modern way that I can understand smoothly. Randolph and Izzie are a cute couple and I was rooting for them in The Rock, given that we got a glimpse of them previously I can understand why this story is a novella.
They have a story of annoying at first sight turned romance. it is quite charming and found myself smiling during reading.
Monica skips over a lot of details, the capturing of the castle etc because they were previously covered, making this such a short read (approximately 3 hrs w/ breaks) It definitely isn't a stand alone.
Give it a shot, I think it is worth it if you have enjoyed the other 10 books in the series, they are my kilty pleasure! ( <- terrible pun)
May 3, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I loved Izzie in The Rock and I was excited to read about her in The Rogue. She's an excellent heroine. Other reviewers disliked how arrogant Randolph was. He was arrogant, but we also hear about how arrogant he is from Izzie's skewed perceptions. I think he was more struggling with emotions than arrogant.
I really did enjoy this book. I understand it's a novella, but it was a lot of rehashing of The Rock. It was mostly telling instead of showing. Even when the story line separated from The Rock and Izzie's story became unique, McCarty continue to tell us what happened instead of show us. It was disappointing.
I wish there had been more "showing" of Izzie's life. And more "showing" of how Randolph wooed her in the end. The end seemed a bit hasty, and although I was happy, I continue to wish for more.
I really did enjoy this book. I understand it's a novella, but it was a lot of rehashing of The Rock. It was mostly telling instead of showing. Even when the story line separated from The Rock and Izzie's story became unique, McCarty continue to tell us what happened instead of show us. It was disappointing.
I wish there had been more "showing" of Izzie's life. And more "showing" of how Randolph wooed her in the end. The end seemed a bit hasty, and although I was happy, I continue to wish for more.
May 15, 2016
Not a fan of the book cover, or the main male character who took his time proving to the woman of his dreams that he was not the arrogant and narcissistic person she thought him to be, but for some reason, I found this novella pleasantly different from the rest of the Highland Guard installment. I don’t know, perhaps it’s because the story’s short but appealing (its plot is actually connected with The Rock’s), the characters’ temperament are not too pesky, and sex, while a palpable element here as was the case with most historical romance stories, is not shown as the book’s main sell-out.
July 23, 2016
While this pairing was definitely a holdover from the last installment my feelings about the couple didn't change. I liked her quite a bit and had no use for the pompous self-involved hero. As the hero fell so far from this readers taste the enjoyment of the read was in the Bruce's other guardians. Ms. McCarty however did not disappoint with her skill of weaving an intricate story for her multi-layered characters.
Rating: 3.75stars
Rating: 3.75stars
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