The Blood of Roses

Highland Wolves Series, Book 2

By: Marsha Canham

Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison

In a novel that sizzles with passionate intrigue and breathtaking romance, Marsha Canham whisks the listener back to war-torn Scotland as a legendary warrior fights for the two things most precious to any man: his country and the woman he loves.

She was born an Englishwoman, but he made her a Scot, pledged to fight for her beloved husband - even against the country of her birth.

Catherine Ashbrooke Cameron had committed the unpardonable sin of falling in love with her husband-a Scottish spy she married in her English home. Now, as she raced to the Highlands, the innocent English beauty would learn the passions of war-and the price of love....

Alexander Cameron was a man with a price on his head and enemies to burn. Love had made the legendary warrior vulnerable. Now he must protect Catherine from the dangers that threatened them both. He had claimed her, touched her, loved her, and she vowed nothing would ever separate them again, even as he rode into a battle that would forever change the course of Scotland's history.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Marsha Canham (P)2022 Tantor

Culloden History

This book was really an extension or part 2 of Pride of Lions. Where the hero and heroine are married and love each other and are kept apart due to the events leading up to the defeat of the Scots at Culloden. The author does an excellent job of historical facts and doesn't shy away from the heartbreak of the battle and the losses really do hurt --but probably a sign of a good story just not everyone gets a HEA, sniff. The separation angst and fleeting reunions during wartime was a very unique way of writing their romance. This book in audio was long! but I did enjoy it and will definitely read more of the author.

History and Romance combine to preserve a legacy

History and romance combine to retell the history of the Scottish rebellion and resounding defeat at
Culloden. Marsha Canham knows her history and is not afraid to retell it. Couched within a romance which is exceptional, Ms Canham recounts the historical tale of Bonny Prince Charlie’s attempt to replace the Hanoverian king with the Catholic king, James. Doomed to fail, we are exposed to the heart wrenching
attempts by the Scots to defeat the English in order to regain their religion, autonomy and freedom. Ms Canham’s descriptions of the battle, the carnage and Charles’ overweening pride and bravado can only lead the reader into the desperate foreboding of the doom to come. As observers, we can see the outcome and feel our own despair but we cannot look away.
Amid many twists and turns, we encounter surprises. Amid the battles and skirmishes, we lose friends that we have come to like and even love.

Mhairi Morrison is an amazing narrator. Because of her wide emotive scope and large arsenal of voices and accents, we are able to hear the voices of love and hate, nationalism and racism, courage, honor and conviction which drive the characters to act and respond to their situations with truth and honesty.

The forlorn outcome of the lives left alive leave us with a desperate sadness but also with hope for their future. Much has been lost, but much will be regained.

Historical background

The story is interesting except for too many repetitions, long unnecessary descriptions of scenes and battles which made the novel too long.