This latest edition of Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series is the story of the warrior Ewen Lamont; the chief of a minor clan, and who is loyal to the leader of the Scottish rebellion, Robert the Bruce. He is known as Hunter for his exceptional tracking and evading skills. Ewen is given the assignment of finding a missing courier, and making sure that vital information gets safely to Robert Bruce. This is no common courier, however; but an Italian nun called Sister Genna. Finding her is the easy part. Keeping her safe and getting her and her information safely to Bruce is another matter entirely.

Sister Genna is in reality Janet of Mar, long thought dead in the burning and collapse of a bridge. She had tried to gather men together to try to save her twin sister Mary, who was being held hostage in the court of the English king. Janet is also a loyal and true Scot, acting as spy and courier to do whatever she can to aid in the Scottish rebellion against an unjust tyranny. Having been betrothed twice, she has no interest in marriage. She wants to aid Robert Bruce's rebellion in any way she can, and knows that marriage would curtail her dangerous endeavors; so she keeps her identity and spying secret to all.

Trouble begins brewing the instant these two meet. English agents have begun to suspect that the church is being used as spies and couriers, putting Janet/Genna's safety in grave danger. There is also an instant attraction between the two. Ewen is horrified at the carnal pull he feels for what he believes to be a true nun. Even as Ewen puts aside his lust and tries to guide Sister Genna to safety, she is determined to break away from him to see one of her contacts in a town teeming with English soldiers. She escapes Ewen, but is nearly captured by an English emissary. Ewen rescues her, and they are soon on the run from English soldiers who are hot on their heels. The attraction between the two grows; but even as Ewen learns that Janet is not truly a nun there is an even greater threat to their growing love, a threat that Ewen is powerless to defy.

THE HUNTER is another strong addition to an excellent ongoing series about the lives and loves of the Highland Guards during a time of great strife and trouble in Scotland's history. The research of the time period is very well done, and with an earnestly believable personal story woven in seamlessly. This is another highly enjoyable action-filled read for fans of the series, but can easily be read standalone.

Book Summary

The war for Scotland’s freedom continues as King Robert the Bruce battles on. At his command is an elite army of trained warriors, soldiers dedicated to their king, their country— and to the remarkable women they love. Prized for his unbeatable tracking skills, Ewen “Hunter” Lamont accepts a dangerous assignment: locate a missing undercover courier. But this is no ordinary target. Ewen has met his prey before as “Sister Genna,” a fiery, forbidden woman forever etched in his memory after one stolen, sinful kiss. Now that he knows her real identity, he’s more determined than ever to keep her safe. But without the protection of the veil between them, fighting the allure of the beautiful lass may be the toughest battle this extraordinary warrior has ever faced. After her ill-fated attempt three years ago to rescue her twin sister, Janet of Mar has found salvation acting as a royal messenger—until she surrenders to a darkly handsome warrior whose rough, sensual kisses stir feelings the woman in her can’t deny. But when betrayal leads to danger, and a crucial communiqué is put in jeopardy, Janet has no choice but to put her faith in the hunter who can find anything— perhaps even her heart.