Title: To Protect the Heir
Author: H. Lewis-Foster
Genre: Historical Scotland
Length: Short (30pgs)
Publisher: JMS Books (4th September 2013)
Heat Level: Low – Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3½ – 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: In 16th Century Scotland, the clans are in a state of relative peace, but the younger sons of the Strathyre clan are still expected to serve two years of military service. Mackie isn’t a keen soldier, but his duties have been made more bearable by highly pleasurable encounters with fellow conscripts, particularly the muscle-bound cavalryman, Stirling. With their green kilts hoisted round their hips, the men find ways of staying warm in the inhospitable Scottish climate.
Mackie’s least favorite task is lookout duty in the woods outside the chieftain’s castle, where he’s unexpectedly forced into action when he spies an intruder among the trees. He’s never seen real combat before and, because of the incident, is assigned to accompany the chieftain’s eldest son Alexander to his uncle’s castle in Braelen. Alexander is an amicable young man, who treats Mackie and his colleagues with respect, and is also extremely attractive.
The trip should be short and uneventful, but when disaster strikes, Mackie’s strength, and bravery are put to the test. But soon he finds himself in an even more risky situation, as it becomes clear Alexander wants more from him than simply protection. Mackie knows he’ll get into trouble if he succumbs, but he also feels sympathy for Alexander, whose sexual freedom has been curtailed by the need to provide an heir to the clan. As they continue towards Braelen, Mackie tries to maintain the proper distance between a soldier and his master, but as the pair are confronted with danger, will the temptation of the chieftain’s son become too much to bear?
Purchase Link: http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=919
Review: Mackie is on lookout duty in the woods of his clans land when, for the first time, he has to defend his chieftain’s land. After some praise and teasing, he is assigned the duty of escorting the chieftain’s son, Alexander, to his uncle’s castle and Mackie is put to the test of real combat. When they are attacked Mackie must protect Alexander, and after the life or death situation Alexander wants to celebrate life in the most carnal of ways, Mackie finds it hard to rebuff the attractive man. A relationship between the soldier and the heir is out of the question but the attraction is hard to deny, but Alexander knows he has to do his duty.
This cute short story has a love that is forbidden not just between men, but their stations in life as well. Mackie is just serving his military time before he follows in his father’s footsteps to become a physician, when he finds himself noticed for protecting his chieftain’s land and is assigned to protect the heir. When the two find themselves alone after a brutal attack, they embark on a brief affair that neither wants to end.
This story really is too short to have got to know the characters very well but both men come across as good men, although Alexander isn’t the usual sort of man who Mackie is attracted to he becomes enamored to the heir pretty quickly when they are alone. Alexander makes his wishes well-known and they manage to find a way to be together. The story is very sweet even with the brutal deaths that bring them together, although there is a big jump from them both contemplating their duties and the dream they share of being together to nearly a year later when they manage to make a semblance of their dream.
I recommend this to those who love short sweet love stories, a touch of action and danger, dreams and wishes and a very happy ending.