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A Sanctuary of Secrets . . .
Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass, who captures Gavin’s heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.
The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well, and when a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal.Then, as Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God’s love is more powerful than any human force on earth.
"Travel back to medieval Scotland with this great inspirational tale of faith and compassion." - FreshFiction.com
"Highland Sanctuary is a wonderful medieval tale fraught with rich, compelling drama, excellent characterization, a plot with depth, beautifully described backdrops, and satisfying romance. In other words, a page turner. (Not recommended if you don't want to miss a night of sleep!)" - Sharlene MacLaren, Retailers' Choice nominee, IRCA finalist and bestselling author of Daughters of Jacob Kane series andRiver of Hope series
"Jennifer Hudson Taylor haspenned a heart-warming medieval romance full of mystery and intrigue with Highland Sanctuary. This book grabbed my attention from page one and kept it as I prayed for Serena to recover from her mystery illness and find true acceptance and freedom."- Laura V. Hilton, author of Patchwork Dreams
"Highland Sanctuary offers just that—a reading sanctuary set in medieval Scotland, full of mystique and romance. To use the author’s own words, it’s a book that will remind readers that while there is no Heaven on earth, God can guide us through our challenges. Well done, Jennifer Hudson Taylor!"—Maureen Lang, author of Whisper on the Wind and Springtime of the Spirit
"Jennifer Hudson Taylor has written a moving story of sacrificial love and heartrending choices amidst the haunting beauty of the Scottish highland coast."Ruth Axtell Morren, author of Wild Rose and Winter Is Past
"Jennnifer Hudson Taylor has written another wonderful Scottish medieval novel. In Highland Sanctuary, she masterfully created a setting and authentically portrayed the culture of the time period. And the characters leapt from the pages." - Lena Nelson Dooley, award-winning author of the McKenna's Daughters series and Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico
jwitt33
Posted January 26, 2012
I received an ebook free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
What a refreshing book! I am so glad I had a chance to read this story because I enjoyed it very much! I wasn't aware when I requested it that it was the second in a series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. After reading this one, though, I am definitely going to go back and read the first book, because if it was half as good as this one, then I know I'm going to love it!
Serena Boyd has had 'fits', or seizures, since she was born. Unfortunately, the book is set in Scotland in a time when anybody who had the falling disease (as epilepsy was called back then) was thought to be possessed by the devil, and many were burned at the stake as witches. For this reason, Serena's mother, Evelina, runs away from her husband to a place where she and Serena can hide out, a place full of misfits that outsiders call The Village of Outcasts. There Serena is raised to be a very kind Christian girl who is loved by all those in the village. Unfortunately, someone is terrorizing the villagers for unknown reasons, so the king sends Gavin MacKenzie, his brother, Leith, and their men to go undercover and find out what's going on. They are working at Braigh castle, restoring and rebuilding it, while also trying to figure out if something untoward happened to the old Laird, and to protect the new Laird, Iain MacBraigh. On their way there, Gavin meets Evelina and Serena, who had a 'fit' and fell off of their wagon, hitting her head. Gavin falls for Serena, but Serena is so scared of anyone finding out about her problem that she tries to keep him at arm's length. That works fine, until she has a fit not only in front of Gavin, but in front of the whole town of people, who denounce her for being possessed.
There is so much more to this story that I can't even begin to get into here! The characters are so well fleshed out that you feel like you know them, and the writing is excellent. The story moves along at a quick pace as there is always something going on. The romance is sweet and Gavin makes an excellent hero!
I can't wait to go back and read the first book, Highland Blessings, and I will be waiting anxiously for the next book to come out! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Leith will get his own story one day :D
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 23, 2012
Characters in the book were very well described---it was hard to put the book down-----And it had a great ending!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 8, 2012
This was an enjoyable book
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 18, 2012
Loved the story
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 4, 2012
It had lots of twists and turns. Lots of talk of faith, love and sacrifice. It goes to show Gods words dont change no matter the time period.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 29, 2012
The romantic element of this book was very satisfying. The other aspect of the book was good too - it just almost got too much for me towards the end. Really good though!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 28, 2012
I love this era of historical romance. This was a well thought out book. It is has a partner that was interwoven well enough for me to follow without having to go back and reread excerpts from that one, too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 21, 2012
The book won't go past pg 17, then it goes back to page 9. I hope they fix it soon, sounded like it would be a good read.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 2, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed the story from the start. I had a very hard time putting my Nook down at times....and to think this was a Free Friday Book. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought Highland Blessing by Jennifer Hudson Taylor which I also enjoyed.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 27, 2012
I enjoyed this book. Nice story line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 25, 2012
I haven't read the others in this series, but this story easily stood alone and made me want to check out the others. Enjoyable characters in the historical context of Scotland. Well-written.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2012
I have tried reading book but has issue passing page 27 it goes back 9 help
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 27, 2012
Everytime I try to go past page 17 it takes me back to page 9. Anyone else habing this issue? I tried deleting and reloading it but it does the same thing. Help!
Jen
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 8, 2013
Highland Sanctuary –
2nd in Jennifer Hudson Taylor’s Highland series and as riveting as her first.
I’ve been emotionally invested in these characters and the intrigue of their story for the entire 331 pages. There was no putting down to pick up later. No time was spared in waiting to find out what was going to happen next. The emotional impact is intense. The story, consuming.
From the delightful tartan binding and medieval castle featured cover to the Highland intrigue, romance, and colourful celtic characters; vivid descriptions that captured my senses to superstitions that grieved my spirit; this story is not to be missed.
A Fantastic addition to the Scotland Reading Challenge .
Thank you , Jennifer, for sharing your writing gift with us!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 20, 2012
Grear read hard to put down
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Posted October 16, 2012
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 28, 2012
Good easy reading!
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Posted February 25, 2012
Great book.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 18, 2011
I really enjoyed Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor. I was immersed in the story from the very beginning. Hudson Taylors¿s main characters Gavin and Serena stay in your mind long after the story is over.
Set in Scotland during the reign of James the Third, Hudson Taylors¿s story was, for the most part, believable. Her attention to detail helped make the story come to vivid life and found myself eager to know what was going to happen in this tale. I read it through in two evenings.
It¿s so easy to empathize with Serena. She¿s in a very difficult situation and can really see no way out. Her mother, who has protected her for years, knows that both she and Serena¿s old nursemaid are growing old. She wants Serena to find happiness but how can Serena do this and protect her secret?
Gavin is a stranger to the Village of Outcasts, sent to work on rebuilding Braigh Castle and to protect the villagers and the laird from harm. But only the laird knows Gavin and his men are there for protection, so when strange things start happening in the village it looks as if Gavin and his men are to blame. Could there be a traitor among them?
I felt that Highland Sanctuary was well-written with believable characters and an interesting and somewhat complex storyline that was brought to a satisfying conclusion that left no loose ends. My only complaint is that there are several grammar and spelling mistakes. It¿s not an overwhelming amount by any stretch of the imagination. I would estimate there were about fifteen mistakes in all, but it was enough to distract me slightly from was otherwise a terrific story.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 25, 2011
Highland Sanctuary is book two in the series. I loved book one, Highland Blessings. This one is with the brother of the lady in book one. I loved this one just as much. Jennifer is able to make the characters come alive and the setting seem as if you are right there with them.
In Highland Blessings you meet Gavin. He is actually one of my favorite side characters in that book. I am so glad he got his own story. He is a strong and compassionate person. Serena is a sweet and caring young woman who is intelligent and loving. her friends are loyal to her and she earns the love and respect of two powerful men. But who will win her heart?
The Village of Outcasts was one of my favorite parts. I loved meeting all of the people who lived there and watching how they cared for each other like a family. It is the age old lesson of treating others as creations of God and not looking down on them because they are different.
This is a great book for any age. Another great Christmas gift for those who love to read historical romance. Take a journey to 1477 Scotland and see how Gavin and Serena meet and fall in love.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
A Sanctuary of Secrets . . .
Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass, who captures Gavin’s heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.
The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well, and when a ...