My Comments
Malcolm comes undone when he arrives to his village to see devastation and ruin everywhere. His mother and sister have been kidnapped and sold into slavery, his brother has been tortured and left for dead, and homes have been burned to the ground..all because taxes were due and the Campbell clan took things too far to prove a point. Malcolm becomes enraged and is determined to seek revenge in his hate towards this barbaric family. When one of his men grabs Lauren Campbell in retaliation, Malcolm makes a scheme to use her as leverage against the Campbells and in getting his mother back.
Lauren is responsible for her younger sister, Blair, and enjoys taking food and supplies to the less fortunate. When she is kidnapped, her first impulse is to protect her sister. Then she is able to witness what has been done to her friends, the MacGregors, and is appalled by the damage her brothers and father have committed. She is determined not to show Malcolm fear and to help him get his family back, but can she trust him on his quest for revenge?
Malcolm has already made up his mind about using Lauren, but when he sees her compassionate ways he is deeply conflicted. Shes a Christian and comes from the deceptive Campbell clan, theres no way she can be genuine and her faith must be easy to come by seeing how she lives in such a comfortable way. Shes never suffered a day in her life, how can she appreciate the faith she claims to have? She must be spoiled deep down, her compassion is just a means to manipulate him, and even though he took her against her will, she really has no right to complain since he has not abused her. Theres no way Malcolm can trust her civility knowing the father she came from, but he makes it his business to protect her and make her as comfortable as possible while shes under his care. He must not read into their situation beyond that logic. When Lauren insists she forgives him despite his dishonorable method, he refuses the forgiveness as if he doesnt need it.
Half of the book takes place on a ship that travels from Scotland to the Americas in pursuit of Malcolms mother and sister. The rule of boarding for all passengers is for those who cannot afford the passage must travel as indentured servants who will be put up for auction once they reach the shore to be sold into plantations and families. Malcolm secures a place on board for him and Lauren and this is where their journey begins.
**Jennifer Hudson Taylor = BRILLIANT STORYTELLING AUTHOR**
There are two things this author is brilliantly talented at accomplishing when writing her stories..one, she is able to take two characters from battling families and completely change their perspectives of one another. They go from not liking each other (sometimes even despising one another) and not trusting one another into respecting one another and then they start to feel attracted to one another and this leads into something so much more profound and deeper than anything the reader could ever imagine. Two, she can take controversial subjects (even uninteresting subjects in history) and make a story that will grab the readers attention from the start and keep their interest until the last page. Both of these talents are very difficult to come by for any author and Taylor accomplishes both of these aspects in an effortless manner that makes the story flow for her readers.
Even though this book deals with the heartbreaking and unsettling prospects of slavery, the author writes about this historical issue with complete respect, authenticity, compassion, sacrifice, faith, unconventional loyalty, romance, and justice. There is nothing inappropriate in this story and its amazing what the characters go through to find Malcolms family. I was thrilled and utterly touched with every part of this book!
Lauren even gets unfairly placed in a bordello, but that part of the story is written with utmost tact and I was eager to see what was next for Lauren as she looks to God for mercy and in desperation.
I truly felt that this book was every bit as good as the book trailer, which held my full attention and does a very fitting job in describing EXACTLY how the plot moves. The scenery is accurate, each plight the main characters experience is perfectly written, the danger is felt, the romance is not rushed, forgiveness is given and accepted, there is one nasty storm at sea, there are slaves on the ship, and the mercy/favor/goodness/love of God is felt in the faithfulness and diligence of all Lauren endures when she is unexpectedly removed from her home in several ways. She touches more lives than she ever imagined possible and she learns that even in her suffering that God is ever present and answers her prayers.
There is even a part of the story where Lauren is angry with God and turns her back on Him. I was happy about that also because all Christians experience a time in their walk where their faith is really tested and can relate to this. However, Lauren learns that God never turned His back on her and not only does she heal but she falls in love with her Beloved all over again. That was such a joy for me to watch with Lauren on top of the justice done on her behalf.
I highly recommend this book not just for reading entertainment, but also because of the incredible blessing this story will bring. For Love or Loyalty is for anyone who enjoys a good adventure with two characters from different worlds who adjust to a whole new land. They must conquer treachery, corruption, betrayal, anger, slave owners, the unknown and adjustment to a whole new world, and a legacy of poverty bestowed upon the MacGregors that oppresses them. This incredible book also illustrates freedom, love, family, loyalty, friendship, and strength beyond Malcolm and Laurens understanding as they discover Gods love conquers all and is worth every obstacle. I utterly enjoyed Highland Blessings and Highland Sanctuary, but this is easily the authors best book and I look forward to more!
I want to give a special THANK YOU to the author for the print review copy sent to me. I also want to thank Upon the Rock Publishing for the chance to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Malcolm comes undone when he arrives to his village to see devastation and ruin everywhere. His mother and sister have been kidnapped and sold into slavery, his brother has been tortured and left for dead, and homes have been burned to the ground..all because taxes were due and the Campbell clan took things too far to prove a point. Malcolm becomes enraged and is determined to seek revenge in his hate towards this barbaric family. When one of his men grabs Lauren Campbell in retaliation, Malcolm makes a scheme to use her as leverage against the Campbells and in getting his mother back.
Lauren is responsible for her younger sister, Blair, and enjoys taking food and supplies to the less fortunate. When she is kidnapped, her first impulse is to protect her sister. Then she is able to witness what has been done to her friends, the MacGregors, and is appalled by the damage her brothers and father have committed. She is determined not to show Malcolm fear and to help him get his family back, but can she trust him on his quest for revenge?
Malcolm has already made up his mind about using Lauren, but when he sees her compassionate ways he is deeply conflicted. Shes a Christian and comes from the deceptive Campbell clan, theres no way she can be genuine and her faith must be easy to come by seeing how she lives in such a comfortable way. Shes never suffered a day in her life, how can she appreciate the faith she claims to have? She must be spoiled deep down, her compassion is just a means to manipulate him, and even though he took her against her will, she really has no right to complain since he has not abused her. Theres no way Malcolm can trust her civility knowing the father she came from, but he makes it his business to protect her and make her as comfortable as possible while shes under his care. He must not read into their situation beyond that logic. When Lauren insists she forgives him despite his dishonorable method, he refuses the forgiveness as if he doesnt need it.
Half of the book takes place on a ship that travels from Scotland to the Americas in pursuit of Malcolms mother and sister. The rule of boarding for all passengers is for those who cannot afford the passage must travel as indentured servants who will be put up for auction once they reach the shore to be sold into plantations and families. Malcolm secures a place on board for him and Lauren and this is where their journey begins.
**Jennifer Hudson Taylor = BRILLIANT STORYTELLING AUTHOR**
There are two things this author is brilliantly talented at accomplishing when writing her stories..one, she is able to take two characters from battling families and completely change their perspectives of one another. They go from not liking each other (sometimes even despising one another) and not trusting one another into respecting one another and then they start to feel attracted to one another and this leads into something so much more profound and deeper than anything the reader could ever imagine. Two, she can take controversial subjects (even uninteresting subjects in history) and make a story that will grab the readers attention from the start and keep their interest until the last page. Both of these talents are very difficult to come by for any author and Taylor accomplishes both of these aspects in an effortless manner that makes the story flow for her readers.
Even though this book deals with the heartbreaking and unsettling prospects of slavery, the author writes about this historical issue with complete respect, authenticity, compassion, sacrifice, faith, unconventional loyalty, romance, and justice. There is nothing inappropriate in this story and its amazing what the characters go through to find Malcolms family. I was thrilled and utterly touched with every part of this book!
Lauren even gets unfairly placed in a bordello, but that part of the story is written with utmost tact and I was eager to see what was next for Lauren as she looks to God for mercy and in desperation.
I truly felt that this book was every bit as good as the book trailer, which held my full attention and does a very fitting job in describing EXACTLY how the plot moves. The scenery is accurate, each plight the main characters experience is perfectly written, the danger is felt, the romance is not rushed, forgiveness is given and accepted, there is one nasty storm at sea, there are slaves on the ship, and the mercy/favor/goodness/love of God is felt in the faithfulness and diligence of all Lauren endures when she is unexpectedly removed from her home in several ways. She touches more lives than she ever imagined possible and she learns that even in her suffering that God is ever present and answers her prayers.
There is even a part of the story where Lauren is angry with God and turns her back on Him. I was happy about that also because all Christians experience a time in their walk where their faith is really tested and can relate to this. However, Lauren learns that God never turned His back on her and not only does she heal but she falls in love with her Beloved all over again. That was such a joy for me to watch with Lauren on top of the justice done on her behalf.
I highly recommend this book not just for reading entertainment, but also because of the incredible blessing this story will bring. For Love or Loyalty is for anyone who enjoys a good adventure with two characters from different worlds who adjust to a whole new land. They must conquer treachery, corruption, betrayal, anger, slave owners, the unknown and adjustment to a whole new world, and a legacy of poverty bestowed upon the MacGregors that oppresses them. This incredible book also illustrates freedom, love, family, loyalty, friendship, and strength beyond Malcolm and Laurens understanding as they discover Gods love conquers all and is worth every obstacle. I utterly enjoyed Highland Blessings and Highland Sanctuary, but this is easily the authors best book and I look forward to more!
I want to give a special THANK YOU to the author for the print review copy sent to me. I also want to thank Upon the Rock Publishing for the chance to review this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
