Having an impulsive female lead, such as Cambria in this story, is a sure way to let you know this story is going to have its unforeseen twists and turns. In the normal run of historical romance books, the damsel is usually in distress. Not so here, which makes for a playful and refreshing experience.
Being a bit impulsive myself, I started the trilogy not on its first book, My Hero, but on the second, My Warrior. Why did I do that? Because I figured that if the writing was any good, you can go in any order, visit each one of the three brothers and see their world, experience their adventures out of the prescribed order. I was not disappointed.
This book presents the second brother, Holden de Ware, whose heartbeat quickens upon meeting Cambria. She sparks love in him, and furthermore, she becomes a challenge which brings to mind the Taming of the Shrew: Without the hand of a mother to guide her, Cambria is wild and spontaneous. She hates him, she loves him. When her father dies, she becomes the chieftain in his stead, facing a Scotland divided by war. It falls to Holden, appointed by King Edward to represent England, to try and negotiate peace amidst treacheries and mistrust.
So the challenge is on the political level as well as the personal one, it is a challenge in love and war. A note about the cover art, where amidst the shadows you can catch a glimpse of Holden in his shining armor. He is holding his helmet, which is adorned with a fancy feather, and seems to be biding his time, waiting for someone. Perhaps for Cambria. I enjoy the fact he is standing with his back to me, so that I am waiting for him to turn around. It is the moment before action...
Five stars.