Unicorn Vengeance

This installment of the McTiernay series starts with a bang – Shinae Mayboill, a nun and sister to Conan’s wife Mhairi, is singlehandedly defending Dryburgh Abbey in the lowlands from attack by the English and she is holding her own. She thinks she has everything under control when another warrior enters – but Cyric Schellden is there to help and is very impressed by Shinae’s skills, so much so that he convinces her to work as a spy for the king. And her first mission will be to travel to the McTiernay seat at Lochlen castle and not only warn her sister and brother-in-law of the danger they are in but also ferret out the traitor to the king! So Shinae renounces her vows and sets out with another ex-nun, Isilme for Lochlen.

Former McTiernay commander Camdyn “Brodie” Dunstan is back at Lochlen after spending the last eight years working for Laird Mahon Donavan under the misassumption that he would be named the Laird’s heir. But without warning, Mahon dismissed Brodie and sent him back to the McTiernay clan. So now Brodie is trying to find his purpose and has escaped the castle walls for some much-needed peace and quiet, now that most of the McTiernay brothers and their families have descended on Lochlen for the Lammas celebration. But despite wanting to be alone, his friend Dunlop joins him and as they venture out they come across a woman on the verge of collapse, just as a storm hits. Brodie takes the woman to a nearby cottage and Dunlop goes to find her traveling companion.

While waiting out the storm, Brodie and Shinae get to know each other and share an instant attraction, so when they are discovered alone and barely dressed by Laurel McTiernay, neither objects when Laurel proclaims they will have to marry. But can instant attraction be enough for near-strangers to find a HEA, especially with the secrets Shinae is keeping?

As I said, this story starts with a bang, and the first 25% is chocked full of action, adventure, and attraction, but I am sorry to say after they marry, the book slows down and has so many characters all actively vying for page time, that the story seems to veer off track and becomes murky, add to that a secondary romance and what seems to be an episode of “The Real Housewives of Lochlen” and I almost forgot what Shinae had come to Lochlen for in the first place. It isn’t until almost the end of the book that secrets are shared and the original purpose of Shinae’s mission comes to light, at which time, the author throws in a twist that does give the ending a bit of excitement. Overall, the book was OK but is not one of my favorite installments and I wouldn’t read it again. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a novella and had a lot fewer McTiernay cameos.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*