The Saint

Allison Butler

Jan 2019 · Highland Brides Book 3 · Sold by HarperCollins Australia

About this ebook

He has chosen a chaste life, but he's never been tempted like this...

Callum has two childhood memories: a stone cross, and the wanton behaviour of his mother, memories that drive him to a take a vow of celibacy at the age of fourteen. Now twenty-four, Callum takes leave from his laird for a year to find the source of these memories and, hopefully, his origins. Weary of finding nothing but disappointment and sorrow at every Kirk and Spital he visits, and with his allotted time fast running out, Cal is compelled to escort a dying man's daughter south to Restenneth Priory. But he never expects the dark-haired woman's hope and determination to tempt him to recant his oath or to make him question everything he believes in.

At the tender age of six, Isla Beaton learned a hard lesson about never giving up despite the challenges and grief that might come her way. Now orphaned and alone at nineteen, she has discarded her girlhood dreams of a love-match in marriage, but neither will she accept the betrothal arrangement set up by her father years before. Instead, she must rely on Callum, a stranger her father sends to her door, to deliver her to the priory where she will dedicate the rest of her life to God. But as their destination draws closer, the time she spends with Callum and the one kiss they share has her wondering if maybe there is hope for the treasured dreams of a girl after all.

Ratings and reviews

The Saint is book three in the Highland Brides series. Callum is a man without a family or much of a past. He spends a year searching to discover his origin. While on his search, he encounters a young woman who needs his help. Isla Beaton is dependent upon a stranger when her father dies. Callum vows to see her safely to Restenneth Priory where her last remaining relative lives. Isla is intent on serving God, but one kiss from Callum threatens to destroy her resolve. This is a very well written story and one of my favorite Butler books. I thought Butler told Isla’s point of view masterfully. Although this book is in a series, it truly can be read as a stand alone. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I was gifted a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Memories from childhood can often affect our lives and that is the case with Callum. He only remembers his mother's loose behavior and a stone cross, before he was left as an orphan. He want to devote his life to the church. But at the age of twenty four he goes on a quest, with two of his friends that were orphans also, to discover from whence they came. Along the way Callum ends up caring for some lepers and one man, Thane, who is near death, asks him to protect his daughter, who is alone, and help her get to her uncle. It seems fate has taken a hand to lead him to Isla, Thane's daughter, but there is more at stake than he could imagine! He finds her in dire circumstances and they find themselves fleeing for their lives and needing to get to her destination which is to devote herself to God. Yes I see a similarity her to her and Callum, but can they stop the attraction that blooms between them? Will they go their separate ways once she is safe? This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The characters were very descriptive and I could feel their emotions. Looking forward to reading more in this series and I know you will too! I read this through NetGallery

About the author

Allison Butler is an author of Scottish historical romance. She spent her early years in country NSW building pretend castles with hay bales and leaping white posts with her army of two older sisters and a younger brother. Many years later, with her mother's influence, she discovered a passion for words and history, read her first historical romance and was inspired to create her own. She writes most mornings and cares for the elderly in the afternoons. Her love of travel has given her the gift of many amazing sights but none more heart-stirring than the rugged beauty of Scotland. Allison lives in a small town in NSW, Australia, with her very own Scottish hero. Their two beautiful daughters have left the nest to feather their own and have begun their own adventures. Allison loves spending time with family and friends, travelling, taking photos, reading, dancing like no one's watching and seeing the sights from the back of her husband's motorcycle.