I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A man must decide if it is worth continuing a devastating war or leading his clan to a new tomorrow in author Ben Leman’s “Between the Tines.”

The Synopsis

Set on Cowal Peninsula in southwest Scotland in the 17th century, Between the Tines follows the family of Clan Lamont as they are drawn into a brutal confrontation with Clan Campbell, whose relentless ambition leaves a trail of fear and devastation in its wake. As Arran Lamont fights alongside his brothers and lifelong friends, Lain and Sean, in the war-torn regions around them, he is tested by betrayal, loss, and the steady destruction of everything his clan has built.

Even in the darkest moments, the heart of the Lamont family beats strongly through the women who hold the community together—Allie, Ariel, Lady Mary, and Isabel—offering charity, stability, and spiritual strength when hope is hardest to find. Their resilience becomes a cornerstone of the clan’s will to survive.

From Highland games to clandestine raids, from feasts to fog-shrouded battlefields, Arran’s transformational journey is one of loyalty, courage, and a love that quietly grows stronger through the turmoil. But as the Campbells tighten their grip and the land burns around them, Arran and Lain are forced to rethink their fight. What begins as open warfare shifts into rescue missions, covert strategies, and the fragile beginnings of a daring plan for their people’s future.

Haunted by the horrors he’s witnessed and bound by duty to those who remain, Arran faces an impossible choice: continue a war that may consume them all…or lead his people toward a new beginning across the ocean, where survival may come at the cost of everything he knows.

The Review

This was a compelling, gripping read. The author perfectly encapsulates life and experience in 17th-century Scotland, and the use of imagery in the author’s writing allows the reader to feel transported into the era, as if stepping onto the set of a film. The author’s captivating world brings to life the daily life, the challenges faced by those caught in war, and the emotional toll that so much violence and loss take on the people caught in the middle.

The character development in this narrative was top-notch. The struggles that Arran faces as a leader, a son, and a man facing overwhelming odds connect the reader so deeply to this story. The concept of legacy and how he is able to represent his people and his clan through these battles defines much of Arran’s early journey, and yet it is through the sheer volume of loss and hardship that a soldier and leader like Arran can truly appreciate and understand the truth of war, and leave behind the folly war often brings a person like arrogance and stubbornness. 

The Verdict

A compelling, gripping, and engaging historical fiction novel, author Ben Leman’s “Between the Tines” is a must-read epic tale of a warrior becoming a leader and determining his people’s fate. The historical context of clan warfare in Scotland and the beautiful juxtaposition of the land’s scenery with the bloody battles fought upon it were perfectly captured in the author’s writing, making this a thrilling blast of history and action that readers won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or read this for yourself on April 28th, 2026!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Ben Leman is a businessman, rancher, and fourth-generation Texan whose appetite for adventure has carried him from the remote wilderness of Alaska to elk hunts in the mountain West and travels across the globe. A licensed pilot and lifelong explorer, Ben is of proud Scottish descent and has spent years studying the fierce clashes between Highland clans—research that inspired the heart of his debut novel, Between the Tines. His pursuit of authenticity has taken him to many of the very locations in Scotland featured in the book.

Guided by a deep love of country and community, Ben also served the public as both a County Judge and a State Representative in Texas—an experience that honed the political insight and sense of duty interwoven throughout his upcoming trilogy.

Ben’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1997 when he co-founded an oil and gas equipment manufacturing company out of his mother’s garage. As CEO, he led the business through remarkable growth before transitioning to a decade of public service. Later, he returned to the private sector to launch another successful manufacturing venture.

Today, Ben and his wife live on their family ranch in Central Texas, where they’re raising four children and a herd of dreams.

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