Customer Reviews

Charming the Shrew (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Think I found myself a new author! Very good book. I felt really sorry for Cat. She was treated so badly her whole life and had no idea how to handle someone being kind to her. I thought her title of Shrew was very undeserved. I loved the hero Tayg. Then again is there ever such a thing as a unlikable hero?? Wonderfully sweet personality. He was so great with Cat. He did love to push her buttons though. Only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is I like a little fluff at the end of the book, especially if the story ends right when they get together. No epilogue no perfect rating!

I've already purchased Laurin's Devil and will also get her book 2 in the MacLeods series (maybe I'll have my Tayg/Cat update there??)

This is the first book i have read by Laurin Witting. I wasn't sure about buying the book because there was only one other review but I'm glad I did. She is a strong story teller. Focusing more on her characters than the background which is a nice change. It is not a racey tale but it is agreat story. I am looking forward to reading her other books. Don't miss this one!

This is a very well rounded love story, and much more practical emotionally than most of the romances out there. The characters are developed well, and the interaction between the two main characters is great. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone. Warning: The story is addictive, I could hardly put it down until I finished it!

Only slight imperfections, a somewhat slow beginning, & emotional power that isn't quite as compelling as some others keep this book from receiving 5 stars.

Tayg is a fine hero, a charmer uncertain how to step into his deceased brother's shoes and unwilling to be forced into marriage by his parents. Cat is not quite the shrew indicated -- don't expect a remake of Shakespeare here. But she does use shrewishness as a defense against what she has come to expect of men, thanks to her brothers & father. Tayg's kindness and sincere compliments allow glimpses of the softer woman beneath the armour.

One the plot starts moving, the pace is good, keeping the reader interested in the book. The truths behind Cat's eldest brother's machinations is handly extremely well. And the ending is quite satisfying and heartwarming.

Most enjoyable, and I look forward to more from this author.

Setting - 1308, Scotland ---- Well, when you get right down to it, both of the protagonists were running away. Catriona MacLeod, known throughout as the Shrew of Assynt, was running from an arranged marriage her insufferable and mean spirited eldest brother had arranged for her. Catriona had vowed that she would bow to no man's demands and live life on her own. Tayg Munro, warrior and supporter of Robert the Bruce, had returned home the hero. With his elder brothers death, he is now the heir apparent to lead his clan and all that it entailed. His mother was pushing him to select a bride himself before she arranged a suitable match so Tayg promised her, that if he could not find someone himself, he'd capitulate to her wishes. Only first, he would undertake one more task for his country -- that of posing as a bard to carrying a message to the king keeping his eyes and ears open along the way to discover the political climate and who might be supporting his throne.

Trying to escape, Catriona "Cat" whose sense of direction was minimal, unfortunately ran in the wrong direction. She was caught in a snow storm, thrown from her horse, was swearing up a blue-streak and discovered by the `wandering Bard' who hadn't heard such colorful language since leaving the battlefield. Tayg thought he'd never met a more beautiful lass, or a more thorny one whose sharp tongue could cut like a rapier. Cat, thought he was certainly one of the most handsomest men she'd seen, and stranded as she was, would allow the `bard' to help her escape. Tayg not really needing another encumbrance on his mission for the king - no matter how beautiful she was - just couldn't abandon her in the middle of the snowstorm. Little by little she came to trust her `bard' as he discovered that her acerbic tongue was used as a shield she used in disguising her true softer self. Discovering a diabolical plot, they soon joined forces in their cross-country race to warn the king of treasonous activities. As the dangers around them flared, their passions ignited as well, hot and bold enough to consume them both in a passionate lovers embrace that would be pure bliss - if they survived!

For me this new author has penned an exciting Scottish Medieval romance starring two captivating protagonists. While I found what I felt were inconsistencies in the dialogs, I can still appreciate the engaging storyline and could identify with the shrewish tongue Cat used to erect a wall around her heart. This was a lovely story, fast paced and interesting. While it did not contain an enormous amount of sensual activity, it projected a great deal of sensual awareness and emotion. The `true' villain in the story was a surprise and was dealt with satisfactorily. I readily suggest that this be put on sub-genre fans wish and buy lists as a very enjoyable read. --- Submitted by Marilyn, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com

I found the story a bit slow for my taste. I really tried but I just couldn't get into it and never made it to the end. There are some formatting errors in Chapter Five that someone should fix - half the page is tabbed over a bit ( that isn't the reason for the review, however ), I just found the story draggy. I also found it kind of confusing when she talks as Catriona sometimes and Cat at other times. It is kind of jarring and I wasn't sure it was the same person at first.

I hadn't read a romance novel in several years, I had gotten tired of the same old story with only slightly different main characters. I'm really glad I decided to pick this one up. It quickly swept me in, and I enjoyed the twists and turns it took. Now that I've finished it and gotten a full nights sleep, I'll start the second book. I highly recommend this book.

the charactors were great. There was plenty of intrigue. Also there was romance that did not disappoint! I liked this book, the hero definately was fighting his attraction to the shrew!

I believe the books I've been reading about Scottish Highlanders and Britains set in the "olden" times are fast becoming my favorite genre. And Laurin Wittig's MacLeod series is wonderful. I have read all of them and rate them all five stars. I would rate them higher if I could. If Ms. Wittig reads these reviews, I would ask her to continue writing. I will be waiting very impatiently for more!

I love romance novels where you can tell that the author did their research. This book was was of those and I was impressed because I have never read any of Laurin Wittig's books. Great, quick weekend or beach read. Worth picking up if you like historical romance novels.