To Conquer a Highlander [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Wine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010

"Not to be missed."
-Lora Leigh, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Black Jack

A fierce Highland laird ready to kill for king and country...

When Torin McLeren discovers his neighbor's plot against his king, he takes their daughter as his prisoner, thereby stopping her father's plot from going forward. But that leaves him with a woman under his roof whom he can't ignore, and not just because she's his enemy's daughter...

A woman who's as much trouble as she is temptation...

Shannon McBoyd decides to use her captor to experience passion for the first time, and then to destroy him. But her plan goes awry because once she has lured Torin into her bed, she no longer wants to hurt the one man who seems to value and understand her...

Even if her father will kill him-and her-when he discovers what they've done...

"Deeply romantic, scintillating, and absolutely delicious."
-Sylvia Day, national bestselling author of The Stranger I Married

"Mary Wine's writing is absolutely stellar."
-CK2 Kwips & Critiques

"Mary Wine has a definite knack for pacing, and the story never lets up."
-Bookaholics

(20100528)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Wine (In the Warrior's Bed) fills this addictive tale of betrayal, lust, power, and love with detail-rich descriptions and frequent bedroom scenes hot enough to warm even the coldest Scottish nights. In 15th-century Scotland, women are expected to be quiet, meek, and above all obedient, but hot-blooded, hotheaded Shannon McBoyd is not a typical simpering lady. She meets her match in the dark, handsome highlander Torin McLeren, who kidnaps her to stop her father's raids into McLeren land. While Scotland roils in political upheaval, Shannon struggles to accept passion and a future with Torin, never losing her independent spirit and courage even as she succumbs to her feelings. Wine skillfully creates suspense, keeping Shannon's fate uncertain until the very end. With a captivating leading lady and terrific pacing, this story will be devoured by devoted historical romance readers. (July)
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Review

Wine knows her strengths and plays into them as she lures readers into a fast-paced tale. 4 out of 5 Star Review (Kathe Robin RT Book Reviews 20100617)

Mary Wine always does an excellent historical... exceptionally well researched and extremely authentic. (Night Owl Romance 20100622)

Such a delicious story... full of action. (Terra Yankee Romance Reviewers 20100701)

An exciting page turner. (Kay Quintin Fresh Fiction 20100706)

An utterly fantastic book with characters that steal your heart. (The Long and Short of It Reviews 20100706)

Wine paints a vivid picture of how strong and determined a highlander is. (Coffee Time Romance 20100706)

If you want to immerse yourself in romance, while being transported to 15th century Scotland, look no further. (Naida The Bookworm 07 20100707)

To Conquer a Highlander is a definite page-turner, with a plot that never slows. (Angela The Royal Reviews 20100708)

A sexy, fun story about two people falling in love, no matter what obstacles are in their way. (Wendy The Book Lush 20100712)

A tantalizing story of betrayal becoming honor and beauty coming from the ashes of the past. (Robyn Roberts Once Upon a Romance 20100712)

Addictively sexy characters who jump out from behind the pages. (Brande The Book Junie 20100715)

A fast-paced, emotional story... Steamy passion. (PJ The Romance Dish 20100721)

A highland romance with a sexy Scot, and the bride he has stolen. Sounds like a good recipe for love (Blodeuedd Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell 20100722)

A well-written and expertly plotted love story. (Michelle Sutton Favorite PasTimes 20100722)

Wine gets two thumbs up! Her knack for sensory description and visuals was excellent. (Eliza History Undressed 20100722)

To Conquer a Highlander definitely conquered my heart... (Carrie Seductive Musings 20100723)

An incredibly hot, steamy and sexy read. If you are also a fan of medieval romance than this book is a must read. (Alaine Queen of Happy Endings 20100723)

A historical romance that will take your breath away. (Mason Canyon Thoughts in Progress 20100825)

Wine's descriptions of Highland life make the reader feel as though they are right there with the characters. (Debbie Debbie's Book Bag 20100825)

A definite page-turner, with a plot that never slows. (Renee Royal Reviews 20100825)

Delicious, sizzling romance and intriguing historical backdrop blend together to make a fantastic read. (Lynda Between the Pages )

Plenty of drama, action and romance ... If you like Highlander romances, I highly recommend that you pick this one up. (Lynda Books Like Breathing )

Just the mix of action, danger, intrigue and romance... (Gaby Starting Fresh )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; 1 edition (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402237375
• ISBN-13: 978-1402237379
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Gotta Read This Book!, June 22, 2010

By 

LAS Reviewer "The Long and the Short Of It Re... (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Conquer a Highlander (Mass Market Paperback)

originally posted at: [...]

To Conquer a Highlander is an utterly fantastic book with characters that steal your heart. Author Mary Wine has penned a story that excites and captivates, ensuring the reader doesn't want to forgo the journey even after it's done.

The heroine, Shannon, is someone you'll cheer for. Prideful and strong, she has been born to a family that doesn't appreciate her as she deserves. When things turn sour, she finds herself engaged to a man who would be the new king of Scotland. Through no fault of her own, she becomes an enemy to her own kind, her clan a travesty that would see warring amongst their neighboring clansman. Resigned to her fate, she travels to meet her promised only to be taken by a highlander who is as hard and beautiful as the land he hails from. Torin is more than she anticipates. He is kind where she has only known cruelty, soft where she has only known hard. As he breaks down the walls she's constructed to protect herself, the story take life that is impossible to turn from.

From the moment I started reading, I was unable to put To Conquer a Highlander down. Tensions run high, ensuring you can't look away. Torin is determined to avenge his clansmen but refuses to use Shannon as a means to an end while she is determined to meet the fate that has been chosen for her. Yet, their chemistry as enemies that are attracted to one another is palpable, so intense that at times it's difficult to breathe. As their relationship progresses, you'll ache for her while you hurt for him. Ms. Wine weaves a very emotional story, and although there are moments I thought I couldn't handle the intensity, she kept luring me back with the promise of something more. The result is a story, and characters, that you positively love.

To Conquer a Highlander is a definite must read for historical fans. This is the first story I've enjoyed by Mary Wine but it will not be the last. She writes with depth and emotion, which is something die hard romance fans will appreciate and cherish. Be sure to pencil this title onto your TBR list.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A highlander romance, July 9, 2010

By 

Blodeuedd "Blodeuedd" (Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Conquer a Highlander (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked this one. Must have been that whole bride stealing business, those highlanders are such barbarians ;)

This is set at the backdrop of a troublesome time in Scotland. The king is murdered and the heir in hiding. Shannon Boyd's father is rooting for the bad guy and wants to marry her off to him, but first he slaughtered some people on his neighbours land. On top of a clan war there could be a civil war coming. But Laird Torin McLeren kidnaps the bride to be and takes her away to his castle. Soon he realises that she is a wildcat.

Shannon has played the obedient daughter all her life but for that she has only got pushed around, her father does not care for her at all. She is at an age that she has started to feel she will never marry and leave his rule. Her lifer has not brought her to her knees. No, she has got spirit and a fiery tongue. But then she gets captured by a sexy highlander and starts thinking things she has never thought before. She is well aware his people hate for what her father has done, and that if her father is branded a traitor she hangs with him. Still through out the book she keeps that fiery tongue and is not afraid to stand her ground and not let anyone walk on her any more.

Torin is the Laird, but with no heirs and a cousin breathing down his neck. Shannon was only meant to be a prisoner, one that would be treated fair, but not thought about until the time came. Of course the first time they meet words fly and he can see that she has got spirit. A lowland wildcat. Soon he also realises that she was not well treated at her father's home. She is not like other women that would throw themselves at home because he is laird, or to save their lives from the noose.

There is a dance between these two, with banter, but there is never mistrust. He wants her, she realises that she wants him, but can't have him. I love that he does not back down, he know what he wants, it may be difficult to achieve but hell he will fight for it. He is one sexy alpha highlander, sure there was one thing that got me a bit angry at him. But I understood it, and it was nothing bad, now he wanted to show that he cared. I will not say more, you will find out when you read it. Most of all I like how well he does treat her, and tries.

A strong woman, and man not backing down, and untamed passion when sparks fly. A stolen woman belongs to the capturer and this Highlander will fight for his love.

There was also this other guy, and my eyes went wide and I had to go and check the computer at once. Yes Connor is getting a book of his own. I am sure that one will be good too.

Final thoughts: A highland romance with a sexy Scot, and the bride he has stolen. Sounds like a good recipe for love.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Childish and idiotic herione, August 27, 2010

By 

A. Warner (Richardson, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: To Conquer a Highlander (Kindle Edition)

I feel like I must have read a different book then the other reviewers. Shannon, the herione, is described over and over again in the story as stubborn but she wasn't stubborn, she was childish and idiotic and completely annoying. I don't know why so many authors feel like in order to have a strong female lead that she must argue with anyone over absolutely everything. I could not see how the hero would actually have fallen for her. He was wonderful--she was not. I am all for a feisty leading lady but this was definitely not the case. She absolutely ruined the entire book for me. She truly argues and is angry at everyone and everything. Even the end when she has a son she is mad because, by God, she wanted to always have everything done her way and she had informed her husband that she was having a daughter. Why did she decide this? Because everyone kept telling her how much a son would HELP her husband so she decided she should have a daughter because she didn't want people telling her what to do. Right because a loving wife decides that she should never help her husband.

Another aspect of Shannon's character that I didn't buy was that she grew up in an abusive home. I help and counsel abused women and it always frustrates me when authors seem to throw this into the story for who knows what reason and then create a character that is the antithesis of an abused woman. Not all abused women are cowed women but they are not this character at all. Nothing in her character showed her to be what the author tried to make her out to be in the first couple of chapters.