Customer Reviews

Daring the Highlander (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Ailig MacLeod has just returned to his family home after finding his sister, and bears a message from the King that he knows his father will hate. How can he tell him that his beloved eldest son is dead from treason and the other two brothers were pressed into service in Robert the Bruce's army? And that's not even the worst of it... the real shocker is that Ailig has been ordered by the King to take over as clan chief, effective immediately.

Morainn MacRailt is a young widow who is content in her life on the edge of the village. She has sworn she will never marry again, but will remain free to live as she pleases. When Ailig returns, she feels for his plight but believes he will succeed. Her support means much to Ailig, even though she resists the attraction between them, remaining true to her vow to stay independent.

The situation has yet to grow even more tense, however. A rival clan wants more power, Ailig's father refuses to step down as Clan Chief until Ailig proves himself, and the doubts of the clan threaten all they hold dear. Will Ailig and Morainn's bond be enough to bring peace to their clan? And what of her vow to never love or marry again?

Laurin Wittig shows once again with Daring the Highlander that she is a powerful force in the Scottish historical genre. Her descriptive imagery will transport readers to the Highlands and the turbulent times when Robert the Bruce tries to unite all of Scotland. Readers will feel the wind on their faces, as they see and smell the winter snow along with the characters.

Ailig is a young man thrust into a position he never dreamed of having. His doubts are real, as are his internal strength and sharp mind. He knows his position is tentative and that many in his clan are hoping for his failure, but he never lets that sway him. He still goes his way and holds on to his desire to make things right, knowing that is the only way to earn respect. Morainn is a kind and generous woman who wants her independence, just not at the cost of others. When Ailig needs her help, she never gives it a second thought and just comes to his aid, knowing he deserves to be chief. Though she values her independence above all else, she surprisingly finds herself succumbing to his desire.

When Ailig and Morainn finally come together, their mutual respect, love and passion leap from the pages straight into the reader's heart. The blend of characters in this book gives a wonderfully developed story that will engross one from beginning to end. Everyone has their role to play, from Skaeth the mercenary and Neill the chief of Clan Leod to Duff MacDonell of the rival clan and Giorsal the healer. Without every character, the tale would fall flat, not being as beautiful as it is.

One can never go wrong with a book by Ms. Wittig and this reviewer eagerly awaits the next story.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2005. All rights reserved.

LOVED her first two books. I will still buy anything she publishes (probably without even reading the summary)but this was my least favorite book

- not only did I not get my update on how my Cat and Tayg are doing. She was still known as the Shrew around the clan and not once did her brother stick up for her when people would continue to talk about her. (sorry but that kinda bothered me)

- I do not understand the hate that the Clan champion had for the hero Ailig. As much as he hated that man through out the book (again for no reason I understood) he was able to step aside with simply a grunt.

- I do not understand the hate Neill had for Ailig. I could understand being a little standoffish but from reading all my other books their circumstance was quit the norm back in the day so again personally I just didn't get it and then like the champion poof Neill was all good with Ailig becoming chief

- I'm sure it was just for plot purposes but with one clan leader known for treason I can't believe that the hosting clan would still be expected to allow those folks to stay there (especially with them being so hostile). I just kept scratching my head on that one.

I did enjoy the relationship between Ailig and Mora. I am glad that she didn't let her reservations from her first marriage get in the way of their time together. I did want to scream at her to LET IT GO already. So they didn't love each other after they got married. It didn't sound like he beat her, treated her cruelly or even yell at her. They just didn't care for each other. Not really worth vowing never to marry again...sheesh.

Again I loved the first two and all and all this was alright (I have read much worse and spent a lot more) so will not hesitate to buy another of Laurin's books!

EPILOGUES PLEASE!!!!

I read other reviews about this book and was under the impression that I would enjoy this book more than I actually did. I liked this book more than the first one (about the main character's sister) but I still couldn't finish this one. The story never really hooked me.

What a refreshing romance! It's set against a lush backdrop of characters and politics in highland Scotland. A great balance between the central characters and the active environment of the time. I loved rooting for the underdog! Instead of the usual mysterious, arrogant, overconfident hero, this one is so much more human, with human doubts and worries, yet he shows such honor without any of the usual bragging. The herione is also different in refreshing ways. How wonderful to read about someone who is experienced, has known happiness, not cruelty, yet like the hero, is not arrogant or bossy. She takes on new challenges with the usual human worries, and rediscovers herself as a worthy person. If you are looking for a historical read that offers something different in the plot and in the characters, try this fabulous book! It is the first time I have read anything by this author, and I have already ordered her previous book, Taming of the Shrew.

I really liked this book. This author is a first for me. I normally prefer Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts, (new fav) Debbie Mazuca, and Kresley Cole for the Irish and Scottish romances. I am with some of the other reviewers, I really wanted an update on Cat and Tayg and could not understand the issue with the clan's champion and his fierce dislike of Ailig. It did not really make sense. The dislike of his father did make sense after his father revealed his issues with his son but again I would have liked to see more out of this book. The first one Charming the Shrew left me with wanting more. I also want more information on Skaethe. The Devil of Kilmartin does offer some information but again, the author introduces character and you really want to know more. More character development, unanswered questions, and tie-ins to the previous book would have gotten five stars out of me. It was worth the price, so I definitely recommend buying this and all of the other books in the series.

This book seemed to read faster than the first in the series, but I enjoyed it. When reading the first book in the series (Charming the Shrew) I found myself skimming a lot at the beginning, but I did not do so with this book. There could have been a little more character development but it was refreshing that there was not too much conflict between the protagonists - that can get frustrating in some novels. There were a few surprises thrown in at the end (who the mercenary was, who Anghus Mohr was) that were sort of anti-climactic but didn't ruin the story. I might have given this more like 3.5 stars as I was disappointed that there was not any update about Cat and Tayg, and the entire clan continued to call her the Shrew without Ailig standing up for her- perhaps that is too picky of me but it was annoying. Not the best book ever but a good one nonetheless.

In this memorable tapestry of politics, greed, treachery, and everlasting love, Laurin Wittig has created a book to place on your keeper shelf. The tale of Morainn and Ailig is intertwined with passion and rich historical flavor. Ms. Wittig has an obvious love for her highland tales, and it shows. For readers of historical romance who love a mix of adventure and unforgettable characters, I recommend Daring the Highlander or any of Ms. Wittig's books.

I just could not get into this book. No real character development. At the end of the book, I really didn't feel like I knew the characters any better than on the first page. I didn't care what happened to these people because I had no emotional investment at all. If you want to read an excellant scottish novel, try "If You Dare" by Kressly Cole. I finished that book just before I read this one, and it was wonderful. I didn't want it to end. Excellent character develpopment, and the secondary characters are great as well. A riveting read. I couldn't put it down!!!!

Like Wittig's first 2 books, Daring the Highlander has all the essential ingredients of a great romance: a heroine you'd want as your best friend, a hero you'd leave your significant other to be with, a spectacular cast of secondary characters, and a plot that keeps you up way past your bedtime. This book has it all!

Laurin Wittig does it again. I couldn't put Daring the Highlander down. From the first page, I cared what happened to these people. Ailig and Morainn aren't your typical romance hero and heroine. Ailig doesn't want to be the leader of his clan, but it's being forced on him by the king. Morainn doesn't want to be his wife, or anyone's. But outside events force them to make hard choices and soon Ailig realizes the only one he can trust is Morainn. Daring the Highlander was one of the richest, most satisfying romances I've read in a long, long time.