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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great leads but their story is a little slow going, 3.5 stars, December 10, 2009
This review is from: Desiring the Highlander (Paperback)
I have never read the prequel to Desiring the Highlander so I had no preconceptions about characters or plot lines. It wasn't hard to figure out which characters were from the previous novel as they do make appearances in this one. However, this book stands alone and can easily be understood without the backdrop of the previous novel. The plot is one that has been done before, angry woman finds love en route to somewhere she does not want to go, but it has some distinctions too, mainly that the heroine wises up to her circumstances and makes the best of her situation.
Hero Cole McTiernay hates the English passionately. However, when his half English sister-in-law sends him to fetch her childhood friend in England, he heads south to find her albeit reluctantly. What he discovers is a wild looking, hostile, unbathed woman. He puts her on his horse against her wishes and hightails it back to Scotland.
Heroine Ellenor is furious. She had plans to escape to a nunnery and now this big Scot is ruining everything. For the first couple of days the hero and heroine play a game of one upmanship with each other. She's feisty and he's a wonderful strategist. They quickly begin to admire the other's insights and pretty much enjoy each other's company. Ellenor decides to cooperate with Cole and his men and soon she is beloved by everyone, including Cole.
Cole though is fighting his feelings for Ellenor because he just wants to hate the English so much because of their past misdeeds. His anger and resentment never were directed at Ellenor so I did not feel much tension from his internal struggles. He was always respectful and considerate of her sensibilities.
Ellenor is the more interesting character, mostly because she communicates her feelings with others, and not only Cole. She is a friendly sort and just a little bit bossy, like Cole. She is pretty smart, with a good sense of humor, and everyone just loves her.
The characters are charming, not just the leads but also secondary ones too. The tension though was lacking and the story was a little long. The middle portion particularly was slow going. The leads have a passionate romance but it wasn't overly exciting, perhaps it was because they were a little too much alike; they certainly thought alike and this was apparent very early into the novel. They second guessed each others moves often. There is an outer tension and conflict as opposed to internal struggles between the leads that comes late into the story. Overall this gets 3 ½ stars. The leads were likeable but their story never kept me up at night turning pages.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it! Can't wait for the next one in the Series, December 30, 2009
This review is from: Desiring the Highlander (Paperback)
I was contacted my Michele Sinclair to read and review her latest and book 3 in the Scottish Highlander Series Desiring a Highlander which is set to release Dec 01 from Kensington. This past year I have become a huge Highlander and Historical Romance fiend if you will. A newer genre for me and I have must admit I am loving every moment. Sinclair takes us on a very sensual romp back to the 14th Century Scottish Highlands with the 3rd installment of her McTiernay brothers, Cole. Oh such a handsome, strong and fiercely sexual man, Cole brings along with him a presence of power and undying loyalty. Which is a problem as well as a virtue for the young McTiernay. Stubborn to the bone in his loathing of the English not only for the brutal death of his best friend Rob, but from years of war and suffering, Cole has a pretty clear disgust for the English. So it was with a little chuckle that he is swindled by his sister in law to pick up Ellenor Howell. Who is VERY English and VERY proud of it. Ellenor has her own baggage and carries it heavy in her heart. Ellenor's sister and brother in law have tried relentlessly to marry her off and be rid of her but to no avail..... until Cole. He journey's back to Scotland with her and the fun begins. I couldn't help laugh out loud with a sly smile on how many times and the ways that Ellenor tries to escape her captor Cole. His frustrations are evident and comical as he tries desperately to hate the woman but can't help falling for her instead. Ellenor as well is uneasy with her attraction to the brute, and the sassy women won't make life easy on him. No matter how much he wants to hate Ellenor Cole can't and their love for each other is delicious. Problem is that Cole is vowed to hate everything English which would include feisty Ellenor. Oh the troubles that ensue, as Cole is in the running of sorts for the position of Laird in Northern Scotland. He has the men and the leadership but Cole isn't what you would call a people person. Unfortunately for him his competitor is loved by the people, small army, but a really good man. What a Laird needs to be is not only respected by their people but strong and powerful enough to protect them. The end result kind of surprised me, but in fact made perfect sense as well. I find it hard not to include spoilers if I tell you more, but what made this books so wonderful besides the love story was the inner struggle for Cole and with Ellenore. Will love conquer all, will Cole get the revenge for his friend and so many Scottish deaths ? hummm... I could tell you, but I won't!
Through the pages of beautiful imagery, it is evident that Sinclair has done her research of not only historical facts but of the life of the Scottish people creating characters with an abundance of depth and personality that captures the reader and transports them back into the 14th Century. A trip I was hard-pressed to end as I read the last words of this beautiful and intriguing story of two lovers who never should have been, two hearts that wouldn't give in to circumstance or hate, who found each other through fate, who's love is undying. Not having read the first two books, The Highlander's Bride & To Wed A Highlander I found little confusion and was able to read Desiring a Highlander as a stand alone. But loving this one so much that I am determined to go back and read the first two! As I LOVE a series, Michele plans on a book for each and every brother, check her site out to see what is up and coming in the Scottish Highlander Series. Don't forget to check back later today for my interview with Michele as well as a giveaway for a signed copy of Desiring a Highlander!
5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Such a great author!!, January 2, 2010
This review is from: Desiring the Highlander (Paperback)
This is the third Highlander book in this series and I honestly can't tell which book I like the best. So many times I find a good book but when I read other books by the same author they are hit or miss. Since this series is going to have at least seven books, I keep wondering if they will start sounding repetitive. So far each book is unique and the characters are so well developed. The thing I love most about Sinclair's books is that she spends more time on the relationship between the hero and heroine than on the generic plot twists you seen in all other historical romance books. The only negative thing I can say is that the ending of this book seemed a bit rushed. Otherwise, I can't wait for the next brother's book. I am hoping it is Conan's book because he seems like a very interesting story. I am also hoping for more interaction between the brothers because those are the funniest parts in the Highland Bride.
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