Customer Reviews

Devil in a Kilt (MacKenzie)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed getting lost in all of Welfonder's stories in this series. Her characters are Dynamic and will definitely stay with you. Different plots drive all of the stories and there were some extremely memorable scenes. I can't wait till her next one.

A couple of things were annoying though. For one thing, these hero's thoughts don't stray far from their "Phallus." Which did make for frequent sexual situations, thus one of the reasons we all love the genre, so I'm not so sure I'm complaining. And secondly, I started to "skim" parts of the book (which I NEVER do). It's just that I found myself frequently at points where, for instance, the heroine will say something and then it's 12 paragraphs of anything the hero could possibly be thinking or feeling till he responds to her. Or five paragraphs in the middle of the conversation to describe how the shutters are rattling against the windows! And unfortunately, I'm not exaggerating.

Having said that, I will still buy and devour anything and everything by this author. And would definitely recommend this series to be enjoyed mostly if read in order. Her first book is 1) Devil in a Kilt, then read 2) Bride of the Beast, then 3) Only for a Knight. And The MacLean Trilogy order is: 1) Knight in My Bed, 2) Master of the Highlands, and then 3) Wedding for a Knight.

So you know where my tastes lie: For the absolute best in Highland romance I would recommend Julie Garwood's "The Bride," "The Wedding," "The Secret," "Ransom," and "Saving Grace." Karen Marie Moning, and Marsha Canham. For Medieval: Garwood's "The Prize," "Honor's Splendor," & "Gentle Warrior." Also Amanda Quick's "Mystique," "Desire," & anything by Kinley Macgregor a.k.a. Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Setting her quill to parchment, Ms. Welfonder has chosen to relate a tale straight from the Highlands of Scotland...Duncan Mackenzie known as the Black Stag... is a father who fears to love fully....Robbie an innocent child who is caught in a web of suspected parental infidelity and Linnet MacDonnell... who's powers of second sight may solve the myustery.

Duncan wants to belive that Robbie is His son... and sends for Linnet.. hoping she will use her gift to find out the truth. But upon seeing the child... she has second thoughts about going through with it... Robbie's future depends on her answer...will the truth release Duncan from the chains of doubt or forever bind him in a prison of his own making???

Her rousing call to battle scene in the Great Hall with Duncan on the trestle table had me ready to grab a broom and soup ladle from the scullery and join the Mackenzies on the castle walls.

She's created a wondrous tale and draw the reader back to the wild Scottish Highlands where love, adventure and suspense keep you on your bench waiting for her to continue her story.

Keep your eye on Ms Welfonder and save a place on your keeper shelf for all of her upcoming books.

I love a good Scottish romance, and when I found Sue-Ellen Welfonder, I found a new favorite. She researches, and travels to her sites. In fact, sometimes choosing the sites because the story comes to her there. At her website, she said that Duncan came to her while she was visiting Eilean Donan Castle, and "gave" her his story complete! My heartfelt thanks to Duncan MacKenzie and Sue-Ellen Welfonder for telling his tale so very well. Duncan is a the Black Stag, a man without a heart. His first wife, Cassandra, was a truly heartless witch with a capital "B!" She and Duncan's half brother, who could pass for his twin, managed to take his trust, his love, in fact, every good and decent thing in his life and pretty much destroy it. Now, he takes an innocent second wife; one with the second "sight." His sole purpose in doing so is to find out if his son Jamie, is in fact, his son or his half brother's. He doesn't want to really be married to her, he wants her to use her "sight" and then stay out of his way. Unfortunately, at his first sight of her, emotions were stirred that he thought were long dead. Now he fights them, himself, and her, at every step. While Linnet, with a grace, and a beauty she didn't know she had blossoming every day, is winning every heart at her new home, even the Laird's, and especially one small boy, by the name of Jamie! But though Cassandra is dead, her evil is not. And Kenneth, the wicked half brother is still alive. Will he win Linnet's heart, or is she too wise? And what of Marmaduke Strongbow, the scarred, but honorable ENGLISH (?) knight? Will Linnet find the love she has waited all of her life to find, waiting so patiently? Oh, please, do get this book! It is SO VERY worth the read! If you like things Scots, Romantical, historical, well-researched, and written by someone who so obviously loves the same and has a talent to bring a great story to paper - this is one book you DON'T want to miss. I'm just sorry it took me so long to find her.

DEVIL IN A KILT is a strong, tightly-written medieval romance that I can heartily recommend to our library patrons. The main characters are sympathetically and realistically drawn and even the minor characters have a great deal of charm. Sexual scenes are piquant but not explicit, just the way my library patrons prefer them to be. The author has really done her research on this period. As a fan of the old Gothic romances, I particularly enjoyed a touch of the paranormal. Suspense, great characters, pleasurable shivers--this book has it all!

A librarian from Montana

As a romance writer myself, I can't say enough about Sue-Ellen Welfonder, and the way she weaves a tale. She is an author that puts meat to her historicals, entwining actual history, plots and sub-plots amongst the passion. Her novels complement my intelligence, leave me wanting more, and yet brings me into a sighing, heart swelling dimension....a dimension I want to exist in now and then, taking me away from the mundane and responsible part of everyday living. She a jewel and I wait anxiously for her next, and next, and next books to go on sale.

This was a great book. Don't miss it. The story of Linnet and Duncan is very touching. Duncan does not want anything from Linnet except an answer to his most pressing question yet he finds himself falling in love with his long sworn enemies daughter. Linnett is bartered away and has no choice in the marriage to Duncan MacKenzie but Linnett is stuborn and she listens to her heart. The end result is a wonderful love story. Don't miss this one.

Linnet MacDonnell was the seventh daughter of the Laird of Clan MacDonnell. She was a plain lass with none of the beauty of her elder sisters, with only her flaming tresses to mark her, and a gift, a sight that could be more a burden than a blessing, a mysterious ability that was known throughout the Highlands. Magnus MacDonnell, a drunken lout and her father, cared not that he was giving her to the fiercest laird in all the Highlands, and their sworn enemy. A man who it was whispered had killed his first wife, a man who possessed neither heart nor soul.

Duncan MacKenzie of Kintail did not want a wife, surely not a lass who's flaming hair and pretty face could tempt a saint, nor who's innocence could awaken a sensuality and desire he had long thought dead, nor to awaken the heart he had thought torn from his chest years ago. No, the only reason he married the MacDonnell lass was for her sight, to ease the burning question in his mind: was Robbie truly his son? But Duncan get's more than he bargained for, as the very first day at Eilean Creag Linnet turns his life and his castle up side down, daring him to do what he fears most: love. But with betrayal lurking within and without of the castle, will Duncan surrender to the love and passion brewing inside his battered heart only to lose his beloved lady wife and young Robbie to the evil plotting to destroy his life and his home?

Sue-Ellen Welfonder is one of the newest rising stars in Historical Romance, with Devil in a Kilt her first published novel. This wonderfully woven tale will have you rooting for Linnet and Duncan as they each awaken to love and passion. A superb new book that has me anticipating the sequel concerning one of the supporting characters.

Also recommended: Bride of the Beast

This book has it all! A bit of humor, a touch of the paranormal, and great romance with some very good historical detail and dialog. This is a terrific first book by a real up and coming author!

I am not good at writing reviews. But I just can't help myself in this case. This is not just a run of the mill romance book. This is an astonishing read!!! Dont even start reading "Devil In A Kilt" until you have enough time to finish it. It's that hard to put down. In this book. You will be transported in time, to medieval Scotland, to live among the people created in the pages of this book. They come alive, they whisper their story in your ear. Their heartache becomes your heartache. Their love becomes a part of you. This is a book to be cherished. We love you Sue-Ellen Welfonder.!!!

Here you have a tall dark and handsome highlander, who is burden with a painful past. A widower with a son he wants to love but holds back for proof he is the father. Marrying Linnet, because she is the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter and has the sight, he hopes she will be able to tell him if Robbie is his natural son. Linnet, a strong young woman, who although has a low self esteem, but not self pity, holds back the truth from her new husband and helps him to put the past behind him and learn to love Robbie for Robbie before she gifts him with what he wants to know. The healing begins for both when love blooms between them as well. A wonderful romance, full of feeling and sensuality. A must read!