Customer Reviews

My Devilish Scotsman (Macdonell Brides Trilogy)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the very first pages the reader will be able to lose themselves in MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN, the second book in author Jen Holling's Medieval Scottish trilogy featuring the three MacDonell sisters. The plot of three sisters, all witches, being married off by their ailing father who wants to see them protected before he dies is one that is original and totally captivating as each is given depth, drama and passion by this clever wordsmith.

Gillian MacDonell has always felt incomplete because she felt she did not inherit any mystical gifts or powers as did her other two sisters. When her father arranged a match with the notorious Earl of Kincreag, rumored to have murdered his wife and child, excruciating headaches and strong premonitions began to plague her. Believing as her father did that the rumors were untrue, she went about doing all in her power to bring the reluctant earl, who had a terribly cynical view of not trusting woman, into going thru with the wedding. [This particular part of the story concerning a love potion and its after-effects was truly amusing - but you'll have to read the book to find out more!]

From the moment Gillian arrived at Kincreag Castle several attempts would be made on her life, yet truly eerie incidences would save her time and again. As she began to fall more in love with Nicholas, her new husband, she also discovered that she did indeed inherit a mystical power -- one that would prove that the rumors about him might not be true and the danger facing them stemmed from the mortal world and not the immortal.

*** Along with a dynamic plot, the action in this story plays non-stop making this a hard book to put aside and I find myself reaching for the computer keyboard in search of the other two books making up this trilogy. This is most definitely a book that will engage the reader both with the original story, the edge of the seat drama, and the passionate love story it tells. Highly enjoyable, the reader should be captivated by this latest trilogy offering. [...]

After reading the first book (My Wicked Highlander) in this series, I was 'straining at the bit' to read this one. It was every bit as good as I'd hoped: Nicholas Lyon has all the intrigue one could hope for in a dark, romantic hero. His meek new bride finds herself dwarfed by dark secrets he won't speak of, and must try to uncover them while keeping secrets of her own. I was so captivated by this book, I wasted no time buying the third, which is proving to be just as good! The suspense, the mystery, the romance, the paranormal twists will keep you riveted, I promise!

For so many years, Gillian felt that she was some kind of mistake, the odd one in the family with no magical powers. After years of hoping, she has given up in despair and resigned herself to the fact that she's not a real MacDonell like her sisters are. So she thought she could finally be of some importance if only she could be a countess. Thus, when the opportunity presented itself in the form of the Earl of Kincreag, Gillian is more than ready to take the role that her sister, Isobel, has turned her back on. So who cares if she is marrying the "Devil Earl?" Deep in her heart, she knows that he is innocent. But what happens when her true powers start to manifest just when she is slowly starting to break down her husband's defences?

After being cuckolded by his first wife, whose suicide was blamed on him, Nicholas Lyon is suspicious of all women. But in need of an heir, he has no choice but to remarry. Owing his life to Alan MacDonell, he will do anything to repay him, even if it means marrying another of his daughter especially after her older sister practically left him at the altar and ran off with a knight. But as long as he gets his heir, he will put up with the marriage... but then Gillian starts breaking down his defences.

MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN is the second instalment in Jen Holling's MacDonell Brides trilogy. Featuring a more serious plotline than the first book, this deals with more magic and paranormal. I liked Gillian's character, meek at first, yet we are given the reason for this, as she was the only one who saw her mother burnt for witchcraft. I enjoyed seeing her discover her real powers and it was good to see her effect on Nicholas. As for our hero, I wasn't sure about him when I first read of him in the first book. But it was so good seeing him change and laugh again. My favorite part is when he discovers Gillian's attempt in giving him a love philter. It sure provided much entertainment.

The other two books in the trilogy are MY WICKED HIGHLANDER (book 1) and MY SHADOW WARRIOR (book 3). I recommend reading them in order as the mystery regarding the sisters' father's illness continues on from the first book.

Only for the dying Alan MacDonell would the Earl of Kincreag Nicholas Lyon heed a summoning as earls do not jump when a chieftain asks. However, Alan is his best friend and the letter says he will die before the night is over. He rushes to the deathbed, but though ailing Alan is clearly going to survive another day though not many afterward. Sitting by Alan's side is his daughter Gillian, who he accuses of the phony note; Gillian denies she sent for him. Alan wants Nicholas to marry Gillian so he sent the message.

Gillian is the handicapped of the three MacDonell witches as she has no powers unlike her magical sisters. Her sire orders her to wed Nicholas; she wants to refuse him because she fears he allegedly murdered his first wife. However, she will do anything for her beloved daddy so reluctantly accepts her fate; Nicholas does likewise as he owes Alan, but hates anything connected to witchery. When she enters his castle, Gillian has horrid visions of death and soon someone tries to kill her. Initially she wonders if the cold hearted Nicholas is a killer, but soon falls in love with him even as she ponders whether her heart belongs to someone wanting her dead.

MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN, the second MacDonell Brides' tale (see MY WICKED HIGHLANDER), is a fabulous fantasy romantic suspense starring two wonderful seemingly star-crossed lovers. She is a witch though her powers do not surface until she enters the home of her husband; he detests witches due to what happened to his first wife. A clever third party manipulates their doubts and misconceptions so that the audience obtains a marvelous paranormal historical romance.

Harriet Klausner

i just read this series of five books. The last 2 were not as good as the first 3 but they were all a great read.

This is a great book - I love all three books in the trilogy. Gillian was my favorite character by far. Her trust and respect for her husband really shine through, despite the questions surrounding his late wife's death. One thing I will say is that the story about his wife's death and how it unfolded was actually pretty predictable, thouth anyone that didn't see it coming would be quite surprised and would think it a great twist. The other aspect I liked about this book was Gillian's ability to commune with ghosts. That was a neat aspect that you don't see in most Scots romance novels.

Jennifer Holling's debut novel A Time for Dreams is a sweeping tale set in sixteenth century Scotland around the time of Mary's execution by her sister Elizabeth. There is a wonderful twist to Ms. Holling's story placing a modern woman in a rougher time not just in the absence of running water but in the beliefs of the people of the time. A love that spans centuries and pulls this young woman Audrey back in time is warm and unlike the harsh world that surrounds them both. Audrey's influence forever changes the people of that time, not by her showing them how to build a flush toilet but through her devotion to a man who is strange to her yet loving and passionate.
I have no doubt I will enjoy My Devilish Scotsman as well. I just like to see the first work of any author and I was not disappointed.

After reading MY WICKED HIGHLANDER, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the MacDonell Bride Series. Once again Jen Holling hits a home run with MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN.

Unlike her sisters Gillian MacDonell is not a witch, she's not confident and she's definitely not bold. So why would an Earl want to marry her, especially after being humiliated by her sister Isobel?

Nicholas Lyon, Earl of Kincreag is cold hearted, aloof and he may have killed his first wife. But to keep from being shipped off to France, where she's expected to marry an old man, Gillian is willing to sell her soul to the devil, even if the devil is Lord Kincreag.

At first Nicholas resists the offer of marriage but softens knowing that it is his dearest friend, Alan MacDonnell's dying wish. So using her powers of persuasion, and quite a bit of boldness taught to her by her sisters, Nicholas gives in.

Gillian is hopelessly attracted to her Earl, and doesn't want to settle for a "good match," so she decides to give Nicholas a love philter, but instead of making him amorous, it makes him suspicious.

Nicholas believes she is trying to poison him and the marriage gets off to a rocky start, it becomes even rockier once Gillian arrives at Castle Kincreag.

Strange things start happening and she starts to have visions. But worst of all, she believes someone may be trying to kill her? Could it be? Would Nicholas kill another wife? Gillian doesn't want to believe it, she knows he is plagued with secrets, but she's glimpsed another side to him, a vulnerable side.

Hadn't she? Or could she be seeing only what she wishes most for? Did she imagine his kindness? Was his concern not real when she'd collapsed with her head pains? Was she imagining it all or was he acting? Trying to catch her off guard? But if it wasn't him, who was it and why? And what are the visions she keeps seeing? All fingers are pointing to Nicholas, even her sisters, who are witches, think him guilty. But is he? Or are there other sources of evil at work? AND when he finds her casting a spell with her sisters, will he protect her like he promised her father or will she face the same fate as her mother?

You'll have to read to find out!

Jen Holling has done it again. With a sweep of her pen she creates such heart-wrenching emotion, and a vivid picture of what Medieval Scotland must have been like. I fell in love with Gillian from the very start, she isn't the bold heroine that we normally see, but she grows into her own women as the book progresses. The attraction and love between the two characters is heartbreakingly warm and you can't help but cheer them on. The beginning hook is so intense that you won't be able to stop reading because of all the unanswered questions swirling through your mind. I had to resist the urge to peek! This story has so many twists and turns, and a few surprises that will keep you turning pages.

Congratulations again Ms. Holling on another wonderful book!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars! *****

Now I can't wait to read, MY SHADOW WARRIOR, the final book in the MacDonell bride series.

I read this book in one day. It kept me engrossed from the beginning til the end. If you like the TV show Charmed you will enjoy the premise to this series of books; three lovely witches each with unique paranormal gifts.

This is Gillian's story, the only member of the family without a mystical gift. Her dying father's wish is for her to marry Nicholas. I was enchanted by their love story. Even though Gillian doesn't have mystic abilities that doesn't stop her from using witchcraft to her advantage in capturing Nicholas's heart. As the story progresses so does Gillian's understanding of her own supernatural talents.

The paranormal twists throughout the book were engaging. There were a few inconsistencies that had me turning back pages to figure out what was going on. Not enough to distract me for long. I too would have appreciated even more of Gillian and Nicholas's love story. The ending was darker than the rest of the book. I wished for more time with the main characters to have them bring light back into their world. All in all this was a great book I will read again!

I'm 22 and I still read a lot of teen intended materials because I certainly don't like the kind of books my mother reads, but I'm visiting and I'm bored so I started reading this book, and, I'm hooked. It was nothing like I expected, and who can argue with witches, magic, Scotland, and old age history?