Customer Reviews

The Eternal Highlander

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Howell and Ms. Sands have worked together to bring to life a very different "vampire" legend that was very entertaining.

Two men need to find wives that are of normal blood (in other words...not vampire)in order to extend the family lines. I know this makes no sense but trust me...you just have to read the stories. Anyhow without going into great detail and thereby risking the chance of ruining the story for everyone suffice it to say this was a fun read with the trademark humor both authors manage to offer readers. Why than not a higher rating you ask? The answer is simple. There was really no continuity between these two stories. It was about a set of cousins, and where one aspect of the legend was important, in the other story is was darn right ignored. This would not have been a problem if the reader was clued into why certain issues (such as the mating ritual) did not apply. This reader was left scratching her head a few times since there was no explanation.

On the whole I felt Ms. Howell's story was a little bit stronger than Ms. Sands. This is not to say Ms. Sand's story was not good, it was but her character's simply did not speak to me as much as Ms. Howell's. If you like a good vampire romance this is the book for you. These author's have taken a legend and worked it to their advantage. What you are left with is a unique story that will entertain the reader.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

This is a really neat premise - two bestseller author working in tandem on the same storyline. Lynsay Sands and Hannah Howell pen the two tales in The Eternal Highlander. This is a real treat for Sands' fan, who know her for her Hysterical Historicals and the wacky Angeneau Vamps. This is a serious story, showing another side of her talent. Hannah Howell has long been known for her strong Scottish Historical. These two talented ladies combine their muses and come up with these interlocking stories.

Set in Medieval Times, Cathal and NacNachton and Connal MacAdie are Highlanders, they are cousins, but they are bound in a way deeper than blood or Clan alliances. They have a dark secret that ties them to their Clan, their lands, an ancient curse that has fallen upon all of their ancestry. This curse has seen them stalk the night, and shun neighboring Clans, burning with an unquenchable thirst that drives them and those like them. However, time of their remoteness is fast changing, and the fear their kindred might be hunted down and destroyed, push these two strong men, to lead the way to the future...and light. They can breed out their curse by marriage with Outsiders - women who blood will weaken the taint and forever break the pall of the curse that has made them a Clan apart.

In Nightriders by Hannah Howell, Cathal had decided to marry Bridget Callan. Dire circumstances pressed her to accept the offer of marriage to Cathal NacNachton. In The Highland Bridge Lynsay Sand's pens the gentle tale of Connal MacAdie and Eva Claxton. She, too, must marry because of desperate circumstances. The marriages of both of these women draw them into danger as the nature of the men they married slowly comes to light, pulling them into intrigue, danger and desire.

Both women are strong and refused to be turned into pawns in a deadly game, with the lives of their husbands and their new Clan - the ultimate prize. Both women have decided to stand by their new spouses and fight for eternal love and the very survival of the Clan. For those who love Scottish Sagas and dark vamps this is a super read.

2004 Reviews International Organization Award of Excellence Finalist (Lynsay Sands) for best short story and 1st Place Winner

While I agree with the others, Howell's story is better than Sands, they are still TWO OUTSTANDING stories. It is kind of like saying chocolate is better than caramel. Come on, they are both yummy! And so are these two stories. The highlanders Cathal and Connall are strong compassionate men who must face a difficult decision. I will not ruin the book - and I hate when reviews do that. A review should encourage you to either read the book or skip it - I highly encourage you to read it. This is an eternal keeper!

Thankfully not, these stories are a good way to pass a lazy afternoon. Hannah Howell's story of Bridget and Cathal introduce us to a clan of vampire-like Scots with all the "wee, bonny, lasses, ach, nae" and such that you can handle. Bridget is rescued and immediately wooed to wife by Cathal, but each has secrets to discover about the other. Both are very charismatic characters and fun to follow.

Sands' story follows Cathal's cousin Connall MacAdie, or as they like to call him "the MacAdie." Connall needs a bride, so he buys one from across the land. Eva arrives among the cold Scots sent to escort her to meet a husband that spends his days in dark seclusion. But, hey, he's beautiful, kind, and - oh - what he can do in their windowless bedroom. This is a warm, erotic romance between two likable characters.

My only complaint is that both stories seem too rushed. I guess they had to fit the stories together in one book. The authors tied them together well, despite discrepancies in the base stories. But the story conflicts come and go so quickly, you'll miss them if you blink. These are straight-up romances with only the most minimal allowance for plot.

I bought this book for the Lynsay Sands story, even though the 2 stories were linked & writen by 2 authors (Hannah Howell). Having read Lynsay's other vampire books about the Angeneau's & her contribution in "His immortal embrace", I could wait to read this book & it was great. I loved the characters in both stories.

I do hope Hannah & Lynsay will make this into a series with the MacNachton's & MacAdie's. This book has just given me a taster of hopefully thing to come.

I haven't read Howell before, but have been a fan of Sands vamp novels. I was surprised that of the two stories, Howells was much more enjoyable. The interaction between the two main characters was wonderful, and well written intrigue combined to make an extremely enjoyable read. Sands story, still enjoyable, just didn't measure up. For that reason I only give it 4 stars, but I am looking forward to Howells next installation in Highland Vampire.

Wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading this book. It is actually two novellas. The first by Howell tells of a vampire keep lord that wants to water down his vampire blood by taking a mortal wife. The "vampire" aspect is not very primary in either tales, but Howell explains more in her part than Sands does. Apparently, in Howell's part, they really don't need to drink blood at all, even less so when they are only part vampire. With the exception of when they are hurt or near death. Cathell pretty much finds his bride when she is literarly deposited before him in his bed by one of his men. Then and there he decides she will be his wife and over the next few weeks "woos" her by capturing her in very heated embraces every chance he gets. Only Bridget is not everything she seems.

In the second novella by Sands, the vampire aspect is a bit different, since the vampires have to feed. I don't think this was meant to happen since Cathell and Connell are cousins and are blood realted. Perhaps Howell and Sands should have got their basic facts straight before writing the novellas. Anyway, Connell is not as luckly in finding a mortal bride as Cathell is. He actually has to send six men out to buy one from her miserly brother. Eva is brought to the keep and spends several days without even seeing her husband. Apparently Connell is a bit more shy than Cathell. Meanwhile, while trying to prove her worth, Eva gets into several accidents. They finally start to meet with each other over a chess game and Eva proclaims to her husband, let's just get "it" over with. Well, that definitely breaks the ice! Of course, there is problem to over come in this book too, since someone is trying to kill Connell.

I enjoyed both. I've read other Sands' books, and after this, I think I will look into more from Howell, since after comparing the two, she sounds like the more adept writer.

I really enjoyed Hannah Howell's "Nightriders." The character's, even secondary, were brought to life beautifully. The "Vampire" aspect was very much brought to the forefront. Suspenseful at times, the Vampire's showed exciting strength and abilities through a plot full of action and emotion. But, with the following story by Sand's, the Vampire aspect was non-exisistant. Except for the hero needing blood after a significant loss, the rumors the heroine hears about the "soulless Vampire's" prior to her arrival, and the occasional comment on how well they age, there's really no other examples of this story being part of a "Vampire" novel. Sands also fails to touch on a "mating ritual" that was very prominent in "Nightrider's" that should have been included if we're to believe that the two hero's are cousins and both "half breeds," thus suffering from the same issues. If "The Highland Bride" had been the first installment, these inconsistencies might not have been as bothersome. It definitely doesn't compare to "Nightrider's." To get the most out of this duo I would recommend reading the first chapter that introduces us to the two cousin's and their plans, then jump to Sand's "The Highland Bride," then go back and read Howell's "Nightrider's." You won't miss a thing, I Promise! And might avoid being let down in the end. If you enjoy the Vampire aspect Christine Feehan's "Dark" series shines!

THIS TWO- PART ANTHOLOGY, COMBINING THE WORKS OF lINDSAY SANDS AND HANNAH HOWELL IN TWO RELATED STORIES TELLS OF LOVE FOUND BY ACCIDENT. IN THE FIRST, A LOST YOUNG LADY ON HER WAY TO VISIT HER COUSIN, TAKES ADVCANTAGE OF THE MOONLIGHT TO FRESHEN UP DURING A REST STOP. UNFORTUNATELY, HER GAURDS WERE KILLED DURING HER REST, AND SHE IS FOUND RUNNING FOR HER LIFE. RESCUED BY STRANGERS, SHE ENDS UP IN A MAN'S BED....tHE ENDING IS GREAT, AND I WON'T SPOIL IT FOR THE READER.
MS SANDS TELLS OF A BRIDE BOUGHT FOT A DARK AND MYSTERIOUS LAIRD. fINDING OUT HIS DARKEST SECRETS IS NOT, FOR HER, AS EASY AS FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER HUSBAND.
tHE LAIRDS OF THESE STORIES ARE COUSINS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS THEIR BIRTHRIGHTS, AND INTERESTING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS. tHE PAIRING OF THESE TOW AUTHORS IS SOMETHING i HOPE HAPPENS AGAIN.

i FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE A FAST READ, ONE i COULD NOT PUT DOWN, AND i RECOMMEND IT TO THOSE LOOKING FOR A FAST AND SEXY READ.

I basically bought this book because of the Scottish theme. There wasn't many reviews so I was a little worried. BUT, this book was great. I loved how the two stories were similiar, but different. They were somewhat short, but they held my interest the whole time. I also loved the whole vampire theme. This book is worth reading, and I am happy to add this one to my collection.