Highland Lovesong [Paperback]

Penelope Neri (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 2000

For decades the Highlanders fought each other, as well as the English from the south who spilled over the borders. But children know nothing of clan hatreds, nor of enemies. When sixteen-year-old Graham MacKenzie and ten-year-old Skyla MacLeod swore a blood oath to eternal friendship, it was the beginning of a love as deep as the lochs of their homeland and as enduring as the heather on the hills. Ten years later, Gray was a grown man, laird in his own right, and ready to make sweet Skyla his bonnie bride. But on the morn of their betrothal, her uncle was found murdered, with Grays dirk buried deep in his heart. Gazing at the suspicion in his beloveds eyes, he knew he had but one choice-TO steal his bride away and prove that love could unite both their bodies and their clans.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (Mm) (June 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843947241
• ISBN-13: 978-0843947243
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay But Too Cliché, June 18, 2000

By 

Tina "tinaellorascave" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highland Lovesong (Paperback)

At age sixteen, Graham MacKenzie--or Gray as he's oftencalled--fell head over heels in love the first time he happened uponten-year-old Skyla MacLeod. Unfortunately for Graham, Skyla also happened to be the eldest daughter of Laird MacLeod, the Lord of the Isle of Skye and his clans' chief rival. Despite their differences, the twosome declare that they shall remain friends forevermore, then seal their pledge with a sweet, Wally-and-the-Beaver-esque blood vow.

Flash forward ten years: Gray is now twenty-six and laird to the MacKenzies. It's a turbulent time in Scotland, as the English king Edward Longshanks' troops occupy the land. Realizing that wars are inevitable, Gray's uncles press him to take a bride and get her with an heir. Gray, of course, wants no other bride than the bonny Skyla MacLeod. Skyla, who he's been courting in secret for the past year, feels the same way about Gray. The major problem the couple faces is figuring out how they will get Skyla's father to consent to their marriage.

Gray sets out for the Isle of Skye determined to bring an end to the two clans' long-standing feud, which would thereby allow him to claim Skyla as his bride. Little does Gray know, a disgruntled woman whose affection he'd scorned ten years ago has stolen his dirk and driven it into the heart of Skyla's uncle, making it look as though the MacLeod clansman died at Gray's hands. Skyla, who feels bitterly betrayed by the man she loves, vows never to marry Gray. Gray, still determined to have his beautiful Skyla, steals her away and takes her to his keep.

"Highland Lovesong" contained way too many clichés and overdone storylines, which may make it difficult for seasoned romance readers to appreciate it. First, the heroine's hot/cold routine (I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you) was dragged out several chapters too long and the hero remained way too tolerant of the heroine's childish theatrics, making him come off as somewhat weak-kneed. If you don't object to the types of scenarios I've described, you might just get more out of this novel than I did. Otherwise, keep browsing. ( ) END

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Highland Romance - pleasantly surprising, March 4, 2007

By 

StdPudel (Somerville, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Highland Lovesong (Paperback)

I came to this book with low expectations, and they were exceeded. Highland Lovesong tells the story of a young man and woman from feuding clans who fall in love early in life. This is the story of how they overcome many obstacles to happiness ever after. I feel the influence of Diana Gabaldon and Outlander, but in a light and not slavish way.

Highland Lovesong's plot has twists that pleased me, and some steamy encounters which, although told in a cliched manner, were true to the characters. Penelope Neri has done some homework on the Scottish clans of the 1200s, and although the characters struck me as more modern, this is a small criticism. Why would I want a romance to be more grubby and brutish? Why would I want to be reminded of the smell of dung and characters urinating in the corners of the hall?

Taken for what it is, this is a fun book, good for the beach or a sick day.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highland escape!, August 2, 2000

By 

Jennifer Conner (Rock Island, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Highland Lovesong (Paperback)

Despite the previous reviews on this novel, I read it anyway. I was delightfully surprised and found the book to be very refreshing rather than cliche! The historical backgroud was very authentic and allowed me to escape to the picturesque highlands of Scotland!