Customer Reviews

Highland Obsession

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alan MacDonald has returned to his highland home and birthright, Glenfinnan, after a twenty year absence. Born the son of the laird and an English woman, when his father died, his mother couldn't survive the harsh elements and took her son home to England. The people of Glenfinnan were a bit nervous for their laird's return. Would he return to them a snobbish Englishman complete with wig and accent? No. Their laird was a man of kindness and charm who spoke flawless Gaelic and within a few short months he earned their undisputed loyalty and the hand of the beautiful maiden, Sorcha.

Alan, already besotted with his bride of a few hours, believes that he's obtained the heart of a beautiful and innocent maiden. A woman untouched by another save himself. Knowing that his bride has dealt with the painful passing of her mother through child birth, he promises Sorcha that they'll wait to have children until she is ready. After a beautiful joining, Alan let's down his guard and in that moment Sorcha is snatched from his grasp and taken forcefully by the Earl of Camdonn - his friend of twenty years. The man that saved his arse countless times and visa verse. Alan can't believe that the man he thought of as a brother is now dragging his naked wife and tearing away from his cottage while leaving his giant of a body guard behind.

Cam has no idea what he's doing, all he knows that he can't stand by and allow Alan to touch the woman he loves. Twenty years of friendship means nothing in the rage of his jealousy. He knew this marriage was coming, Alan had told him himself and Cam had done his best to not think upon it. Sorcha could never be his wife. He's an Earl and a highlander for his bride is not an option. But that doesn't mean that he can't still possess her. He'll chain her in his dungeons if he must but he will not relinquish the one woman that had shown him so much passion prior to her return to Glenfinnan. He's sure that she loves him for she must.

Sorcha can't believe what's happening to her. With her highland nature comes fierce pride and unwavering loyalty to her marriage. Despite the fact that she barely knows Alan, she will remain loyal to him no matter what the cost. She had planned on never telling Alan of her affair with Cam. Her marriage was a time for a fresh start and she had successfully duped him on her virginal state. But with Cam hauling her naked into the night, Sorcha fears that the worst will be discovered. Once at Cam's home, Sorcha rejects him at every turn. Although she hates to see Cam hurt, it becomes very apparent to her that she never truly loved Cam. Now more than ever, Sorcha must escape to her husband.

Alan fights Cam's guards nearly to the death to retrieve his new bride. All he can think about is how innocent she is and how frightened she must be. Awaking to find himself at home with battle wounds and a blow to the head, Alan is soon visited by Sorcha's father. He informs Alan of his suspicions regarding Sorcha and Cam, leaving Alan horrified of the implications.

Sorcha, managing to escape Cam's castle, walks home to her husband. But the instant she sees him, she knows that he is now well aware of her past. Sorcha is instantly condemned by Alan for her past actions and her conniving ability to make him believe that she was a virgin. He believes her to be a liar and in no way can he trust her. But Sorcha is given some measure of hope realizing that Alan has no intentions of throwing her out. Perhaps she can win back his trust.

But no matter how Sorcha tries to please Alan, he still will not bend. He cuts her at every opportunity and while in the beginning she knows that she was deserving of his wrath, now it's her anger that's igniting. The two clash heavily in a verbal battle but achieve some measure of peace. Both feel that they may be able to save their marriage. But something must be done about Cam for he's still scheming to get Sorcha back and Alan will not have his pride be toyed with again. He challenges the Earl to swords.

When Cam is brutally wounded in the dual, like any good friend, Alan agrees to stay with his hurt and scared fallen brother. For the moment, the past is forgiven while in the wake his best friend's possible death. Sorcha too decides to help and the three hunker down at Cam's castle to see him through recovery. Yet something foreign is kindling between the three. It's not anger but desire and with each day that Cam grows stronger so does the burning need for one another. In a combustible collision that leaves them all both healed and destroyed, it's Alan that's the most wounded by their drunken encounter. Awaking to find his beloved wife, whom he still hasn't yet forgiven, entwined with Cam leaving him on the edge of the bed and in the cold, brings his life into perspective. He loves Sorcha and it's clear that she loves Cam. Alan could have lived with Sorcha's past but he can't and will never be able to withstand her love for another man. With that admission to himself, Alan steals into the morning light and heads out to the battle his men have yearning to fight. And if it's death he's meeting, so be it.

'Highland Obsession' was fabulously unexpected. It's a character driven story rife with anguish and betrayal. My heart went on a journey with these characters. In the beginning I was deeply committed to Cam's plight for Sorcha's love for his heart was dark with jealousy and bitter sadness. In turn, I felt that Sorcha was betraying Cam with her marriage and her burgeoning feelings for her new husband. But after I cheered Cam and his abduction of the woman he loves, I was instantly felled by the sheer ferocity in which Alan fought to save his wife. My heart clenched with his anguished thoughts of his innocent new bride's fear when in truth she knows Cam infinitely more than Alan could ever have imagined. And when Sorcha risks her life to escape Cam and his guards to return to her husband, even knowing that her reputation is irreparably damaged, I was struck with admiration. Such courage from this heroine.

When Alan's pride poisons his emotions, I hoped desperately that Sorcha could win his trust once again. There are many tense moments between Alan and Sorcha that left me on the edge of my seat yearning for Alan's capitulation to his love for Sorcha. And when she finally grew angry over Alan's avoidance and harsh accusations, she rises boldly before him and challenges his beliefs. I cheered for the women of those times that were condemned as whores for being passionate while the males of their time were applauded for their sexual conquests. Alan's thoughts were biased in the extreme and it took Sorcha's fierce anger to finally get him to see things from her perspective. But truly these two characters come alive for each other.

I enjoyed this introduction to Dawn Halliday and the subject matter was right up my alley... Hot Highlanders. But I think this book fell short in the plot department. I found myself losing interest with the added sexual element of a threesome between our lead characters. I normally enjoy this kind of racy erotic play but I felt it was misplaced in this story. I felt manipulated as contrived sexual situations pop up that seem more to be fullfilling some demographic for Historical Erotica or some catchy formula than actually fit the story. I would not have minded if this took place more toward the begining off the book but it felt unbelievable for the characters after everything they have been through to succumb to this. I lost respect for the female lead and felt the book ended predictably and cheaply. I may pick up the next book in the story as I did enjoy Ms. Halliday writing style but hope that she doesn't resort to this formula as it seems it might be her chosen niche. Not neccesary unless it serves the story. Your better than that Ms. Halliday.

I dont like telling people what the book is about...I would suggest downloading the sample from kindle and reading the first chapter because I couldn't put it down. It is great from the beginning. This isn't a fairytale...so if you are into fairytales this might not be the book for you. Its a hott and steamy romance and I loved the characters and the story!

If you're looking for hot steamy sex scenes, a forbidden romance, and two friends fighting over a women, then this is the book for you. This book is full of steamy sexual exploits. It was a great read from beginning to end. There are a few sexual encounters in the book that may not be for everyone, but I loved getting to read something different from the norm. It was also great to read a book with some new and different takes on relationships. Highly recommend this book.

Sorcha hasn't exactly led an exemplary life as a young Scottish girl. First, she engaged in a prolonged affair with Cam, the Earl of Camdonn, but then she proceeded to lie to her husband, Alan, on her wedding night by pretending to be a virgin. Her lies are exposed when Cam kidnaps her on her wedding night, Sorcha is left with a shambles of a life, trying to reclaim her husband's love and respect, while fending off the unwanted advances of Cam.

When Alan MacDonald returned home to the Scottish highlands he instantly felt his life fall into place - especially when he laid eyes on Sorcha Stewart. Marrying her after a short courtship, Alan is flabbergasted to find out that his wonderful wife had not come to him pure, but rather after having left the hands of his long-time friend and rival in exploits, the Earl of Camdonn. This leaves Alan in the unenviable position of having to reconcile his feelings of betrayal, hate for his friend, and passionate love for his wife.

Cam has been a dissolute nobleman his entire life and taking to mistress Sorcha, his factor's daughter, seemed to fit with his role. However, upon Sorcha's marriage to Alan leaves Cam full of irrational jealousy and desperation that drives him to kidnap Sorcha. This action leaves him more unsatisfied than ever when Sorcha rejects his advances in favor of remaining loyal to her husband.

How will these three strong willed people resolve their differences without destroying one another in the end?

Highlander Obsession takes a modern romance into the historical times of the Scottish rebellion with nuances and actions that seem irreconcilable. Sorcha is a strong willed woman out of her time with her thirst for knowledge and sexual daring. Alan seems, on the surface, to be a traditional man of his time with the conflicts and traditional views of womankind and their place in the world. Cam fits the mold of an out of control rogue that will stop at nothing to gain what he desires - even at the expense of his long-standing relationship with Alan. The interactions between the three of them feel genuine until the end when there is a ménage scene that, while reconciling the characters, seems so out of place as to jar the reader out of the story and historical time frame. All in all, Highlander Obsession is a romantic tale that would have benefitted from a more modern time frame or a more traditional interaction between the characters to deliver what would have been a truly romantic historical read. Get yourself Highlander Obsession when you are looking for a romance that delivers plenty of angst, passion, and emotional upheaval.

Sabella
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Wow! Quite possibly the most emotionally well dialogued triangle love story I've come accross in an Erotic novel -ever. Even the menage scene is extremely well written.

Cam's heartbreaking and painfull journey into adulthood-like: 'realizing your in love with your best friends wife, a little too late' We become witnesses to his vulnerable transition throughout the story that unfolds with keen insights and actions. Cam's path is tormented and tried over and over as he works through his volitile emotions. Alan! wow- Dawn has his personality written so well you will actually feel his every thought -you'll literally grip the armrests reading his quiet and oh so masculine passionate responses to Cam and Sorsha's actions. This alpha hero is so totally honorable, noble and self-sacrificing I dare you not to fall in love yourself! Sorsha's pact with Alan to be completely Honest with each other makes their dialogue a virtual emotional rollercoaster throughout the book.

Don't pass up a chance to read this one! 5 star erotic & 5 star romance- I'm pre-ordering Highland Surrender now!

HIGHLAND OBSESSION
DAWN HALLIDAY
Historical Romance
Signet Eclipse

Alan, a Scottish laird, and Cam, the Earl of Camdonn, have been best friends since boarding school, wreaking havoc with each other and guarding each other's back. Alan is handsome, serious and noble, whereas Cam is gorgeous, wealthy and out to have a good time. The one thing they do have in common is their love for the same woman.

Sorcha is a beautiful, sensuous woman, who above all else believes in honor. She had a fling with Cam in her youth, but once she marries Alan she becomes devoted to him.

Although Alan and Cam have been friends for years, that doesn't stop Cam from deciding he can't live without Sorcha and kidnapping Alan's wife on their wedding night. Alan believed his bride was pure, but learns that she had a love affair with Cam before they met. While Cam struggles with his obsession with Sorcha, Alan must deal with his mixed feelings over his wife and best friend. Meanwhile, Sorcha is torn between two men she cares deeply for.

This book is hot, hot, hot! Sorcha, Alan and Cam burn up the pages with their passion for each other. Ms. Halliday definitely knows how to keep the sex scenes exciting and fresh. Sorcha isn't the typical shy virgin heroine as portrayed in many historical romances. She's a sensual woman who isn't afraid to experience the carnal pleasures that await her.
All of the characters are struggling to come to terms over their feelings about each other, and Ms. Halliday does a good job of making the reader feel their angst as they try to do the right thing. Although at times I found Alan to be a little too self-righteous and Cam to be very selfish and it made me wonder how they would have become such good friends in the first place. Sorcha, on the other hand, was a very believable character who grows and learns about herself as the book progresses.

Overall, this is a sizzling read that leaves me wanting more. I can't wait to read Cam's story in HIGHLAND SURRENDER coming out in 2010.

Ms. Halliday lives in California with her husband and three sons. She also writes under the penname Jennifer Haymore. You can visit her website at [...]

Heather
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
August 2009

Cam the Earl of Camdonn and Jacobyte Laird Alan MacDonald were buddies tasting the best of London as wild Scottish youths. The wild times together ends in 1715 when Alan marries Sorcha Stewart unaware that she is not a virgin as she was Cam's lover.

Cam is irate over his former best friend wedded to his favorite lover while Alan is upset that his wife is not pure and worse did it with his former best friend. Outraged and jealous Cam abducts Sorcha on her wedding night. Alan wants his spouse back and in his bed so he prepares for clan war; Cam expects Alan and his horde to invade so prepares for clan war. Their difference over who rules Scotland also heats up. What they share is neither laird cares what Sorcha wants though she knows who she loves.

This deep Scottish romance focuses on a destructive triangle in which Cam obsesses over Sorcha who loves him but not like she does Alan. The story line is fast-paced with the hostile Scottish debate between the conventional laird and the Jacobyte supporter adding intensity to the argument over who Sorcha belongs too. Ironically, neither Cam nor Alan asks her for her opinion as that does not matter to them. Fans will relish this profound historical that digs deep into the lead characters and obviously sets up a sequel for the one who does not walk away with Sorcha.

Harriet Klausner

Highland Obsession by Dawn Halliday
Historical Romance- Aug 4, 2009
4 ½ stars

Highland Obsession is wonderful, sensual read that had me hooked from the very first page. The main characters are attractive and sympathetic. I especially loved the main hero! He is one of the noblest heroes I have read in a while. He fired my imagination and my heart rate!

Sorcha is a lovely highland lass who is caught between duty and her wild heart. Her marriage has been arranged by her father to laird Alan Mac Donald. She pledges to honor her father and do her duty. However, she secretly had a fling with Cam, the dashing and philandering Earl of Camdonn. But she is determined to put her impetuous past firmly behind her. Sorcha intends to hide her indiscretion from her new husband and only give him her loyalty and fidelity.

But Sorcha is unaware that the earl cannot forget her sweet charms. After her wedding, Cam realizes too late Sorcha's importance in his life. He is tormented and vows to have her back. So he watches and waits. After spying a very heated interlude with her gentle and noble husband he violently crashes their door and kidnaps a very naked Sorcha. Cam takes her to his to his castle where he plans to claim her as his own. But to Cam's frustration he soon realizes that Sorcha will not forsake her vows of fidelity, even as he tries mightily to ply her with his numerous sensual skills!

Meanwhile, her new husband is enraged; he thought Cam was his best friend. Alan feels betrayed and angered by Cam's reckless actions. Alan intends to hunt his bride, rescue her and seek revenge on his former friend. However, Alan soon hears hints of Sorcha's indiscretion, giving him pause as he considers her deceit. Alan had demanded and expected a virgin bride. Determined to get her back as honor demands he no longer knows how he feels for his new bride.

But Sorcha takes matters into her own hands and escapes Cam only to find a distant and cold husband confronting her with the truth...

This was thrilling book from start to finish, what woman wouldn't want 2 sexy highlander men after her?! As Sorcha is caught between the 2 men and their complicated friendship, competition between the 2 drives the stakes higher. The scenes where each man seduces or tries to seduce Sorcha were scorching! Both these men were fantastic alphas that I enjoyed reading. I found Cam charming and seductive and Alan positively sinful! Who will she choose? You will have to read it to find out! I also liked how the author brought up the old double standard. Men can have other women and are praised but Sorcha's indiscretion is vilified and she is expected to be penitent. Will her husband forgive her? Why does she have to be forgiven?

This was an extremely enjoyable read that was very erotic (WARNING: ménage scene!) and sensual. This story was a sheer delight and dazzled all my senses. Dawn Halliday is an extraordinary author to watch out for. She has definitely found a new fan!

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

This is a 1st for me writing reviews on a book. So bear with me,please? As the book begins it is a very heart wrenching touching story of a woman who is in love with one man and is promised to another. She has sexual relations with the guy she thinks she is in love with,even though she is to be a virgin and marry a man that her father has picked out for her. So in spite of loving the other man,she marries the one who she cares for and at her father's demand. Well let's just say that her new husband finds out that she is no virgin,and the night that they were consumating their wedding vows,the guy who she has been sleeping with is in deed her new husband's "best friend",and he is watching them from outside their window,and watching them make love he gets all turned on and masturbates while his best friend is getting it on with the woman he loves. Eventually,the man who has married this woman is so torn,because the woman he loved was screwing his best friend that he loves and has been and done things with since they were just young boys. The married guy gets really messed up,and one night he wants his wife to have sex with him and his best friend. (at the same time) It's quite sickening,cause the married guy goes through all kinds of phases. Anger,jealousy,you name it. But during the book it comes out that he and his friend have done all kinds of perverted sex things, like this together numerous times. It's just PORN. And the 3 of them do this. I threw the FREAKING book away!!!!!