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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This series keeps getting better., March 9, 2009
This review is from: Highland Outlaw: A Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
I loved this story of Patrick MacGregor and Elizabeth Campbell. Great adventure and intrigue, plus an emotionally charged romance. The dilemma these two faced was not small by any means, as both are from a clan of sworn enemies. Whew!!
Campbell's and MacGregor's are sworn enemies due to a situation that happened long ago - the clan supported the wrong King during a time of royal challenge. (sorry, can't remember the names of the men fighting to be king.) When the new king took the thrown, he did not forget how the MacGregors supported his rival and thus made them suffer. The MacGregor's were eventually wrongfully accused of great crimes and then forced off of their land to become outlaws hunted like wild animals. For them their biggest sins are those required to survive. However, over time the animosity between these two clans bred horrible behavior on both sides including rape, wrongful accusations, and betrayal resulting in more death. Neither clan is without their dark sins and black hearts, but among these clans are men and woman seeking justice and peace. The MacGregor's want their land back so they can return peacefully. Patrick, the Laird of clan MacGregor, poses as Patrick Murray in the attempt to woo Elizabeth Campbell into marriage as her dowry now includes the MacGregor land. This is supposed to be a peaceful solution, although it means deceiving Elizabeth. Overall, a small sacrifice for the sake of peace. His seduction of his hopefully bride wasn't faked as he very much cared for Lizzy (and what a sweet seduction it was!) However, with rogue members from both clans stirring up more problems - the situation between Patrick and Elizabeth escalates to heart-pounding action and tear jerker moments!! Wow, a really good Highlander action romance.
The timeline of this story takes place much along the same timeline of the first book in this series, so it was interesting to see some of the events happen from a different view. It clearly expands on what we learned in book one, so far that reason alone I would suggest reading these books in order. However, it could very much be read as a stand-alone.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly Enjoyable Read 4.5 Stars, April 11, 2009
This review is from: Highland Outlaw: A Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
Patrick MacGregor and his clan are wanted by the king and they are in constant danger of being killed or arrested. They have no permanent home and must find a way to get the land back that they believe was stolen from them. The insecure, stuttering heroine Lizzie unknowingly becomes a pawn in their plan for revenge. Little does this hero realize that she will be his queen and not his pawn. However none of the clans would support the two of them as a true couple. These two must overcome struggles, life-threatening encounters, and familial ties pulling them in opposite directions in order to be together.
I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. In the very beginning, when I realized the storyline, I thought oh no, I know exactly how this will play out from beginning to end. But I was pleasantly surprised that it was much better than I thought, and not completely predictable. The writing was good (fluid, not disjointed and doesn't ramble on with long, boring thoughts) and I liked both the hero and the heroine. The characters were well developed.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Leading man is wonderful but heroine not so much, March 14, 2009
This review is from: Highland Outlaw: A Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
Having read several of Ms. McCarthy's Scottish romances and enjoying them, I was prepared to savor her latest Highland Outlaw. The writing is good but I just did not admire the heroine. She was uncertain and above all lacked perception.
Patrick MacGregor is the hero of this story and he is a good one. He is part of the outlawed MacGregor clan and loyal to his chieftain. He has lost his home to the Campbells and has horrible memories of his parent's death. But now he has found a way to reclaim his lands and hopefully help his clan; if he weds Elizabeth Campbell he can hold his lands as they are part of her dowry. He hatches a plan to win her which almost fails thanks to his hotheaded brother who attacks her carriage. Fortunately, Patrick is able to save Elizabeth from a "McGregor attack". He uses an alias, escorts her to her castle and soon becomes one of her Guardsmen.
Elizabeth is grateful for Patrick's help and is immediately drawn to the handsome highlander. She has had a disastrous betrothal, and does not trust men; her first fiancé wanted her for her land and money only. She has never gotten past the betrayal so she questions her feelings about Patrick constantly. At first she is quite courteous to him but as the book progressed she became suspicious of his actions and at times was dismissive. She was allowed to lose her temper but he never could without Elizabeth taking it very personally.
Elizabeth is also courted by another suitor, a cousin who is a Campbell and he is not really a bad sort at all. Patrick feels at a loss in his courtship because he has nothing to offer Elizabeth while her other suitor has land and money. Elizabeth seems to enjoy baiting these two against each other and revels in the fact they both want her. This was quite self serving.
Patrick knows his time as Elizabeth's guardman is running out as his brother wants to move swiftly against the Campbells. This puts Elizabeth in a dangerous position and forces the couple to be on the run from those nasty "McGregors". Poor Patrick, his loyalties are really divided. He hates that he is lying to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth ran hot and cold with me. Sometimes she was kind, considerate and certain with Patrick but most the time she seemed unsure, distrustful (rightfully so about his identity but not his feelings) and she totally lacked insight into her or Patrick's actions. She often lived her life as if she were reliving her first betrothal and even in the light of Patrick's sacrifices she still did not see his devotion and selflessness.
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