Customer Reviews

Highland Outlaw: A Novel

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

In 1606 Patrick MacGregor and his cousins are on their way to Inveraray Castle, home of their enemies the Campbells, who under the King's decree have outlawed their clan; Alasdair wants to win the archery contest. They stop at a tavern where they hear John Montgomery, brother to an earl, talk derogatorily about his plan to wed the Campbell mouse Stammering Elizabeth Montach to forge an alliance; besides he says she is wealthy and owns land. To John's chagrin, as he and his pals discuss his pathetic fiancée, Elizabeth enters the tavern hearing the derogatory comments. She slips as she walks out so Patrick although he knows to do nothing helps her up; he exposes himself to her dangerous brother the bloody Henchman before they escape with a diversion they created.

Two years later, Lizzie is on her way by coach to Castle Campbell where her family wants her to marry; the only man who ever showed her kindness was a MacGregor, but he is an outlaw. The MacGregor outlaws attack her coach, but Patrick realizes Elizabeth is inside and keeps her safe. He risks his life to insure she arrives at her uncle's castle safely. She assumes he is not a MacGregor, but her brave champion. As they fall in love, she learns who he really is, but vows to marry him anyway. He loves her but his clan must come first.

This is a terrific Scottish Highlands historical romance due to the deep support cast who insure the feuds remain ignited, which in turn leaves the lead couple as star-crossed lovers in which each side's kin wants the blood of the other. Fans will enjoy this fine tale as Patrick wants to kiss his Lizzie, but must dodge her brother who wants him dead because he is a MacGregor.

Harriet Klausner

Well written with strong characters and good secondary characters, with an interesting story, the same which can be said for the first book in this Trilogy, Highland Warrior. Although I thoroughly enjoyed Highland Warrior, I liked Highland Outlaw and thought it was a better read than the first book, which I found too redundant with characters inner dialog, a common error in many books.

Patrick and Elizabeth were great characters, and you couldn't help but feel for them both, especially Patrick, who had a lot to overcome in his life. The skill in which the authors portrays the conflicts between clans gives one a deeper understanding of how it is endless warfare and brutality over hundreds and hundreds of years for the Scots, until someone has the integrity and strength to go beyond his ego.

Monica McCarty's Highlander novels keep me up at night reading. Wish there really were men like that! I've learned a lot about Scotland as a country to boot. Pluses all around.

Once again, Monica McCarty delivers a great book! I really love that McCarty doesn't make the characters entirely "perfect" like in other romance novels. Not everyone can be perfectly chiseled, poised, cool, calm and collected all the time. Sometimes people stutter. Sometimes we fall down. It is these character "flaws" that allowed me to really relate to the heroine, Lizzie.

I very much enjoyed this well written novel. It can be read as a standalone work, but fans of McCarty will recognize many of the characters, feuds and locations found in Highland Outlaw.

This book is definitely worth the money and the time if you are in the mood for a well-written and well-researched Scottish historical romance.

I finished reading this book two weeks ago and I can't remember anything about it. It was so unremarkable. It seems that today's romance authors are basically trying to find the set up for sex only. The storyline is thin. I want a story that keeps me on the edge. There was no intrigue or anything for the vast majority of the book. The ending was predictable and so-so. There's a significant difference in quality between the old writers such as Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught and the new writers. The new writers' books lack detail and depth--they are mainly a vehicle for sex and that gets old really fast.

This is my first time reading a book by Monica McCarty, and I'm so glad I took the chance on a new author. This was an engaging read and the book is well-written; it held my attention to the end.

What I liked most was that my emotions were involved in the reading. I actually cared about both the hero, Patrick and heroine, Elizabeth (Lizzy). And I could identify with both characters in some ways. For Lizzie, I could understand the feeling of being betrayed, used and unloved. Or being wanted only because of your possessions and not your character. Some readers have stated they were annoyed by her seeming back and forth feelings towards Patrick, but I was not. I can totally understand her vacillation given her history. It takes time to learn to love and trust another person, especially if you've experienced the pain of betrayal and ridicule.

For Patrick, I could identify with his need to avenge his family/clan losses and restore the honor and dignity that was deserved. I could feel his sadness, brought on by his many losses and the loneliness that ensued. I could understand the burden of leadership, while grappling with love and honor.

The author made it clear that he and Lizzie, though separated due to social status, nevertheless had much in common. Each had experienced pain and loss and each had hearts for justice and were honorable. They were an ideal couple.

I also appreciated that this book was true historical romance. I was seeking a romance book that would weave in some Scottish history and this is exactly what I got. In her author's note at the end, McCarty gives us more history as background to the story.

My only minor constructive critique of the book is that in the beginning, I found the numerous descriptions of Patrick and his muscles and masculinity a bit much. I wanted to scream, 'I got it; I knows he's a hunk, enough already.' But thankfully, the writing picks up and the romance and intrigue are in full force.

I plan on reading more of McCarty's books and would highly recommend this one to historical romance lovers!

I love this series! I couldn't put it down! My kindle and I stayed up late and ignored everything that needed to be done! Monica McCarty pulled me in and kept me wanting more! This is my favorite trilogy series!!!!