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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Highland historical with a touch of paranormal, May 17, 2008
This review is from: Highlander Ever After (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Princess Zarabeth of Nvengaria is in danger and her father arranges for her to travel from her central European home to the Highlands of Scotland to stay with Egan MacDonald, a friend. Zarabeth is sent with three guards to protect her but as she arrives in Scotland her ship is wrecked and she is rescued by Egan. As she returns to Egan's remote castle she and Egan begin to reacquaint themselves with each other.
Zarabeth has loved Egan since she first met him, aged twelve, five years before. Unfortunately he rejected her advances and she ended up being married to the unpleasant Duke Sebastian. Her divorce is proceeding but Zarabeth finds Egan still seems reluctant to open his hear to her. Zarabeth is a witch and has some skills but none of her attempts to turn Egan to her seem to be working.
As Egan tries to keep Zarabeth safe whilst not dishonouring the daughter of his friend, others are plotting against the ruler of Nvengaria and against Zarabeth herself. Is the strange logosh, a part-demon, part-wolf and part-man creature accompanying Zarabeth, some kind of traitor? Can Egan overcome his feelings of guilt over his brother's death? Can he be satisfied living as laird in the Highlands? Can the curse on his family be broken by Zarabeth?
Most of this book is a standard highland historical romance with a rough-spoken, kilt-wearing, sword-wielding highlander and a young and delicate woman. The paranormal aspect - Zarabeth's ability to read some people's thoughts, the curse, the logosh - seem in some ways to be an unnecessary distraction to this story. I didn't find the paranormal aspect particularly interesting and I also found the interactions between Zarabeth and Egan lacked depth. Somehow, despite reading a great deal about Egan and his life, I didn't feel I really understood his character. Zarabeth, too, had some nebulousness about her - her main interactions with Egan seemed to be wanting to find out what, if anything, he wore under his kilt. There is a side romance between Egan's sister and another character which added some interest but which is presumably going to be the focus of a future story. The rest of this tale was easy enough reading but also rather unsatisfying.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spellbinding fun and romance, April 20, 2008
This review is from: Highlander Ever After (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Egan MacDonald is the highlander every woman hopes to find hiding in her closet...
Dark and seductive, honorable with a sense of humor that will guaranteed, knock you off your feet.
Princess Zarabeth is truely a compliment to this highland laird and she has a secret weapon at her disposal. Unfortunately, it doesn't work to her advantage at all in dealing with Egan.
You will not be disappointed with this light paranormal/historical highland romance. I highly recommend this read. Egan will keep you warm, wickedly so.
The entire cast of characters add to the plot without trampling the romance. This story is one that promises suspense and love, a memorable storyline. Pick it up. You will be glad you did.
Add this book to your keeper shelf, you will not be sorry.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Scottish romance with a touch of paranormal, April 27, 2008
This review is from: Highlander Ever After (Leisure Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Zarabeth of Nvengaria flees her home after discovering her cruel husband's plot to murder her royal cousin. But there is no safety to be found at her cousin's home. There is unrest and whispers of rebellion. Thus, Imperial Prince Damien fears that the palace is no place to shelter Zarabeth. Instead he sends her to his trusted friend the Laird, Egan MacDonald, in the Scottish Highlands. Only problem is that Egan and Zarabeth have some best-be-forgotten history between them.
This is the third in the Nvengaria series after Penelope & Prince Charming (Leisure Historical Romance) and The Mad, Bad Duke. It can be read as a stand alone. A delightful romantic read with a bit of paranormal thrown in.
The characters, I agree with HK, are whimsical and fun. Zarabeth is a likable heroine who posses the ability to read ones thoughts, except (of course!) Egans. And Eagan is the reluctant leader of a clan with a crumbling castle. He lives with the guilt of his much loved brother's death. Both Zarabeth and Egan are vulnerable people afraid to reveal the depth of their feelings to one another. A love that they felt and lost years ago.
As far as the secondary characters, I found the Highland clan to be an amusing, rowdy and bawdy bunch. They had me laughing several times! And the Nvengarian protectors, sent to escort Zarabeth, are interesting too. Valentin, in particular, with his shape shifting abilities had me intrigued. Hopefully this mysterious man will have his own book soon.
Although I never really felt that Zarabeth was in real danger and the less than thrilling demise of her husband gave me pause, this lack of action didn't really dampen the story for me. The romance more than made up for it. Egan is hunky hero thats a little bit more subdued than alpha male's I'm used too in this genre. But he is still swoon-worthy IMHO. And I just love a guy who can blush!
So if your in the mood for a solid Scottish romance to curl up and read on a lazy afternoon, this might be up your alley. And I just have to mention that the character of Alexander ( The Mad, Bad Duke) really piqued my interest (oh! I do LOVE brooding dukes!), so I'll be picking up that prequel as well.
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