Customer Reviews

Highlander Unchained: A Novel

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first saw this book, my first thought was it was a rip off of Karen Marie Moning, who is one of my favorites. However, when I saw it at my local library I decided to give it a shot. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

The heroine, Flora isn't some helpless flower, she's willful, clever, mischievous and untrusting of highlanders. The hero, Lachlan is built of steel a man, bound by honor to his clan - but with a tender heart. What struck me most was how sizzling the chemistry was between them. There were also some very spicy sex scenes too. The book did follow the basic formula of most historical romance novels - but I still thought it was an enjoyable read and well written. I'm looking forward to reading more of Monica McCarty's books.

Highlander (Laird) Lachlan Maclean is desperate to protect his clan. He will do anything to restore his rightful place at his castle and bring his brother back. Anything. That includes abducting the highlander heiress and wooing her into marriage. If only it were that easy. The Holyrood hellion was aptly named. For there never was a more troublesome making woman. Och! A beauty for sure, who lefts broken hearts at court. But Lachlan isn't intimidated by the wee bonnie lass. He doesn't need or want her heart. He only needs her hand in marriage. How difficult could that be?

Flora MacLeod is determined not follow the path of her mother, a bartered political pawn. The handsome and dangerous highlander may have stolen her, but never her heart! Certainly she will never agree to a marriage. Nay! All his wooing will come to naught. For she will never succumb to his desires. Even if they become her own?

Because of her birth and wealth (of which she has no control over) Flora is know as the greatest marriage prize in Scotland. The alliance through her marriage alone would make her valuable, but with her money she is irresistible. But she doesn't want marriage on anyone's terms. She doesn't want to end up like her miserable mother. Then she is abducted and fights for her life. Bringing forth her entire arsenal of trouble making ways. While held captive she reluctantly finds love. Only the secret the hero holds can shatter the bond they so tenuously have formed. The hero is torn. Doing what is good for his people and not hurting the one woman he loves. No one will emerge from this unscathed.

If you like those strong heroine types then this is for you. Another hunky highlander and his spirited lass. Similar and just as good as the prequel 'Highlander Unmasked' (my personal favorite of the trilogy) in that the hero is torn between his duty and love. Well fleshed out characters and an intriguing plot. But the loves scenes? **thud** (that's me fainting here ;)) Maccarty doesn't call it highlander UNCHAINED for nothing! Lachlan sure doesn't hold back in his lovin'! Recommended. A fine Scottish historical romance with plenty of spice.

And kudos to the author for adding the interesting tidbit about the legend about the 'Lady's Rock'. Makes you want to believe in fairy tales and HEA endings.

Normally, when I wait anxiously for a book, I feel a little bit down. HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED definitely did not provoke that sentiment. If anything, this book is even better than the first two in the series, HIGHLANDER UNMASKED (#2) and HIGHLANDER UNTAMED (#1).

Flora McLeod (half-sister of Rory and Alex, the previous heroes of the series) is taking her life into her own hands. Instead of submitting to a possible arranged marriage by her powerful brothers, both Rory and her other half-brother Hector Maclean of Duart, or her powerful uncle the Earl of Argyll, she has picked her own husband and decided to elope. Her elopement, however, is ended quickly when they are stopped by Lachlan Maclean of Coll. He has his own plans regarding Flora's marriage - namely that he himself should be her husband. And in doing so, he will save his brother's life.

I absolutely loved the character of Flora - she's willful and strong, without being stupid and spoiled. She's the perfect match for Lachlan, who is prideful and powerful, but without being autocratic about it. The chemistry between them leaps off the page, and makes you fall in love with them. Excellently researched and written, HIGHLANDER UNCHAINED is a wonderful read.

I have read the first 2 books in this trilogy and if I had read this one before the others I might have given it a higher rating. This is because this book and now I've discovered all 3 books are virtually the same book. All that is different is the character names. The author pretty much uses the same dialogue, same descriptions, same love scenes as the previous 2 books. It was quite annoying. Towards the end of this one I was skipping parts and even the love scenes got to be a bit too much. I got bored with them because it was just the same old recycled scenes. If you read these books alone and read them about 5 years apart, then maybe you wouldn't notice how similar everything is. So my recommendation is, read the first book, Highlander Untamed. If you read this one, you've unknowingly read the other 2 as well.

I've read the entire series and really enjoyed each book, but this was my favorite. Why? The hero Lachlan was a more well rounded hero who didn't spend most of the book fighting his feelings, which I just loved! The heroine was also smart and quite likable. These two made a perfect couple. I also liked the contrast of a rough alpha male wooing a sophisticated woman who he feels is too good for him, all within the boundaries of her being his prisoner.(Yeah, that does make it a bit tough!) Ahhh, so heartwarming. There is also a tale of a curse, which helps tie the story together and was also quite interesting.

In summary, the hero kidnaps his enemy's younger sister(Flora) with all intensions of wooing her into marriage to seal a bargain with her cousin. Flora is beautiful and independantly wealthy, thanks to her deceased mother. She refuses to be forced into a marriage that isn't soley based on love. Lachlan sets about earning her trust, and eventually her heart, meanwhile losing his heart in the process. There is much back story going on, including his clan and brother being in much danger. This marriage will help free his people and revenge his enemy, if Flora will agree to mary Lochlan. The story was fast, adventurous, and very romantic. The sensuality was very steamy, making this also a hot read. These books can all be read in any order. Highly recommended! Enjoy.

This is the third in the MacLeod Trilogy (Highlander Untamed, Highlander Unmasked and now Highlander Unchained) and it is by far the best. I reviewed Highlander Untamed and gave it only 3 stars as it (and Highlander Unmasked) dragged with too much repetitive narrative and some issues with the characters and story. However, I persisted in reading the rest (because I'd bought all three) and was rewarded with this one. (I have since read McCarty's second series, the Campbell Trilogy and found all three of those quite good so she's apparently overcome the problems with the first two in the MacLeod Trilogy). This story takes place in early 17th century Scotland. The featured MacLeod is the blue-eyed, golden haired sister, Flora--the bonniest heiress in Scotland--the "prize" desired by many suitors for the wealth and lands she'll bring to a marriage. Her mother, married four times to men not of her choosing, wanted Flora to marry for love, but headstrong Flora's main desire is to make her own choice, love notwithstanding. So, rather than be forced into an unwanted marriage, she chooses to marry a friend and a Lowlander, Lord Murray, who has his own wealth--and they decide to secretly elope. On the way, their carriage is set upon by Highlander brigands, or at least she thinks so. Actually, her handsome and dominating captor is Lachlan Maclean, the Maclean of Coll whose castle has been taken by her relative and whose clan is impoverished. He takes her to a lesser keep of his where his plan is to woo and marry her. But there is a curse on the MacLean clan imposed by one of Flora's female ancestors who was left to die on a rock by the husband she loved. No Maclean can prosper without a Campbell by his side and a MacLean's life must be given in love for a Campbell to lift the curse. Lachlan's ancestor had been the man who'd left the Campbell woman to die on the rock. And, Flora's mother was a Campbell. So the story begins... This one worked well and McCarty does a good job of character development, believable story, interesting dialog and great sexual tension and suspense. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that the action is slightly slower than those I rate as 5 stars and I'm not sure I'll read it again. But that doesn't mean I didn't find it throughly enjoyable and great Highlander fodder. And, I recommend it.

Unlike Highland Warrior where the female lead annoyed the heck out of me with her non-stop trust issues, I liked the heroine in this book much, much better. Monica McCarty gives us the most delicious heroes in all of her books and they deserve worthy mates. Flora was fiesty and yet sweet when she needed to be. I loved how even after being kidnapped and held against her will in the beginning, she was still kind to Lachlan sisters. She didn't take her anger out on them or the others in Lachlan circle. Only time she ticked me off was towards the end when she ran from Lachlan straight to evil Hector. But don't worry...she learns real fast what a huge mistake that was so all's well.

The men in MM's Novels are hot hot hot, I love the entire series and have become a true fan! This one is a dont miss!

I was very surprised, by this author, never heard of her, till Amazon recommended her. Her books were great. Way to go Amazon!!!

this book is the best in the series, but still not great. This author puts a few too many obstacles in the way of romances and too much mistrust. It is hard to find the characters truly likable. But, unlike in the other books in this series, at least the man of this book actually WANTS the woman. It's a start.