Customer Reviews

Highlander Unmasked: A Novel

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

 

 

Having thoroughly enjoyed "Highlander Untamed", I was eager to begin "Highlander Unmasked" and for the first chapter I was delighted. However, as the story progressed or should I say as the subjective thoughts of the characters progressed, I could barely get through the book. I found myself skipping page after page filled with nothing more than the Alex's and Meg's personal musings about how they felt about themselves and each other. This type of non-dialog between the characters made up the bulk of the book. What a disappointment after reading the first book! What made "Highlander Untamed" so good is the story was the focus of the book and the subjective thoughts and feelings of the characters were well balanced within the story. Not so with "Highlander Unmasked" - this book was burdened down with redundancy, restating the same thoughts and feelings over and over and OVER again, the same trap most, but not all, (never Julie Garwood) romance writers seem to fall into. This constant restating of personal subjectivity seems to be a cop out on writing the STORY. What a shame, this book showed such promise. Had the story focused more on Alex and less on Meg, it would have worked much better and grounded the story; it was after all called "Highlander Unmasked". Although in the beginning Alex was strong and manly, as the story unfolded Alex was basically dazed and confused most of the time, and the easy charismatic nature brought out in the first book was gone. Meg was nosy and pushy, with little discrimination and undermined Alex's efforts to the point he was more in danger from her meddling than from his enemies. In the first book, Rory and Isabelle were strong defined characters. You got a strong sense of Rory as a man and Isabelle faced her flaws and made conscious decisions to come up against herself and work through them. In this book, Alex and Meg are fragmented, whiny, and constantly conflicted characters for the most part, and there's way too much of Meg. What showed great promise disappointed greatly.

Never has a man held such a burden. In Alex MacLeod's mission hangs the fate of his Highland people, a way of life. He must do everything in his power to prevent the King's plan to colonize the Highlands with Lowlanders. In Edinburgh, Alex uses his cunning, stealth and charm to disguise where his loyalties lie. The King's men, not knowing of the serpent lying in their midst, reveal the details of their mission. Only a beguiling woman stands in his way. A woman who awakens a need in him he never new existed with the power to devastate his mind, body, soul and the fate of his people.

Never has a woman held such a burden. Meg MacKinnon holds the fate of her clan in her hands. With an ailing father, she needs to find a trustworthy and loyal husband who will support her simple brother as chief. The Edinburgh court holds her answer, that is until she attacked on her journey there. Amidst the horror of the battle she is saved by a mysterious highlander, whose visage -days later- she cannot forget. An encounter at court with the brother of a neighboring clan chief raises her suspicions. A man with honor, strength and loyalty? Although she may wish it, he is not a man for her. A mercenary is not the man to support her brother and help lead her people. How could a man who displays sweet tenderness and love be loyal to no one? Meg has her doubts and will stop at nothing until her highlander is unmasked.

I love these types of books. A book where the hero has to make a life altering decision -his people vs his woman. *Sniff* Lots of roller coaster of emotions here. *semi spoiler* Just as he realizes that he loves her, he must be cruel and push her away in the worst way possible. His duty to his people comes before his heart. This comes just as heroine finally realizes that she has found true love. Not just a another duty that she humbly has accepted for all these years. The devastation is immediate. The reader is sucked into a whirlwind of emotion. Rooting for the highland people and for the love of the H/H -seemingly impossible.

So if you like highlander tales (seriously, who doesn't like those sexy Scots? ;))with a bit of bittersweet and tender emotion added to the mix then you love this one. A deluge of historical detail, which I found fascinating. Great characterizations and an action filled plot that has several swoon worthy scenes. This can be read as a stand alone book. The prequel 'Highlander Untamed' is good (****), but I found this one even better.

Meg MacKinnon has to marry in order to defend her clan's holdings. Faced with a deadline to achieve marital bliss, she heads to court in search of a husband. Alex MacLeod must keep his identity and purpose hidden. Too bad for him that Meg recognizes him as one of the men who aided her and her mother during a roadside attack.

Ms McCarty does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. Meg and Alex are both strong, very likable, but not over powering.

I did feel there were times when the story bogged down with details and I rolled my eyes at a few phrases. But, the author did stay focused on the plot and kept the action moving.

This is my first read of this author and I have already scribbled a note to myself listing the title of her next book to go in my tbr pile.

CarolASpradling.com author

I was in the mood for an exciting, chivalrous highlander romance and picked this one up. I must say, I was thrilled with the beginning of the book. The rescue scene was very exciting- the intro was extraordinary. I was intrigued with Alex MacLeod- his story, his history, his personality. He was the perfect alpha male at the start- hard, focused, driven and proud, but still took a moment to rescue a damsel in distress while on his quest. Sighs!

However, after such a fun and interesting introduction, the book just never picked-up-and-went. The heroine, Meg (she's the strong, intellectual ugly swan cliche), arrives at court with her mother in search for a husband. She goes over and over and over in her mind as to who the man should be. He needs to be strong, so he can fight along with her clan. But not too big, because even though Alex saved her his size frightens her. He needs to be intelligent and have the ability to lead the clan, but cannot be overly ambitious, like a suitor she has at home. He needs to be this, but not that, he needs to be that, but not that, he needs to be this.... Obviously, the entire time the best suitor is Alex.... The two spend the entire novel in their minds thinking of why they should or shouldn't be together and who they would rather be with or not be with.

The plot of the story is a sorta summary of the famous Campbell - Argyll- Mackinnon connection. If you've read a lot of highlander historical romances, then like me, you have this story memorized already. "Highlander Unmasked" sorta strayed on the edge of this scenario, only mentioning it here and there to further the "story." Basically the "plot" has something to do with the filthy Lowlanders moving into the Highlanders land. I found this novel to be anticlimactic at the most. After a promising intro, it dragged for several hundred pages. You could basically read the first two or three chapters of this novel and then skip to the end and be just as fulfilled.

Last observation and only because it's a pet peeve of mine-- If you're writing a historic romance novel just using large synonyms for otherwise suitable words doesn't make up for lack of brogue or time-appropriate lexicon. For example, at one point Meg thinks to herself, "Then why was she vacillating? It wasn't like her to procrastinate." Vacillating? The word choice is awkward. Just because the word is larger does not make for historic lexicon. Besides, it made these particular characters sound more like British Regency types than a Highlander and his lady in the year 1606.

I purchased this book the other day thinking it a great find since i love highlander novels.(something about the alfa males)
The only reason this stoy pulled off a 2 is because it started out strong in the beginning. I've read other reviews of this book and i have to say that the inner dialog didnt bother me so much as the fact that they had all these thoughts and it took forever for anything to come of them. i get 245pg into the book and their still in square one. Its rare that i get that far into a story and wont finish it, but i just gave up on this one. it got to the point where i preferred to go to bed because i was bored.
If you can than get it from the library or a friend.

I read this book because I really liked Highlander Untamed. I had a hard finishing it, it was so boring. I ended up just skipping to the end.

I read a lot--and I have only certain authors I like my Highlander Reading from....Monica Mccarty was a new author to me--but I found that I loved the way her story flowed. I enjoyed the history behind the scenes and I fell in love with the strong, yet gentle hero.

Her loves scenes are not 17 pages long, nor ever other chapter, but they are steamy and sensual and make you feel that there is a real love connection between the hero and heroine.

I loved the book--the best I have read since Kinley MacGregor--and I consider her one of THE best Highlander novelists!

Alex MacLeod has perfected his disguise of hardened mercenary. His
masquerade allows him to secretly work on behalf of his clan. Alex's
undercover mission is nearing an end and is more dangerous than ever.
But Alex's mission may be compromised by the lovely Meg Mackinnon.

When he saved Meg from bandits, Alex never imagined he'd see her
again. Unfortunately for Alex's plan, Meg is at court also. Meg is
searching for a strong husband to lead her clan. As a mercenary, Alex
cannot be considered as a husband. Although Meg knows Alex isn't
suitable, she cannot stop thinking about him. When Meg realizes Alex
is not what he seems, she dares him to reveal his true self despite
the risks to them both.

I had a horrible crush on Alex from Highlander Untamed. I just knew
he'd be too delicious for words. He is! Virile, strong and handsome,
I wanted to lick him all over. I can totally understand why Meg found
him irresistible. I adore these Highlanders and want one of my own!
Monica McCarty's Highlander Unmasked is chock full of suspense,
political intrigue, passion, and romance. Highlander Unmasked is
delightful!

Annmarie
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

It was pretty good, not as good as the first book in the series. It had some steamy scenes, too much history and not enough romance!

In 1605 Highlander Lady Meg Mackinnon understands her responsibility to properly marry the right man for her clan. On the way to the court of King James to find a husband, she and her party are attacked. Alex McLeod rescues Meg.

Alex works undercover in an effort to prevent King James from devastating the clans by removing them from their homeland isles. He wants Meg and she desires him, but his mission comes first before his attraction. However, in spite of his efforts to just say no to her, they end up making love even as both are endangered from their enemies who want both dead as a key first step in destroying the power base of the Highlands.

Although somewhat similar in tone to the typical early seventeenth century Scottish romantic intrigue, HIGHLANDER UNMASKED is refreshed by the dilemma confronting the hero; which head rules. He want to help Meg and simply wants her, but to do so jeopardizes his undercover mission that he has methodically at great sacrifice worked at setting up. Historical romance fans will enjoy this fine tale and look for Monica McCarty's previous take HIGHLANDER UNTAMED, not read by this reviewer.

Harriet Klausner