12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Witty, Romantic, and Adventurous, July 16, 2007
This review is from: The Highlander's Bride (Mass Market Paperback)
This story opens with Sara on her knees, praying in the chapel for God to send her a husband. She has been banished by her father to the abbey because she had failed to find herself a husband, and when her father had chosen one for her, she had blatantly refused him. And now after having spent two years banished in the abbey, Sara is desparate to regain her freedom.
Cullen Longton has come to the abbey on a mission, and he will not leave until he learns the truth about his son's fate, after having just recently lost the love of his life, Aliana. Aliana's father, the earl of Balford, is a cruel man, who sent his daughter to give birth in the abbey and then ordered the baby to be killed, while Cullen had been imprisoned.
When Sara sees Cullen in the abbey, she knows that her prayers have been answered. So she strikes a deal with Cullen. Sara had secretly saved the baby, and then told the abbess that the baby had died of the pox. The nuns had allowed Sara to burry the child, since they didn't want to risk getting infected by the disease.
Sara is willing to take Cullen to his baby, if he will agree to marry her. And when he is reunited with his baby, he can leave her. That way, Sara will have gained her freedom, since she will be considered married even though her husband is away. And her father will not be able to force another husband on her, or send her to the abbey again. Cullen agrees to the bargain.
And from there on out the adventure starts, as they set out to get Cullen's son, and for Sara to get her life back. A friendship blooms between them, and sparks start to fly. The banter between them is funny and memorable, and the sexual attraction/tension sizzles. I also loved how they were honest with each other, always. The reader feels and sees them falling in love, as they get to know and learn about each other, their likes and dislikes, etc.
This was a really good read, not one dull moment in it. Cullen and Sara are very likable characters. Cullen is great, and Sara is a strong yet vulnarable woman.
However, I just found it frustrating that Cullen refused to admit his love for Sara until the last 5 pages of the book. Now I understand and admire the fact that Cullen is faithful to his love, Aliana, who had died but several months back. But the whole "confused feelings" he was having for Sara, and his indecision about the issue, just dragged a little too long.
Nonetheless, this is a very good and enjoyable read!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I didn't expect to like this so much! 5++, January 5, 2009
This review is from: The Highlander's Bride (Mass Market Paperback)
After reading Isle of Lies, also by Donna Fletcher, I was skeptical about trying any of her other titles. The Highlanders Bride had been on my wish list for some time so I thought to give it a try. I fell in love within the first chapter. The story is set in 1514, not really considered medieval by some but close enough for this chick. I won't give a description of the plot as it has been well written by another reviewer, I'll just give my pov.
Our heroine Sara has got to be in my top 5 favorite heroines. She is a warrior, courageous, defiant, emotional and most outspoken, a charm I love in my heroines. Her outspoken tongue is one of the reasons this book different from other historical romance novels. Sara declared her feelings for Cullen 95% of the time. There were not any misunderstandings about her feelings for him (most of the time). The great lengths she went through to assure that Cullen's son was safe from harm warmed my heart. Her good natured heart and character will quickly win the reader over. You'll be hooked.
Cullen is most interesting as well. A warrior, intelligent, fair, generous and above all, honest. Though I did not enjoy his constant declarations that he would never love again, I understood why he felt torn. He does not mistreat our heroine, only gives it to her straight about his intentions and feelings. All the while trying to convince himself that his feelings for her are out of gratitude for saving his son. He fills her with passion and in turn she makes him smile when he thought he'd not smile again. I was really impressed and enjoyed seeing Cullen blossom and progress chapter after chapter.
Mrs. Fletcher does a nice job of giving us just the right amount of romance and danger. Also, our hero is not a powerful noble but a normal highlander warrior who has a good amount of coin to weigh his pockets. They are traveling for a good portion of the book. One place in particular stands out :-) I laughed, wanted to cry and looked forward to seeing the story unfold. I don't see any promise for a sequel but I would love one all the same. HIGHLY Recommended!!!
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