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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Journey to the Hebridean Highlands!, December 19, 2009
This review is from: A Highlander's Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)
I was asked to read and review A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder. The story is set in 14th century Scotland, a time when hostilities were high among the various Highland clans. The heroine of the story is the young and beautiful Arabella MacKenzie, daughter of the chief of clan MacKenzie. While on a sea voyage to a set of islands, Arabella I forced to abandon ship. The following day, she is found offshore of an island owned by the clan MacConacher. Darroc, the hero of the story, is happy to help her, until he learns her name. The MacConachers hate the MacKenzies for atrocities committed against their clan in the past. Unfortunately for Darroc, he falls for the one woman he knows he should hate.
Think of this book as a Scottish rendition of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet- feuding families and a love that seems doomed from the beginning. I enjoyed this book! It was a quick and easy read, and the story kept me interested throughout. There was certainly no shortage of action or drama! This book has a smattering of everything- battles, magic, paranormal activity, and romance. I became very attached to characters, and even caught myself getting a bit misty-eyed at one point in the story.
I particularly enjoyed the interactions between the MacConacher men. Whenever Arabella was around, they had fun picking on Darroc (A lot of that wink-wink-nudge-nudge sort of humor, if you know what I mean!). The crazy old woman who helped around the castle was also very amusing- she was convinced she was helping when often the men had to go behind her and correct the wreckage she was causing! The author did a nice job of developing the characters, even the minor ones who only played supporting roles to the storyline. By doing this, the author develops an entire community of which the reader is able to become a part.
Something that caught my attention was that some of the names were a bit silly in this book. A Viking with the name Olaf Big Nose would certainly not inspire his foes to go running with their tails between their legs! There's also a relic in this story that the clans call the "Thunder Rod". Can you guess what sort of power it has? No? Think hard! Thunder. Rod. Have you got it now? My mind had wandered into that gutter long before they explained the extent of its powers later in the book! I understand the purpose behind the names used, however it was difficult to take them seriously each time they arose in the book.
I wasn't a particularly big fan of the paranormal aspect of the storyline. Essentially, the ghost of a jaded female haunted the castle and enjoyed meddling in the affairs of Darroc and Arabella. However, in the end, her role had absolutely no bearing on the storyline aside from being a relic of a tale they told around the castle about a girl who had been left to die there long ago. I normally enjoy the paranormal aspect of stories, however I think in this situation that the story would not have been any different without it.
I will say I was a bit disappointed towards the end. Clan MacConacher and Olaf Big Nose's warriors headed off to sea battle, and without giving too much away, I would have to say I felt it was incredibly anticlimactic! It almost seemed as if the author rushed towards the end of the book. To remedy this, it's as if she created situations in which everything was able to happen in an expedited manner. That being said, I will say I appreciate her brevity in some cases. I do not feel the need to experience days of wallowing in self-pity when I can just as easily catch the gist from the statement, "He had been miserable for days."
All in all, this was a good book. It didn't take long to read, and didn't have a complex plot. If you're looking for a nice, light romance novel, definitely give this one a try!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sail Away To The Hebridean Islands of Scotland!, September 29, 2009
This review is from: A Highlander's Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)
Afraid of growing old, never experiencing passion and love, Arabella KacKenzie seeks an adventure. When she confronts her father, the Black Stag of Kintail, Duncan MacKenzie, with her idea, he's dead set against it. But with the help of her mother and dear friend Sir Marmaduke, Duncan is persuaded into letting Arabella have her way. He is for the most part responsible for Arabella's lonely, unmarried state, refusing and scaring off potential suitors.
Now on her adventure out to sea as she heads to a special island, Seal Isle, bequeathed to her by her father as part of her bride price, Arabella runs into the dreaded Black Vikings. A myth most people claim them to be. She remembers seeing the horror as the evil Vikings destroy the merchant cog ship she's on, killing everyone aboard. Yet she finds herself saved by Darroc MacConacher, Laird of the MacConachers of MacConacher Isle.
Darroc MacConacher is set on vengeance against the Mackenzies for their part in the legendary slaughter of his clan many years ago. But when he realizes who the beauty is laying in his bed recovering from her wounds, a battle ignites within himself, for he wants the lass like he's never wanted one before. She fires his blood, as he fires hers. He wants Arabella, but can he put aside his dislike for the MacKenzies and accept and take the love Arabella offers him?
I very much loved this sweet, and at times haunting tale. There are several things that enhanced this book, making it a pleasure to sink into. Always reading about Duncan and Linnet MacKenzie (Devil in a Kilt) puts a smile on my face. The ever proud, and stubborn it's-my-way-or-the-highway Duncan. Well, when his lovely wife Linnet isn't around, that is, putting him back in his place with her quiet and patient nature. And this one being about Arabella, Duncan's eldest daughter, he and Linnet have a nice role throughout.
And of course, the ever present Devorgilla of Doon. A MacKenzie tale wouldn't be right if the old crone wasn't concocting some magic or other to ensure that love blossoms and blooms as she's tucked away on her little isle looking over those she holds dear.
This installment in the MacKenzies is a true treasure, one that left me with a smile, a warm heart, and a renewal of my desire to visit the faraway land of Scotland. It's always such a pleasure to be whisked away, and in A Highlander's Temptation, Ms. Welfonder does it on the turbulent waters surrounding the Hebridean Isles off the coast of Scotland. A delightful and charming romantic tale of the healing power of love!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A truly charming tale!, March 19, 2010
This review is from: A Highlander's Temptation (Mass Market Paperback)
Arabella, daughter of the Black Stag of Kintail and leader of the MacKenzie clan, has heard all the stories of love & passion from her married sister but she herself has never experienced love or passion. Her father has scared away any & all potential suitors and so she remains lonely. She decides that it's time for an adventure and asks her father's permission to visit the Seal Isles...a small island that is party of her dowry. After much pleading and with the help of her mother & uncle, her reluctant father finally allows her to go. During her voyage, her ship is attacked by the elusive and legendary Black Vikings and she is shipwrecked on MacConacher Isle. As the only survivor of the attack, she is rescued by Darroc MacConacher, leader of the clan that inhabits this isle.
Darroc is mesmerized by her. Not only is she the most beautiful woman he's ever seen, but she has actually frequented his dreams as an unnamed raven-haired temptress. It isn't until he finds out who she really is - daughter of his arch nemesis - that he's torn between pride, honor & vengeance for his clan and a love & passion that he's never known before.
Arabella does not blame him for his hatred of her clan - she's heard the stories and knows what they've suffered at the hand of her grandfather. However, she is all too willing to look past that and accept him because she's falling hopelessly in love with this gorgeous, tortured man. The real question is, can he look past her blood-ties and love her for the woman she is and not the clan she belongs to? Then again, how will Arabella's father feel about her falling into the arms and into the bed of a MacConacher?
I really enjoyed this story. It has all the elements of a dramatic, Romeo & Juliet inspired tale, minus the tragic ending. In addition to the hero & heroine, there are many secondary characters that really enhanced the story such as Duncan & Linnet MacKenzie (Arabella's parents who are so opposite of each other yet so loving), Devorgilla of Doon (the magical crone that helps encourage Arabella & Darroc's love w/o their knowing), Mad Moraig (the wise old crow of MacConacher Isle that cares for Arabella), and Asa Long Legs (MacConacher Castle's resident ghost).
And if all this isn't enough, there is Darroc's quest to find and destroy the notorious Black Vikings. Not only will destroying them avenge Arabella and those who perished during the attack on her cog, but it will rid the seas of these pesky pirates and hopefully gain a nice prize from the King for him & his friend Olaf Big Nose.
The story is full of fun, interesting characters and delicious descriptions of Scotland's beauty, seas & erratic weather. It's all about finding your love, forgiving the past and hoping for a future together. It is truly a charming tale
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