Customer Reviews

In The Warrior's Bed

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

 

 

I could not put this book down. Great romance, sexy characters, and the beautiful scenery of Scotland. What more could a reader ask for? It was near perfect for me. The only downside was that it had to end. After I read this book I bought and read the first book in this series In Bed With a Stranger. Loved it! You don't have to read it before reading this one, but I highly recommend that you do. Mary Wine is now on my list of "auto buy" authors like Kleypas, Quinn, and Kinsale.

I always enjoy finding new authors that are writing in a favorite setting. However, every so often I find a dud and this is it. It was like the author wasn't sure whether she wanted to write a medieval or a reformation period book. The use of historical references seemed to distract rather than enhance the story (we didn't need to know every time they sat in "x" chair)

As to the depth of the actual story, at most times it was a lot of long drawn out sex scenes (not all that interesting) with a bit of story to break them up. The conflict was superficial most of the time and the story would have been better if the conflict had more sexual tension, not just sex. The conflict seemed way too one-sided making it only an average romance.

Also confusing to this reader was all the secondary characters, they seemed to have little purpose taking away from the spaced needed to tell the heroine/hero's story. Clearly this is a second book in a series and there appears to be some foreshadowing for future stories but this foreshadowing shouldn't take over the story at hand. I was waiting for more story to send the reader on to the next book in the series and yet nothing.

If I didn't know better I would have thought this a first book, and though I know the author has nothing to do with the cover I have to wonder if the publisher even read the description of the heroine. Find it used, if you must read it.

In 1063 Scotland, Laird Erik McQuade is an angry mean-spirited person. He refuses to provide a dowry for his only daughter Bronwyn McQuade and treats everyone even her with disdain and scorn. He especially loathes the McJames clan.

When Bronwyn and Cullen McJames meet while both are riding, she is unaware he is her father's enemy. She thinks nothing of it except that he is attractive and seems nice especially compared with her family. However her odious troublemaking brothers run off to dad to tell him about the encounter that the male McQuade brood turns into a tryst. Erik demands retribution going to the Court of Scotland in ire with a claim that Cullen took his daughter. Angry but not wanting an incident and besides he likes Bronwyn, Cullen does the last thing Erik expects from his feuding foe; he abducts the man's daughter. Hoping to find the happiness his brother found (see In Bed With A Stranger) and end the feuding, he plans to marry her. When Erik dies, her brothers decide to proceed with the clan vengeance of their late dad; not out of loyalty or honor but with a desire to kill the heir, Bronwyn.

The second McJames medieval Scottish romance is a terrific tale due to the strong heroine who makes a strange bedfellow alliance with a caring peace-seeking laird. The story line is fast-paced throughout while the support cast especially the siblings of the lead couple is fully developed. Fans will want a taste of this delightful wine as the palette will cherish this enjoyable historical.

Harriet Klausner

This is the first book by Mary Wine that I've read. From the beginning I realized that In The Warrior's Bed was part of a series, but I don't think I'll be going back to read the first one. I liked both the hero and the heroine in the story because of their strong personalities. They have strong chemistry from their first meeting, so their ending up together wasn't unrealistic. I did have to remind myself a couple of times that this is a historical romance, and the rules of the society are a lot different from what we have now--disbelief suspended at various points. I am a sucker for a good Scottish romance, but Wine totally botches the dialogue here. Her attempt at authenticity with the accent left much to be desired. "Dinnae" and "ye" thrown throughout, "not" becoming "no" in one part of the sentence and then written as "not" in the same sentence a bit later was very jarring. In addition to the dialogue issues, the narrative of the story also vacillated between accented and unaccented. That doesn't even take into account various spelling issues ("shinny" instead of "shiny"). Overall, I don't feel like I've wasted a couple of hours by reading this book; however, I don't think it was good enough for me to get the next one in the series.

First, I must say (again) that the cover artist for Wine's publisher has apparently failed to consider the author's notes about the book. (This happened in her Highlander series, too.) The McJames plaid is not blue and green, as shown, but blue, yellow and orange. (The plaid on the cover is not even the heroine's plaid, which is heather, tan and green.) Typically, Wine is not very good at describing the appearance of the characters (something I find surprising since she has a great mind for detail). Hence, I am always left wondering what some of them look like, including the heroine. Here, the heroine is first described as having "honey silk" hair, which I took to mean light in color though it was not clear, and then finally on p. 235, we learn she has "blond" hair, which is really quite opposite the black hair of the girl on the cover. I`m not sure we ever got her eye color. I couldn't recall it being given. I wish Wine would tell us early what they really look like. Anyway, the covers need to be more accurate. (What was the cover artist thinking?)

Now to the story...it is set in early 17th century Scotland when James VI is King of Scotland (he also becomes King of England in March 1603, the year this story begins though that isn't discussed until the 3rd book in the trilogy). This is the second in the McJames trilogy and tells of Brodick's younger brother, Cullen McJames. Cullen decides to take up the challenge of wedding the daughter of their enemy, the McQuade, a mean laird who cares nothing for his daughter. Cullen wants Bronwyn in order to end the strife between the two clans, and once he sees her, he lusts for her. Bronwyn McQuade is a high spirited lass who resents both her father's cruelty and Cullen's imposing his will on her, first stealing her from her clan and then forcing a seduction and a wedding she doesn't want. Cullen tells the Bishop who marries them that the king has given his permission for the wedding, which removes the need for her father's consent. But the king's permission had a condition, that Bronwyn consent, which she clearly did not. Cullen told no one of the king's condition, but is intent on having his way with Bronwyn one way or another.

I had great empathy for Bronwyn though she never had quite the strength of some of Wine's heroines. Bronwyn deserved to be wooed and not lied to, but in those days, women were mere chattel forced to serve the clan's needs, so there is no surprise at her being accorded little worth. Then she faces the scorn of the McJames clan, as they hate the McQuades for their many raids. That would have happened but it did make me pity her. Her two older brothers want to reclaim her just so she cannot breed to inherit her dower lands. Then even her body betrays her when she finds she cannot fight her attraction for Cullen (another hard to believe element since he did steal her and treat her as if her wishes weren't important). Cullen eventually comes around, but still.

Overall, I didn't like this story as well as the first one. I thought she could have actually had less lovemaking (I actually skipped some of it as it was repetitive. Instead, I would have preferred a bit more story. (I felt the same about the second in her Highland trilogy.) She can write well (Highland Heat, the 3rd in her Highland trilogy is a good one), but this one wasn't quite up to her best. Also, each of the books I've read has the same description of the plumbing of the day...enough with the water delivery system already. I'm giving it 3 stars as it was well-written and at times quite entertaining.

I really connected with the characters in this book (as much as you can with fiction :)). I want to know more about the other people in the story and follow their stories. Wine has Brodicks and Kiers stories out. Will get them next.

This was a great read, I did not want to put it down.

I did enjoy this one. The male was protective and had a sense of humor at the same time. I liked that he was willing to try and win her over. She wasn't a simpering female, but knew when to stop fighting him. I enjoyed this one. Good action with her crazy family members, and I do mean CRAZY.

The follow-up to Mary Wines's McJames series lacks the tension and powerful characters of her first novel, although her hero is quite good. This medieval Scottish romance is about feuding clans and family honor.

Bronwyn McQuade's father is laird of the McQuade clan and he is one greedy grasping sire. He wants to keep Bronwyn unmarried so he can keep her dowry. He hates the McJames clan so when he sees Bronwyn innocently speaking with Cullen McJames he rushes to the king claiming that his daughter has been ill used by Cullen. He hopes the King will throw Cullen in the dungeon. What he never counts on is Cullen's honor.

Cullen wants to clear his name and the only way he sees to do so is to steal Bronwyn from her father's clutches and marry her. This is no hard task for Cullen as he has been attracted to Bronwyn from their first meeting.

Bronwyn is not as accommodating to Cullen's plans. She knows her father despises her and he is willing to sacrifice her reputation but she does not trust Cullen either. Bronwyn is a regular spitfire with Cullen which was uncharacteristic since she is incredibly passive with her father.

The best part of this novel is the absolutely charming Cullen McJames. He is so noble that even Bronwyn wonders at his goodness. He is seductive and above all kind to Bronwyn. He is also very very smart. He outmaneuvers Bronwyn again and again but is not overly proud or boastful. He wants Bronwyn to trust him and eventually marry him. Bronwyn, however, is quite stubborn about remaining single and her reasoning is really rather shallow. She worries that there will be bloodshed if she does marry Cullen but she never considers that her father is determined to harm the McJames clan whether she is wed or not. The intimate scenes are smoking hot though and to her credit Bronwyn doesn't pretend that she hates Cullen for introducing her to passion.

Overall this novel is an okay read. Hero Cullen was a gem and the star of this tale, his heroine was bland and uncertain. The story moved along at a steady pace with few surprises, it needed more tension, especially between the leads.

I enjoyed this book very much and found myself staying up late to finish it. I liked the main characters and enjoyed the storyline. I had already read the book that comes after this and wondered if this would be as good - it was!

Overall Rating: 4.25 // Action: 3 / Emotion: 3.75 / Romance: 3.75 / Sensuous: 4 / Intrigue: 2 / Historical Flavor: 3 // Humor: 0 / Tears: 0

Inserting this disclaimer after reading other reviews here on Amazon! This rating has taken into consideration the "genre-factor" of the book. Must assume that any book published under the "Brava Books" trademark is (generally) going to be lacking in depth of plot and character so it can strongly focus on the sexuality between the protagonists.
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In an effort to keep his daughter off the marriage market (and to devalue the name of his hated enemies) Laird Erik McQuade tells the king and his courtiers that Cullen McJames has dishonored his daughter. Boldly, Cullen determines to kidnap Bronwyn McQuade to kill two birds with one stone. Their marriage would clear his name and the family ties would end the thirty-five-year-old long feud between the clans.

"In The Warrior's Bed" is an enjoyable read about a charming, hunky Scottish rogue who tries to win the heart of a strong-willed, determined Scottish lass who doesn't share his point of view. Although Cullen and Bronwyn share a connection and fight their way towards falling in love, the book features more sexual tension and graphic love making than emotional angst.

Wolf Bear Does Books (blog) features a more detailed review of "In The Warrior's Bed."