Customer Reviews

Mackinnon's Bride (An Avon Romantic Treasure)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I stumbled across this book I believed I'd be in for an enjoyable tale--what I got was a heart-pounding, laugh-out-loud, bite-my-nails, edge of my seat romance! The characterization is outstanding, the love scence. . .DELECTABLE, the story unforgettable.

You will find no corny, 'can I gag now?' prose or weak heroines here. What you will find is a great story and a great storyteller. Tanya Ann Crosby's wonderful gift for writing has made her my favorite romance author. And The MacKinnon's Bride? Well, I drop by once or twice a year just to say hi.

Page and Iain came from two totally different worlds. Iain from the Scottish Highlands that he loved and Page from a dark and dreary castle in England. At first the two seem so different, so out of touch with the other. But inside, they're so alike. The place that really counts.

Page has gone through her whole life never being loved by anyone. Her mother had disappeared shortly after her birth, but even though the author never said it, I believe that her mother loved Page a lot. One reviewer claimed that never being loved by anyone is impossible, but I guess that they don't realize that it happens all the time. Sad, but true. You can go through most of your life unloved, but you will eventually love and be loved. Well, anyways, all through Page's life she has strived to have some bit of her father's affection. But to no avail, her father despises her, treats her like the dirt beneath his feet. (You find out why he hates her so much at the end.)

Iain never knew his mother and his father wasn't really like a father at all, more like a teacher, a mentor. His wife couldn't stand his touch so on the day of their son's birth she flings herself out of their chamber window. For so many years he has blamed himself for that and his mother's death. She died bringing him into the world. His responsibilities to his clan gets to him sometimes and he envies Page because she has the freedom he never will.

Iain gets his son back from old FitzSimon, but he swears that if Iain brings his daughter back he'll kill her. This angers Iain and instead of telling Page the truth he tells her he's taking her with him. "An eye for an eye." He says. FitzSimon took his son, so he'll take his daughter. Then begins their journey towards love, to their destinies.

During some parts of the book my emotions ran so high I had to force myself to put the book down, because my heart was beating too fast and my head was so light. And when I stood up my knees practically turned to jelly! This is an excellent book with overwhelming emotions, endearing characters, and choices we all have to make. These two have suffered so much in their lives, afraid the other will toss them away, if they chance to love them.

The villain really doesn't have a specific drive, but I just have to say he was a real nutcase who was probably never right in the head. You can come to your own conclusions about that. I like that about the book though. She doesn't bore you with every single detail, she leaves a lot up to your imagination, which only adds to this books charm. She concentrates more on the story then how everyhing looked around them and stuff like that. Another reason why I loved this book so much. The characters grow in this story. Usually in other books they don't, they always stay the same, but in this one they don't. They become better people then they were in the beginning. What a refreshing change.

You'll fall in love with Iain and his son, Malcolm. I loved the moments with Malcolm! He was so sweet and innocent! And you'll admire Page's strength and determination. I want to tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the sweet romantic parts of this wonderful story! Will I read this book again? As many times as I can. Keep up the good work Tanya.

I first read this book years ago when it first came out. The story, characters, setting...every little thing stayed with me and as a result this book was placed on my keeper shelf. Since the first reading I've moved from place to place, still re-packing this book without a second thought. I found myself without reading material and I went to my book shelf and selected this one for a re-read...it had been so long since I had read it last that it was practically new to me. As a result I was able to come back to Page and Iain and their romance was new, sweet, and quite the page-turner and thought to share my thoughts with fellow readers.

This romance is sweet but at the same time has its sensual moments which is why this was such a great romance. The characters are both owners of sore hearts, but for different reasons yet, despite this they find themselves drawn to each other regardless of the fact that they are suppose to be enemies.

Iain is a strong male hero who is still tender, considerate, but at the same time he is the strong Scottish warrior that will do all that he has to in order to put an end to a traitor that would see him come to a horrid end.

Page has been left unloved from the start. Her father has no use for her, her mother joined a convent to get away from her, and her only friend is the daughter of her father's mistress. She finds herself a prisoner of a "Scot" and the person that should be mean and nasty to her just so happens to be the first person in her life to treat her with kindness, and as a result she finds herself being pulled into two different directions. Is it truly possible that the strong, handsome Scot thinks that she's pretty, and that he wants her, or is it all a cruel jest?

Both of these characters are strong, and truly will stay with the reader long after the book comes to an end. This was a sweet romance that allows the reader deep inside the heads of the characters so hopefully the reader will understand the push and pull of this dynamic relationship. The storyline is a gently paced but still moves along fast enough to keep the reader engaged. This is a fine Scottish historical romance that I feel is truly a classic in every sense of the word. I highly recommend this author and any of her past titles as a fine way to pass the time.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Well I completely loved this book. My heart went out for both Page and Ian. Page being unloved and unwanted by her father, gets the tears flowing. And when both she and Ian overcome their problems and find love, it was a wonderful story

Tanya Anne Crosby is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I love how she tells the story in the Scottish brogue. And she gets to the point, we don't have to read page after page of what she wore or silly misunderstandings that seem to take some authors chapter upon chapter to clear up. This story moves right along and takes it you with it. You will love this one!!

This is an up-beat, warm and witty midevil scottish romance. It is filled with humor, betrayal, and courage. This one made me sigh and laugh out loud. I especially enjoyed reading in an scottish accent. This is one of those books you just don't want to quit reading even when it's over.

A very well written book that takes your heart through every possible emotion and ends with a very contented sigh.

Tanya Anny Crosby must not have thought this one through. She is a beautiful writer and the story was easy to follow. She, however, does not deliver a believable story. Every few chapters I found myself saying, "this is silly!!" The foundations for both characters were ok. But, am I to believe Page never had ANY love- no nannies, no friends, none of her brothers loved her? Come on now. Ian never proved himself as a worthy character. He did nothing other than fetch his son and obsess about Page. The moments with Malcom were the most amusing parts. The plot was a formula romance plot, but it lacked in believablity and follow through. The villian's motivation never seemed like a justification for his obsession. The climax was easily forseen- could see that coming a mile away. Then her father coming to get her- what was up with that?? It was WELL past being silly by then, his point was, "I don't really love you, but you're mine!" Uhh....ok. Leave this book on the self unless you like a paint-by-numbers story. The two stars are for her writing ability. Great promise, but get a better editor.