Master of the Highlands [Mass Market Paperback]

Sue-Ellen Welfonder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

As punishment for burning his family chapel on the anniversary of his wife's death, Scottish knight Iain Maclean must go on a pilgrimage to an obscure monastery on the far side of Scotland. On his way, he meets Lady Madeline Drummond and becomes her protector. Original.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"RIO Award of Excellence Finalist for "Best Long Historical of 2003" -- RIO - Reviewers International Organization

"Vastly entertaining and deeply sensual with just a wee bit of magic. A definite for your buy list!" -- HistoricalRomanceWriters.com ~ Marilyn

"Well paced, poignantly told. It is an honor and a pleasure to read such a well-written and well-researched Highland novel." -- Romance Junkies, Brenda Edde

4 1/2 Stars and a Top Pick from RT! -- Romantic Times BOOKclub

A winner. Sensual, adventurous and glowing with love. Dynamic and unforgettable lead characters. Welfonder never lets her readers down. -- Suzanne Coleburn, Reader To Reader Reviews

Welfonder brings the Highlands to life. Romance, mystery, action, passion and historical detail make this book a joy to read. -- Rashmi Srinivas, Bookloons Reviews

About the Author

Sue-Ellen Welfonder is a former flight attendant of Scottish descent who spent fifteen years living in Europe before returning to the US in the late 1990s. Her greatest passions are Scotland, medieval history, and dogs - especially Jack Russells. She does not miss flying for a living and what she enjoys most about writing is the freedom to visit Scotland several times a year. Those annual trips are her greatest joys - and the entire wellspring of her inspiration.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446612332
• ISBN-13: 978-0446612333
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #504,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go to Scotland. Its just a book away!, December 28, 2003

By 

Sheli (Middlebury, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master of the Highlands (Mass Market Paperback)

Having read this book for the third time. I was shocked to see bad reviews about it. It's a fantastic read! The vivid details of the characters and places they go puts you right besides them. When I read Sue-Ellen Welfonders books she takes me inside the book not just an observer but the book becomes a part of me.
Go to Scotland. It's just a book away!

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welfonder's series, 4.5, June 29, 2005

By 

Amanda "([e-mail])" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Master of the Highlands (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed getting lost in all of Welfonder's stories in this series. Her characters are Dynamic and will definitely stay with you. Different plots drive all of the stories and there were some extremely memorable scenes. I can't wait till her next one.

A couple of things were annoying though. For one thing, these hero's thoughts don't stray far from their "Phallus." Which did make for frequent sexual situations, thus one of the reasons we all love the genre, so I'm not so sure I'm complaining. And secondly, I started to "skim" parts of the book (which I NEVER do). It's just that I found myself frequently at points where, for instance, the heroine will say something and then it's 12 paragraphs of anything the hero could possibly be thinking or feeling till he responds to her. Or five paragraphs in the middle of the conversation to describe how the shutters are rattling against the windows! And unfortunately, I'm not exaggerating.

Having said that, I will still buy and devour anything and everything by this author. And would definitely recommend this series to be enjoyed mostly if read in order. Her first book is 1) Devil in a Kilt, then read 2) Bride of the Beast, then 3) Only for a Knight. And The MacLean Trilogy order is: 1) Knight in My Bed, 2) Master of the Highlands, and then 3) Wedding for a Knight.

So you know where my tastes lie: For the absolute best in Highland romance I would recommend Julie Garwood's "The Bride," "The Wedding," "The Secret," "Ransom," and "Saving Grace." Karen Marie Moning, and Marsha Canham. For Medieval: Garwood's "The Prize," "Honor's Splendor," & "Gentle Warrior." Also Amanda Quick's "Mystique," "Desire," & anything by Kinley Macgregor a.k.a. Sherrilyn Kenyon.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moody Ultra Hot Hero, October 8, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Master of the Highlands (Mass Market Paperback)

Setting - Isle of Doon, 1331 - Iain MacLean feels like a useless piece of humanity, with a black temper, and a sour disposition, everyone runs from him. He blames himself for the death of his wife Lileas, and his family is at their wits end in trying to get him to return to the land of the living. Accidentally setting fire to the family chapel during one of his rages has been the last straw, and his brother Donall, the Laird of the MacLeans, has set him on journey of penance to atone for his latest folly. Along the way, he runs into Lady Madeline Drummond, disguised as a postulant nun. Iain is totally amazed because he spots, what appears to be, a nun stealing a holy relic from a sacred shrine! Iain cannot believe what he's seen, nor can he control his feelings that he `knows' her.

Lady Madeline, is blessed, or cursed with the ability to read ones deepest heart felt thoughts. She is on a mission to commit an act that is abhorrent to her, and though she dreams of a `shadow man' that warms her heart and soul, she tries to ignore the feeling; compelled to continue on her quest to find and murder the man who killed her father and stole her birthright. She discovers this `shadow man' recognizing him as her dream lover, and through more misadventures they hook up. The journey is then hilarious as she tries to control her lustful feelings for him, and Iain, posing as her husband who is `painfully' controlling his urges to ravish the postulant nun!

I found Master of the Highlands to be a vastly entertaining and deeply sensual medieval romance that utilizes just a wee bit of magic tossed in to give the protagonists even more appeal. It utilizes the MacLean Bane as central to it's plot. The MacLean Bane - A characteristic that distinguishes the MacLean males setting them apart from all other men: the fierceness of their heated blood and their ability to love, truly love, only one woman, the latter trait being either a blessing or a curse. I loved the fact that the author wrote such depth of feeling in each protaganist - allowing you a little glimpse into their souls. There is a huge buildup for the ultimate first time seduction, or in this case the clash of the titans as they were BOTH so very hot for one another. Throw in a little witchery, and then for those of us who like our hero's moody, ultra HOT, and SEXY than this is the one for you! This should be a definite book for your buy list!
--- Marilyn for www.historicalromance writers.com ---