The Guardian (The Return of the Highlanders) [Kindle Edition]

Margaret Mallory (Author)

Book Description

THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK I
Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

PASSION IGNITED
After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . . and claim the bride he's long resisted.

As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"TOP PICK! 4 1/2 stars! Mallory imbues history with a life of its own, creating a deeply moving story. Her characters are vibrantly alive and full of emotional depth, each with their own realistic flaws. Her sensuous and highly passionate tale grabs the reader and doesn't let go." (RT Book Reviews )

"Masterfully written. Margaret Mallory has created a series that every romance reader must read. THE GUARDIAN is truly a sizzling romance with high impact adventure that captures the Scotland readers long for." (FreshFiction.com )

"For anyone who's watched "Game of Thrones," "The Borgias" or "Deadwood"... The Guardian manages to capture that very essence as the reader is swept off to a 16th century island in the Scottish Highlands where clan rivalries was a winner take all proposition. The author has set up a series with four strong heroes whose lives are intertwined and who despite their faults and problems they have each other. I'd say that was a winning combination and a great start to an exciting series." (Heart to Heart: The BN Romance Blog )

'A dashing and delicious Highland romp that I couldn't put down!" (Karen Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author of Scandal in Scotland )

"A heartwarming, emotionally gripping tale of destiny that will sweep you away." (New York Times bestselling author Monica McCarty )

"The romance community now has a new star in Scottish tales...Bravo, Margaret Mallory! Bravo!" (TheRomanceDish.com )

"Top Pick! Mallory raises the genre to new levels." (4 1/2 stars, RT Book Reviews on Knight of Passion )

About the Author

Margaret Mallory abandoned a career as a lawyer to become a romance novelist. Why this surprised everyone, she doesn't know. Who wouldn't rather have thrilling adventures with handsome Highlanders than write briefs and memos? Margaret lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, a goofy dog, and a crabby cat. With her children off to college, she spends most of her time working on her next book in The Return of the Highlanders series. Margaret loves to hear from readers.

You can learn more at:

MargaretMallory.com

Facebook, www.facebook.com/margaretmallory.author

Twitter, @margaretmallory

Product Details

• File Size: 511 KB
• Print Length: 390 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 044657516X
• Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (May 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0047Y0EZG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,446 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it true that love comes only once in a lifetime or can you capture it twice? May 1, 2011

By Mary J. Gramlich VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Ian MacDonald knew his destiny was never to be Chieftain but serve faithfully to his cousin when the same came and always watch his back. He accepted his duties and stood proud to serve but forced to marry Sìleas out of honor and not love was more than Ian could stand. He stayed away from her after their forced marriage for 5 years fighting every battle he could find. Upon his return, he finds her not the scraggly child he remembers but the type of woman he wants to spend his life pleasuring.

However, Ian has problems on several fronts to deal with. Sìleas is not going to run back into his arms after all these years of neglect and makes sure Ian knows that in order to share her bed and life he must figure out a way to win her over. There are many men standing in line ready to take her into their life but Ian has discovered that no other man will have, as she is his wife and his wife she will stay.

Between courting his enchanting wife and trying to keep his cousin alive to take his rightful place as their Chieftain Ian has his hands full. There is a castle to conquer, an uncle to over throw and deals to be made that come close to having him sell his soul. There are trust issues between Ian and Sìleas to resolve but a MacDonald is a right and true clan that prove every day that they are men of honor and pride. Secrets are overturned that challenge everything Ian believes in and make Sìleas question his motives but that is nothing to the reward Ian sees to keeping Sìleas in his arms every night.

This first book in the series is a complete winner and Ms. Mallory proves she knows how to write a winning historical story. Both Ian and Sìleas both have incredible personalities and such depth that you know the romance between them burns long into the night. I personally cannot wait for the next book!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary medieval romance that encompasses the 3 Cs: clans, chieftains and castles in a perfect indulgence May 3, 2011

By Helena

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Margaret Mallery's The Guardian is an extraordinary medieval romance that absolutely encompasses the 3 Cs: clans, chieftains and castles in a perfect indulgence for readers wanting a hint of paranormal with the intoxicating combination of fearless warriors, loyal family, requited love and the unmistakable pull of the Scottish Highlands.
From page one, The Guardian was a non-stop read introducing the series, The Return of the Highlanders, featuring the story of Ian and Sileas MacDonald with a touch of paranormal sprinkled throughout the book thanks to the legendary seer, Tearlag and the ghost of the Green Lady of Knock Castle.
Mallery has brilliantly set the stage for the next of three books in Highlands following the life, loves and adventures of Ian's distinctive warrior kinsmen: the irrepressible Alex, enormous, brooding Duncan and the sensible, good-hearted Connor. The paranormal aspect gives credence to the Celtic myths and pagan rituals the isles are well-known for from the beginning when, as young lads the inseparable four-some visit the mysterious Tearlag for prophecies. It's her visions that set up the plot that flows effortlessly owing to quick dialogue, clan exchanges and deeply etched personalities and loyalties.
After five years, they have returned from France to their homeland on the Isle of Skye to claim their legacies only to find their clan in peril and preparing for war. Worse for the battle-hardened Ian, he must now face the wife he never meant to have when he was forced to wed his young friend, Sileas to preserve her honor and that of the clan's right to Knock Castle. He arrives home to find his father gravely wounded, his family in turmoil and Sileas struggling to keep together, his family and lands. What he doesn't expect to find is a mature Sileas who has blossomed into a beautiful, strong-willed woman he desires not only in his bed, but forever as his wife. As heir to Knock Castle, she could help secure the clan's safety now in question due to a hastily proclaimed chieftainship by her uncle Hugh in cahoots with her venomous step-father Murdoc.
But the sting of Ian's abandonment and taunting by women villagers is eased somewhat by his family's acceptance of her is too fresh even five years later for her to forgive and forget. The truly miserable options that women faced alone in a land of harsh beauty and stubborn men comes alive as Sileas holds onto her pride and tries to win Ian's love - not just his desire. The couple face a growing passion and grudging mutual respect but with unanswered questions between them, their union will not be easily won.
Mallery's exquisite novel The Guardian takes us on journeys so authentic, we must turn the pages to experience our next move and find ourselves thrilled at the outcome while looking forward to the stories promised for Alex, Connor and Duncan whom we have come to know and love as much as Ian and Sileas. The Guardian is a true keeper to devour happily knowing it remains on your shelf or in your e-reader to be re-read and savored over and over again!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Margaret Mallory Continues to Stun April 30, 2011

By Jessica Cave VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This novel was quite fabulous.

I loved Margaret Mallory's previous trilogy and I was very excited for this one. I was not disappointed.

This story is so many things, heart-wrenching being a primary one. The novel starts out with Sileas and Ian as somewhat star-crossed lovers, only Ian doesn't know it. Sileas has been in love with him for as long as she can remember, but he has essentially thrown it all away. He's been gone for five years, and in that span of time, much has changed.

The characters in this novel are so exquisitely put together and real. Sileas is heart-breaking. You can feel the love she has for Ian, and when it's not returned, your heart breaks right along with hers. Ian, on the other hand, is the usual thick-headed male, albeit one who you very much come to love.

The other men in the story are equally delightful, especially Alex who plays an important role in this novel. I greatly look forward to the upcoming books in the series. I also have to hope that Ian's brother makes continued appearances, and - even better - gets his own happily ever after.

More About the Author

Margaret Mallory is the author of the Scottish historical romance series, THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS, and the medieval series, ALL THE KING'S MEN. Her historical romances have won numerous honors, including the National Readers' Choice Award and two Maggie Awards. Margaret's second novel was a RITA© finalist, and her last four books have all received 4 ½ stars--three of them Top Picks--from RT Book Reviews.

Margaret lives with her husband in the beautiful, damp Pacific Northwest. Now that her children are off on their own adventures, she spends most of her time with her Highland warriors, but she also loves to read, watch movies, hike, and travel. You can find reviews, blurbs, historical tidbits, book group questions, photos of Scotland, and her links to Facebook & Twitter on her website, www.MargaretMallory.com. Margaret loves to hear from readers!