The Highlander's Prize [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Wine (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 2012

PRAISE FOR HIGHLAND HEAT

"A lively and exciting adventure. " —Booklist

BASTARD ROYAL DAUGHTER, PAWN IN A DEADLY GAME

Sent to Scotland to be the king's mistress and produce an heir, Clarrisa of York has never needed a miracle more. But the brusque Highland laird who kidnaps her is a bit too rough to be considered divine intervention.

HE'LL DO ANYTHING TO THWART HIS KING

With rival lairds determined to steal Clarrisa from him and royal henchmen searching for her all over the Highlands, Laird Broen MacNicols has a mess on his hands. Worse yet, there's a magnetic attraction between them, although he's betrothed to another. But even an independent–minded lady like Clarrisa knows that a Highlander always claims his prize...

"Fiery passion as elemental, raw, and beautiful as the Scottish Highlands." —Long and Short Reviews

"[The characters] fight just as passionately as they love while intrigue abounds and readers turn the pages faster and faster!" —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One gripping plot twist follows another: dastardly English trickery, complex Scottish alliances, and kilt-tossing, sheet-incinerating lovemaking." - Publishers Weekly

"A wonderful, sensuous, highly charged romance. Cleverly written, totally believable and nearly impossible to put down, this is a winner. 4 1/2 Stars" - RT Book Reviews

"Whenever I pick up a book by Mary Wine I know I'm going to be engrossed in the story for hours. 4.50 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick" - Night Owl Reviews

"The Highlander's Prize is an excellent read, combining the fierceness and determination of the Highlanders with an unlikely romance that captured my attention and kept me reading late into the night." - Book Savvy Babe

"The love scenes are hot. The supporting cast has a story all their own and there is certainly a lot of potential for more books in a great new series. Wine is a great Scottish author and one I prefer to read over and over! 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!" - Debbie's Book Bag

"THE HIGHLANDER'S PRIZE is an exciting and romantic adventure about a fantastic couple and their impossible love. Great characters, thrilling drama and a smoldering passion make this a 'must read' novel. ...There are simply too many things to love about this novel. ...Author Mary Wine has written a splendid Scottish historical. The dialect is accurate and humorous while the characters are lively and vivid. Her descriptions take you to an exciting world that you will have trouble forgetting. ...THE HIGHLANDER'S PRIZE is a fantastic romance that will sweep you off your feet. After reading this book you'll have to agree...love in the Scottish Highlands has never looked so good." - Romance Reviews

"I liked the historical background and the visual settings of the story. The romance is prominent but there is an underlying intrigue and political circumstance that add an extra obstacle of interest. This is an easy read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy passionate romance with a strong-willed and confident Highlander hero." - Martha's Bookshelf

"Mary Wine does a fantastic job of weaving together a very troubled time in history, amazing descriptions of Scottish castles, the unyielding environment of the Highlands, and horror of battlefields. She engages all the reader's senses and pulls the readers into the time, place and action of the incredible characters. She weaves in the Scottish humor, sense of honor, Highland culture, beliefs, and fealty to clan. Best of all, she makes the reader feel the primal, sexual attraction of the hero and heroine. She delights with their posturing and their challenging each other as they find their way to awesome love that sparks and sparkles. Societal rules create trials and troubles for them, but their love transcends all and even reaches out to help others have and hold their own true loves. Highlander's Prize is another Mary Wine historical for the book shelf-a keeper to be enjoyed more than once." - Long and Short Reviews

"Oh there's nothing like a steamy story featuring a six foot plus Highlander treat. ...The story is quick paced with tons of action, steamy romance, hawt sex that will sizzle your fingers and deceptions aplenty. ...I love Mary Wine for a fantastic Historical Romance that will make me long to be a personal part of the story with her descriptive narration. My senses are as taut as a piano string waiting to be plucked as I turn page after wonderful page." - Yankee Romance Reviews

"Satisfying, sexy, and well-written romance" - Historical Novels Review

"Read The Highlander's Prize if you are looking for a straight-up Scottish Highlander romance. You'll find betrayal, lust and a happily ever after." - Scooper Speaks

"I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Scottish historicals, or anyone who just wants to escape into a well written book." - Guilty Indulgence

"Wine is a great Scottish author and one I prefer to read over and over!" - Debbie's Book Bag

"You'll fall in love with Broen and Clarissa as they discover each other on their journey." - Page 317

"I have to give this book five out five stars. In my eyes, it was the perfect historical novel as well as a historical romance that didn't hold anything back, I enjoy a book that doesn't make concessions." - Booked Up

"Highlander's Prize is a very good book, I really enjoyed the ups and downs of the story" - Seductive Musings

"My first Mary Wine novel but rest assuered it won't be my last!" - Tyra's Book Addiction

About the Author

Acclaimed author Mary Wine has written nearly 20 works of erotic fantasy, romantic suspense, and historical romance. An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives with her husband and two sons in Yorba Linda, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402264712
• ISBN-13: 978-1402264719
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Read April 5, 2012

By LAS Reviewer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Clarissa of York may be a pawn in the forever struggle for power between the English and the Scottish Highlanders, but she has faith in her wits and inner strengths. This faith gives her a unique power among those who force their will on her by brute strength.

The acknowledged bastard-born daughter of Edward IV, Clarissa's station in life is a dubious one. She's of royal blood but not being born in wedlock keeps her out of the main stream of nobility society. She's the "looked-down-on" relative often used for the family's betterment. Clarissa has no say in the matter. She's reminded daily of "her place", "her duty", "her fate".

When she's sent to Scotland in hopes she will bear an English-royal-blood son for James, the puppet ruler of Scotland, she sees life closing in. Then, as silent as the night shadows, Highlanders come. She's whisked away. Once more she has no say about what they do to or with her.

Laird Broen MacNichols wants justice for his family. He wants to keep the Highlander clans from feuding among themselves so they can stand together against the Royalists. He's a blue-eyed giant of a man, smart, brave, a man of honor--not a barbarian like Clarissa had been told. He causes her to have "wicked, carnal thoughts". He's temptation. Yet, she cannot give her trust even though she respects him for giving her a choice. Her virginity is all she owns and he lets her choose to whom and when she will give it.

The many strong secondary characters make the Highlander's Prize rich with sub-plots. It seems everyone has his or her own agenda. Edme, who runs Broen's household at Deigh Tower holds a unique place and gives wise council to Clarissa. Edme tells the young Englishwoman that there is a huge difference between being considered property of a man and sharing delights of being loved by a man. Another unusual character is Daphne. Her story brings out amazing truths about what lengths some will go to for true love and friendship. Oh, my, how tangled and secretive some of the lives are in this multi-layered story.

The antagonists, some less evil than others, but all threatening, create scary, heart-stopping happenings that make one wonder how in the world the hero and heroine will get out alive much less find their way to a happy-ever-after.

Mary Wine does a fantastic job of weaving together a very troubled time in history, amazing descriptions of Scottish castles, the unyielding environment of the Highlands, and horror of battlefields. She engages all the reader's senses and pulls the readers into the time, place and action of the incredible characters. She weaves in the Scottish humor, sense of honor, Highland culture, beliefs, and fealty to clan. Best of all, she makes the reader feel the primal, sexual attraction of the hero and heroine. She delights with their posturing and their challenging each other as they find their way to awesome love that sparks and sparkles. Societal rules create trials and troubles for them, but their love transcends all and even reaches out to help others have and hold their own true loves.

Highlander's Prize is another Mary Wine historical for the book shelf--a keeper to be enjoyed more than once.

Originally posted at LAS Romance Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Hooked and I want more!! April 3, 2012

By Wonder Woman

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I loved the book and I'm not interested in retelling parts of the story, but I will say Ladies if you want to skip the laundry, the errands, and all the regular routine of lifes demands; escape the madness with this book. You won't be disappointed. This was actually my first Mary Wine book and I am so happy someone at BN put the book on the shelf 2 weeks before it was due out, because I fell upon it on the shelf, and immediately became drawn in as I quickly skimmed the book before buying it.

I loved the heated arguments between Broen and Clarrisa, the hot romance, and the conflicts that had my heart pounding as I impatiently went from page to page. I finished the book in a day and then turned around and read though it again for the next two days. I can't speak for other reviewers but I was definitely emotionally invested in this book and it made me forget my favorite author Heather Graham's paranormal, mystery, romance books, and had me running out to buy and order every Mary Wine book I could get my hands on. I enjoyed the plot. It was totally a nice change for me and it made me hunger for that romantic dream of someone hot and steamy sweeping me off my tired feet.

Definitely read it and brace yourself for the "Hotta" man on the front of the cover. OOOOhhhh you should purchase the book just to look at him. (LOL)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Lackluster romance October 21, 2012

By Flora

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've read other Mary Wine books and been entertained and impressed, which makes the quality of 'Highlander's Prize' even more disappointing. Broen MacNicols is a Highland laird in a Scotland practically crumbling under the rule of James III, and Clarissa of York is the acknowledged bastard-born daughter of England's Edwards IV. To prevent her from marrying James III, Broen steals Clarissa as she journeys against her will to James, and takes her to his homeplace. What follows is the shell of a fun-yet-tense battle of the wits with simmering sexual tension, but Wine fails to fully realize it. Clarissa does a LOT of sighing and finding Broen intimidating and handsome, and Broen does a LOT of stalking around and hiding his anger. Add to it some glaring editing issues and plot points that lack thrill/excitement/apprehension, and it's an overall lackluster reading experience.