Customer Reviews

Untamed (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 2)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pamela Clare is good--really good. Her books are poignant, sexy and romantic, funny, riveting, and unusual. But best of all, Clare manages to keep it realistic without compromising character, plot, or setting.

In Untamed, Clare continues the story of the Mackinnon family. Like his brothers, Morgan Mackinnon is a Highland Scot with enough Native-American know-how to give you the best of both worlds in one hero.

Morgan and his brothers are being forced to fight for the English in the French and Indian War. It's a great injustice on a number of levels and Morgan's pretty peeved about it. However, he loves his brothers and he loves his men. So he does a damn good job as head of the elite Ranger Company.
While saving one of his men, Morgan is captured by the French, the historic ally of Catholic Highlanders such as himself. However, Morgan is prepared to withstand torture and an excruciatingly slow death rather than betray his brothers and his men.
Circumstances give Morgan the opportunity to live and await escape--if he's willing to lie to the woman he's coming to love and the enemy he's coming to admire. Thus Morgan pretends to join the French, all the while watching for the opportunity to return to the English he despises and the family he loves.

Clare doesn't give Morgan any easy outs, and he wouldn't take them if she did. He's fully aware of what he's doing & he feels guilty. Among the French, he's not a convict on parole but is recognized as Scottish nobility. Yet Morgan's first allegiance is always to his family and the Rangers.

Meanwhile, Morgan is falling in love with Amalie, the ward of the French general. Amalie trusts Morgan and believes he has truly joined her countrymen. Uh oh. The Big Mis looms.

And here's where Clare demonstrates her deftness as an author. If you're like me and you hate the Big Misunderstanding or the Big Surprise at the end of the novel, don't worry. Clare doesn't make that mistake! Yay! Amalie is kept in the dark just long enough to allow the reader to feel the strain Morgan's under as he deludes the woman he loves. Then she finds out!

And when Amalie discovers the truth, her reaction rings true. She doesn't make hasty decisions or reject Morgan in a fit of temper as so many heroines do when faced with similar revelations in more poorly written novels.

There's so much I love about this series. The sparkling dialogue is historically accurate. The characters live and breathe, and the wilderness does too. I loved trekking through the primeval forest of America with Morgan and Amalie. Amalie is freaked out enough to remind readers what a dark, enormous wilderness use to cover this continent. Yes, it was majestic, but its majesty was brutal and it could kill you. Morgan is competent and courageous enough to make readers marvel at the men and women who forged a life and nation out of this enormous continent.

Writing this review, I want to read the book again! So I'm off to do just that.

Absolutely one of Pamela Clare's best books! As an avid Pamela Clare fan, I couldn't wait for the release of UNTAMED and Pamela Clare has not disappointed this fan one tiny minute bit! I was blown away! I'm still blown away! There is no one who tells a better love story than Pamela Clare!

There is something about Pamela Clare's voice that sweeps you away into her tale of sacrifice, duty, honor, loyality and last but really not least- love. When I read her books, I feel like I'm there in every moment. No page is wasted as she weaves a grand tale of forbidden romance. I hear the characters speak as though they were acting out the book in front of me. The visual she creates with her words is out of this world amazing and UNTAMED was no different! I was unable to put this book down and found myself unable to sleep because I had to know the outcome. That's how involved you become once you pick up this book and it's Pamela Clare's writing that does it to you.

In UNTAMED, we find Morgan MacKinnon wounded in battle as he saved one of his own, taken as a prisoner by the enemy and nursed back to health by a convent raised orphan of war, Amalie Chauvenet. It is a joy to watch their love blossom and grow throughout the book, each sacrifice they make for one another claws at your soul as find yourself fighting with Amalie and Morgan. At first you're fighting with them to realize they NEED to be together, and then you fight with them to keep their relationship and to stay alive. Several times while reading the book, I found myself holding my breath and chewing my fingernails. It was wonderful to catch up with the Rangers and the MacKinnon brothers. Always a lively bunch. The journey is long and hard but well worth the trip as when you close the book, the ending leaves you feeling overjoyed and waiting for the next installment of MacKinnon Rangers!

I can't recommend this book enough. Pick up Surrender and Untamed today and find yourself swept away with the MacKinnon Rangers!

Morgan MacKinnon takes over as captain of MacKinnon's Rangers after his older brother Iain is allowed to leave the service and return to the family farm with his wife Annie and their son. Morgan is captured by the French at Fort Ticonderoga after he is gravely injured while helping save the life of one of his men. The French intend to try to save his life so he can be interrogated then given to the Abenaki. The Abenaki want to torture and kill Morgan in retaliation for a harsh attack against an Abenaki village known for killing British citizens.

Amalie Chauvenet came to Fort Ticonderoga (Fort Carillon to the French) to be near her father who is a French officer. She is part Abenaki on her mother's side but knows little about her Abenaki heritage because she was raised in a convent after her mother died when she was very young. Amalie's father is killed in the Battle of Ticonderoga by a Ranger sniper but she remains at the fort afterward because it was too dangerous to travel through the wilderness to the convent.

Amalie is asked to help care for Morgan in the infirmary because they are afraid the French soldiers would try to harm him. Amalie resents Morgan at first because her father was killed by a Ranger like him but she quickly comes to admire his honesty and integrity. Amalie and Morgan come to know and respect each other while he heals. They both fight the fierce attraction between them because they know Morgan is bound for death from the French or Abenaki as soon as he is healed.

Desperate to save Morgan's life, Amalie convinces the fort commander to give Morgan the choice to fight for the French instead of being killed since he is a fellow Catholic who was forced to serve in the British army against his will. Morgan does not want to betray his fellow Rangers and brother Connor, but decides to pretend to join the French army to find out as much information as possible before he escapes. Morgan is forced to play a desperate game with his life on the line if he is found out, while fighting his strong attraction to Amalie as he does not want to hurt her when he leaves.

Morgan and Amalie's love story is full of action and adventure and takes the reader on a fun ride. Their romance was very sweet and passionate. Morgan manages to survive some harrowing situations with the help and love of Amalie, who shows a lot of courage and compassion in her actions. I loved catching up with Iain and Annie and am looking forward to Connor's story. I highly recommend reading Surrender before this book because it sets up the story line and introduces the wonderful MacKinnon brothers. Pamela Clare has penned another great historical romance and has more than proved her ability to write amazing romantic love stories with beautiful historical detail.

The MacKinnon's Rangers Series:

Surrender

Untamed


I am so glad Clare made us wait for this book. (I, for one, was not feeling very patient to get my hands on it.) While many authors seem to toss out meaningless sequels, Pamela Clare took her time writing this continuation to her latest historical series. It was well worth it. Clare picked up the story without missing a single detail. All of the important characters are back. The men who make up "MacKinnon's Rangers" are as funny and loyal as before. The story is powerfully emotional. It's a story I won't quickly forget.


With his older brother now out of the military, Morgan MacKinnon has taken the lead in the band of Scottish soldiers known as MacKinnon's Rangers. Although many are fighting for the English against their will, these men live by a code that ties them together like family. Above all things, the Rangers have made a pact of loyalty to one another.

When one of Morgan's men is shot during an ambush, he runs to carry his fellow soldier to safety. His bravery is not without sacrifice. Morgan is gunned down. The last thing he hears is the anguished cry of his younger brother, Connor.

Amalie is of mixed blood. Part French, part Indian, she has never felt truly accepted. Her one love was her father, a French officer. She was devastated when he was killed in battle by one of MacKinnon's Rangers. Now, a year later, the leader of the Rangers has been captured. He is near death. Amalie is charged with the responsibility of healing him so that he can be interrogated, then sent to a torturous death. As weeks of healing pass, Amalie learns that Morgan was forced to fight for the enemy army. Finding him to be a surprisingly honorable man, Amalie suggests that the French army recruit Morgan to help fight the army that had enslaved him. What she does not understand is that turning against the English army would mean turning a gun on Morgan's own brother and loyal men.

Until he is able to escape and return to his men, Morgan pretends to join the French army. Using the time to act as a spy, he waits for his body to heal and for an opportunity for escape to arise. As hard as Morgan tries to resist the temptation of Amalie, her pursual of him becomes more than he can deny.


This is all I'm going to give away! Telling any more might ruin the emotional ties that Clare has written into the story. And, oh yes, they are powerful! Reading this book will feel like a roller coaster. You'll be swept up in the joy, anguish, loyalty, and love that Morgan experiences. With Amaile, you'll feel the sorrow, deep love, and pure honor. Both are forced to make devastating choices that will leave them with painful regret. You'll feel it with them. What makes it beautiful is that through it all, love is the one emotion that keeps them strong. Morgan and Amalie's HEA is a true triumph.


If you haven't read the prequel yet, make sure to read it first. "Untamed" is excellent on it's own, but "Surrender" introduces you to the men who make MacKinnon's Rangers dear to you. Seeing them return made "Untamed" even better.
Here is the link:

Surrender (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 1)


If you haven't read Pam Clare's first historical series, you are in for some terrific stories:

Sweet Release

Carnal Gift

Ride The Fire (Leisure Historical Romance)

Exiled from Scotland to the new frontier, MacKinnon's Rangers, a band of brothers and Highland Warriors, were raised by the Native American Mahicans. Rumors of their eerie battle prowess precede them. They are chi bai, everywhere and nowhere. Their tracks just disappear but their feats are legendary. With their forged loyalty from brother to brother and to the Mahicans, no one can stop them. When British General Abercrombie attacked Fort Carillon in New France with the MacKinnon's Rangers by his side, Amalie lost her father, Major Chauvenet and Lieutenant Rillieux blames the MacKinnon Rangers specifically for his death. Now, at the fort of Ticonderoga on the New York Frontier, the French have taken Morgan MacKinnon prisoner. The French want him dead but their Abenaki allies want to torture him with an agonizing death.

With mix of French and Abenaki heritage, Amalie Chauvenet has every reason to hate the enemy barbarian before her. When she sees the simple wood rosary hanging from Morgan's neck, Amalie captures a glimpse of the man behind the legends. Tortured by his failures and the loyalty to his brothers, Morgan refuses water, determined to end his agony. Amalie provokes him, reminding him that causing one's own death is a sin but inside she is troubled just as much by her attempts to save him. Is she not committing an equal sin to save him only so that he can be killed in an agonizing fashion? When the convent-raised Amalie comes to Morgan in such innocence, her questions and beauty make him want to live. But can his growing love for her make him question his vow to escape and return to his brothers? When he is given the opportunity to choose between the pledge to the woman he loves and upholding his oath to MacKinnon's Rangers rather than spying on them, how can he choose between honor and love?

The second in the MacKinnon Ranger's series after SURRENDER, Pamela Clare's historical romance UNTAMED is magnificent! Dark and sensual, and full of dramatic tension, UNTAMED takes readers right into the drama of the 18th century North American frontier during the French and Indian Wars as the central action focuses on the fort of Ticonderoga (once called Fort Carillon), the then border between the British Colony of New York and the French Colony of Canada. Pamela Clare takes the reader right to the heart of the divided loyalties of the time period in her portrayal of the divided loyalties of the American Indians who fought on both sides of the conflict as well as into some of the other unusual alliances of the time period.

As an exiled Highlander fighting with the British, and a Catholic fighting against other Catholics, Morgan MacKinnon defies common definition. The warrior Morgan is all alpha male from his body to the power within him. Driven by loyalty and his wits, fiery emotions accompany his sense of honor. Amalie Chauvenet's innocence reaches out to the man within Morgan, from the excitement that her closeness brings to his body to the inspiration she brings to him. As Morgan encounters one heart-stopping danger after another, Pamela Clare gives readers a romance that intrigues with its plot twists while taking readers on a rich emotional journey as the hero and heroine's love for one another cuts across war time loyalties. Pamela Clare's UNTAMED has a unique lush flavor of sensuousness combined with a deep sense of inner honor to the moral codes within both the hero and heroine. Pamela Clare draws the reader into the very hearts of her characters within a vivid historical landscape that will challenge them to the core. One feels the danger of the villains and the forces against them throughout the story as their love draws them closer and closer to each other. UNTAMED is stunning in each and every detail and a book I plan on rereading just to be able to savor the author's beautiful prose!

Though "Surrender" still holds first place in my beloved Pamela Clare collection, this worthy sequel deserves a 5 star rating!

The MacKinnon clan are amazing men and everything that would make a woman swoon. Strong, resourceful, clever, witty, funny, sexy, chivalrous...

In this tale we find Morgan, the middle brother, who as we know has been forced to fight for the Brits in the French and Indian Wars in colonial America. All of the MacKinnon brothers carry a price, as they lead the Rangers, the most skilled and deadly fighters on the field. The French make a major score when they capture Morgan- and threaten to learn all of his secrets at penalty of a horrid death at the hands of the violent Abenaki Indian tribe.

He is placed in the hands of Amalie Chauvenet, the young orphaned ward of the French Brigadier. She must heal him and restore him- knowing he will soon face torture in the hands of his enemies, her own people.

Amalie and Morgan begin a tender relationship as they learn one another. She ultimately saves his life when persuading her people to accept him into their own lives, if he will serve them against their enemy. Morgan finds himself in a precarious situation. His loyalty to his brothers and his rangers knows no bounds. However, he is losing his heart to Amalie- a kind, loving, intelligent woman.

Thus begins a beautiful and enchanting tale done OH so well. It's a sensitive line that they all toe- whether or not to betray one or the other. Friendship, integrity, blood ties and love are all tested. I championed the pair!!

Of course, I was very excited to see familiar characters again... Iain, Annie, even Wentworth, Joseph, the rangers... and of course, Connor! I cannot wait for his story! Amazing, flawless and highly recommended!

Untamed (MacKinnon's Rangers, Book 2) by Pamela Clare
Mass Market Paperback Early American Historical - November 25, 2008
4 Stars

Untamed is her second in her historical in the MacKinnon Rangers series, but can easily be read alone. It is an absorbing book that reminded me of the movie The Last Mohicans. Sections in the book are: brutally realistic, wildly romantic and dramatically poetic.

Pamela Clare has the ability to transport the reader back in time without detracting from the storyline. This book is set before the British colonies were established and the French and British were fighting over land rights in Northern America. It has a realism that is seldom seen in most historical romances combined with genuine characters that will be remembered long after the last page is finished.

Amalie is part French and part Native American. She has been cloistered in a convent most of her life, but has left its security to spend precious time with her father, a French officer. She is beautiful, gentle and compassionate; a refreshing variation from the typical heroine. Although she is naïve, it does not equate her with being stupid. Amalie has a will of her own and is quietly courageous. She quickly falls under the spell of Morgan MacKinnon while tending to his wounds while he is held captive at the French fort.

Morgan MacKinnon is leader of the famous Rangers who have fought against the French. He is noble and handsome. A Highlander forced to work for the British, he finds the British detestable and knows he cannot betray his own kin. Torn between his growing love for Amalie and his loyalty to the MacKinnon Rangers his emotional struggles kept me in suspense. (Readers that love Highlander men will NOT be disappointed by this hero!)

The only difficulty was I felt Amalie forgave Morgan too quickly. He is responsible for French casualties including those she cares about. Amalie is very attracted to Morgan but it blinds her to his present and past actions. I was puzzled by how quickly she overlooked the death and divided loyalty in their past. I felt there could have been more tension stemming from this unresolved conflict.

Pamela Clare has written a sweeping romance and readers who love brawny highlanders and heartbreaking characters will definitely enjoy the beauty of this book!

Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Read it yesterday and absolutely loved it. It's the sequel to Clare's book `Surrender' and tells Morgan's story, the middle of three MacKinnon brothers. In short, it is an incredibly compelling, heart moving story that at times makes you feel as if a happy ending is simply impossible.

The romance between Morgan and Amelia was touching and beautiful, and in true Pamela Clare style, it became very sensual as the story evolves. Highly recommended! Can't wait for Connor's story!!!

`Untamed' takes place in 1759 in the American frontier, a time when the French and British were fighting for American land. Both sides enlist the help of American Indians, thus also pitting Indians against Indians. This isn't a story that takes sides with either the French or the British, but tells a story of what can happen to those caught in the middle.

Background: The MacKinnon brothers were exiled from Scotland in their youth, raised in America with their parents in the rugged frontier, and befriended the Mohican Indian tribe. These brothers are trained as both Scottish and Indian warriors, with skills that surpass any army on either side of the war. Through deceptive means, the British force the three brothers to form an elite fighting group known as MacKinnion Rangers and fight on their behalf. They are feared and renowned among both sides.

If you haven't read `Surrender', I would recommend reading it first just to give you more of the background that set this series into motion. But the story itself is a stand alone and there is plenty of back-story provided to help fill you in where needed. Enjoy!

Pamela Clare is by far one of the brightest stars in the romance firmament. Every single thing a reader could want is contained in each one of her books, and "Untamed" is the perfect example.

Do you like realistic historical? Clare envelopes true, sometimes gritty historical facts, events and people in a fictional story so deftly that one doesn't even realize there is learning taking place. Do you like strong characters that stay true to the nature written? Her characters are some of the most superbly crafted, well fleshed out and completely real people in literature of any genre. How about nail biting suspense? It comes in spades, the edge of your seat, can't put down until it's over kind. Are you one who likes the romance hot and steamy? Clare's scenes burn right off the page but with the (hallelujah!) added bonus of real love and emotions propelling them. The relationships are honest, deep and richly loving. Even the bad guys are written so well you understand them, even as you are hating them. See? Perfection through and through. Every reader may have preferences - likes or dislikes concerning what they look for in a story (ie: the steam factor is a little strong for my personal comfort zone) but there isn't a reader alive that won't find a whole lot to love about "Untamed" and the MacKinnon Ranger series.

This is the 2nd in the MacKinnon Brothers trilogy (the first is SURRENDER) and it's a good one. Before I give you my rating, you should note that Clare is reissuing the first two in the MacKinnon Brothers trilogy, the story of post Culloden Highlanders in America. SURRENDER, as of December 2011, will have a new cover, a new edit, and several new scenes. UNTAMED, originally published with 25 pages cut, will be published in January 2012 with a new cover and the missing pages restored. So, you might want to wait for those. The third in the series, DEFIANT (Connor's story), will be out in March 2012. I read the first two in their original form and loved them. Here's my review of UNTAMED:

I rated SURRENDER 5 stars and would rate this the same except for the duplications--even to using the exact same lines and very similar love scenes (with only the setting changed). That to me is just lazy. We readers don't forget what we just read!

The trilogy is a well researched series romance set in America in the 1750s. The MacKinnon family, who are Catholic Jacobites, have emigrated to the colony of New York following Scotland's defeat at Culloden. The three boys, then on the verge of manhood, are raised on the frontier and become blood brothers with the Mahican Indians who teach them how to survive in the wilderness. When the story opens in book one they are now young men, the oldest, Iain and his brothers, Morgan and Connor, are trying to be successful farmers and frontiersmen. A British commander and member of the nobility related to King George happens to witness an example of the brothers' skill with weapons and decides he must have them in his war against the French. Using a lie that Iain murdered a man, he forces him to serve the Crown under penalty of death and his younger brothers insist on coming along. Though they hate the British, the three agree to become Rangers, non-uniformed British soldiers known for their fierce and non-traditional fighting abilities.

UNTAMED is the story of Morgan MacKinnon, Iain's middle brother, who becomes "Major MacKinnon" when Iain is released from service upon his marriage to Lady Anne. In a successful effort to save one of his men while attacking the French fort, Morgan is severely wounded and taken captive and sentenced to die. He is saved by the clever idea of a young innocent French woman, Amalie, who is the daughter of a slain French officer. The French offer Morgan sanctuary once they learn he and his brothers were forced to serve the English. But he must become one of them. Though the French would be his natural allies, Morgan cannot betray his brothers and his men who are still aligned with the English, so he accepts the offer but decides to become a spy, while planning to escape. He does not plan on falling in love with the beautiful Amalie, however.

Like the first book, this one is well written and detailed in both descriptions and characters and exciting in its exploits that involve battles and life on the frontier. The sexual tension is realistic and well done. My only complaint about this one and why I did not rate it 5 stars is that duplicates the first book. Morgan is so like Iain I cannot tell them apart. They look alike and their personalities seem very similar. I think she could have better distinguished them. (At least the third brother, Connor, is quick to act and has a temper so we know when he's involved.) Some of the dialog is a straight lift from the first book (the same lines!) and the love scenes are also the same save for the location being changed. And that further added to my confusion as to Iain and Morgan being so alike. If you did not read the first book, you wouldn't mind this, but if you read the first two in close succession as I did, it will annoy and distract when you encounter those passages.

Still, I recommend it and I look forward to the third one.