21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Sequel to Highlander Series!, July 1, 2008
This review is from: To Wed a Highlander (Mass Market Paperback)
Michele Sinclair fascinated and entertained Scottish Historical Romance fans with her debut, "The Highlander's Bride." In this sequel, the story of the McTiernay family continues with the youngest and first to marry McTiernay brother, Colin McTiernay, a highlander who married into a lowlander clan for political alliance and was briefly mentioned in the first book. Colin finds himself once again single, widowed, and being pushed by his father-in-law to marry his wife's sister, Makenna Dunstan, in order to keep the Dunstan clan strong and defended.
The strong and handsome leader still has not been accepted by the Dunstan clan, despite his previous marriage to Makenna's sister Deidre. Besides his problems with the Dunstan people's mistrust and the surrounding laird's greed in wanting Dunstan, he cannot believe he is being forced into marriage with Makenna, who he constantly was at odds with during his marriage, and feels another marriage is not required to be a strong laird. Deidre was blonde, blue-eyed, and meek; a woman trained to run a large keep and be an important laird's wife, but she was also very fragile. Colin loved Deidre in his own way, but his heart was not really engaged. Thus, it was a comfortable marriage. Now he is being offered a red-haired, green-eyed, tomboy, termagant, to deal with and marry, who is willful, can wield a sword as well as, or better than, many of the Dunstan men, and worst of all, has no idea how to do woman's work.
Makenna has many of the same feelings as Colin. She is afraid of him and her own feelings and lack of confidence to step into Deidre's place. She has seen Colin as the huge bellowing man that has done nothing but make her life miserable by not allowing her to sword practice and instead forced her to train at ladies work, where she was a complete failure and ridiculed by many of her people. From the time of the marriage and through the trials of running the Dunstan clan, Colin begins to see the colorful beauty and strength of Makenna and falls deeply in love with her, while at the same time, Makenna sees Colin as the strong leader needed for the clan, as well as one to awaken her womanly passions in bed. Can Colin convince Makenna that she is truly his first true love and save Dunstan at the same time?
This is a well-written, interesting, and entertaining story that is packed with suspense. Adding to the suspense and mystery is that there are many enemies within, trying to sabotage the keep and Makenna and Colin's budding desire, passion and love. As Colin struggles with his leadership and feelings of a true marriage of passion and love, Makenna struggles as well with her growing womanhood and homemaking skills. They soon grow to realize that Makenna's father made the true match the second time around and that Colin and Makenna are perfect for each other, not only in bed, but in keeping the Dunstan clan strong, united, and protected from dangers within and without.
As there are many McTiernay brothers, Scottish romance readers have more fun to look forward to in the future as the series continues. Michele Sinclair has a talent to keep the reader engaged with interesting storylines and unforgettable characters. A real Highland and Lowland treat!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A promising sequel, September 1, 2008
This review is from: To Wed a Highlander (Mass Market Paperback)
I was delighted to start the second novel (I believe 2 of 6) of Michele Sinclair's highlander series (The McTiernay brothers). The first book started with the hero and heroin meeting as the hero was returning from Colin's wedding, our hero in this novel. About two years pass and Colin finds himself in discussion with his late wife's father regarding a marriage with the lairds youngest daughter, Makenna. This alliance is needed because the lairds health is failing and he needs someone who can protect The Dunstan clan and his name. Also, Colins late wife wanted the union to take place!
Colin does not want a new wife and if he did it would not be Makenna, For she is too wild and untamed. Makenna does not feel that she is "wife material." Not to mention in Makeena's eyes, Colin is a brute who has taken all of her special privileges away. No more sword playing is just her first complaint of many. Colin wants to refuse this union but honor and pride will not allow him to.
They are married and soon find themselves more attracted to one another than each thought possible. No longer does Colin only see a wild and untamed lass before his eyes, but a beautiful woman he is falling in love with. Makenna finds herself drawn to Colin much more than I thought possible in such a short time. She begins to understand Colin and realize all he has done for her clan (who is not welcoming by any means). The highlander that so many hate has managed to win her heart and she vows to show a united front to the clan.
The story unfolds wonderfully. Excellent secondary characters will make you smile. Ahh, a jealous past suitor of Makenna is also starting mischief along with many of Colin's clan members. There is love, hate, betrayal, pride, honor and enough steamy sex scenes to keep you up all night reading this novel. We also get a good dose and many updates of Conor and Laurel from "The Highlander's Bride." A great followup by Michele Sinclair, I anxiously await Cole's story.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read Highlander Series, July 2, 2008
This review is from: To Wed a Highlander (Mass Market Paperback)
I do not usually give 5 stars, but this book was by far the best summer read yet. You will fall in love with Colin and Makenna. There is such a romance that builds with them that leaves you feeling good inside. This author really made the pages come a live so that you could not help but laugh or cry with the characters. The research on the history was well done and I loved the mention and background on William Wallace. The first book in this series "The Highlander's Bride", with Colin's brother Conor, was lacking somewhat but was still a good read. This sequel makes any mistakes in the first worth while. I hope there will be more stories to come of the rest of the McTiernay clan and hope I can wait patiently for them.
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