Customer Reviews

To Wed A Highlander

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

The youngest daughter of Dunstan Laird, Makenna has always been allowed to run free. She trained with her father's men and generally ignored the training that a Lady needs in order to run her home. So, when her sister passes away, she's stunned to discover that her father expects her to marry her sister's widower, the man who her father has chosen as his successor. Colin McTierney never intends to risk his heart again after the death of his beloved wife but he wants to hold on to his lands and all the work he's put into protecting the Dunstan Clan. He agrees to marry Makenna knowing that her wildness is something that he will have to put a stop to. But once they are wed, Makenna's father's death allows traitors who would rather not see a McTierney holding Dunstan lands to move against Makenna and Colin. While danger surrounds them they find their marriage of convenience turning into something deeper than either of them ever expected.

To Wed A Highlander caught me from page one and I found myself staying awake reading it until late, unable to stop until I found out what happened to Colin and Makenna. I found the whole "he was married to my sister" a little, for lack of a better word, uncomfortable. So in all honesty I have to say that if not for that, To Wed A Highlander would be on my list of recommended reads for this month...it was that good. Michele Sinclair is definitely an author to watch when it comes to historical romances.

Melissa
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This book was great. I like the way the writer makes you feel like you are part of the book right from the start. You can feel the love and trust on every page.

Michele Sinclair has become one of my favorite authors. I love how she writes her stories..they suck you in and you just can't stop until you get to that last page! Can't wait to see her newest book in just a few weeks!!! BRAVO

This is a must read. You won't be dissapointed. I love all of her books.

I read the first in this series and was blown away. My expectations were high coming into 'To Wed A Highlander' and I wasn't disappointed in the very least. Ms. Sinclair has done her research and it shines through.

This book was awesome. I haven't read a good book this good for a while. Although the chapters could have been cut down some because of the characters thinking to themselves a LOT. Never the less I could not put it down. If you are a fan of time period books you have to read this one. I also went back to pick up Conors book.

Normally I am not a historical romance reader, much less a Highland historical romance. I find the heroines to be wimpy, weak and just too stupid to live (TSTL), and the heros to be overly arrogant and egotistical. This is not an issue with Michele Sinclair's books. Her characters jump off the page, Makenna not only stands her ground with a strong hero, but also against the stubborn short-sightedness of her clan. Her hero's are strong on their own behalf, and do not have to look good because everyone else around them are idiotic. Michele's characters are strong, passionate and well developed, moving smoothly through a fast pace plot that will keep you glued to the pages. The only downside of this book... it ended. Now I have to wait until her publisher decides to release the next installment. Oh well, I can always re-read!