Winning the Highlander's Heart [Paperback]

Terry Spear (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2006

Countess Anice vows to flee the amorous advances of King Henry I, and return to her home in the Highlands, where she hopes to find a laird to wed. Highlander Laird Malcolm MacNeill, seeking an English bride, becomes entangled with the Scottish lass while trying to find out why her staff has vanished.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Vintage Romance Publishing (August 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978536835
• ISBN-13: 978-0978536831
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling, and award-winning author and creator of award-winning teddy bears who have found homes all over the world including Australia, Switzerland, China, and Russia, and a retired officer of the US Army Reserves, I love to plant trees and flowers and if I could, I'd turn all the deserts green. Time travels are my favorite read, although I love to read most anything, and the Bourne series, Romancing the Stone, Sixth Sense, Legend, The Princess Bride, Stardust, Inkheart, LOTR, and tons of other movies are my favorites.

I love to research, to make urban fantasy worlds real, to bring a little of the paranormal into our world. Even in "Winning the Highlander's Heart" the heroine feels she is cursed and she has second sight. But I try to do it in a way that feels real, and not fantasized. :) Currently, I'm working on book 2 of the new jaguar shifter series, but still am working on wolf book number 12 and 13! So more hunky wolves to come! A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing has just released.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WINNING THE HIGHLANDER is a delightful story right from the very first page. January 19, 2007

By C. Dionne VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Countess Anice would like nothing more than to return to her home in the Highlands and find a Laird to marry. As a ward of King Henry I, she's expected to remain with the court until he chooses a husband for her. Unfortunately, King Henry intends to wed her to a Norman lord. There seems to be no escaping Henry's inappropriate propositions for Anice until she literally drops into the lap of the Lord McNeill.

Lord McNeill is a titled lord without property. Marrying a Scottish lass would be impossible due to a past scandal caused by his father. Malcolm is seeking an audience with King Henry in hope of acquiring a propertied English bride. Malcolm never imagined he'd find the perfect Scottish lass to wed by visiting the English court or the danger that would come from loving Anice.

Anice is forced to flee yet another of the king's attempted seductions. This time she avoids his advances by climbing out the second story window and lowering herself with ropes to the ground below. Of course, her flight did not go unnoticed by the people already gathered in the bailey. One supposed gentleman in particular even thought to help by manhandling her when she refused to jump and let him catch her. Anice recognizes his Scottish burr and can't help wishing that he would take her back to her beloved home in the Highlands. Once she leaves the Scotsman who'd helped break her fall, Anice finds her cousin and King Henry's wife, Matilda, and begs her to convince His Grace to allow Anice to return home. However, Anice never tells Matilda of the king's advances, choosing instead to blame homesickness for her need to leave the court. While conferring with Matilda, Anice inquires about the Scotsman, only to learn that he's looking for an English wife. Lord McNeill's plans are put on hold as the king gives him the position as steward of Anice's holding. Unbeknownst to Anice, various members of her staff have gone missing and foul play is suspected. Malcolm may be her new steward but there's no way Anice is going to allow him to leave for her home without her. After spending time with the determined Anice, Malcolm may just discover everything he could possibly want in the arms of a Scottish lass.

WINNING THE HIGHLANDER is a delightful story right from the very first page. I was easily able to envision Anice in all her stubborn glory as she avoids the king's advances, refuses to allow Malcolm to dictate what she should do, and insists on returning to Scotland in order to help determine what foul play has befallen her people. You can't help but adore Malcolm. He's an honorable man, trying to do the right thing by traveling to England and seeking out an English bride but becomes attracted to Anice even before the king entrusts her estate to him. This story is fast paced, full of witty dialogue, and interesting characters that will keep readers entertained for hours. If you like historical stories about those braw Highlander men, you'll love this book.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Scottish medieval romance October 21, 2006

By n22v

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When Lady Anice, Countess of Brecken, swings from a tower window and falls into the lap of Malcolm MacNeill, Earl of Pembrinton, their lives become a rousing adventure neither anticipated. The king assigns Malcolm the difficult task of escorting Anice from England back to her castle in the Scottish Highlands and protecting her along the way. Once they get there, they must find out why members of her staff have disappeared.

Terry Spear has crafted a masterpiece in Winning the Highlander's Heart. Fans of Scottish medieval romance will delight in this page-turner which sweeps the reader back to England and Scotland during the reign of King Henry I.

I fell in love with the noble, sexy Highland hero who has a wonderful sense of humor and a caring heart. The saucy heroine is a challenge for him, yet his perfect match. Malcolm and Anice's verbal sparring is highly entertaining, and their attraction is deeply sensual. The secondary characters stole my heart as well, especially wee Kemp, a homeless lad they find along the way. This is a lighthearted, fun read, but at times the emotion was so touching it brought a tear to my eye. The skillfully interwoven suspense kept me wondering how they would escape the dangerous situations. I highly recommend this book, brimming in lush historical details, set in vivid locations, and peopled with true-to-life, lovable characters.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Judith Gilbert's review of Winning the Highlander's Heart October 23, 2006

By Judith D. Gilbert

Format:Paperback

I loved the opening of this book where Lady Anice, Countess of Brecken, falls into the lap of handsome Malcolm MacNeill, Earl of Pembrinton. He's assigned by the king to escort Lady Anice back to her castle and protect her. Once they arrive there, the mystery begins. Why are people disappearing at the castle?

Once I started reading this book, it was hard to put down. I fell in love with the sexy hero and the verbal sparring between him and Anice was delightful. The danger and suspense woven into the story kept me turning the pages to find out what was happening and how it would turn out.

What more could I ask for in a book? It's full of vivid historical settings, lovable characters that I grew to care deeply about, like Kemp, the homeless lad that is such a perfect secondary character, and a love story that I remembered long after I'd finished reading the book.

Bravo to Miss Terry Spear, who has created a jewel among stories.