Diana B. (AuntDi) -
Helpful Score: 1
Historical Romance, 16th Century Scotland and Ireland
This is the 3rd in a series of interconnected romances. I have not read the others, but this worked fine as a stand-alone. There may have been some points that would have been more evident if I had read the others.
A solid reunion romance with the lovers getting back together after 7 years apart. The hero, Duncan, is a likeable guy, the heroine, Moira, less so. The grand misunderstanding fills most of the book. Moiras father married her off to an Irish chieftain while Duncan was off fighting in France. The father that doted on her so much and trusted her to help him with the clan, pretty much just gave her away and never had anyone check up on her. And then he died and no one else bothered to check on her either. (This is maybe one of the things I would understand if I had followed the series?) The root of the misunderstanding comes from the lies that her father told her, so I didnt find a lot of sympathy for Moira.
The supporting cast is great, especially the dog and the kids.
If youre a fan of Scottish historicals, give this series a try.
This is the 3rd in a series of interconnected romances. I have not read the others, but this worked fine as a stand-alone. There may have been some points that would have been more evident if I had read the others.
A solid reunion romance with the lovers getting back together after 7 years apart. The hero, Duncan, is a likeable guy, the heroine, Moira, less so. The grand misunderstanding fills most of the book. Moiras father married her off to an Irish chieftain while Duncan was off fighting in France. The father that doted on her so much and trusted her to help him with the clan, pretty much just gave her away and never had anyone check up on her. And then he died and no one else bothered to check on her either. (This is maybe one of the things I would understand if I had followed the series?) The root of the misunderstanding comes from the lies that her father told her, so I didnt find a lot of sympathy for Moira.
The supporting cast is great, especially the dog and the kids.
If youre a fan of Scottish historicals, give this series a try.
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book that started with intensity and kept it up. Moira and Duncan had been secret sweethearts when she was seventeen and he was nineteen. But Moira was the daughter of the laird and Duncan a bastard son, and when they were discovered Duncan was sent away and Moira married off. Each of them believes the other deserted them when things got tough.
Seven years later Duncan and his friends are back to reclaim the land stolen from the clan. Moira's brother Connor, listening to the local seer who sees Moira in trouble, sends Duncan to Ireland to check on her. He arrives in time to see her kill her husband after he nearly beat her to death. Duncan discovers that in spite of his feelings of betrayal, his heart still belongs to Moira.
Moira had been her father's "princess" and certain that whatever she wanted she would get. Stunned at being denied her heart's desire of marrying Duncan, she accepted her father's candidate for marriage, only to find herself at the mercy of an abusive man. Seven years later she puts herself at risk to save her son from her husband's cruelty, only to see the boy sent to her clan's worst enemy for fostering. Duncan's arrival saves her life, but trusting him isn't something she can't do.
I loved the interweaving of the action and the romance. Duncan and Moira are wary of each other at first, still hurting from the perceived circumstances of their separation. During their escape they are forced to stop to get help for Duncan's injured companion, and the attraction between them flares hot again. Moira wants Duncan's help to rescue her son, but her plans to keep herself separate don't last long. Duncan is determined to win her back, but Moira doesn't want to trust him with her heart again though sharing her body is no problem. Even after the truth comes out, no matter how often Duncan tells Moira of his love, Moira continues to hold back. Eventually all her secrets are revealed and her trust begins to return. I liked seeing Duncan's protectiveness toward Moira. Moira will accept his help and protection, but she has become quite a survivor. She has no problem letting him know when he goes too far. I liked seeing them grow to respect each other as well as grow their love.
Now that Moira is safe, the attention returns to reclaiming MacDonald land. Duncan goes undercover to scope out the defenses, and discovers a complication in that Moira's son is present at the castle. Back home, Connor and Duncan try to work out the best way to attack the castle, while a spy waits to discover their plans and betray them. Bad luck has Duncan captured, but a surprising rescue gets him back on track. The battle is followed by more trouble, and it is Moira's quick thinking that prevents a disaster. There's a twist to this final confrontation, but it ends well and Duncan and Moira finally get the future they want.
The secondary characters were great. Young Ragnall and his dog Sar were terrific. I liked Ragnall's ingenuity and protectiveness towards his mother. Sar was pretty amazing and came through several times when things were looking grim. Moira's brother Connor, as clan leader, was fantastic. I really enjoyed is part in getting Duncan and Moira together, and am really looking forward to his story. I'm also looking forward to the downfall of their Uncle Hugh after all the trouble he has caused.
Seven years later Duncan and his friends are back to reclaim the land stolen from the clan. Moira's brother Connor, listening to the local seer who sees Moira in trouble, sends Duncan to Ireland to check on her. He arrives in time to see her kill her husband after he nearly beat her to death. Duncan discovers that in spite of his feelings of betrayal, his heart still belongs to Moira.
Moira had been her father's "princess" and certain that whatever she wanted she would get. Stunned at being denied her heart's desire of marrying Duncan, she accepted her father's candidate for marriage, only to find herself at the mercy of an abusive man. Seven years later she puts herself at risk to save her son from her husband's cruelty, only to see the boy sent to her clan's worst enemy for fostering. Duncan's arrival saves her life, but trusting him isn't something she can't do.
I loved the interweaving of the action and the romance. Duncan and Moira are wary of each other at first, still hurting from the perceived circumstances of their separation. During their escape they are forced to stop to get help for Duncan's injured companion, and the attraction between them flares hot again. Moira wants Duncan's help to rescue her son, but her plans to keep herself separate don't last long. Duncan is determined to win her back, but Moira doesn't want to trust him with her heart again though sharing her body is no problem. Even after the truth comes out, no matter how often Duncan tells Moira of his love, Moira continues to hold back. Eventually all her secrets are revealed and her trust begins to return. I liked seeing Duncan's protectiveness toward Moira. Moira will accept his help and protection, but she has become quite a survivor. She has no problem letting him know when he goes too far. I liked seeing them grow to respect each other as well as grow their love.
Now that Moira is safe, the attention returns to reclaiming MacDonald land. Duncan goes undercover to scope out the defenses, and discovers a complication in that Moira's son is present at the castle. Back home, Connor and Duncan try to work out the best way to attack the castle, while a spy waits to discover their plans and betray them. Bad luck has Duncan captured, but a surprising rescue gets him back on track. The battle is followed by more trouble, and it is Moira's quick thinking that prevents a disaster. There's a twist to this final confrontation, but it ends well and Duncan and Moira finally get the future they want.
The secondary characters were great. Young Ragnall and his dog Sar were terrific. I liked Ragnall's ingenuity and protectiveness towards his mother. Sar was pretty amazing and came through several times when things were looking grim. Moira's brother Connor, as clan leader, was fantastic. I really enjoyed is part in getting Duncan and Moira together, and am really looking forward to his story. I'm also looking forward to the downfall of their Uncle Hugh after all the trouble he has caused.
Frances P. (franniekin) - , reviewed The Warrior (Return of the Highlanders, Bk 3) on + 276 more book reviews
The Warrior is so far my favorite book in the Return of the Highlander novels. Duncan has great honor, is a feared warrior and has the capacity to love deeply. I am enjoying how the author lets her characters grow and seem so real they nearly leap off the pages. Having Scottish ancestors, I love the feel of being right in the action with the four friends and seeing medieval Scotland as it may have been.
