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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Tor MacLeod, renowned for his skills with a sword and being a formidable Highland chief, is determined to stay out of Scotland's war against England. His first dedication is to his clan and he doesn't see the need to risk their livelihood in someone else's fight. He gets entangled in a scheme where he ends up with a wife and an agreement to train an elite group of warriors for the Scottish cause but has no plans to command them when complete. His new bride, Christina Fraser, turns out to be more than he anticipated, determined to win his heart in spite of his efforts to the otherwise.
This is a fascinating story, entrenched in historical fact but made even more interesting with the fictional characterizations. The relationship between Tor and Christina is very complex. He agrees to take her as his wife because of a number of factors, none of them having to do with love. She, though initially repulsed by the fierceness of this warrior, is enamored of this man and works hard to gain his approval not only as a wife but a lover.
Meanwhile, the intrigue abounds as loyalties to England and Scotland aren't always clearly delineated and there is a traitor in the midst of Tor's clan. The warriors assembled for the elite force aren't all on the same page and have divided allegiances to other clans. It takes all of Tor's skills to accomplish his goals (in secret) for this group while also managing his clan. He's also struggling with emerging feelings for his new wife that he's just as determined to fight off as he is to fulfill his role as chief.
The story is so well written and effectively weaves fact and fiction. The tone of the dialogue is in keeping with the region and the era and every relationship is carefully developed. I loved the evolution of Tor and Christina's relationship and while there were many steamy moments, you also experience her heartache as Tor refuses to commit anything more than physically. The ending is extremely exciting and satisfying and I definitely will continue this series.
This is a fascinating story, entrenched in historical fact but made even more interesting with the fictional characterizations. The relationship between Tor and Christina is very complex. He agrees to take her as his wife because of a number of factors, none of them having to do with love. She, though initially repulsed by the fierceness of this warrior, is enamored of this man and works hard to gain his approval not only as a wife but a lover.
Meanwhile, the intrigue abounds as loyalties to England and Scotland aren't always clearly delineated and there is a traitor in the midst of Tor's clan. The warriors assembled for the elite force aren't all on the same page and have divided allegiances to other clans. It takes all of Tor's skills to accomplish his goals (in secret) for this group while also managing his clan. He's also struggling with emerging feelings for his new wife that he's just as determined to fight off as he is to fulfill his role as chief.
The story is so well written and effectively weaves fact and fiction. The tone of the dialogue is in keeping with the region and the era and every relationship is carefully developed. I loved the evolution of Tor and Christina's relationship and while there were many steamy moments, you also experience her heartache as Tor refuses to commit anything more than physically. The ending is extremely exciting and satisfying and I definitely will continue this series.
It doesn't have spice as a descriptor. Thank God.
It's silly fun, at this point but I liked the setup. Everything else is mediocre, but McCarty cares about the history, and I can tell she's having fun incorporating some of the historical elements so I'm not pressed.
While reading, I felt like this is like prequel and she set up the elite warriors storyline, which made the romance take a backseat, and Christina just becomes a whiny heroine to keep the conflict going.
Having read 3 McCarty books in succession, I am TIRED of the inner monologue and characters explaining themselves and their motivations especially the female characters. It's a lot of telling, not showing and its started to get on my nerves. That said, I want to keep reading her books: ONLY FOR THE JEALOUSY SCENES cause she satisfies my jealousy trope cravings so well.
It's silly fun, at this point but I liked the setup. Everything else is mediocre, but McCarty cares about the history, and I can tell she's having fun incorporating some of the historical elements so I'm not pressed.
While reading, I felt like this is like prequel and she set up the elite warriors storyline, which made the romance take a backseat, and Christina just becomes a whiny heroine to keep the conflict going.
Having read 3 McCarty books in succession, I am TIRED of the inner monologue and characters explaining themselves and their motivations especially the female characters. It's a lot of telling, not showing and its started to get on my nerves. That said, I want to keep reading her books: ONLY FOR THE JEALOUSY SCENES cause she satisfies my jealousy trope cravings so well.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Berhubung pengalaman baca buku tema highland warriors dari JG selalu kocak, kesan pertama pas coba baca awal-awal chapter adalah wow buku ini serius banget dengan sisi real history sebagai backgroundnya. Tapi kalau pembaca demen sejarah kayak aku semua ini gak jadi masalah.
Kedua MC dipertemukan sejak awal. Tapi sayangnya interaksinya minim banget. Setelah proses pernikahan juga aku merasa buku pertama ini masih tanggung di sisi character building dan chemistry. Mayoritas narsai keduanya lebih fisikal aja.
So far tema team elite rahasia berisi super warrior sangat menarik dan jarang diangkat dalam HR. Berharap lebih daripada buku-buku selanjutnya.
Kedua MC dipertemukan sejak awal. Tapi sayangnya interaksinya minim banget. Setelah proses pernikahan juga aku merasa buku pertama ini masih tanggung di sisi character building dan chemistry. Mayoritas narsai keduanya lebih fisikal aja.
So far tema team elite rahasia berisi super warrior sangat menarik dan jarang diangkat dalam HR. Berharap lebih daripada buku-buku selanjutnya.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was not impressed with this as I was the others from the series I have read, but I still loved.
As this is the first book in the series, we learn how the "Highland Guard" started, and learned of their training.
Also, seeing how much Christina changed Tor. Per normal historical romance books, Tor believes that love makes a warrior weak. As well as his belief that he must not rely on her or anyone else.
I have read other books in the series, and all out of order. Easy to say, that this can be read as a stand-alone if you wish. however I believe you will want to continue the series.
This series is by far one of my favorite series in Historical Romance genre!
As this is the first book in the series, we learn how the "Highland Guard" started, and learned of their training.
Also, seeing how much Christina changed Tor. Per normal historical romance books, Tor believes that love makes a warrior weak. As well as his belief that he must not rely on her or anyone else.
I have read other books in the series, and all out of order. Easy to say, that this can be read as a stand-alone if you wish. however I believe you will want to continue the series.
This series is by far one of my favorite series in Historical Romance genre!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not my favorite trope- husband that tries not to love his wife because trust issues. It was decently spicy. I liked Christina despite her idiocy, she had good intentions and was twitch's. I was constantly muttering, ” this B' to myself. She always look,” like someone kicked her kitten.” At least the author was aware.
3.5
After reading a lot of highlander novels this year, I thought I'd try to read this one too. Unfortunately, it didn't work out well for me.
Let's start with the good stuff first. The plot is deep. It has action, war, mysteries, spies, connivance, dark plans etc... The hero was even training men in secret and if you ask me, his tests were very interesting. There were lots of characters that were introduced. I look forward to these characters as I realize that they are more interesting than the current hero.
Anyway, what didn't sit well with me is how predictable this book became to me. It was not as exciting as I expected it to be. The protagonists each had their reservations about one another. I understand why the hero didn't let his "care" show at first... but when he did it over and over again.. ugh. It pissed me off. And the girl just took it all. She has this dream of a hearts and flowers, horses and knights. She only stopped dreaming of her Lancelot near then end. She tried to leave in the end of course, since obviously, the guy wasn't relenting.. however, she was unfortunately abducted. Then the guy rescued her then they lived happily together. Well, not so happy since there was still a war and many next books.
I'll try to enjoy the next books more...
After reading a lot of highlander novels this year, I thought I'd try to read this one too. Unfortunately, it didn't work out well for me.
Let's start with the good stuff first. The plot is deep. It has action, war, mysteries, spies, connivance, dark plans etc... The hero was even training men in secret and if you ask me, his tests were very interesting. There were lots of characters that were introduced. I look forward to these characters as I realize that they are more interesting than the current hero.
Anyway, what didn't sit well with me is how predictable this book became to me. It was not as exciting as I expected it to be. The protagonists each had their reservations about one another. I understand why the hero didn't let his "care" show at first... but when he did it over and over again.. ugh. It pissed me off. And the girl just took it all. She has this dream of a hearts and flowers, horses and knights. She only stopped dreaming of her Lancelot near then end. She tried to leave in the end of course, since obviously, the guy wasn't relenting.. however, she was unfortunately abducted. Then the guy rescued her then they lived happily together. Well, not so happy since there was still a war and many next books.
I'll try to enjoy the next books more...
Good begining to the series. I listened on audio and it was decent. I'm giving this 3 because there were several times that I got a little bored while listening to this one. I'm curious to see how the other books will go.
Doing a quick skim through for steam stats.
1305
Still love this story, though it does have some decently long separations between the hero and heroine. And the heroine is a bit of a ninny. And there's some boring parts where she works to clean up the house, etc
I love the sex in this one though! And the kiss!
Content warnings:
Attempted sexual assault - man holds her, refuses to listen, kisses, paws, and rips her dress to grope her breast
Painful sexual encounter when heroine loses her virginity
Death/violence on page
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Pg 79 - heroine goes in her nightgown into bed with Tor, who thinks she's there for a good time. He starts kissing her, rubbing her, some breast play, one fingering touch, then he takes her virginity from behind. It's painful for the heroine and they stop because he's like WTF
Pg 114 - a chaste wedding kiss
Pg 165 - breast play and fingering for her (O), missionary sex (both O)
Pg 204 - brief remembered sex
Pg 220 - from behind sex - I loved this scene because he's mad she orgasms and he can't see her face, he feels cheated. So he flips her over and makes her come again and demands she meets his gaze while doing it
Pg 250 - the first REAL KISS
Pg 282 - brief kiss
Pg 326 - oral for her (O), followed by missionary sex
Total pages - 405
Original review 12/15/2018:
This book. THIS BOOK
1305
Still love this story, though it does have some decently long separations between the hero and heroine. And the heroine is a bit of a ninny. And there's some boring parts where she works to clean up the house, etc
I love the sex in this one though! And the kiss!
Content warnings:
Spoiler
Attempted sexual assault - man holds her, refuses to listen, kisses, paws, and rips her dress to grope her breast
Painful sexual encounter when heroine loses her virginity
Death/violence on page
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Spoiler
Pg 79 - heroine goes in her nightgown into bed with Tor, who thinks she's there for a good time. He starts kissing her, rubbing her, some breast play, one fingering touch, then he takes her virginity from behind. It's painful for the heroine and they stop because he's like WTF
Pg 114 - a chaste wedding kiss
Pg 165 - breast play and fingering for her (O), missionary sex (both O)
Pg 204 - brief remembered sex
Pg 220 - from behind sex - I loved this scene because he's mad she orgasms and he can't see her face, he feels cheated. So he flips her over and makes her come again and demands she meets his gaze while doing it
Pg 250 - the first REAL KISS
Pg 282 - brief kiss
Pg 326 - oral for her (O), followed by missionary sex
Total pages - 405
Original review 12/15/2018:
This book. THIS BOOK