Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Deciding to read this series (1 book per month! Save for two steamy novellas, which, no problem...) was one of the best ideas I’ve had lately.
I really liked this book. The slow build of the relationship was nicely written. My only problem was the amount of side characters. I know this is the foundation book for the series so I understand it was necessary, it was just a little distracting. Also, no hint of a highlander brogue, at all? "Lass" and "Aye" were the only ones that I saw. I'm such a sucker
his is NavySEALS in kilts. So if you like special forces type books and are interested in dabbling in historical (medieval), this is for you! I enjoyed it.
There were some things in there that were a bit anachronistic, but I'm gonna give it a pass, cause it's fricking "SEALS in Kilts". I don't tend to read a ton of medieval romances, so I can't vouch for this compared to others, but I had fun.
There were some things in there that were a bit anachronistic, but I'm gonna give it a pass, cause it's fricking "SEALS in Kilts". I don't tend to read a ton of medieval romances, so I can't vouch for this compared to others, but I had fun.
I like to judge books based on my emotional involvement while I'm reading them... If a book makes me want to throw it out of frustration, or emotional turmoil, it's a winner. [So far I haven't actually *thrown* one—Probably because I don't want to break my Nook. :) ]
That being said, I wanted to throw this book at least 5 times, and was so involved I read the entire thing in one day... Definitely will read the others in this series. :)
That being said, I wanted to throw this book at least 5 times, and was so involved I read the entire thing in one day... Definitely will read the others in this series. :)
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
While this is obviously a romance novel first, I really enjoyed that the author had based the setting of the story on real events. I have always been fascinated with this period in Scottish history and really enjoyed the story and the characters.
I was hesitant to read this book because it sounded like it would be heavy on the politics, and although it wasn't as bad as I expected, I wasn't wrong.
It's the story of Tor MacLeod, a clan chief of the Western Isles, and Cristina Fraser, the woman he is forced to marry.
She is young and naive and remains so for most of the book, while Tor is aloof and distant, and most of the story that doesn't have to do with him and his warriors, revolves around Christina's efforts to get close to him that he rebuffs.
It did have that one moment of angst that I was looking for when, but it was way too little far too late by that point.
The series continues with [b:The Hawk|7379335|The Hawk (Highland Guard, #2)|Monica McCarty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1351572353s/7379335.jpg|9216792], but I think I'll be skipping it, since I prefer the politics to romance ratio in my stories to be skewed towards the romance side and going by this first book, it won't be.
It's the story of Tor MacLeod, a clan chief of the Western Isles, and Cristina Fraser, the woman he is forced to marry.
She is young and naive and remains so for most of the book, while Tor is aloof and distant, and most of the story that doesn't have to do with him and his warriors, revolves around Christina's efforts to get close to him that he rebuffs.
It did have that one moment of angst that I was looking for when
Spoiler
Christina realizes that she'll never get what she wants from him and leaves, which leads to him finally realize that he loves herThe series continues with [b:The Hawk|7379335|The Hawk (Highland Guard, #2)|Monica McCarty|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1351572353s/7379335.jpg|9216792], but I think I'll be skipping it, since I prefer the politics to romance ratio in my stories to be skewed towards the romance side and going by this first book, it won't be.
I picked this so I could read a Highlander romance that was faerie free. Maybe without faeries though, Highlander romances are too serious?
Tor is the most serious leader of his clan in all the Scottish Isles. Wallace has been killed, England has claimed Scotland and Bruce is forcing clans to take sides. Or something. Tor, who takes his clan leader duties VERY SERIOUSLY has agreed to train an elite warrior force in secret.
He is also tricked into marrying Christina Frasier. And even though they have an intense connection in bed, Tor put his clan's interests above hers (because, remember, he takes his clan leader duties very seriously!) Christina tries to make emotional connections with Tor and doesn't have much luck.
The Chief took itself a little too seriously to make for a fun read, which a romance book should be. Christina is too eager, too silly to really be considered sympathetic and even though Tor finally comes around (after a kidnapping, duh!) the characters weren't really very likeable.
Tor is the most serious leader of his clan in all the Scottish Isles. Wallace has been killed, England has claimed Scotland and Bruce is forcing clans to take sides. Or something. Tor, who takes his clan leader duties VERY SERIOUSLY has agreed to train an elite warrior force in secret.
He is also tricked into marrying Christina Frasier. And even though they have an intense connection in bed, Tor put his clan's interests above hers (because, remember, he takes his clan leader duties very seriously!) Christina tries to make emotional connections with Tor and doesn't have much luck.
The Chief took itself a little too seriously to make for a fun read, which a romance book should be. Christina is too eager, too silly to really be considered sympathetic and even though Tor finally comes around (after a kidnapping, duh!) the characters weren't really very likeable.
When the angst hits with twenty pages left and you know that it's going to get resolved in a minute
:( Let the characters stew in misery for a while!
:( Let the characters stew in misery for a while!