Book description:
Rory MacLeod is a bold and powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance–to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald–a bride he does not want and has no intention of keeping. But Rory couldn’t have anticipated the captivating woman who challenges his steely control, and unleashes the untamed passion simmering beneath his fierce exterior.
Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel MacDonald is prepared to use every means possible–including seduction–to uncover her husband’s most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel’s deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she’s always dreamed of with the very man she must betray, and discovers that passion can be far more dangerous than revenge.
I’ve had this book for ages, but was just not in the mood for a medieval. I’m glad I finally picked it up b/c it was really very good. I read it about two weeks ago, so this is really a brief review.
Isabel MacDonald has always wanted approval from her family. After her mother died when she was just three years old, Isabel has strove to get attention from her father and three brothers. Always falling short of the mark, Isabel finally has a chance to prove her worth by handsfasting w/ Rory MacLeod. Given the duty of finding Rory’s secrets, Isabel arrives with vague intentions of seducing his secrets out of him and then leaving after the required year.
Rory MacLeod has his own agenda when it comes to his handsfast bride. Agreeing only to placate the King, Rory has no intention of forgoing his revenge on Isabel’s uncle, MacDonald of Sleat. After a slight to his sister that he can’t ignore, Rory has every intention of not only avenging her, but defeating Sleat once and for all.
Though Isabel commits to Rory with every intention of betraying him, she soon finds herself caring for her husband. Though she doesn’t want to let her family down, she also wants to fight for the marriage that never thought she wanted. Though she wants to confide in Rory, she hesitates b/c she is not sure he would forgive even the thought of betrayal.
I thought this was a very good debut for McCarty. Isabel was a very like able heroine while Rory was exactly what I’ve come to expect in a Highland Laird. Always putting the duty to the clan first, Rory is arrogant and stubborn enough to figure out a way to have his revenge while keeping the bride that he should not want. Though he is at first blinded by her beauty, Rory learns that there is much more to his wife than first meets the eye.
The resolution of the conflict between the characters was believable. That’s always important to me. I don’t like finishing a book and thinking “WTF just happened?”.
I recommend this series to readers who are looking for a good medieval romance.
4 out of 5 stars.
Yup, this is another trilogy on my wishlist. It seems to be a theme with me. I buy highlander books and I don’t read them. I have all of the Janet Chapman and KMM’s ~ Really, I just need to take a month (or 12) off and just read.
I almost picked this up at Wal-Mart the other day, but put it back at the last minute. Kinda sorry now that I didn’t get it. *sigh*
I’ve seen them again and again on the shelves and just always hesitated 😛 I guess I’m getting book 1 now 😀
I do love a good medievel!
This is going on my to buy list.