Above painting: Louis Jean Francois - Mars and Venus an Allegory of Peace

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Book Review: To Conquer a Highlander, by Mary Wine

Most of you know my love for Highland romance novels, so I was particularly thrilled to receive a copy of Mary Wine’s TO CONQUER A HIGHLANDER. The book was FABULOUS!




BACK COVER BLURB…



A fierce Highland laird ready to kill for king and country…



When Torin McLeren discovers his neighbor’s plot against his king, he takes their daughter as his prisoner, thereby stopping her father’s plot from going forward. But that leaves him with a woman under his roof whom he can’t ignore, and not just because she’s his enemy’s daughter…



A woman who’s as much trouble as she is temptation…



Shannon McBoyd decides to use her captor to experience passion for the first time, and then to destroy him. But her plan goes awry because once she has lured Torin into her bed, she no longer wants to hurt the one man who seems to value and understand her…



Even if her father will kill him—and her—when he discovers what they’ve done...



Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS

Product ISBN: 9781402237379

Price: $6.99

Publication Date: July 2010



MY REVIEW…



First off, I have to give major kudos to Ms. Wine on her attention to detail and historical facts. Wow! I can tell the author did a lot of research for her novel. For instance, she goes into detail about the water system that pumps water into the lower level of the castle for bathing and dishes! It was details like this that had me enthralled (not to mention the extremely charismatic, sexy hero, Torin McLeren *fanning self*). But back to historical detail… Ms. Wine gets two thumbs up! Her knack for sensory description and visuals was excellent, while reading I was able to “watch” the story unfold. The use of detail and history didn’t overwhelm the story either, which you can often happens. There was enough conflict, action—PLOT to keep the pace fast and to draw the reader in.



Shannon McBoyd is a heroine we can all root for. She is feisty, but stoic. Intelligent and witty. Beautiful and humble. The banter back and forth between her and the other characters was truly entertaining.



Throughout TO CONQUER A HIGHLANDER, I was easily able to see why Shannon and Torin were the perfect match—to believe in their romance.  Great summer read!  (or really for any time of year)



Mary Wine is an author I highly recommend reading if you like historical fiction and romance in one. I am eagerly awaiting her next release (as well as piling up my shelves with her backlist)!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR…



Mary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU was quoted “Not to be missed…” by Lora Leigh, New York Times best-selling author.

When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt. Visit Ms. Wine at www.marywine.com