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

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Monday, September 5, 2011

Historical Romance Review: My Fierce Highlander by Vonda Sinclair

I'm a sucker for Scottish romance--love Highlanders! So when I had the opportunity to read Vonda Sinclair's debut historical romance, My Fierce Highlander, (LOVE the cover by the way) you bet I jumped on it, and loaded this baby up to my e-reader as fast as I could! I was not disappointed, and you won't be either!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Gwyneth Carswell, an English lady banished by her father to the harsh Scottish Highlands, wants nothing more than to take her young son away from the violence of two fighting clans--her own distant kin, the MacIrwins, and their enemies, the MacGraths. She risks everything to rescue the fierce MacGrath warrior from the battlefield where he’s left for dead by her clan. She only knows she is inexplicably drawn to him and he wants peace as she does. When her clan learns of her betrayal, they seek vengeance. Dare she trust the enemy more than her own family?


Laird Alasdair MacGrath is driven to end two-hundred years of feuding with the MacIrwins. But by taking in and protecting Lady Gwyneth and her son, he provokes more attacks from his mortal enemy. As the danger and conflict surrounding them escalate, Alasdair and Gwyneth discover an explosive passion neither of them expected. With the arrival of a powerful man from her past, a horrible decision confronts her--give up her son or the man she loves.

Available now as an ebook.

MY REVIEW

The book starts out with action, intensity, drawing you in immediately. Ms. Sinclair has penned both a heroine and hero the reader easily connects to and empathizes with. Both are stubborn, courageous, loyal, loving and fierce. And have a habit of saving each other's lives.

The stakes are high for both Gwyneth and Alasdair, and just when it seems that things might calm down, that they might both finally gain what they are yearning for--disaster strikes!  You'll be kept on the edge of your seat until the sweet end.

The historical facts were spot on. I love being able to visualize everything in the book, the clothes, the castles, the weapons, the fight scenes, the landscape, the horses, etc... In addition to a great deal of obvious historical and herbal research, the author did an excellent job with sensory details. I could smell, hear, feel along with the characters.

You will also find another sweet character in this book, Rory--Gwyneth's son. He was so adorable, and did all the things my own five year old does, even down to hopping across the room in excitement. I do enjoy a book that has a child(ren) in it, because as a mother, it makes me smile and remember why I had kids in the first place (especially when they are ripping each other's hair out while I'm reading...sigh. Thanks for the reminder, Ms. Sinclair!)

Beyond the intensity of this story, there is an enchanting love developing between the two main characters with explosive love scenes, that take your breath away. I liked watching how the author weaved their love together, it was vivid, and left no question of motivation in my mind--and toward the end when it looks like they just might not be together forever, I wanted to reach inside there and throttle them both!  But, Ms. Sinclair did not disappoint, and in the end I was a truly satisfied reader.

Well done, Ms. Sinclair! I highly recommend this book! And now I'm off to read the sequel, because I just have to see how Alasdair's brother fairs in love...

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