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I can usually tell from the very first pages how I’m going to like a book and from the very first pages of Highland Moonlight, I was hooked; so much so that this was read non-stop from beginning to the marvelous conclusion! After being humiliated and ruined by Alexander Campbell, the warrior she was betrothed to, Lady Mary MacLachlan runs away. Hurt beyond all measure by the betrayal of the man she was prepared to accept as her husband and the devilish machinations of her own father Collin willing to barter her for his own gain, she led them all on a merry chase as she fled to the Campbell stronghold of Castle Lorne demanding Alex’s father for sanctuary against her father and his son for her and her bairn. Alexander was frustrated that he’d completely destroyed any chance he’d had for his dream of a family and the loss of his honor with Mary, who wouldn’t even look at him except from the back end of cross-bow. At the time he seduced Mary, he convinced himself it was for her protection as well as for his men, knowing that Collin MacLachlan was manipulating events for his own greedy purposes. Alexander now sought only to protect and claim Mary as his wife and gain his unborn bairn. However, in trying to stir up trouble Collin forces a council of arbitration to judge Alexander guilty of rape with the clans gathered round just itching for a fight. At this point Mary doesn’t know who she hates more. Having first hand knowledge of how Collin was using her as a bargaining chip in order to gather more power and money while suggesting she marry another whom she despised as brutal and piggish; Mary defied Collin and requested the priest to immediately wed her to Alexander. It may not have been the most joyous of occasions but thinking Mary could have demanded her revenge against him Alexander was elated and hoped that within time he could convince Mary of his true regard. Scottish historical romances have always fascinated me especially when an author can imbue her characters with such life that they become as real to you as your very own family. My goodness, and just who wouldn’t want all those Campbell brothers as kin – wow! But, let me start from the beginning and the introduction of our intrepid heroine Mary who is not well, being in the early months of her pregnancy, hiding out in a damp and dreary cave with a cross-bow and holding both the Campbell and her own MacLachlan clans at bay. Right from the start I was fascinated that one wee lass could dictate to two seasoned warriors. At most times I would not like a domineering type of heroine but the author did an amazing job of showing that Mary was not this Amazon type female but one with courage and determination who was well within her rights to be disgusted and used by both Alexander and Collin. Not only was she calling the shots at that point but when she made her escape, I was chuckling right along with her at how easily she slipped through their defenses to steal one of the leaders horses and beat them to Castle Lorne! Alexander on the other hand was brought up as a warrior, and the subtleties of courting a woman were lost on him. While he felt terrible he at the underhanded way he took Mary’s innocence he felt it was justified for her protection as well as his men. Unfortunately, try telling that to a lass who is discovered naked and her lover shows off the sheet proving his claim as if her embarrassment meant nothing to him! (If she’d had a cross bow then – I doubt there’d be a story!) Alexander had a long road ahead of him to get back in Mary’s good graces, and the mockery comments from his brothers and clansmen were only too funny to those of us reading about it and not being in his shoes. Unfortunately, not every one was happy with the outcome and Mary’s father did not like being defied or losing! So as the couple try to come to some amicable arrangement, anger from a spurned lover, and angry kin are not about to let Mary and Alexander find reaching a common ground without stirring up as much danger and problems as they possibly can. Bottom line – this dynamite story had everything I look for including a sizzling love story, vivid historical details of daily living, yummy heroes, a feisty but loving and caring heroine, adventure, betrayal and a dash of suspense. This captivating story from a very accomplished word wench will be very difficult to put down! Marilyn Rondeau – Reviewers International Organization (RIO) |
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Highland Moonlight
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