A Story Well Told in an Amazing World

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This author takes you back to the times of Fae, curses, and where those of honor do the right thing. Where not all is resolved as you finish the last page, she will leave you smiling eager to pick up the next in the series.

Annelise is much like many a young girl – shy with a desperate wish not to be so. Since Kinfairlie and Ravensmuir are magical lands where the Fae abound, so it is, there is a natural spring in the glade where village folk come to pray for healing. It is also a place many a young maiden pray for their dearest desire, placing a ribbon soaked in the spring on a bush whose limbs grow over the spring. Annelise wished for boldness, a husband and both very soon. She knew herself to be so shy she couldn’t possibly entertain a young man’s interest.

Author Claire Delacroix introduces Garrett MacLachlan into the tale, on the trail of a cunning wolf he’s been tracking for weeks. Reaching the natural spring, the wolf is drawn to the water for it has a thirst it must quench. However, seeing the young woman, Annelise, it changes its mind, a morsel to eat was more in demand. Garret sees the way of things when he reaches the spring, killing the wolf directly. Strong this man might be, as gorgeous a man there would be, but, sadly, he cannot be among men. His curse is strong and he is better living alone…except when he meets Annelise he finds some peace. How can this be?

Will the prayer at the spring bear fruit? Will Annelise be bold enough to reach for what she wants?

Will Garrett, gifted by the gods, yet cursed, be able to believe in himself and demand better for himself?

Narrator Saskia Maarleveld, with her warm alto voice knows how to tantalize a listener. Her voice modulation easily captures the gender, emotion and spirit of each character. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to her in other narrations. She’s extremely talented, perfectly grasping the poignancy of each scene.

As with all I’ve read or listened to by Claire Delacroix, she holds me entirely engrossed and never am I disappointed with the telling. I love the rather archaic pattern of speech she uses in the Jewels of Kinfairlie and Lammergeier saga. Her stories are a perfect blend of magic, suspense, passion, honor, deceit and greed. She has me listening well beyond the time I should be doing something else. Simply delightful entertainment–on that you can rely! If you haven’t started reading Claire Delacroix, you are missing a wonderful magical land where dreams do come true, yet danger lurks beyond the shadows.

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The Highlander's Curse

The Highlander's Curse is the second book of The True Love Brides collection. This one, though excellent writing, wasn't exactly my favorite, probably because the premise was not at at all what I expected. It showed great creativity and imagination. I read the book, and of course bought the accompanying audio book as I've come to adore Saskia Maarleveld's narration abilities. She is excellent at making the characters seem to actually come to life and hold our interest throughout the entire book. The sex and violence were not even close to being over the top, in my opinion. I must say, neither Claire Delacroix or Saskia Maarleveld, ever seem to leave me disappointed. If you enjoy highland love stories that continually build one upon the other, allowing for a carry over of the characters from the various stories, you should enjoy this book along with all the others... each having its own individual twist. I would have no problem what so ever recommending this book or audio version of the book.

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The Highlander’s Curse a pleasurable listen.

What does Saskia Maarleveld bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Saskia Maarleveld has been the narrator of both the Kinfairlie series and the True Love Brides series. Her lilt and portrayal of the characters has made listening thoroughly enjoyable. Even her male voices are unique without that raspy tone that is often common with female narrators.

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First date: Young Annelise of Kinfairlie is walking in the woods outside her brother-in-law’s keep when a handsome young hunter named Garrett MacLachlan saves her from a wolf attack. Garrett has been cursed and it often disables him but when he is around Annelise, the malady lessens. These two share a moment and both find themselves smitten. But alas, Garrett is an outcast. Can he reclaim his stolen legacy and win Annelise? I am all in as once again Delacroix has captured me with her characters and the need to know about the curse.
Second date: An evil adversary, disapproval from Anneliese’s family and curse torment our lovers. Delacroix gives us a villain to loath and loathe him I did. We learn about Garrett’s curse as meddling family members aid Annelise. We soon find ourselves embarking on an adventure to reclaim Garrett’s legacy. A strange white wolf and danger from our adversary led to an intense adventure. However, we still find time for love and share some pleasurable moments with this young couple.
Third date: One of things I adore about this series and Delacroix’s historical romances is the way she weaves in the FAE and Scottish lore. The story of Garrett’s curse was riveting and I would have loved to be in the great hall of the keep as these tales were regaled. The author has a gift for capturing the reader and allowing them to merge with the world. Even though the romance began as insta-love, it built and strengthened along the way, allowing me to root for this couple and wish them happy. We face peril before Delacroix wraps up the tale providing answers and setting up the next book in the series. I pulled my earbuds out smiling and eager to return to this world.

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Lovely story of the fae.

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Annelise's sister, Isabella was 2 years younger than she and married already. She could picture herself unmarried and having to take care of her sisters children and depending on her sister's husband, Merdock, to provide for her. She knew she would die alone and without a husband. Annelise was disgusted with herself for being so shy. She knew that was the reason she had no man of her own. All of her sisters were very bold indeed. Annelise decided she need to visit the water where the people claimed to have power and pray that she would have a more bold nature, so she could have a husband. Garrett of Kinfairlie was of fae blood and curse and had been cheated of his inheritance. He was in the woods near Annelise hunting down a wolf. He saw the wolf go after her and he took it down before it could kill her. Garrett was cursed to hear all the thoughts of man and animal. It overwhelmed him so, he lived in the woods to stay away from it being in his head. She was not shy with him and calmed him. She invited him to Seton Manor. When he finally did come to see her the voices in his head caused him to be ill. When Annelise took his hand he was calmed of the voices. Garrett needed to prove that he was a Lard so he could obtain Annelise as his wife. She sisters husband wanted her to marry a Knight that was unsavory and he had her watched so she could not escape the manor again, but she would have none of it. She found Garrett in the goat stall milking a goat. The maid came to milk the goat and found them together. She went back to the Manor to tell what she saw. Merck found them there and was not pleased. He told Garret her could eat with them that night, but he had to be gone after that. Garret told him he wished to marry Annelise and Merdock asked him if he could provide for her as her station called for. He told him that he could not at that time. At dinner that night Andrew told a story about the fate. This is a lovely book and filled with adventure, magic, love and the fae.

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A Fantastic romance and wonderful narration

If you could sum up The Highlander's Curse in three words, what would they be?

Fantastic fantasy romance

What did you like best about this story?

The epic feel and how the author brings readers in with her words

What about Saskia Maarleveld’s performance did you like?

Her portrayals of all characters was super

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

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Audible review:
Readers will experience total sensory immersion in Saskia Maarleveld’s rendition of Claire Delacroix’s The Highlander’s Curse. Her tonal mastery is like a siren’s call for listeners as she plays all the roles male, female, human and fae perfectly and brings the Scottish Highland’s of long ago right to her audience.

Best "Jewel" in the Kinfarlie series!

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I loved The Highlander's Curse so much I listened to all 10 hours in one day. I just couldn't put it down and chose to continue listening rather than have "date night" with my husband. This is my favorite historical romance by Claire Delacroix so far!

The Highlander's Curse is the second book in the True Love Brides trilogy, and involves another "Jewel" of Kinfarlie, Annelise. She is living with her sister Isabella and her new husband Murdoch in Scotland when she visits a nearby spring known to have healing powers. While she is deep in prayer (to overcome her shyness so she too can be happily married) she meets Garrett MacLachlan, who saves her from the jaws of a large wolf. They, of course, have an instant attraction to each other and they do not part ways until he has kissed her thoroughly. When Garrett attempts to visit Annelise in a few days, we learn that Garrett suffers from a curse placed on him by his Fae mother which prevents him from being near people, except when he is in the company of Annelise. The rest of the story is about the two of them setting out to "cure" Garrett and to claim the inheritance he was cheated out of.

I listened to the Audible version of this book narrated by Saskia Maarleveld who did an outstanding job. Her portrayal of Annelise is the perfect blend of innocence and determination. Saskia provides a different voice for each characters and has a rhythm to her reading that is both exciting and enchanting. I can't wait for the next audiobook written by Claire and narrated by Saskia. Highly recommended!