5 HIGHLANDER-SIZED STARS!!!!

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It’s been a while since I've had a chance to enjoy the delightful Paula Quinn. She was one of the authors who made me fall in love with Highlanders. So when I saw this book and The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd on audiobook, I pounced on both like a duck on a June bug. As always, PQ does not disappointment. I’m a HUGE Callum MacGregor fan and loved his story the best out of all of the MacGregor/Grant stories... With that said, this stories romance was very similar in some aspects to Laird of the Mist.

Edmund MacGregor was not born a MacGregor or in Scotland but his love for his clan and country is as strong as any native. Edmund is loyal, determined, a warrior and a fine leader. Edmund and his band of delicious rogues, Malcolm, Darach, and Lucan are on a mission. A mission that will prevent England and Scotland from uniting. In order to do this, they need to force the hand of the powerful Duke of Queensberry and Lord Chancellor Seafield. Killing both men will not stop the act from being signed so Edmund decides to abduct someone who is close to both men. Insert Miss Amelia Bell—who just happens to be the niece of Queensberry and betrothed to The Lord Chancellor. How can this be accomplished? Why by pulling out the Wig-work!

Miss Amelia Bell is a beautiful, delightful and an accident prone young lady. Her mother is a harpy who has nothing but criticisms about her. Her father dotes on her, flaws be damned. Amelia feels guilty because her ‘accidents’ have brought shame to her father whom she loves more than anyone. Although she does not love The Lord Chancellor, she is determined to marry him to make up for the “shame” that she has caused her father. Sarah, Amelia’s best friend and a servant is Amelia’s only other bright light in her life—despite that Mama Harpy has forbidden their friendship. Where’s there is a will, there is a way and thankfully so as Amelia’s disobedience is what leads her into the arms of one Edmund MacGregor.

The story is great and the plot develops nicely! I laughed and smiled a lot. Edmund and Amelia sizzle! There’s lots of action, witty dialogue and love throughout the book. The sex scenes were steamy too. PQ has a host of lovable and likable secondary characters. You’ll be in love with the highlanders within the first chapter. Sarah was a really nice addition as well. She’s tough, funny, outspoken and very supportive of Amelia. Oh and there may or may not be a secondary romance between a certain highlander and servant. Also, there was a Captain Pierce who works for Queensberry, an Englishmen but I LIKED him a lot. I wonder if PQ will unite him with one of our wee lassies from Skye. There’s a nice setup for Darach’s story towards the end of the book. The dogs in this story were amazing as well.

One of the things about this book is its set in the early 18th century but it has a medieval feel that I loved. If you’re a fan of historical romance, Scotland, Highlanders and a great plot then this story is for you. Even if you don’t like those things, I highly recommend this book to any romance or historical romance lover. You will thoroughly enjoy. I also highly recommend reading the books that lead to this series: Laird of the Mist, A Highlander Never Surrenders and the entire Children of the Mist series prior to reading this book. You’ll appreciate and understand the characters in this book even more… Want more Paula Quinn but English style? Then I HIGHLY recommend her Risande series set in Medieval England (Unfortunately Laird of the Mist, A Highlander Never Surrenders and The Risande series are not available on audiobook—HINT, HINT Audible!). Regardless to what route you take, you will be verra, verra pleased. 5/5 stars for this GEM!

Narration: Carrington McDuffie is the narrator. I've listened to her and enjoyed her a lot in the previous books. I went in with high hopes that were initially dashed. I thought “is this the same narrator as before?” It took me a few chapters to get used to her again. Despite the slow start she did a good job with the narration! One complaint is her voices are not as distinguishable IMO. She does the Scottish accents great but most of the men/women sound the same. Even still, I enjoyed it. 4/5 stars for her.

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5 people found this helpful

A poor narrator can ruin a good book

I feel sorry for Paula Quinn who wrote a decent book. I couldn't get past the narrator and my preference for a narrator to add to the flavor of the book by sharing an accent with the setting. If that makes any sense. I prefer an English//Scottish narrator for an English/Scottish book.

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2 people found this helpful

THIS BOOK WAS OKAY FOR ME - COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER

I enjoyed the storyline of this book. It certainly kept my interest. I won't recap the story and spoil it for anyone...the only problem I had with it was getting used to the narrator. She wasn't one of my favorite narrators for sure. She had a rather flat tone to her and I could not get used to her speaking with an american accent when she wasn't reading direct dialog. For me, it would have been much better if she stayed in character while even reading what they were thinking in their heads. That probably doesn't make any sense, however, I know what I mean. lol I would still recommend this story to anyone who loves Scottish romance...it is pretty hard to ruin that for me.

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1 person found this helpful

I truly enjoyed the book and the reader.

everything about the book was enjoyable. really like the part towards then end with her father lol.

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DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME

The narrator could not keep track of her accents, and the voices she gave to the two main characters were horrible. The voice of the man, Edmond, was not virile, and the voice of Amelia was childish, not sexy and sophisticated. The writing was awful, as was the non-development of the characters. a poor and simplistic plot. I bought all four books in this series and dread listening to the other three.

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