Thursday, 14 October 2010

Review: Highland Hellcat - Mary Wine

Highlander, book 2

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 384
Published: October 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

In the raw, rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, tumultuous times bred warrior men and women who fought for country, keep, and kin, and loved as passionately as they lived. An illegitimate son, chosen as laird after the ruling Douglas clan slaughtered his family, Connor Lindsay is surrounded by men who challenge his right to lead. Looking for a virtuous bride to cement his leadership by presenting him with an heir, he kidnaps a feisty laird’s daughter. To keep this Highland Hellcat in his bed, he’ll have to do battle with the Douglases, the Church, and most of all Brina herself.


This is book 2 in a series of highlanders, but you can just jump right in here. The hero in this book is mentioned in book 1 since he is a friend of that hero, but the couple from book 1 is not mentioned here. Only the hero that will be in book 3. So, no OCD troubles, you all know I like to talk about that.

Connor Lindsay is planned to marry Deirdre Chattan, but she has been naught and he is upset but still need the alliance but without people doubting if his children are his. So he does what every good highlander would do, kidnaps her virtuous sister that is on her way to a convent. Sparks will fly.

Yay more bride stealing business, this one should be called the bride stealing series. I do like those rugged highlanders stealing brides, but only if they are nice to them. And Connor at once see that Brina is more than just a meek woman raised to be a nun, she can hunt, and she is a hellcat. But at the same time she has learnt nothing about men, and every touch makes her skittish. But who would not melt when a handsome man in a kilt sets out to seduce her, and he is so honourable too, he wants to marry her, but it's she who says no. She has promised her father to become a nun. I do like that it's he who wants her so much, and she who wants to keep that promise.

A lot of other things are happening too, her father is upset, a daughter of his must become a bride of Christ, one sister is not happy about her upcoming marriage, there is the Deirdre scandal (and she is the heroine of book 3, I wonder if her man will steal her away). A neighbouring clan has Connor's sister captive, and he fears they will attack his lands. But mostly it is a about a woman and a man, falling in love, finding passion, and trying to figure out how they can be together.

The negative part is the trouble I have with most Scottish Highlander books, the accent, kind of wish that would be skipped.

Other than that is was a romantic, and sometimes steamy book. It goes without saying, a highlander is a devil in bed. And a hellcat, she takes some time to be tamed.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. I like her, but he, nah not at all
Final thoughts: A good story about a highlander stealing his bride.
3,50

Copy from Sourcebooks


22 comments:

  1. This sounds so fun - the bride stealing stuff is a good time when they're good guys and sounds like he is. Nice to know I can jump right in. Love the title. I read one scottish romance and didn't have a problem with the accent so I'll give this one a try - thanks!

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  2. I don't know why authors insist on having the Scottish accent in historicals. It sometimes takes away from an otherwise enjoyable story. I love a good bride stealing historical! I"ll have to give this one a try.

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  3. I just love the Scottish accent :) Is To Conquer a Highlander the first book? I think I'll start with the first book.

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  4. Alyssa
    I do like it when Highlanders steal their brides, but yes they have to be good guys, and he really was.
    Give it a go, by now I am used to the accent, but I sure was confused when I first started out.

    Buckeye
    I know, why? It just makes me confused some time, like when I tried to figure out what kennit meant...I was totally clueless. At lest this one uses it in moderation

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  5. Elysium
    I love it too, well when Ewan McGregor talks anyway ;)
    Yes Conquer is the first one, and I'd start with that one, it gives a great introduction to Connor

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  6. I know what you mean about the Scottish accent in books - by the time I adjust to it, I'm through with the book.

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  7. The accent is the best part of the book hon... where would an highlander be without his accent...

    I am just starting this one now - I loved the first one so much....

    :)

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  8. Hmm... Trying to picture the Highlander bride stealing as an m/m romance...

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  9. This is right up my alley! I enjoyed the first one.
    Great review :)
    The accent does throw me off a bit, but then I get used to it.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  10. I don't usually mind the accent. But I'd advice you to avoid Hannah Howell books. Some of them are very heavy with the accent. I've loved some of her books, but I'm currently having big problems ending one because the accent is very thick... :)

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  11. Love it- A devil in bed :)

    I do find HEAVY accents distracting. Some authors I feel would be better off keeping us informed of their characters' nationalities in other less intrusive ways. But that's just me. :)

    If a book is based in Scotland for example, surely it would be taken for granted that the majority of them will be Scottish?

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  12. Bermudaonion
    I did better with this one, but there was one book, 400 pages later and I finally got it, bit too late

    EH
    Lol, that is true, I could not picture a hot highlander before me without that accent

    Chris
    *ponders upon this* I like it!

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  13. Naida
    I liked the first two, and I really wanted more Cameron and Connor. The accent always throws me off at first but I get used to it

    Maijs
    Yikes! Sounds like that one Highlander book I read, I honestly didn't get anything. Here it's light and understandable, luckily

    Sassy
    I considering the time, perhaps even talking Gaelic, so why the accent? Well yes to make us see it clearly I guess

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  14. I have a hard time with Highlander books. They all seem to have similiar plots and the redundancy is off putting enough that I just stay away. In fact, I can't remember the last time I read one! But I have heard some great things about Mary Wine... I'll investigate.

    Thanks for your thoughts on this one Blodeuedd!

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  15. I love the accent. It's verra nice. ach! ;) Sounds like another bride stealing highlander book I might enjoy. :)

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  16. This one may require a second glance from me...I like the hot steamy part of it though!

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  17. VFG
    Oh, no highlanders for you :( But they are so pretty in their kilts, and those big swords.
    But yeah other than that you do have a point

    Melissa
    Aye, they be highlanders with, oh ok I can't write the accent ;)

    STaci
    Kind of dungeon steamy in this one, not quite, but it was cold there

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  18. awesome review, blodeuedd!! i really liked that he was the one doing the chasing in this one too!! also, i agree that I don't really care for all the 'ye' and 'dinna' and all that scottish slang, I love highlander stories but I like it when the accent is toned down.

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  19. Carrie
    I agree, toned down is good, cos it sure takes some time to get used to it.
    A man chasing is the best, and he really wanted her, it made me go all awwww

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  20. I am reading this book now and I have to say it is amazing, and I agree this should be called 'the bride stealing series'.

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  21. Oh this one sounds hot and fun. I love a good Scottish accent ... verra sexy :)

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  22. Renee
    It would be such a great name for a series, and one so true ;)

    Teddy
    Verra sexy indeed lol

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