Sandy M’s review of Highland Obsession by Dawn Halliday
Historical Romance published by NAL Trade 4 Aug 09
I haven’t had such an up-and-down, love/hate ride with a book in the longest time that I had with this one! My reactions covered anger, disbelief, are you kidding me, and forgiveness. And that was all for the author. My reactions and emotions concerning the characters and storyline came later.
I’m a huge Highlander fan. I love reading Scottish historicals and those big, handsome, alpha Highlanders are my favorite heroes. Therefore, when Cam, the Earl of Camdonn, reveals his obsession with the heroine, Sorcha, and acts on that obsession by kidnapping her on her wedding night, well, suffice it to say I was not a happy reader. On top of that, come to find out the groom on this wedding night, Alan, the MacDonald laird, is Cam’s best friend. Double whammy in the honor department for Cam for being a jerk. Which I didn’t like. Cam is a good guy, an honorable Highlander. I take my Highlanders very seriously. A little anger at this point.
Sorcha and Cam did have a thing going on before Alan came back from England to take his rightful place as laird, but it was all over with by the time Alan asked for her hand. She doesn’t tell Alan about her past with Cam, however; even fakes being a virgin on their wedding night because she takes her vows seriously and is intent on making a good wife for Alan. So she doesn’t want him to know she’s not as innocent as he’s expecting, though she also hates lying to him. But all goes well between them. Until Cam bursts through the door. Now disbelief sets in.
I do like Sorcha very much. She sticks to her guns, tells Cam there’s no way there can be anything between them now that she’s married, though she still does have feelings for him. She tries to escape him to return to her husband, but Cam locks her in his bedchamber, hoping she’ll eventually capitulate. But while in his cups, he allows the opportunity for Sorcha to finally escape and she makes her way back to Alan, who, of course, has been dishonored though she tells him nothing happened between her and Cam. How can he ever believe her again since he’s found out she lied about being a virgin. But he doesn’t toss her out as most men would have done. Cam, however, is now thinking of taking Sorcha again when he discovers her gone. Are you kidding me?
In between all of this, the clans are readying for war, which both Alan and Cam want to stay out of as long as possible. To regain his honor, Alan challenges Cam to a duel, hating the fact it’s come to this with the man who’s been like a brother to him for two decades. It’s about this time that Cam comes to his senses and realizes what he’s done to his best friend and to the woman he would also like to call a friend. He accepts Alan’s challenge and is the one who ends up injured in a mishap during the duel. Alan never wanted to kill Cam, he wanted just enough blood to reclaim his honor. Thinking he’s dying, Cam asks for forgiveness from them both and receives it without question. He got the same from me.
I couldn’t believe the ups and downs as far as emotion in this book, which, of course, is the point the author wants when writing and putting her soul out there for the world to see. I’m very glad Ms. Halliday gave honor back to my Highlander in this book. Yes, he was a jerk at one point, but he redeems himself quite nicely. There’s still plenty that goes on after all of this, most notably a test that Alan puts both Sorcha and Cam through, which they fail miserably. But they all own up to it and make peace the only way they can. Next up is Cam’s book and I have a feeling it’s going to be just as bumpy a ride as this one is.
Grade: B
Summary:
In the Scottish Highlands, two warriors are about to clash over a woman of passion…
They were the unlikeliest of friends debauching their way through London: The Earl of Camdonn, a nobleman of vast wealth and power, and Scottish laird Alan MacDonald, a respected Jacobite with ambitions of his own.
But their friendship is destroyed when Alan marries the beautiful Sorcha Stewart—only to witness Cam kidnap her from their bedroom. Then Alan learns the truth: his bride was not an innocent. She took a lover before him—his friend—who taught her the ways of pleasure.
Now, Alan will do anything to get his wife back. Cam fights to redeem his honor, even as he refuses to give up his desire. Torn between love and duty, Sorcha must watch as the two men she desires go to war over her. And when the battle lines are drawn, all three lovers are lured into a triangle of forbidden passions…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
