Sandy M’s review of Desiring the Highlander (Highlander Series, Book 3) by Michele Sinclair
Historical Romance published by Zebra 1 Dec 09
This is my first Michele Sinclair book and it is definitely not going to be my last. And I’m sorry it’s my first book of hers. This is the third in her series and I know I missed a couple of great stories in not reading the first two yet. I’m a huge fan of Scottish historicals, and Ms. Sinclair has just become a favorite new author of mine with her alpha-but-sensitive heroes, intelligent and level-headed heroines, and romance to die for.
Cole McTiernay has spent years hating everything English, keeping a vow to avenge his best friend’s death at their hands. He keeps all emotion locked inside, letting only his hatred out when need be. Talked into doing a favor for his sister-in-law, Cole rides into England to pick up something important to her. What he ends up with is a spitfire of a woman, and though she is English, she intrigues him like no other woman ever has.
Feigning madness to keep all prospective husbands at bay, Ellenor has her escape from her brother-in-law planned out, but everything is ruined when she’s handed over to a trio of Scotsmen to deliver her to an unknown destination. She’s left one frightening situation for another, but as she gets to know their leader, a man who keeps the world on the outside just as she does, she is amazed to find that his touch makes her feel safe.
I absolutely loved this couple. They have their own fears and ways of dealing with the lot life has handed them. But when they come together and recognize this in one another, they begin a tremulous but beautiful relationship that grows into a love of a lifetime. Of course, it’s not quite that easy for them.
Cole is on the brink of being named laird of a ragtag clan that needs leadership, but it is his inability to connect with people that is holding his selection back. Elle still fears a man’s touch after a horrifying night that leaves her father dead. As their love grows, they also help each other see that what they need to move on in life is inside them, just waiting to be let free to guide them along. They each have what the other needs to move past their fears, and this is done so extremely well by Ms. Sinclair.
It is Cole who has to make the decision to grab this new life that’s his for the taking. Elle has done all she can to prove to him what they have together will work if he’ll only give it a chance. It’s not until Ellenor’s life is in danger that he knows he must take hold of his own destiny with this incredible woman who only wants to love him.
I like the fact that there are seven books planned in this series, one for each McTiernay brother. For a reader who loves to read about brothers and Scottish historicals, I believe I”ve hit a gold mine. I’m looking forward to every single one of them.
Grade: A+
Summary:
Ellenor Howell’s perfect world unraveled in one terrifying night and she vows to piece together a new future, one that is safe and far from the reach of any man. Attempts to marry her off have failed and she is weeks away from fleeing England and her nightmares, when a hulking giant arrives, determined to take her to his brother’s home.
With each ploy she devises to escape her captor, the infuriating Highlander is one step ahead, and her desire to leave the safety of his arms wanes. For inexplicably, whenever the man is around, her fear of being touched disappears and she remembers what is like to be wild and carefree. She wants her freedom, but with each minute that passes in the scowling Highlander’s presence, Ellenor begins to realize that what she really wants is the one thing she can’t have…his heart.
Cole has good reason to despise Ellenor Howell. She is not only English and someone he is honor bound to hate, but she is proud of it. She is also aggravating, stubborn, and enjoys challenging everything he says or does. It should have made it simple for him to stay away.
Instead, he finds himself drawn to her, as she continually understands him in ways no one else does. But as he helps free her from the memories of her past, his desire for the tawny-haired beauty grows, and he rediscovers pieces of his soul he thought forever dead.
As their time together draws to an end, he must make a choice…forsake a solemn promise he made long ago committing him to a solitary life, or make a new one to his sworn enemy who has the power to open his heart and heal his wounds with love.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
