Sandy M’s review of Possessed by the Highlander (The MacLerie Series, Book 4) by Terri Brisbin
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 1 Aug 08

I’m a huge Scottish Highlander fan. I love’em big, braw, alpha, and claymore-wielding. Imagine my surprise when I ended up loving the hero of this book just as much, although he’s the peacemaker for his clan. He is definitely a warrior, as all men of his era were, but he is also a man known for his use of words, patience, and negotiation. Of course, I also love a hero who shows his sensitive side, protects his woman at all costs, and that is definitely Duncan MacLerie.

Duncan has been dispatched by his laird, Connor MacLerie, to negotiate a peace treaty with the Robertson clan.  His success at such negotiations is well renowned and he expects this one to be no different.  It’s on his way to his first meeting with The Robertson that he meets Marian, a woman living in a one-room cottage with her daughter, well away from the village.  He is taken with her and finds himself yearning for that which he’s never wanted before, a family, a home, someone to love.

During his time with his hosts, he finds himself visiting Marian again and again until the unthinkable happens.  He awakens with Marian by his side and Laird Robinson looking on, claiming the woman is his sister and is now ruined, forcing Duncan to marry to her.  He agrees just to keep the peace between their clans and to keep his clan from harm.  And he’s one step closer to having what he wants in a marriage, even though Marian will only agree to a handfasting instead.

She’s been through hell the last five years, has lived the life of the Robertson Harlot.  Marian has learned to ignore the taunts and insults hurled her way, even though they hurt to the bone.  She’s begun to have feelings for Duncan, something she hasn’t allowed herself for so long.  But she won’t tie the man to her for a lifetime, knowing she can never tell him of her past and will let him go in a year and a day.  But when she and her daughter arrive at Duncan’s home, when they experience the closeness of family she’s missed all these years, when she finds pleasure night after night in Duncan’s bed, she begins to want what she can never have.  When all her secrets come out, she yearns for only one thing.  For her husband to want her above all else, but she knows that Duncan can never do that, his loyalty is to his laird and his clan.

I really enjoyed these two characters.  Duncan is a quiet man, secure in the knowledge of his ability to sway with words, knowing he does his best and succeeds for his laird.  When Marian and Ciara come into his life, his yearning for what he can have with them is palpable.  He does his best to earn Marian’s trust, giving her stability, doing those little things for her that no one else has ever done.  And his heart is given to her child the moment he sets eyes on her.

Marian has reluctantly been cast into the role of protector of her family and clan no matter the cost, and the cost is so very high for her.  When Duncan looks past her sins, she wants to trust him with everything, but her secrets are so deep she’s not sure she can ever let him in.  The love scenes with these two are very nicely done; loving and tender but fierce and all-consuming, especially with all the obstacles in their way.  I also enjoyed the interactions of Connor and his wife Jocelyn, the hero and heroine of Taming the Highlander, and also Rurick and Margriet of Surrender to the Highlander. Duncan’s love and loyalty spill over to his family and you see how much that means to him when he thinks he’s failed them.

Again, I’m reading out of order for the series, and because of this book I now would like to read the others.  Ms. Brisbin brings the Highlands and its people to life in a wonderfully real way and I know those other books will be just as good as this one.

Grade: A

Summary:

Marian Robertson rescued a child and destroyed her reputation. Now, to keep her family safe, she must marry the stern, dark-eyed warrior negotiating a truce between their clans – and risk her heart to protect the truth.

Manipulated into marrying the ‘Robertson Harlot’, Duncan, peacemaker of the MacLerie clan, finds his new wife’s courage and spirit make it impossible to resist her. But will he put his honor at stake to free her from her past – and claim her love forever?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: