Desiring a Highlander by Michele Sinclair

I was contacted my Michele Sinclair to read and review her latest and book 3 in the Scottish Highlander Series Desiring a Highlander which is set to release Dec 01 from Kensington. This past year I have become a huge Highlander and Historical Romance fiend if you will. A newer genre for me and I have must admit I am loving every moment. Sinclair takes us on a very sensual romp back to the 14th Century Scottish Highlands with the 3rd installment of her McTiernay brothers, Cole. Oh such a handsome, strong and fiercely sexual man, Cole brings along with him a presence of power and undying loyalty. Which is a problem as well as a virtue for the young McTiernay. Stubborn to the bone in his loathing of the English not only for the brutal death of his best friend Rob, but from years of war and suffering, Cole has a pretty clear disgust for the English. So it was with a little chuckle that he is swindled by his sister in law to pick up Ellenor Howell. Who is VERY English and VERY proud of it. Ellenor has her own baggage and carries it heavy in her heart. Ellenor's sister and brother in law have tried relentlessly to marry her off and be rid of her but to no avail..... until Cole. He journey's back to Scotland with her and the fun begins. I couldn't help laugh out loud with a sly smile on how many times and the ways that Ellenor tries to escape her captor Cole. His frustrations are evident and comical as he tries desperately to hate the woman but can't help falling for her instead. Ellenor as well is uneasy with her attraction to the brute, and the sassy women won't make life easy on him. No matter how much he wants to hate Ellenor Cole can't and their love for each other is delicious. Problem is that Cole is vowed to hate everything English which would include feisty Ellenor. Oh the troubles that ensue, as Cole is in the running of sorts for the position of Laird in Northern Scotland. He has the men and the leadership but Cole isn't what you would call a people person. Unfortunately for him his competitor is loved by the people, small army, but a really good man. What a Laird needs to be is not only respected by their people but strong and powerful enough to protect them. The end result kind of surprised me, but in fact made perfect sense as well. I find it hard not to include spoilers if I tell you more, but what made this books so wonderful besides the love story was the inner struggle for Cole and with Ellenore. Will love conquer all, will Cole get the revenge for his friend and so many Scottish deaths ? hummm... I could tell you, but I won't!
Through the pages of beautiful imagery, it is evident that Sinclair has done her research of not only historical facts but of the life of the Scottish people creating characters with an abundance of depth and personality that captures the reader and transports them back into the 14th Century. A trip I was hard-pressed to end as I read the last words of this beautiful and intriguing story of two lovers who never should have been, two hearts that wouldn't give in to circumstance or hate, who found each other through fate, who's love is undying. Not having read the first two books, The Highlander's Bride & To Wed A Highlander I found little confusion and was able to read Desiring a Highlander as a stand alone. But loving this one so much that I am determined to go back and read the first two! As I LOVE a series, Michele plans on a book for each and every brother, check her site out to see what is up and coming in the Scottish Highlander Series. Don't forget to check back later today for my interview with Michele as well as a giveaway for a signed copy of Desiring a Highlander!

5 STARS- LOVED IT! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN

Synopsis: "Seven McTiernay brothers, each a highlander born to protect Scotland and her people, warriors known for their quick wits and quicker broadswords. The third brother, Cole, stared death in the face when he was only a boy...Now Cole McTiernay is a man. And though he resists them in every way, he has responsibilities. The wild northern Highlands need a laird who can guide them to peace. Cole has the army strong enough to accomplish this task. What he doesn't have is the desire - to be a leader among men...And so he is sent off on a fool's errand: a mission to retrieve something from the very Englishmen Cole has spent his life hating. When he finds that the 'something' is a wild hellion, he balks, determined to make the return to Scotland as hard on her as it was for him to set foot on English soil. But though English herself, Ellenor intrigues him with her fierce spirit, and Cole's heart, deeply locked away for so long, may be vulnerable at last... "

READ AN EXCERPT HERE

DISCLAIMER

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my HONEST review.
No items that I receive "in kind"
are ever sold...they are kept by me, donated to The Medford Public Library,
or given away on contests on this blog.