Highland Hellcat
by Mary Wine
- Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1402237383
- ISBN-13: 978-1402237386
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
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.
Review: I love the little details in this book, plus the fine conflict and romance.
Brina is one beautiful young woman - inside and out. She is a third daughter of a clan chief and has been raised to go to the Church and become a nun. She is accustomed to humble dress, skills to take care of herself without being waited on, and an absence of touch. She has disciplined herself to honorably accept the duty that her father expects of her. Although you might expect her to be sweet and timid, she has a distinct independent and stubborn streak which may not be totally suited to the convent but help her face adventure!
Connor is kind, but firm and determined. He has had to struggle to gain the leadership and respect of his clan. When his arranged marriage to Brina’s oldest sister, Deirdre, is compromised by Deirdre’s actions, Connor steals Brina. He is clearly frustrated when the “hellcat” continually fights him and refuses to marry him without her father’s blessing.
Obviously Brina and Connor are at odds as to their duties and Brina tries hard to stay obedient to her promise to her father and the church. But she sees the honor in Connor and slowly succumbs to the warmth of human touch she has been denied. She is especially drawn to Connor’s strong but tender touch.
I liked all the little details of Highland life that are easily woven into this story: the clothing, the harvest, the loyalties and importance of clan leadership, and the politics behind clan alliances. The slow and gentle wooing is near erotic yet sweet and beautiful in the tenderness of their first love encounter. The plot moves at a good pace with a nice blend of romance and action.
There were a few technical errors (an overrobe removed without removal of a cloak which was evident a few paragraphs before) and a few repeated phrases which may even have been intentional but were noticeable to me. These technical items did not detract from my clear enjoyment of the read.
This was another book that I read in two days, even running late to work (it's okay since I'm the boss) because I was enthralled at a good action part of the story! I am hoping there will be sequels for several of the characters as I would love to read the stories for Vanora, Connor’s twelve year old sister; Deirdre, Brina’s sister, who trusted the wrong man; and Quinton Cameron, Connor’s good friend.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.
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