Claimed by the Highlander - Julianne MacLean

 

 
NIGHT OF CONQUEST
With his tawny mane, battle-hewn brawn, and ferocious roar, Angus “The Lion” MacDonald is the most fearsome warrior Lady Gwendolen has ever seen—and she is his most glorious conquest. Captured in a surprise attack on her father’s castle, Gwendolen is now forced to share her bed with the man who defeated her clan. But, in spite of Angus’s overpowering charms, she refuses to surrender her innocence without a fight…
PRISONER OF PASSION
With her stunning beauty, bold defiance, and brazen smile , Gwendolen is the most infuriating woman Angus has ever known—and the most intoxicating. Forcing her to become his bride will unite their two clans. But conquering Gwendolen’s heart will take all his skills as a lover. Night after night, his touch sets her on fire. Kiss after kiss, his hunger fuels her passion. But, as Gwendolen’s body betrays her growing love for Angus, a secret enemy plots to betray them both…

This is Julianne MacLean's second book in her newest Highlander series.

As with the first book in this series Captured by the Highlander I was grabbed on the first page and it did not let me go. Even when I found myself unable to read it I found myself thinking of the story and wondering what awaited me when I was finally able to pick the book back up.

I have come to love Julianne MacLean and this is on the second book I have read by her. I have come to love the way she writes. The story always flows well and never seems to lag but yet she gives you just enough detail to make you feel as if you are there but then she does not overload it where you find yourself dragged down in a bog of descriptive text. Her books are quick to read and also very enjoyable to read.

I absolutely loved Angus McDonald. He is one of those wounded, tortured heroes that I absolutely find myself attracted to. I guess I am attracted to them because I want to see them redeemed and changed.

I found that Gwendolyn was the perfect woman for Angus because while she admittedly was afraid of him she still found the guts and the willpower to stand up to her conqueror the Scottish Lion. She wants to do what is best for her clan and soon learns that she can come to love her enemy which shocks her but something which she overcomes easily.

Soon Gwendolyn and Angus find their  new and fragile love tested by people from their past and at the end of it all their love becomes stronger than either anticipated.

I'm soo disappointed that I have to wait until October to read the next book in this series Seduced by the Highlander which is the story of Lachlan McDonald the cousin of Angus and I must say I'm very much looking forward to it.

So if you want to read a sweeping, enchanting romance go get your copy here -->Claimed by the Highlander

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Currently Reading - Seducing the Governess by Margo Maguire
Up Next - To be honest I'm not really sure because on April 26, 2011 I got three books I will be buying A Tale of Two Lovers by Maya Rodale, Cloudy With a Chance of Marriage by Kieran Kramer and Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah Maclean - so there I'm not really sure which it will be!!
Watching  - The Memphis Grizzlies play the San Antonio Spurs in the Playoffs - GO GRIZZ!!!

Lover Unleashed - J.R. Ward

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THIS SERIES THERE ARE SOME BRIEF SPOILERS!!

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either. 

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul. 

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

So after reading the last book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) series Lover Mine I was ready for this one!! I just cannot seem to get enough of those leather wearing, hip hop listening, bad ass vampires who stalk the night in Caldwell!!

I remember while reading the earlier books in the series I really liked Manny and actually felt really bad for the guy when the one woman he thought maybe he could be with ended up dead. Although as we know she was dead but her ghost form remained and she is mated to Vishous! And when Payne was introduced I loved her from the start and thought she was probably one of the most interesting characters in the series. 

The relationship between Manny and Payne is so sweet and heartwarming. I found myself smiling like a complete goof ball when I read their scenes...lame I know but I don't care!

We also learn about the demise of Payne and Vishous' sire brought on by Payne. 

Soon there is a new band of vampires in Caldwell looking for revenge and soo much more. But through it all Manny and Payne come together and realize that despite their differences (uh well human and vampire) true love really does conquer all.  The particular lines that really got a hold of me and struck me straight in the heart was this on pages 53-54:

                  It finally happened, he thought as he burrowed under his shirt and took hold of his heavy cross. All his life he'd wondered why he'd never fallen in love, and now he knew: He'd been waiting for this moment, this woman, this time. The female is mine, he thought. 

After that I was lost and I knew I would have a soft spot for Manny. 

Another reason I loved this book so much was honestly for all the Vishousness that we got, LOL! I have made it no secret that he is by far my favorite character in the BDB...okay if I'm being completely honest with you guys Vishous ranks second only to Eric Northman from The Sookie Stackhouse books as by far my favorite fictional male character. After him is Harry Potter, LOL!!! In this book we get to see a kinder and gentler side of V and see just how must pain he carries and even after everything Jane and he go through they still find in each other their peace and grounding. 

Also I have to say this I'm not one of the many fans of the storyline of Qhuinn and Blay and no it isn't because I'm close minded or whatever...just so you know I watch Glee and I was routing for Kurt and Blaine so NEH! Anyway I just never felt that deep connection that other's must. I honestly felt that between Qhuinn and Layla was the most chemistry. I mean I have to admit there was more chemistry between Butch and V when V fancied himself in love with Butch so again it was not from not liking the whole male on male scenario. 

Also, after reading these books I have noticed that there is no power on this Earth that keeps those members of the BDB away from their shellans.  I mean every time in the books when the two meet instantaneously the males permeated the marking scent but we have never experienced this with Qhuinn and Blay. So I ask how could it be possible that they end up together? When with the others nothing, not even their own selves, have kept them from mating with the women in their lives. Also why have neither of them used the marking scent while in each other's company? UH because they obviously are not meant to be more than friends. Again look at V and Butch they started out the same way (although Qhuinn seems to think he is in love with Blay and Blay likewise feels the same - which I think might be real) but now they have the strongest bond and we all know that V does not do well with emotions. 

So I'm sorry if Blay and Qhuinn end up together I will feel cheated because it is like that is the easy way out. But some might argue that if they don't end up together that would be the easy way out. 

I just feel that when Qhuinn is with Layla he feels free to be himself there is no need to hide. He even admits his alleged love for Blay to her when he has not muttered a word to no one else. I just feel that she would be good for him and Blay deserves some happiness and while I love Qhuinn I just get this feeling that they would just be to toxic together.

OKAY I will shut up now and congrats if you made it this far past my confusing babble, LOL! I wish I had a gold star to give you but alas verily I find myself naught in possession of a golden star...OK seriously I'm starting to speak like one of the Chosen in these books...time for bed!!

OH YEAH if you want to read it for yourself just go here -->Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 9)

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Currently Reading: Claimed by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean

Up Next: Seducing the Governess by Margo Maguire

Listening To:  Yes AGAIN sorry I love it!!  :)

Captured by the Highlander - Julianne MacLean

THE ENEMY IN HER BED
Lady Amelia Templeton would rather die than surrender to a man like Duncan MacLean. He is the fiercest warrior of his clan—her people’s sworn enemy—and tonight he is standing over her bed. Eyes blazing, muscles taut, and battle axe gleaming, MacLean has come to kill Amelia’s fiancé. But once he sees the lovely, innocent Amelia, he decides to take her instead…
THE LOVER IN HIS ARMS
Stealing the young bride-to-be is the perfect revenge against the man who murdered Duncan’s one true love. But Lady Amelia turns out to be more than a pawn of vengeance and war. This brave, beautiful woman touches something deep in Duncan’s soul that is even more powerful than a warrior’s fury. But when Amelia begins to fall in love with her captor—and surrenders in his arms—the real battle begins…

I just stumbled upon this book at the store and was immediately drawn to the story (hello it is a highlander, LOL!!). I have never read a book by Julianne MacLean but with an endorsement on the front by Teresa Medeiros I thought how could it be wrong?

Well I was drawn in by the very first page and was never let go. The story is so beautifully written right down to the birds chirping in the trees. The wonderful descriptions of the Scottish Highlands made me feel as if I were walking through the fields and seeing what Duncan and Amelia were seeing.

The character development was superb. You can feel the development of the relationship between Duncan and Amelia. It, for me, never felt rushed or hurried along. They were both struggling with similar differences and therefore trying to overcome the differences in their birth. 

Duncan was dealing with being the all might Butcher of the Highlands and seeking out his revenge against the man who took everything from him.

Amelia was struggling with her father's death and wanted nothing more than to feel secure so she quickly agrees to marry but soon learns that the man she has promised herself to may not be the man she thought she was. 

So with wonderful characters and lush surroundings this book is bound to leave you up at night until you have read the last page. Your heart will belong to Duncan as mine did at the end.

Now I've found yet another new author that I love and have had to force myself not to check out eBay to find a lot of her books. But now I cannot wait to read the next book in this particular series by here which is Claimed by the Highlander.

To get your own copy of Captured by the Highlander just go here -->Captured by the Highlander

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Currently Reading: Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
Up Next: Claimed by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean
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