Published Date: August 30th, 2011
Finished Date: September 3rd, 2011
Publishers: Ballantine Books
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Series: Highlander Book 1
Blurb from Goodreads: Bestselling author Maya Banks’s beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy—and to surrender their hearts to love.
Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.
The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.
My Review
Can I just say that the cover is smoking! By gods, just look at it! Smoking, I tell 'ya. What's more, it has a story to match it. And even more, it has an entire to-die-for cast. Hey, what more can a girl ask for?
Well, let's see. Mairin Stuart is the bastard child of the previous King of Scotland's, and to prevent his child from being looked upon as an outcast and to secure her future, he bequeathed her a dowry that would make any man pee in his pants - Neamh Álainn. Lol, it'll probably make no sense to you, but it is land and supplies, times as many zeroes as you can ever imagine. At least that was what I gathered.. Anyway.
Because of this, Mairin is wary of any suitors and has been in hiding at this abbey in the lowlands since (if my memory doesn't fail me) the age of eleven. Everyday she prays that the infamously bloodthirsty and scheming Laird Duncan Cameron do not find her, and that she would one day meet a man that would love and cherish her, her and not the dowry that was her birthright. That man has to be strong and capable to protect her and their children from any who has set their sights on Neamh Álainn.
So, that's where our dear male protagonist comes into the story. Ewan McCabe, Laird of the McCabe clan in the highlands. After much adversities, Mairin somehow came under the care and protection of Ewan. But all is not well in the McCabe clan, and after Ewan hears of her true identity, he sets forth to wed her.
However, there's more to this novel than fancy romances and sexy highlanders (and boy, are they a sight to behold), much deception and betrayals come into play. For one, war is nigh with Cameron, and the McCabe clan still has much to do to restore and repair from the attack they suffered from Cameron eight years ago where their numbers and home were nearly entirely decimated. For two, Cameron is hell bent on taking Neamh Álainn as his own, and to do that is to consummate a marriage with and impregnate Mairin. And the acting King of Scotland is not on the McCabe's side..
Ms Banks, I'm sorry that my summary does not do your book any justice, but at least I'd tried!
But man, this book is good!
Mairin is a headstrong and independent woman, confident, disobedient (you should see how Ewan reacts whenever she disobeys his direct command. Hee-larious), compassionate, loyal, innocent, sweet, yeah and whatever. When she became mistress of the McCabe clan, she wanted to fulfil her duties as mistress, but she causes chaos wherever she goes! And it was real amusing how Ewan "bellows" (Mairin complains that Ewan likes to bellow overly much. LOL, in his face no less!) at her and has to do some damage control. But it isn't her fault, she's lived in an abbey for the most part of her childhood! But sometimes, her obstinacy and over-confidence sometimes irks me. But other than that, she's absolutely adorable and a perfect heroine.
Ewan. HAH, Ewan Ewan Ewan. You are a darling! He was such a hulking and terrifying man that Mairin kept backing up when they first met. He fights like a freaking warrior god, looks like a freaking underwear model with a photoshop-ed body, and has a freaking alpha possessive attitude when it comes to Mairin that I swear to whoever's listening, is worth a whole swoon-tastic day! Oh man, I want it to forever stay in his and Mairin's POV. They are just too sweet together. (You should see their coition scenes. Wow.)
The pace was fast, and towards the end, it was supersonic! It was so eventful, so amazingly filled with plot twists and turns, I could hardly stop to (I would say take a breath, but since I'm reading) rest my eyes! Every page was much more intriguing and suspenseful than the last, and when it started building up to the climax, my palms literally had cold sweat forming. Seriously engrossing and captivating.
This is my very first Maya Banks and highlander novel, and I'm sad to see how very much I was missing out on. I would definitely try out more of this genre, but I have to say that I am still a YA devotee.:D (But the book is seriously good, seriously. You have GOT to try it.)
When I first saw the excerpt of In Bed with a Highlander on Nalini Singh's blog, I was immediately enraptured and enthralled. And now, I think it is safe to say that Banks surely is one of those talented writers that can ensnare you with her writing. Two thumbs up!
