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The Guardian
By Margaret Mallory
Return of the Highlanders Book #1
Here is an author who can toy with the emotions of her readers which is a very good thing in my opinion. I felt so bad for the heroine in this story because the hero was such a jerk to her in the beginning of the book.
Sileas escapes her house at age 13 after her horrible step-father tries to marry her off to his son from another marriage just to gain control of her castle and lands because she is the rightful heir. She runs into her friend, Ian MacDonald who she has adored since she was a wee lass. He allows her to travel with him towards his home and even shares his plaid with her to keep warm when they camp but in the morning, his uncle rides into camp and thinks Ian has defiled Sileas and forces them to marry.
Ian is livid and despite knowing Sileas was in a bad situation and a good kid, believes she has trapped him into marriage. He thinks Sileas is too homely and skinny with wild red hair so he will never be attracted to her. He does not consummate the marriage and runs off with his friends to France to fight. He is gone for five years and never writes or asks about how Sileas is doing.
Five years later, he and his friends are back from France to discover their clan is in trouble. Their chief is dead, killed at the Battle of Flodden, and his brother has taken over but does not care for the welfare of the clan. He only cares about power and his own comfort. Ian’s father lost a leg at Flodden and has taken to his bed, depressed so now Ian has to become the man of the house and figure out a way to help the clan.
Sileas has lived with Ian’s family, working her finger to the bone, trying to help them out and she has grown into a beautiful woman. Ian notices right away and all of the sudden is interested in her which irked the heck out of me. What a tool!
I can tell this is going to be a great series. The other characters are interesting and the ongoing struggle of the corrupt chieftain will definitely be entertaining.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com
By Margaret Mallory
Return of the Highlanders Book #1
Here is an author who can toy with the emotions of her readers which is a very good thing in my opinion. I felt so bad for the heroine in this story because the hero was such a jerk to her in the beginning of the book.
Sileas escapes her house at age 13 after her horrible step-father tries to marry her off to his son from another marriage just to gain control of her castle and lands because she is the rightful heir. She runs into her friend, Ian MacDonald who she has adored since she was a wee lass. He allows her to travel with him towards his home and even shares his plaid with her to keep warm when they camp but in the morning, his uncle rides into camp and thinks Ian has defiled Sileas and forces them to marry.
Ian is livid and despite knowing Sileas was in a bad situation and a good kid, believes she has trapped him into marriage. He thinks Sileas is too homely and skinny with wild red hair so he will never be attracted to her. He does not consummate the marriage and runs off with his friends to France to fight. He is gone for five years and never writes or asks about how Sileas is doing.
Five years later, he and his friends are back from France to discover their clan is in trouble. Their chief is dead, killed at the Battle of Flodden, and his brother has taken over but does not care for the welfare of the clan. He only cares about power and his own comfort. Ian’s father lost a leg at Flodden and has taken to his bed, depressed so now Ian has to become the man of the house and figure out a way to help the clan.
Sileas has lived with Ian’s family, working her finger to the bone, trying to help them out and she has grown into a beautiful woman. Ian notices right away and all of the sudden is interested in her which irked the heck out of me. What a tool!
I can tell this is going to be a great series. The other characters are interesting and the ongoing struggle of the corrupt chieftain will definitely be entertaining.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com
I must say that I chose to read this book because the premiss captivated me and I had never read something alike before.
That being said, I wasn't disappointed.
The prologue of the book alone hooked me. It was so interesting to read about the seer's prophecies for Ian, Connor, Alex and Duncan.
I would say that it grabbed me to the point that I plan to read the other books in the series so I can see what her words truly were about.
Now, about this one - I must say that I loved the theme of redemption.
The hero, Ian, was truly a bastard to poor Síleas.
He rejected her, was cruel to her and, finally, left her alone for 5 years. This is no small thing!
Were I in Síleas place I would be terribly hurt, as she was, but I don't know if I would ever trust in any man. :S
But the most important is that, when he came back, in spite of being in love with him, brave strong Síleas didn't accepted his advances right away and didn't fall in his bed the moment he said he wanted her.
I love when a heroine knows that she deserves more than a quick seduction and passionate nights.
She made him suffer and he deserved every single bit!
In general, and even though Ian irritated me sometimes, I recommend this book to all those who love heroines with backbone and stories of love that remain untouched by time itself *Huh, so poetic! xD*
That being said, I wasn't disappointed.
The prologue of the book alone hooked me. It was so interesting to read about the seer's prophecies for Ian, Connor, Alex and Duncan.
I would say that it grabbed me to the point that I plan to read the other books in the series so I can see what her words truly were about.
Now, about this one - I must say that I loved the theme of redemption.
The hero, Ian, was truly a bastard to poor Síleas.
He rejected her, was cruel to her and, finally, left her alone for 5 years. This is no small thing!
Were I in Síleas place I would be terribly hurt, as she was, but I don't know if I would ever trust in any man. :S
But the most important is that, when he came back, in spite of being in love with him, brave strong Síleas didn't accepted his advances right away and didn't fall in his bed the moment he said he wanted her.
I love when a heroine knows that she deserves more than a quick seduction and passionate nights.
She made him suffer and he deserved every single bit!
In general, and even though Ian irritated me sometimes, I recommend this book to all those who love heroines with backbone and stories of love that remain untouched by time itself *Huh, so poetic! xD*
3 stars
Some spoilers ahead...
When I first came across this book, the synopsis really made my heart hurt! I decided to read it right away and stayed up alllllll night! I really liked where the book was going. I loved Sìleas she was your normal highland lass who played the damsel in distress. Sometimes after all of the strong willed characters out there, you need a breath of fresh air and try a novel with a not-so-strong willed female. She did have her strong points but they were fleeting. I honestly didn't like Ian in the beginning. He was such an ass, thinking he had a right to Sìleas' body just because he married her 5 years ago. But then he figured out he loved her for quite a while and we got to know him more which made me not hate him as much. As the novel progressed, he became a more likeable character.
The reason this book is getting 3 stars is because the last 20ish pages were rushed! Like so beyond rushed. Sìleas was rescued in no time at all and then we get Conner becoming chieftain and then boom! Jumps ahead nine months and ya.. I wish it was more fleshed out.
I will be reading the next book because I really did like Alex in this book and his story seems interesting!
Some spoilers ahead...
When I first came across this book, the synopsis really made my heart hurt! I decided to read it right away and stayed up alllllll night! I really liked where the book was going. I loved Sìleas she was your normal highland lass who played the damsel in distress. Sometimes after all of the strong willed characters out there, you need a breath of fresh air and try a novel with a not-so-strong willed female. She did have her strong points but they were fleeting. I honestly didn't like Ian in the beginning. He was such an ass, thinking he had a right to Sìleas' body just because he married her 5 years ago. But then he figured out he loved her for quite a while and we got to know him more which made me not hate him as much. As the novel progressed, he became a more likeable character.
The reason this book is getting 3 stars is because the last 20ish pages were rushed! Like so beyond rushed. Sìleas was rescued in no time at all and then we get Conner becoming chieftain and then boom! Jumps ahead nine months and ya.. I wish it was more fleshed out.
I will be reading the next book because I really did like Alex in this book and his story seems interesting!
The main character Ian is a sleezy guy who rejected his wife because she was an ugly girl, now that she’s grown up and beautiful he wants her alllll for himself. He even tried to force himself upon her while she was sleeping! Just gross. She hit him with a frying pan which was the icing on the cake! But that should’ve shown her that the man she was forced to marry is just as bad as the man she was running away from in the beginning of the book. I would finish this book if Ian wouldn’t have done the gross things he did OR he stays the same but the girl finds someone who loves her like the neighbor, he’s handsome and not a warrior but he really takes her opinions and thoughts into consideration.
I must confess I didn't finish it. It's not a bad book, all in all. But at some point I forgot I was reading it, and never looked back.
Ian, after years of fighting along side his three companions, they have finally come home. But when they arrive home, nothing is as it should be. Ian left five years ago, abandoned the woman he was forced to marry and went to fight, and spent much time in France. When he returns their clan is torn into two. His plans are to help his friend Connor, take his rightful place as Laird. But even more than that, to claim his wife. However that task is not as easy as he thought it would be. Sileas is so different from when he knew her as a girl, she is one of the most beautiful women he has ever laid his eyes on...and doesn't even recognize who she really is at first. Even though she once followed him around like a puppy dog, she has grown and has her own mind, and a spirit that is filled with fire and courage. He knows he has tasks to accomplish that may be close to impossible but the one that tops them all is proving to his wife that he is here to stay....for good this time.I have been wanting to read this author for quite some time, but haven't had the chance until now. Ever since the first book came out in this series, I have been aching to read it. So finally I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do so. The Guardian, takes us to a time back to the 1500's. At this time, in Scotland, it starts out with four boys who want to know their fortunes. Ian's pleases him none at all, in fact he finds himself greatly disappointed to hear that he will be married twice. Especially since he has no desire to ever get married. But we see that he does end up married, to a childhood friend, Sileas. He leaves, after being forced to marry her when he tries to protect her from her family. Not truly knowing about the circumstances upon why she left, he does marry her. Now he has returned, he finds things at home so different than when he left. First, his younger brother looks at him with disdain and mistrust. His father has suffered a grave battle injury. His wife, more beautiful than ever, but just as distant. I really loved how this story played out, there were many amusing scenes that made me almost want to cheer. I just loved seeing Ian having to prove himself to Sileas and grovel at times. I just love a good highlander who needs to learn how to be humble. I fell in love with Sileas from the start, she is so sweet and endearing, but at the same time has a fiery spirit to admire. She doesn't just meekly let Ian back into her life, she makes him work for it, and definitely was amusing to see. I also loved the love story....it had some twists and turn, some great action scenes, a emotionally gripping tale that will charm any that loves a good romance! An sizzling start to a recent series that is sure to sweep you off of your feet!!
My Favorite Quote
'Ye did not claim me for five years."
He slid a hand beneath her hair and cupped the back of her neck as he leaned toward her. "Well, I'm claiming ye now."
His kiss was soft and sensuous, caressing her lips with a tantalizing suggestion of all that a kiss should be.
My Favorite Quote
'Ye did not claim me for five years."
He slid a hand beneath her hair and cupped the back of her neck as he leaned toward her. "Well, I'm claiming ye now."
His kiss was soft and sensuous, caressing her lips with a tantalizing suggestion of all that a kiss should be.
A cute story that has the heroine go through the ugly duckling stage!
Was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. There were such cute moments and the epilogue. Omg.
Ian goes from
"He hoped for a boy, only because the thought of having a girl frightened him half to death. What if she was a bairn like her mother, falling into trouble at every opportunity? He'd be an old man before his time."
To
"'Four sons? Why do we need any sons at all?' Overjoyed as he was with their two babes, he wasn't anxious to risk his wife's life again."
Also we have a soothsayer, a warrior priest, a Trojan horse, and poison. What more could you need in a storming the castle scene??? Oh THE GREEN LADY GHOST. Highland romances just check all the boxes
The scene that everyone hates this book for is really not as bad as so many of the reviews make it out to be. Plus she literally knocks him unconscious with a frying pan AND THEN he needs to be rescued by his mother because she is about to stab him with the kitchen knife.
I do think that Ian could have done with a whole lot more groveling. Also what a dick for thinking she was so UGLY. And then of course years later, when she got hot, that's when he realized he wanted her to be his wife. He is definitely the stupidest hero I have read in a while. LOL.
Ian goes from
"He hoped for a boy, only because the thought of having a girl frightened him half to death. What if she was a bairn like her mother, falling into trouble at every opportunity? He'd be an old man before his time."
To
"'Four sons? Why do we need any sons at all?' Overjoyed as he was with their two babes, he wasn't anxious to risk his wife's life again."
Also we have a soothsayer, a warrior priest, a Trojan horse, and poison. What more could you need in a storming the castle scene??? Oh THE GREEN LADY GHOST. Highland romances just check all the boxes
The scene that everyone hates this book for is really not as bad as so many of the reviews make it out to be. Plus she literally knocks him unconscious with a frying pan AND THEN he needs to be rescued by his mother because she is about to stab him with the kitchen knife.
I do think that Ian could have done with a whole lot more groveling. Also what a dick for thinking she was so UGLY. And then of course years later, when she got hot, that's when he realized he wanted her to be his wife. He is definitely the stupidest hero I have read in a while. LOL.