Juliette Miller

I am a sucker for Highlander novels. They are probably my favourite romantic reads and as such I have read a lot of them in the last year.

This novel was entertaining but not the best highlander novel I have read. It gets bonus points for being a first person narration (the first in the highlander books I have read) but I think the main reason for this was the romance between the two characters was just too sudden and unrealistic for me.

Now I know it's fiction so there is always that unspoken understanding that some things can be fantastical but I do not enjoy love at first sight stories and that is exactly the case here. I really didn't get their connection and their instant love. At first I gave it the benefit of the doubt considering Wilkie was in a delirium but I felt that their entire relationship was based on a physical lust (which made for lots of romantic scenes) and I would have liked a bit more interaction between the two.

Wilkie is everything you want in a leading man. He's good-looking, a fierce warrior and loves the leading lady without fault despite the fact he could have anyone he wants. Not my favourite highlander warrior ever but it was obvious he cared for Roses (sometimes his possessiveness was a little too much for me but I think that's a personal taste). It would have been interesting to have his POV intermingled in the story but I think it would have annoyed me to listen to his endless praise of Roses.

Roses had a lot of potential to be a strong female lead but after she leaves Ogilvie and meets Wilkie it kind of leaves her. She decides to serve his every whim which irked me because it seemed like a 180 of her independent character. I found she wasn't the swiftest person ever (there is one scene at the end of the book where I literally face-palmed myself because I couldn't believe she didn't see the obvious after it had been said aloud to her).

The story was very predictable to me. Maybe it's because I read too many books that I can see most storyline endings but I didn't find anything completely original in the story (perhaps the tattoo bit). It actually reminded me a lot of the second book in [a:Maya Banks|24978|Maya Banks|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1316764501p2/24978.jpg]'s McCabe Trilogy [b:Seduction of a Highland Lass|10117410|Seduction of a Highland Lass (McCabe Trilogy, #2)|Maya Banks|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348706263s/10117410.jpg|15014977]. I actually felt I was rereading that book at times because the plot was very similar.

That being said, I will continue with this series. I'm really interested in Kade's story and seeing what happens there. I think those who enjoy highlander stories will like this one. The first person POV is a different take that is refreshing to an otherwise predictable story.

Final peeve: just because it needs to be said, why doesn't the guy on the cover have long hair? Arg, I hate when publishers do that!

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Wilful beauty meets taciturn Laird!

Wow! Highlander Mine certainly sustains an interesting and occasionally steamy storyline. Enough of both to more than satisfy those hooked on the highlander historical romance genre.
Fleeing from Edinburgh to the Highlands pursued by a dissolute and dangerous villain ('a lawless and malevolent beast'), Amelia (Ami) and her nephew Hamish cozen their way into a powerful Highland Laird's keep.
The Laird, Knox MacKenzie is a veritable Adonis, at once a paragon and yet decidedly human.
Amelia is half angle, half devil and doing all she can to protect her family. She exhibits a fiery nature, coupled with an unknowing attractiveness that marks her as a challenging burden for The MacKenzie.
Witty humour runs through Ami's and MacKenzie's interchanges adding to the enjoyment of the moment. I laughed when MacKenzie said to Ami,
"Your fiery spark and your lively beauty surpass anything I might ever have imagined."
To which Ami snaps back, opening her mouth before she thinks,
'"My beauty is nothing compared to yours," I hear myself say.'
The unfettered innocence of this woman he's just met telling this stalwart highland warrior lord that he is beautiful is brilliant.
Hamish is a charming child. Given his upbringing it's a wonder that he retains his child-like trust and innocence. He provides many of the pivotal moments throughout the storyline and is the impetuous for directions that Ami might take.
Interactions with MacKenzie and others of the castle community are amusing at times, poignant at others, and always contrasting the darkness of the life Amelia and Hamish have fled.
The comparison between the dangerous underbelly of Edinburgh's gaming houses and the pristine beauty and encompassing sanctuary of this highland community is at first striking in a 'noble savage' way. We are dazzled by the comparisons through Ami and Hamish's eyes. Yet as Miller points out through Knox and Amelia's interactions there are threats inherent in the holding of the highlands necessitating clan armed forces. In this, the city and the highlands are not so very different. The dangers are universal.
An 'verra' enjoyable read! 'A pure like it!' (I really like it!)

A NetGalley ARC… (more)

HIGHLANDER TAKEN by Juliette Miller is an interesting Medieval Scottish Historical Romance. #2 in "The Clan Mackenzie" series,but can be read as a stand alone. See,"Highlander Claimed". Again written in first person,which throws me off. I have a hard time connecting with the characters with so many "I's". It is kinda like a "me,me" thingy. With that said,follow,Kade Mackenzie and Stella Morrison on a journey of seduction,passion,clan royalty,danger,and love. While to me this story lacked the Highlander authenticity,no Scottish drawl,it is a decent story. Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.

RATING: 3

HEAT RATING: HOT

REVIEWED BY: AprilR,(Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More)… (more)