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Rory MacLeod is a bold and powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance--to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald--a bride he does not want and has no intention of keeping. But Rory couldn't have anticipated the captivating woman who challenges his steely control, and unleashes the untamed passion simmering beneath his fierce exterior.Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel MacDonald is prepared to use show more every means possible--including seduction--to uncover her husband's most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel's deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she's always dreamed of with the very man she must betray, and discovers that passion can be far more dangerous than revenge.
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Highlander Untamed – MacLeods of Skye Trilogy #1
I’m on a Monica McCarty marathon. I’ve finished her Highland Guard Series and am impatiently waiting for the next in the series and then because I just couldn’t get enough, I read her Campbell Trilogy. I was going to read a book in a series that was just released from another author that I’ve been waiting for and actually started it but I set it aside because I couldn’t switch modes for some reason so I downloaded the MacLeod of Skye Trilogy. I bought the bundled set because it was less expensive than buying each individual book
The MacLeods of Skye and the MacDonalds have been feuding for years, ever since the MacDonald of Sleat cruelly repudiated his handfested bride, show more Margaret MacLeod, after an accident blinded her in one eye. He paraded her through the village on a one-eyed horse led by a one-eyed man and followed by a one-eyed dog. Handfesting was a trial marriage of sorts where a couple agrees to be together for one year and a day before deciding to marry or not, usually done for alliances between families. Sleat put Margaret MacLeod aside not only for her injury but to marry a MacKenzie for an alliance with the MacKenzie clan.
King James is tired of the constant feuding between clans so when the MacDonald of Sleat goes to him under the ruse of wanting peace, offering his beautiful niece, Isabel’s hand in marriage to the Chief of the MacLeods, King James agrees. Rory MacLeod the Chief of the MacLeods of Skye refuses to marry her but is forced by the King into a handfesting to Isabel MacDonald.
Eager to please her family who have basically ignored her throughout her whole life, Isabel agrees to be their Trojan horse and handfest to Rory MacLeod. Her uncle has told her father and brothers that he will only support her family against the impeding battle against the MacKenzies over their land if Isabel accomplishes her goal of seducing Rory MacLeod to get the location of any secret entry to his castle and she has to steal the MacLeod’s Fairy Flag (legend says the flag is what gives the MacLeods their power and if it falls out of the hands of the MacLeods, they will be powerless to hold their castle and lands against their enemies) which is hidden somewhere in the castle. If her uncle does not help her father against the MacKenzies, they will certainly lose their home and lands.
Rory MacLeod is the chief of his clan. He has only agreed to marry or rather handfest to Isabel MacDonald because the King demanded it. He fully intends to give Isabel back to the MacDonalds at the end of the year. He plans to be polite and treat her with respect but she will be leaving as a maid just as she arrived. He has a prior alliance with the Campbells and plans to wed the cousin of the Earl of Argyll, said to be almost as powerful as the king. Rory hates the MacDonald of Sleat for what he did to his sister, Margaret, and wants revenge on him.
Before the end of the year, both Rory and Isabel are falling for each other but each has their duty to their clans. Unless they can find a way to get strong alliances to help their clans, they will both be heartbroken at the end of the handfesting.
I enjoyed this book but at times I found it dragging. I skipped paragraphs and paragraphs of romantic garbley gook where the characters would over think things or where an almost kiss became so drawn out that I would lose interest in it. I think over describing things is monotonous and annoying and it seemed to repeat itself a lot throughout the book. I also have a hard time believing men lose control of their manly parts just by merely being near a woman or brushing up against their arm or leg. I would like to give men a lot more credit than that. But that is the only criticism I have of this book and it’s the first time I have ever criticized anything about a Monica McCarty book.
I adored Isabel and thought Rory was h-h-hot. Rory’s brother, Alex, was also drool worthy but for some reason I found myself drawn to their guardsman, Colin. I have a weak spot for quiet, broody men and the fact that he looked like a blond Viking just was icing on the cake.
The next book is about Alex…I peaked. Actually, I started reading the first page and forced myself to stop in order to write this review. Now that I’ve finished, I’m going straight to reading it.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com show less
I’m on a Monica McCarty marathon. I’ve finished her Highland Guard Series and am impatiently waiting for the next in the series and then because I just couldn’t get enough, I read her Campbell Trilogy. I was going to read a book in a series that was just released from another author that I’ve been waiting for and actually started it but I set it aside because I couldn’t switch modes for some reason so I downloaded the MacLeod of Skye Trilogy. I bought the bundled set because it was less expensive than buying each individual book
The MacLeods of Skye and the MacDonalds have been feuding for years, ever since the MacDonald of Sleat cruelly repudiated his handfested bride, show more Margaret MacLeod, after an accident blinded her in one eye. He paraded her through the village on a one-eyed horse led by a one-eyed man and followed by a one-eyed dog. Handfesting was a trial marriage of sorts where a couple agrees to be together for one year and a day before deciding to marry or not, usually done for alliances between families. Sleat put Margaret MacLeod aside not only for her injury but to marry a MacKenzie for an alliance with the MacKenzie clan.
King James is tired of the constant feuding between clans so when the MacDonald of Sleat goes to him under the ruse of wanting peace, offering his beautiful niece, Isabel’s hand in marriage to the Chief of the MacLeods, King James agrees. Rory MacLeod the Chief of the MacLeods of Skye refuses to marry her but is forced by the King into a handfesting to Isabel MacDonald.
Eager to please her family who have basically ignored her throughout her whole life, Isabel agrees to be their Trojan horse and handfest to Rory MacLeod. Her uncle has told her father and brothers that he will only support her family against the impeding battle against the MacKenzies over their land if Isabel accomplishes her goal of seducing Rory MacLeod to get the location of any secret entry to his castle and she has to steal the MacLeod’s Fairy Flag (legend says the flag is what gives the MacLeods their power and if it falls out of the hands of the MacLeods, they will be powerless to hold their castle and lands against their enemies) which is hidden somewhere in the castle. If her uncle does not help her father against the MacKenzies, they will certainly lose their home and lands.
Rory MacLeod is the chief of his clan. He has only agreed to marry or rather handfest to Isabel MacDonald because the King demanded it. He fully intends to give Isabel back to the MacDonalds at the end of the year. He plans to be polite and treat her with respect but she will be leaving as a maid just as she arrived. He has a prior alliance with the Campbells and plans to wed the cousin of the Earl of Argyll, said to be almost as powerful as the king. Rory hates the MacDonald of Sleat for what he did to his sister, Margaret, and wants revenge on him.
Before the end of the year, both Rory and Isabel are falling for each other but each has their duty to their clans. Unless they can find a way to get strong alliances to help their clans, they will both be heartbroken at the end of the handfesting.
I enjoyed this book but at times I found it dragging. I skipped paragraphs and paragraphs of romantic garbley gook where the characters would over think things or where an almost kiss became so drawn out that I would lose interest in it. I think over describing things is monotonous and annoying and it seemed to repeat itself a lot throughout the book. I also have a hard time believing men lose control of their manly parts just by merely being near a woman or brushing up against their arm or leg. I would like to give men a lot more credit than that. But that is the only criticism I have of this book and it’s the first time I have ever criticized anything about a Monica McCarty book.
I adored Isabel and thought Rory was h-h-hot. Rory’s brother, Alex, was also drool worthy but for some reason I found myself drawn to their guardsman, Colin. I have a weak spot for quiet, broody men and the fact that he looked like a blond Viking just was icing on the cake.
The next book is about Alex…I peaked. Actually, I started reading the first page and forced myself to stop in order to write this review. Now that I’ve finished, I’m going straight to reading it.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com show less
This was considerably flawed. The plot is incredibly transparent (even for a romance lol), everything can be seen from a million miles away, so much so that you're already bored with an event by the time it eventually rolls around. And the characters are flat and one dimensional. The heroine is a complete nit-wit whose daft choices generally create all the drama in the story. And, what would be her semi-redeeming skills that are mentioned, never show up, even when they're needed! She is said to have once killed a man with an arrow between the eyes!, but then when there are attackers, even with some warning and her bow at hand(!), she just bumbles into further endangering herself and the person she's with and *never even tries to use show more her bow*. Wth?! She also supposedly has tons of experience sneaking about- but then is caught every single time she tries it. And is quite the horsewoman- but only ever rides quickly once (needlessly and right into danger) and then the rest of the time she lags behind or thinks how her bum is sore. *Facepalm* The hero is Scottish He-man, practically perfect in every way. But then is incredibly quick to turn cruel when doubt is cast on the woman he supposedly loves. (Why is that so often a thing, especially with new writers, in historical romance? Adversity reveals your true character. If even the appearance of a betrayal of loyalty makes you entirely disavow your feelings and seek to hurt them, then you are not actually as nice or as in love as you seemed when everything was easy. And definitely not particularly loyal yourself! An "oops" later does not actually undo the damage and should not negate the huge red flag raised when you were angry. It's annoying when authors just paint over that and claim 'and they lived happily ever after!') *Sigh* Often authors get off to a rough start though, so I will read another later book before I give up on McCarty. show less
I had read pretty good reviews about this so my hopes were a bit high which might have lead to my slight disappointment. It was an alright story - I am not really a fan of a plot where one of the leads are out for betrayal, but i read past that. I found that the author repeated herself a bit which made me less interested - however I did find that near the last half of the book her repetitiveness stopped, and it moved along smoother for me,which was nice and I found myself enjoying it. I believe this is the author's first book, so I am going to give the second book a try. Alex story sounds intriguing.
Love it! I adore Highlanders and since I've discovered Monica McCarty I fell in love every time that I've read or reread one of her books.
The story is accurate, full of facts and historical events, the plot is based on real characters (that of course, get a new "makeover", the writing is brilliant and kept you enthralled since line one.
If you want an historical novel with a sexy Highlander and a sassy heroine, this is the book.
The story is accurate, full of facts and historical events, the plot is based on real characters (that of course, get a new "makeover", the writing is brilliant and kept you enthralled since line one.
If you want an historical novel with a sexy Highlander and a sassy heroine, this is the book.
AUTHOR: As with any historical fiction romance author, Monica has done a great job researching the history that is the basis and foundation of this book. She has written a very sexy and passionate Scottish adventure. You will want to read book two after completing HIGHLANDER UNTAMED.
SYNOPSIS –
One man and one woman handfasted by decree of the King. He is laird over the MacLeod clan and she is a MacDonald. He wants revenge from her uncle. She wants to save her clan by winning her uncle’s support. The MacLeod laird’s idea of a solution is to commit to the handfasting without acting as a husband and to send her away in one year. Her idea is to commit to the handfasting and trick him into divulging secrets by making him fall in love show more with her.
Can you say, “Uncle”? Now READ!
(5 out of 5) Stars. Elements of a Romance Book TEST =
2 central characters, 1 male, 1 female.......................YES;
One or both of the main characters are in peril....... YES;
They work together to resolve the situation.............YES;
Some amount of conflict and resistance in working together.....YES;
The perilous situation brings them together………………………......YES.
Why Five Stars? This book passed (5) of "MY" Elements of a Romance Boot TEST
PASSION SCALE: This book gets (3) ASTERISK because the main characters express true passion.
* NOT very descriptive and requires imagination
** WILL make you wiggle a little)
*** WISH it was me;
**** OH BODY, whew;
***** EROTICA and well over the top
FAVORITE PART: Her entire relationship with Margaret
LEAST FAVORITE PART: Her being attacked by a MacKenzie….yuk!
YOU WILL LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: Historical romance, 16th Century Scotland, Scottish Highlanders, Clans, show less
SYNOPSIS –
One man and one woman handfasted by decree of the King. He is laird over the MacLeod clan and she is a MacDonald. He wants revenge from her uncle. She wants to save her clan by winning her uncle’s support. The MacLeod laird’s idea of a solution is to commit to the handfasting without acting as a husband and to send her away in one year. Her idea is to commit to the handfasting and trick him into divulging secrets by making him fall in love show more with her.
Can you say, “Uncle”? Now READ!
(5 out of 5) Stars. Elements of a Romance Book TEST =
2 central characters, 1 male, 1 female.......................YES;
One or both of the main characters are in peril....... YES;
They work together to resolve the situation.............YES;
Some amount of conflict and resistance in working together.....YES;
The perilous situation brings them together………………………......YES.
Why Five Stars? This book passed (5) of "MY" Elements of a Romance Boot TEST
PASSION SCALE: This book gets (3) ASTERISK because the main characters express true passion.
* NOT very descriptive and requires imagination
** WILL make you wiggle a little)
*** WISH it was me;
**** OH BODY, whew;
***** EROTICA and well over the top
FAVORITE PART: Her entire relationship with Margaret
LEAST FAVORITE PART: Her being attacked by a MacKenzie….yuk!
YOU WILL LIKE THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE: Historical romance, 16th Century Scotland, Scottish Highlanders, Clans, show less
good sense of clan family (loyalty, chemistry, alpha men)only, i wish the heroine was a little stronger. but will definitely read other books in the series.
I loved this book. Rory is gorgeously male and Isabel is a perfect match for him. This is a wonderful love story.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Highlander Untamed
- Original title
- Highlander Untamed
- Original publication date
- 2007-07-31
- People/Characters
- Isabel MacDonald; Rory MacLeod
- Important places
- Skye, Highland, Scotland, UK
- Epigraph
- Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes... (show all)
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
-- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Prologue - First words
- Prologue
Dunscaith Castle, Isle of Skye, 1599
The ground shook with the heavy pounding of hooves as the score of warriors approached Dunscaith Castle. - Original language
- English
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- Rating
- (3.77)
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 17
- ASINs
- 6
