In the Highlander's Bed

The beginning of this story had me very excited. Stories that start with a Scotsman intent on kidnapping always make me smile. I like how Gordon plans on simply walking into the girls academy and asking Constance for a dance, then wooing her away so he can take her. A bold highlander is an ingenious way to start a story.
Maxwell has written two wonderful characters. Constance is a strong woman character, albeit misguided in her thinking that she can travel to America on her own but her desire to return home is understood. Gordon is positively enthralling. Maxwell has given him layers upon layers that I couldn't wait to read about.
When they arrived at Gordon's camp it was clearly shown how important Gordon was to his people, even though show more the reader is given the feeling Gordon himself knows deep down he is fighting a losing battle. The added character of Fiona, Gordon's sister, adds another layer to Gordon. His feelings on her capture by the English and her present withdrawal from him show him to be a deep caring individual. Also, the tent and spartan furnishings where he lives is a great insight into his character. Gordon is truly a man and so far one of the best lead male characters I have read in a long time.
I absolutely love when authors put protective and companion dogs in books. Gordon's "Tad" is a great character unto himself. I like all the emotions and "looks" he gives.
I liked how Maxwell finally gives the reader reasons why her two lead characters were attracted to each other, something that lacked in her previous books. As Gordon and Constance spend more time together they witness acts and personality traits by the other which endure them to each other.
When Gordon and his sister Fiona finally have their talk to straighten things out and she admits she was raped by the English I felt myself tearing up. Maxwell did a tremendous job here portraying the emotions felt by both Fiona and Gordon; she also had me wishing I had an older brother.
A little more than halfway through the book Gordon seemed to disappear a bit. Maxwell wrote Constance to such a compelling figure that her story took over and Gordon was in the background a bit to much.
The ending of the book was a disappoint to me and I can't exactly explain why. I think the characters lost some of the shine they had in the beginning. The epilogue of the book was unnecessary also. It had nothing to do with Gordon and Fiona and leaves the reader completely hanging as to what happens to Gordon's sister Fiona. ( I went and looked up Cathy Maxwell books and found she has written Fiona's story and it is titled "A Seduction at Christmas") The book started off strong but Maxwell seemed to give up on her characters towards the end leaving me completely dissatisfied.

B show less

Last in the Cameron sisters' series. Highland warrior Gordon Lachlan abducts Constance from her boarding school, intending to exchange her for the Sword of McKenna. But he doesn't expect her to decide that she's not kidnapped, she wants to join his rebellion and sets upon directing his klan family into revamping the camp into something more cohesive, as if she's in charge!

** spoiler alert ** Gordon Lachlan is a man on a mission, to reclaim the country he calls home. He is the leader of what remain of the rebellion to return Scotland to it's rightful owners - the Scottish People. However to do that he needs more followers, he needs an army worthy to take on the English troops. The Sword of MacKenna will bring him those followers and he's established a plan to retrieve the sword. He's going to kidnap Constance Cameron, a relative of the English Duke who has possession of the sword...more Gordon Lachlan is a man on a mission, to reclaim the country he calls home. He is the leader of what remain of the rebellion to return Scotland to it's rightful owners - the Scottish People. However to do that he needs show more more followers, he needs an army worthy to take on the English troops. The Sword of MacKenna will bring him those followers and he's established a plan to retrieve the sword. He's going to kidnap Constance Cameron, a relative of the English Duke who has possession of the sword and ransom her for it's return.

Constance Cameron is a fish out of water, born and raised in the America in the Ohio Valley, she doesn't belong in an English Finishing School for Girls. She doesn't belong among the prim and proper misses simpering over their future husband's ranks. She's going to escape and hop the next boat back to America with or without her sister's permission, most likely without. Her plans to escape are thwarted when Gordon and his men kidnap her as she's running away.

Sparks fly as two strong willed people oppose each other, but when Constance decides to join the rebellion she gives his people the hope and purpose that he was trying to achieve with the sword. She gives them back their heart and in the process steals Gordon's.

The book is fairly well written, and on the exciting side with plot unexpected plot twists and plenty of excitement. The sparks between the main couple are humorous and entertaining. Constance however, for a strong minded independent woman doesn't always seems to know what she wants and she changes dispositions like the wind which bothered me. The character growth in the novel came too easily and I think distracted from the overall story. Real change in people takes time and work, it doesn't happen overnight. The underlying plot twist of Fiona, Gordon's sister who was kidnapped and raped by English troops in an attempt to draw out Gordon was a nice twist but her path to regaining herself again came too easily. Some of the things just didn't seem realistic. It's a good story, but I think it could have been better if she'd created more inner turmoil for the characters and made it more difficult for them to become who they needed to be. show less

This is the first audiobook I heard thanks to my library adding a new feature on their website for audiobooks. The narrator was pretty good on some parts. Overall, the story was as expected- a cheesy romance. But hey, sometimes I just need fluff to break up my day. :-)

This book was really good!! I read it in 2 days, which is good timing for me here lately. Awesome book!!

3.5*