Ravished by a Highlander

HOT KILTED SCOTSMEN ON A STICK!

Now that I have your attention...I just finished this entire series. And I liked it. A lot.

I have a side of me that wants to deny loving these type of novels. The Children of the Mist series is adventurous, engaging and a blast to read.

Ive heard it all before... 'bodice ripper' monikers for books like these. The assumption is that all romance is the same. I tell you, hands down, they are not.

Never judge a book by its genre. Isnt that what they say?

Some are saucy, some are warm and fuzzy. Well-penned, thrown together, or break the mold. Some are anatomy lessons (with liberal use of the words "turgid" and "heaving"), and some are fifty shades of awful (pun intended). Some are well-written Highlander show more stories that makes you read the whole series in under a week.

There are several reasons the author got it right. This author has a great voice. The history woven throughout the story, conflicts of historical holy wars, spies, the scramble for power, and royalty of England and Scotland. Relationships that grow, strong women, and the men are men without being idiot alpha males. The characters are well-rounded, intelligent, with backbone, honor and loyalty.

Like, erhmagherd, you guise.

Dialog was smart although a few turns of phrase were overused. I grew to appreciate each clan member like I knew them and how they thought or interacted. Very well done - and this from a book that cost me $1 at a garage sale.

Despite this broad-blanketing genre, the mass market cover remains the same: Regency/Fireman/Cowboy/Tatted/Kilted/Pirate guy in glistening, bare-chested glory is clutching a swooning, yet flushing, voluptuous woman/wench/Dutchess/captive who is unabashedly swooning, and if her rended or ill-fitted garments are any indication, she is indeed in dire need of a tailor asap to prevent future wardrobe malfunctions.

Regardless of the many stereotypes in this genre. Ive just enjoyed finding another series that breaks those stereotypes, six pack, washboard abs and all. Which reminds me, I need to do my laundry. show less

Mmmmmm....Robert MacGregor.....tall, handsome, dark curls, a dimpled chin, vivid blue eyes, muscles rippling as he handles his claymore with the greatest of ease, utterly devoted to those he loves....delicious. And though his looks are enough to slay any lass, his words are a whisper upon your heart:

"Davina". He was there, above her, his breath hot against her mouth. She opened her eyes to him, ashamed of her tears, and then astounded to see them in his eyes as well. "I love ye, lass, " he whispered deeply, running his fingers over her cheek. "Ye will always be first and foremost to me."(pg.219)

Robert MacGregor is the eldest son of Callum MacGregor, born to fill his father's shoes as protector and leader of his clan. His whole life he show more has prepared for his duty as the future laird, honing his skills with a sword, prepared to defend his kin with his life, confident in his abilities as a warrior and unrelenting in his beliefs and decisions. Yet nothing has prepared Robert for what Davina Montgomery can do to him with her smile. He saves Davina from a burning Abbey, the place where she was hidden away as a babe and raised by nuns. Davina holds a secret, one that could kill anyone who surrounds her. But once Robert has made up his mind, nothing can steer him from his purpose. And he has made up his mind....he will protect Davina from her enemies, whoever they may be. But at what cost? Will he protect her at the cost of his loyalty to his father and his clan? Will he put the lives of his people at risk for a woman he burns for?

This was my first Paula Quinn book and I have to say it will not be my last! From the first chapter I was enthralled. It is a story filled with action, history and, of course, hot romance. Not only did I fall in love with the hero, the dark and dangerous Rob MacGregor, but I was invested in the minor characters as well. Will and Finn were delightful and I am glad to see that the next book in the series centers upon Tristan, a member of the MacGregor clan I truly wanted to know more about. Historical figures are weaved into the plot, one that is filled with surprises, secrets and betrayal. I now yearn to see the Isle of Skye and the MacGregor fortress. Perhaps in this hidden sanctuary there will be my very own hot man in a kilt, ready to defend me, enrapture me and ravish me. A girl can only dream! show less

Robert MacGregor can take me home to his family anytime ! What a wonderfully romantic tale. There is a young beautiful women left alone by her family and in grave danger from many. Then there is MacGregor-ultra manly highlander who has to do the right thing and save her. They fight, she hides, he struggles with her lies and mistrust, she struggles with her growing feelings, he struggles with his family duties and his heart.
Wonderful, I would happily read any of this series.

I was quite amazed at the historical accuracy of this book and the imagination of the author of how she took history and embellished it. Of course, King James II didn’t have an older Catholic daughter who he hid away without telling anyone about but he could have and that is what I loved about this story.

Davina Montgomery is really King James’ eldest daughter who he had with his first wife. He secreted her away to St. Christopher’s Abby in Scotland to be raised by the nuns there. He sent a small garrison of 30 soldiers to guard her but only the captain, Edward Asher, knows who she really is.
As always, the tension between Catholics and Protestants in England and Scotland is high. King Charles, a Protestant king, has just died and show more James Stuart, a Catholic, will be crowned in 9 days. To ease tensions, King Charles forced James’ two other daughters to marry Protestants. It is one of the reasons James hid Davina away, so he could have a Catholic heir.

But one of King James’ enemies has found out about Davina and sent Admiral Peter Gilles to assassinate her. He attacks the Abby, killing all the soldiers and burned the chapel with the nuns in it. During the fighting, Robert MacGregor and a small group appear on the scene. Captain Edward Asher tells Rob that the men who are fighting and winning them were sent to kill Davina and he pleads with Rob to save her. Rob gets hit in the shoulder with an arrow but saves Davina without any of the attacking soldiers noticing and whisks her away.

Davina doesn’t tell Rob and his group, made up of some of his family and clan, who she really is but he knows she is someone of importance. Rob had been on his way to meet with his father, the chief of his clan, at Whitehall Palace for the coronation of King James but decides to take Davina to safety at another nearby Abby and then continue on the Whitehall. He drops her off at the Abby and then leaves, despite his growing attraction and feelings for Davina but when they come across a group of Admiral Gilles’ men who are on their way to the Abby to search for Davina, they fight and kill the men and Rob returns to the Abby to rescue Davina. He decides to take her to his home, hidden away in the mists and mountains of Skye. He sends his brother to tell his father where he is and what he is doing. By this time, they all have figured out who Davina really is. Also Edward Asher who lived meets up with them and travels with them to Rob’s home.

I liked the way the author, Paula Quinn, used the history of the MacGregors which if you know anything about Scotland, the MacGregors angered King James I so he abolished the name of MacGregor. He actually made them all take different surnames or become outlaws. The law stood for over sixty years. I personally have a huge dislike for King James I and how he treated the Scottish people, especially Highlanders but I won’t go into it here. This branch of MacGregors hid away on the Island of Skye in the mists and mountains. Their home and castle is called Camlochlin. I looked it up and it is not a real place in Scotland but I did find a beautiful painting by James Lyman of Camlochlin Castle. For copyright infringement, I can’t include it but you can look it up if you want to see it. There are two ways to get there, through the forests and mountains or through a dangerous mountain pass.

Rob MacGregor loves Davina and he loves her but to marry could bring the wrath of the king down upon him and his clan. Also, Admiral Gilles is still after her.
I can tell this is going to be a good series. This book introduced many characters and started stories that made me interested in learning more about these characters. I’m behind on my reviews so I’ve already read two more books in the series and look forward to reading them all.

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Ravished by a Highlander was so much more than I thought it would be- full of historical details and an emotional, moving love story. And let's not pretend that the cover of this novel doesn't make you want to nose dive into the story either, ladies. ;)
Davina was plucked from her mother's arms and hidden away in a convent as a child. For her entire life she has been guarded from dangerous political plots that would cost her everything... And eventually it all comes to an end when her enemies catch up with her and attack the abbey- slaughtering all the soldiers and nuns who have become her family. Fortunately, Robert MacGregor, a Scottish highlander, and some men from his clan are there to witness the attack. Rob swoops in and show more fearlessly saves Davina from the flames about to engulf her... just one problem now. What does Rob do with Davina? He doesn't know her. Doesn't know why an entire army would be sent to murder a soon-to-be nun. I guess there is only one thing to do- take her to his family.

On their adventure back to Rob's homeland, they uncover a plethora of feelings they have for each other... but will Davina learn to trust Rob enough to reveal her secrets? The secrets that will uncover the reason she's in hiding, the reason men were willing to give up their lives to keep her hidden...
What fun, endearing characters! Rob is my favorite type of hero. He never fails to be strong, honorable and protective. Let's not forget he knows how to fight when necessary, too. Rob has been too busy with clan responsibilities to be bothered with finding love, until Davina falls into his lap. Davina is as likable as Rob. She is so amusing, she has spunk and attitude and changes a bit after seeing the world outside the convent.

Before I forget- Quinn created astonishing secondary characters. They're complex, flirtatious gentlemen. The descriptions provided for all of the highlander men are mind blowing and incredibly vivid. The whole story seemed colorful and alive- full of action and romance. Brace yourself for these characters to leap off the pages- you won't be putting this book down.
This is the first book I have read by Paula Quinn and I was VERY impressed... I will be picking up her other novels. The next book in this series, Seduced by a Highlander, will be released September 1, 2010. Can't wait to read it, just in time for my birthday! show less

Ravished by a Highlander by Paula Quinn
#1 Children of the Mist
Blackstone Audio, Narrated by Carrington MacDuffie

Despite the cheesy title, this is an excellent romance novel set in the Scottish highlands. I happened to download the audiobook version from my local library when I was looking for a quick, light read to listen to while doing chores, when I came across this gem. The narrator was excellent. She was competently able to differentiate the voices of multiple characters, including female and male, English and Scottish accents, in a believable way. Her narration was very helpful in actually being able to hear the correct pronunciation of various Scottish locales, i.e. Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye sounds somewhat like show more "Kill-ock-in".

Kyleakin, Isle of Skye, Scotland

The characters are interesting, well-developed, and all left with a bit of mystery about them. Even at the end, I was unsure at times how the plot would develop and was waiting for betrayals to occur by those we were conditioned to trust, or by acts of martyrdom by those we came to love.


King James II "James of York", a Stuart, ruled from 1685-1688)

This takes place in the year 1685 during the reign of King James II (grandfather to the future "Bonnie Prince Charlie"). Lady Davina Montgomery has been hidden away in a convent in Scotland after the death of her mother when she was a child. Her true identity is unknown to most and she is presented to the world as a young novice. She is now 24, and with a small army sworn to protect her, her life is torn apart by an act of betrayal which causes the deaths of nearly everyone around her. She is rescued at the last moment by a Scottish highlander, who just happens to be traveling near the convent with a few of his men when they hear the clash of swords, women's screams, and the smoke from the burning abbey.

Although Davina is reticent about exposing her identity, her rescuer, Robert MacGregor, knows she is of some importance, but is unable to leave her protection to anyone else now that he has met her, so he brings her to his home on the Isle of Skye, a castle hidden away among the mists in the higher reaches of the hills. By the time his suspicions of her parentage are confirmed, it is too late. He already loves her and is sworn to protect her, knowing that doing so could bring war to his clan. show less

I quite enjoyed this. It has both road trip, and forbidden love tropes, and there isn't a lot of mystery or intrigue to distract from their relationship. The characters spend a lot of time together on page getting to know one another and learning about their pasts and things. They come from very different backgrounds, but their strengths compliment each other, and they both look out for others by nature, so they're well suited. I really enjoyed their love for each other, the hero especially, is ready to take on the whole world in order to be together, and it was so sweet.

(I will say, the narrator on the audiobook has a fine reading voice, but her accents are generally terrible).