Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

I have come to expect a tender, sweet, sexy, tear inducing romance when I read a highlander book from Maya Banks and she does it yet again with  Highlander Most Wanted!  Genevieve McInnes was on her way to her betrothed when she was captured and held prisoner by the vile Ian McHugh for a year.  Her family thinks she is dead and when she is finally free, she thinks it is best to let them think that rather than bring shame from her scars and the way Ian treated her.  She is broken emotionally and treated like dirt from the clan and hopes that the Montgomerys and Armstrongs will give her refuge away from the cruelty.

Bowen Montgomery seizes the clan that dare capture is sister in law and is struck by how cruel the clan is to one slip of a lass.  When Genevieve tells her whole story he is unsure what to due, especially when she divulges her part in the capture of his sister in law.  He finds himself falling hard for the spirited, brave lass and knows that he needs her in his life, even if it means falling out with his clan due to her actions.

Sigh.  Such a lovely story yet at the same time, a heart breaking one.  Genevieve's treatment is the worst sort and how she survived as long as she did took true strength.  I loved the way Bowen became her champion and showed her how she deserved to be cherished above all, that her scars are a badge of honor and not a way to repulse him.  I loved the strong family interaction and the way Bowen deals with Genevieve and her family situation brought tears to my eyes.  Yes, it was a bit easy but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  I also enjoyed how the pacing was a bit different in this one...the action on the battlefield is earlier than I expected and then it just focuses on Genevieve and Bowen which was a bit unexpected.  We get a nice glimpse of the upcoming couple for the next book and that story looks to be good!  I hope Ms Banks is writing more in this series are there are still unattached brothers and a sister that need attention :)  A strong setting, a strong attraction and a strong sense of honor with a nice dash of heat are all wrapped up wonderfully in this romance.  I can not wait for more Highlanders from Maya Banks!!  4 1/2 stars

eARC provided by Ballatine Books via netgalley

The Montgomerys and Armstrongs series
Could be read as stand alones but much better read in order

                                    Sept 24th

Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks

On his way to formerly propose to the woman he must marry to secure an alliance for his clan, Alaric McCabe is attacked and barely flees alive.  He and his horse somehow make it to a cottage in the woods and he promptly falls off his horse and passes out.  Keeley is stunned to see a mysterious man near her home but as she is a healer, she knows she must tend to his wounds.  Her first problem is how in the world to get this man into her home and I have to say, it was pretty funny.  As Keeley is tending to Alaric, he goes in and out of consciousness calling Keeley his angel or his devil but he sorely loves when she curls up to him to stay warm.  Alaric is quickly discovered by his brothers and Ewan, with his typical high handedness, takes Keeley with to tend to Alaric and also his wife.  Keeley is very upset by this, but as she has been tossed out by her clan and she has already developed feeling for Alaric, she goes.

Alaric is stunned by the feelings he feels for Keeley, they are unlike anything he has ever felt before but he knows his duty is to his clan and it is tearing him up.  When Keeley learns of Alaric engagement, and to whom, she is very saddened as she has already grown to love this strong, fierce man but also knows that nothing can come between them as the woman he is to marry, is Keeleys sister in heart.  As time passes and their attraction grows, they decide to live in the moment and cherish the memories they will make forever.  And those memories are smokin!  When the truth of what happened to Keeley and her clan is finally revealed, it is a huge source of anger for Alaric and his brothers.  But as the king has now approved of Alarics marriage and is planning on attending, Alaric knows his duty is to his clan, not his heart.

Oh, the ending of this book.  Sigh...have some tissues handy because you are going to need them!  You hope you know how it will play out but there is always that bit of uncertainty and Maya Banks will take you through the ringer to get the answers you want.  Alaric, sigh....really, thats all I can say, lol.  He is just sighworthy by the end.  And Keeley, in search of a sense of belongness is so happy to finally fit even though her heart breaks.  Together, they are a couple you will root for even while you don't want to see the clan falter as a result.  Overall, since I needed some tissues for tugging my heart strings, 5 stars.

Series note:  This is book two (following In Bed with a Highlander ) and I would recommend you read in order so you get more of a sense of the deep bond between the brothers and their duty for the clan.  The third book, Never Love a Highlander, will be released on Oct 25th and I am really hoping WalMart has it a few days early again as I can not wait to read it!!

And again, holy smokin hot cover but his hair seems wrong.  Its supposed to be longer with a braid.  I know I'm a bit picky but I really love when the cover matches the book perfectly :)

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

Ok, I going to confess that this was my first trip into Highlander territory and I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed this story.  Our heroine, Marian grew up in a convent for most of her life as she is the illegitimate daughter of the late king and one day her world comes crashing down and she is taken away by an evil laird who tries to force her into marriage as he wants control of the land and riches she will inherit once she marries and has an heir.  Marian refuses and is severely beaten and tossed back into her chamber and by the grace of some servants, she is able to escape.  Along the way to the evil lairds castle, Marian had protected a young boy from being beaten and it is this young boy, Crispen, whom has a very agitated father and uncles looking for him.  When the men stumble upon Marian with the boy, they think she is the kidnapper of Crispen but Crispen fiercely defends the women who saved him, and she him as she thinks they are going to take Crispen, and eventually they are all taken back to Crispens clan.  Marian makes Crispen promise not to reveal her true identity and he agrees much to the annoyance of his father, Laird Ewan McCabe.

Ewan can not believe that this women refuses to obey him but he can not deny his attraction to her.  Over a bit of time, the truth about Marian comes to light and it is decided that the best solution is for them to marry so that Ewan may protect her and his clan is in sore need of the funds she will bring.  Marian sees she really has no choice and agrees but on their wedding day they are attacked by the man that kidnapped Marian and have a rough first encounter and this makes Marian very wary of the bedchamber.  But whew, does Ewan quickly make up for his mistake and we get to see these two strong minded, quick tempered people fall head over heels for each other.  I love seeing a strong man so used to his own way struck down by the love of his woman.  The fierceness that he will go to protect her is wonderful and Marian is just as fierce protecting her man and now her clan.

Overall, for my first Highlander book I think this was a good one to try as it has made me very eager to read more in the future.  I really enjoyed Marian with her bold attitude and her always loose tongue and mumbles under her breathe.  I enjoyed Ewan and his battle ready attitude that is slowly tempered down by Marian.  I loved the huge sense of family, blood or clan, and how the men, and women, will go to any lengths to protect what is theirs.  I can not wait for Ewans brothers, Alaric and Caelen, to have their stories told and thankfully there is not a long wait!  4 stars

And on a side note...I do like the cover but shouldn't the male have longer hair?? 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a a weekly blog hop hosted by Breaking the Spine where we all mention one upcoming book release we are waiting for.

 This week I have another two-fer special :)  I have been reading In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks and really enjoying it!  It is my first Highlander book and so far so good!  So my waiting on Wednesday title(s) are the two upcoming books for this trilogy.  First, on Sept 27th is Seduction of a Highland Lass (which I just got at WalMart today, squee!) and then on Oct 25th comes Never Love a Highlander.

Here are the smokin covers and the goodreads.com blurbs:


A warrior is caught between family loyalty and forbidden love in book two of bestselling author Maya Banks’s sensual new trilogy featuring three indomitable Highlanders.
Fiercely loyal to his elder brother, Alaric McCabe leads his clan in the fight for their birthright. Now he is prepared to wed for duty, as well. But on his way to claim the hand of Rionna McDonald, daughter of a neighboring chieftain, he is ambushed and left for dead. Miraculously, his life is saved by the soft touch of a Highland angel, a courageous beauty who will put to the test his fealty to his clan, his honor, and his deepest desires.An outcast from her own clan, Keeley McDonald was betrayed by those she loved and trusted. When the wounded warrior falls from his horse, she is drawn to his strong, lean body. The wicked glint in his green eyes ignites a passion that will follow them back to Alaric’s keep, where their forbidden love draws them deeper into the pleasures of the flesh. But as conspiracy and danger circle closer, Alaric must make an impossible choice: Will he betray his blood ties for the woman he loves?

 In a tale of strong ties and true love, Maya Banks’s trilogy comes to its stunning conclusion, as the youngest McCabe brother uses sword and seduction to save his clan—and seal his heart.
Caelen McCabe’s young, reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now, putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother’s jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trusts no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white-hot longing.As the sacrificial lamb in her father’s power game, Rionna will do her duty but vows to protect her heart and her pride from humiliation. Despite everything, though, the heat in Caelen’s touch melts her defenses, and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna’s true warrior spirit emerges. She will risk the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Caelen that his wife’s love is too precious to lose.

I can't wait to finish up In Bed... and get started on the next one right away!  These are my first Highlander books and I think Maya Banks has done an excellent job so far.  The men are fierce and loyal to their clan and the women are the same mix of fierceness and boldness.  I love that I can already see how the stories are connected through the brothers.  So for my first dip into the Highlander pool I think I am doing ok :)  How about you?  Do you enjoy Highlander stories?  Any other recommendations (besides Jennifer Ashleys trio out so far, which I have heard awesome things about already and own and will get to soon)?