Netgalley/Edelweiss Book Review-Highlander Most Wanted

Highlander Most Wanted
The Armstrongs  and the Montgomery's (2)
Maya Banks
Ballantine Books
Published March 19 2013
352 Pages
Scottish Highlands Historical Romance

ISBN 0345533240

Synopsis
In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever

My Review
Summary 
After Ian is killed, Genevieve wonders what her fate will be, stuck behind the keeps door, with no place to go. Then Bowen Montgomery comes with a army, and storms the gates, and seeing only a few men, and women and children, he knows he has a big task ahead of him. When he meets Genevieve, he is stunned with a woman that even though rumored to have slept around some, there is a innocence he senses about her, and he knows that there is alot more to her than meets the eye. As he and his men try to solve the problems within the McHugh clan, a desire sparks between Bowen and Genevieve, and he finds himself falling in love with this beauty who takes his breath away with her kiss. However when he uncovers some hidden truths he knows he has some decisions to make that could make him lose her forever....but will he make the choice that is right for his wants and desires, or what is truly best for the one person who he loves more than life...

The Hero
Bowen, the second oldest, takes the responsibility of getting justice for those who would and did cause his sister in law harm, but when he meets a young woman, rejected by the McHugh Clan, but still strong willed despite her tormentors, but he knows there is something she is hiding from him, something very important. When he finds the truth though, he finds himself in love with her gentleness and kindness, and her passionate nature that intrigued him in the first place. Bowen knows that he will have to make a most difficult choice...one that could make him lose her forever....

The Heroine 
Genevieve, grew up in the bosom of a loving family, but the she was kidnapped by Ian, and forced by him to do things she only despised. She has lost all hope of ever being able to escape his abuse and torment, until she hears about the Montgomery's. She knows they are her only hope, and so she hatches a plan, and finds herself facing Bowen Montgomery, so handsome and protective. She knows however, that even though she feels a growing desire between them, she realizes that after what she has done....she may never get her ever after with the one man she loves more than life itself.

My Thoughts 
Highlander Most Wanted is the second in this most incredible series by Maya Banks. Now I just love Banks Historical's, they are amazingly written stories that take you back through time, so vividly portrayed, it makes you just want to go through a time portal yourself. After reading the first in the series, I just fell in love again with her second Historical series. Now I think I almost loved this one more than the first, there were so many aspects of the story that I enjoyed. It was definitely a page turner that will knock your socks off and make you want to fly. I felt like from beginning to end, like it was one of those romances that you just buy and re read forever. One of those unforgettable romances, that is written in such a way that it enthralls the reader and by the time its finished you just don't want it to ever end. I really loved the way the author wove this story together so beautifully, and dealt with difficult issues and just fit it in together amazingly well. It was very emotionally heart wrenching, and I really enjoyed how the characters fit so well for the plot that was portrayed. I felt like everything fit perfectly and the flow of the story was as smooth as warm honey.  If anyone can make you fall in love with the Scottish Highlands, its Maya Banks. A Romance that will enchant you, a story filled with a tender romance, an intriguing plot and charming characters, that will keep a reader thirsting for more. You can't go wrong with this series..... A TRUE TREASURE!!!

My Grade On This Book 
5 Blossoms

My Heat Rating 
 Steamy

Other Books In The Series 
Never Seduce A Scot

 
 

ARC Book Review-Never Seduce A Scot

Never Seduce A Scot
The Montgomery's and the Armstrongs (1)
Maya Banks
Ballantine Books
Published Sep 2012
352 Pages
Scottish Historical Romance
ISBN 9780345533234

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

Summary
 When the King demands that two waring clans be united through marriage, both families are outraged and shocked. When Graeme, hears the decree, he has no idea how he will go through with it, knowing that he vowed to himself years ago that he would get revenge for his father's death, especially knowing the rumors he has heard about his future wife. Eveline, when she learns that she must marry, she knows that she will have no choice, even though she has no idea how she could leave her clan, her family, where she has been protected and loved by her family. However from the first moment she sees him, she knows her life will change.....Graeme when first meeting Eveline, notices that she is different, not addled in any way, but there is something special about her, and he knows he can do no other than see to her welfare and happiness....Eveline hides a terrible secret that she even kept from her family, and now it seems that she will have to keep it from the one man who awakens a desire in her with his caresses, and who opens up her heart to love...

The Hero
Graeme, with his brothers have been thirsting for revenge, and when he receives word that he must marry and form a truce with their enemy clan, who are also responsible for his fathers death. When he first steps onto Armstrong, he knows that anything can happen however when he meets Eveline, his whole world changes and revolves around her. From her first smile at him, he knew he was changed, and he was willing to lay down his hatred for Eveline, who is innocent of any wrong doing. When he realizes that there is alot more to his wife than meets the eye, he knows he could love her for forever....

The Heroine
Eveline, though beautiful and sweet, is thought of as not fully there. Eveline was once in an horse accident, which changed her whole life and it has never been the same, because she can't hear and she keeps a secret from those that she loves the most. Now by king's decree she is forced to marry someone whom she has never meant and who hates her clan and her family, but life is full of surprises, and she starts to realize that Graeme is definitely not what she expected, and when he awakens a desire within her, she knows she could get lost in his touch....and could lose her heart to him

My Thoughts
I have to say WOW!!! I just loved Never Seduce A Scot, the best of Maya Banks work so far!!! I just loved everything about this book. I was thrilled when I was able to get a copy and immerse myself in its pages. As far as historical romances go....this tops the list!!! The romance in this story was so precious and tender at times, I wanted to cry....the story line was full of surprises and flowed beautifully from beginning to end. The characters were very endearing and likeable. Graeme, was the perfect alpha male, but at the same time had a tender side. Even though he hates Eveline's clan, he always treats her with tenderness and care, it just breaks your heart, Eveline is just a sweetheart, and has been dealt a hard hand early in her life, however she is full of life and gives everyone the benefit of a doubt even though she is in 'Enemy Territory'. Eveline really appealed to me because she wasn't one of those heroines that fight every step of the way, she accepted her duty with dignity, and has such a sweet nature that you can't help but like her and you just want to cheer her on when she gets spine and stands up for herself too. Overall a powerfully written and emotional wringer, an amazing love story of sacrifice and forgiveness, and the true power of love.....A TREASURE TO KEEP!!!!

My Grade On This Book
5 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
Highlander Most Wanted (2013)