Embrace the Highland Warrior

Good Beginning | Blah Ending

Rating: 3.5

Embrace the Highland Warrior
( Book #2 )
by Anita Clenney

Genre: Paranormal Romance

They were driven apart by a timeless secret...
Cody MacBain let the woman of his destiny slip away. A member of an ancient clan of Scottish warriors, he grew up beside Shay Logan as her secret protector, but his heart compelled him to become more. Until Shay's true identity was revealed, the fated pair's chance was gone...

But danger will drive them back into each others arms...
Shay fell for the boy next door, suspecting nothing of the ancient secrets he guarded. After a stinging betrayal, she's determining to banish the memories of her first love forever. But the past can't let go, and the boy she once loved has returned to her a warrior determined to protect her from the unspeakable evil fate has planned...

When the powerful demon that left Shay for dead discovers her empty grave, he comes seeking retribution, believing she possesses an ancient book he has sought for centuries. Knowing she can’t fight the demon alone, Shay returns to her clan and the Scottish Warrior who betrayed her…the only man she’s ever loved, where she discovers that betrayal isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes it’s far worse.

When a stalker began to haunt Shay in Scotland, she escaped to take sanctuary in a place she had not visited in over 10 years - the Virginia home she ran away from at 18. It became difficult returning to a place that bought to life so many memories from her childhood, becasue the family/friends that concealed secrets from her since birth were still in residence. Yet, upon returning, Shay was bombarded with intense feelings for a man who once was her best friend/first love and as past mistakes slowly became resolved, a much darker force was coming...solely for her.

Honestly, I forgot I read Book #1 by Anita Clenney (which I am satisfied to say the book cover greatly improved with Book #2) and was presently surprised to catch up with past characters that I was some-what familiar with. Shay and Cody were easy to enjoy as the protagonists, but I was more fond of them earlier on in the story than I was at the end due to their relationship being built on jealousy/mistrust/constant-bickering. Also, their earlier awkward awareness of each other was a lot more exciting and animate, for the reader, than their quick excuse for comforting relations in the second half of the book. Thus, I was discontented with the evolvement of romance in this story. Yet, if you like lots of highlander adventures that travel through Scotland and reside in castles - this could be an entertaining read for you, but don't expect a grand epic tale.

Likes: Shay and Cody's childhood memories were some of my favorite parts of the whole story, especially the younger ones that revolved around them innocently playing together.

Dislikes: The story fell a little flat for me half-way through since I was expecting more character development (esp. with the relationship between Shay and Cody as adults) and yet there were many superficial jumps in the tale that left me dissatisfied overall.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

good read

Like that the book has history but is set in the present with a good story with alot of twists

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow!

Excellent Read! Book 1 had a slow start but picked up after page 70, but this book 2 was fast paced, action packed, lots of mystery, no hot steamy love scenes. I would highly recommend.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

4.5 Stars - Do you love sexy men in kilts with to-die-for brogues who will go to any lengths to protect the women they love? Then Embrace the Highland Warrior is just the novel for you!

One fateful day, nine years ago, Shay's life irrevocably changed. Finding out that everything she had believed for eighteen years was a lie, Shay left, but now she has returned to her childhood home to face the demons of her past and forget so that she can finally move forward. But she didn't expect for her past to run right into her during the middle of the night in a dark house and for the demons to be real!
At the end of Awaken the Highland Warrior, Bree has a vision at her wedding about the woman Cody loves in danger. Embrace the Highland Warrior continues the Connor Clan series with Cody traveling back to America from Scotland to protect Shay. She is Cody's destined mate and he won't let her run away again, the first time nearly destroyed him. Even if Cody has to break every rule that he has been brought up to follow, he will to keep Shay protected and by his side. When an ancient demon returns to finish the job he started almost twenty-eight years ago though and a vampire seeks to lure Shay away, Cody must put aside jealousies and insecurities in order to protect her, but will it put Shay farther out of his reach?

I was so excited to be offered a review copy of this novel, as I absolutely loved the first one in the series, Awaken the Highland Warrior. Embrace the Highland Warrior is a sexy, dangerous and thrilling page turner from beginning to end about an ancient clan of Scottish warriors who secretly protect the world from demons. I can't get enough of the Connor Clan; every character is diverse and full of life. There are quite a few secondary characters to keep track of but they're each so well fleshed out that I am intrigued by everyone and cannot wait for their own stories!

As in the first novel, the plot is cryptic and complex with many questions being raised leaving you on the edge of your seat waiting for the answers to be revealed. Some are, but others you'll have to continue with the series to find out the answers to.

Cody and Shay's relationship is a life-long one and Anita Clenney weaved in captivating glimpses from their past into the current plot that help cement their relationship and develop it in a believable way. However, they are both very strong characters who each carry important secrets that bring about some tense moments. They must work through a lot of distrust, deception, betrayal, misconceptions and find forgiveness as well as balance before they even have a chance of a happily ever after. Shay and Cody are smart, witty and the banter between the two, even in the worse of circumstances, was enjoyable. There wasn't anything that I didn't love about this main couple.

Anita Clenney throws in a few mind-blowing twists to keep readers on their toes, to the already exuberant amount of mystery and suspense. This is definitely a book that will keep you thinking, guessing and glued to each page while gripped by the heart tugging romance at the same time. Outgoing aunts provided much humor with their match making antics and ability to always find trouble. And there is sure to be one or three other characters that will instantly capture your interest. Ronan is a favorite but I am also curious about another relationship hinted at, as well as Faelan's mysterious brother. Embrace the Highland Warrior makes a good stand-alone but better read in order as a series.

Fantastic writing and a spectacular series premise, Anita Clenney's Connor Clan is a must-read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic Read

Shay Logan left home as a teen, her heart broken because Cody had lied to her. When she returns, she's engaged to another man and hopes she can avoid seeing him while she's there.

The author has staged her story in the Highlands of Scotland with a nice mix of warriors, demons and vampires. The story is fast and provocative; excitement rolls off the pages, and the fight between good and evil is intense.

Ms. Clenney has written about warriors, so her characters are strong in both personalities and bodies, as well as being very attractive. Some are almost immortal. She weaves a story of paranormal beings that is vivid and believable as well as good fun to read. I like reading action novels, especially with some romance involved.

When Shay sneaks downstairs to tackle the intruder in her house, she has no idea that Cody is the one snooping around downstairs. When they both beat each other up, I knew this was going to be a good read. I like a little banter between the lead characters as well as people who stand up for what they believe in and that applies to this couple.

The biggest problem is that Shay has no idea she's a warrior, nor that there is a warrior's council or enemies after her. Her world suddenly expands into a whole new world but when it expands to include Cody, it's earthshattering.

Fighting demons and vampires is a dangerous game and Shay doesn't have many warrior skills since she's untrained. Cody does his best, but she's not cooperating with him. He tries to direct her; she tells him to get stuffed. The author makes this interplay lively, which makes it a great read.

Why not come play on the wild side for a bit with Shay and Cody? I am hoping there will be sequel to this book as this tale is too good not to do more with it.
Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I loved this book! I am an extremely picky reader, and often don

I loved this book! I am an extremely picky reader, and often don't even make it all the way through books because of poor plot lines or uninteresting characters, but this book was exceptional. The characters, both primary and secondary, were beautifully written, relatable, and likable. I really felt the connection between Shay and Cody, and loved them as characters. Their story was deep and emotional, dealing with both love rekindled and past tragedies. Both brought them closer together, making their love for each other even strong.

I also loved the other members of the clan, and am very much looking forward to reading books about them. The plot was very well done, and I never lost interest. (Believe me, that's saying a lot, coming from me.) Anita's prose is beautiful, and the suspense scenes were captivating. I will definitely read whatever books she writes in the future. I'm definitely putting her at the top of my list of favorite writers.

I enjoyed the first book in Anita Clenney’s Highland Warri

I enjoyed the first book in Anita Clenney’s Highland Warrior series so I was pleased to have the chance to read and review its sequel, Embrace the Highland Warrior. The story starts with American Scot, Shay, returning to America after an absence of several years. She left as a teen for a new life in Scotland, but now there are breakins and murders chasing her, plus a boyfriend whose ring she carries without being sure of his claim on her heart. There just might be some demons out there too, or even worse.

Long-lost boyfriend Codie stirs Shay’s heart and defends her honor, bringing family revelations and curious mysteries in his wake. Characters from the author’s earlier work soon gather round, giving a pleasant feeling of family. There’s a secret castle, threatened by monsters of course, and a nicely sensual romance, threatened by secrets.

The ending has a pleasingly ambiguous feel—victory for now and the story complete and well-told, but mysteries in the how that leave space for plenty more. I’m looking forward to books three and four!



Disclosure: I was lucky enough to get a free ecopy of this novel and am writing a review because I’m enjoying the series.

Great Read

Great Read

Really Enjoy this Series

Book #2 of the Connor Clan picks up right where the first one, "Awaken the Highland Warrior" left off. Shay has come home after nine years to face her past and to try and move on. Lies and betrayal led her away the first time, now Cody must walk a fine line to keep her safe and protected without betraying her again.
This is a really good storyline, with lots of action and suspense. The fight scenes with the demons and vampires are believable, I could definitely picture a clan of hunky Scots fighting off vampires at an old Scottish building. I love how we get little flashbacks from when Cody and Shay were kids, it enables the reader to really connect with the two and see just how their relationship developed over the years.
I was really glad that Faelan and Bree played such a strong role in this book as well. It was cute to watch them butt heads time and time again. There are a lot of secondary characters, just as their were in the first book, and it gets hard to follow them sometimes. Clenney does a great job of bringing them all to life, but with all those secondary characters there are secondary subplots that don't always relate to the real story. Other than that I loved this book and I can't wait for more in this series.
This is a good stand alone book, but I recommend reading the series in order. Clenney does a good job of summing up what happened in the first book (sometimes too much in my mind, if you read the first you wouldn't need to sum up) but these books are still much better read in order. I highly recommend this series.

Great book

Love this series. Can't wait until the next book is out

Very good read!

I loved this book. I had read the first in the series and can't wait for another one. I wish she could write faster. Great story!

Love it

Highly Recommended

Wonderful book!

Great Book

Read the first one and wasn't done with it and ordered this one. Read them both in 3 days. Great books can't wait for the next one.

Loved this book!

This series of nooks is the perfect blend of action, romace, & humor. I love the old-fashiojed ways of the warriors mixed with the strong wills of their mates. The culture shock is both funny & endearing. They love each other & protect each other fiercely. Cody & Shay are a great couple & I loved learning more about Faelin and Bree too. I can't wait for the next in The Higland Warriors series to be released. Guess I'll have to read it again.

Great read

Loved both books!

WORTH READING

I enjoyed this book! I have read both books and can't wait for Ms. Clenney to publish her next book. At first I thought she had too many characters and it was not going to be easy to follow, but it was, and all those wonderful characters tied in nicely. It was exciting, romantic, sexy and laugh out loud funny. Until the next book....

Those Scots are at it again saving the world!

Don't you just love those books that when you reach a certain point the action keeps building and you CAN'T put it down until you finish it? This book was like that. It's full of wonderful Scottish warriors and damsels in distress, fighting vampires and demons, and it has mysteries and clues woven in. I love the blend of past and present. My daughter, who's studying novels and writing, tells me that when you write it has to be believable even if it's fantasy. I can picture these characters in flesh and blood even though it would be strange to have a family of brawny Scots living next to you. Strange, but AWESOME! The way Anita Clenney writes about them, it's totally believable. This series is great! I could do with a little less sex, but then I guess they are Scottish warriors and they can't help it. Anyway, I can't wait for the next volume to be published!

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