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IRRESISTIBLE DESIRE
Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty-and defiant ways.
Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex's past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?
LASR_Reviews
Posted November 1, 2011
'The oar that is close at hand, row with it" is a Gaelic proverb that serves as a rule of thumb in much of the action in The Sinner. Also the seer's prediction of three women that bring danger, deceit, and deep desire to Alex MacDonald plus the gift he receives being brightness itself weave theirs way through this action-packed, emotionally intense tale.
Alex Ban MacDonald fights with surety, skill, and zeal. He loves a good fight. He is the same about loving the ladies (note the plural). He balks at being "leg shackled". His father reared him to believe that it is in his genes to need many women, that like his father, one woman could never satisfy his sexual appetite. Alex saw his father's blatant infidelity make a virtual battlefield out of marriage. His parents fought like cats and dogs, and Alex wants no part of that kind of life.
Glynis MacNail, once the wife of the cruel, abusive Magnus Clanrandad, has been humiliated and hurt enough to last a lifetime. She never wants to marry again, but her father wants her to wed to secure an alliance with another clan. Consequently, when men from the MacDonald clan show up to parley, Glynis tries to disguise her beauty. However, fate, destiny, a mischievous fairy, or some such steps in to thwart both Glynis' and Alex's evasive actions.
She remains steadfast in her determination to stay unwed but says to herself, "What was God thinking, allowing a man to be this handsome?" when she sees Alex. He is a "golden warrior", and looks like a blazing Viking marauder with breathtaking green eyes. He radiates a sensual heat. He is a rogue without question, but has a sense of humor that charms and a storytelling ability that enchants.
The Sinner is replete with beautiful, expressive metaphors and imagery that awaken all the senses so the reader is pulled into the setting and propelled into the vicious fighting, the furtive planning, and the exquisite love scenes that are breathtaking.
Margaret Mallory weaves history, superstitions, the plight of women in that era, greed for money and power, and the unique culture of the Scottish Clans into the story, all of which enrich the sparkling love story of Glynis and Alex. She creates strong secondary characters with personalities that add, intrigue, joy, humor, magic, disgust, and terror to the happenings. Two of Alex's past lovers create their share of chaos, each in her own way. However, the little girl Claire that appears in the prologue, a character that I almost forgot, changes priorities for many as she nestles her way into the hearts of most-but not all. To a few she is not wanted, creating intense scenes.
The hero and the heroine's love shimmer and sizzles with scenes that make the heart sing and sigh with satisfaction. The Sinner is a keeper-a captivating read!
Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.“The Sinner”
It’s actually the title that lead me to read the book, and sure enough I find myself reading this, just in one sitting. Sure, I’ve read a lot of historical romances, but this is my first time to be faced with a Highland romance.. and I say this definitely blow me up...
I know this book comes in 4, and that this is the 2nd. I may not be able to compare it to the first, but since this is a stand-alone, I find myself totally engrossed with the story. For me, the book’s plot and intriguing storyline keeps me reading it until the end.
I love the seer's prediction of three women that bring danger, deceit, and deep desire to Alex MacDonald which weave their way through this action-packed, emotionally-intense tale.
I really enjoyed reading Alex and Glynis' story. They both grow and learn to love and trust even with their past experiences that led them to believe there’s no real love.
From the minute I began reading The Sinner, I was absorbed in the story. I can’t believe, but I’m so into this.
Margaret Mallory wonderfully weaves a story, full of facts and historical figures that is both compelling and thrilling. There’s no dull pace in the story, it’s either full of revelations, fighting scenes, steaming romances, or Alex and Glynis’s constant battle of wills…:D
As a woman, or should I say a girl, definitely I’m on with Glynis’ side, I could feel the constant nagging thought of Alex’s infidelity, but I came to a point to hate her, when she mistook Alex action, she should have listened to her heart and Alex’s explanation, instead she followed her overflowing jealousy and doubt…( Sorry I get carried away)…. With this, I think Alex is more likable than Glynis..;)
Don’t get me wrong I love everything about the book, but what I love most, are the Gaelic sayings scattered within, it resembles the characters’ actions and enlightens readers too.
The book also comes with historical facts at the back pages, stating where some of the characters came from. And also the 3rd book’s excerpt..it really sound promising…
Full of action, passion, romance, sacrifice, pride, destiny, honor , this book is a must read for any historical-romance lover…
Ms. Mallory is an author to watch out for…I can’t believe I’ll be snooping again for her other books, but sure I will..:)..I can’t wait to read her future books.. Count me in, I’m one of The Highlanders fan now too!lol
The Sinner is a delicious book any romance, historical lover would crave for…Highly recommended!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2012
Well written, action-packed, plenty of romance, you can feel the emotions between Alex and Glynis!!!! Love love love this read could not put my nook down!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Laurie_Ryan
Posted November 26, 2011
I¿ve felt, with every story Margaret Mallory writes, a strong emotional bond between the hero and heroine. I know that¿s mandatory for romance, but this author¿s books seem to ratchet it up a few extra notches. The Sinner is no exception. In fact, she has taken two people with strong reasons to dislike marriage and tossed them together in an emotional storm they can¿t deny¿no matter how hard they try. Add in some superb fight scenes and one particularly intense kiss (see pages 31 and 32) and I¿m in love yet again with Ms. Mallory¿s characters. And the teaser about Duncan¿s story has me anxious for the next story in this Highland warrior series.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Margaret Mallory's The Sinner is the second book in the series, The Return of The Highlanders. Although it is part of this wonderful series, it does a great job as a stand alone book as well. I really enjoyed the love story between Alex MacDonald and Glynis McNeil. I found their story sensual, spell binding and overall a fascinating read. Mallory is a wonderful writer and she really brings to life her characters. Alex is a strong, sexy and skillful warrior who has way with women. Glynis is a sensual, smart and refreshing heroine. The combination of the two are what really got me hooked to the story. Mallory does a wonderful job including details to the story that are for the most part accurate to the time, helping the story become tangible and real. My only complaint with this book would be Glynis MacNeil's past. It seems strange for the time period that Glynis would be re-marrying again.This detail did throw me off a bit, but it was easy to overlook it compared to the overall story. I look forward to reading the next book in the series from Margaret Mallory called The Warrior which is set to release in May 2012. It's a shame we have to wait so long!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2013
Alex always had more them his share of beautiful women waiting for his touch until he meet Glynis. A must read!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 13, 2013
This is new series I found- it is a good start. The story was a little slow in the begining but gets much better and the other books in the series are fantastic. Worth the read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 30, 2012
Dont worry if you havent read the first book, the story supports itself. This author tells a very good story....and there is plenty of sexual liasons to keep you interested, if thats what your looking for. Looking forward to the next book due in November.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.read2011
Posted January 26, 2012
The first of this series was great. This one was good. It tied in nicely with the first book. I can't wait for the next book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.lisibear
Posted December 21, 2011
Great. I really like her new series. Can't wait to read the next book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 5, 2011
like the first one this book is an easy read and takes you away to the highlands of Scotland. bits of history in it and heros
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In 1515 Lady Glynis MacNeil has one failed marriage to her name and no plans to test those waters again although she prays for a kinder protector than the hag she currently has. Alex MacDonald is a highly regarded warrior who vowed to never marry.
Her father wants Glynis to have an alliance with his clan so he proposes a marriage between his feisty but obstinate daughter and one of the MacDonald brood. Duncan MacDonald asks his cousin Alex to wed the pox padded Glynis. When he rescues her from pirates, they forge a bond as they trek to safety. Forced to marry, they fall in love, but she distrusts his faithfulness; while her former husband and an enemy of Alex combine their plans to cause trouble for the newlyweds.
The second Return of the Highlander sixteenth century Scottish romance (see The Guardian) is an action-packed historical thriller. Glynis is a refreshing protagonist as she goes to incredibly excessive lengths to get her point across; but that fascinating trait also slows down the otherwise fast-paced story line as she fails to move passed her beliefs regardless of the counter evidence. Still fans will enjoy The Sinner and his redeemer as this couple is made for each other to the delight of their clans and readers.
Harriet Klausner
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Posted December 31, 2011
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Posted November 21, 2011
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Posted November 12, 2012
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Posted June 1, 2011
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Posted May 31, 2013
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Posted December 15, 2011
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Posted November 8, 2011
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Posted August 5, 2012
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Overview
Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.
IRRESISTIBLE DESIRE
Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his ...