Publisher: Forever
– Grand Central
Date published:
May
2011
ISBN: 978-0446575164
Genre: Historical
Romance
Book format: Paperback
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by
name and email address: Gina Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com
After five years in France Ian MacDonald and his friends,
Connor, Duncan and Alex return to their home in Scotland. While some are glad to see them, others are
less than thrilled. Connor’s father was the clan’s chieftain until his tragic
death on the battlefield at Flodden. Connor’s uncle, Hugh, is out to do away
with anyone who challenges his claim as Chieftain and the young men are at the
top of his list. Ian’s wife of five years, Sileas, isn’t too pleased to see him
either. Well, not that she isn’t pleased.
Ian always held her heart—she just didn’t hold his. As children
Sileas followed him all around, trailing after Ian and his friends only to find
herself in danger. Each time Ian quickly came to help her. But when she ran
away from home to avoid an untenable marriage things went awry and Ian found
himself in a marriage not of his making. At the time Sileas was only thirteen
and a gangly young woman. Now, five years later, she is a beauty to behold.
Matter of fact in approach Ian realizes he is strongly attracted
to Sileas and after his years away he is now ready to be her husband. Sileas,
however, isn’t quite ready to be his wife. In fact she has prepared a letter to
the Queen to request an annulment so she can marry a man who is kind and caring
if not in love with her. Not one to simply give up Ian begins to woo his wife.
Rebellion against the English looms and the clans are gathering to decide what
to do. Added to that is the battle for the Chieftainship with Ian determined to
put Connor in his rightful place as Chieftain. Duty calls to him and while
Sileas finds she still has feelings for her childhood friend she does not want
him to want her out of a sense of duty. With all the political machinations
circling around Ian can he win his wife’s heart?
THE GUARDIAN is the first
of Margaret Mallory’s Return of the Highlander’s series and introduces Ian,
Connor, Alex and Duncan. I could tell from the outset I was going to have quite
a time deciding which of the warriors would be my favourite. Ian’s hot. No
doubt about it, he is hot. He is also a
man of his time and has some rough edges about him. He wants Sileas and
therefore believes he should have her. I very much enjoyed how Ms. Mallory
brought him around to realizing how he needed to pursue and win Sileas.
I could totally hear the Scots’ accent in Ms. Mallory’s writing.
The words flowed naturally and at times mesmerized me into knowing exactly how
each character would sound if they were speaking. It wasn’t forced or fake on any
level but gave me a very real sense of being there with the characters.
The love scenes were very romantic and tastefully done. I’m
eager to begin the next in the series, THE
SINNER.
This is an objective review and not an endorsement of
this book.
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