Highland Princess

Rating:
Summary: fabulous medieval Scottish romance
Review: In 1366 intelligent Mairi MacDonald, daughter of the Lord of the Isles and King of Hebrides, meets Lachlan "the Wily" MacLean and his gigantic brother Hector at her father's court. Lachlan thinks that Mairi is the prettiest woman he ever seen and perhaps the most intelligent as she intercedes and helps prove a man innocent of a murder charge. He plans to make her his wife although her parents want a royal spouse for their high spirited daughter.

Niall Mackinnon the Master of the household decides that Lachlan is a rival for Mairi's affection so he plots to kill the MacLean siblings during a hunt. Instead they turn the tables and kill him. Even before the incident a feud split the two clans that share ownership of the Isle of Mull under the auspices of Laird John MacDonald and fear John's retaliation. Desperate because Lachlan now loves Mairi, he abducts John in hopes of persuading him to allow him to wed his daughter even as Clan Mackinnon begins a quest for vengeance.

HIGHLAND PRINCESS is a fabulous medieval Scottish romance due to Mairi, a unique heroine who is more than just feisty. Her Holmesian-like legal defense to open the novel will hook the readers especially with its insight into the justice system. Fans will also see two brilliant strategists trying to top one another until love becomes the equalizer. Lachlan is her perfect intellectual counterpart. Though the villains seem dopy in comparison, fans will look forward to Hector's starring role in an upcoming sequel.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Tremendous Historical Detail - 4-1/2*
Review: Setting - Isle of Isla, Scotland- 1366 --- Lady Mairi Macdonald, daughter of the Lord of the Isles, was beautiful, intelligent, and one of the kingdom's most sought-after brides. Up until this time she had yet to be attracted to any man, least of all the man her father had decided he would wed her to who was of royal blood. Meeting the very impudent and thoroughly infuriating Lachland Maclean, Mairi was amazed by the attraction and was definitely interested.

Lachlan "The Wily" Maclean, Highland warrior, was an absolute charmer, made friends easily while garnering information wherever he went. He was a most well-informed man however, the introduction to Lady Mairi belied the information he'd heard of her loveliness because for him, she was perfection. Determined, he was not above doing whatever it would take to make her his - even if she was promised to another and knew that her father would never agree to a union with the `upstart' MacLean clan. Not to be put off, Lachlan was resolved to bring the MacDonald around to his way of thinking, even as another powerful adversary was plotting betrayal to not only take Mairi for himself, but the very kingdom as well.

This was a very potent and thoroughly researched historical romance. Her protagonists were a delight in which I thoroughly enjoyed the playfulness of Lachlan and the honesty of Mairi as both acknowledged their attraction to one another right from the start. Mairi, always interested in history and politics, loved the fact that she was able to have a conversation with a `man' who actually listened to what she had to say. Lachlan, was rather broadminded for the period and liked that she stood up to him (to a point). While the romance was sweet with an exciting ending, it was perhaps a slower paced read from an author who generally delivers a wicked fast reads. Bottom Line - Tremendous detailed historical background combined with a sweetly sensual romance. ---- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---