I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Highlander Most Wanted
by
Maya Banks
historical romance that was published by Ballantine Books on March 19, 2013 and has 368 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Sweet Surrender, Colters' Woman, Sweet Persuasion, Sweet Seduction, In Bed with a Highlander, Darkest Hour, Seduction of a Highland Lass, Colters' Lady, No Place to Run, Men Out of Uniform, Red-Hot Summer, Never Love a Highlander, Brazen, Sweet Temptation, Whispers in the Dark, "Colters' Wife", Colters' Promise, Echoes at Dawn, Undone By Her Tender Touch, Four Play, Cherished, The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress, Never Seduce a Scot, "Softly at Sunrise", Shades of Gray, Rush, Fever, Forged in Steele, Burn, Colters' Daughter, Colters' Gift, Be With Me, When Day Breaks, After the Storm, Taking It All, Keep Me Safe, Darkest Before Dawn, Enticed by His Forgotten Lover, Sweet Possession, Sweet Addiction
Second in the Montgomerys and Armstrongs historical romance revolving around the aforementioned families in medieval Scotland. The couple focus is on Genevieve McInnis and Bowen Montgomery.
I received an ARC from the publisher.
My Take
Based on this second installment in the series, it appears that Banks is incorporating a heroine with a disability — Eveline was deaf in Never Seduce a Scot, 1, and now we have the disfigured Genevieve — in this historical romance series along with an unexpectedly enlightened group of men.
This particular installment is more melodramatic than others of Banks’ with plenty of twists and turns, and it will certainly drag you in and make you want to kick and scream at many of the characters. I know I wanted to!
I find it interesting that Banks claims that the McHugh clan consisted of distant relations and a band of misfits who banded together, and yet the whole lot of them seem to think they’re so much better than Genevieve. That they are so concerned about staying McHughs and having a McHugh laird. Talk about desperate people… The women are horrible, but they do at least have more balls than their men. And I’d’ve loved to take a stick, a sword, a whip, a…anything…to most all of ’em!
Oh, god!!! I just want to smack them 24/7!
WTF? Genevieve leads the M&A boys inside the castle and the gathered McHughs — including Taliesan — cry against her? What did these idiots think she was going to do? Send them to the stables to take over the clan?
Taliesan’s retort was lovely. A beautiful statement of honor and friendship, insisting that dishonor is basing choice what one can gain or lose and that she prefers honor to any possible gain.
And, yes, Bowen is falling in love, until he learns just why Eveline was targeted by Ian McHugh. I am not, however, seeing Genevieve falling in love with Bowen when she’s tending him. After all of Banks’ overt melodrama, I had not expected her to get this subtle about Genevieve’s interests.
Ohh, I just love how Bowen does fall in love, and the efforts he makes. I don’t understand why he thinks he can never marry her. Extremely few women live at home till they die. What I don’t understand is why he doesn’t follow her home?
If you can set your own emotional reaction aside — I cried a lot, it’s fascinating to read Bowen’s progress in learning the very proud and much-maligned Genevieve’s back history and how she came to this state.
Banks has created a rich tapestry of emotion — pride, honor, self-preservation, and a deep and growing love — in this story. It’s not one you can forget, and I’ll have a hard time forgiving.
The Story
The Montgomery has run Ian McHugh through and Patrick has fled. Graeme has gone back to the castle to tend to his wife, Eveline, while his and her brothers are returning to the McHughs to claim the castle and seek their vengeance for the McHughs’ treatment of Eveline.
They fully expect to batter down the castle gates until they see a white flag flying and only the very young Ansel sent by Corwen to present the McHugh surrender. A surrender that is muted by their shocking reception of the much beleaguered Genevieve who yet seeks to stay the Montgomerys and Armstrongs from harming those in the McHugh clan.
Now, Genevieve seeks only her freedom and a moment of peace…but it all comes down to choice.
The Characters
No matter how skilled she is with a bow and arrow, Genevieve McInnis still was not as lucky as Eveline Armstrong Montgomery (see Never Seduce a Scot), for no one came to rescue her from Ian McHugh, the blackguard son of Patrick McHugh, laird of the McHughs.
Her McInnis side
Lachlan McInnis is the laird and Genevieve’s father; her grieving mother is Elizabeth. Sybil was her best friend before Genevieve was kidnapped.
The Montgomerys and Armstrongs
Bowen and Teague are Graeme‘s, Laird Montgomery’s, brothers. Geoffrey and Deaglan guard Bowen when he’s recovering. Eveline and Graeme Montgomery are happy. The blunt Rorie Montgomery is their very independent sister, eager to make friends. Father Drummond is teaching Rorie to read and write — forward lass!
Brodie and Aiden Armstrong are Eveline’s protective brothers, although Brodie does seem to be getting friendly with Teague. Tavis Armstrong is laird and Eveline’s father.
Taliesan is cousin to Patrick McHugh’s late wife; she would be Genevieve’s only friend in the castle. If Genevieve would allow it.
The McHughs are consistent in their cowardice and blame-laying…
Patrick McHugh hates the Montgomerys and the Armstrongs these days. All for lack of a spine on his part. Tearlach McHugh was the first to step forward, well, after the women came forward first and saved their bacon. I’d like to tie Claudia McHugh and her ilk to a ducking stool! Peter and Hiram McHugh know a great deal about the castle workings and are placed in charge. Maggie McHugh‘s husband and the bullying Corwen McHugh receive their just deserts.
The McGrieves ally themselves with McHugh. Silly buggers.
The Cover and Title
The cover is two different green plaids: one for the background and another to cover a naked Genevieve and Bowen.
The title tells it true, for Genevieve McInnis is a Highlander Most Wanted.
