"Enthralling in its history and its story! A true romance in every sense of the word!"
Reviewed by Heather Lobdell
Posted November 3, 2011
Romance Historical
THE SINNER is the second book in Margaret Mallory's
stunning new series! Set in the early 1500's, Mallory has
the ability to sweep a reader back in time and into the
wilds of Scotland. Mallory's ability to take history and
legend and turn it into a masterpiece is simply
magnificent! At the end of THE SINNER we get a short
chapter that relates the legends behind the characters in
the book, and I was amazed at how much Mallory was able to
keep close to reality. I believe that this unique blend of
fact and fiction only enriches the stories that Mallory has
given us as readers. From the Isles of Uist to each and
every castle they all appeared to virtually come alive off
the pages and ingrain themselves into my memory.
THE SINNER is the story of playboy Alexander Ban MacDonald
who is a dream come to life. As sexy as he is deadly, Alex
is cousin to Conner, the chieftain of the MacDonalds.
Forced to explore his options, Alex has been sent on a
mission by Conner to find out secrets, determine allies,
and hopefully escape the marriage mart. Alex has been a
womanizer all his life. Never one to intentionally hurt the
lasses, Alex knows that every relationship must eventually
come to an end. However, the daughter of the MacNeil has
captured his interests. His first look was torturous in its
hilarity, but the second glance has left his heart pounding
and the blood rushing to all parts of his body. Something
about the woman has left Alex knowing that he must have
her.
Escaping one husband was bloody. Glynis MacNeil is not
about to get stuck with another. Willing to trek across
Scotland with Alex to escape yet another marriage arranged
by her family Glynis did not know that she would exchange
one danger for another. Alex MacDonald proves to be too
much temptation for her. Life in the Lowlands does not
appear to be any different. Everyone thinks she needs a
husband no matter where she goes. Glynis soon realizes that
the allure of sailing off into the sunset with Alex
MacDonald is too much to say no too.
Glynis was a wonderful heroine and I instantly fell in love
with her strong character and quick wit. Alex was the
typical playboy lost within himself and was set on his butt
quite nicely by Glynis. It is always an adventure watching
the strong ones fall and with a writer like Mallory there
is no question that it was highly entertaining the whole
way down.
Each book of this series is written so that it can be read
on its own. I really love the fact that we did not lose
sight of Sileas and Ian, from The Guardian, completely.
From THE SINNER I have gotten closure on their story, I
know that they are okay and thriving. That said, I would
like to add that as I have begun the series from its start
I would recommend reading the series as a whole, as
intended. I do not think that the complexity of the
characters, nor their personality quirks, can really be
appreciated without knowing them from book one. I have
completely enjoyed watching all the characters change and
grow during these first two books. The only negative about
his book is that I will have to wait a whole year to watch
Duncan succumb too!
SUMMARY
THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK 2
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
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?
Excerpt"Glynis."
She sucked in her breath at the sound of Alex's voice in
her ear.
"I can't be responsible if ye keep moving against me
like that," he said. "I'm begging ye to stop."
The devil made her press against him.
"Ahh, ye feel so good," he said, and she sighed with him
as he ran his hand all the way down her side to her thigh
and back up again.
She willed him to do it again. When he did not, she
rolled onto her back to look at him. He propped himself up
on his elbow and leaned over her with his face so close
that she could feel his breath.
"We can't do this, Glynis."
"Why not?"
Alex gave her that smile that always made her stomach
leap. "Ye know the reasons."
Glynis had been responsible all her life—putting
her clan first, taking care of her sisters and brother,
offering guidance to her father, whether he took it or
not—and what had it got her? Magnus Clanranald was
what. Doing as she ought had bought her a foul husband who
shamed her—and who would murder her now if he could.
"Ye kissed me before. What's the harm in doing it
again?" She ran her tongue over her top lip, remembering
the taste of his mouth on hers. "Kiss me, Alex."
His eyes went dark, and he clenched his jaw for a long,
long moment. When he finally gave in and leaned down, her
stomach tightened in anticipation. The moment his lips
touched hers, fire spread beneath her skin. She pulled him
down into a deep, openmouthed kiss. Aye, this was what she
wanted.
The heat from his body sizzled through hers. Her breasts
ached, her head spun, and she felt as if she were falling
backward, though she was flat on the ground. When he cupped
her breast, she moaned into his mouth. Their legs became
entangled as their kisses grew deeper, more frantic. She
wanted to feel his weight on her, to feel his bare skin
beneath her fingers.
But Alex broke away. His gaze was smoldering and his
breathing harsh.
"'Tis is a dangerous game you're playing." His fingers
shook as he brushed her hair back from her face. "One thing
is bound to lead to another."
"I'm hoping it will." Glynis wasn't sure when she had
decided that she wanted it all, but she had.
Magnus had been such an oaf. He had claimed it was her
fault that she didn't warm to his touch, but she understood
now that Magnus hadn't the slightest notion how to touch
her. She wanted to know what it was like to feel passion in
the night, and she would never have another chance.
Or a better man to show her.
"Ye may think this is what ye want," Alex said, "but ye
don't really."
"I do." Her fingers still gripped the front of his
shirt, and she wasn't letting go.
"Perhaps ye do right at this moment, but ye would regret
it later." He sighed as he traced the side of her face with
his finger. "I don't want to be a regret."
She shook her head vehemently from side to side. "I
won't regret it. I promise."
Alex gave her a faint smile. "Then I will. Ye are
precisely the sort of woman I avoid bedding."
Her stomach clutched, and she turned her face to the
side.
"What's wrong with me?" she asked, her voice coming out
high and thin.
"Ach, 'tis not that I don't want to," Alex said, grazing
his knuckles against her cheek. "I've never wanted a woman
this much."
No doubt he was stretching the truth, but there was such
longing in his voice that she did believe he wanted her.
"Then why not?" she asked.
"Ye would expect more of me than I am able to give," he
said in a soft voice. "Ye would want me to be there
tomorrow and the next day—and a year from now. I
can't make a woman happy for that long."
"You're wrong about what I want," she said. "I don't
want a husband—but I do want this."
He made a low sound in the back of his throat that sent
a thrill vibrating through her....
"You're not the sort to have affairs," Alex said.
"How can ye say I'm not the sort when I'm the one
asking?"
"Because ye couldn't take it as just a bit of fun," he
said, twisting a strand of her hair around his finger. "Ye
don't have a frivolous bone in your body, Glynis MacNeil."
"I won't have this chance again," she said. "I'm always
watched over—I'm never free."
Her family criticized her for being too serious-minded.
Now that she'd decided to do something wholly irresponsible
and wicked, she was determined to succeed. She was never
one to do things by halves.
"I won't wed again. Before I spend my life alone, I want
to be with a man." She sensed Alex was weakening and ran
her hands up his chest. "I want to be with you."
Lightning cracked and flashed through the gap in the
hanging blanket. For an instant, its white light shone on
Alex, making him look like the fairy king himself come to
work his magic on her. Every young lass in the Western
Isles was warned that the fairy king could not be resisted
without a special protective charm.
If Glynis had such a charm, she would toss it away.
She let her gaze drop to Alex's mouth and
whispered, "Show me your magic."
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