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Scottish Duo #1
Isle of Lies
Living a sheltered life in the cloistered halls of a Scottish convent, Moira Maclean is tricked into marrying Ian Cameron of Glencoe, the sworn enemy of her father and her clan, and finds herself falling in love with the handsome stranger. Original.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 26, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
September 3, 2020
3 Cosy-ish Stars
Tricked into marriage by highlander Ian Cameron, Moira Maclean is glad to see the back of him but when he returns her life changes even more. Now the question is can a marriage started with lies lead to anything more?
What I would have loved - some series grovelling from Ian after his
For a highly intelligent woman I was surprised Moira believed Ian's words so fast at the start of the book, it was all a little suspect. Still I liked her as a MC.
This time around Ian continuously going on about Moira's duty - argh that one word from him almost drove me batty.
Small age difference between MCs, Moira is 29 and Ian 25, as I'm currently 29 I found it funny how Moira was continuously said to be old and delicate compared to younger women. Some enjoyable secondary characters.
I've re-read this more than a few times over the years, I don't adore it as I once did, but still a enjoyable read.
Potential Triggers:
Tricked into marriage by highlander Ian Cameron, Moira Maclean is glad to see the back of him but when he returns her life changes even more. Now the question is can a marriage started with lies lead to anything more?
What I would have loved - some series grovelling from Ian after his
For a highly intelligent woman I was surprised Moira believed Ian's words so fast at the start of the book, it was all a little suspect. Still I liked her as a MC.
This time around Ian continuously going on about Moira's duty - argh that one word from him almost drove me batty.
Small age difference between MCs, Moira is 29 and Ian 25, as I'm currently 29 I found it funny how Moira was continuously said to be old and delicate compared to younger women. Some enjoyable secondary characters.
I've re-read this more than a few times over the years, I don't adore it as I once did, but still a enjoyable read.
Potential Triggers:
January 20, 2022
Moira and Ian. Moira is 29 and Ian is 25 Scotland 1513 Moira is smart and although starts out as a plain heroine the author has Ian attracted to her from the very beginning. I loved that her father finally told her she was beautiful like her mother near the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2013
Boooooooriiiiing. Moira goes on and on for too many pages (nay chapters) about not ever being able to trust Ian again because, he lied/deceived/was untruthful/tricked...is this a romance or a damn thesaurus? We get it. The dude played dirty to get what he wanted what a, a, a...what a man! (Its a joke don't get real on me) Then when she finally comes around they are suddenly infatuated like a couple of teens who can't get enough of each other. They are all I love YOU more, and nooooo you hang up first. Gag me.
Oh yeah and all her blather about needing privacy and space for her secret studies got old quick.
The real disappointment here is all the trouble I went to get this book. Library, no. Barnes and noble, no (so Nook is out) ended up waiting months for my wish to be fulfilled on paperbackwap. So really not a lot of trouble just lots of waiting and anticipation.
Oh yeah and all her blather about needing privacy and space for her secret studies got old quick.
The real disappointment here is all the trouble I went to get this book. Library, no. Barnes and noble, no (so Nook is out) ended up waiting months for my wish to be fulfilled on paperbackwap. So really not a lot of trouble just lots of waiting and anticipation.
June 2, 2025
I have not read Donna Fletcher in a while and remember liking her books.
Isle of Lies was a nice story. The MMC was truly trustful devoted character. I really liked him. Moira our FMC character wanted really strongly to stand out as special and unique that she became little annoying.
I skimmed the end just to find out who wanted to killed her.
Isle of Lies was a nice story. The MMC was truly trustful devoted character. I really liked him. Moira our FMC character wanted really strongly to stand out as special and unique that she became little annoying.
I skimmed the end just to find out who wanted to killed her.
April 20, 2019
A wonderful, historical, Scottish romance. I thought the story line both original and interesting. A woman raised in a unconventional way in a convent. Strong, self-confident and educated. He is the leader of his clan. Also strong and self-confident. There is some repetition in the thoughts of the characters, which seems to be the way Donna writes, but the inclusion of other strong characters and relationships keeps it from becoming too boring. There is lots of story in this book and I enjoyed it all.
June 19, 2020
On of my favorite books. I loved all the characters. Ian is the great leading romance hero. He is just wonderful. Moira is not your typical heroine. She is not beautiful and is older but smart. She could have been a sad hr. Moira high intellect and curiosity makes her humorous and soo loveable. This is such a different romance. I loved it!!
June 9, 2014
spoilers
So when a handsome warrior barges in with news of her father's dying wish--that she marry this stranger on the spot--Moira knows that duty has her bound.
Soon Moira realizes the folly of her haste: that her father sent no much message; that she has just exchanged vows with her clan's own enemy Ian Cameron of Glencoe. Left behind at the convent, she discovers she carries his child.
This isn't my review after reading the book. No, that's the description on the back of the book.
Wow, just don't hold back.
Go ahead and give us all the highlightts of the book right there. Those would've made some good surprises. I don't think the author understands the purpose of the back cover. It's not to give away the main points of the plot; it's to summarize or give a glimpse enough to get someone interested.
I could go on and on about the insanity and stupidity of such a thing, and about how cheated I feel, but I better save room for the rest of this review, which I'm sure will not be short.
I didn't like that she was 29. That's way too old for the heroine.
"When her father sent her here to the convent at age ten and two she was angry and lonely."
"And now, ten and seven years later, it was too late for any such marriage proposal. She was twenty and nine, far past marriageable age and more importantly far past childbearing age."
"This tall, dignified woman, who showed barely a trace of wrinkles for all her sixty and two years, was like a mother to her."
Ok, I'm already noticing a pattern. I know they spoke like that back then, two and twenty and all that, but u can switch it up every now and then and say the actual age instead of having the reader put it together and add it up in our heads. Just say she's 29 and the old lady is 62. It's ok.
I hate, hate, when the woman is older than the man. I don't think I've ever encountered that before, but this author has tended to do things an author shouldn't ever do. She's 29 and he's 25. While normally that isn't a big age gap, 29 sounds so much older, esp when it's the woman who's older.
I thought it was definitely suspicious that he was so urgent and persistent, saying enemies were on his trail and they had to marry and consummate the marriage that night. Idk if I would have thought that on my own, or if it was because the author had gone ahead and ruined it for me. But Moira shud've realized how odd that sounded. I deduced it was her father and brothers coming after him, and that they weren’t dead at all, because the tale of her father and two brothers dying seemed quite fantastical. &since he didn’t come right out and answer that they were dead I pretty much knew they weren’t. Moira chalked it up to charm that he didn’t directly answer the question. I knew I was in for a dumbass character that wud let things slide right past her when it was right underneath her nose.
The actions that followed that short, non-detailed event that was supposed to be a wedding was absolutely without a doubt the worst unfolding of the act of sex I have ever witnessed, and I’ve read one romance book where the woman was raped, more than once. That gives you an idea of what I thought of their first sexual encounter.
I understand that he had a secret agenda, and that these people were on his tail and were closing in, and they could be heard coming to the convent. But it was crude, base, simple, devoid of any emotion, and just the worst way to have sex. It was borderline rape, except she was a willing partner “because she had given her word” and “it was her duty.” The reason I sat this was worse than the rape I encountered in Christine Feehan’s Hidden Current is that at least one of her characters, the man, had some feelings for her, even though they were obsessive and unhealthy. These two, Ian and Moira, didn’t even know each other, had only met a matter of minutes before and didn’t even have any signs of attraction for the other. And I thought since Ian only wanted her for some reason that didn’t have anything to do with desire, I thought so badly of him it wasn’t even funny. There he had to hurry and have sex with this woman that was 4 years older than him, with a plain face, thin lips, and big eyes. How absolutely disgusting. And I didn’t feel sorry for her in the slightest. She went along with the marriage because she’s a dutiful little idiot, and was a willing participant to sex that looked a little too much like rape for my liking.
It went like this:
Ian looked at her with regretful eyes. “I am sorry.”
With that sincere apology whispered in her ear he raised himself over her, pushed her shift up, and plunged into her. She screamed out from the pain of his forceful entrance and even his gentle words and the soft brush of his lips over hers did little to alleviate her discomfort as he drove in and out of her in rapid strokes.
Anyone that has to say “I’m sorry” before they have sex….that’s when u know something’s wrong. And “plunge?” The only thing u shud plunge into is a pool. And even though he kissed her and said he was sorry “sincerely” didn’t do anything. How can he have sex with someone he doesn’t know, and talk gently to them, and kiss them? That says something about him that I don’t like. It was cold, it was distasteful, like he was performing the actions only because he had to, and doing his duty. It was the worst bit of sex I’d seen.
&right on cue her dad and brothers come storming in, just like I’d expected.
“You fool,” Angus snarled at his daughter. “Do you know who you exchanged vows with and who you welcomed between your legs?” He pointed at the stain of her virgin blood on her night shift.
“Ew” is all I can say. Ian doesn’t let her change, has her purposely walk out with the stained nightshift, and her dad is the 1 to point out the stain. Idk if it’s just me, but that’s a tad uncomfortable to have your dad say something as crass and bold as “welcomed between your legs.” But this author is on the crass side, so I guess it isn’t surprising. And the fool part is rightly deserved on her part. She deserved the name-calling and the yelling and a whole lot worse.
Her father yells at her and Ian says she only obeys him now, and tells her to go to her room until he summons her. And she does. This is after she finds out it’s all a lie and she’s still obeying him. Get a freakin backbone, you twit.
After he leaves she’s doing some figures and thinking about taking a leisurely stroll. I think you’ve got more serious matters to think about, like getting away and leaving the convent. But no, she’s still being the dutiful, meek, obeying wife to a husband who lied about everything. What. A. Dumbass.
He informed her that that she would remain at the convent, loudly proclaiming that she was too old and barren to satisfy her young husband’s needs.
Again, ew. That’s her father making that charming statement. Idk which aspect is more disgusting: the fact that she is indeed old and barren for these standards or the fact that her father is pointing it out.
Ian comes back 2 months later, and 1 of the sisters tells her it’s his friend who’s visiting, so she goes to Mother Superior’s room to find Ian there. Of course. Instead of regret, he’s all smug and amused. The bastard. It made me hate him all the more. And Moira, like the idiot that she is, is admiring his good looks and doesn’t even hide it.
Moira’s pregnant, and instead of just saying so the author drags it out for 12 pages, giving little hints like “her secret” and having Moira be extra hungry and rub her lower back, like she’s trying to keep it a secret. I guess the author forgot she totally gave it away on the back of the book.
Ian insists he’s taking her away with him. Moira “argues” because of her “stubbornness” and under the crappy advice of Mother Superior realizes it’s her duty to obey her husband. I’m seeing another pattern, 1 that sucks.
Wtf? Wtf? Wtf? Ian had married some other woman he was 19. Oh wait, I mean ten and nine. His wife died a year after they married giving birth to a stillborn son. Screw this story. This thing sucks.
So when a handsome warrior barges in with news of her father's dying wish--that she marry this stranger on the spot--Moira knows that duty has her bound.
Soon Moira realizes the folly of her haste: that her father sent no much message; that she has just exchanged vows with her clan's own enemy Ian Cameron of Glencoe. Left behind at the convent, she discovers she carries his child.
This isn't my review after reading the book. No, that's the description on the back of the book.
Wow, just don't hold back.
Go ahead and give us all the highlightts of the book right there. Those would've made some good surprises. I don't think the author understands the purpose of the back cover. It's not to give away the main points of the plot; it's to summarize or give a glimpse enough to get someone interested.
I could go on and on about the insanity and stupidity of such a thing, and about how cheated I feel, but I better save room for the rest of this review, which I'm sure will not be short.
I didn't like that she was 29. That's way too old for the heroine.
"When her father sent her here to the convent at age ten and two she was angry and lonely."
"And now, ten and seven years later, it was too late for any such marriage proposal. She was twenty and nine, far past marriageable age and more importantly far past childbearing age."
"This tall, dignified woman, who showed barely a trace of wrinkles for all her sixty and two years, was like a mother to her."
Ok, I'm already noticing a pattern. I know they spoke like that back then, two and twenty and all that, but u can switch it up every now and then and say the actual age instead of having the reader put it together and add it up in our heads. Just say she's 29 and the old lady is 62. It's ok.
I hate, hate, when the woman is older than the man. I don't think I've ever encountered that before, but this author has tended to do things an author shouldn't ever do. She's 29 and he's 25. While normally that isn't a big age gap, 29 sounds so much older, esp when it's the woman who's older.
I thought it was definitely suspicious that he was so urgent and persistent, saying enemies were on his trail and they had to marry and consummate the marriage that night. Idk if I would have thought that on my own, or if it was because the author had gone ahead and ruined it for me. But Moira shud've realized how odd that sounded. I deduced it was her father and brothers coming after him, and that they weren’t dead at all, because the tale of her father and two brothers dying seemed quite fantastical. &since he didn’t come right out and answer that they were dead I pretty much knew they weren’t. Moira chalked it up to charm that he didn’t directly answer the question. I knew I was in for a dumbass character that wud let things slide right past her when it was right underneath her nose.
The actions that followed that short, non-detailed event that was supposed to be a wedding was absolutely without a doubt the worst unfolding of the act of sex I have ever witnessed, and I’ve read one romance book where the woman was raped, more than once. That gives you an idea of what I thought of their first sexual encounter.
I understand that he had a secret agenda, and that these people were on his tail and were closing in, and they could be heard coming to the convent. But it was crude, base, simple, devoid of any emotion, and just the worst way to have sex. It was borderline rape, except she was a willing partner “because she had given her word” and “it was her duty.” The reason I sat this was worse than the rape I encountered in Christine Feehan’s Hidden Current is that at least one of her characters, the man, had some feelings for her, even though they were obsessive and unhealthy. These two, Ian and Moira, didn’t even know each other, had only met a matter of minutes before and didn’t even have any signs of attraction for the other. And I thought since Ian only wanted her for some reason that didn’t have anything to do with desire, I thought so badly of him it wasn’t even funny. There he had to hurry and have sex with this woman that was 4 years older than him, with a plain face, thin lips, and big eyes. How absolutely disgusting. And I didn’t feel sorry for her in the slightest. She went along with the marriage because she’s a dutiful little idiot, and was a willing participant to sex that looked a little too much like rape for my liking.
It went like this:
Ian looked at her with regretful eyes. “I am sorry.”
With that sincere apology whispered in her ear he raised himself over her, pushed her shift up, and plunged into her. She screamed out from the pain of his forceful entrance and even his gentle words and the soft brush of his lips over hers did little to alleviate her discomfort as he drove in and out of her in rapid strokes.
Anyone that has to say “I’m sorry” before they have sex….that’s when u know something’s wrong. And “plunge?” The only thing u shud plunge into is a pool. And even though he kissed her and said he was sorry “sincerely” didn’t do anything. How can he have sex with someone he doesn’t know, and talk gently to them, and kiss them? That says something about him that I don’t like. It was cold, it was distasteful, like he was performing the actions only because he had to, and doing his duty. It was the worst bit of sex I’d seen.
&right on cue her dad and brothers come storming in, just like I’d expected.
“You fool,” Angus snarled at his daughter. “Do you know who you exchanged vows with and who you welcomed between your legs?” He pointed at the stain of her virgin blood on her night shift.
“Ew” is all I can say. Ian doesn’t let her change, has her purposely walk out with the stained nightshift, and her dad is the 1 to point out the stain. Idk if it’s just me, but that’s a tad uncomfortable to have your dad say something as crass and bold as “welcomed between your legs.” But this author is on the crass side, so I guess it isn’t surprising. And the fool part is rightly deserved on her part. She deserved the name-calling and the yelling and a whole lot worse.
Her father yells at her and Ian says she only obeys him now, and tells her to go to her room until he summons her. And she does. This is after she finds out it’s all a lie and she’s still obeying him. Get a freakin backbone, you twit.
After he leaves she’s doing some figures and thinking about taking a leisurely stroll. I think you’ve got more serious matters to think about, like getting away and leaving the convent. But no, she’s still being the dutiful, meek, obeying wife to a husband who lied about everything. What. A. Dumbass.
He informed her that that she would remain at the convent, loudly proclaiming that she was too old and barren to satisfy her young husband’s needs.
Again, ew. That’s her father making that charming statement. Idk which aspect is more disgusting: the fact that she is indeed old and barren for these standards or the fact that her father is pointing it out.
Ian comes back 2 months later, and 1 of the sisters tells her it’s his friend who’s visiting, so she goes to Mother Superior’s room to find Ian there. Of course. Instead of regret, he’s all smug and amused. The bastard. It made me hate him all the more. And Moira, like the idiot that she is, is admiring his good looks and doesn’t even hide it.
Moira’s pregnant, and instead of just saying so the author drags it out for 12 pages, giving little hints like “her secret” and having Moira be extra hungry and rub her lower back, like she’s trying to keep it a secret. I guess the author forgot she totally gave it away on the back of the book.
Ian insists he’s taking her away with him. Moira “argues” because of her “stubbornness” and under the crappy advice of Mother Superior realizes it’s her duty to obey her husband. I’m seeing another pattern, 1 that sucks.
Wtf? Wtf? Wtf? Ian had married some other woman he was 19. Oh wait, I mean ten and nine. His wife died a year after they married giving birth to a stillborn son. Screw this story. This thing sucks.
February 4, 2015
Do you ever feel this hunger to devour something that is totally to your taste? that you want to dive head in first and never stop? THIS is how this book looked to me in the first chapters.
*Food language for better understanding*
This reader here in the first chapters of the story~> 4 stars
This reader here in the end of the story~> almost 3 stars
During the story~>
While this began with the necessary intrigue and a Highlander's deceit towards the daughter of his enemy (alas! the bad boy tricked her into marrying him for the good of the Highlands), it soon got repetitious to a level that I was counting the key words and phrases.
~>Number the times the words: safe /deceitful /trust appear and win a replica doll of the hot Highlander boy-toy! Added bonus if you find other such key words or phrases.
...reader got lost in impatience...
...reader got lost in sappiness...
So, gradually, all things became too too sweet for me. I like all things sweet but soon you are in a food (or book!) coma or worse.
...reader on the verge of rolling!
Final thoughts...
Just to be fair, it wasn't THAT bad! But it could have had a lit bit of more angst, a little bit of more twists, a little bit of more....difference!
Added bonus to rating: this book had AMAZING secondary characters (Blair and Anne! ANNE FOR MY BFF!!) that had me laughing so hard! and Brianna's story, the hero's sister, which is developed in the 2nd book of this series sounds interesting...hopefully!
*3 stars..and KEEP THE HIGHLANDER FAITH*
*Food language for better understanding*
This reader here in the first chapters of the story~> 4 stars
This reader here in the end of the story~> almost 3 stars
During the story~>
While this began with the necessary intrigue and a Highlander's deceit towards the daughter of his enemy (alas! the bad boy tricked her into marrying him for the good of the Highlands), it soon got repetitious to a level that I was counting the key words and phrases.
~>Number the times the words: safe /deceitful /trust appear and win a replica doll of the hot Highlander boy-toy! Added bonus if you find other such key words or phrases.
...reader got lost in impatience...
...reader got lost in sappiness...
So, gradually, all things became too too sweet for me. I like all things sweet but soon you are in a food (or book!) coma or worse.
...reader on the verge of rolling!
Final thoughts...
Just to be fair, it wasn't THAT bad! But it could have had a lit bit of more angst, a little bit of more twists, a little bit of more....difference!
Added bonus to rating: this book had AMAZING secondary characters (Blair and Anne! ANNE FOR MY BFF!!) that had me laughing so hard! and Brianna's story, the hero's sister, which is developed in the 2nd book of this series sounds interesting...hopefully!
*3 stars..and KEEP THE HIGHLANDER FAITH*
March 1, 2011
Isle of Lies is a little like the flatbread sandwich I had for lunch today - quiet, unassuming, and leaving you hungry for more. Looked really good in the ad, too, until you got it on your plate and realized the extent of its wimpiness.
I thought I was getting drama, intrigue, suspense. And I did, at first, for the first 40 pages or so. Once the story was set up, though, it settled into a slow, steady rainbeat of quiet, growing romance between husband and wife. Very cozy, very pregnant, very steady.
My biggest disappointment in this story were the main characters, Moira and Ian. Ian had so much potential to be so much more than the nice guy he turned out to be - flat, two dimensional, and a tad bit boring. I could tell him what he was going to say and do before he even said or did it. And Moira - her big, brown, liquid eyes were described often enough that I stated imagining her with cow eyes. Not a good thing for a romance heroine.
Isle of Lies was a decent enough read. But I was glad when it was over.
I thought I was getting drama, intrigue, suspense. And I did, at first, for the first 40 pages or so. Once the story was set up, though, it settled into a slow, steady rainbeat of quiet, growing romance between husband and wife. Very cozy, very pregnant, very steady.
My biggest disappointment in this story were the main characters, Moira and Ian. Ian had so much potential to be so much more than the nice guy he turned out to be - flat, two dimensional, and a tad bit boring. I could tell him what he was going to say and do before he even said or did it. And Moira - her big, brown, liquid eyes were described often enough that I stated imagining her with cow eyes. Not a good thing for a romance heroine.
Isle of Lies was a decent enough read. But I was glad when it was over.
March 14, 2017
Interesting concept but it got repetitive and boring after awhile and towards the end I was doing a lot of skimming just to finish me. It's probably great for some people just not for me.
March 22, 2012
It was well written & I enjoyed the plot as well as the characters- but I was thoroughly annoyed by everyone constantly calling the heroine old. She is 29!!!! I was also bothered by the constant fainting - with no rhyme or reason other than she's pregnant. So apparently "old" pregnant women faint a lot? Sheesh. Otherwise the book was a nice rainy day read.
July 6, 2022
I skipped a lot.
This is a sweet, sexy romance of strangers marrying. I liked the characters, but found the dialog childish and silly; it was too sweet and bit on the stupid side (although the couple was constantly admired for their intelligence). The two main pulls to this HEA is a lack of trust and a supposed threat to Moira’s life. Neither played well and both were repeated until I just got disgusted. I would never reread this which is a big factor when I rate a book. I can’t really recommend it unless you’ve run out of other options.
This is a sweet, sexy romance of strangers marrying. I liked the characters, but found the dialog childish and silly; it was too sweet and bit on the stupid side (although the couple was constantly admired for their intelligence). The two main pulls to this HEA is a lack of trust and a supposed threat to Moira’s life. Neither played well and both were repeated until I just got disgusted. I would never reread this which is a big factor when I rate a book. I can’t really recommend it unless you’ve run out of other options.
April 2, 2018
Again I love a slow burn
October 29, 2023
A good story that made me want to read more Scottish medieval novels. The characters were interesting and sweet. It did get a little redundant at times.
@Lauren thanks for the recommendation!
@Lauren thanks for the recommendation!
March 17, 2020
It was a little repetitive, but I enjoyed it. 3.5/5 stars
April 8, 2015
This is my first of Donna Fletcher's and though it was an OK read, I expected more.
Moira Maclean has been in a convent for 17 of her 29 years. She is content with her life as it is however fate has other plans. A stranger by the name of Ian Cameron comes to the convent in the dead of the night bringing a message from her "late" father that they wed. Why she asks and Ian explains that this union will unite the clans and save lives. She is apprehensive and questions him about her age. He is well aware of her age and to her surprise he is only 25!
Moira gave in and they were married fast followed by an even faster marriage consummation. Soon she hears a voice she thought dead, it was her father! He was not dead after all and to her dismay, she has just married his enemy. He is furious with her. She feels betrayed. As if her feelings aren't wounded enough her father tells Ian to abandon Moira because she is content with her life. Furthermore she is too old and barren, she will never give you a babe he says. Ian reluctantly leaves and further damage is done. He abandoned her, without a word but he did leave her with something. Two months later, her father is proven wrong.
We start to learn how smart Moira really is, how the convent depends on her knowledge to thrive. Though with child, and no sight of her husband she is content with life. Out of the blue, Ian comes back to claim his bride and to remove her from the convent for she is not safe. A fellow nun called Anne whom has not yet taken her vows is also going along for the trip. It is from her, in a sudden outburst to set Ian straight that he finds out his wife is with child. Sparks fly and emotions run raw all the while, someone is trying to kill Moira, but why?
Readers will see that Ian has a good heart. A little too soft for a laird but a nice hero all the same. He is very romantic and appears to really want things to work out with his wife. Moira is strong, intelligent and unforgiving. She struggles with how their union came about for she feels betrayed. Used. No matter how much Ian makes her blood boil, she can not forgive him, or can she? Secondary characters Anne and Blair, Ian's right hand man is just what the book needed to give it a boost.
Now my problem with the book, it starts out really fast, then its as cold as a fish. Not much action. The h/h don't have sex again until MUCH later in the book, closer to the end even. Then in a burst of energy, the book becomes interesting again towards the end. It appeared that the conversations between the characters were redundant at times. Her age was constantly spoken of with the word "barren" hand in hand. Also, the fainting got really old. I was hoping that there would be some reason for such frequent swooning. There is mischief but it soon becomes evident. Bottom line, an OK read but not the best. I'll try her Highlanders Bride before giving up on this author.
Likable h/h and great secondary characters give this book the edge with a 3.5
Moira Maclean has been in a convent for 17 of her 29 years. She is content with her life as it is however fate has other plans. A stranger by the name of Ian Cameron comes to the convent in the dead of the night bringing a message from her "late" father that they wed. Why she asks and Ian explains that this union will unite the clans and save lives. She is apprehensive and questions him about her age. He is well aware of her age and to her surprise he is only 25!
Moira gave in and they were married fast followed by an even faster marriage consummation. Soon she hears a voice she thought dead, it was her father! He was not dead after all and to her dismay, she has just married his enemy. He is furious with her. She feels betrayed. As if her feelings aren't wounded enough her father tells Ian to abandon Moira because she is content with her life. Furthermore she is too old and barren, she will never give you a babe he says. Ian reluctantly leaves and further damage is done. He abandoned her, without a word but he did leave her with something. Two months later, her father is proven wrong.
We start to learn how smart Moira really is, how the convent depends on her knowledge to thrive. Though with child, and no sight of her husband she is content with life. Out of the blue, Ian comes back to claim his bride and to remove her from the convent for she is not safe. A fellow nun called Anne whom has not yet taken her vows is also going along for the trip. It is from her, in a sudden outburst to set Ian straight that he finds out his wife is with child. Sparks fly and emotions run raw all the while, someone is trying to kill Moira, but why?
Readers will see that Ian has a good heart. A little too soft for a laird but a nice hero all the same. He is very romantic and appears to really want things to work out with his wife. Moira is strong, intelligent and unforgiving. She struggles with how their union came about for she feels betrayed. Used. No matter how much Ian makes her blood boil, she can not forgive him, or can she? Secondary characters Anne and Blair, Ian's right hand man is just what the book needed to give it a boost.
Now my problem with the book, it starts out really fast, then its as cold as a fish. Not much action. The h/h don't have sex again until MUCH later in the book, closer to the end even. Then in a burst of energy, the book becomes interesting again towards the end. It appeared that the conversations between the characters were redundant at times. Her age was constantly spoken of with the word "barren" hand in hand. Also, the fainting got really old. I was hoping that there would be some reason for such frequent swooning. There is mischief but it soon becomes evident. Bottom line, an OK read but not the best. I'll try her Highlanders Bride before giving up on this author.
Likable h/h and great secondary characters give this book the edge with a 3.5
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May 15, 2019One of my favorites
An older woman, younger man trope
Woman is intelligent with a strong strength of character. I really like how she stands her ground, but yields to reason - or what she considers to be reasonable.
There are some personally irritating flaws intrinsic to many romance novels such as this obsession of making the hero of the novel taller and stronger than any other man in the book, but I was able to look past them with a roll of the eye or two.
The Kindle version needs to be revised as it has line break issues as well as a few others.
(Scanning Kindle version)
An older woman, younger man trope
Woman is intelligent with a strong strength of character. I really like how she stands her ground, but yields to reason - or what she considers to be reasonable.
There are some personally irritating flaws intrinsic to many romance novels such as this obsession of making the hero of the novel taller and stronger than any other man in the book, but I was able to look past them with a roll of the eye or two.
The Kindle version needs to be revised as it has line break issues as well as a few others.
(Scanning Kindle version)
October 22, 2017
I'm sad to say, this book was pretty boring and repetitive: Can I trust him or not? Do I love him or not? Can she survive this pregnancy or not? ad nauseam. Plus, the writing was choppy, like watching a B movie with bad acting. There were a couple good parts and a bit of mystery, so I did end up finishing the book rather than giving up half way through.
November 14, 2015
It started out alright, but I just lost interest and dnf.
June 30, 2025
This was a good book, but Moira kind of irritated me for the first part of it. Ian was a sweetheart throughout the entire book. He was a perfect Hero. Sweet, brave, fair, and kind. It was great to see his friendship with Blair, his second in command.
Moira was justifiably angry with Ian for deceiving her, but her distrust and anger carried on way too long for me. I get that when Ian left her at the convent for months, she was so angry with him. However, after he returned for her and constantly tried to prove himself to Moira, her anger was frustrating. Especially living in the convent since she was a child. What happened to forgiveness??
Fortunately, things got better as the story progressed and Moira started acting better. I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Blair and Anne, Brianna, and Moira's brothers. And the mystery of who was trying to harm Moira was good, too.
Another thing I liked was that Moira's pregnancy carried on throughout the book. And the ending was satisfying, yet set things up for Brianna's story (Love Me Forever, which I actually read years ago and very much enjoyed).
Overall, this book had engaging characters with good (eventual) chemistry between Moira and Ian (and great chemistry with Blair and Anne -- which they had had their own book) and a fast paced, interesting plot. Another winner by Donna Fletcher!!
Moira was justifiably angry with Ian for deceiving her, but her distrust and anger carried on way too long for me. I get that when Ian left her at the convent for months, she was so angry with him. However, after he returned for her and constantly tried to prove himself to Moira, her anger was frustrating. Especially living in the convent since she was a child. What happened to forgiveness??
Fortunately, things got better as the story progressed and Moira started acting better. I also really enjoyed the side characters, especially Blair and Anne, Brianna, and Moira's brothers. And the mystery of who was trying to harm Moira was good, too.
Another thing I liked was that Moira's pregnancy carried on throughout the book. And the ending was satisfying, yet set things up for Brianna's story (Love Me Forever, which I actually read years ago and very much enjoyed).
Overall, this book had engaging characters with good (eventual) chemistry between Moira and Ian (and great chemistry with Blair and Anne -- which they had had their own book) and a fast paced, interesting plot. Another winner by Donna Fletcher!!
November 24, 2017
I liked it, maybe even loved it but there are some things that is keeping me from adding another star.
1. It was not explained how Ian Cameron got the MacLean family heirloom. Additionally, how did he know Angus MacLean's edict?
2. It was not expounded, as well, how did Angus become aware of Ian's plan to marry his daughter.
3. Though there were no dull moments, but there are a little annoying instances. Like, repeating of words/scenes over and over again and I was like, "Yes, I am already cognizant of that. I guess everyone else who is reading and who read the book already knows it, too."
Those were:
- Conversations between Ian and Blair on how stubborn Moira MacLean was;
- Ian and Moira's constant bickering--it was like they were competing which one is more stubborn;
- Their repetitive undying profession was a bit rankling; and
- Ian's recurring thoughts on how he cannot live without Moira. And I was like, "Yes, I am already aware of that. Anything else?"
4. Brianna Cameron was very inconsistent, probably stupid and in denial. She insisted that her husband loves her then bemoans the next second that he does not love her; that his true love was power and money. Since she have already realized his true nature for marrying her, she should not be surprised towards the end.
5. I find Angus hypocritical. He was critical and judgmental of his daughter in the 95% of the book then proud of her in the end?
Without looking at those I have mentioned, it was great. I do not mind that the female leading character is older than male principal character because I believe that everyone deserves love and happiness regardless of their age. Plus, I understand Moira's cynicism and repetition of her thoughts about trusting Ian again. She was deceived and got hurt, hence, it is normal for her to be wary. Who would not? Some do not even want to fall in love nor trust again after getting heartbroken terribly. Especially if it is with the same person.
1. It was not explained how Ian Cameron got the MacLean family heirloom. Additionally, how did he know Angus MacLean's edict?
2. It was not expounded, as well, how did Angus become aware of Ian's plan to marry his daughter.
3. Though there were no dull moments, but there are a little annoying instances. Like, repeating of words/scenes over and over again and I was like, "Yes, I am already cognizant of that. I guess everyone else who is reading and who read the book already knows it, too."
Those were:
- Conversations between Ian and Blair on how stubborn Moira MacLean was;
- Ian and Moira's constant bickering--it was like they were competing which one is more stubborn;
- Their repetitive undying profession was a bit rankling; and
- Ian's recurring thoughts on how he cannot live without Moira. And I was like, "Yes, I am already aware of that. Anything else?"
4. Brianna Cameron was very inconsistent, probably stupid and in denial. She insisted that her husband loves her then bemoans the next second that he does not love her; that his true love was power and money. Since she have already realized his true nature for marrying her, she should not be surprised towards the end.
5. I find Angus hypocritical. He was critical and judgmental of his daughter in the 95% of the book then proud of her in the end?
Without looking at those I have mentioned, it was great. I do not mind that the female leading character is older than male principal character because I believe that everyone deserves love and happiness regardless of their age. Plus, I understand Moira's cynicism and repetition of her thoughts about trusting Ian again. She was deceived and got hurt, hence, it is normal for her to be wary. Who would not? Some do not even want to fall in love nor trust again after getting heartbroken terribly. Especially if it is with the same person.
March 12, 2023
Sweet story.
Ian Cameron, laird of the Cameron clan, is tired of fighting and death. Especially with the MacCleans. He and his men go to the convent where Laird MacCleans daughter Moira has lived for the last 17 years. Ian leads Moira to believe that her father and brothers are dead and her father has sent him to marry her for the good of the clan. She believes him. Believing that the enemy is on the trail, they wed hastily and consummate the marriage. Then her father and brothers show up. Moira feels dejected and even worse when Ian leaves her at the convent after signing a peace alliance with her father. Then he come back for her 2 months later and finds that she is carrying his child. But someone wants her dead and the two must work together to figure out who and why. This is an interesting story and different from the usual for his author. I loved the main and secondary characters and how the story unfolds.
Ian Cameron, laird of the Cameron clan, is tired of fighting and death. Especially with the MacCleans. He and his men go to the convent where Laird MacCleans daughter Moira has lived for the last 17 years. Ian leads Moira to believe that her father and brothers are dead and her father has sent him to marry her for the good of the clan. She believes him. Believing that the enemy is on the trail, they wed hastily and consummate the marriage. Then her father and brothers show up. Moira feels dejected and even worse when Ian leaves her at the convent after signing a peace alliance with her father. Then he come back for her 2 months later and finds that she is carrying his child. But someone wants her dead and the two must work together to figure out who and why. This is an interesting story and different from the usual for his author. I loved the main and secondary characters and how the story unfolds.
December 6, 2023
4.75 stars This is the first of 2 Fletcher books that I’ve read in the past few days. There is a similarity between the two stories and I feel safe to assume that it will be seen in some of her other work as well. It is a positive thing. I think the key to the beauty of the stories is that the MCs grow to love each other comparatively early in the story and their POVs show them questioning themselves as to the possibility, the strength and the validity of the love that they might feel for the other. They question their love first before wondering if the other loves them back, both FMC and MMC equally.
The plot and the descriptive flow of the story keep you invested, but I had to deduct 0.25 for the repetitive narrative of some plot lines, and the book could’ve been about 50 pages shorter.
The plot and the descriptive flow of the story keep you invested, but I had to deduct 0.25 for the repetitive narrative of some plot lines, and the book could’ve been about 50 pages shorter.
September 26, 2020
I cannot believe that I got this little gem of a book for free! It's one of the most romantic Highland romance novels I 've read in recent months. The relationship between Moira and Ian dominates throughout the entire story and is sigh-worthy sweet! Sigh! Intrigue is added to the plot by way of a seeming murder plot against Moira...and Ian gets the opportunity to shine in the role of knight in shining armor. This mystery of who wants Moira dead and why does not in any way impede on the romantic aspect of the story, and the romance between Ian and Moira remains central to the story at all times. I love romance dominated romance novels, don't you?
Ian is a strong individual. He's commanding, intelligent, fair-minded, a fierce warrior, kind, gentle, loving, and fiercely protective. I absolutely loved his character. Even in the beginning of the story, when Ian tricks Moira into marrying him and the marriage is consummated under less than auspicious circumstances, I could tell that he was sorry about his trickery and deceit. As for the rushed and painful consummation, well it is pretty obvious that he wished things could have proceeded, a little less quickly--shall we say?
Moira she is a most unusual heroine. Raised in a convent since the age of twelve, Moira is now twenty-nine years old. For that time period, Moira is considered way past her childbearing years--oh the ignorance of the times! LOL Moira is extremely intelligent and smart. She's methodical, logical, and uses her keen intellect to reason her way through problems and situations. Moira is also extremely candid and outspoken--whatever she thinks she says--not to mention extremely stubborn. It was fun to watch as Ian, a man who is used to being obeyed without question, learned to deal with his wife, a woman who is only slightly acquainted with the concept of obedience. LOL I really loved Moira. For all her twenty-nine years, her candidness and sheltered upbringing in a convent, added an element of childlike naiveté to her personality, that is really sweet.
The story begins when Ian, Laird of Camerons of Glencoe, shows up in the middle of the night, at the convent where Moira Maclean lives, and insinuates that her father (Laird of the Maclean clan) and two brothers have all died in battle. Moira is told that it is her father's dying wish that she wed Ian for the safety and protection of the Maclean Clan. Moira is led to believe that there are men pursuing Ian who seek to stop the union, and that events need to occur immediately and quickly. A wedding ceremony and consummation of the marriage are rushed through, after which Moira's father and brothers show up. Moira's father, IMO, is cold-hearted, uncaring, and downright negligent when it comes to his daughter. Since banishing Moira to live at the convent some seventeen years earlier, this is the first time Moira has laid eyes on him, or indeed any of her family.
Angus Maclean is furious at the fact that his daughter has married his mortal enemy, and proceeds to call Moira names--I wanted to kick his a**! A truce of sorts is reached between Angus and Ian, and the decision to leave Moira at the convent is reached. The story then fast-forwards some two months, at which point Ian returns to take Moira home with him, after learning of a possible murder plot against her. To say the least, he is shocked when he discovers that his heretofore believed "old and barren" wife is two months pregnant with his child. From there the story progresses.
My only complaint about the story--and it's a minor one to be sure--is that the villain of the piece does not get conclusively dealt with by the end of the book, although it is made clear that he would eventually get his just desserts as Ian is most determined on that score. Other than that, this book is perfect...although I really and sincerely disliked Moira's father, who was, IMO, needlessly cruel. The flashback where, through Moira's thoughts, his behavior is described when she was informed that Ian would be leaving her at the convent, near broke my heart--the way he's said to have loudly announced, with a "smug grin", that she was "too old and barren to satisfy her young husband's needs" in a roomful of men--and I was glad that I didn't have to experience that scene first-hand. FYI, Ian is four years younger than Moira.
The story that unfolds, was for me, extremely sweet and touching. The story enthralled me from the very first page--this is one of those books where the action gets started on page one. Love it!--and kept me riveted to the very end. I loved the fact that Ian was determined to have a true marriage with Moira and how patient and gentle he was with her at all times...even when she tried his patience with her stubbornness!
For me this book was a solid five star read and is one that I highly recommend to any reader who enjoys this genre of books. There are a few love scenes, which while descriptive, are not, IMO, overly graphic, nor do they include the use of any crude language. Moreover, these loves scenes are beautifully written, and help to depict the sweet nature of the relationship between Ian and Moira.
BTW a cover change would be nice. As a lover of Highland romance novels, there's nothing I like better than a cover depicting a Highlander with bare chest and a kilt. The cover for this book is somewhat misleading...the man is wearing trousers for crying out loud, and the dress is more akin to something worn in 19th Century England, not 16th Scotland. Happy reading!
Ian is a strong individual. He's commanding, intelligent, fair-minded, a fierce warrior, kind, gentle, loving, and fiercely protective. I absolutely loved his character. Even in the beginning of the story, when Ian tricks Moira into marrying him and the marriage is consummated under less than auspicious circumstances, I could tell that he was sorry about his trickery and deceit. As for the rushed and painful consummation, well it is pretty obvious that he wished things could have proceeded, a little less quickly--shall we say?
Moira she is a most unusual heroine. Raised in a convent since the age of twelve, Moira is now twenty-nine years old. For that time period, Moira is considered way past her childbearing years--oh the ignorance of the times! LOL Moira is extremely intelligent and smart. She's methodical, logical, and uses her keen intellect to reason her way through problems and situations. Moira is also extremely candid and outspoken--whatever she thinks she says--not to mention extremely stubborn. It was fun to watch as Ian, a man who is used to being obeyed without question, learned to deal with his wife, a woman who is only slightly acquainted with the concept of obedience. LOL I really loved Moira. For all her twenty-nine years, her candidness and sheltered upbringing in a convent, added an element of childlike naiveté to her personality, that is really sweet.
The story begins when Ian, Laird of Camerons of Glencoe, shows up in the middle of the night, at the convent where Moira Maclean lives, and insinuates that her father (Laird of the Maclean clan) and two brothers have all died in battle. Moira is told that it is her father's dying wish that she wed Ian for the safety and protection of the Maclean Clan. Moira is led to believe that there are men pursuing Ian who seek to stop the union, and that events need to occur immediately and quickly. A wedding ceremony and consummation of the marriage are rushed through, after which Moira's father and brothers show up. Moira's father, IMO, is cold-hearted, uncaring, and downright negligent when it comes to his daughter. Since banishing Moira to live at the convent some seventeen years earlier, this is the first time Moira has laid eyes on him, or indeed any of her family.
Angus Maclean is furious at the fact that his daughter has married his mortal enemy, and proceeds to call Moira names--I wanted to kick his a**! A truce of sorts is reached between Angus and Ian, and the decision to leave Moira at the convent is reached. The story then fast-forwards some two months, at which point Ian returns to take Moira home with him, after learning of a possible murder plot against her. To say the least, he is shocked when he discovers that his heretofore believed "old and barren" wife is two months pregnant with his child. From there the story progresses.
My only complaint about the story--and it's a minor one to be sure--is that the villain of the piece does not get conclusively dealt with by the end of the book, although it is made clear that he would eventually get his just desserts as Ian is most determined on that score. Other than that, this book is perfect...although I really and sincerely disliked Moira's father, who was, IMO, needlessly cruel. The flashback where, through Moira's thoughts, his behavior is described when she was informed that Ian would be leaving her at the convent, near broke my heart--the way he's said to have loudly announced, with a "smug grin", that she was "too old and barren to satisfy her young husband's needs" in a roomful of men--and I was glad that I didn't have to experience that scene first-hand. FYI, Ian is four years younger than Moira.
The story that unfolds, was for me, extremely sweet and touching. The story enthralled me from the very first page--this is one of those books where the action gets started on page one. Love it!--and kept me riveted to the very end. I loved the fact that Ian was determined to have a true marriage with Moira and how patient and gentle he was with her at all times...even when she tried his patience with her stubbornness!
For me this book was a solid five star read and is one that I highly recommend to any reader who enjoys this genre of books. There are a few love scenes, which while descriptive, are not, IMO, overly graphic, nor do they include the use of any crude language. Moreover, these loves scenes are beautifully written, and help to depict the sweet nature of the relationship between Ian and Moira.
BTW a cover change would be nice. As a lover of Highland romance novels, there's nothing I like better than a cover depicting a Highlander with bare chest and a kilt. The cover for this book is somewhat misleading...the man is wearing trousers for crying out loud, and the dress is more akin to something worn in 19th Century England, not 16th Scotland. Happy reading!
November 22, 2016
I liked the idea and even both H and h but the story overall lacked dimension. The side story of Anne was literally a repeat of the main romance and therefore was annoying and a waste of time. A companion who was a friend and didn't conveniently find love as well would have made the story just a little more realistic.
The 'villain' was very 2D and I feel like a greater weight could have been placed on his actions if he actually controlled anything.
This book is fully cotton candy, with an intelligent heroine. I would recommend it if that is what you are looking for
The 'villain' was very 2D and I feel like a greater weight could have been placed on his actions if he actually controlled anything.
This book is fully cotton candy, with an intelligent heroine. I would recommend it if that is what you are looking for
September 20, 2017
It was a good read, just a little slow paced one and a bit of a dragged. I could have given it 3 stars because of it's story flow if only I am not feeling uncomfortable about the age gap. Having younger brothers I cannot easily overlooked this element of the story and how uneasy it made me feel. I feel guilty of skipping some parts because of that. Whenever there are too intimate parts I tend to skip and ignore it. But it's okay since they are not vital for me to read them to follow and understand the story. I found myself rooting more on secondary couple rather than the main couple. Y.Y
January 5, 2021
Moira been living with the nuns since she was 17 , now at 29 her father send word to marry the man who brought her the message. After quick wedding and bedding she learns upon her father appearance at the convent she was lied and tricked by none other her clan worst enemy Ian Cameron laird ... Her husband leaves her for 2 months with the sisters and she learns she is with child... With someone threating her life he returns for to make her his real wife and learns she is with child ... Trust is earned not freely given he has a challenge ahead of him proving she can trust him
Good book
Good book
November 7, 2019
Began as a lie
Ian and Moira begins their journey together after a lie is told that her father, on his death bed, wanted them to marry. That lie makes it hard for Moira to trust Ian, her husband. Her father is still alive and hates her husband. This is a sweet story full of mysteries. Who is trying to kill Moira? What goes on in the stitching room? Then there is Blair and Anne. Wonderful story.
Ian and Moira begins their journey together after a lie is told that her father, on his death bed, wanted them to marry. That lie makes it hard for Moira to trust Ian, her husband. Her father is still alive and hates her husband. This is a sweet story full of mysteries. Who is trying to kill Moira? What goes on in the stitching room? Then there is Blair and Anne. Wonderful story.
September 5, 2018
I really love Ms. Fletcher - she's one of my favorite authors but sad to say this book was just so boring and like most of the reviews point out-so darn repetitive.. yes we get it you don't trust the guy but must you say it over and over again to the point wherein you want to throw your ereader but you can't coz you love your ereader?! Argh!
May 19, 2017
Good way to spend an afternoon
This is a good story which will entertain you for hours. Ms Fletcher does have a talent for creating characters that pull you into the story and makes the reader a part of it. This is a good read.
This is a good story which will entertain you for hours. Ms Fletcher does have a talent for creating characters that pull you into the story and makes the reader a part of it. This is a good read.
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