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Dominick #1
Moonstruck Madness
She's one thing by day, something else altogether by night...
After escaping the slaughter of her clan at a young age, Scottish noblewoman Sabrina Verrick provides for her siblings by living a double life, until the night she encounters the Duke, and her secret and all she holds dear is threatened...
He's so disillusioned, he's completely vulnerable...
With his inheritance at stake, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, sets a trap for the Scottish beauty with the piercing violet eyes, never imagining what will happen when the trap is sprung...
As their lives become irreversibly entangled, Lucien and Sabrina become each other's biggest threat, as well as their only salvation...
After escaping the slaughter of her clan at a young age, Scottish noblewoman Sabrina Verrick provides for her siblings by living a double life, until the night she encounters the Duke, and her secret and all she holds dear is threatened...
He's so disillusioned, he's completely vulnerable...
With his inheritance at stake, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, sets a trap for the Scottish beauty with the piercing violet eyes, never imagining what will happen when the trap is sprung...
As their lives become irreversibly entangled, Lucien and Sabrina become each other's biggest threat, as well as their only salvation...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1977
About the author
Laurie McBain
18 books159 followersLaurie McBain was born on October 15, 1949. She was always passionate about art and history, and her father encouraged her and helped her write her first historical romance. At twenty-six, Laurie became a publishing phenomenon with her first historical romance. Her first novels "Devil's Desire" and "Moonstruck Madness" each sold over a million copies. She was one of the pioners of the new romance style with Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. But, after the death of her father, she decided to retire from the publishing world in 1985, with only seven romances written.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
July 20, 2025
4.5 stars! Moonstruck Madness is an old school historical romance (published in 1977) that had been on my TBR for a few years.
The story grabbed my attention right from the start! It opens in 1746 at Culloden Moor. Sabrina is watching her clan entering the battlefield of Culloden, her grandfather proudly leading his clan through the call of arms and then the whole clan being shot down immediately. Sabrina ends up fleeing to escape Scotland with her Aunt Margaret and siblings (her older sister Mary, brother Richard). The story then cuts to 5 years later, it’s 1751 in England and we catch up to Sabrina where she’s now a highwaywoman!
This is a shorter read (less than 400 pages) for how much is actually packed into this read! I love how much adventure, high stakes, and drama is packed into old school historical romances. I loved Sabrina, a Scottish noblewoman turned highwaywoman who is determined to try and provide for her family. Her relationship with her family was sweet to see, her sister Mary actually has visions of the future (her loved one’s futures specifically) and their brother Richard has vision problems so they take him to get glasses. The hero is Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. He has a scarred face, his grandmother is trying to arrange a betrothal for him, so when his inheritance is at stake, he sets up a trap for the highwaywoman (who he assumes is a man at first).
Lucien and Sabrina have an immediate connection. He is very taken with her and I loved their banter and her sass. This book was a huge deal at the time it was originally pub’d (1977) because of how very consensual their relationship is on page. They do spend the night together and we get some on-page encounters that are briefly described/hinted at. While I really loved the first half of the book, the second half did start to get a little too congested with plot (it needed a little bit more space/time to breathe). I liked Lucien’s relationship with his duchess grandmother, she pushes him in a sassy, lovingly way and has some fun interactions towards the end with Sabrina too. All in all, I’m so glad I finally got to this one! I’d definitely check out more from this author. I’ll end this review with some sassy banter between Lucien and Sabrina:
“Defy me?” Lucien asked incredulously, giving Sabrina a sardonic glance. “She wouldn’t think of doing such a thing, would you, Sabrina, my love?”
“Think of defying you, Lucien,” she said with a sweet smile. “Why, I’ve never given it a thought—I just do it.”
The story grabbed my attention right from the start! It opens in 1746 at Culloden Moor. Sabrina is watching her clan entering the battlefield of Culloden, her grandfather proudly leading his clan through the call of arms and then the whole clan being shot down immediately. Sabrina ends up fleeing to escape Scotland with her Aunt Margaret and siblings (her older sister Mary, brother Richard). The story then cuts to 5 years later, it’s 1751 in England and we catch up to Sabrina where she’s now a highwaywoman!
This is a shorter read (less than 400 pages) for how much is actually packed into this read! I love how much adventure, high stakes, and drama is packed into old school historical romances. I loved Sabrina, a Scottish noblewoman turned highwaywoman who is determined to try and provide for her family. Her relationship with her family was sweet to see, her sister Mary actually has visions of the future (her loved one’s futures specifically) and their brother Richard has vision problems so they take him to get glasses. The hero is Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. He has a scarred face, his grandmother is trying to arrange a betrothal for him, so when his inheritance is at stake, he sets up a trap for the highwaywoman (who he assumes is a man at first).
Lucien and Sabrina have an immediate connection. He is very taken with her and I loved their banter and her sass. This book was a huge deal at the time it was originally pub’d (1977) because of how very consensual their relationship is on page. They do spend the night together and we get some on-page encounters that are briefly described/hinted at. While I really loved the first half of the book, the second half did start to get a little too congested with plot (it needed a little bit more space/time to breathe). I liked Lucien’s relationship with his duchess grandmother, she pushes him in a sassy, lovingly way and has some fun interactions towards the end with Sabrina too. All in all, I’m so glad I finally got to this one! I’d definitely check out more from this author. I’ll end this review with some sassy banter between Lucien and Sabrina:
“Defy me?” Lucien asked incredulously, giving Sabrina a sardonic glance. “She wouldn’t think of doing such a thing, would you, Sabrina, my love?”
“Think of defying you, Lucien,” she said with a sweet smile. “Why, I’ve never given it a thought—I just do it.”
October 12, 2015
Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain is a 1977 Avon Publication.
When I noticed a couple of Laurie McBain's books were up for review on Netgalley, I didn't hesitate to request them. I am thrilled to see some of these books are being released in digital format. However, when I started on “Chance the Winds of Fortune”, I realized the book was the second in the series. I didn't see the first book up for review, so I went into my vintage and collectable bookshelf to see, if by some minor miracle, I had a copy of this book. Being a big fan of Laurie's I did keep many of her books, so I was relieved to discover that I did still have a copy. YAY!
Written way back in the late 70's, this book might be tossed into the 'bodice ripper' category, but frankly, I didn't feel that way about it. Yes, there are some uncomfortable treatments of women, but despite what many would like to believe, these depictions were accurate and true to the time period.
Other than that, this book is pretty much a standard historical romance for the time frame it was written in.
Sabrina has left her beloved Highlands of Scotland for England with her aunt, sister and young brother. They are not well off, and Sabrina takes part and even devises some dangerous stunts in order to keep her family afloat, until she crosses the Duke of Camareigh, who puts her little enterprise out of business. In order to survive, Sabrina will have to escape her father's plans for her, which leads her right back into the arms of Lucien Dominick.
I loved this story! It's a real classic and is tame enough that modern readers will find it just as enjoyable now as romance lovers did when the book was first published. Sabrina is bold, daring, and a woman who doesn't give up without a fight. I loved her determination, her cleverness, and her fiery passion.
Lucien was absolutely hilarious most of time, as the author depicted him so authentically. He is haughty, arrogant, and manipulative too, but his punishment is having to deal with Sabrina, the love of his life, who always keeps him begging for more.
The secondary characters were also key in this story and give it a very tiny paranormal element as well. There is lots of action, adventure, drama, and emotions in this one, and the writing is simply wonderful. When I read these older books, and find myself swept away , so immersed in another world, never wanting the story to end, I can start to feel a little wistful, wishing there were more books like these being written in present day. Thankfully, a publisher has seen the worthiness of these novels and are reissuing them, breathing new life into them, so that hopefully, a whole new generation will come to love these classics too. 5 stars!
August 24, 2023
3.5
Five stars for the rollicking good fun, swashbuckling, and mustache twirling incestuous sibling villainy.
Zero stars for the eye rolling romance and sex scenes.
I suppose this means I’m not a fan of the romance genre. Does anyone have any recommendations on novels full of the adventure and costumes with minimal misogyny?
Five stars for the rollicking good fun, swashbuckling, and mustache twirling incestuous sibling villainy.
Zero stars for the eye rolling romance and sex scenes.
I suppose this means I’m not a fan of the romance genre. Does anyone have any recommendations on novels full of the adventure and costumes with minimal misogyny?
March 30, 2020
Scottish Heroine, masquerading as a Highwayman and a scarred English Duke make for an Absorbing Love Story!
Set in 1746 in Scotland (prologue) and 1751 in England, this is the story of Sabrina Verrick, the Scottish noblewoman, who along with her sister and brother survive after their grandfather, Laird of the MacElden clan is brutally slain by the English at Culloden Moor. They escape to England where they live in the country at the rundown estate of their father, an English marquis who abandoned them as children. There, to feed her family, Sabrina becomes the highwayman “Bonnie Charlie,” robbing the rich to aid the poor.
One man she robs, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, a gambler and a rogue, is no English fop as are most of Sabrina’s victims. A self-made man, he decides to trap the wily bandit and have his revenge. Once he captures “Charlie” speaking “his” shoulder, the duke realizes “Charlie” is a beautiful young woman. When she won’t reveal who she is, he decides to try seduction.
Superbly written, you’ll find this one hard to put down. I love the logic of McBain’s intricate plot…no improbable moments here. No contrived black moments. Only great storytelling and suspenseful action. The dialog is clever and the characters wonderfully developed. Sabrina is courageous, good hearted and rebellious to the end and Camareigh is a tough alpha male, just the kind we like to see fall to love’s power.
McBain paints vivid pictures of Culloden (to start with) and then the English countryside thereafter, putting you right in the scene. It is so well done. Reading this just reminded me that a 5-star classic never goes out of style. Written in 1977, it sold a million copies. I see why.
I highly recommend it.
This is the first in the Dominick trilogy. Here's the list:
Moonstruck Madness (1977) Sabrina and Lucien
Chance The Winds Of Fortune (1980) their daughter, Rhea and Dante
Dark Before The Rising Sun (1982) Rhea and Dante (cont’d.)
Set in 1746 in Scotland (prologue) and 1751 in England, this is the story of Sabrina Verrick, the Scottish noblewoman, who along with her sister and brother survive after their grandfather, Laird of the MacElden clan is brutally slain by the English at Culloden Moor. They escape to England where they live in the country at the rundown estate of their father, an English marquis who abandoned them as children. There, to feed her family, Sabrina becomes the highwayman “Bonnie Charlie,” robbing the rich to aid the poor.
One man she robs, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, a gambler and a rogue, is no English fop as are most of Sabrina’s victims. A self-made man, he decides to trap the wily bandit and have his revenge. Once he captures “Charlie” speaking “his” shoulder, the duke realizes “Charlie” is a beautiful young woman. When she won’t reveal who she is, he decides to try seduction.
Superbly written, you’ll find this one hard to put down. I love the logic of McBain’s intricate plot…no improbable moments here. No contrived black moments. Only great storytelling and suspenseful action. The dialog is clever and the characters wonderfully developed. Sabrina is courageous, good hearted and rebellious to the end and Camareigh is a tough alpha male, just the kind we like to see fall to love’s power.
McBain paints vivid pictures of Culloden (to start with) and then the English countryside thereafter, putting you right in the scene. It is so well done. Reading this just reminded me that a 5-star classic never goes out of style. Written in 1977, it sold a million copies. I see why.
I highly recommend it.
This is the first in the Dominick trilogy. Here's the list:
Moonstruck Madness (1977) Sabrina and Lucien
Chance The Winds Of Fortune (1980) their daughter, Rhea and Dante
Dark Before The Rising Sun (1982) Rhea and Dante (cont’d.)
April 8, 2012
As a young girl, Sabrina Verrick witnessed her grandfather's death after the battle of Culloden, and those are scars she'll carry with her forever. Sabrina and her two siblings return to their family home in England, and without their father off galavanting in Europe, to make ends meet she becomes the infamous highway bandit Bonnie Charlie. One day she robs the wrong man - Lucien, Duke of Camareigh - and he's hot to catch that bandit and stop *him* once and for all. That is until he thinks he's trapped *Charlie* and gets the surprise of his life.
This being a romance novel and all I suspect you have a good idea where the story goes from there. This wasn't a bad read by any means, but there were just too many silly twists with Swiss cheese sized plot holes that keep me from rating this higher. One night of hot sex with a complete stranger and it's true love forever? She robs people to raise money to give her grasping father money so he won't marry them off? Amnesia?
Gah! Sabrina is just too stubborn for words and never uses the common sense she was born with (much stamping of feet). Lucien is just too dark and moody, and way OTT in the super-hero Duke department. I also got very tired of always hearing about his awful scar that terrified all the ladies. I got it the first time around and didn't need to be clubbed over the head over and over and over again. I might have rated it lower than three stars, but things did pick up with a mystery at the castle in the Highlands, and Sabrina finally grew up and stopped stamping her feet. This is one of those old school romances, and while reasonably entertaining for a brain candy mood, it does show its age and might not suit every reader - consider yourself warned.
This being a romance novel and all I suspect you have a good idea where the story goes from there. This wasn't a bad read by any means, but there were just too many silly twists with Swiss cheese sized plot holes that keep me from rating this higher. One night of hot sex with a complete stranger and it's true love forever? She robs people to raise money to give her grasping father money so he won't marry them off? Amnesia?
Gah! Sabrina is just too stubborn for words and never uses the common sense she was born with (much stamping of feet). Lucien is just too dark and moody, and way OTT in the super-hero Duke department. I also got very tired of always hearing about his awful scar that terrified all the ladies. I got it the first time around and didn't need to be clubbed over the head over and over and over again. I might have rated it lower than three stars, but things did pick up with a mystery at the castle in the Highlands, and Sabrina finally grew up and stopped stamping her feet. This is one of those old school romances, and while reasonably entertaining for a brain candy mood, it does show its age and might not suit every reader - consider yourself warned.
July 15, 2020
Fantastic!!
July 13, 2021
Moonstruck Madness is old school in a clichéd, but still an oh-so-perfect way. For the very reasons some reviewers dislike this book, I adore it. Written in 1977, Moonstruck Madness was Laurie McBain’s second and, in my opinion, her best book.
The Characters:
The heroine, Lady Sabrina Verrick watches on as the Scots lose at the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. The eldest daughter of a deceased Scotswoman, and an itinerant English Marquess, she and her family are without resources. As she’s responsible for her two younger siblings, she packs them off to England to their London home. Her father is more interested in his young Italian bride than caring for his children. It's up to Sabrina to figure a way to support her family.
The hero is His Grace, the golden-haired Lucien Dominick, Duke of Camareigh. When we first see him, he’s challenged to a duel by a young hothead. At dawn, he makes quick work of his opponent, displaying his sword-fighting talents.
Lucien’s face bears a dashing scar from when one of his cousins had cut his face as a child.
Speaking of Lucien’s cousins, they share a strange quasi-incestuous relationship and are the obvious villains of this book, conniving to have Lucien done away with and obtain the Dukedom. Lucien’s grandmother wants to see Lucien married and Lucien seems resigned to seek a wife, but certainly not one for love.
The Plot:
So Sabrina takes on the wild idea to become a highwayman. With the help of two burly locals, she takes on the name “Bonny Prince Charlie,” puts on a mask and hat, deepens her voice into husky timbre, wraps herself in a tartan, and holds up the rich nobles who travel the dark country roads in their coaches.
Lucien, after being robbed and taunted by the Bonny Prince, snares a trap to catch "him."
I love how Sabrina and Lucien have a sword fight, Lucien gets the best of her, as he is the better swordsman. They engage in tender lovemaking, there is no force, no dominance. I’ve said before in other reviews, Laurie McBain might have been old-school, but she was never a bodice ripper author.
When it's discovered Sabrina is pregnant, the Marquess in a rage whips her mercilessly, only for Lucien to put a stop to the brutality and carry her off in his arms.
That's more or less the first 1/2 - 2/3 of this book.
Unfortunately in the second half, Sabrina and Lucien are at odds for too long. However, it does pick up towards the end as a search for hidden treasure brings them back together.
Final Analysis of Moonstruck Madness:
I adored this book. the first time I read it, I was in my twenties and loved it. The second time, I was in my thirties and enjoyed it a little bit less, but still found it a thrilling read. As I said, the end falters a bit because the two stubborn hotheads are at odds for too long, nevertheless, this story was an entertaining, swashbuckling romance.
The Characters:
The heroine, Lady Sabrina Verrick watches on as the Scots lose at the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. The eldest daughter of a deceased Scotswoman, and an itinerant English Marquess, she and her family are without resources. As she’s responsible for her two younger siblings, she packs them off to England to their London home. Her father is more interested in his young Italian bride than caring for his children. It's up to Sabrina to figure a way to support her family.
The hero is His Grace, the golden-haired Lucien Dominick, Duke of Camareigh. When we first see him, he’s challenged to a duel by a young hothead. At dawn, he makes quick work of his opponent, displaying his sword-fighting talents.
Lucien’s face bears a dashing scar from when one of his cousins had cut his face as a child.
Speaking of Lucien’s cousins, they share a strange quasi-incestuous relationship and are the obvious villains of this book, conniving to have Lucien done away with and obtain the Dukedom. Lucien’s grandmother wants to see Lucien married and Lucien seems resigned to seek a wife, but certainly not one for love.
The Plot:
So Sabrina takes on the wild idea to become a highwayman. With the help of two burly locals, she takes on the name “Bonny Prince Charlie,” puts on a mask and hat, deepens her voice into husky timbre, wraps herself in a tartan, and holds up the rich nobles who travel the dark country roads in their coaches.
Lucien, after being robbed and taunted by the Bonny Prince, snares a trap to catch "him."
I love how Sabrina and Lucien have a sword fight, Lucien gets the best of her, as he is the better swordsman. They engage in tender lovemaking, there is no force, no dominance. I’ve said before in other reviews, Laurie McBain might have been old-school, but she was never a bodice ripper author.
When it's discovered Sabrina is pregnant, the Marquess in a rage whips her mercilessly, only for Lucien to put a stop to the brutality and carry her off in his arms.
That's more or less the first 1/2 - 2/3 of this book.
Unfortunately in the second half, Sabrina and Lucien are at odds for too long. However, it does pick up towards the end as a search for hidden treasure brings them back together.
Final Analysis of Moonstruck Madness:
I adored this book. the first time I read it, I was in my twenties and loved it. The second time, I was in my thirties and enjoyed it a little bit less, but still found it a thrilling read. As I said, the end falters a bit because the two stubborn hotheads are at odds for too long, nevertheless, this story was an entertaining, swashbuckling romance.
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April 28, 2023I loved it until I didn't!
The setup is great: Sabrina Verrick flees Culloden Moor when she's a child, and when we next see her she's a vengeful young woman who robs aristocrats under the guise of 'Bonnie Charlie.' Bonnie Charlie robs the Duke of Camareigh one time too many, and the duke, who becomes Sabrina's love interest, swears he'll get his revenge.
The Robin Hood aspect of this is fleshed out quite well, and it has more of an "eat the rich" attitude than I normally expect to find in older historical romance novels. But there's one thing that newer historicals have mostly done away with that's present here, and I really wish it wasn't.
The setup is great: Sabrina Verrick flees Culloden Moor when she's a child, and when we next see her she's a vengeful young woman who robs aristocrats under the guise of 'Bonnie Charlie.' Bonnie Charlie robs the Duke of Camareigh one time too many, and the duke, who becomes Sabrina's love interest, swears he'll get his revenge.
The Robin Hood aspect of this is fleshed out quite well, and it has more of an "eat the rich" attitude than I normally expect to find in older historical romance novels. But there's one thing that newer historicals have mostly done away with that's present here, and I really wish it wasn't.
June 8, 2024
Young lady masquerade as a highwayman. The scarred Duke , is held up on the road . He then plans to catch the highwayman. When setting a trap, he then finds out it’s a young lady that robbed him.
Interesting enjoyable story, with lots happening .
Interesting enjoyable story, with lots happening .
July 23, 2016
See tags - my feelings were all over the place with this one. I decided to give it a 4 since I was convinced this would be a 5 the first 50% of the book and then it went down to a 3 the last 50%.
First, regarding the Audible part, that was awesome. The narrator was great and the whispersync between the audio and the kindle version was flawless. I LOVED it.
Now on to the story itself. I loved the first half. It was improbable, implausible, and completely OTT - but boy was it fun! There was never a dull moment from the Scottish battlefield in the beginning when the heroine (Sabrina) was 12-13yo and barely escaped to England with her life, to the first time we see her highwayman alter ego, Bonnie Charlie, at work when she is 17.
Sabrina was the daughter of an English Marquis and the Scottish daughter of a Highland Laird. Her mother died in childbirth having her younger brother, Richard, so they all went to live with the Laird in Scotland. Otherwise, they would have starved, since their father was a neglectful piece of work who abandoned his children completely, leaving them unchaperoned (unless you count batty Aunt Margaret).
Sabrina and her siblings live happily in Scotland for 5-6 years until the Laird is killed in a battle with the English. After that, they return to her father's home in the English countryside and almost starve until Sabrina takes the obvious route and decides to become a highwayman (at 14-15). So improbable! Yet still fun and entertaining.
Sabrina herself was cocky, overconfident and used to having her own way, as she had only her much more timid older sister, 10yo brother, and batty aunt around. She ruled the roost. However, to balance it out, she was charming, not at all snobbish, and generous. She was absurd yet endearing and I was able to forgive her flaws due to her age and circumstances. She had managed to feed, clothe, and keep her entire family in relative comfort for their station. Remarkably she was this extremely successful, flamboyant, masked highwayman who never harmed anyone and was never harmed.
Then she screws up.
She robs the dinner party of a local Lord, which was reckless to begin with, but then she compounds it by taunting the arrogant, handsome yet scar-faced guest - Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. She compounds her mistake by holding up his coach a few chapters later and daring to slap him across the face when he taunts her. Now Lucien is pissed and determined to kill Bonnie Charlie. Sabrina falls right into his VERY obvious trap and is nearly killed in a sword fight with the Duke. That is when he realizes he is a (very beautiful) she.
He nurses her back to health and she ends up giving up her virginity to him - partially to force him to let down his guard and partially because of her traitorous body. Lucien is besotted and vows to make her his mistress, buy her a house, etc, etc. At this point he does not realize that she is the daughter of a Marquis. Sabrina realizes she's in love with Lucien, but knows she can't accept such a position in his life and sneaks away the next morning. Lucien feels duped and is still horny for her, so he tracks her down and discovers her true identity. Then gets his revenge by ruining her reputation to prevent her marriage to a drunken slob of a Duke that her greedy father was forcing on her. (The crap, broke father turned up with his new wife after a 10yr absence and decided to sell his 2 beautiful daughters in marriage).
Sabrina's father is enraged by his thwarted plans and begins beating Sabrina with a riding crop until Lucien rides to the rescue. He has realized - quite conveniently - that Sabrina is the perfect solution to all his problems. He has to wed before a certain date or lose his inheritance (yes, that old gem) and Sabrina is both desirable and a "Lady", making her acceptable to the grandmother enforcing the deadline. Plus, he's already compromised her, therefore marriage would welcomed by her greedy father and not such a shock to society. Of course, Lucien also has deeper feelings for Sabrina that he doesn't fully realize.
And here's where it begins to fall apart.
Sabrina is angry with the Duke and claims to hate him at this point. Understandable. He had humiliated her and prompted the beating from her father. But the lengths she goes to in order to thwart him go FAR beyond OTT hokey, fun into TSTL land. Seriously, I'd be here all day if I chronicled her selfish stupidity and this review is already too long.
Then she gets very selective amnesia, the Duke marries her while she doesn't remember hating him, and they are complete lovebirds for a while. Lucien having realized he is head over heels in love with her. Oh, and she's pregnant.
Of course, eventually she remembers, hates Lucien again and proceeds to be a complete brat for the next year. He is a dumb ass himself and instead of wooing her and admitting he's fallen in love with her, he gives up and goes to London where he may or may not have a mistress. While he's gone, Sabrina runs off to Scotland to save her treasure seeking little brother BY HERSELF (she's a Duchess, she could have brought a small army with her!).
After she and her brother have a bunch of misadventures in Scotland, she and Lucien finally have their HEA when he comes after her and rescues her from a crazed Highlander.
So, yes, a lot of complaining for 4 stars, but it really was overall entertaining, the narration was engaging, and there was always something going on. I just wish the author hadn't turned Sabrina into such a childish idiot in the last half of the book :( I was so stoked by this book and it was quite the letdown. A heroine can be tough without being TSTL (see Elenora from Jennifer Blake's Notorious Angel for an excellent example).
As an aside, this book appears on many bodice ripper lists, which I don't get. There's no rape or forced seduction, which IMHO is the hallmark of a bodice ripper. The H does slap the heroine once, but it didn't bother me like it normally does. Sabrina had just slapped him and he just slapped her back out of instinct and instantly regretted it. Historically speaking, any other man would have probably beat the living crap out of her at some point. Since I read the re-issued edition, I do wonder if this wasn't a case of selective editing to be more PC and in line with today's romance novel standards. Hmmmm.... will have to ask my fellow BR fans. Shutting up now.
First, regarding the Audible part, that was awesome. The narrator was great and the whispersync between the audio and the kindle version was flawless. I LOVED it.
Now on to the story itself. I loved the first half. It was improbable, implausible, and completely OTT - but boy was it fun! There was never a dull moment from the Scottish battlefield in the beginning when the heroine (Sabrina) was 12-13yo and barely escaped to England with her life, to the first time we see her highwayman alter ego, Bonnie Charlie, at work when she is 17.
Sabrina was the daughter of an English Marquis and the Scottish daughter of a Highland Laird. Her mother died in childbirth having her younger brother, Richard, so they all went to live with the Laird in Scotland. Otherwise, they would have starved, since their father was a neglectful piece of work who abandoned his children completely, leaving them unchaperoned (unless you count batty Aunt Margaret).
Sabrina and her siblings live happily in Scotland for 5-6 years until the Laird is killed in a battle with the English. After that, they return to her father's home in the English countryside and almost starve until Sabrina takes the obvious route and decides to become a highwayman (at 14-15). So improbable! Yet still fun and entertaining.
Sabrina herself was cocky, overconfident and used to having her own way, as she had only her much more timid older sister, 10yo brother, and batty aunt around. She ruled the roost. However, to balance it out, she was charming, not at all snobbish, and generous. She was absurd yet endearing and I was able to forgive her flaws due to her age and circumstances. She had managed to feed, clothe, and keep her entire family in relative comfort for their station. Remarkably she was this extremely successful, flamboyant, masked highwayman who never harmed anyone and was never harmed.
Then she screws up.
She robs the dinner party of a local Lord, which was reckless to begin with, but then she compounds it by taunting the arrogant, handsome yet scar-faced guest - Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. She compounds her mistake by holding up his coach a few chapters later and daring to slap him across the face when he taunts her. Now Lucien is pissed and determined to kill Bonnie Charlie. Sabrina falls right into his VERY obvious trap and is nearly killed in a sword fight with the Duke. That is when he realizes he is a (very beautiful) she.
He nurses her back to health and she ends up giving up her virginity to him - partially to force him to let down his guard and partially because of her traitorous body. Lucien is besotted and vows to make her his mistress, buy her a house, etc, etc. At this point he does not realize that she is the daughter of a Marquis. Sabrina realizes she's in love with Lucien, but knows she can't accept such a position in his life and sneaks away the next morning. Lucien feels duped and is still horny for her, so he tracks her down and discovers her true identity. Then gets his revenge by ruining her reputation to prevent her marriage to a drunken slob of a Duke that her greedy father was forcing on her. (The crap, broke father turned up with his new wife after a 10yr absence and decided to sell his 2 beautiful daughters in marriage).
Sabrina's father is enraged by his thwarted plans and begins beating Sabrina with a riding crop until Lucien rides to the rescue. He has realized - quite conveniently - that Sabrina is the perfect solution to all his problems. He has to wed before a certain date or lose his inheritance (yes, that old gem) and Sabrina is both desirable and a "Lady", making her acceptable to the grandmother enforcing the deadline. Plus, he's already compromised her, therefore marriage would welcomed by her greedy father and not such a shock to society. Of course, Lucien also has deeper feelings for Sabrina that he doesn't fully realize.
And here's where it begins to fall apart.
Sabrina is angry with the Duke and claims to hate him at this point. Understandable. He had humiliated her and prompted the beating from her father. But the lengths she goes to in order to thwart him go FAR beyond OTT hokey, fun into TSTL land. Seriously, I'd be here all day if I chronicled her selfish stupidity and this review is already too long.
Then she gets very selective amnesia, the Duke marries her while she doesn't remember hating him, and they are complete lovebirds for a while. Lucien having realized he is head over heels in love with her. Oh, and she's pregnant.
Of course, eventually she remembers, hates Lucien again and proceeds to be a complete brat for the next year. He is a dumb ass himself and instead of wooing her and admitting he's fallen in love with her, he gives up and goes to London where he may or may not have a mistress. While he's gone, Sabrina runs off to Scotland to save her treasure seeking little brother BY HERSELF (she's a Duchess, she could have brought a small army with her!).
After she and her brother have a bunch of misadventures in Scotland, she and Lucien finally have their HEA when he comes after her and rescues her from a crazed Highlander.
So, yes, a lot of complaining for 4 stars, but it really was overall entertaining, the narration was engaging, and there was always something going on. I just wish the author hadn't turned Sabrina into such a childish idiot in the last half of the book :( I was so stoked by this book and it was quite the letdown. A heroine can be tough without being TSTL (see Elenora from Jennifer Blake's Notorious Angel for an excellent example).
As an aside, this book appears on many bodice ripper lists, which I don't get. There's no rape or forced seduction, which IMHO is the hallmark of a bodice ripper. The H does slap the heroine once, but it didn't bother me like it normally does. Sabrina had just slapped him and he just slapped her back out of instinct and instantly regretted it. Historically speaking, any other man would have probably beat the living crap out of her at some point. Since I read the re-issued edition, I do wonder if this wasn't a case of selective editing to be more PC and in line with today's romance novel standards. Hmmmm.... will have to ask my fellow BR fans. Shutting up now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
Well that was undesirable
August 27, 2022
Sabrina is a lady by day, but by night she rides as a highwayman, trying to keep her family afloat. When she clashes with the Duke of Camareigh, her schemes begin to unravel.
There is not as much swashbuckling adventure as you usually get in these old bodice rippers, but that was more than made up for by the genuinely strong-willed heroine and her rather sensible reasons for clashing with the hero. Lucien is rather arrogant though, and I am not completely convinced he learned his lesson.
The plot was engaging through, though it becomes rather meandering at the end as McBain ticks off various subplots. I liked the style of writing, vivid without becoming overwrought.
There is not as much swashbuckling adventure as you usually get in these old bodice rippers, but that was more than made up for by the genuinely strong-willed heroine and her rather sensible reasons for clashing with the hero. Lucien is rather arrogant though, and I am not completely convinced he learned his lesson.
The plot was engaging through, though it becomes rather meandering at the end as McBain ticks off various subplots. I liked the style of writing, vivid without becoming overwrought.
June 25, 2024
In another lifetime, I would have gobbled up this swashbuckling historical romance, complete with requisite scarred hero and cross dressing heroine who robs the rich to feed the poor. Part Robin Hood, part Zorro, this novel is definitely well written, with meticulous attention to minutiae of the period, however, the vast cast of characters, continuous contrived coincidences, and twisty plot developments became increasingly more implausible and juvenile.
Probably the best part of the novel was the terrifying and vivid description of the real life battle at Culloden Moor in 1746, one that rang the death knell for an entire culture and marks the beginning of the upheaval in our heroine's life. But what follows is rather tedious and dull.
My tastes in HR have definitely veered into dark and gothicky lately so this well-crafted novel that could have held me captive only a few years ago unfortunately could not pass muster presently. DNF at the halfway mark.
Probably the best part of the novel was the terrifying and vivid description of the real life battle at Culloden Moor in 1746, one that rang the death knell for an entire culture and marks the beginning of the upheaval in our heroine's life. But what follows is rather tedious and dull.
My tastes in HR have definitely veered into dark and gothicky lately so this well-crafted novel that could have held me captive only a few years ago unfortunately could not pass muster presently. DNF at the halfway mark.
April 5, 2013
Scottish Heroine, masquerading as a Highwayman and a scarred English Duke make for an Absorbing Love Story!
Set in 1746 in Scotland (prologue) and 1751 in England, this is the story of Sabrina Verrick, the Scottish noblewoman, who along with her sister and brother survive after their grandfather, Laird of the MacElden clan is brutally slain by the English at Culloden Moor. They escape to England where they live in the country at the rundown estate of their father, an English marquis who abandoned them as children. There, to feed her family, Sabrina becomes the highwayman “Bonnie Charlie,” robbing the rich to aid the poor.
One man she robs, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, a gambler and a rogue, is no English fop as are most of Sabrina’s victims. A self-made man, he decides to trap the wily bandit and have his revenge. Once he captures “Charlie” speaking “his” shoulder, the duke realizes “Charlie” is a beautiful young woman. When she won’t reveal who she is, he decides to try seduction.
Superbly written, you’ll find this one hard to put down. I love the logic of McBain’s intricate plot…no improbable moments here. No contrived black moments. Only great storytelling and suspenseful action. The dialog is clever and the characters wonderfully developed. Sabrina is courageous, good hearted and rebellious to the end and Camareigh is a tough alpha male, just the kind we like to see fall to love’s power.
McBain paints vivid pictures of Culloden (to start with) and then the English countryside thereafter, putting you right in the scene. It is so well done. Reading this just reminded me that a 5-star classic never goes out of style. Written in 1977, it sold a million copies. I see why.
I highly recommend it and the others in the trilogy:
Dominick Series:
Moonstruck Madness (1977) Sabrina and Lucien
Chance The Winds Of Fortune (1980) their daughter, Rhea and Dante
Dark Before The Rising Sun (1982) Rhea and Dante (cont’d.)
Set in 1746 in Scotland (prologue) and 1751 in England, this is the story of Sabrina Verrick, the Scottish noblewoman, who along with her sister and brother survive after their grandfather, Laird of the MacElden clan is brutally slain by the English at Culloden Moor. They escape to England where they live in the country at the rundown estate of their father, an English marquis who abandoned them as children. There, to feed her family, Sabrina becomes the highwayman “Bonnie Charlie,” robbing the rich to aid the poor.
One man she robs, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, a gambler and a rogue, is no English fop as are most of Sabrina’s victims. A self-made man, he decides to trap the wily bandit and have his revenge. Once he captures “Charlie” speaking “his” shoulder, the duke realizes “Charlie” is a beautiful young woman. When she won’t reveal who she is, he decides to try seduction.
Superbly written, you’ll find this one hard to put down. I love the logic of McBain’s intricate plot…no improbable moments here. No contrived black moments. Only great storytelling and suspenseful action. The dialog is clever and the characters wonderfully developed. Sabrina is courageous, good hearted and rebellious to the end and Camareigh is a tough alpha male, just the kind we like to see fall to love’s power.
McBain paints vivid pictures of Culloden (to start with) and then the English countryside thereafter, putting you right in the scene. It is so well done. Reading this just reminded me that a 5-star classic never goes out of style. Written in 1977, it sold a million copies. I see why.
I highly recommend it and the others in the trilogy:
Dominick Series:
Moonstruck Madness (1977) Sabrina and Lucien
Chance The Winds Of Fortune (1980) their daughter, Rhea and Dante
Dark Before The Rising Sun (1982) Rhea and Dante (cont’d.)
March 1, 2011
This book was originally written in 1977, and wow, have times changed for historical romances! And boy am I glad!
Lucien is not the type of hero who should be put on a pedestal. Most of the bad things that happen to our heroine are his fault, but he wants to be praised when he fixes them again. The book timeline goes a little like this: fight (and we're talking Ronnie and Sammi on Jersey Shore style fighting, not playful banter) jump into bed, fight, jump into bed, repeat. This style of story just isn't for me. I understand that a lot of readers are into alpha males, even though I'm not, but Lucien is another breed altogether.
The part of the book where Sabrina has amnesia and actually believed she was in love with Lucien was my favorite part. This was a happy, loving romance! But of course, it was based on forgetting all the unforgivable, deal-breaking things that Lucien had done.
This book was definitely written in a stylized way, that I really don't see used any more. I'm sure there are readers who like to read about this rough sort of love, but it's not for me. This book made me appreciate the world of today's historical romances even more!
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
Lucien is not the type of hero who should be put on a pedestal. Most of the bad things that happen to our heroine are his fault, but he wants to be praised when he fixes them again. The book timeline goes a little like this: fight (and we're talking Ronnie and Sammi on Jersey Shore style fighting, not playful banter) jump into bed, fight, jump into bed, repeat. This style of story just isn't for me. I understand that a lot of readers are into alpha males, even though I'm not, but Lucien is another breed altogether.
The part of the book where Sabrina has amnesia and actually believed she was in love with Lucien was my favorite part. This was a happy, loving romance! But of course, it was based on forgetting all the unforgivable, deal-breaking things that Lucien had done.
This book was definitely written in a stylized way, that I really don't see used any more. I'm sure there are readers who like to read about this rough sort of love, but it's not for me. This book made me appreciate the world of today's historical romances even more!
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
March 16, 2026
**3.25 stars rounded down
First published in 1977, Moonstruck Madness is officially the oldest bodice ripper on my journey through a winter marked by vintage historical romance mania. Sadly, I found the book ultimately more interesting as a cultural artifact than as a memorable reading experience.
A lot happens here - warring factions, a young woman masquerading as a highwayman as a sort of Robin Hood with far less altruistic motives, forced marriage, scheming evil (and perhaps slightly incestuous?) siblings that reminded me of Team Rocket from Pokémon, amnesia, buried treasure… and yet despite all this the story feels at times painfully uneven. At times dragging while at others flying through plot elements at breakneck speed. Amidst everything going on, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the romance at times feels like an afterthought. Something the reader is assured is happening but doesn’t actually unfold on the page in an altogether meaningful way. I saw another review lauding Baine’s progressive stance on consent, but is it really progressive or just lacking in enough details for the book to be placed somewhere on the scale of problematic vs progressive?
A fun read, but by no means an earth shattering one.
First published in 1977, Moonstruck Madness is officially the oldest bodice ripper on my journey through a winter marked by vintage historical romance mania. Sadly, I found the book ultimately more interesting as a cultural artifact than as a memorable reading experience.
A lot happens here - warring factions, a young woman masquerading as a highwayman as a sort of Robin Hood with far less altruistic motives, forced marriage, scheming evil (and perhaps slightly incestuous?) siblings that reminded me of Team Rocket from Pokémon, amnesia, buried treasure… and yet despite all this the story feels at times painfully uneven. At times dragging while at others flying through plot elements at breakneck speed. Amidst everything going on, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the romance at times feels like an afterthought. Something the reader is assured is happening but doesn’t actually unfold on the page in an altogether meaningful way. I saw another review lauding Baine’s progressive stance on consent, but is it really progressive or just lacking in enough details for the book to be placed somewhere on the scale of problematic vs progressive?
A fun read, but by no means an earth shattering one.
October 31, 2015
I got the other two books in the Dominick series as ARC's and I am going to reread this one first. I read it as a new release way back when and it is going to be fun to revisit this series. I don't read much Historical Romance these days and it will be fun. I was even going to dig it out of my physical library, but now have it as an e-book. I am so happy that these wonderful books have been re-issued as e-books and that they have been reissued so a whole new generation can read the very best Historical-Romance books ever written.
First published in 1977, Moonstruck Madness does not show it's age. It's story of Sabrina, a young girl of 12 during the Battle of Culloden in 1746 where her grandfather was killed. Angus wisely knew the cause was hopeless and hid the families treasure. After his death, Sabrina, her sister Mary, brother Richard and Aunt Margaret fled to England where they took up residence in their absentee father's home. With no money to support them Sabrina becomes the highwayman, Bonnie Charlie. Eventually she robs the wrong nobleman and Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, takes it as a personal affront and lays a trap for Bonnie Charlie, netting the lovely Sabrina. She escapes but leaves a part of her soul with the Duke.
This is a tale of strong wills and even stronger love as these two, Sabrina and Lucien, do everything possible to escape what is their destiny.
First published in 1977, Moonstruck Madness does not show it's age. It's story of Sabrina, a young girl of 12 during the Battle of Culloden in 1746 where her grandfather was killed. Angus wisely knew the cause was hopeless and hid the families treasure. After his death, Sabrina, her sister Mary, brother Richard and Aunt Margaret fled to England where they took up residence in their absentee father's home. With no money to support them Sabrina becomes the highwayman, Bonnie Charlie. Eventually she robs the wrong nobleman and Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, takes it as a personal affront and lays a trap for Bonnie Charlie, netting the lovely Sabrina. She escapes but leaves a part of her soul with the Duke.
This is a tale of strong wills and even stronger love as these two, Sabrina and Lucien, do everything possible to escape what is their destiny.
February 11, 2009
I read this book when it first came out in the mid 1970's. It was one of the first explicitly erotic romance novels (along with Rosemary Rogers' "Sweet, Savage Love"), and it had a profound impact on my adolescent sensibilities.
Sabrina Verrick, a Scots-English noblewoman in exile in England with her sister and little brother after Culloden, has taken to the roads as the highwayman Bonnie Charlie to support her family. During a daring theft at a dinner party she meets Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, who swears to put a stop to Bonnie Charlie's crime spree. Their story unfolds with plenty of plots, captures and escapes, seduction, intrigue, and wildly passionate sex.
As with many of these older romances, hero and heroine don't always treat each other well, but I recall that McBain created a strong enough relationship between them to make me believe in their love.
It's been years since I last read this book, but I keep a copy on my shelf for old time's sake. I should probably re-read it one of these days.
Sabrina Verrick, a Scots-English noblewoman in exile in England with her sister and little brother after Culloden, has taken to the roads as the highwayman Bonnie Charlie to support her family. During a daring theft at a dinner party she meets Lucien, Duke of Camareigh, who swears to put a stop to Bonnie Charlie's crime spree. Their story unfolds with plenty of plots, captures and escapes, seduction, intrigue, and wildly passionate sex.
As with many of these older romances, hero and heroine don't always treat each other well, but I recall that McBain created a strong enough relationship between them to make me believe in their love.
It's been years since I last read this book, but I keep a copy on my shelf for old time's sake. I should probably re-read it one of these days.
February 27, 2019
The premise caught my attention at first, I'm a sucker for characters disguising themselves. The idea of a lady dressing as a man and committing highway robbery was irresistible to me.
She’d never come up against someone like the Duke before. He was ruthless, mean, vengeful–and intelligent. And, he had caught her
I liked the dynamic between Lucien and Sabrina in the beginning; the book started out as a solid 4 star read. Sabrina was a strong female lead, and it was refreshing to have a heroine unafraid of using a gun. Many of the side characters failed to capture my interest though, and I often found myself bored and skimming.
The writing was good, I'm still interested in trying Laurie McBain's other books. This was a lighthearted read, but mostly unremarkable.
She’d never come up against someone like the Duke before. He was ruthless, mean, vengeful–and intelligent. And, he had caught her
I liked the dynamic between Lucien and Sabrina in the beginning; the book started out as a solid 4 star read. Sabrina was a strong female lead, and it was refreshing to have a heroine unafraid of using a gun. Many of the side characters failed to capture my interest though, and I often found myself bored and skimming.
The writing was good, I'm still interested in trying Laurie McBain's other books. This was a lighthearted read, but mostly unremarkable.
Did Not Finish
July 10, 2026I've abandoned this one with less than 100 pages left in it. It's got my anxiety a little too elevated because there's not enough resolution intermixed into the context. There are a lot of problems, misunderstandings, and danger and, for whatever reason, by brain doesn't do well when an author keeps piling this kind of stuff on top of each other without following through to resolve some of it as the story progresses.
Prior to this happening, I was already pretty annoyed that the MC's had passionate sex and fell for one another seemingly without having at least one complete conversation with each other. It was not believable at all, especially for the time period it was supposed to be set in.
Also, at one point the heroine was adamantly refusing to marry the hero and her reasoning made no sense whatsoever. She felt like he "humiliated" her by setting her up to be found kissing him in her room while she was staying at the home of another duke that was interested in marrying her. Again, also not accurate as her reputation would be ruined and she would likely HAVE to get married. A lot of the story just felt kind of convoluted for the sake of prolonging it so the author would actually have a story to tell. And hell, maybe some would argue that's the entire point of crafting a story, but I want the twists and turns to follow some kind of line of reasoning and not just be thrown into the mix all willy nilly-like. Oh, and let's not forget that the older sister has the "sight" that everyone seems to know what that is and accepts it as common occurrence, so she randomly shifts into Alice from Twilight and constantly gives out these vague premonitions that are practically NEVER used in the story or fit into the narrative whatsoever.
Lastly, I left this book at a point in which the hero was tricking the heroine who was suffering from amnesia into thinking they had always been in love. They're married, she's pregnant as a result from their very first rendezvous early on in the story (hello, wouldn't she have suspected that prior to the amnesia, which would have been yet another reason why she should have known she would HAVE to marry the damn duke anyway) and it was all headed towards even more disaster, so I just knew I couldn't stomach it any longer.
Prior to this happening, I was already pretty annoyed that the MC's had passionate sex and fell for one another seemingly without having at least one complete conversation with each other. It was not believable at all, especially for the time period it was supposed to be set in.
Also, at one point the heroine was adamantly refusing to marry the hero and her reasoning made no sense whatsoever. She felt like he "humiliated" her by setting her up to be found kissing him in her room while she was staying at the home of another duke that was interested in marrying her. Again, also not accurate as her reputation would be ruined and she would likely HAVE to get married. A lot of the story just felt kind of convoluted for the sake of prolonging it so the author would actually have a story to tell. And hell, maybe some would argue that's the entire point of crafting a story, but I want the twists and turns to follow some kind of line of reasoning and not just be thrown into the mix all willy nilly-like. Oh, and let's not forget that the older sister has the "sight" that everyone seems to know what that is and accepts it as common occurrence, so she randomly shifts into Alice from Twilight and constantly gives out these vague premonitions that are practically NEVER used in the story or fit into the narrative whatsoever.
Lastly, I left this book at a point in which the hero was tricking the heroine who was suffering from amnesia into thinking they had always been in love. They're married, she's pregnant as a result from their very first rendezvous early on in the story (hello, wouldn't she have suspected that prior to the amnesia, which would have been yet another reason why she should have known she would HAVE to marry the damn duke anyway) and it was all headed towards even more disaster, so I just knew I couldn't stomach it any longer.
May 27, 2026
Lo típico, no le puedo dar más de dos estrellas a una novela de la que me he saltado partes. Al final me acabó aburriendo, los personajes me interesaban más bien poco... Le veo el mérito, de verdad que sí, y para ser una de 1977 no tiene demasiado machismo. Creo que es una histórica aceptable.
Lady Sabrina Verrick es la típica protagonista de la época: una pizpireta sílfide de ojos violetas, de sangre escocesa, muy tozuda y algo botarate.
Lucien Dominick, duque (¡por supuesto!) de Camareigh me recordó un poco a esos aristócratas bastante cínicos de una Georgette Heyer.
Para haberse escrito hace (puf, el año que se estrenó Star Wars, ya ha llovido)... Pues eso, que para haberse publicado entonces, no es una histórica que se regodee en largas descripciones del paisaje o los eventos históricos. En ese sentido, no se hace pesada, la autora llena el libro de peripecias y aventuras, ahora pasa esto, luego lo otro, sin que pare la acción. Un poco desgalichado, sí, como si a veces la autora dijera, ¿y ahora qué meto? Y va saltando de un tópico a otro: disfraz, peligro, secuestro, intentos variados de asesinato, una herencia loca, amnesia, matrimonio de conveniencia, un tesoro, y algún toque paranormal con la prescencia de la hermana de la prota...
No sé, lo cogí con ganas y era razonablemente entretenido hasta que me di cuenta de que los protagonistas no acababan de caerme del todo bien. Me parecían demasiado cabezotas, y el enamoramiento surge así como de la nada.
Quizá si la hubiera leído por entonces, en contraste con los tochos de una Woodiwiss, me habría parecido algo fresco, más vivaz. Ahora, ya con tanta agua bajo el puente, va a ser que no. Pese a que empecé con ganas, se me acabó haciendo bola.
Lady Sabrina Verrick es la típica protagonista de la época: una pizpireta sílfide de ojos violetas, de sangre escocesa, muy tozuda y algo botarate.
Lucien Dominick, duque (¡por supuesto!) de Camareigh me recordó un poco a esos aristócratas bastante cínicos de una Georgette Heyer.
Para haberse escrito hace (puf, el año que se estrenó Star Wars, ya ha llovido)... Pues eso, que para haberse publicado entonces, no es una histórica que se regodee en largas descripciones del paisaje o los eventos históricos. En ese sentido, no se hace pesada, la autora llena el libro de peripecias y aventuras, ahora pasa esto, luego lo otro, sin que pare la acción. Un poco desgalichado, sí, como si a veces la autora dijera, ¿y ahora qué meto? Y va saltando de un tópico a otro: disfraz, peligro, secuestro, intentos variados de asesinato, una herencia loca, amnesia, matrimonio de conveniencia, un tesoro, y algún toque paranormal con la prescencia de la hermana de la prota...
No sé, lo cogí con ganas y era razonablemente entretenido hasta que me di cuenta de que los protagonistas no acababan de caerme del todo bien. Me parecían demasiado cabezotas, y el enamoramiento surge así como de la nada.
Quizá si la hubiera leído por entonces, en contraste con los tochos de una Woodiwiss, me habría parecido algo fresco, más vivaz. Ahora, ya con tanta agua bajo el puente, va a ser que no. Pese a que empecé con ganas, se me acabó haciendo bola.
April 8, 2026
eta 08/04/26: doing something rare and bumping this review up to 4-stars. my reason being that i still think about this book and don't feel my original rating was fair or reflects how much i ended up enjoying it. it's also spoiler heavy so i felt the need to mark it as such lol.
I nearly DNF’d at 83%. Which is insane, yes, but wow this one went off the rails for a bit.
Moonstruck Madness is a vintage romance, and with that come the usual quirks: odd pacing, abrupt turns of events, insta-love galore, etc. I like vintage romance, so these quirks are usually rather endearing to me.
The first half of this book is a fantastic time. Set in 18th-century Scotland/England, we have our FMC, Sabrina, living out a Robin Hood–esque fantasy: stealing riches from a bunch of titled loser men and using the profits to take care of her community. Enter the MMC, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. He’s been robbed by her twice, slapped by her once, and is determined to catch her out (also, he believes she’s a he, as does everyone else).
He eventually bests her, challenges her to a duel, injures her, and then (upon realizing she’s a woman) panics and nurses her back to health. They then seduce each other, and he decides he wants to keep her as his mistress.
There’s a whole backstory with Lucien where, in order to gain his inheritance, he has to get married and he’s already betrothed to someone he DGAF about. So he thinks he’s doing our girl Sabrina a solid by setting her up as a mistress. Naturally, she does not see it that way and escapes. Lmao.
At this point, I’m fully invested and having a fun time.
Then Sabrina encounters her Deadbeat Daddy, who has not spent any real time with his children but now wants to marry his daughters off, secure a fat dowry, and piss off back to Italy or wherever. He introduces his daughters into Society™ and this is how Sabrina encounters Lucien once more.
BTW Lucien’s betrothed got murdered by the villains of the story, so he’s back on the market and he needs to get hitched ASAP or he can kiss his inheritance goodbye. He’s also furious that Sabrina hit it and quit it. He eventually puts her in a compromising position, potentially ruining her and her entire family. Deadbeat Daddy brutally whips her for this. Lucien steps in and makes an offer (demand?) to resolve everything: he will marry Sabrina, secure his inheritance, and provide for her and her family financially. She will be expected to do her duty as Duchess of Camareigh, but otherwise may live as she wishes, even taking lovers if she desires.
And this is where things start to go sideways.
Because don’t get me wrong Sabrina has every right to be furious with Lucien and hate him for what he’s done. However, given the historical context and the stakes her entire family is under, his offer is reasonable. More than reasonable, honestly.
Sabrina refuses and escapes.
Now, if this happened once or even twice I might not have been so annoyed. But she escapes him like four times. To the point where even her own sister gets fed up and betrays her whereabouts. And I can’t really blame her, because Sabrina’s reasons for refusing him are based purely on pride and stubbornness, and she’s putting her entire family at risk.
Then there’s the whole cliché subplot where she loses her memory after he finally recovers her (and she also got pregnant from their previous time together!). During this amnesia arc, they fall in love and get married. Then she gets her memory back and immediately hates his guts again.
She’s so insufferable to him during this stretch, and it makes no real sense because, all things considered, he’s actually been a good husband to her?? By the time he walks out and calls her childish, I was nodding along.
Then, you know the drill: the villains are dealt with, there’s a treasure hunt, Lucien rescues Sabrina, they confess their love, and live happily ever after.
This book had very a promising start but it became tedious in the final quarter. It would have been 5-stars if not for the stubborness of the FMC and the amnesia subplot. I still liked it overall though.
I nearly DNF’d at 83%. Which is insane, yes, but wow this one went off the rails for a bit.
Moonstruck Madness is a vintage romance, and with that come the usual quirks: odd pacing, abrupt turns of events, insta-love galore, etc. I like vintage romance, so these quirks are usually rather endearing to me.
The first half of this book is a fantastic time. Set in 18th-century Scotland/England, we have our FMC, Sabrina, living out a Robin Hood–esque fantasy: stealing riches from a bunch of titled loser men and using the profits to take care of her community. Enter the MMC, Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. He’s been robbed by her twice, slapped by her once, and is determined to catch her out (also, he believes she’s a he, as does everyone else).
He eventually bests her, challenges her to a duel, injures her, and then (upon realizing she’s a woman) panics and nurses her back to health. They then seduce each other, and he decides he wants to keep her as his mistress.
There’s a whole backstory with Lucien where, in order to gain his inheritance, he has to get married and he’s already betrothed to someone he DGAF about. So he thinks he’s doing our girl Sabrina a solid by setting her up as a mistress. Naturally, she does not see it that way and escapes. Lmao.
At this point, I’m fully invested and having a fun time.
Then Sabrina encounters her Deadbeat Daddy, who has not spent any real time with his children but now wants to marry his daughters off, secure a fat dowry, and piss off back to Italy or wherever. He introduces his daughters into Society™ and this is how Sabrina encounters Lucien once more.
BTW Lucien’s betrothed got murdered by the villains of the story, so he’s back on the market and he needs to get hitched ASAP or he can kiss his inheritance goodbye. He’s also furious that Sabrina hit it and quit it. He eventually puts her in a compromising position, potentially ruining her and her entire family. Deadbeat Daddy brutally whips her for this. Lucien steps in and makes an offer (demand?) to resolve everything: he will marry Sabrina, secure his inheritance, and provide for her and her family financially. She will be expected to do her duty as Duchess of Camareigh, but otherwise may live as she wishes, even taking lovers if she desires.
And this is where things start to go sideways.
Because don’t get me wrong Sabrina has every right to be furious with Lucien and hate him for what he’s done. However, given the historical context and the stakes her entire family is under, his offer is reasonable. More than reasonable, honestly.
Sabrina refuses and escapes.
Now, if this happened once or even twice I might not have been so annoyed. But she escapes him like four times. To the point where even her own sister gets fed up and betrays her whereabouts. And I can’t really blame her, because Sabrina’s reasons for refusing him are based purely on pride and stubbornness, and she’s putting her entire family at risk.
Then there’s the whole cliché subplot where she loses her memory after he finally recovers her (and she also got pregnant from their previous time together!). During this amnesia arc, they fall in love and get married. Then she gets her memory back and immediately hates his guts again.
She’s so insufferable to him during this stretch, and it makes no real sense because, all things considered, he’s actually been a good husband to her?? By the time he walks out and calls her childish, I was nodding along.
Then, you know the drill: the villains are dealt with, there’s a treasure hunt, Lucien rescues Sabrina, they confess their love, and live happily ever after.
This book had very a promising start but it became tedious in the final quarter. It would have been 5-stars if not for the stubborness of the FMC and the amnesia subplot. I still liked it overall though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2017
This was the first historical romance novel I read. I bought it at a garage sale for 50 cents and it started a whole new life for me. By the early 80's I was back in college and knew I wanted to write. Eventually I sold my first book in 1988, a historical romance novel. When I wrote BEWITCHING, I made the hero Alec a duke because of Lucien in MM.
May 9, 2015
I skimmed alot. The plot was good but it became a little boring after awhile.Skimmed quite a bit actually. Going by Goodreads ratings-2 stars, 'it was ok.'
August 3, 2023
This started off with the slaughter of a Jacobite clan and a girl surviving when most of her relatives are killed in, quite literally, one shot. Sabrina (I kept thinking of Sabrina the teenage witch lol, but definitely not a witch) survives and the Englishman who let her go encounters her again in the future. As this is a historical romance, you can guess where this is going. I'm giving this a 3.5 ⭐. It wasn't bad but it definitely wasn't a top favorite either.
May 22, 2021
Read several times back in the days. Haven’t picked this up for years now but remember re-reading it all the time.
Leaving 5 ⭐️ for the sake of memory memoirs.
Leaving 5 ⭐️ for the sake of memory memoirs.
June 29, 2011
I am really shocked to see how high some of the ratings are for this book. I mean, did we read the same thing?
I will say that I liked the overall plot idea, with a strong heroine in Sabrina who does what she needs to do to provide for her sister and her brother. Family is really important to her, and she is really protective of them. I enjoyed her interactions with her sister Mary and her younger brother Richard most of all. Any time that she engaged in dialogue with Lucien, I wanted to quickly turn the page and move on to another part of the story--preferably anything that would get me closer to the end so I wouldn't have to keep reading.
Their love story is not at all convincing, nor is their relationship a healthy one. Lucien basically tricks Sabrina into marrying him, and doesn't have the decency to try and tell her the truth until it is too late and she starts remembering on her own how she felt about him before her memory loss.
This book is more about deceit, obsession, and lust than it is about romance and love. If that's your thing, then give it a try. If you want something sweeter, I suggest you look elsewhere.
I will say that I liked the overall plot idea, with a strong heroine in Sabrina who does what she needs to do to provide for her sister and her brother. Family is really important to her, and she is really protective of them. I enjoyed her interactions with her sister Mary and her younger brother Richard most of all. Any time that she engaged in dialogue with Lucien, I wanted to quickly turn the page and move on to another part of the story--preferably anything that would get me closer to the end so I wouldn't have to keep reading.
Their love story is not at all convincing, nor is their relationship a healthy one. Lucien basically tricks Sabrina into marrying him, and doesn't have the decency to try and tell her the truth until it is too late and she starts remembering on her own how she felt about him before her memory loss.
This book is more about deceit, obsession, and lust than it is about romance and love. If that's your thing, then give it a try. If you want something sweeter, I suggest you look elsewhere.
March 11, 2011
MOONSTRUCK MADNESS by Laurie McBain is a fast-paced, engrossing novel of the difficult choices people make to survive in a cruel world.
After losing everything in the aftermath of the 1746 Scottish Battle of Culloden, Sabrina must find a way to support her family. Her unorthodox method incurs the wrath of the arrogant and powerful Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. Again and again, these two strong personalities clash in a titanic battle of wills, even as an unwilling attraction seizes them both. But Lucien is promised to another and must marry to secure his estate.
Sabrina is bold almost to the point of recklessness as she does what she needs to in a harsh Georgian England which casts women as pawns. The utterly arrogant Lucien, although too abrasive for my taste, is appropriate to this period when an aristocrat's word was law. The villains, also, were too villainous for me, but again, are in keeping with this era of extremes.
As powerful now as at its first publication in 1977, MOONSTRUCK MADNESS transports you to a fascinating world of high drama and high stakes where power reigns until love finally wins.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
After losing everything in the aftermath of the 1746 Scottish Battle of Culloden, Sabrina must find a way to support her family. Her unorthodox method incurs the wrath of the arrogant and powerful Lucien, Duke of Camareigh. Again and again, these two strong personalities clash in a titanic battle of wills, even as an unwilling attraction seizes them both. But Lucien is promised to another and must marry to secure his estate.
Sabrina is bold almost to the point of recklessness as she does what she needs to in a harsh Georgian England which casts women as pawns. The utterly arrogant Lucien, although too abrasive for my taste, is appropriate to this period when an aristocrat's word was law. The villains, also, were too villainous for me, but again, are in keeping with this era of extremes.
As powerful now as at its first publication in 1977, MOONSTRUCK MADNESS transports you to a fascinating world of high drama and high stakes where power reigns until love finally wins.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
December 3, 2021
Okay I read it, I read it all, in fact, I finished the book last night and haven't read anything since and I still can barely remember what I read, that's how not intriguing I found it. 🤭
Obviously Moonstruck Madness was good enough to keep me going till the end, also, I feel it good to mention that I do love a ton of old school bodice rippers, so it wasn't the genre I found off-putting. Honestly, I think what did me in was the overt use of adverbs and every single adjective that ends in "ly."
Every sentence was like:
She smiled happily and gaily laughed at his silly loquatiously, flagrantly, and garishly told retelling of his unambiguously, flirtatiously, strongly worded tale.
🤦🏼♀️
Sometimes less is more and McBain could have benefitted (a lot) from an editor telling her to curtail some of her "ly's."
Aside from that, I just wish a little more could have happened, it was a big, long, non-adventure that I thought was building to something great! But the final scene was just like "and then the end."
I didn't hate it but I didn't like it either, it was just.... there.
Obviously Moonstruck Madness was good enough to keep me going till the end, also, I feel it good to mention that I do love a ton of old school bodice rippers, so it wasn't the genre I found off-putting. Honestly, I think what did me in was the overt use of adverbs and every single adjective that ends in "ly."
Every sentence was like:
She smiled happily and gaily laughed at his silly loquatiously, flagrantly, and garishly told retelling of his unambiguously, flirtatiously, strongly worded tale.
🤦🏼♀️
Sometimes less is more and McBain could have benefitted (a lot) from an editor telling her to curtail some of her "ly's."
Aside from that, I just wish a little more could have happened, it was a big, long, non-adventure that I thought was building to something great! But the final scene was just like "and then the end."
I didn't hate it but I didn't like it either, it was just.... there.
Read
March 6, 2014I MUST have read this; who could resist that cover back in the day?
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