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Highland Heroes #2
The Adventurer
While attempting to return a mysterious, legendary crystal to the hands of its rightful owner, beautiful Isabella Drayton is captured by fierce warrior Calum MacKay, the "Adventurer," known for his raids on British prison ships. By the author of The Pretender. Original.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
36 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Jaclyn Reding
20 books59 followersJaclyn Reding is the award-winning author of numerous historical and contemporary novels, including an Amazon.com #1 bestseller and a RITA award nominee. Since first publishing in 1993, Jaclyn has seen her stories translated into nearly a dozen languages around the world.
Jaclyn can usually be found at her home in New England, or Venice, Italy...or somewhere in between. Jaclyn loves hearing from readers and answers every letter personally.
Find her on FaceBook at:
http://www.facebook.com/jaclynreding....
Jaclyn can usually be found at her home in New England, or Venice, Italy...or somewhere in between. Jaclyn loves hearing from readers and answers every letter personally.
Find her on FaceBook at:
http://www.facebook.com/jaclynreding....
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 20, 2023
3'5 Estrellitas, pero le subo a las 4 porque la historia ha estado muy interesante. Admito que el primer libro me supo a poco y no me creí mucho a la protagonista, todo lo que tenía Elizabeth no lo tenía Isabella, y por eso ésta última me ha resultado más realista.
Seguimos con la serie Highland Heroes y volvemos de nuevo a la Escocia posterior a Culloden. En una tierra de leyendas, Calum MacKay siempre ha creído en ellas y sobre todo en las sirenas; desde niño sabía que algún día aparecería una sirena y traería la prosperidad a sus costas.
Isabella Drayton, segunda hija del duque de Sudeleigh está en Francia, viajando con una tía. A su regreso a Inglaterra, pasan la noche en Versalles, donde conocen al rey y a un personaje muy pintoresco, el conde de Saint Germain, un hombre misterioso que entregará a Isabella una extraña piedra preciosa y le encargará devolverla al clan MacKay, en Escocia.
Isabella no cree en leyendas, pese a que lo que ha dicho el conde parece muy convincente. Al día siguiente parten a Calais, donde embarcarán hacia Edimburgo, pero su viaje los deparará una sorpresa, el barco en el que viajan será apresado por piratas, que raptarán a Isabella y se la llevarán con ella.
Pero no son unos piratas cualquiera, son hombres de Escocia, apresados por los ingleses tras Culloden, y liberados por un grupo de fantasmas, unos escoceses ocultos del dominio inglés, encabezados por Calum MacKay. Los hombres de MacKay reconocieron la gema en cuanto se la vieron a Isabella, y por eso decidieron raptarla; sólo quedará lidiar con el malhumor de su líder, y con la esperanza de que la piedra pueda traer tiempos mejores.
Lejos de pensar que estamos ante un libro de cautiverio más, en éste caso ha sido distinto. Isabella no se comporta como la típica protagonista que necesita que la liberen. El castillo de Wrath está lejos de cualquier lugar conocido y en él, Isabella tendrá libertad para moverse. En seguida, sabrá los motivos por los que ha sido apresada, pero también sabe que no podrá irse de allí, hasta no haber elegido sabiamente al hombre que debe quedarse con la piedra.
Los protagonistas tardan en conocerse y quizás un poco más en iniciar un romance, pero la historia ha estado tan interesante que no he echado de menos si faltaba algo en su romance. Por ese lado, el libro me ha gustado más. Si acaso, lo que he podido echar el falta es un final algo más extenso o elaborado, pues me ha parecido algo raruno y no he terminado de entenderlo, además que me parece que la autora lo deja demasiado abierto, y por desgracia hubo un tercer y último libro de la serie que no llegó a publicarse en castellano.
Aún así, esta novela me ha satisfecho y la he disfrutado mucho; es sencilla, es cortita, pero tiene gancho y magia, y en éste caso Jaclyn Reding ha sabido hacerlo.
Seguimos con la serie Highland Heroes y volvemos de nuevo a la Escocia posterior a Culloden. En una tierra de leyendas, Calum MacKay siempre ha creído en ellas y sobre todo en las sirenas; desde niño sabía que algún día aparecería una sirena y traería la prosperidad a sus costas.
Isabella Drayton, segunda hija del duque de Sudeleigh está en Francia, viajando con una tía. A su regreso a Inglaterra, pasan la noche en Versalles, donde conocen al rey y a un personaje muy pintoresco, el conde de Saint Germain, un hombre misterioso que entregará a Isabella una extraña piedra preciosa y le encargará devolverla al clan MacKay, en Escocia.
Isabella no cree en leyendas, pese a que lo que ha dicho el conde parece muy convincente. Al día siguiente parten a Calais, donde embarcarán hacia Edimburgo, pero su viaje los deparará una sorpresa, el barco en el que viajan será apresado por piratas, que raptarán a Isabella y se la llevarán con ella.
Pero no son unos piratas cualquiera, son hombres de Escocia, apresados por los ingleses tras Culloden, y liberados por un grupo de fantasmas, unos escoceses ocultos del dominio inglés, encabezados por Calum MacKay. Los hombres de MacKay reconocieron la gema en cuanto se la vieron a Isabella, y por eso decidieron raptarla; sólo quedará lidiar con el malhumor de su líder, y con la esperanza de que la piedra pueda traer tiempos mejores.
Lejos de pensar que estamos ante un libro de cautiverio más, en éste caso ha sido distinto. Isabella no se comporta como la típica protagonista que necesita que la liberen. El castillo de Wrath está lejos de cualquier lugar conocido y en él, Isabella tendrá libertad para moverse. En seguida, sabrá los motivos por los que ha sido apresada, pero también sabe que no podrá irse de allí, hasta no haber elegido sabiamente al hombre que debe quedarse con la piedra.
Los protagonistas tardan en conocerse y quizás un poco más en iniciar un romance, pero la historia ha estado tan interesante que no he echado de menos si faltaba algo en su romance. Por ese lado, el libro me ha gustado más. Si acaso, lo que he podido echar el falta es un final algo más extenso o elaborado, pues me ha parecido algo raruno y no he terminado de entenderlo, además que me parece que la autora lo deja demasiado abierto, y por desgracia hubo un tercer y último libro de la serie que no llegó a publicarse en castellano.
Aún así, esta novela me ha satisfecho y la he disfrutado mucho; es sencilla, es cortita, pero tiene gancho y magia, y en éste caso Jaclyn Reding ha sabido hacerlo.
July 4, 2015
Me ha gustado mucho, está llena de aventuras, muy bien ambientada y aunque parezca que nos encontraremos a la tipica novela de las highlanders tras leer la sinopsis, el hecho de no encontrarnos al tópiquísimo machote de las novelas escocesas hace que su lectura sea original.
Hay personajes secundarios encantadores, cierto que el final me ha parecido un poco precipitado, temas que han quedado un poco en el aire, quizás por que los retome en la tercera entrega, de la que estoy ansiosa de hacerme.
El cuento de la sirena lo he encontrado precioso, y con una moraleja totalmente cierta....
Quizás me gustó más el primero, donde la historia de amor tuvo más peso que en esa entrega, pero sin dudarlo esta Jaclyn Reding me está gustando mucho y esta saga también.
Hay personajes secundarios encantadores, cierto que el final me ha parecido un poco precipitado, temas que han quedado un poco en el aire, quizás por que los retome en la tercera entrega, de la que estoy ansiosa de hacerme.
El cuento de la sirena lo he encontrado precioso, y con una moraleja totalmente cierta....
Quizás me gustó más el primero, donde la historia de amor tuvo más peso que en esa entrega, pero sin dudarlo esta Jaclyn Reding me está gustando mucho y esta saga también.
February 11, 2022
Una lectura dulce y entretenida, es una pena lo poco prolífica que es esta autora en cuanto a libros y también es una pena que no estén traducidos todos.
De mis autoras favoritas sin lugar a dudas.
De mis autoras favoritas sin lugar a dudas.
September 18, 2018
Si voy a ser sincera…debo decir que esta novela no estuvo al nivel de la anterior. No porque haya faltado pasión, amor y entretenimiento. Si no por toda la parte de las sirenas, los hechizos, piedras mágicas y tralala, tralala jaja. Esas cosas no son lo mío jaja. Pero fantasías aparte, esta novela también es muy recomendable. Cuenta la historia de Bella, la hermana de Elizabeth, esa que aunque pienses que es muy tierna y callada, puede sorprenderte con acciones muy aventureras y arriesgadas. Si no, miren la boda de Douglas y Bess jaja. Eso fue idea de ella jaja. De hecho me gusto más que su hermana, porque es muy real, y apasionada. El otro prota es Calum. Oh por el amor de Yisusss que hombre!!! Jaja Me dejó impresionada. Este pirata con modales es la cosa más deliciosa que me he topado en cuanto a los Highlands. Él no es un noble, es un pillo, pero un pillo con buenas razones que sobre todo odia a los ingleses. Pero claro, ahí va el destino a cruzarlo directamente con una señorita de la aristocracia inglesa jaja. Otra vez, agradezco la falta de drama, de terceros en discordia y de sacrificios innecesarios. Claro, hay una mentirita de por medio jaja, pero siendo Calum, se lo perdono jaja. Fue muy bonita
August 14, 2023
Bella has all but given up on love. She’s had her adventure in Paris and is prepared to marry who her parents selected for her upon her return to England. She’s sent one last plea to the fates to find her a true love but believes she will have to be content with a matched marriage.
Calum has one last rescue to attempt in his rebellion against the English crown. He once wished for the legend of the mermaid’s stone that blessed his family to bring peace but has given up on that. He knows that fairytales don’t exist.
Fate decides to throw the two together when Bella is given a charmed stone that will require her to return it to the best of two choices. Rather than chance a curse by forcibly taking the stone, the pirates who board her ship bring her to the Scottish Highlands.
The characters are so much enjoyable. The story is unique and pulls the reader along. This is the second in a series but can be read as as stand alone. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Calum has one last rescue to attempt in his rebellion against the English crown. He once wished for the legend of the mermaid’s stone that blessed his family to bring peace but has given up on that. He knows that fairytales don’t exist.
Fate decides to throw the two together when Bella is given a charmed stone that will require her to return it to the best of two choices. Rather than chance a curse by forcibly taking the stone, the pirates who board her ship bring her to the Scottish Highlands.
The characters are so much enjoyable. The story is unique and pulls the reader along. This is the second in a series but can be read as as stand alone. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2019
Se trata de una historia corta pero entretenida. Me gusta mucho la pluma de Jaclyn para esas ocasiones en las que quieres un libro ligero que te distraiga. Los personajes tienen un carisma que convence y las historias llevan un punto de misterio que, para mi gusto, las hacen más atractivas.
December 9, 2022
A little hard to get into at first, but I was pleasantly surprised with the plot twists! My only critique is that all of the "problems" solved themselves very quickly at the end with no real help from the heroes/heroine.
September 2, 2023
This wondrous tale is the first that I’ve read by this author. Readers find themselves immersed in a piece of Scottish history which regales the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellion and the Battle of Culloden. [ A visual of this time is accurately depicted in “Outlander”]
Rebel highlanders were massacred or shipped to the colonies. This fictional tale recounts a myth regarding a mermaid lured by a highlander to dance with him ashore. To keep her with him, Mackay hid her fish tail - they wed - had many children, but their children found the tail, gave it to their mother and she returned to the sea. Just before she disappeared the mermaid threw an enchanted stone to Mackay to protect their progeny. The last Mackay to hold the stone went into battle; he and the stone were lost 30 years ago. He was Calum Mackay’s father.
Where is the stone and how will it be returned to the Mackays? Lady Isabella Dayton encounters a mysterious Comte, a guest of the king, while she’s in Paris visiting the king. The Comte gives her a stone on a pendant and tasks her with returning the stone to the rightful Mackay. Calum Mackay and his men have taken to the seas to retrieve their countrymen before they are shipped off to the Americas. In one such endeavor, his men board a ship carrying Isabella wearing an unusual stone. Is the legend true? The author spins a magical tale filled with entrancing characters in addition to the MC’s and all their stories will win your hearts. This is a wonderful novel with accurate historical details intertwined with mystery, magic, and a little mayhem…very little. Well worth 5 stars, a purchase and a reread. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
Rebel highlanders were massacred or shipped to the colonies. This fictional tale recounts a myth regarding a mermaid lured by a highlander to dance with him ashore. To keep her with him, Mackay hid her fish tail - they wed - had many children, but their children found the tail, gave it to their mother and she returned to the sea. Just before she disappeared the mermaid threw an enchanted stone to Mackay to protect their progeny. The last Mackay to hold the stone went into battle; he and the stone were lost 30 years ago. He was Calum Mackay’s father.
Where is the stone and how will it be returned to the Mackays? Lady Isabella Dayton encounters a mysterious Comte, a guest of the king, while she’s in Paris visiting the king. The Comte gives her a stone on a pendant and tasks her with returning the stone to the rightful Mackay. Calum Mackay and his men have taken to the seas to retrieve their countrymen before they are shipped off to the Americas. In one such endeavor, his men board a ship carrying Isabella wearing an unusual stone. Is the legend true? The author spins a magical tale filled with entrancing characters in addition to the MC’s and all their stories will win your hearts. This is a wonderful novel with accurate historical details intertwined with mystery, magic, and a little mayhem…very little. Well worth 5 stars, a purchase and a reread. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
August 24, 2023
Reading The Adventurer by Jaclyn Reding reminded me of the days when I used to do counted cross-stitch.
Hear me out.
At the start of a cross stitch project, most people start in the very center of the canvas. This story starts with the heroine, Isabella, at the center of the story.
As the cross-stitcher progresses, they add in different colors depending on what section they want to move on to, but it's almost always connected to that center starting point. To an onlooker, it's nearly impossible to tell what the finished product will be. In the first half of this book, the author weaves in different people and places which had me wondering how everything would tie in.
Oh, then the relationship started to build between the heroine and the hero. As more things became clear with the secondary characters, the story blossomed. Like in my cross-stitch days, I just could not stop until the story was finished.
I highly recommend this book. Isabella and Calum's story is one I will remember for a long time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hear me out.
At the start of a cross stitch project, most people start in the very center of the canvas. This story starts with the heroine, Isabella, at the center of the story.
As the cross-stitcher progresses, they add in different colors depending on what section they want to move on to, but it's almost always connected to that center starting point. To an onlooker, it's nearly impossible to tell what the finished product will be. In the first half of this book, the author weaves in different people and places which had me wondering how everything would tie in.
Oh, then the relationship started to build between the heroine and the hero. As more things became clear with the secondary characters, the story blossomed. Like in my cross-stitch days, I just could not stop until the story was finished.
I highly recommend this book. Isabella and Calum's story is one I will remember for a long time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2023
Bella has all but given up on love. She’s had her adventure in Paris and is prepared to marry who her parents selected for her upon her return to England. She’s sent one last plea to the fates to find her a true love but believes she will have to be content with a matched marriage.
Calum has one last rescue to attempt in his rebellion against the English crown. He once wished for the legend of the mermaid’s stone that blessed his family to bring peace but has given up on that. He knows that fairytales don’t exist.
Fate decides to throw the two together when Bella is given a charmed stone that will require her to return it to the best of two choices. Rather than chance a curse by forcibly taking the stone, the pirates who board her ship bring her to the Scottish Highlands.
The characters are so much enjoyable. The story is unique and pulls the reader along. This is the second in a series but can be read as as stand alone. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Calum has one last rescue to attempt in his rebellion against the English crown. He once wished for the legend of the mermaid’s stone that blessed his family to bring peace but has given up on that. He knows that fairytales don’t exist.
Fate decides to throw the two together when Bella is given a charmed stone that will require her to return it to the best of two choices. Rather than chance a curse by forcibly taking the stone, the pirates who board her ship bring her to the Scottish Highlands.
The characters are so much enjoyable. The story is unique and pulls the reader along. This is the second in a series but can be read as as stand alone. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 14, 2023
I am not normally fond of pirate stories, but this caught my attention and am so very glad I read it! This is a well written story of a woman, hesitantly wanting adventure and gets it , in spades! Calum is a Scot trying to undo the horrific effects of British backlash after the Jacobean uprising. It really hurt to read of what humans can do to each other for revenge. I loved how Calum wanted to be honorable in his efforts and the love that blooms between Bella and Calum. Kudos to the author for the very fitting climax of her “betrothed” and the saving of Calum’s foster father. I adored Bella’s father, the Duke and the gleam in his eye to see some action! Overall, I adored ALL of the characters . They were very well developed and I could feel myself among them. I will miss this group and hope to see some of them in the next book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2023
Mermaids, Adventure, Magical Stone:
I have always been drawn to pirate stories, so I had to try this story with the promise of a mysterious magic stone, pirates, and romance.
The first several chapters where we meet Isabella were a bit slow and tedious. I was ready to stop reading, but I am glad I kept going. I hadn't met the hero Calum yet, so I continued and when he came into the story this made all the difference and that's when the story started to get quite interesting with a romance on the horizon. This is an adventurous story with lots of delightful situations, a little mystery is involved, slow building romance, choices to be made, secrets, a miracle to top off this delightful yet extremely shocking ending.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest opinion and thoughts.
I have always been drawn to pirate stories, so I had to try this story with the promise of a mysterious magic stone, pirates, and romance.
The first several chapters where we meet Isabella were a bit slow and tedious. I was ready to stop reading, but I am glad I kept going. I hadn't met the hero Calum yet, so I continued and when he came into the story this made all the difference and that's when the story started to get quite interesting with a romance on the horizon. This is an adventurous story with lots of delightful situations, a little mystery is involved, slow building romance, choices to be made, secrets, a miracle to top off this delightful yet extremely shocking ending.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest opinion and thoughts.
August 27, 2023
Isabella's Grand Adventure
I am conflicted about my impressions of The Adventurer by Jaclyn Reding.
I liked the interesting beginning, and the first few chapters, but then the wordiness really slowed the plot movement. On the plus side I liked the lead and the supporting characters, but I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the historical parts of the plot. I think the clever last chapter and the sweet epilogue were my favorite parts of this book.
Content 411: This book contains some mild secular and religious swearing, as well kissing and two sexually intimate scenes.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from Booksprout. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and this is my honest review.
I am conflicted about my impressions of The Adventurer by Jaclyn Reding.
I liked the interesting beginning, and the first few chapters, but then the wordiness really slowed the plot movement. On the plus side I liked the lead and the supporting characters, but I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the historical parts of the plot. I think the clever last chapter and the sweet epilogue were my favorite parts of this book.
Content 411: This book contains some mild secular and religious swearing, as well kissing and two sexually intimate scenes.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from Booksprout. I am voluntarily reviewing this book, and this is my honest review.
May 25, 2015
A pirate filled tale with a touch of magic. I enjoyed Bella's determination to seize the adventure that landed at her feet, and I thought she had just the right amount of pluck. The overall goal of finding Fergus' father became a bit lost in the unfolding romance and the end was rushed into an unsatisfactorily convenient conclusion. It sort of felt like the author had overlooked the overlaying political issues because she felt the love story was more important. The issue of the Scottish and English war over the fake King needed more exploration as it was such a driving factor to the emotions of the characters. An easy read with likeable characters. Rated 2.5
September 1, 2023
When I first started reading this book, I wasn't sure that I wanted to continue reading or not, but I am so glad that I did. This book turned out to be an interesting play on Scottish history with a family legend and family secrets thrown in. All is not as it seems, and I was surprised by some of the outcomes. I challenge you to read about the Adventurer and learn how he came to be and why he is and also what type of woman might be able to capture his heart. One thing I did struggle with was all the phrases in Gallic. I would have liked to have a glossary included.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 22, 2015
This is the second in a trilogy. Each can be read as a stand alone. They are written with skill, research and a light dusting of humor. The hero was delightful, loyal to country and kin, tender, and kind. I'd like to meet someone like him, someday (soon) The heroine was sweet, kind, generous, and a little unsure of herself. These two deserved to find each other. No need to be embarrassed to be caught reading this in public or by your family. Thank you Ms Reding for writing nice, truly romantic books, that I can happily share with my mom.
August 18, 2023
An enchanting story in which a mysterious stranger gives a legendary stone to a beautiful English heroine, who is abducted on the high seas by Scottish pirates and taken to a remote castle where she is held captive by a highland ruffian. Except that nothing is quite as it first seems...A great option for anyone looking to curl up with a good romantic novel to escape the here and now.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 23, 2023
This was a wonderful book! Interesting characters with a touch of whimsy. Bella and Callum’s story makes you want to know more about both of their families. Colorful characters to follow, each with their own history to learn about. I read a lot of books and don’t always get excited to return to the story when I have to put it down but really did with this one!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 5, 2012
An ancient crystal falls in the hands of Isabella Drayton. In an attempt to return this stone she lands in the center of a band of pirates led by Calum Mackay.
Nice characters and the plot moved along. Ending was quite unbelievable.
Nice characters and the plot moved along. Ending was quite unbelievable.
May 28, 2024
Another wonderful story!
What a great sequel! Couldn't put this story down once I started it, highly recommend, can't wait for the next Jaclyn Reading book!
Mystery, suspense it has it all and many twist, all in all a great story!
What a great sequel! Couldn't put this story down once I started it, highly recommend, can't wait for the next Jaclyn Reading book!
Mystery, suspense it has it all and many twist, all in all a great story!
May 24, 2022
This is my first book by this author. This book is part of a series, and unfortunately, I didn't read the book before it. Maybe if I had, I would have enjoyed this one better.
July 27, 2011
Fun, romantic reading. This second book in the series is just as good as the first. Easy read.
March 18, 2013
Una historia nada sorprendente.
September 29, 2024
Scottish Pirates
Adventure, love, redemption, magic, a lost treasure, Scotland, and pirates! This is the perfect book to vicariously live out a Scottish fantasy!
Adventure, love, redemption, magic, a lost treasure, Scotland, and pirates! This is the perfect book to vicariously live out a Scottish fantasy!
October 2, 2024
Wild tales of a Scottish Pirate! Are they true!
Callum and Alec are twins, separated at a young age. Then the Jacobite Rebellion pits two nations and families against each other!
Callum and Alec are twins, separated at a young age. Then the Jacobite Rebellion pits two nations and families against each other!
March 17, 2025
Bella's story
Excellent story. I truly enjoyed this book, loved it from beginning to the end. Hopefully there's a third book.😍 Enjoy
Excellent story. I truly enjoyed this book, loved it from beginning to the end. Hopefully there's a third book.😍 Enjoy
November 6, 2011
A nicely paced romance that was actually fairly interesting. =)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews