The Highwayman

by Doreen Owens Malek

THE NOBLEWOMAN AND THE IRISH PATRIOT

It was a bold and perilous plan—disguising herself as a boy and stealing aboard a ship bound for the far-off shores of Ireland. But from the moment orphaned Lady Alexandra Cummings arrived at besieged Inverary Castle, her life and heart were no longer her own. Captured by rugged Irish rebel Kevin Burke, the daring English noblewoman became a pawn in a dangerous game of treachery and betrayal.

For she lost her heart to the one man she dared not trust, and her passion could not be swayed by reason. But cruel fate tragically plunged Kevin into exile and Alexandra into a loveless marriage. Enemies and lovers, their forbidden desires swept them across a divided realm. A man and a woman bound together pledged their lives toward liberty and love.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Ireland, Historical Fiction, Historical, Enemies To Lovers, Adult

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

aka Faye Morgan

{From Amazon} "I am Doreen Owens Malek, author of over forty books and lifelong fan of romantic fiction. I live in PA with my husband and college student daughter, a mini dachshund and a sun conyer parrot. I would like to tell you a little about myself.

I came to writing by a circuitous route, starting out as an avid reader of JANE EYRE and WUTHERING HEIGHTS and GONE WITH THE WIND and REBECCA and any other similarly themed books I could find. I first worked as a teacher and then graduated from law school when I desired a more lucrative and independent career. I had always been discouraged from pursuing a writing career by the volatile nature of the business and the relatively poor chance for success. But the realization that I needed a focus for the future encouraged me to do what I had always wanted to do. I sold my fledgling novel to the first editor who read it, and I have been writing ever since. I have written all types of books for all types of people, but my favorite literary pursuit is and always has been romance. Nothing is as rewarding as hearing from my readers, so please use my website to communicate your thoughts and criticisms, as I am always eager to learn from you.

A romance novel rarely disappoints me: in an uncertain world filled with tragedy and sadness, reading about an appealing woman finding a strong man to love her and share her life is the perfect escape. I like to read and write stories in which the main characters overcome obstacles to get together, and then stay together because their mutual devotion cannot be denied no matter what else is happening around them. They always HELP each other and reinforce the quaint but enduring notion that love conquers all - at least in the fictional universe of my imagination. So pull up a chair and take down a book- or pick up a Kindle- and join me in a world where the heroes are tough and headstrong but never boorish and the heroines are feminine and sympathetic but never helpless."

Reviews

[Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright, let's be honest here.

This is a cute and fluffy historical romance that gives us the ridiculous fairytale romance of our dreams wherein the English lady is romanced by the charming Irish rogue and they fall madly in love despite their differences in station and the war going on between their two countries.

It's Disney's Pocahontas. It's Romeo and Juliet. It's every story you've heard about star crossed lovers.

The language was stilted and awkward, trying too hard to be Shakespeare. Burke, the main guy, could have been lifted and transplanted into any historical romance. Alexandra was the definition of a helpless heroine.

But this wasn't terrible. It's just not something I'm going to be writing a full review for or revisiting in the future.

[Pat aka Tygyr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandra is a bright and impulsive young woman. Her uncle is her ward and he plans to put her in a convent while he goes to fight in Ireland for the Queen of England. Alex decides she won't go to the convent. She hides out on board the ship and when she is found it is too late to take her back. They are made welcome in Ireland by the Lord of the castle where they are staying. His late wife was about Alex's size and she wears her clothes. Alex cannot see the reasons for all the rules she is given, especially the one where she must stay inside the castle grounds. One day she walks outside the gates and she is captured by the Irish rebels. Kevin is their leader. He plans to exchange her for his imprisoned brother. Months pass and there is no word of an exchange. Kevin saves her from rape by another marauding Irish clan. Alex saves Kevin from an infection and high fever, thereby earning the respect of his people. One night they decide to make love for the first time and go away from camp. The next morning the exchange is finally set up. Kevin cannot leave her alone. He sneaks into the castle and is imprisoned. She finally leaves Ireland to try and save him. She is carrying his child. Her uncle finds an elderly Lord to marry her. He is kind and says he will not be intimate with her. He has his heirs. But she and her child will be taken care of. Kevin fights his way to England to see her. Learns of the baby and stays on to work in the stable. Alex will not betray her kindly husband even though he is far away. After she gives birth to a son, she is called to court by the Queen. Kevin insists on following her. At court he is recognized as a deserter from the Navy and as the leader of the Irish Rebels. The Queen has him arrested. Alex tells the Queen all. Though the Queen is a romantic at heart, can she forgive Alexandra's lies? Her indecent behavior? A truce exists between the English and Irish, will the Queen risk that Truce to punish Kevin? Will there ever be a time where Alex and Kevin can live together and raise their son?

[Sandra Dagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this, although it's the second time I've read it in the last year or so. I hadn't reviewed it, so wanted to be sure of my thoughts before posting. Have to say I enjoyed it as much the second time around, and would definitely read it again. I love historical romance, and I love happy endings, so for me it was perfect. The hero and heroine were very realistically portrayed, at least to me. The interaction with Queen Elizabeth I was very cool, made her seem like more than a history book character. I guess it's not what you'd call a deep read, but I'm not into those, I like my books just as this one was, romantic with a touch of suspense, and some adventure. Would definitely recommend!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

More gym reading. I got this one either cheap or free when I first got the Kindle. I'm trying to through some of those earlier ones and most of them are light for gym reading.

This one, unlike most of the free books I've gotten from Kindle, was pretty good. I enjoyed the story and liked both of the main characters well enough, though I never loved them. I enjoyed seeing the interactions with Elizabeth too. Most of the historical romance fiction I've read, you don't get real figures from history showing up, so it was nice to read about. It definitely kept me entertained.

[Janet L. Hage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish rebellion, romance, Queen Elizabeth

Alex refused to be left in England in a monastery while her guardian uncle went to war in Ireland. Alexander is never known for doing what she is told to do. She meets up with Kevin Burke and maybe just maybe Queen Elizabeth can put the world back together again. Clever plot and will developed characterization, this is a must read for period romance fans. Adult readers due to sexual and violent content.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read This author's book on WWII and gave it five stars. This was a alright read but did not hold my interest as the other book did. The heroine is escaping from her uncle who plans to place her in a convent while he goes off to fight. She is captured by an Irish rebel. This was a good read but not near so much as the first book of hers I read, "Clash by Night" which I absolutely loved.

[LadyCalico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one very entertaining, well-written little swashbuckler with great characters and enough action to satisfy even me. No dull spots just a lot of adventure and romance from beginning to end. Plan on reading it in one night because it is hard to put down.

[Kasey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good historical romance novel. A quick read, but holds your attention realatively well. You end up rooting for the characters through every cliched, contrived twist. Not worth buying, but worth picking up from the library and reading on a rainy day. Ages 18+

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how the title fit in with the plot line, although one character did mention that Kevin was nothing more than a highwayman. The story idea was very good although the plot and character development were not very strong

[Andrea Oelhafen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this historical romance novel. It was the perfect read that you can get through fast but is a delight to read!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of this story were fairly good but the heroine is one of those TSTL characters that you really want to shake some sense into but instead end up throwing your kindle across the room.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I loved this book it has great characters that stood for what they felt was just I would recommend this book

[Velvetink]

kindle

[Marlo Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Highwayman by Doreen Owens Malek

Excellent ebook and I would recommend this book to one and all I give this ebook five stars 5 stars