Highlander

Highlander Forbidden Fantasy #1

by Cathleen Ross

Highlander is the first of the Forbidden Fantasy stories by best-selling writer, Cathleen Ross. It is a 10,000 word erotic romance set in Scotland. When Sir James Bruce conquers enemy territory, his reward is the hand of beautiful virgin, Lady Isobel McLaird. Although Isobel has no intention of marrying Sir James, he is determined to change her mind by taming her to his touch. Only James has the power to save her imprisoned brother and the stubborn tenacity to win her heart.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Novella, Adult, Erotica, Erotic Romance

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2011

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a steamy, sexy, fast read. I enjoyed it. It had enough of a plot to make it interesting even though it's a short story. I liked both the hero and the heroine and I would read more books from this author. Best of all this book is free on Amazon. I don't know how long it will be free so get it while the getting is good. Here is the link

https://www.amazon.com/Highlander-For...

[Jen - Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first part of a fabulous series. Set in the Scottish highlands, this short erotic historical has everything I'm looking for in a romance book. Both hero and heroine are great. The way the hero speaks to the heroine, the things he says, made my hair stand on end - in the good way!
This book is followed by Highlander In Her Bed which is also a great read. The stories have an overlap period which was really interesting and I liked the way the author made this happen. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start to the Series!

This was very very good. I can’t wait to read the next book. I loved the characters and storyline so far. On to a new Alisa Adams book then back to Forbidden Fantasy #2. 💜💜💜💜💜🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😊😊😊😊😊

[Reading Fanatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a yummy little read. It's the second book in the "Forbidden Fantasy" series, but even though it's the second book, based on the story I assume it's a prequel to book 1? Not sure about that, but in any event, book 1 is, Highlander in her Bed, and book 3 is, In Her Wild Highlander's Bed. Both of those stories are also novellas, although quite a bit longer than this one. I was in the mood for something short and sweet, and this novella hit the spot. Not only is it short and sweet, it's also extremely sensual. The story is only about twenty-six pages, so you really need to manage your expectations before you begin reading it. As you might expect with a book this short, the story moves at a really quick pace, and there isn't a whole lot of character development. Nonetheless, Ms. Ross created characters that were both likeable and relatable, and when I was done reading it I was extremely satisfied.

James and Isobel are members of enemy families...they are each related to, and back opposing contenders for the Scottish throne. You can't get more enmity than that! Nevertheless, ever since he first laid eyes on Isobel, James has been intent on claiming her as his own, even though he doesn't think his desire has even the remotest chance of being fulfilled. But now, three years later, James sees his chance and grabs it. Nothing will stand in his way of claiming the woman who has entranced him from the very first!

But, before he can claim his heart's desire, James must overcome the stubborn Isobel's reservations...his plan? Tame her to his touch! LOL I loved the interactions between Isobel and James. Because the story is really short the romance moved at a lightening quick pace, yet Ms. Ross managed to convince me that the couple's love for one another was genuine. This short story was super sweet and super duper sensual...not clean, a little graphic, but not crude. I loved it and highly recommend it! If I could I would rate it 4 1/2 stars. Enjoy!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlander is for people who...

...like their men big and brawny.
...enjoy a sexy historical romp.
...like seeing an innocent young thing discover her sexual side.
...just like highlanders in any shape and form.

This one was sexy, don't get me wrong, but it was more romantic-sexy than erotica-sexy. WHICH IS A NICE CHANGE CONSIDERING ALL THE EROTICA-SEXY I'VE BEEN READING TODAY! Also, Highlanders!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Patricia Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for stories of gorgeous Scots in kilts, so I found Highlander an greatly enjoyable read. Highlander has a dash of the period politics of Braveheart and a sassy heroine reminiscent of the Taming of the Shrew. Add in the flair of a contemporary voice along with a HOT romance and you have entertaining fun.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few steamy episodes between two people on opposite sides of the battle. The marriage is an "alliance." But from the start there is a strong connection with a "love(lust) at first sight" between the main characters. Good read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a failed uprising, Highlander James arrives to make Isobel´s father sign the treaty. As part of the bargain, she is to wed him.
Conflicted feelings, Higlanders and smutty fluff in a very quick read.

[Kandy Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very sexy--romantic, too!

[Jennie Brumley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sizzling hot kisses and that bathing scene...?! Oh my...

[S.E. Gilchrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful historical story by Ms Ross with plenty of heat and lovely characters.

[Meiwilli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Enjoyable and straight to the meat and potatoes without the appetizer! The only thing missing for me was that wonderful Scottish brogue! Love those Highland men!

[A.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really hard to read; it’s the purple prose. I get that it is supposed to sound Scottish and old timey but … och my poor wee pony got mounted by a beastly stallion ugh. And the heroine keeps wailing and saying dumb things that annoy everyone (including me). Your father CAN make you marry him. He CAN marry you or ‘bed’ you right now. He CAN do it in the open and no one would stop him. He could even make you marry a proxy and have you sent for, rather than show up himself. Plus, she has the ‘oooh I liked that but no, I shouldn’t’ thing going on, and it’s giving me whiplash. At the very least, it’d be strategic to marry him to be able to see your brother and make sure he’s okay. Or marry him and try to kill him for the cause. [no, brain…]
The storyline is really muddled. There’s an earlier scene where he either saw her in the river, or kissed her there. I can’t work it out. If she fell in love with him then, it’d be more significant. I shouldn’t be this confused in a short story.
So he sets out to seduce her, (in one day) and gives her an orgasm in the bath and THEN she thinks she’s wants him but she’s a ‘slave to pleasure’. See… whiplash.
‘My brother is dying in a cell’… is he? Why haven’t you asked to just see him before the wedding? That’d be sensible. Oh wait, he’s at the wedding; dressed, healed of his wounds, and ready to give you away. Gosh.
2 stars

[Genevieve Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is just what I was looking for ... a short but steamy read with enough of a plot to let me feel like I'm actually reading a story and not just some smut.

There was a failed uprising and the Highlander some to have Isobel's father sign a treaty. But part of that treaty includes Isobel marrying James as an alliance. Isobel can't deny that just the sight of James stirs something inside of her, but she also know that he's from 'the other side.'

There's lots of lust from both parties and the fulfillment of their desires is nicely X rated.

Great short read.

[T. Rosado · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I really liked the plot of the story and the writing style. Due to it being a short story the romance moves at a very fast clip, therefore I won't complain about the insta-love aspect. I really enjoyed the character arc of the hero and felt like this could have made for an amazing enemies-to-love full length historical romance. Overall, this was nice peek into this author's writing style and I wouldn't hesitate in trying out her full-length stories.

[Eleni Konstantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A quick sensual read of enemies-to-lovers set in the time of Robert the Bruce. Well written, the story flowed drawing the reader in to the heroine’s dilemma.

Disclaimer: while I know the author personally, this doesn’t affect the star rating.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...

A short yet sweet story. I'm glad to have read this story. I'm going to get more by this author.

[BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute 😉

[maureen Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this little book.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good short story. Enjoyable. Will read more by this author

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possession

Sir James Bruce saw Isobel McLaird and wanted her, he had to have her and he got what he wanted and he married her.

[Elizabeth Bennet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a freebie so I thought it was worth trying out as this is a new author to me. Sometimes you just want short and sweet. That's what I got with this book. Keep in mind there are only 26 pages so things are not going to be drawn out and you will not have to wait for long before the I love you's to start. Isobel struggles with the loss of her twin brother, David, when she learns the man responsible has come back to claim her as his war prize. Questions fill her mind when she reacts to him. The biggest one being," can she forgive Sir James for taking her brother?"

I enjoyed this little tidbit of a story and have to say it's got me curious what a full length story from this author would be like. I am not a big fan of novella's but have learned that sometimes you just want to cut to the chase. LOL! Happy reading!

[Ann Unger]

loved it

[Kelly Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

20 pages! Unfortunately not really enough to get into anything... it's like a commercial or a really long paragraph... those 20 pages were well written but come on, how about a real novel.

[Willow Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly short book so it gets right to the well- coupling... without much of anything else. The story line is muddled so other than some sex the story is pretty flat.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will see

I would like to have more to read at the start to readily get to know the theme but many that is what it was suppose to do draw you in and save the very best for next

[Roxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Book 1

Book 1 was really engaging and enjoyable. I will definitely look forward to reading more of Cathleen Ross's books very soon.

[Monique V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short but enjoyable. Instalovy but i still liked it.

[Angie Peoples · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short story; however, I wish it had been a full book instead. I liked the characters and loved the romance between the main characters. I just wish there was more to it.

[d/c frudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Could not put it down till I had completely read the book kept me gripped to the end and have now downloaded book 2 .