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The MacGregors #6-6.5
Weihnachten bei den MacGregors - Wie alles begann
Für Schottland und die Liebe
Eiskalt tobt der Wind über die Highlands, doch in Serena MacGregor brennt das heiße Feuer des Hasses. Sie hat Rache gegen die Engländer geschworen, die ihr die Mutter genommen haben – bis ihre Familie Brigham Langston Ashburn beherbergen muss. Wie kann es sein, dass dieser charmante Mann, der doch ihr Todfeind sein müsste, in ihr eine unbezähmbare Sehnsucht nach Liebe weckt?
Vom Schicksal besiegelt
Massachusetts, 1773: Tief verschneit sind die Wälder, und Weihnachten steht vor der Tür, als Allana in ihrer Scheune einen schwer verletzten Mann entdeckt. Seine Schusswunde spricht von einer blutigen Auseinandersetzung mit den Engländern. Aber sein süßer Kuss verrät der jungen Witwe, dass das Fest der Liebe naht – wenn sie den Mut hat, sich zu ihm, dem Schotten Ian MacGregor, zu bekennen.
Eiskalt tobt der Wind über die Highlands, doch in Serena MacGregor brennt das heiße Feuer des Hasses. Sie hat Rache gegen die Engländer geschworen, die ihr die Mutter genommen haben – bis ihre Familie Brigham Langston Ashburn beherbergen muss. Wie kann es sein, dass dieser charmante Mann, der doch ihr Todfeind sein müsste, in ihr eine unbezähmbare Sehnsucht nach Liebe weckt?
Vom Schicksal besiegelt
Massachusetts, 1773: Tief verschneit sind die Wälder, und Weihnachten steht vor der Tür, als Allana in ihrer Scheune einen schwer verletzten Mann entdeckt. Seine Schusswunde spricht von einer blutigen Auseinandersetzung mit den Engländern. Aber sein süßer Kuss verrät der jungen Witwe, dass das Fest der Liebe naht – wenn sie den Mut hat, sich zu ihm, dem Schotten Ian MacGregor, zu bekennen.
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
346 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.7k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 2, 2021
A novel, Rebellion, set in 18th century Scotland, that culminates in the infamous Battle of Culloden. Also a novella, In From The Cold, set in America in the next generation, where some of the MacGregor descendants have emigrated to make a new life in the New World.
Both clearly focus on a love story, with historical events forming a backdrop, which is how I usually like my historical romance reads. These two were both a bit lacking, however. Admittedly, Rebellion was first published in 1988, and In From The Cold in 1990. Unsurprisingly, they were pretty old-school and heavy handed in the writing style. A bit too predictable and cheesy. Still, there's a certain level of enjoyment in the cheesiness, I suppose.
I read the whole MacGregor series some years ago and plan to try reading them again, so these prequels are getting me in the zone. Not sure whether I'll last the whole series out, but we'll see.
Both clearly focus on a love story, with historical events forming a backdrop, which is how I usually like my historical romance reads. These two were both a bit lacking, however. Admittedly, Rebellion was first published in 1988, and In From The Cold in 1990. Unsurprisingly, they were pretty old-school and heavy handed in the writing style. A bit too predictable and cheesy. Still, there's a certain level of enjoyment in the cheesiness, I suppose.
I read the whole MacGregor series some years ago and plan to try reading them again, so these prequels are getting me in the zone. Not sure whether I'll last the whole series out, but we'll see.
January 14, 2020
A very quick romance read. Early Christmas reading for 2020. Entertaining but needed to skip over a lot of predictable plot. Better reads by Gabaldon with more depth of history.
December 22, 2020
It was what it was!
I loved Serena and Brigham and their whole enemies to lovers thing but I found pacing a bit hard to follow as time clearly jumped but it was rarely addressed.
I also was under the impression that there would be more to do with Christmas in Rebellion considering the marketing of this but that definitely was not the case.
All in all it was fine.
I loved Serena and Brigham and their whole enemies to lovers thing but I found pacing a bit hard to follow as time clearly jumped but it was rarely addressed.
I also was under the impression that there would be more to do with Christmas in Rebellion considering the marketing of this but that definitely was not the case.
All in all it was fine.
September 28, 2024
Did not finish. I don't know what it is with Nora Roberts, but somehow every book she writes bums me out. The sex scenes are always like wrestling matches, the hero is an arrogant jerk, and the heroine is always fiery and panting and snarling like a wild cat. I get that it's supposed to be passionate. But it just feels like arguing to me.
September 9, 2025
Unfortunately i’m very biased towards this series. As my first Nora novel, i’ve loved it and i don’t think i will ever strongly dislike the MacGregors, however you can’t unsee the problematic parts of the book. 5 stars solely for nostalgia
dnf
December 16, 2020I read about 80 pages and wasn’t really that in to it, so I decided to not finish
December 2, 2023
Always love getting lost in a Christmas story and revisiting the MacGregor Clan.
The political passion of a true Scotsman takes you back in history with a romance thrown in.
Loved your books for years now, especially the MacGregor's.
Highly recommended 👌
The political passion of a true Scotsman takes you back in history with a romance thrown in.
Loved your books for years now, especially the MacGregor's.
Highly recommended 👌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
I have been reading The MacGregors. This book here takes you back to the beginning and its really good.
October 1, 2024
Voor wat de hele serie betreft: heel veel van hetzelfde. Tamelijk saai.
January 22, 2022
Absolutely awful. But everything awful about it seems to be very common in every adult romance I've ever read, so if you like romance you will probably think this is fine.
So the villain, sorry: male romantic lead, starts off both stories by sexually assaulting the female lead. Which is obviously very romantic. "No" does not in fact mean no apparently, according to Nora Roberts. More romance ensues, from the male lead blaming the female lead for his assaulting her, the male lead thinking maybe he shouldn't be doing what he is doing because her male relatives may get upset (the fact that she is already upset is obviously irrelevant, she's a woman). The male lead physically harming the female lead when he gets angry: "He grabbed her again, fingers that had been so gentle the night before, bruising". Women are constantly being described as weak and unable to get anything done other than talk. Multiple times throughout the book the female lead is described as being too weak to hold a sword, but her 11 year old brother (who is smaller than her), is basically a man and therefore somehow stronger? And a father slaps his daughter's ass.
Gross. Sorry, sorry, I mean romantic. 10/10
Also, anyone who excuses all the awfulness above by stating this is historical fiction: I had none of these issues with Jane Austen (who lived and wrote during a similar time period). And also, this is fiction. If you need to change the facts to make your romance not abusive and awful to read, then you should do so.
So the villain, sorry: male romantic lead, starts off both stories by sexually assaulting the female lead. Which is obviously very romantic. "No" does not in fact mean no apparently, according to Nora Roberts. More romance ensues, from the male lead blaming the female lead for his assaulting her, the male lead thinking maybe he shouldn't be doing what he is doing because her male relatives may get upset (the fact that she is already upset is obviously irrelevant, she's a woman). The male lead physically harming the female lead when he gets angry: "He grabbed her again, fingers that had been so gentle the night before, bruising". Women are constantly being described as weak and unable to get anything done other than talk. Multiple times throughout the book the female lead is described as being too weak to hold a sword, but her 11 year old brother (who is smaller than her), is basically a man and therefore somehow stronger? And a father slaps his daughter's ass.
Gross. Sorry, sorry, I mean romantic. 10/10
Also, anyone who excuses all the awfulness above by stating this is historical fiction: I had none of these issues with Jane Austen (who lived and wrote during a similar time period). And also, this is fiction. If you need to change the facts to make your romance not abusive and awful to read, then you should do so.
March 9, 2024
« L'honneur du Highlander » is a 2-in-1 book of a duology with a main novel span on the ¾ of it, and a much shorter sequel set thirty years later, following the heroine's nephew. Though, the book could totally have done well without that part...
... especially as the first one is excellent. Brigham, a jacobite englishman, goes to his ancestor's scottish lands with his best friend to organize the rebellion against the king George. The family welcomes him... except Serena, who puts all englishmen in the same basket. Even if Brig isn't disagreeable to look at. Nora Roberts takes her time to set her plot and characters. The first half of the story focuses on romance and Serena's struggles with this much embarrassing attraction. Brigham is patient and understanding, even when Serena insults him, often when he doesn't deserves it, but never without logic towards her personality and past. Aside from them, we meet plenty of other characters with their own lives (family, servants...) and even get a few sub-romances. They are even more important considering in the second half, the main romance, more or less settled, is shadowed by... war. That's when the pace slows down a bit. The political chit-chat takes ages, but when things moves, it's only quickly summed up. The goal is mostly to put the characters in a point-of-no-return situation. If there is a happy end like as in every good romance, it's not an ideal one. Character's lives are definitely shaken and not everyone will make it. Until the end, we ignore who will survive or not and the author perfectly keeps tension. Despite the little slow parts, « Rebellion » offers a deeper plot than usual and is a delight to read from the first to its last, 334th page. (8/10)
... We can't say the same about « In From the Cold », focusing on Ian, Coll's son and Serena's nephew. Sadly, Ian didn't inherited his father's goofiness with women nor his respectful attitude. We basically spend 120 pages looking at him harassing an Alanna who, though finding him attractive, is repelled by his behavior. WHO WOULDN'T BE ?! The only point in this short novel is to discover what the characters from « Rebellion » became thirty years later and get a glimpse of what awaits them, but it's definitely not a romantic read . (4/10)
The second novel really damages the positive rating of the whole book. However, considering its short lenght compared to the first one, I can't just put an average, middle-rating. And « Rebellion » really deserves love, so it's a 7/10.
As Goodreads don't takes half-stars, it'll, logically, be rounded down to 3 stars.
... especially as the first one is excellent. Brigham, a jacobite englishman, goes to his ancestor's scottish lands with his best friend to organize the rebellion against the king George. The family welcomes him... except Serena, who puts all englishmen in the same basket. Even if Brig isn't disagreeable to look at. Nora Roberts takes her time to set her plot and characters. The first half of the story focuses on romance and Serena's struggles with this much embarrassing attraction. Brigham is patient and understanding, even when Serena insults him, often when he doesn't deserves it, but never without logic towards her personality and past. Aside from them, we meet plenty of other characters with their own lives (family, servants...) and even get a few sub-romances. They are even more important considering in the second half, the main romance, more or less settled, is shadowed by... war. That's when the pace slows down a bit. The political chit-chat takes ages, but when things moves, it's only quickly summed up. The goal is mostly to put the characters in a point-of-no-return situation. If there is a happy end like as in every good romance, it's not an ideal one. Character's lives are definitely shaken and not everyone will make it. Until the end, we ignore who will survive or not and the author perfectly keeps tension. Despite the little slow parts, « Rebellion » offers a deeper plot than usual and is a delight to read from the first to its last, 334th page. (8/10)
... We can't say the same about « In From the Cold », focusing on Ian, Coll's son and Serena's nephew. Sadly, Ian didn't inherited his father's goofiness with women nor his respectful attitude. We basically spend 120 pages looking at him harassing an Alanna who, though finding him attractive, is repelled by his behavior. WHO WOULDN'T BE ?! The only point in this short novel is to discover what the characters from « Rebellion » became thirty years later and get a glimpse of what awaits them, but it's definitely not a romantic read . (4/10)
The second novel really damages the positive rating of the whole book. However, considering its short lenght compared to the first one, I can't just put an average, middle-rating. And « Rebellion » really deserves love, so it's a 7/10.
As Goodreads don't takes half-stars, it'll, logically, be rounded down to 3 stars.
December 2, 2017
Für Schottland und die Liebe
Die Liebesgeschichte von Serena und Brigham hat mir gut gefallen. Beide sind sehr willensstarke Charaktere, die alles mit großer Intensität empfinden - sei es Liebe oder Hass. Serena muss feststellen, dass diese beiden Emotionen einander wirklich nahe liegen, als aus ihrem brennenden Hass auf alle Engländer Liebe für einen ganz bestimmten Engländer, nämlich Brigham, wird, egal, wie sehr sie sich dagegen wehrt. Ihr Gefühlschaos war gut dargestellt und die Auseinandersetzungen der Protagonisten, die beide unbedingt ihren Kopf durchsetzen wollen, waren unterhaltsam. Andererseits haben mir die Momente, in denen sie ihre Gefühle füreinander ausgedrückt haben, viel besser gefallen. Am Anfang hatte ich mit beiden Protagonisten ein paar Schwierigkeiten, weil sie im Umgang miteinander nicht gerade zimperlich sind, doch später hat mir ihre Romanze sehr zugesagt und ich fand, dass die beiden gut zusammen passen.
Besonders mochte ich, dass der historische Hintergrund sehr bedeutsam war, da der Kampf der Stuarts um 'ihre' Krone eine wichtige Rolle für die Geschichte spielt. Die Kämpfe der Schotten gegen die Engländer sind sehr lebendig und spannend dargestellt und mir hat sehr gefallen, wie die Charaktere in die Vorkommnisse involviert waren.
3,5/5 Sternen
___________________
Vom Schicksal besiegelt
Auch die Geschichte von Alanna und Ian hat mir ziemlich gut gefallen. Die Chemie zwischen ihnen stimmt von Anfang an und wie schon die Charaktere in der ersten Erzählung können die beiden sich sehr gut streiten, aber auch wieder versöhnen. Normalerweise stört es mich in Liebesromanen nicht, wenn Gefühle sehr schnell entstehen, nur hier hatte ich den Eindruck, dass die Protagonisten zu wenig Zeit miteinander verbracht haben, um wirklich so tiefe Gefühle füreinander haben zu können. Das fand ich schade, da die beiden an sich gut zusammenpassen und ich ihnen später abgenommen habe, dass sie einander tatsächlich lieben, nur ging es eben ein bisschen zu schnell. Nichtsdestotrotz fand ich die romantischen Momente zwischen ihnen schön.
Ich mochte, dass Serena und Brigham hier wieder eine Rolle spielten und man mehr über ihr gemeinsames Leben erfahren hat, und mir hat gefallen, dass in diesem Teil ebenfalls eine Rebellion entscheidend war und es einige Parallelen zwischen den beiden Geschichten gab. Dazu kommt, dass die Autorin die winterliche Stimmung sehr gut beschreibt, aber Weihnachten war nicht ganz so bedeutsam, wie ich es aufgrund des Titels erwartet hätte.
3,5/5 Sternen
Die Liebesgeschichte von Serena und Brigham hat mir gut gefallen. Beide sind sehr willensstarke Charaktere, die alles mit großer Intensität empfinden - sei es Liebe oder Hass. Serena muss feststellen, dass diese beiden Emotionen einander wirklich nahe liegen, als aus ihrem brennenden Hass auf alle Engländer Liebe für einen ganz bestimmten Engländer, nämlich Brigham, wird, egal, wie sehr sie sich dagegen wehrt. Ihr Gefühlschaos war gut dargestellt und die Auseinandersetzungen der Protagonisten, die beide unbedingt ihren Kopf durchsetzen wollen, waren unterhaltsam. Andererseits haben mir die Momente, in denen sie ihre Gefühle füreinander ausgedrückt haben, viel besser gefallen. Am Anfang hatte ich mit beiden Protagonisten ein paar Schwierigkeiten, weil sie im Umgang miteinander nicht gerade zimperlich sind, doch später hat mir ihre Romanze sehr zugesagt und ich fand, dass die beiden gut zusammen passen.
Besonders mochte ich, dass der historische Hintergrund sehr bedeutsam war, da der Kampf der Stuarts um 'ihre' Krone eine wichtige Rolle für die Geschichte spielt. Die Kämpfe der Schotten gegen die Engländer sind sehr lebendig und spannend dargestellt und mir hat sehr gefallen, wie die Charaktere in die Vorkommnisse involviert waren.
3,5/5 Sternen
___________________
Vom Schicksal besiegelt
Auch die Geschichte von Alanna und Ian hat mir ziemlich gut gefallen. Die Chemie zwischen ihnen stimmt von Anfang an und wie schon die Charaktere in der ersten Erzählung können die beiden sich sehr gut streiten, aber auch wieder versöhnen. Normalerweise stört es mich in Liebesromanen nicht, wenn Gefühle sehr schnell entstehen, nur hier hatte ich den Eindruck, dass die Protagonisten zu wenig Zeit miteinander verbracht haben, um wirklich so tiefe Gefühle füreinander haben zu können. Das fand ich schade, da die beiden an sich gut zusammenpassen und ich ihnen später abgenommen habe, dass sie einander tatsächlich lieben, nur ging es eben ein bisschen zu schnell. Nichtsdestotrotz fand ich die romantischen Momente zwischen ihnen schön.
Ich mochte, dass Serena und Brigham hier wieder eine Rolle spielten und man mehr über ihr gemeinsames Leben erfahren hat, und mir hat gefallen, dass in diesem Teil ebenfalls eine Rebellion entscheidend war und es einige Parallelen zwischen den beiden Geschichten gab. Dazu kommt, dass die Autorin die winterliche Stimmung sehr gut beschreibt, aber Weihnachten war nicht ganz so bedeutsam, wie ich es aufgrund des Titels erwartet hätte.
3,5/5 Sternen
February 1, 2015
Fantasy
Learned A lot about Scott's history interesting to learn about the beginning of the McGregors love reading and rereading these books
Learned A lot about Scott's history interesting to learn about the beginning of the McGregors love reading and rereading these books
December 12, 2019
A MacGregor Christmas by Nora Roberts consists of two previously published books by Nora Roberts: Rebellion (1988) and In from the Cold (1990) tied together by some of the characters who appear in both books although the first takes place in 1745 and the second in 1774. There is no Christmas scene in the first (300 of the 400 pages), but Christmas is prominent in the second. Although the dates and the settings of the two stories are different, the story line of both is identical. The first, Rebellion, takes place in Scotland when the Scots are trying to help Bonnie Prince Charlie return to his rightful throne. The second takes place in America with the Boston Tea Party and the first attempts of the Americans to get rid of the Hannover tyrants. Both are anti-English or at least anti-German-English rule. However history is only a background; both stories are romances.
In both a gorgeous shrewish hellcat is courted by a strong patriot who ignores her protests and declares he will marry her. Both women, Serena MacGregor in Rebellion and Alanna Flynn in In from the Cold, are not only violent shrews, but fierce lovers who give in to their lust while not thinking they must submit to the love of their respective men, Brigham Langston in Rebellion and Ian MacGregor in In from the Cold. Of course both do marry their respective men and live to have many children by them. The MacGregor clan lives on. In both the main plot is the long convoluted love-hate relationship between the couple. If you are interested in a Christmas story or a story connected with the history of either period, forget this book. If you want to read a story with violent women beating their determined partner with skillets and then smothering them in bed, this is your cup of tea. Both women are tomboys, hate society and manners, while their mates are wealthy pampering men. Really the plots of both are the same... a poor substitute for Taming of the Shrew.
In both a gorgeous shrewish hellcat is courted by a strong patriot who ignores her protests and declares he will marry her. Both women, Serena MacGregor in Rebellion and Alanna Flynn in In from the Cold, are not only violent shrews, but fierce lovers who give in to their lust while not thinking they must submit to the love of their respective men, Brigham Langston in Rebellion and Ian MacGregor in In from the Cold. Of course both do marry their respective men and live to have many children by them. The MacGregor clan lives on. In both the main plot is the long convoluted love-hate relationship between the couple. If you are interested in a Christmas story or a story connected with the history of either period, forget this book. If you want to read a story with violent women beating their determined partner with skillets and then smothering them in bed, this is your cup of tea. Both women are tomboys, hate society and manners, while their mates are wealthy pampering men. Really the plots of both are the same... a poor substitute for Taming of the Shrew.
October 20, 2021
Though the title and cover of this book make it sound like a Christmas book only about the last quarter of it takes place at Christmas time.
The first story or largest part of the book, called "Rebellion" is about the hopeful return of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the terrible battle that takes place at Culloden.
When Brigham Langston, an English aristocrat, brings Coll MacGregor home to Scotland, Coll is injured badly. Coll's sister, Serena, is there and though she takes Coll into her care along with her sister Gwen, the sparks fly between her and Langston. Both men came to be part of the Jacobite uprising, Langston though English was fighting to help the Scots. When sparks fly then turn into attraction, Serena is not willing to accept it but the inevitable happens.
The second story takes place in the Colonies as revolutionaries begin to fight the English.
Langston and Serena are now married with children. They also have nephew, Ian MacGregor living with them who was part of the Tea Party event in Boston Harbor. When he flees to safety he is shot in the shoulder and is nearly dead when he is found by Alanna Murphy, an Irish woman born in the Colonies. She saves his life as sparks fly between them. Alanna is determined to not love Ian and he is determined that she will.
While I liked the stories and the history I don't believe it can truly be called a Christmas book. I am making it part of my collection anyway.
The first story or largest part of the book, called "Rebellion" is about the hopeful return of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the terrible battle that takes place at Culloden.
When Brigham Langston, an English aristocrat, brings Coll MacGregor home to Scotland, Coll is injured badly. Coll's sister, Serena, is there and though she takes Coll into her care along with her sister Gwen, the sparks fly between her and Langston. Both men came to be part of the Jacobite uprising, Langston though English was fighting to help the Scots. When sparks fly then turn into attraction, Serena is not willing to accept it but the inevitable happens.
The second story takes place in the Colonies as revolutionaries begin to fight the English.
Langston and Serena are now married with children. They also have nephew, Ian MacGregor living with them who was part of the Tea Party event in Boston Harbor. When he flees to safety he is shot in the shoulder and is nearly dead when he is found by Alanna Murphy, an Irish woman born in the Colonies. She saves his life as sparks fly between them. Alanna is determined to not love Ian and he is determined that she will.
While I liked the stories and the history I don't believe it can truly be called a Christmas book. I am making it part of my collection anyway.
October 15, 2019
This beautifully written book contains two stories of the Macgregor family set in the 1700s. In rebellion the year is 1745. It focuses on the Macgregor clan in Scotland Ian and Fiona and their children Coll, Serena, Gwen and Malcolm. Serena hates the English because they attacked her mother when she was a child. She is fiercely independent and hotheaded and has no plans to tie herself down to any man but things change when her brother Coll returns home when his English friend Brigham lord of Ashburn. There is a chemistry between Serena and Brigham as they fight and struggle with their feelings. This a wonderful book to read with the drama of war throughout the book it makes the focus on family all that more important. I loved the fact that Serena's friend Maggie marries Coll and have a son named Ian after Coll deceased father who perishes in the war. I loved reading about Serena getting over past hurts and her character evolving throughout the book gets married to Brigham and has a son named Daniel after Brigham's father. This is a beautiful story about overcoming adversity, family, friends, hope, life and death. The ending was bittersweet. I loved Parkins he reminded me of Alfred Pennyworth and his wife Mrs Drummond this book is a definite must read
January 23, 2024
🌶️✨ Ignite your bookish passions with “A Macgregor Christmas” by Nora Roberts! 🔥 Dive into a world of rebellious love, winter passion, and historical heat! A Macgregor Christmas” by Nora Roberts—a sizzling concoction of historical romance, rebellious spirits, and winter passion! 🔥✨
In “Rebellion,” 1745 Scotland sets the stage ablaze with Serena MacGregor, a fiery lass, and Brigham Langston, an Englishman who’s about to learn that beneath the icy Scottish exterior lies a simmering desire. Sparks fly like snowflakes as they navigate love in a winter wonderland.
Fast forward to 1776 America in “In From the Cold,” where injured minuteman Ian MacGregor finds refuge in the cozy abode of the spirited Alanna Flynn. It’s not just the winter storm that’s brewing; it’s a storm of emotions, igniting a flame of love that warms even the coldest of nights.
Nora Roberts, the sorceress of storytelling, weaves a spellbinding tapestry of love against the backdrop of rebellion. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions, where passion is the antidote to winter’s chill, and love is the ultimate triumph. Get ready to be whisked away into a world where romance defies time and Christmas is a celebration of love, rebellion, and fiery kisses! 📖💋
In “Rebellion,” 1745 Scotland sets the stage ablaze with Serena MacGregor, a fiery lass, and Brigham Langston, an Englishman who’s about to learn that beneath the icy Scottish exterior lies a simmering desire. Sparks fly like snowflakes as they navigate love in a winter wonderland.
Fast forward to 1776 America in “In From the Cold,” where injured minuteman Ian MacGregor finds refuge in the cozy abode of the spirited Alanna Flynn. It’s not just the winter storm that’s brewing; it’s a storm of emotions, igniting a flame of love that warms even the coldest of nights.
Nora Roberts, the sorceress of storytelling, weaves a spellbinding tapestry of love against the backdrop of rebellion. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions, where passion is the antidote to winter’s chill, and love is the ultimate triumph. Get ready to be whisked away into a world where romance defies time and Christmas is a celebration of love, rebellion, and fiery kisses! 📖💋
November 23, 2019
Two stories in this book The first set in Scotland in the winter of 1745. The MacGregors are supporters of King Charles and Serena is the fiery daughter in the family with a strong will of her own and a hatred for the English. Serena's brother returns home with his friend Brigham who happens to be an English lord and the fireworks begin between Serena and Brigham Hatred turns into love but it is not an easy path.
Second story is set in America in 1776 with an injured minuteman Ian MacGregor a descendant of the Scottish MacGregor clan. Ian is badly injured and his horse leads him to the home of a young widow Alanna Flynn. Alanna nurses Ian back to health and he finds he is in another battle other than war as he falls in love with her.
Second story is set in America in 1776 with an injured minuteman Ian MacGregor a descendant of the Scottish MacGregor clan. Ian is badly injured and his horse leads him to the home of a young widow Alanna Flynn. Alanna nurses Ian back to health and he finds he is in another battle other than war as he falls in love with her.
January 3, 2021
A MacGregor Christmas is written by Nora Roberts. It is wonderful to revisit the MacGregor clan with Nora Roberts. She writes in such a clear and concise manner about adventures in Scotland in the 1700’s as if it were today. She makes you believe you are back there with the MacGregors in their castle and taming the area around them. The presence of the English is horrible to the MacGregors; but especially to Serena MacGregor. How could she be attracted to him? What will his presence mean to them? Nora Roberts capably guides you through the problems the English creates to the fearful first minutes of coming into direct contact with the enemy. The book is a must for those who love the MacGregors and Nora R oberts.
November 16, 2020
A MacGregor Christmas is two separate stories in one novel about the beginnings of the MacGregors and how they came to America. The first story, although set in Winter, has very little to do with Christmas and more to do with the history and romance of the Scottish clan during the rebellion and war of Culloden. In From the Cold is set in America some thirty years later during the Christmas season. It centers on the son of one of the main characters from the first story and his discovery of his true love and the battles facing a new America. Both stories are well written, entertaining and easily read with delightful characters.
December 22, 2025
I am not the target demographic for this book, but I appreciate what the author has done here. I will even forgive the slightly disingenuous title (Christmas doesn't turn up in the book until deep in the second of the two novellas) because the whole thing is so darn entertaining. The first story deals with the man who will become the father of the man in the second story, and both of them are apparently irresistible to women. Many bodices are ripped, and angry women finally succumb to love after declaring how much they hate the man they eventually fall for. Gentlemen, try some of these romantic tricks today and you'll wind up in jail or cancelled. Oh well. Merry Christmas!
December 6, 2021
The first book in this anthology is 300 pages long and is not about Christmas. It’s about the uprising and Culloden. I can’t help but think this book had to be part of Diana Gabaldon's inspiration for Outlander. It in an elusive Nora Roberts historical book, though, so I'm glad I read it.
The second book is around 105 pages and is about Christmas, but makes mention of the Hero's Aunt's Plantation. And they go to said plantation and now I'm not in the romance any more, I'm in a horror movie. SKIP IT.
The second book is around 105 pages and is about Christmas, but makes mention of the Hero's Aunt's Plantation. And they go to said plantation and now I'm not in the romance any more, I'm in a horror movie. SKIP IT.
January 16, 2021
Not sure why this was labeled a Christmass Anthology. The first story, which was about the Scottish rebellion, wasn't really a Christmas story. I like it, but I knew from the date what was going to happen right from the start, having read the Outlander series. With Serena's brother being left behind in Scotland, there's a big hole in the story.
The second story is a short one, but the romance of the story is a little rushed, but with a happy ending.
The second story is a short one, but the romance of the story is a little rushed, but with a happy ending.
May 19, 2024
In the MacGregor series, both of these books should be read as #1 & #2 in the series. These give way to the historical background between the Scots, English & Irish from the 1700's. With the repeated names of the offspring, it can be hard to keep it straight. The timeline at the opening was confusing as well. Rebellion was intense with historical look at wars between Scotland, England & eventually the states. Bravery, allegiances justice & love are heavily challenged. Good story, prefer to read a series in order, this does not follow the order assigned.
December 27, 2018
Für Schottland und die Liebe (4 Sterne):
Geschichten rund um Schottland können mich immer wieder begeistern und zu Tränen rühren. Die Liebesgeschichte sowie die entsprechenden historischen Details sind gut ausbalanciert und lassen einen durch die Seiten fliegen.
Vom Schicksal besiegelt (3 Sterne):
Leider bietet diese Geschichte nicht viel neues. Der historische Kontext ist zwar ein anderer -hier: amerikanischer Unabhängigkeitskrieg - jedoch sind sich die Personen der beiden Geschichten sehr ähnlich. Die Charaktereigenschaften und das Verhalten der jeweiligen weiblichen bzw. männlichen Protagonisten sind kaum zu unterscheiden. Dennoch ist es schön zu erfahren wie es mit Serena und Brigham weitergeht.
Geschichten rund um Schottland können mich immer wieder begeistern und zu Tränen rühren. Die Liebesgeschichte sowie die entsprechenden historischen Details sind gut ausbalanciert und lassen einen durch die Seiten fliegen.
Vom Schicksal besiegelt (3 Sterne):
Leider bietet diese Geschichte nicht viel neues. Der historische Kontext ist zwar ein anderer -hier: amerikanischer Unabhängigkeitskrieg - jedoch sind sich die Personen der beiden Geschichten sehr ähnlich. Die Charaktereigenschaften und das Verhalten der jeweiligen weiblichen bzw. männlichen Protagonisten sind kaum zu unterscheiden. Dennoch ist es schön zu erfahren wie es mit Serena und Brigham weitergeht.
November 20, 2019
Not a bad read, though was wondering in the first story where Christmas was. Typically Mills and Boon style, with a splash of Scotland and Ireland and some rather gorgeous and bad English. Sex scenes, though not overly gaudy, so not perhaps for younger teens, maybe 18 up. Quick, easy read though don't expect Christmas until the second story.
November 24, 2020
I was hoping for a Christmas feel-good story but was surprised that this book was a repackaging of 2 earlier novels. The first 3/4 of the book was a story about finding love during the era of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Scottish uprising. It has nothing to do with the holidays. The last 1/4 of the book was a lovely novella that was Christmas-filled and enjoyable.
November 26, 2020
As much as I try, romance is not my cup of tea. Outlander just can't be beat for a Scottish time travel historical romance. 🤷♀️ Wish I liked this since I bought instead of borrowed! It's a little too cookie-cutter lack of depth romance, initial hate and disgust laced with attraction that will eventually turn into something. I just can't with these. 🤮
December 15, 2020
It's okay but just a small warning that 75% of this book is about the war in Scotland and only 25% is about Christmastime which is only the second story that is about that. I like truly magical Christmas stories, not anything against the author. The stories themselves are fine just a side note because I got as a gift to read for Christmastime.
December 13, 2020
December 13, 2020
Read
December 31, 2020Easy and quick read. However, I think Diana Gabaldon got her entire Outlander premise from this book. They book have Scottish Highlanders and the Battle of Culloden. They both say Sassenach and have an English traveler fall in love with a highlander. I love Outlander so I had fun with it but felt so weird to have similar plot lines.
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