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Highland #2
Highland Heather
The Queen's Savage
As Brenna MacAlpin looked at the fierce, dark warrior, who had spent a lifetime defending his English queen, her blood ran cold. For she was the leader of a Scottish border clan and would give her life for her people against invaders like Lord Morgan Grey. He thought to subdue her with an impressive show of force, but she would soon show him what one woman driven by loyalty could do.
Morgan knew he had been a fool to agree to implement the queen's scheme to unite the families on both sides of the border by marriage. His unwilling Scottish guest was proving to he more trouble than she was worth, and he was afraid that his once peaceful life would never be the same.
As Brenna MacAlpin looked at the fierce, dark warrior, who had spent a lifetime defending his English queen, her blood ran cold. For she was the leader of a Scottish border clan and would give her life for her people against invaders like Lord Morgan Grey. He thought to subdue her with an impressive show of force, but she would soon show him what one woman driven by loyalty could do.
Morgan knew he had been a fool to agree to implement the queen's scheme to unite the families on both sides of the border by marriage. His unwilling Scottish guest was proving to he more trouble than she was worth, and he was afraid that his once peaceful life would never be the same.
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 29, 2021
Ruth Langan’s Highland Heather is the sequel to her previous Scottish romance, Highland Barbarian. I liked this Harlequin Historical much more than its predecessor. Why? I enjoyed the conflict between the hero and the heroine and the English setting, plus introducing Queen Elizabeth I to a story always makes things interesting.
Brenna MacAlpin is the middle MacAlpin sister, whose elder sister Meredith went and married her beloved Highlander. Brenna is now the leader of their Scots clan. However, it’s not easy going for her as she has enemies, namely the English. Moreover, Brenna does not have the same fierce disposition as her elder sister. Brenna is more even-tempered, dare I say, more lady-like. Her men are blindly loyal to her, regardless, but leading is no easy task.
One day, the Queen’s Savage himself, Lord Morgan Grey, arrives to implement Queen Elizabeth’s plan to marry the MacAlpin off to an English lord, which she believes will lead to peace. MacAlpin household warily welcomes Morgan and his men. Upon hearing the intentions of the English, Brenna flees into the wilderness. Morgan pursues her and takes Brenna as his “unwilling guest.” The scene where Morgan catches her in a field of heather is beautifully depicted on the front cover.
(I loved the old Harlequin Historical covers; they were works of art. Too bad they rarely gave credit to the illustrator. If anyone has any knowledge about the cover artist, please drop a comment below!).
The Queen believes that uniting the MacAlpins to a powerful English house will cause “the bloodletting will cease.” Brenna meets prospects while under Grey’s captivity, but strangely, Morgan appeals to her more than any other. Morgan, too, finds Brenna captivating. But although Brenna and Morgan form a bond beyond captor and captive, Brenna is always cognizant that she is his prisoner. She vows she will never be forced into marriage. This will-they-or-won’t-they struggle is filled with erotic tension.
There are a few adventures in store for the potential pair that draw them closer together before their story comes to a thrilling conclusion.
I think one reason I was drawn to Highland Heather more than its predecessor is that I’m more partial to the English setting than Scotland. Sacrilege, I know, as there’s an entire romance genre built around Highlanders. There are only so many stories about feuding clans I can take before they seem the same. That also may be why I also preferred the third entry in this series, Highland Fire, as it’s set mostly in Ireland. Regardless, it was the overall love story that was compelling.
Despite his moniker of the Queen’s Savage, Morgan is gentle with Lady Brenna. While she fights her feelings for him, it’s obvious that if she must marry an Englishman, there’s only one man she’d choose. Seeing their romance unfold was a thrilling experience that had me looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Brenna MacAlpin is the middle MacAlpin sister, whose elder sister Meredith went and married her beloved Highlander. Brenna is now the leader of their Scots clan. However, it’s not easy going for her as she has enemies, namely the English. Moreover, Brenna does not have the same fierce disposition as her elder sister. Brenna is more even-tempered, dare I say, more lady-like. Her men are blindly loyal to her, regardless, but leading is no easy task.
One day, the Queen’s Savage himself, Lord Morgan Grey, arrives to implement Queen Elizabeth’s plan to marry the MacAlpin off to an English lord, which she believes will lead to peace. MacAlpin household warily welcomes Morgan and his men. Upon hearing the intentions of the English, Brenna flees into the wilderness. Morgan pursues her and takes Brenna as his “unwilling guest.” The scene where Morgan catches her in a field of heather is beautifully depicted on the front cover.
(I loved the old Harlequin Historical covers; they were works of art. Too bad they rarely gave credit to the illustrator. If anyone has any knowledge about the cover artist, please drop a comment below!).
The Queen believes that uniting the MacAlpins to a powerful English house will cause “the bloodletting will cease.” Brenna meets prospects while under Grey’s captivity, but strangely, Morgan appeals to her more than any other. Morgan, too, finds Brenna captivating. But although Brenna and Morgan form a bond beyond captor and captive, Brenna is always cognizant that she is his prisoner. She vows she will never be forced into marriage. This will-they-or-won’t-they struggle is filled with erotic tension.
There are a few adventures in store for the potential pair that draw them closer together before their story comes to a thrilling conclusion.
I think one reason I was drawn to Highland Heather more than its predecessor is that I’m more partial to the English setting than Scotland. Sacrilege, I know, as there’s an entire romance genre built around Highlanders. There are only so many stories about feuding clans I can take before they seem the same. That also may be why I also preferred the third entry in this series, Highland Fire, as it’s set mostly in Ireland. Regardless, it was the overall love story that was compelling.
Despite his moniker of the Queen’s Savage, Morgan is gentle with Lady Brenna. While she fights her feelings for him, it’s obvious that if she must marry an Englishman, there’s only one man she’d choose. Seeing their romance unfold was a thrilling experience that had me looking forward to the next installment in the series.
August 1, 2015
Didn't like this one
I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, but this one was definitely not as good. I did NOT like the hero at all. He was an arrogant jerk. The worst part was the two main characters couldn't stand each other one minute and the next they are declaring their love for each other. I'm not joking, in one night they go from being rude and insulting to "Oh my goodness you make me burn, I'm soooo in love with you...."
I did not like the way the queen was portrayed and the supporting characters were lacking in my opinion.
Unfortunately the rest of the book I skimmed and what parts I did read I was rolling my eyes.
I'm sorry to say that this book was a very disappointing second book in the series after enjoying the first book so much, not sure if I will go any further in this series.
I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, but this one was definitely not as good. I did NOT like the hero at all. He was an arrogant jerk. The worst part was the two main characters couldn't stand each other one minute and the next they are declaring their love for each other. I'm not joking, in one night they go from being rude and insulting to "Oh my goodness you make me burn, I'm soooo in love with you...."
I did not like the way the queen was portrayed and the supporting characters were lacking in my opinion.
Unfortunately the rest of the book I skimmed and what parts I did read I was rolling my eyes.
I'm sorry to say that this book was a very disappointing second book in the series after enjoying the first book so much, not sure if I will go any further in this series.
August 5, 2019
Always a favorite! Heroine's a bit more of a doormat than her older sister was, but she has a quiet strength. Loved watching the romance unfold between Morgan and Brenna! Enjoyed the role reversal with Brenna going to England! Great story all around.
July 20, 2017
Good writing and good reading.
This story was entertaining all the way thru. Langan's characters were well developed and believable. I plan to read more of her highlander books.
This story was entertaining all the way thru. Langan's characters were well developed and believable. I plan to read more of her highlander books.
December 1, 2020
Predictable and flat
It's a good book of you don't want to think or want something equivalent to a hallmark movie. Flat characters and predictable plot.
It's a good book of you don't want to think or want something equivalent to a hallmark movie. Flat characters and predictable plot.
December 1, 2019
Good
Love this story . A leader of her clan since her sister wedded her highlander she is busted by the English queen right hand man Morgan Gray. While telling her of his queens plan she decided to flee to highland for she will not go to England be sold of like a calf in the market. Yet her plan is ruined of fleeing because he captures her makes her go with him. Upon being in England she makes a few friends and falls for the English savage. With a plot against his queen he falls for this firey lass.
Love this story . A leader of her clan since her sister wedded her highlander she is busted by the English queen right hand man Morgan Gray. While telling her of his queens plan she decided to flee to highland for she will not go to England be sold of like a calf in the market. Yet her plan is ruined of fleeing because he captures her makes her go with him. Upon being in England she makes a few friends and falls for the English savage. With a plot against his queen he falls for this firey lass.
February 2, 2015
book 2
Wasn't sure I would like this series so I started with the second book after reading the captions. I found this book very interesting and enjoyable to read. The first time read from this Author but will not be the last. I like her aggressive beginning and plot and 'to the point' dialogue.
Wasn't sure I would like this series so I started with the second book after reading the captions. I found this book very interesting and enjoyable to read. The first time read from this Author but will not be the last. I like her aggressive beginning and plot and 'to the point' dialogue.
February 9, 2009
I read this when I was about 16. I remember that I liked it but I don't really remember the story. I do remember stealing it form my Grandmother's bk case and devouring it in one night hidden in my room.
June 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this story between Brenna and Morgan. Both were strong characters and I didn't want to put it down until it ended.
February 15, 2015
She's a little more passive than I like in a heroine, but probably true to the time period. This book I enjoyed of course but not as much as the first book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews