The Lover

by Nicole Jordan

From bestselling author Nicole Jordan comes a tale of timeless beauty, fierce passion, and heart-pounding love in the Scottish Highlands.

Niall McLaren was as dangerous and beguiling as the Highlands itself, a man unparalleled in the arts of war and of love. Even in the stately ballrooms of Edinburgh where Sabrina Duncan first laid eyes on the powerful laird who would one day be her husband, he exuded an intoxicating sensuality. It was rumored that the touch of his lips could draw the very soul from a woman’s body—and when he pulled Sabrina into his arms, she had no The kiss he stole from her that moonlit night was like a brand on her soul, leaving her longing for more.

A promise made long ago binds Niall McLaren to wed the eldest daughter of a neighboring laird to unite the two clans. But when Niall recognizes Sabrina as the enticing lass whose kisses enflamed his passion, the married life he once dreaded becomes a world of unexplored pleasures. Yet for all their beauty, the wild hills of Scotland are a place where ancient feuds and hidden secrets create unimagined peril for the lovers. For in the untamed Highlands, two hearts must clash before they learn to beat as one.

Turn to the back of the book for an interview with Nicole Jordan
and a sneak peek at her new romance, Master of Temptation

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Medieval, Marriage Of Convenience, Historical Fiction, Georgian

355 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan spins delightful tales that simmer with passion and sensuality. In her former life, Nicole grew up as an Army brat, moving frequently and attending high school in Germany. She later earned a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech and spent eight years as a manufacturing manager making disposable diapers and toilet tissue! Currently Nicole lives in the Rocky Mountains of Utah with her real-life hero (her husband) and beloved kids (her horses).

With over two-dozen historical romances to her credit and four million books in print, set in numerous eras and locales, Nicole now enjoys chronicling the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game.

One of her novels had the dubious honor of being humorously spotlighted by Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show." On a more serious note, Nicole's romances regularly appear on numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today, and have earned such honors as RITA finalist, RWA's Favorite Book of the Year, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance, and the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence, presented by a group of over one hundred romance reviewers.

Reviews

[Jac K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This has been on my kindle for years, and I finally pulled it up while doing my annual March “highlander spring cleaning” month. On paper it looks like angsty goodness… an unwanted MOC between a womanizing playboy highlander, and a plain spinster…all set in 1740’s Scotland …YUM… Unrequited love provides hella feels when done right. Unfortunately, while enjoyable, it didn’t take me on the emotional roller coaster I’d wanted.

After being jilted by her betrothed for her more attractive cousin, Sabrina has embraced the lonely life of a spinster. Niall is something like the third son in line for his clan, and lives his days as a rake basically screwing anything that he can get his hands on. A year after first meeting; the couple is shocked to learn they are being pushed into a MOC to unite their neighboring clans.

I’m not a fan of the homely heroine. Specifically, I don’t care what she looks like; I just need the H to find her somewhat attractive, so we can have some chemistry. There wasn’t anything to really set her apart as different from all the other women. She not as pretty, rich or fashion savvy; he even calls her the same pet names (love, pet, sweeting) that he uses with all his women. His missing attraction aside, their isn't much of a connection either. They banter, but she’s never vulnerable which is necessary for the feels. Getting a sentence with her heart sinking or twisting followed by raising her chin and coldly telling him he’s free to screw whoever he wants doesn’t generate much angst. Which really was my issue; I didn’t connect emotionally so I was never really invested into what was going on…kinda like reading it from afar… I’d think bummer, or what an ass, but there was no outrage or heartbreak on my side. BUT…If you can get there; there’s an opportunity for buckets of angst, because Niall gives us plenty of ammunition with his manwhoring/stubborness.

I wouldn’t recommend this for the safety folks. Before they’re even a couple she’s aware of his ways, and walks in a few times on him. (before things get really started) We also have an on-page sex scene with his former mistress, and said mistress is still around. Evidently, the big “cheating scene” was watered down in a reprint. Originally, she witnessed him actually having sex with Eve, but in this version, she witnesses Eve on top of him kissing and some nipple play. I find this confusing, because the safety folks will still consider this cheating, and I think those of us ok with cheating would have preferred the uglier, more emotional scene. Not to mention, they entered into the “arrangement” with no guarantees of fidelity, and she repeatedly told him to do whatever he wanted. I needed her to demand fidelity and him screw up.

Bottom Line- These types of books appeal to me because I love the drama, but I’m not naturally an emotional gal, so I need it to be pretty blatant. The Lover doesn’t have that in-your-face level of angsty goodness, but if you’re better at digging it up…it’s there. And, there’s about 25% of epic love declaring groveling which is always nice. For me, I put up with the cheating for the fallout. I’d prefer 10% of heartbreaking sobbing discussions on the betrayal; then 15% working through it rather than the ass kissing. She doesn’t even tell him she saw him with Eve until weeks later, and then leaves. We get one conversation (two paragraphs), so that part is glossed over.

[Alba M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho! Supongo que necesitaba algo para cambiar de género y que mejor que un highlander...
en cuanto a los protagonistas: desde el principio ambos me gustaron mucho. Sabrina tiene carácter y no se deja amilanar por nadie y el carácter juerguista y seductor de McLean me hicieron el libro de lo más entretenido.
Solo hacía el final, cuando Sabrina se puso en plan demasiado dura me empecé a poner histérica pensando: venga por favor acabalo ya RÍNDETE MUJER! Jajajajjaa
Me hubiera gustado que tuviese un epílogo o algo, explicando si se arreglo con su abuelo y si finalmente regresaron a casa, por lo demás ha sido una historia entretenida!

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

CHEATING HERO


Sabrina Duncan has lived most of her life in Edinburgh, her mother had moved herself and Sabrina away from the highlands after the death of Sabrina's father. Her mother had remarried a merchant a very wealthy man. Sabrina is a shy girl she's certainly not a beauty, she does have a large dowry thanks to her stepfather, but so far even that had failed to generate interest from suitors. Sabrina was betrothed once, but he dumped her in favour of her beautiful cousin.

Then her estranged grandfather Laird of the Duncan clan demands her presence as he's ill. When she arrives he wants her to marry his neighbours youngest son Niall McLaren who had unexpectedly become Laird due to his father and elder brothers deaths. Sabrina does not want to marry Niall she is well aware of his reputation as a philandering womaniser. She had recently witnessed him in action at a ball where he was seducing another mans wife. But as her grandfather is dying she's coerced into marrying to join the two clans against their common enemy the Buchanan's.

This story was originally published in 1997, since that time from what I read there's been a change in the content in this book, apparently one scene in particular has been dumbed down so to speak. Having now read this I can't really see the reasoning behind it. Because the hero Niall is still cheating IMO.

While I realise that this story is set at a period in history where woman were treated as a mans property and expected to behave a certain way, while the man was able to do as he pleases, did not mean that Sabrina should meekly accept her lot. Niall made it quite clear that he had no intentions of remaining faithful, so I didn't get Sabrina melting every time he was near. There was definitely a lack of self respect on her part. I think the author was probably aiming to make Niall more attractive to readers as a reformed rake, this didn't quite work for me as it was impossible to forget his previous behaviour.

[Kace | The Booknerd · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheating is usually a deal-breaker for me, but I was really in the mood for a historical romance, and I was browsing some discussions about this book; I wasn't sure about this one, but my curiosity about this book got the best of me, so I picked it up. And I've regretted my decision ever since. I should have listened to my instinct. I found myself skimming through a lot.

I really didn't find Niall hero material at all. And I couldn't understand what had the heroine melting in his arms. Yes, he groveled and tried to get her back, but I couldn't get past the cheating because he intentionally did it. And while I am a huge fan of an asshole hero groveling and begging and the heroine really making him work for her forgiveness, it was really over the top here. And it made the hero's declaration of love so unbelievable to me.

But I commend Ms. Jordan for broadening the scope of such a controversial or taboo subject. Most historical authors wouldn't touch it with a pole. And despite my overall feelings about the book, I'm still looking forward to reading more from the author.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I’m really surprised I’ve not read this book before. It’s pretty darn hot (my fav), takes place in Scotland and I really liked it.

Niall is the youngest son of a Highland Laird, extremely handsome and a bad boy slut.

Sabrina is the granddaughter of the laird bordering Niall’s lands and not known for her beauty. She barely remembers her grandfather or the Highlands, is a spinster that lives and works with her merchant stepfather and a rich heiress in her own right.

She attends her cousins nuptial ball, (her cousin stole Sabrina’s only boyfriend), and while seeking fresh air, happens upon Niall seducing a married women. She’s discovered and he kisses the virgin….leaving her with feelings she can’t get out of her mind. He’s then informed that his father and brother have been killed and he must return to the Highlands at once to take his place as Laird of his Clan.

Months later, Sabrina receives a message from her grandfather that he is dying and wants to see her. She’s his immediate heir (although not a son), travels on horseback with her big beautiful dog to the Highlands and falls in love with the country. She soon finds out that her grandfather has called in a favor from Niall….and has arranged for them to be wed in order to join and protect his clan when he dies.

Sabrina is head strong and independent, doesn’t want to wed…..and Niall wants to maintain his sexual freedom. Thus the conflict begins and it’s a fun ride with a great ending.

My only complaint…..I want to know who really stole the damn cattle!!!

[Bibliotecaria recomienda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pues ni fu ni fa. Este fue el libro escogido para el #RetoRita4 #RitaJordan del mes de abril.
Al principio apuntaba maneras pero a los pocos capítulos ya estaba aburridísima con él. No he podido conectar con los personajes, ni con Niall, ni con Sabrina.
Se me ha hecho muy tedioso y repetitivo, lo he conseguido terminar a duras penas y saltándome párrafos, así que no voy a entrar en una reseña pormenorizada porque no tendría nada bueno que decir.

A ver si mi próxima lectura es algo mejor.

[Cc · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have enjoyed this. I love angsty, cheaty (not a real word, I know), heart breaky (again, I KNOW) real love conquers all!!!! books. But........I didn't feel the pain. I just felt a little bit of the switch, not the two by four hit of emotion.

[Mary23nm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read The Lover because there was a discussion going on about the hero's cheating and I was curious. Cheating is usually a deal breaker for me and I thought I was reading the version before the rewrite. Apparently I was not, but there is not much of a difference. There was no penetration, but it was cheating.
I didn't like the hero for most of the beginning. I didn't like hearing about how supremely good looking he was, and how the heroine was always melting when he was near. The heroine initially meets the hero when she is unintentionally (initially) spying on him during an encounter. She is intrigued by his behavior and the fact that he has been with so many women does not bother her, at this point.
On the plus side, the hero does come to appreciate her and care for the heroine. He even apologizes for his poor behavior and there is lots of love speech. The heroine makes him work for it towards the end. The author manages to wrap it up fairly nicely and you can almost believe the hero will be faithful. An epilogue would have helped. 3-3.5/5 stars

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

cheater scumbag

[BRNTerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2004, Ballantine reissued the 1997 Avon historical romance novel ‘The Lover.’ The reissued ISBN is 0804119856. The ISBN for the original version is 0380785609.

One controversial scene was changed from the original version. In that scene, the hero, Niall, cheats on the heroine and she actually sees it happen. In the rewrite, when the heroine comes upon the hero with the woman and he’s about to cheat with, he doesn’t cheat, right at the last possible minute. That’s the only difference between the two versions. In my opinion, if you want to read the book, read the original. There is no need to also read the rewrite just to see what the differences were.

I didn't think much of the story and grade it 3 stars/C.

[Annii · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I enjoy Nicole Jordan's books. I pick them up when I see them, as they're generally well written and have good characters. My one qualm with her, however, is she really has a problem portraying tender love. Her sex scenes are steamy, her characters passionate and hot, yet her books generally lack the emotional tenderness that would make them really memorable. This book is no different, although she certainly makes an attempt to bring in an emotional "love" element towards the end. Unfortunately, it's not very convincing. He follows her around shopping a few times and takes her to a ball - not really enough to convince someone you're in love with them, sorry. Nonetheless, this book is enjoyable and worth a read - but don't expect to get too caught up emotionally.

[gottalottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because it has the cheating trope and I’m addicted to angst so I loved that.

it wasn’t what I expected, I thought there’d be a callous hero but no, this guy is a LOVER. It’s kinda what he’s known for and he does it a lot throughout the book. This is also the longest, most thorough grovel I’ve ever read. Pages of grovel and love declaration.

This is an arranged political marriage. The heroine repeatedly catches the hero with a woman before their marriage, sometimes it’s innocent but it always looks bad and he never corrects her. Considering herself plain and unloveable, she blithely tells the hero he can have lovers and this is a marriage in name only. Of course that doesn’t work out, but she continues to push him away and claim indifference to him. Meanwhile the hero is obsessed with her and alarmed by it. You can imagine what he does next… it actually wasn’t that bad but when the scene occurred my heart rate accelerated bad, I felt for the heroine. The hero makes up for it in spades. Everything settles with satisfaction. Honestly, my biggest complaint is all the love scenes (I’m good with spice, they were just long so I skipped after the first couple). There was so much love talking and making. Very apt title.

[Esca Tusser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doncs malgrat les reviews que llegeixo per aquí, a mi no m'ha agradat gens. El Niall, un personatge pobre, del que només se'ns explica, un cop i altra, que la seva qualitat és estar com un pa i ser guapo a morir. I això fa que se li pugui perdonar tot, pobret, que va tot el dia calent i les dones se li posen a tiro i ell no en té la culpa... La Sabrina, més que rebel, contestona, i ves per on, això "le pone" a l'escocès...
Un argument soso, on tot es basa en el trocotró, fins i tot en algun moment de caire clarament abusador (una violació en tota regla). L'enemistat entre els clans, allí al darrera, amb uns Lairds que semblen "abuelitos caprichosos". Què llarga se m'ha fet i què pesada. I mira que la de Salvaje em va agradar força...

Pues pese a las reviews que leo por aquí, a mi no me ha gustado nada. Niall, un personaje pobre, del que solo se nos explica, una y otra vez, que su cualidad es estar como un pan y ser guapo a morir. Y eso hace que se le pueda perdonar todo, pobrecito, que va todo el dia caliente y las mujeres se le ponen a tiro y el no tiene la culpa... Sabrina, más que rebelde, contestona, y mira por dónde, eso al escocés "le pone".
Un argumento soso, que se basa todo en el trocotró, incluso en algun momento de tipo abusador (una violación en toda regla). La enemistad entre clanes, por detrás, con unos lairds que parecen "abuelitos caprichosos". Qué larga se me ha hecho y qué pesada. Y mira que la de Salvaje me gustó bastante...

[Heidi (MinxyD14) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blech!

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was time for Scottish historical romance. I just didn't think I was getting the lackluster, formulatic, this-is-basically-every-Scottish-historical novel. And that's what I got. It was so meh, that I got to page 144 and skipped to page 265, and didn't miss a thing. In fact, I skipped to the end and saw 'happily ever after' and was content to stop. Because there was no point to the thousands of words in between. Because they're the same as every other Scottish historical romance, only without a twist. What makes the others better is that they each have their own little twist. This one didn't.

Girl is trapped in garden while Philandering Highland Lord (PHL) ravishes married English lady. Girl steps on formulatic twig, is caught, English stomps away angry while PHL comes on to girl. A year later, girl's grandpa (who happens to be another Highland Lord) is dying, and girl is summoned home... and told she is going to wed PHL because she's the remaining clan heir, and the clan needs a strong leader, and PHL is it. ((Although isn't he busy with his OWN clan? Wouldn't it make sense that HIS heir should marry the girl and thus align the two clans? Oops, there I go, thinking again...))

PHL of course gives up his philandering ways because girl is so ultra mega awesome, even though she's not pretty, not talented, and isn't so much brave as just troublemaking. But he LUVVVS her, and is going to prove it to her, while vanquishing the formulatic enemy clan and living the formulatic happy ever after.

End of lackluster, formulatic, this-is-basically-every-Scottish-historical novel. It was well written, for all that, so it bought Jordan a star, but... meh.

[Netanella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little over halfway through this book and I feel compelled to write about how sympathic I am for Sabrina and her feelings of inadequacy over her profligate husband, Niall. There's nothing sexy about a player and I'm having a hard time reconciling my dislike for the male lead's behaviors.

Okay, so I must have read the revised version where Niall doesn't consumate his cheating ways. But still - it left a bad taste in my mouth and it's not something I want to read about in a romance novel that's about escapism.

[GuisBell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supongo que muchos hombres tienen amantes y es normal, pero que un hombre haya arrasado con toda la población y alrededores tiene un nombre diferente yo diría que seria un p... completo seria muy difícil para una mujer ser su esposa, solo con saber que a cada paso, se encontraría con alguna de sus amantes seria simplemente terrible y lo peor que el siendo quien es, exige pureza, el ser mas recorrido del mundo exige pureza tremendo hipócrita y cretino..

[Jena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Manwhore Scot + dowdy plain Jane h.
- cheating H

The original book has hardcore cheating - as in her walking in him actually fucking another woman, but I think the author removed that scene later, and replaced it with something easier to swallow (only kissing etc).

[Lidia's Romance]

TBR - Note to Self: read the original (angstier) version, not the sugarcoated one. Both books available on Open Library.

See BRNTerri's review:
"The reissued ISBN is 0804119856. The ISBN for the original version is 0380785609."

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book until it got to the part in the garden with the mistress. He didn't sleep with her but it broke my heart! I still finished it, and I still read it but I skip that part.

[Fre06 Begum · Rating 2 out of 5]

The guy was such a sl**!

[sraxe · Rating 1 out of 5]

H cheats on h because he can't handle his feelings or whatever BS.

[Paper Ceilings · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book gave me indigestion.

[Darbella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars Sabrina and Niall. In reflection there is a lot that bugs me about this story and those basically centers around the actions of Niall. One, he calls the heroine a ton of pet names most of them are the ones we see him calling his mistress (and his other lovers)-though one nickname mouse is because he thinks she is mousey. So it is nothing special when he call Sabrina sweeting-its just another word that he also called Eve and Lady Chivington. It is not so special when he calls her mouse either. Kwim?
Two, he is known as the lover-will have sex with married women-actually any woman who is willing will do. The opening scene is with a married woman. He is known for being a legendary lover.
Three, we are treated to lots of scenes of Eve and Niall having sex and his thoughts about Eve's lush body. (Gah!) Sabrina is plain, no curves and we supposed to believe he will not have trouble staying faithful after he has already cheated once with Eve. Words are too easy for this guy. He says them often.
Five, lets face it--having a make out in the orchard is cheating. Niall cheated and still did not have the balls to accept the trust issues that occurred because of his strong connection to Eve. He groveled, but an epilogue is a must because he did not show that he has changed for good by proving that he can stay faithful months-years? I have my doubts he can.
Four, Eve is all in their business (sort of encouraged by Niall because he vents and has sex with Eve just before he is forced to marry Sabrina). Niall needs to just stop it with Eve even if it means he needs to end the friendship.
Five, near the end of this story we are supposed to be so happy that he was a hero and was attempting to help Lady Chivington and her husband by not having a sexual romp with Lady C. I found it very disrespectful to Sabrina because everyone at the ball saw him and with Lady Chivington talking, and then appearing to be meeting for such a romp. Gossip about such romp will occur. It is human nature. We already know that sweet talking Neill has had sex with Lady Chivington at the beginning of the story. Perhaps not having sex and make out sessions with a guys wife would be more helpful to their marriage.
However, at the end of the day. This will be a book that I will reread especially when I am in the mood for a well written, angst ridden story with a hero I can rant about. LOL

[Shellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 stars. Read this for Regan Walker’s monthly blog May is Scottish historicals month. Good story liked the h the H doesn’t seem to be too popular with a lot of readers. I think he acted in character because all through the book we hear what a seducer he is how good looking….it got repetitive, but the title of the book is the Lover! I don’t think such a philander could settle down so easily and perhaps not done what he did. He had quite an ‘Epiphany’ at the end, finally realizing he was in love. I wouldn’t believe that his coming to that realization would’ve been such a smooth path for him. I do like Nicole Jordan. I actually prefer the Savage and the Warrior to this one, but I still enjoyed it.

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

Cute ;-)

[Greer · Rating 1 out of 5]

this might be the worst romance i’ve ever read and that’s really saying something bec i’ve read romancing mister bridgerton

[Isabel Luna · Rating 1 out of 5]

La novela está bien escrita y tiene todos los ingredientes correctos pero no me han gustado para nada las personalidades de ambos personajes. Creo sinceramente q ambos están muy mal.
Niall es un pillo encantador, buen tipo, hace lo que debe hacer por el bien de su clan. Q le grite a su prometida q no pretende serle fiel es un detalle sin importancia para él. Como si todo fuera culpa de ella. Desde que la novela empieza lo ves con una mujer encima: cuando Sabrina lo conoce por primera vez, con una mujer (casada) encima; cuando técnicamente están comprometidos, lo encuentra con otra mujer encima; ya están casados y él sigue con una mujer encima y lo peor es q tenía toda la intención de cometer adulterio. Q al final no lo haya hecho no quita q quiso hacerlo y por la razón más idiota de todas. Y precisamente eso es lo que más me ha molestado: quería acostarse con otra xq no podía aceptar sus sentimientos...en serio?????
Y Sabrina, lo conoce con una mujer encima, lo pilla una y otra vez con una tipa encima; el imbécil le gritó a la cara, no una sino varias veces que no se quiere casar con ella y q le va ser infiel, y ella de todas formas va y se casa con él. Sabe q la zorra de Eve tuvo q ver con su marido y q tendría todo q ver con él otra vez si tuviera oportunidad, pero va y no solo la tolera cerca sino q medio se hacen amigas...En Serio????? Y cuando finalmente hace lo único digno q se puede esperar de una mujer q se respete, va y lo perdona enseguida y de la forma más ridícula del mundo....doble En Serio????????
Este libro es el típico ejemplo de que escribir torcido en renglones rectos y poner al final un "...y vivieron felices para siempre" no justifican para nada la tinta y el papel...

[Cheesecake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naill and Sabrina. I read this ages ago, but came across it and had to refresh my memory of how awful the hero was. And he wasn't as bad as I remembered... Sabrina's crazy grandfather fakes illness and steals sheep to force Naill to marry Sabrina. Naill is a spectacular man-ho who apparently isn't even all that discriminating in who shares his bed. Not what Sabrina was hoping to gain in a husband. Sabrina isn't the usual flamboyant hussy he is drawn too. But slowly she grows on him and he sees her as a person of worth, not the old ball and chain. But it is too late, after Sabrina caught him with one of his old bed partners... In the old version they did the nasty, but in this version he doesn't actually break his vows in truth, but he does in intent. Is there really a difference?. Just so easily, he crushes the fragile connection with his new wife. What follows is some deliciously introspective remorse and then a determination to win Sabrina back. Definitely a difficult task for authors, to redeem heroes who break their vows, but I thought this was successful. And Sabrina is no push over who succumbs to his first touch with no actual apology. Still, the book could seriously have used a brief epilogue.

[DemetraP · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get into this book. I kept putting it down and being reluctant to start reading it again.

The heroine has lived in Edinburgh since she was 4, but the second she sees the Highlands she has thoughts like, "This is where I belong" Ummm, ok.

Then she does some really stupid things like run off to meet with her clan's sworn enemy. With one guard. The enemy laird says maybe he should take her hostage and she's like, "I have a dirk." Wow. One woman with a knife in the middle of the enemy clan's castle.

She invites herself along on a cattle raid and the hero actually allows this saying things like, "Just stay out of the way" Because of course, that is easy to do when you're sneaking around in the dark stealing other people's cows.

I had to stop reading at this point. Maybe the book gets better after that point but I'll never know. This was a did-not-finish book for me.