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The Chieftain Without a Heart
Returning to Scotland after leaving when he was sixteen to escape his cruel father, the Duke of Strathnarn must negotiate with an enemy clan who is holding his nephew prisoner, and encounters horror, violence, and romance as a result.
227 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2000
8 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,057 books837 followersBorn in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 3, 2017
Adoro livros cuja ação se passe na Escócia e gostei bastante deste livro, mas o final desiludiu-me um pouco.
September 8, 2017
How could the heroine love this hero? When he had done nothing good for the heroine?
He is prejudice and there's nothing about him to love .... He has done nothing to gain her love! He treats her terribly... From the day they married until almost the end....
First he didn't marry her because he really cares for his nephew but because of his PRIDE! He wanted to help his nephew yes, but he wanted to save his reputation and name above all! And he knows that if he won't save his nephew if would affect his most precious name!
Second he already thought terribly of the heroine.... it's so annoying how he acts and thought so high of himself that he cannot stomach even looking at her for a brief moment.... and he already thought on how he could escape her... planning wicked things like impregnate her then go back to the south leaving her wife and heir to Scotland and pretend they didn't exist... Even an unwanted bride shouldn't be treated with such disrespect and wicked! And u know what's the most annoying of all? He only came to be kinder to her when he sees and realized that she was indeed beautiful and graceful... What a miracle a look could make, should I be thankful that she is beautiful? I like my heroine pretty but if it's he only reason the hero acted kind to her then I'd rather like her ugly and virago.... rather than pretty and kind...
Third.... He thought worst of her! Jealousy is nice sometimes in stories... but jealousy without reason is totally outrageous! What's worst he accused her of having an affair with another man when she had done nothing for him to suspect it! She had not flirted with other men.... Just because she's beautiful and many men appreciates her beauty doesn't mean she's a harlot and he has a gut to call her that name! And who is he to be angry?! She's an unwanted bride remember? And he has done nothing but ignored her before! And while his wife can't do what his liaison is doing with other men other than their husband, he is free to take his pick from these married women and roll with them on the bed.... hypocrite! He is allowed to fck other men's wives but he won't tolerate it on his own wife! Find an undesirable wife then someone than even you won't stomach to bed asshole! I am not saying the heroine to do what those other women does but I am just merely pointing out how foolish this hero is!
He is self centered too... He only thought of his feeling and how miserable he is to wed against his wish.. how about the heroine's feelings?
He is prejudice and there's nothing about him to love .... He has done nothing to gain her love! He treats her terribly... From the day they married until almost the end....
First he didn't marry her because he really cares for his nephew but because of his PRIDE! He wanted to help his nephew yes, but he wanted to save his reputation and name above all! And he knows that if he won't save his nephew if would affect his most precious name!
Second he already thought terribly of the heroine.... it's so annoying how he acts and thought so high of himself that he cannot stomach even looking at her for a brief moment.... and he already thought on how he could escape her... planning wicked things like impregnate her then go back to the south leaving her wife and heir to Scotland and pretend they didn't exist... Even an unwanted bride shouldn't be treated with such disrespect and wicked! And u know what's the most annoying of all? He only came to be kinder to her when he sees and realized that she was indeed beautiful and graceful... What a miracle a look could make, should I be thankful that she is beautiful? I like my heroine pretty but if it's he only reason the hero acted kind to her then I'd rather like her ugly and virago.... rather than pretty and kind...
Third.... He thought worst of her! Jealousy is nice sometimes in stories... but jealousy without reason is totally outrageous! What's worst he accused her of having an affair with another man when she had done nothing for him to suspect it! She had not flirted with other men.... Just because she's beautiful and many men appreciates her beauty doesn't mean she's a harlot and he has a gut to call her that name! And who is he to be angry?! She's an unwanted bride remember? And he has done nothing but ignored her before! And while his wife can't do what his liaison is doing with other men other than their husband, he is free to take his pick from these married women and roll with them on the bed.... hypocrite! He is allowed to fck other men's wives but he won't tolerate it on his own wife! Find an undesirable wife then someone than even you won't stomach to bed asshole! I am not saying the heroine to do what those other women does but I am just merely pointing out how foolish this hero is!
He is self centered too... He only thought of his feeling and how miserable he is to wed against his wish.. how about the heroine's feelings?
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March 12, 2009JF-YACar
June 29, 2011
The romance period of "Barbara Cartland" reading.
June 20, 2020
What a disappointment! The descriptions of Scotland were lovely, but the rest is a bunch of out dated, overly dramatic fluff. The Duke is terrible, acting like a surly, selfish brat and not realizing his wife’s worth until he finds out how popular she is in Edinborough. To treat her as awfully as he did when she first comes to his home! Then he has the audacity to lash out when he thinks she’s unfaithful despite having planned all along to knock her up then ditch her and head to London where he can cheat on her a will. Are we meant to rejoice when this jerk comes back to “claim” his wife at the end? And Clola has no self respect to redeem the story, even acting as though she is to blame for her husband’s neglect. I’d expect a book written by a female author and published in the 70’s to have more respect for women than seen here.
I hated the overuse of ellipses in the last book I read by this author; now that I see them here and know that to be her style, I’ll know not to bother with any more of her books. At least Jamie redeemed the book a bit, as did the imagery.
I hated the overuse of ellipses in the last book I read by this author; now that I see them here and know that to be her style, I’ll know not to bother with any more of her books. At least Jamie redeemed the book a bit, as did the imagery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2022
Melodia d’amore è uno dei romanzi rosa storici di Barbara Cartland, autrice considerata la Regina del romanzo rosa ai suoi tempi.
Si tratta di romanzo un po’ datato quindi non ci sono scene spinte (l’autrice difendeva i valori tradizionali e credeva nella verginità prima del matrimonio e questo traspare tanto nelle sue opere).
Tutto inizia quando il duca scozzese di Strathnarn, dopo essere scappato da giovane, è costretto a tornare a casa per salvare il nipote fatto prigioniero da un clan rivale. Purtroppo scopre ben presto che per salvarlo, sarà costretto a sposare la figlia del capoclan. Convinto di dover sposare una donna rozza e poco avvenente, decide che una volta sposata e in attesa di un erede la lascerà in Scozia mentre lui tornerà alla sua vita di bagordi a Londra. Ma non ha fatto i contri che la moglie, bellissima, intelligente e coraggiosa…
Mi dispiace ma questo, tra quelli che ho letto, è uno dei romanzi peggiori di quest’autrice.
Non si capisce come si siano innamorati i due protagonisti visto che hanno interagito davvero poco, inoltre si passa da un lui che vorrebbe abbandonarla subito dopo il matrimonio e che l’accusa di averlo tradito con un altro senza che lei gliene avesse dato prova.
Inoltre, il duca non si prende mai la briga di conoscere davvero la moglie nonostante non sia come se l’aspettava. Eppure era stato descritto come un libertino, amante delle donne belle e non si prende la briga di stare con la moglie? Non ha senso.
Tutto troppo superficiale e buttato lì. Come, per esempio, anche la questione del matrimonio. Il clan rivale voleva il matrimonio per contrastare un terzo clan molto più pericoloso e violento ma dopo aver citato la cosa un paio di volte viene messa da parte e ci si concentra su un attentato al re, saltato fuori dal nulla.
L’idea di partenza era interessante e le descrizioni dei luoghi sono belle ma per il resto, proprio no.
Da dimenticare!
Si tratta di romanzo un po’ datato quindi non ci sono scene spinte (l’autrice difendeva i valori tradizionali e credeva nella verginità prima del matrimonio e questo traspare tanto nelle sue opere).
Tutto inizia quando il duca scozzese di Strathnarn, dopo essere scappato da giovane, è costretto a tornare a casa per salvare il nipote fatto prigioniero da un clan rivale. Purtroppo scopre ben presto che per salvarlo, sarà costretto a sposare la figlia del capoclan. Convinto di dover sposare una donna rozza e poco avvenente, decide che una volta sposata e in attesa di un erede la lascerà in Scozia mentre lui tornerà alla sua vita di bagordi a Londra. Ma non ha fatto i contri che la moglie, bellissima, intelligente e coraggiosa…
Mi dispiace ma questo, tra quelli che ho letto, è uno dei romanzi peggiori di quest’autrice.
Non si capisce come si siano innamorati i due protagonisti visto che hanno interagito davvero poco, inoltre si passa da un lui che vorrebbe abbandonarla subito dopo il matrimonio e che l’accusa di averlo tradito con un altro senza che lei gliene avesse dato prova.
Inoltre, il duca non si prende mai la briga di conoscere davvero la moglie nonostante non sia come se l’aspettava. Eppure era stato descritto come un libertino, amante delle donne belle e non si prende la briga di stare con la moglie? Non ha senso.
Tutto troppo superficiale e buttato lì. Come, per esempio, anche la questione del matrimonio. Il clan rivale voleva il matrimonio per contrastare un terzo clan molto più pericoloso e violento ma dopo aver citato la cosa un paio di volte viene messa da parte e ci si concentra su un attentato al re, saltato fuori dal nulla.
L’idea di partenza era interessante e le descrizioni dei luoghi sono belle ma per il resto, proprio no.
Da dimenticare!
November 22, 2022
Una storia molto carina, dolce e romantica, una lettura piacevole, rilassante e intrigante che si legge in un soffio.
August 3, 2024
Read this as an audio on various tri[s to and from work. It was alright. Standard Cartland.
April 14, 2023
London Socialite and friend of King George IV, the Duke of Strathnarn enjoys his London life is reluctant and resentful when he inherits from his hated father the title – and onerous responsibilities – of Chieftain of the Clan McNarn.
Arriving bitterly angry in the highland fiefdom he fled as a youth, he’s faced with a terrible dilemma. To free his young nephew and heir from the clutches of his Clan’s mortal enemies, the Kilcraigs, he must marry Clola, the daughter of their fearsome Chieftain. Appalled, he complies with bad grace, but refuses even to look his young bride in the face, so certain is he that she will be coarse, uneducated and unattractive, so unlike the sophisticated beauties with whom he is wont to dally in London Society.
Soon, however, a terrifying plot against the King involving a sinister poisoner and her deranged and vengeful son unfolds – and it is Clola, aided by a ghostly Grey Lady, who comes to the rescue. Only now, after so terribly misjudging and ill-treating her, does the Duke see his bride for what she is – a raven-haired, musically talented and courageous beauty.
But is it too late for their marriage of convenience to be transformed by the blessing of true love?
Arriving bitterly angry in the highland fiefdom he fled as a youth, he’s faced with a terrible dilemma. To free his young nephew and heir from the clutches of his Clan’s mortal enemies, the Kilcraigs, he must marry Clola, the daughter of their fearsome Chieftain. Appalled, he complies with bad grace, but refuses even to look his young bride in the face, so certain is he that she will be coarse, uneducated and unattractive, so unlike the sophisticated beauties with whom he is wont to dally in London Society.
Soon, however, a terrifying plot against the King involving a sinister poisoner and her deranged and vengeful son unfolds – and it is Clola, aided by a ghostly Grey Lady, who comes to the rescue. Only now, after so terribly misjudging and ill-treating her, does the Duke see his bride for what she is – a raven-haired, musically talented and courageous beauty.
But is it too late for their marriage of convenience to be transformed by the blessing of true love?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews