Resigned to a lonely life after a fierce betrayal of the man who broke her spirit, Meg Alpin retreats to her family’s castle. In her pursuit to move on with her life, she uncovers long buried secrets and discovers something magical amidst the furniture in the tower. In one instant, her dull world is given bright new meaning in the form of a Highlander too magnificent, too handsome to be real.
A DESIRE FOR FREEDOM
Cursed and caged in a mirror by a gypsy, Ronan Galt’s existence is complete darkness and unquenchable need. When he’s brought back into the light, his distrust of women is at odds with his instant attraction to the beautiful and strong Meg. In his quest to be free of his prison, he will learn the true meaning of love – but will it be too late to claim the woman that was destined to be his?
Donna is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a hundred novels. Her most popular series is the breathtaking Dark King (aka Dragon King) series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae.
In addition to her novels, Donna has written short stories, novellas, and novelettes for digital-first and print release. She has been dubbed as giving the “paranormal genre a burst of fresh air” by the San Francisco Book Review. Her work has been hailed as having “deft plotting and expert characterization” by Publisher’s Weekly and “sizzling” by RT Book Reviews.
She has been recognized with awards from both bookseller and reader contests including the National Reader’s Choice Award, Booksellers Best Award, as well as the coveted K.I.S.S. Award from RT Book Reviews.
Donna travels often for various speaking engagements, conferences, and book signings. She is also a frequent workshop presenter at national conferences such as RT Book Lovers Convention and Thrillerfest, as well as local chapters.
Born and raised in Texas, she also has ties across the border in Louisiana. Growing up with two such vibrant cultures, her Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. She is never far from her faithful 80 pound dog, Sisko, or her three cats. She can often be found at the movies or bookstore with her children. Or buying makeup. And shoes.
It was a sweet story of a Highlander being cursed by a gypsy because of his wicked ways towards women and finding love against the odds of the curse. It was not bad (if not bad is only what you look for) but I just couldn't find this "highlander feeling" that makes me come back to choosing highlander books again and again...It was like eating jello when all you craved was chocolate!
Both are good, depending on the craving of the time! Well, I WANTED CHOCOLATE and....
It is a matter of personal taste that has nothing to do with the author's writing skills. I just couldn't "feel" the highlander "it" in this. Nay, I didna find this lovely feeling.... ...I won't cry any rivers, better luck next time!
¿Donde hay que firmar para que se reescriba el libro y sea más extenso? Jajajaja Me recordó mucho a Amante de Ensueño de Sherrilyn creo que era, que el chico salía de un libro. Bueno pues esta historia es parecida solo que este es un Highlander maldecido por una gitana. Jo en serio me hubiera gustado que fuese un poco más largo porque me tenía totalmente enganchada 😍 Ronan es mucho ❤️
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle: *eARC received from the author
The Craving was a sweet and sexy tale - Gypsy curses, hot men in kilts, medieval castles, and the kind of love that comes as a surprise, burrows deep within without being recognized, and then blossoms unexpectedly in breathtaking fashion.
I loved that both Meg and Ronan had some major issues with trust, and yet they grew with one another and learned to let someone else in while healing along the way.
I also loved that though this was a novella, it never once felt rushed to me. The story was gripping, and the flow perfectly paced to a wonderful story.
A quick and fun read for those who love steamy highland romance but don't have a lot of time or energy to invest in a full length novel. The story, while not unique, was well told and the development was well done given the perimeters and length.
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wonderful: 😍😍😍😍😍 Eu amo a escrita da Donna, e agora com essa série eu me apaixoneiii... Meg Alpin e Ronan Galt 🥰🥰 Aprisionado em um espelho por quase duzentos anos.. Até que a mulher certa apareça e o liberte... 🥰🥰 Foi lindo ver como a história deles acontecendo.. Cada momento que eles passaram juntos foi ótimo... Adorei.. Quero ler os demais... Happy reading, and until the next reading.. 😘😘
I know this was a novella, but it just don't see how "love" could have entered the picture so quickly. I will move on to the second book, and that will determine if I continue on.
Donna Grant understands the Scottish Heart and shows it once again in this delightful first book of her Rogues of Scotland Series.
The Rogues of Scotland, "Four Highlanders whose bond of brotherhood finds each of them cursed. It'll take special women willing to break the curse - and bet on love."
The Rogues are four men connected by bonds of friendship so deep they consider each other brothers. But when they are cursed into utter blackness, destined to remain in darkness until they redeemed themselves.. Hard to do when bound by darkness..
The Craving tells the story of Ronan Galt, nephew to the laird. Ronan dallied where he shouldn't have. Having spent time in a lovely Gypsy's arms, Ronan was besotted but figured that he would move on when the time was right. Unknowingly to him, said gypsy was in love and expected marriage. When he refused she killed herself and the gypsies instantly retaliated, blaming Ronan.. A powerful gypsy cursed him into the darkness. But there would be a chance to redeem himself. Only Ronan had no clue what it was. For two hundred years, he was released only twice and now, finally he has been released again. Only this time he desires nothing more than to remain and discover who the lovely woman who released him was. It's not about sex, there is no sex, it's about discovering who this woman is.. and why she attracts him so.
Meg Alpin was literally abandoned at the alter. Totally shamed, Meg leaves home to live at her Aunt's castle. Not knowing that magic literally lives there. Well, a mirror that hides a gorgeous man. When she unwittingly lets this gorgeous man out of the mirror, she is shall we say stunned. A strange man from another time, alone... Meg has a gentle heart and offers him a place to stay, a place to discover who he can be.. Only all to soon, Meg discovers that she wants more than a friend, she wants it all.
Ronan has to redeem himself but isn't sure even how to begin. But eventually it doesn't matter.. Ronan wants Meg, a life with her, a promise of forever. Redemption is beyond him all he desires is Meg..
This was a sweet story. A man who finally chooses love. A woman who is afraid to love because she has been abandoned and is unsure of who she is. Both of these characters had to learn to trust. To believe and yes, to love.
THE CRAVING is the first book in Donna Grant’s new series ROGUES OF SCOTLAND. And what an introduction the book was.
Ronan Galt and Meg Alphin are kindred spirits. Both are wounded souls wronged in some way or fashion by the opposite sex. This causes trust issues.
Ronan’s stems from his mother and sister while Meg was jilted at the altar with her groom-to-be running off with her dowry and another woman. So I found the common ground between the two appropriate.
I felt that sometimes it takes two broken souls coming together to learn to heal and trust again. That the two recognize a kindred spirit, one who understands the pain and hurt inflicted on them. And the healing and trust was not instant… The romance was sweet and not rushed. The story had a great steady pace. Donna Grave has never failed to entrance me with her stories.
She always manages to weave magic into each of her stories. THE CRAVING was spellbinding with magic drench Scotland and the mysterious magic of the gypsies, a heedy combination.
For years I thought it would be interesting to combine two spiritual magic minded people together, to mix the Scottish’s belief with magic with the gypsies. And I was guilty of making a role playing character with Scots blood, gypsy blood, and Native American.
I read THE CRAVING in one setting unwilling and unable to put it down. This is definitely a series that I will follow. I got a feeling that Meg’s three remaining sisters may be Ronan’s three friends – who I guessed also shared his fate- redemption. So I’m excited to know if I was right.
The Craving by Donna Grant is the first book in the Rouges of Scotland series and it did not disappoint! As always, Donna delivers a wonderful book that is full of love, adventure and magic. The magic portrayed in The Craving is different from other magic we have seen in Donna's books. This one is about the magic of a gypsy who sends Ronan to a world of darkness until his time comes to learn his destiny and give into love. Meg is a woman hiding and trying to recover from the hurt of a man who did not deserve her. Meg finds Ronan and is taken back just by looking at him, then by his far fetched story of how he came to be in the room with her. The Craving will take you on a sexy adventure between two people who have to learn there is more to people and love than what they both believe. Donna has a great talent for writing and capturing her readers attention. I finished this book in only a few hours because I was unable to put it down. The Craving will leave you craving for more in this series. If you are looking for a sweet and sexy novella, with a sexy highlander, this one is for you! Thank you Donna for a great book!
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/4 A broken heart A death and curse....
When you live in the dark for so long it is easy to give up faith of ever seeing the sun again. But when the chance at freedom presence itself Ronan is willing to do anything to gain his freedom again.
Meg knows about heartbreak and distrust. While she was never giving a second chance, Meg is willing to give Ronan a chance to live.
And maybe love?
The Craving is first novella in Donna Grant’s new the Rouges of Scotland series. This was a great story. And like any good novella it left me wanting more and because this was a novella I am going to leave you wanting more with my review. If you love Donna’s historical stories you will really want to grab a copy of this novella!!! I am already looking forward to the next novella in this series
REVIEW: Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book from Donna Grant in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
I received an eArc from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book in Donna's Rogues of Scotland series and WOW! I realize its a fast read and all, but I so loved this book.
Ronan and meg both have trust issues when it pertains to the opposite sex. This book was so amazing to get to read as we went through the repair of the two working together to prove that everything has a reason.
I loved that this wasn't instant romance either though! I have been getting quite bored with man meets woman, woman is swept off her feet, love at first sight, HEA.. So the way Donna kept us on our toes with this one was very lovely.
After the end of Donna's Dark Warrior Series, I was looking forward to this book as I can never get enough of Donna's Scottish Highlanders *SWOON*
Anywho... There is quite a bit I have guessed to be coming up in the next books but that is okay because it makes me want NEED more!!
I enjoyed this sweet and passionate novella. After being cursed to spend eternity trapped in darkness, highlander Ronan is finally granted his freedom by sweet, innocent Meg. But unless he can prove his worth he is destined to be pulled back into his prison. I enjoyed watching the spark grow between Ronan and Meg and look forward to the next book in this series.
Ronan is cursed and trapped in a mirror after he refuses to marry a woman, he was having an affair, and she kills herself.
He's spent years being brought out of the mirror, but sent back in. Then comes Meg, who's trying to get through an experience from a past relationship. Some kind of way he is let out and Meg agrees not to send him back.
He's immediately attracted to her, but that doesn't stop him from sampling the maids or some other women or woman before he starts acting on his attraction to Meg. Which is the reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of the 3 I was going to go with.
I already prefer my heroes to only have eyes for the heroine once he acknowledges some level of attraction, but this wasn't even long enough for him to be looking at another woman.
I didn't get the 'yes, baby' feeling out of this book that I was expecting. I found it to be a little predictable and not very exciting. Ronan is cursed by a gypsy woman when he causes her granddaughter to commit suicide. He ends up stuck in a dark place of nothingness. Though he gets out twice, he ends up right back there in no time. Now, he gets another chance to try to make up for what he did. The only problem is he has no idea what he needs to do. Not only that, but it is 200 years since he was trapped and everything has changed. His close friends and family are long gone. The woman who has released him is from the same family that trapped him and he finds himself drawn to her. Meg is beautiful, but something is haunting her and he has no idea how to help her...or himself.
I didn't like it very much. There's a lot told but not shown, and the dialogue felt artificial and stiff. I have no idea where this takes place. There's mention of lairds and clans, but other than that, it could be anywhere. Even a fantasy setting. Some mention of rain, once, as a plot device to get MCs to have sex for the first time. I have no idea when the story takes place, either, despite the author putting a year at the beginning of the first two chapters. Nothing is well described, and the way fMC thinks, acts, and talks, it seemed more like a contemporary, paranormal romance than a historical one.
I enjoyed this instalove prequel novella to the rogues of Scotland series. Sweet Meg is in her aunt’s castle as a reprieve and respite after she was betrayed. Ronan was trapped in a mirror by a gypsy when he was the cause of her granddaughter’s suicide. Ronan only knows has to earn his freedom but not how. When Meg releases him from the mirror 200 years later, he is drawn to her but does not know why. Despite being short, this novella was well written and included characters with dimension, and a fairly engaging storyline.
This didn't take long for it to get me caught up. The idea of being cursed to the mirror for abusing someone's heart is pretty clever. It tickled the heck outta me. Its what caught my eye to begin with. I liked how simple the story flowed. There were a few questions I'd have liked to see answered. Hopefully we'll get three more books in this series. I cannot wait to get my hands on them.
Ronan is that hot charming highlander that any woman could fall for and Meg is a sweet woman that any man should fall for.
It's a short story about a highlander not wanting to settle down, because of what he's seen with his mom and sister. He gets cursed by a gypsy. Then many years later, he finds a sweet lass and ends up falling in love and breaking his curse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a quick, good read with a happy ending. Ronan is cursed by a Gypsy for not wanting to marry. He is not a fan of marriage seeing his parents and sister’s lives. Flash forward and we meet a heart broken Meg, who was left by a thieving fiancé at the alter. She has gone to stay with her Aunt to heal. As she goes into the attic of the castle to check out the antiques, she sees a mirror. This begins her story with Ronan. It is a sweet love story with a happy ending.
The first book in the Rogues of Scotland, Meg Alpin has been betrayed by the man thought loved her so she retires to the tower were she finds cursed and caged in a mirror by a gypsy, Ronan Galt. I enjoyed reading this well written story and seeing them get a happy ending. I found the story to be well worth reading. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Craving by Donna Grant is a wonderful, heartwarming story. I was grabbed right at first and held until the very end. Real page Turner. Loved the characters and how they worked their problems, fears out. My opinion. Thanks
Ronan is cursed into a mirror from an angry gypsy. Meg finds the mirror and encounters Ronan. After Ronan helps out around the castle, Meg starts to have feelings for him. As Ronan's time starts to run out, he realizes that he loves Meg. Once she admits her love for him, the curse is broken.
I must say you never let me down. It’s been years since I pick up a book and I guess now before I put down again thanks to you. Wishing you continue success. Off to your library to find another good book to read. DH from NYC 10/7/2022
Audio - very short story. Love being back in Scotland with all the magic and lore. Plus the accents. The four books in this series are about four highlanders cursed in the 14th century and the women that help break the curse.
Scotland, Gypsies, curses, love and heartbreak. Ronan was cursed, to live in darkness, because of a death until he paid the price. He didnt know what the price was, then he met Meg, so will she be able to help him. Read and find out.
An enjoyable enough read, although I think it would have been better suited to a full length novel. It read more like the light/summary version of a novel