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The MacLerie Clan #8
Une favorite insaisissable
Ecosse, XIVe siècle
Riche, habile aux armes, insolemment séduisant, et promis à prendre la tête de son clan, Aidan n’échangerait sa place pour rien au monde. Mais il sait que, bientôt, son titre lui imposera une conduite irréprochable, car son père est en train d’arranger un mariage. Alors, en attendant, il jouit sans frein de son succès auprès de toutes les jolies filles de Lairig Dubh… Jusqu’au jour où il pose les yeux sur Catriona. La ravissante, sensuelle, vertueuse Catriona. La seule qui ait jamais suscité chez lui une ardeur si puissante. La seule aussi qui, malgré le désir qu’il lit dans son regard, le fuit, se dérobe, évite chaque rencontre qu’il provoque… Car Catriona est mariée. Entre Aidan, bientôt promis à une autre, et Catriona, enchaînée à un époux de vingt ans son aîné, une passion interdite flambe au sein du clan.
A propos de l’auteur :
Fascinée par l’Angleterre et l’Ecosse médiévales, Terri Brisbin est imbattable sur la généalogie des rois qu’elle se plaît à mettre en scène dans ses romans. Elle est également présidente d’un cercle littéraire de Washington et prodigue des conseils en ligne à de jeunes romanciers débutants.
Ce roman est le 4ème et dernier tome de la série L'honneur du clan.
Riche, habile aux armes, insolemment séduisant, et promis à prendre la tête de son clan, Aidan n’échangerait sa place pour rien au monde. Mais il sait que, bientôt, son titre lui imposera une conduite irréprochable, car son père est en train d’arranger un mariage. Alors, en attendant, il jouit sans frein de son succès auprès de toutes les jolies filles de Lairig Dubh… Jusqu’au jour où il pose les yeux sur Catriona. La ravissante, sensuelle, vertueuse Catriona. La seule qui ait jamais suscité chez lui une ardeur si puissante. La seule aussi qui, malgré le désir qu’il lit dans son regard, le fuit, se dérobe, évite chaque rencontre qu’il provoque… Car Catriona est mariée. Entre Aidan, bientôt promis à une autre, et Catriona, enchaînée à un époux de vingt ans son aîné, une passion interdite flambe au sein du clan.
A propos de l’auteur :
Fascinée par l’Angleterre et l’Ecosse médiévales, Terri Brisbin est imbattable sur la généalogie des rois qu’elle se plaît à mettre en scène dans ses romans. Elle est également présidente d’un cercle littéraire de Washington et prodigue des conseils en ligne à de jeunes romanciers débutants.
Ce roman est le 4ème et dernier tome de la série L'honneur du clan.
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
31 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Terri Brisbin
215 books549 followersTerri Brisbin is the USA TODAY Bestselling author of more than 50 historical, paranormal and fantasy romances and her books have been released in more than 20 languages and 25 countries around the world since 1998. She's been published by Berkley/Jove, Harlequin, Kensington Books, NAL/Signet, Dragonblade Publishing and Oliver Heber Books. Terri has also self-published her works and will have new books out through 2026!
When not living the glamorous life of a romance author in the southern NJ suburbs, Terri spends her time being a married mom, a grammy and a dental hygienist while plotting and planning future stories and trips to Scotland . For more info (more than you could possibly want or need to know) visit her website – www.terribrisbin.com .
When not living the glamorous life of a romance author in the southern NJ suburbs, Terri spends her time being a married mom, a grammy and a dental hygienist while plotting and planning future stories and trips to Scotland . For more info (more than you could possibly want or need to know) visit her website – www.terribrisbin.com .
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 22, 2014
Son of the earl, Aidan MacLerie is young, unsettled and likes the ladies, especially widows so when he spies Catriona MacKenzie at the village well, he decides he has to have her. Since no woman has yet denied the earl's son, Aidan was surprised when she informed him that she was married to Gowan, his father's guardsman, thank you very much and good day. Undaunted Aidan contrives ways to seek her out with no success. Then her husband dies on the way home after being summoned by his son Munro. Now Catriona is turned out with the whole village turned against her. Aidan then offers her his protection as his leman since he felt responsible for her predictament. But will that be enough to quell the rumors? What about love? Aidan is expected to make a good marriage and Cat isn't from a noble family. How will that play out?
I actually really liked this story. Even though Aidan is a real jerk in the beginning, he sees in Catriona something that is more than his usual pursuit and finally realizes that she's "worth more than rubies." It's a sweet story of love in the middle ages.
I actually really liked this story. Even though Aidan is a real jerk in the beginning, he sees in Catriona something that is more than his usual pursuit and finally realizes that she's "worth more than rubies." It's a sweet story of love in the middle ages.
August 17, 2016
I liked it. The author managed to right all the wrongs and I wept at times for Catriona. She was consistent throughout, always wanting and doing the right thing. Aidan, was more difficult to like, not that he was unlikeable. He was young, impetuous, and self-centered as only the heir to a laird can be. What I liked about him was that he always tried to be honorable even though he sometimes spun a story to himself that made everything right. He matured right before my eyes.
One of the things I love about romance is the study of human nature that is couched within. Every author has experiences and wisdom to share which I greedily read up. I learned from this one how wrong life can go if people do not share truth, even if they think it is for another persons' good. Secrets kept are destructive even if they are never exposed. That made it a four star rating from me even though I can't say I "really liked it".
One of the things I love about romance is the study of human nature that is couched within. Every author has experiences and wisdom to share which I greedily read up. I learned from this one how wrong life can go if people do not share truth, even if they think it is for another persons' good. Secrets kept are destructive even if they are never exposed. That made it a four star rating from me even though I can't say I "really liked it".
December 22, 2014
4.5 STARS
It’s been many years since I’ve read a Harlequin. What I love about them is they are like a delightful confection, easily consumed in a sitting or two. With each read, there is an expectation built in of what it must deliver to the reader.
The focal point of the story is the love story between Aidan and Catriona. He’s a randy younger man who is driven by his need for conquest, and she’s a loyal married woman in a loveless but safe marriage. Never has he wanted a woman like he wants her, and never she had a man awaken the desire he has in her. At their core, they both discover their own moral ground and live by it… even thought that means they might need to give each other up.
Set in Highlands, the historical backdrop doesn’t romanticize the mores or the role of woman in that time. The secondary characters are memorable and add texture to the story which follows these two on their rocky journey to true love.
Enjoyable with the right level of tension and heat.
It’s been many years since I’ve read a Harlequin. What I love about them is they are like a delightful confection, easily consumed in a sitting or two. With each read, there is an expectation built in of what it must deliver to the reader.
The focal point of the story is the love story between Aidan and Catriona. He’s a randy younger man who is driven by his need for conquest, and she’s a loyal married woman in a loveless but safe marriage. Never has he wanted a woman like he wants her, and never she had a man awaken the desire he has in her. At their core, they both discover their own moral ground and live by it… even thought that means they might need to give each other up.
Set in Highlands, the historical backdrop doesn’t romanticize the mores or the role of woman in that time. The secondary characters are memorable and add texture to the story which follows these two on their rocky journey to true love.
Enjoyable with the right level of tension and heat.
April 3, 2015
I think this may have been the final book in the series. Keeping that in mind, I savored the book as I read it and said goodbye to the characters of whom I came to love. I know, it sounds crazy that I get so involved in the storylines and characters but I love reading and when an author can make entrench me so deeply into their world that I start caring for the characters, well…that is just some darn good writing!
I have to say though, that I was not liking Aidan MacLerie at the beginning of this book. He was the typical eldest son of nobility back then. He was a womanizer who did what he wanted and just expected women to drop at his feet so he could use them and then walk away when he got bored. He didn’t think of the trouble he caused for the poor women he used.
Aidan is the eldest son of Connor and Jocelyn MacLerie, the main characters of the very first book in the series. Connor is the powerful clan chief of the MacLeries and expects Aidan to follow in his footsteps which Aidan is perfectly capable of doing. Aidan is educated and a strong warrior who takes his responsibilities serious but he takes time to play hard also. He loves women and they love him. His parents have delayed marriage plans for him because his mom wanted to give him time to get the womanizing out of his system but now it is time to find a suitable wife for him who will bring connections and wealth to the clan.
Catriona MacKenzie has had a hard life. Her father was a cruel man who married her off to a likeminded man who made her lose her child when he beat her while she was pregnant. Her husband died so her father took her to the village and tried to sell her as a whore but she fought back. That is when Gowan MacLerie, a guardsman for the MacLerie clan, found her and rescued her by marrying her. She was told she would never have children again and Gowan had a grown son already so he never expected children from her. It was a marriage of respect but not love or passion. Gowan stopped coming to Catriona’s bed years ago after it was clear to him she did not like it.
When Aidan sees Catriona fetching water in the village, he is determined to have her even though he sees that she is wearing a kerchief over her hair which means she is a married woman. He flirts with her but she does not flirt back. He sends her husband away a long trip to train younger warriors so he can seduce Catriona while he is gone but his seduction doesn’t work. Catriona slams into Aidan while hurrying through the village in a rainstorm on her way to her friend’s cottage one day. He steals a kiss from her and she slaps him then runs to her friend’s cottage. Unfortunately, some one saw the kiss and the rumors spread like wildfire around the castle and village and now people think the worst of Catriona.
Catriona’s step-son sends for his father to come home and punish Catriona. The villagers are all shunning her except for her friend, Muireall, who believes her. The baker has no room for her bread, the butcher can only sell her the worst cut of meat and the miller won’t grind her flour for her. Things get worse when Gowan dies while on his way home and her step-son kicks her out of her their cottage. Now, she is sleeping on the dirt floor of her friend’s cottage. People in her village are spitting at her and men are leering lecherously at her. She doesn’t know what to do. One man has offered marriage because his children need a mom and another has offered her to take care of his ailing wife but when he touches her inappropriately, she knows that the offer is for more than just taking care of his wife. Life looks pretty bleak.
Meanwhile, Aidan is living life as he always has. His parents have talked to him about the rumors and he admits to trying to seduce her but tells them it didn’t work. They go ahead with marriage plans for him and find three potential wives for him.
When Gowan dies, Aidan feels guilty. Catriona doesn’t know it was he who sent Gowan away in the first place. He buys a large cottage and offers it to Catriona. He sends his cousin Ciara to broker the deal with Catriona. Ciara tells her that no matter what, she owns the cottage and will receive an annual widow’s stipend for Gowan’s service to the clan but she also tells her that Aidan wants Catriona for his leman. A leman is a nobleman’s mistress. After thinking about it, Catriona agrees.
Aidan and Catriona start falling in love with each other but Aidan’s father would never agree to marriage between them and he Aidan needs heirs which Catriona could not provide. When Aidan’s potential betrothed women start arriving, Catriona realizes that their time together will soon end because she would never be able to share him with another woman. She decides to enlist the help of Ciara to find another village to live in but before she leaves, she discovers she is a few months pregnant. She was told she could never have children yet here she is pregnant. She thinks she should tell Aidan before she leaves so that he knows about the baby but before she does, her step-son tells her the truth about Aidan sending Gowan away so he could seduce her. She decides to leave without telling him about the baby.
Now that Catriona is gone, Aidan has to choose one of the women to become his wife or risk losing his family, his position and his wealth to find Catriona. His father has told him that he would no longer be his heir if he chooses Catriona.
It was nice to see Aidan grow up during the book and take some responsibility for the trouble he caused. He could have just let Catriona fend for herself like a lot of spoiled noblemen would do just because they think they are entitled to it but he did offer her a place to live. I thought it was sad that she could only be his leman because of his position and her low birth which is why he shouldn’t have chased her in the first place…not to mention she was married.
What really irked me the most was how easily the villagers turned on someone . When Catriona was accused of cheating on her husband, they all turned on her but the very next day, after she agreed to be Aidan’s leman, they treated her like royalty. To me, a leman is just a nobleman’s prostitute but for some reason, the villagers saw the position as something respectable. I didn’t get it.
So, that was the last book of the series that I know about now I will once again be looking for another series. I’m not sure if I’ll be looking for a Highlander series or a paranormal series. I have two books in my queue that just came in while reading this series that I have been waiting for from other series that I need to read. They are the next books in ongoing series from two of my favorite authors. I’m going to read those and then look for a new series.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com
I have to say though, that I was not liking Aidan MacLerie at the beginning of this book. He was the typical eldest son of nobility back then. He was a womanizer who did what he wanted and just expected women to drop at his feet so he could use them and then walk away when he got bored. He didn’t think of the trouble he caused for the poor women he used.
Aidan is the eldest son of Connor and Jocelyn MacLerie, the main characters of the very first book in the series. Connor is the powerful clan chief of the MacLeries and expects Aidan to follow in his footsteps which Aidan is perfectly capable of doing. Aidan is educated and a strong warrior who takes his responsibilities serious but he takes time to play hard also. He loves women and they love him. His parents have delayed marriage plans for him because his mom wanted to give him time to get the womanizing out of his system but now it is time to find a suitable wife for him who will bring connections and wealth to the clan.
Catriona MacKenzie has had a hard life. Her father was a cruel man who married her off to a likeminded man who made her lose her child when he beat her while she was pregnant. Her husband died so her father took her to the village and tried to sell her as a whore but she fought back. That is when Gowan MacLerie, a guardsman for the MacLerie clan, found her and rescued her by marrying her. She was told she would never have children again and Gowan had a grown son already so he never expected children from her. It was a marriage of respect but not love or passion. Gowan stopped coming to Catriona’s bed years ago after it was clear to him she did not like it.
When Aidan sees Catriona fetching water in the village, he is determined to have her even though he sees that she is wearing a kerchief over her hair which means she is a married woman. He flirts with her but she does not flirt back. He sends her husband away a long trip to train younger warriors so he can seduce Catriona while he is gone but his seduction doesn’t work. Catriona slams into Aidan while hurrying through the village in a rainstorm on her way to her friend’s cottage one day. He steals a kiss from her and she slaps him then runs to her friend’s cottage. Unfortunately, some one saw the kiss and the rumors spread like wildfire around the castle and village and now people think the worst of Catriona.
Catriona’s step-son sends for his father to come home and punish Catriona. The villagers are all shunning her except for her friend, Muireall, who believes her. The baker has no room for her bread, the butcher can only sell her the worst cut of meat and the miller won’t grind her flour for her. Things get worse when Gowan dies while on his way home and her step-son kicks her out of her their cottage. Now, she is sleeping on the dirt floor of her friend’s cottage. People in her village are spitting at her and men are leering lecherously at her. She doesn’t know what to do. One man has offered marriage because his children need a mom and another has offered her to take care of his ailing wife but when he touches her inappropriately, she knows that the offer is for more than just taking care of his wife. Life looks pretty bleak.
Meanwhile, Aidan is living life as he always has. His parents have talked to him about the rumors and he admits to trying to seduce her but tells them it didn’t work. They go ahead with marriage plans for him and find three potential wives for him.
When Gowan dies, Aidan feels guilty. Catriona doesn’t know it was he who sent Gowan away in the first place. He buys a large cottage and offers it to Catriona. He sends his cousin Ciara to broker the deal with Catriona. Ciara tells her that no matter what, she owns the cottage and will receive an annual widow’s stipend for Gowan’s service to the clan but she also tells her that Aidan wants Catriona for his leman. A leman is a nobleman’s mistress. After thinking about it, Catriona agrees.
Aidan and Catriona start falling in love with each other but Aidan’s father would never agree to marriage between them and he Aidan needs heirs which Catriona could not provide. When Aidan’s potential betrothed women start arriving, Catriona realizes that their time together will soon end because she would never be able to share him with another woman. She decides to enlist the help of Ciara to find another village to live in but before she leaves, she discovers she is a few months pregnant. She was told she could never have children yet here she is pregnant. She thinks she should tell Aidan before she leaves so that he knows about the baby but before she does, her step-son tells her the truth about Aidan sending Gowan away so he could seduce her. She decides to leave without telling him about the baby.
Now that Catriona is gone, Aidan has to choose one of the women to become his wife or risk losing his family, his position and his wealth to find Catriona. His father has told him that he would no longer be his heir if he chooses Catriona.
It was nice to see Aidan grow up during the book and take some responsibility for the trouble he caused. He could have just let Catriona fend for herself like a lot of spoiled noblemen would do just because they think they are entitled to it but he did offer her a place to live. I thought it was sad that she could only be his leman because of his position and her low birth which is why he shouldn’t have chased her in the first place…not to mention she was married.
What really irked me the most was how easily the villagers turned on someone . When Catriona was accused of cheating on her husband, they all turned on her but the very next day, after she agreed to be Aidan’s leman, they treated her like royalty. To me, a leman is just a nobleman’s prostitute but for some reason, the villagers saw the position as something respectable. I didn’t get it.
So, that was the last book of the series that I know about now I will once again be looking for another series. I’m not sure if I’ll be looking for a Highlander series or a paranormal series. I have two books in my queue that just came in while reading this series that I have been waiting for from other series that I need to read. They are the next books in ongoing series from two of my favorite authors. I’m going to read those and then look for a new series.
www.paranormalromanceslut.com
September 21, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is one of my favorite stories. I just got done reading it and love every bit of it. Catriona has had a very unjust life since her birth caused her mothers’ death and she was left at her piece of shit fathers’ mercy. He was not only abusive but tried to pimp her to whom ever would pay a penny to have her but she refused to become a whore and fought back. This gained the attention of a kind man who came to her rescue and offered to marry her and take her away from that awful life and her controlling father. Thanks to this man, for the next two years she lived a decent life and was content and well respected until a certain handsome young man in a position of wealth and power set his sights on her and decided to pursue her while her husband was away on an assignment. Things start getting really interesting from there on out. I won’t spoil it for anyone trying to make up their mind on reading this book and looking for guidance in the reviews to make up their mind as I often do. Let me just say that I can’t count with one hand 🖐🏼 the books I’ve read that I’ve not skipped a page or two in order to speed up to the interesting parts and finish them. And this is definitely one of them. I ate up every single word in one sitting. Oh one more thing, I’m in love with Aiden. Lol.
This is one of my favorite stories. I just got done reading it and love every bit of it. Catriona has had a very unjust life since her birth caused her mothers’ death and she was left at her piece of shit fathers’ mercy. He was not only abusive but tried to pimp her to whom ever would pay a penny to have her but she refused to become a whore and fought back. This gained the attention of a kind man who came to her rescue and offered to marry her and take her away from that awful life and her controlling father. Thanks to this man, for the next two years she lived a decent life and was content and well respected until a certain handsome young man in a position of wealth and power set his sights on her and decided to pursue her while her husband was away on an assignment. Things start getting really interesting from there on out. I won’t spoil it for anyone trying to make up their mind on reading this book and looking for guidance in the reviews to make up their mind as I often do. Let me just say that I can’t count with one hand 🖐🏼 the books I’ve read that I’ve not skipped a page or two in order to speed up to the interesting parts and finish them. And this is definitely one of them. I ate up every single word in one sitting. Oh one more thing, I’m in love with Aiden. Lol.
August 4, 2025
Recordando los viejos tiempos. Siempre es un placer leerme las novelas históricas de Harlequin, son historias cortas, absurdas pero bastante entretenidas. Me recuerdan mi adolescencia 🥹
Read
January 12, 2016"Brisbin’s MacLerie series comes to an end with the story of Connor MacLerie’s heir. It’s a tale about falling in love, growing up, accepting the consequences of your actions and fighting for the one you love. Readers will find lots of old friends in this novel, but it stands alone. The characters are realistic, the setting is authentic and the road to love is wrought with enough passion and angst to keep readers turning the pages until the surprising ending (RT Book Reviews)". 4 stars
Miniseries: The MacLerie Clan
Miniseries: The MacLerie Clan
May 16, 2014
So this is the end if the MacLerie series ): I thought that parts if this book were very touching and it's nice to see that Aidan's sister Lilidh is getting the wedding that was promised. Also that Ciara is doing well and even helped out poor Cat. I really hopes she would do a story about Young Dougal, as Rouriks son would follow in the tradition of Aidan. All in all I really have loved all her books in this series.
April 18, 2015
True love wins.the. road to happiness is not always smooth,we must take the bad with the good
Like most books about Scotland life was not all good times.common people relied on the laird of the cilaterrintro protection and help. Terri Brisbane is one of my favorite authors and I try read her books
Like most books about Scotland life was not all good times.common people relied on the laird of the cilaterrintro protection and help. Terri Brisbane is one of my favorite authors and I try read her books
February 19, 2015
Une série qui se termine en beauté ! Vous succomberez au charme dévastateur d’Aidan tout comme Catriona !
Ma chronique : http://songedunenuitdete.com/2015/02/...
Ma chronique : http://songedunenuitdete.com/2015/02/...
March 9, 2015
I liked the slow realisation that they actually loved each other and how he grew as a person.
November 9, 2024
Look I just couldn't like this. DNF @ 15%
I'm not the biggest fan of older woman / younger man romances but I gave this one a shot. Right off the bat Aidan comes across as a creep, he sees Cat getting water and decides she's going to be his next fuck. He only helps her so he can find out where she lives and come back later, basically molests her under the guise of chivalry and when he finds out she's married (which she makes clear to him) doubles his efforts at getting her to satisfy his lust.
Look I'm sure he gets better or whatever, but all I learned is that he goes for the unwilling, thinks about women in terms of conquest and like a piece of meat and has no qualms cucking or circumventing marriage if he wants something even a little. He puts her in a compromising position and even though she rejected him, because someone sees them, SHE becomes an outcast for her behavior. Oh and her husband dies on his way back to deal with her and we're supposed to believe all this will have a happy ending???
This book is basically about an arrogant womanizer who wants what he can't have and uses his power as the Laird's eldest to satisfy his wants, running a good woman's life in the process, and that was a super turn off for me.
I'm not the biggest fan of older woman / younger man romances but I gave this one a shot. Right off the bat Aidan comes across as a creep, he sees Cat getting water and decides she's going to be his next fuck. He only helps her so he can find out where she lives and come back later, basically molests her under the guise of chivalry and when he finds out she's married (which she makes clear to him) doubles his efforts at getting her to satisfy his lust.
Look I'm sure he gets better or whatever, but all I learned is that he goes for the unwilling, thinks about women in terms of conquest and like a piece of meat and has no qualms cucking or circumventing marriage if he wants something even a little. He puts her in a compromising position and even though she rejected him, because someone sees them, SHE becomes an outcast for her behavior. Oh and her husband dies on his way back to deal with her and we're supposed to believe all this will have a happy ending???
This book is basically about an arrogant womanizer who wants what he can't have and uses his power as the Laird's eldest to satisfy his wants, running a good woman's life in the process, and that was a super turn off for me.
October 13, 2019
Yield to the highlander
Loved this book , i couldn’t put it down I finished it in 2 days time some of the beginning books of this series is my favorite too but this one is right along with those , this is a must read series I loved each story , I would highly recommend reading them in order to better grasp it all , I have found another series to add to my collection!
Loved this book , i couldn’t put it down I finished it in 2 days time some of the beginning books of this series is my favorite too but this one is right along with those , this is a must read series I loved each story , I would highly recommend reading them in order to better grasp it all , I have found another series to add to my collection!
February 27, 2023
Very enjoyable book. I do not usually enjoy books about widows. However this was an exception. Not the normal hero/widow storyline.
I am sure you will also find it intriguing.
Mary-Maureen Hardie
I am sure you will also find it intriguing.
Mary-Maureen Hardie
December 28, 2025
Um Romance ótimo para se distrair e passar o tempo. Ele se passa nas Terras Altas da Escócia, o casal é carismático e a história é bem escrita, além de ser recheada de clichês. Um boa leitura pra distrair a mente.
February 10, 2018
DNF whole book -- skimmed because didn't like plot premise
June 12, 2018
why do i keep doing this to myself?
April 22, 2025
He's kind of an ass...
July 30, 2019
challenging tale!
June 23, 2015
Very good book that kept me hooked all the way to the end. Aidan is heir to the laird, young, handsome and an excellent warrior. He is also well known for his pursuit of the ladies and when he sees Catriona, he immediately wants her. She's married, but he isn't going to let that stop him.
Cat hasn't had an easy life. She was married first to a cruel and abusive man who beat her so badly she lost the baby she carried and was told she'd not be able to have more children. When her husband died, her equally awful father, calling her useless, tried to sell her as a whore. When she fought back, a passing soldier came to her rescue and bought her, marrying her himself. Grateful, Cat does what she can to make his life more pleasant. They may not love each other, but she is loyal to him, which is why she is horrified by Aidan's pursuit of her. She makes it clear to him that she will not give in to him, though she cannot deny that she is attracted to him.
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to make any difference to Aidan. He makes arrangements for her husband to be away so that he has more opportunity to pursue her. By the time he finally understands that she is serious about her refusal, it is too late. People have noticed his attentions, and his reputation is such that all assume that she has been unfaithful. When her husband dies while he is away, Cat is left with nothing, evicted from her home and shunned by everyone.
It's at this point where Aidan starts to redeem himself. He realizes that it is is fault that Cat is in such dire straits. The only way he can protect her is to set her up as his mistress, providing her with a place to live and the means to support herself. He also feels guilty about his actions and reasons for sending her husband away. I liked the fact that, though she must be looked on as his mistress for her protection, he isn't going to force a relationship on her. He makes it clear that if anything is going to happen between them, it will be by her choice.
At the same time all of this is going on, Aidan's father has told him that it is time for him to marry. And that means finding a woman of good birth, dowry, and connections that will be good for the clan. Aidan knows that this is the way it must be, but it doesn't make him happy. He still plans to keep Cat, even after he marries.
Aidan and Cat begin to build a relationship. She has admitted her attraction to him, but her past experiences have not been pleasant ones. I liked Aidan's patience and gentleness as he exposed her to the pleasure that could be had. They slowly begin to get to know each other, but underneath it all is the knowledge that this is all they can ever have. For awhile, Cat believes that it will be enough for her, but soon realizes that she has fallen in love with him. She also knows that she could never be happy as the mistress of a married man. Though it will break her heart to do so, she knows she will have to leave once he has married. When it comes to her attention that he had purposely sent her husband away in order to seduce her, she feels betrayed. That scene had me in tears as she dealt with that blow, realizing more than ever that she has no place in his life. There's something else that adds to her need to get away, and there's only one person that can help her do it.
Aidan is horrified as it finally hits him what he has done. He tries to explain to her, but she wants nothing to do with him. His father sends him off for a few days, and when he comes back, Cat is gone. His father refuses to tell him where she has gone, and insists that it is time for Aidan to select a bride. In spite of the fact that Aidan's father loves his wife, he appears to have absolutely no sympathy for Aidan's misery. I loved seeing Aidan realize just how much he cares for Cat, and his efforts to find her were great. I loved the scene where Aidan finally told his parents who he was going to marry. The resulting furor was intense but my respect for Aidan went through the roof.
Aidan continued to mature as he faced the difficult task of finding Cat and then convincing her of his love. She had her own moments of facing up to her mistakes and wishing for a chance to make things right. I wondered how things were going to get resolved, and then Aidan's mother got involved. I had to laugh at her methods because they were certainly effective, even on a hard headed man like her husband. I loved seeing husband and son fall to her superior strategy. I enjoyed the ending as it touched on events from the two previous books.
I've only read three of the most recent books, but will add the others in the series to my wish list of books for the future. I especially want to read the story of Aidan's parents.
Cat hasn't had an easy life. She was married first to a cruel and abusive man who beat her so badly she lost the baby she carried and was told she'd not be able to have more children. When her husband died, her equally awful father, calling her useless, tried to sell her as a whore. When she fought back, a passing soldier came to her rescue and bought her, marrying her himself. Grateful, Cat does what she can to make his life more pleasant. They may not love each other, but she is loyal to him, which is why she is horrified by Aidan's pursuit of her. She makes it clear to him that she will not give in to him, though she cannot deny that she is attracted to him.
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to make any difference to Aidan. He makes arrangements for her husband to be away so that he has more opportunity to pursue her. By the time he finally understands that she is serious about her refusal, it is too late. People have noticed his attentions, and his reputation is such that all assume that she has been unfaithful. When her husband dies while he is away, Cat is left with nothing, evicted from her home and shunned by everyone.
It's at this point where Aidan starts to redeem himself. He realizes that it is is fault that Cat is in such dire straits. The only way he can protect her is to set her up as his mistress, providing her with a place to live and the means to support herself. He also feels guilty about his actions and reasons for sending her husband away. I liked the fact that, though she must be looked on as his mistress for her protection, he isn't going to force a relationship on her. He makes it clear that if anything is going to happen between them, it will be by her choice.
At the same time all of this is going on, Aidan's father has told him that it is time for him to marry. And that means finding a woman of good birth, dowry, and connections that will be good for the clan. Aidan knows that this is the way it must be, but it doesn't make him happy. He still plans to keep Cat, even after he marries.
Aidan and Cat begin to build a relationship. She has admitted her attraction to him, but her past experiences have not been pleasant ones. I liked Aidan's patience and gentleness as he exposed her to the pleasure that could be had. They slowly begin to get to know each other, but underneath it all is the knowledge that this is all they can ever have. For awhile, Cat believes that it will be enough for her, but soon realizes that she has fallen in love with him. She also knows that she could never be happy as the mistress of a married man. Though it will break her heart to do so, she knows she will have to leave once he has married. When it comes to her attention that he had purposely sent her husband away in order to seduce her, she feels betrayed. That scene had me in tears as she dealt with that blow, realizing more than ever that she has no place in his life. There's something else that adds to her need to get away, and there's only one person that can help her do it.
Aidan is horrified as it finally hits him what he has done. He tries to explain to her, but she wants nothing to do with him. His father sends him off for a few days, and when he comes back, Cat is gone. His father refuses to tell him where she has gone, and insists that it is time for Aidan to select a bride. In spite of the fact that Aidan's father loves his wife, he appears to have absolutely no sympathy for Aidan's misery. I loved seeing Aidan realize just how much he cares for Cat, and his efforts to find her were great. I loved the scene where Aidan finally told his parents who he was going to marry. The resulting furor was intense but my respect for Aidan went through the roof.
Aidan continued to mature as he faced the difficult task of finding Cat and then convincing her of his love. She had her own moments of facing up to her mistakes and wishing for a chance to make things right. I wondered how things were going to get resolved, and then Aidan's mother got involved. I had to laugh at her methods because they were certainly effective, even on a hard headed man like her husband. I loved seeing husband and son fall to her superior strategy. I enjoyed the ending as it touched on events from the two previous books.
I've only read three of the most recent books, but will add the others in the series to my wish list of books for the future. I especially want to read the story of Aidan's parents.
March 4, 2017
Aiden MacLerie, his father's heir, has always had a way with women. So when he meets Catriona Mackenzie, he decides it will be a piece of cake to get her into his bed, even if she is married to one of his father's men, and his best friend's father, Gowan. She's not so easy a conquest though, since Catriona feels a debt to her husband and will not dishonor him. After he kisses her and she stingingly rejects him, he gives up. But their kiss was witnessed and Catriona takes the brunt of the village's disgust in her behavior. And when her husband dies on his way back to confront Catriona's disgrace, she really feels the effects of being an outcast. Aiden finally faces his responsibility in all this and agrees to set Catriona up in a house and give her lots of luxuries, but he's not done trying to make her his mistress now that she's no longer married. But Catriona has yet to learn about Aiden's role in her husband being away and that may make any future with her impossible...in addition to the fact that his father would never approve marriage between them.
This story did not appeal to me for several reasons. First, was Aiden himself. He was a pretty selfish asshole - not cruel, but definitely unable or unwilling to see how his actions affect others. The heroine may have been willing to forgive him and overlook his willingness to pursue and dishonor a married woman just for some sex, but I wasn't. To me it seemed that as soon as Catriona was available, he figured to assuage his guilt and take advantage of her widowed status all in one fell swoop. He never once asked her what she wanted. Selfish. Second, was Catriona herself. I was SO disappointed in how quickly she allowed Aiden to make her his leman in truth; in how quickly she was willing to let him take advantage of the fact that she was a widow. I was especially disappointed in how quickly she forgot the honor she owed her husband - she barely mourned for him. She was in Aiden's bed 2 weeks later. Lastly, is Connor MacLerie. I liked him as a hero in the first story. Subsequent stories involving the children have made me come to despise him. Connor repeatedly puts his children's happiness below the needs of the clan and even his own pride. I don't expect him to be a perfect parent, but I would expect that he would love his children. And I can't see that a man who would rather his children be miserable than not perform their duty and who would lie to them when the truth could ease their minds and hearts, really loves them as much as he should. Nor can I understand what Jocelyn sees in him any more. But it's clear that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree - Connor's selfish behavior is reflected in Aiden's. Connor has morphed into a character that I can't stand...and that kind of lessens my enjoyment of the first book, knowing how he turns out.
This story did not appeal to me for several reasons. First, was Aiden himself. He was a pretty selfish asshole - not cruel, but definitely unable or unwilling to see how his actions affect others. The heroine may have been willing to forgive him and overlook his willingness to pursue and dishonor a married woman just for some sex, but I wasn't. To me it seemed that as soon as Catriona was available, he figured to assuage his guilt and take advantage of her widowed status all in one fell swoop. He never once asked her what she wanted. Selfish. Second, was Catriona herself. I was SO disappointed in how quickly she allowed Aiden to make her his leman in truth; in how quickly she was willing to let him take advantage of the fact that she was a widow. I was especially disappointed in how quickly she forgot the honor she owed her husband - she barely mourned for him. She was in Aiden's bed 2 weeks later. Lastly, is Connor MacLerie. I liked him as a hero in the first story. Subsequent stories involving the children have made me come to despise him. Connor repeatedly puts his children's happiness below the needs of the clan and even his own pride. I don't expect him to be a perfect parent, but I would expect that he would love his children. And I can't see that a man who would rather his children be miserable than not perform their duty and who would lie to them when the truth could ease their minds and hearts, really loves them as much as he should. Nor can I understand what Jocelyn sees in him any more. But it's clear that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree - Connor's selfish behavior is reflected in Aiden's. Connor has morphed into a character that I can't stand...and that kind of lessens my enjoyment of the first book, knowing how he turns out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2017
Great book! I like how the author brought past events back into play with twists. I wish there was an epilogue to see how they did in the future with the baby.
August 10, 2014
Once again, I finished a MacLerie book feeling unexpectedly disappointed. I still love Brisbin and the series, and this book is not at all onerous to read; it's just not my favorite installment. The plot didn't work for me, probably because the idea that the story could have a happy ending seems ludicrous (a reality the book acknowledges in the beginning but then subverts). The main female character also didn't speak to me at all. Also, the steamy scenes didn't sizzle. To each her own, but this one didn't have the appeal of some of the real winners in this fun series (like 2, 3, 5, and 6). Fingers crossed the next few (another handful of kids have yet to be married off) hit the sweet spot!
May 17, 2014
YIELD TO THE HIGHLANDER Aiden MacLerie is strong, brave and yet he is as devilish as man can be.
Until Cat Mackenzie came along....whom Aiden can not possess.
Cat is married to a man she does not love but her husband Gowan SAVED her. She owes Gowan everything.
When Cat's husband falls in the battlefield she is left with nothing.....Aiden has the power to protect her if only she'd surrender.
You'll want to laugh and cry; this is the final MacLerie Clan story and Terri Brisbin delivers it with a punch!
Until Cat Mackenzie came along....whom Aiden can not possess.
Cat is married to a man she does not love but her husband Gowan SAVED her. She owes Gowan everything.
When Cat's husband falls in the battlefield she is left with nothing.....Aiden has the power to protect her if only she'd surrender.
You'll want to laugh and cry; this is the final MacLerie Clan story and Terri Brisbin delivers it with a punch!
October 10, 2016
:) mais uma historia do Clã Maclerie.
Nesta historia Aidan, herdeiro de Connor, enfrenta o maior desafio que alguma vez teve.
Gostei muito de ler esta historia, onde o amor de facto não escolhe idades! :)
Nesta historia Aidan, herdeiro de Connor, enfrenta o maior desafio que alguma vez teve.
Gostei muito de ler esta historia, onde o amor de facto não escolhe idades! :)
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June 3, 2014Miniseries: The MacLerie Clan
July 13, 2017
Aidan and his love interest have a difficult time of it - especially her. Talk about a double standard! But love finds a way. The Beast is tamed once more.
April 22, 2017
Not really what I'm used to read, but I think this book was very good.
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