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Sinclare Brothers #2
Under the Highlander's Spell
A Thrilling Rescue. . .
Highland warrior Artair Sinclare would do anything to find his missing brother. But the only woman who can help him is about to be burned at the stake! Zia, a talented healer, has been branded a witch by vicious local villagers. Swooping in to save her at the very last moment, Artair swears to protect her . . . even if the only way to keep her safe is to pretend to be her beloved husband.
A Tempting Alliance. . .
Marry this savage stranger? Never! Yet the beautiful and determined Zia soon realizes that she needs Artair's help to proceed with her life's work. She submits to their risky charade, growing closer to Artair all the while. Hunted by treacherous enemies, they escape to a wild, wooded place deep in the Scottish Highlands, where unexpected desires ignite . . . and Zia finds herself utterly, wholly under the Highlander's spell.
Highland warrior Artair Sinclare would do anything to find his missing brother. But the only woman who can help him is about to be burned at the stake! Zia, a talented healer, has been branded a witch by vicious local villagers. Swooping in to save her at the very last moment, Artair swears to protect her . . . even if the only way to keep her safe is to pretend to be her beloved husband.
A Tempting Alliance. . .
Marry this savage stranger? Never! Yet the beautiful and determined Zia soon realizes that she needs Artair's help to proceed with her life's work. She submits to their risky charade, growing closer to Artair all the while. Hunted by treacherous enemies, they escape to a wild, wooded place deep in the Scottish Highlands, where unexpected desires ignite . . . and Zia finds herself utterly, wholly under the Highlander's spell.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 2008
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836 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 24, 2018
“Under the Highlander’s Spell” is the first Highlander book and the first Donna Fletcher book I have ever read and I enjoyed it to the very end! Anyone who loves hot Highlander heroes, lots of adventure, drama and pure sizzling romance will easily make “Under the Highlander’s Spell” one of their top romance novels!
The book begins with a beautiful healer woman named Zia being tied up at the stake because the people of the village Lorne believed that she is witch when she started healing everyone at the village without anyone dying. Just as Zia was about to be burned at the stake, a dashing and powerful Highlander man named Artair Sinclare of Caithness comes to the village and saves Zia from being burned at the stake and he decides to take her with him so that he could find out about what happened to his long lost brother Ronan. Unfortunately, Zia could not tell Artair everything about his brother and Artair also discovers that Zia is not safe as long as the villagers of Lorne try to catch her and so he decides that he and Zia should get married so that way Zia can remain safe from the villagers of Lorne. But the question is: will Zia agree to this arrangement and how far will their relationship go?
My goodness! This book was so perfect from the beginning to the very end that I just could not put this book down for any reason at all! Donna Fletcher has certainly done a terrific job at conjuring up an exciting and romantic story that will have every romance fan panting like crazy! What I loved the most about this book was Zia and Artair’s relationship throughout this entire book. If you want to know the definition of “love at first sight,” then Zia and Artair’s relationship definitely confirms just that, since from the beginning, Zia and Artair truly loved each other as they supported each other through hard times and communicated so well with each other about their problems in their lives and you get to actually know the characters’ personalities so well since most of the pages in this book consisted of their dialogue with each other. Also, this book is a fair share of sensual scenes that will send shivers down your spines in a good way. Now that is what I call true love! The characters in this book were amazing and memorable, especially the Sinclare Family as they all truly cares for one another and they tried their hardest to protect Zia from being burned on the stake. The characters I really loved in this book were Zia and Artair as both characters were passionate about their goals in life. I really loved the way that Zia is such a strong and passionate character as she always speaks her mind about what she believes that true love is and I loved how she is always devoted to her work as a healer as she tries to help absolutely anyone who comes in her path, which is what I really loved about her character. Artair is another character I really loved as he is always described in having a muscular body which makes him truly sexy and I also loved the way that he is such a compassionate and devoted character as he always cares about Zia and he will do anything to save Zia’s life. Now that is a true romantic hero!
For those of you who are not comfortable with sex scenes, there are a couple of sex scenes in this book that seem a bit graphic, but not too graphic to be disgusting.
All in all, “Under the Highlander’s Spell” is a truly wonderful and sensual book about true love and I am sure that any romance fan will fall head over heels with this book for many years to come!
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
September 15, 2017
DNF
Imagine this - one minute your ass is about to be roasted at the stake for being a witch and literally an hour after you've been miraculously rescued you're hopping and skipping about the woods picking berries for lunch waxing long in the tooth about passion and love.
I don't know about you - but I'd be just a tad bit traumatized at that point at the proximity of almost meeting my maker. Therein lies the problem for me. The heroine was just so nauseatingly and ridiculously sweet and exuberant she came off as a bit touched in the head.
And everything in the story was just so perfect and saccharine I felt like I was in a Disney tale. As for the hero, from the get-go he was just a lapdog for our heroine. Someone must have removed his balls before the story started.
Imagine this - one minute your ass is about to be roasted at the stake for being a witch and literally an hour after you've been miraculously rescued you're hopping and skipping about the woods picking berries for lunch waxing long in the tooth about passion and love.
I don't know about you - but I'd be just a tad bit traumatized at that point at the proximity of almost meeting my maker. Therein lies the problem for me. The heroine was just so nauseatingly and ridiculously sweet and exuberant she came off as a bit touched in the head.
And everything in the story was just so perfect and saccharine I felt like I was in a Disney tale. As for the hero, from the get-go he was just a lapdog for our heroine. Someone must have removed his balls before the story started.
January 13, 2009
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Oct08
I ‘discovered’ Donna Fletcher several years ago and now count on her as an author whose historical novels will have strong characters, fiery passion, romance, mystery, and a wonderful ending; all wrapped up in gorgeous Highland plaid! “Under the Highlander’s Spell” is her latest offering, and I think I fell a bit under the hero’s spell myself.
Artair is on a mission to find his brother who vanished while fighting the barbarians. His latest information is about a female healer and when he finally tracks her down, he’s almost too late. She’s been beaten and bound to a stake…about to be burned as a witch! Artair is thankful he could save her after she confirms that she did indeed use her healing skills on his brother. She even offers to lead he and his men to her village where she last saw his brother. Even though his brother has already left, Artair can’t seem to get his mind off this beautiful healer, and when her skills again place her in danger, Artair vows to do whatever is necessary to keep her with him…even marry her!
Zia is a passionate woman. She’s passionate about life, love, and healing…and not necessarily in that order. She’s attracted to Artair, but she’s vowed to marry only for love, not convenience or safety. She is all too willing to accompany Artair to his home in order to help his brother the laird’s wife during her pregnancy. Their trip is interrupted by calls for her skills from a village all too close to the one that almost burned her as a witch so she agrees to a ‘pretend’ marriage with Artair. It doesn’t take long for Zia to realize that Artair is everything she could want in a husband…but does he love her? And if so, will her ever admit it?
Zia and Artair were so perfect for each other! His logic grounded her impetuousness but didn’t cage it. The slow unfolding of their growing closeness gave Fletcher time to showcase each characters strengths and weaknesses as well as allowing both of them to learn the same about each other! My only beef was with the ‘rabbit in the hat’ toward the end of the book. An accusation of witchcraft was certainly a serious offense in those days and I would like to have seen a solution other than the one so conveniently offered…but that’s just me!
Donna Fletcher has once again carried me off to the highlands and provided me with a few hours of carefree smiles and happily-ever-afters. She’s also assured herself of another sale since now I want to know what happened to the missing brother! The next story in the Sinclare brother’s saga is “The Angel and the Highlander” which should hit the shelves in April 2009. Until then, feel free to pick up your own copy of “Under the Highlander’s Spell”, then you can wait for the next release right along with me!
I ‘discovered’ Donna Fletcher several years ago and now count on her as an author whose historical novels will have strong characters, fiery passion, romance, mystery, and a wonderful ending; all wrapped up in gorgeous Highland plaid! “Under the Highlander’s Spell” is her latest offering, and I think I fell a bit under the hero’s spell myself.
Artair is on a mission to find his brother who vanished while fighting the barbarians. His latest information is about a female healer and when he finally tracks her down, he’s almost too late. She’s been beaten and bound to a stake…about to be burned as a witch! Artair is thankful he could save her after she confirms that she did indeed use her healing skills on his brother. She even offers to lead he and his men to her village where she last saw his brother. Even though his brother has already left, Artair can’t seem to get his mind off this beautiful healer, and when her skills again place her in danger, Artair vows to do whatever is necessary to keep her with him…even marry her!
Zia is a passionate woman. She’s passionate about life, love, and healing…and not necessarily in that order. She’s attracted to Artair, but she’s vowed to marry only for love, not convenience or safety. She is all too willing to accompany Artair to his home in order to help his brother the laird’s wife during her pregnancy. Their trip is interrupted by calls for her skills from a village all too close to the one that almost burned her as a witch so she agrees to a ‘pretend’ marriage with Artair. It doesn’t take long for Zia to realize that Artair is everything she could want in a husband…but does he love her? And if so, will her ever admit it?
Zia and Artair were so perfect for each other! His logic grounded her impetuousness but didn’t cage it. The slow unfolding of their growing closeness gave Fletcher time to showcase each characters strengths and weaknesses as well as allowing both of them to learn the same about each other! My only beef was with the ‘rabbit in the hat’ toward the end of the book. An accusation of witchcraft was certainly a serious offense in those days and I would like to have seen a solution other than the one so conveniently offered…but that’s just me!
Donna Fletcher has once again carried me off to the highlands and provided me with a few hours of carefree smiles and happily-ever-afters. She’s also assured herself of another sale since now I want to know what happened to the missing brother! The next story in the Sinclare brother’s saga is “The Angel and the Highlander” which should hit the shelves in April 2009. Until then, feel free to pick up your own copy of “Under the Highlander’s Spell”, then you can wait for the next release right along with me!
June 29, 2024
Two main plots:
1. The romance was a battle between logic/practicality and love/passion. The hero wants to marry the heroine because they make a good match. The heroine refuses to marry him unless there's love and passion. Well, there's definitely passion between them, but she also wants love. He believes they can learn to love each other, but she wants it from the beginning. I think we see him realize that he's fallen in love before we see her realize that she's in love with him, but there was never any doubt that she would fall in love with him.
2. The heroine is a healer, so we see her go from one village to the next healing the civilians of their ailments. Since she's such a great healer, there's the threat that she could be accused of being a witch. One village already accused her of witchcraft and a messenger from that village is so annoying with his insistence that she's cast a spell on the hero and his family. 🙄🙄🙄 She doesn't seem to care because she's passionate about providing aid to those in need. They pretend to be married because that will kind of keep witch accusations at bay. This allows them to kiss and have sex freely (with each other).
I read a few reviews and they may have influenced my opinion of the book. They mentioned how modern the story feels and that the resolution to them not being married could have been resolved with a hand fast, and I couldn't agree more. Handfasting was very common those days. Instead, the author went with a stupid, convenient plot twist. since they’re pretending to be married.
1. The romance was a battle between logic/practicality and love/passion. The hero wants to marry the heroine because they make a good match. The heroine refuses to marry him unless there's love and passion. Well, there's definitely passion between them, but she also wants love. He believes they can learn to love each other, but she wants it from the beginning. I think we see him realize that he's fallen in love before we see her realize that she's in love with him, but there was never any doubt that she would fall in love with him.
2. The heroine is a healer, so we see her go from one village to the next healing the civilians of their ailments. Since she's such a great healer, there's the threat that she could be accused of being a witch. One village already accused her of witchcraft and a messenger from that village is so annoying with his insistence that she's cast a spell on the hero and his family. 🙄🙄🙄 She doesn't seem to care because she's passionate about providing aid to those in need. They pretend to be married because that will kind of keep witch accusations at bay. This allows them to kiss and have sex freely (with each other).
I read a few reviews and they may have influenced my opinion of the book. They mentioned how modern the story feels and that the resolution to them not being married could have been resolved with a hand fast, and I couldn't agree more. Handfasting was very common those days. Instead, the author went with a stupid, convenient plot twist. since they’re pretending to be married.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2014
This book was just frustrating, but I felt the need to read it because I want to find out what happens to the missing brother Ronan. But Artair and Zia's story is just boring. Zia, especially, was such an annoying character, unnecessarily stubborn. And Artair seemed like such idiot... just admit your feelings already!!!
And their relationship was completely insta-love. At least Cavan and Honora in Return of the Rogue had to work on their relationship. There seemed to be little conflict between Artair and Zia except their own stubbornness, which is dull to read about.
I will have to read the next one; Lachlan seems like a more interesting character and I still need to know what happens to Ronan.
And their relationship was completely insta-love. At least Cavan and Honora in Return of the Rogue had to work on their relationship. There seemed to be little conflict between Artair and Zia except their own stubbornness, which is dull to read about.
I will have to read the next one; Lachlan seems like a more interesting character and I still need to know what happens to Ronan.
March 11, 2018
1.5 stars
October 10, 2019
2.5 stars.
September 15, 2022
Rating: 3.3 / 5
A bit late on the review for this, but better late than never.
Overall, out of all the couples and stories that I have read from this author, I would have to say that Zia and Artair are my least favourite couple. Ultimately, I feel like together they were just too compatible from the beginning, and so the author had to come up with convoluted and nonsensical reasons to make up the conflict of their story. If she had just left it that Zia was accused of witchcraft and the authorities pursuing her was the only problem, then I think it would have been more tolerable to get through this.
But, as it is, a lot of the conflict in the pairing of these two until they finally get together in a relationship has to do with Zia being overly stubborn and unreasonable. Basically, she keeps telling Artair that she will only get married for love, but she herself doesn’t even know what love is. As a result, she keeps thinking that Artair must not know what love is either, because he is so calm and rational all the time instead of being completely impulsive and illogical. Personally, I resent the insinuation that love and being illogical and unreasonable all have to go together. I say, that’s not necessarily the case, and that’s Zia just being a spoiled child and trying to make Artair something that he isn’t. I mean, if you really love a person, then you don’t try to change them!
Anyway, take it all in all this is definitely my least favourite read by Donna Fletcher, and my one-word description for the experience of reading this is that it was rather annoying.
A bit late on the review for this, but better late than never.
Overall, out of all the couples and stories that I have read from this author, I would have to say that Zia and Artair are my least favourite couple. Ultimately, I feel like together they were just too compatible from the beginning, and so the author had to come up with convoluted and nonsensical reasons to make up the conflict of their story. If she had just left it that Zia was accused of witchcraft and the authorities pursuing her was the only problem, then I think it would have been more tolerable to get through this.
But, as it is, a lot of the conflict in the pairing of these two until they finally get together in a relationship has to do with Zia being overly stubborn and unreasonable. Basically, she keeps telling Artair that she will only get married for love, but she herself doesn’t even know what love is. As a result, she keeps thinking that Artair must not know what love is either, because he is so calm and rational all the time instead of being completely impulsive and illogical. Personally, I resent the insinuation that love and being illogical and unreasonable all have to go together. I say, that’s not necessarily the case, and that’s Zia just being a spoiled child and trying to make Artair something that he isn’t. I mean, if you really love a person, then you don’t try to change them!
Anyway, take it all in all this is definitely my least favourite read by Donna Fletcher, and my one-word description for the experience of reading this is that it was rather annoying.
July 1, 2015
Zia is a healer, a very competent and passionate healer. She's so good at healing that an entire village has proclaimed her a witch because none of them have died since she started treating them. Such is superstition in the hands of small minded people.
This story is of Zia and Artair. Artair is the second Sinclare brother in this series and basically their story fills in time because the real story is about the search for the missing youngest brother Ronan whose story will be last. Ronan was treated by Zia and her grandmother but has disappeared. This book is mostly about Zia and her healing powers while she and Artair argue back and forth whether passion or logic is more valuable.
The third brother adds much needed levity throughout and I'm looking forward to his story.
This story is of Zia and Artair. Artair is the second Sinclare brother in this series and basically their story fills in time because the real story is about the search for the missing youngest brother Ronan whose story will be last. Ronan was treated by Zia and her grandmother but has disappeared. This book is mostly about Zia and her healing powers while she and Artair argue back and forth whether passion or logic is more valuable.
The third brother adds much needed levity throughout and I'm looking forward to his story.
December 30, 2020
Highlander romance.
Suspected witch about to be burned at the stake. She is a healer.
Hidden healing village that will heal anyone who needs it.
He is looking for his missing brother. He saves her from burning to try and find out more about his brother and he ends up completely enamored with her.
It was sweet. Friends to lovers. Really enjoyed it.
4/5 stars
Suspected witch about to be burned at the stake. She is a healer.
Hidden healing village that will heal anyone who needs it.
He is looking for his missing brother. He saves her from burning to try and find out more about his brother and he ends up completely enamored with her.
It was sweet. Friends to lovers. Really enjoyed it.
4/5 stars
January 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this one!!
I really liked the character's banter relationship in here!
I also liked how the hero just KNEW that the heroine was going to be his bride. But he patiently waited for her to realize that. I love how we also got a heroine in historical time periods who fought tooth and nail to have a male-dominated profession.
*read for Historical Romance Readathon*
I really liked the character's banter relationship in here!
I also liked how the hero just KNEW that the heroine was going to be his bride. But he patiently waited for her to realize that. I love how we also got a heroine in historical time periods who fought tooth and nail to have a male-dominated profession.
*read for Historical Romance Readathon*
January 7, 2011
I have liked all the books I have read by this author. Good stories set in the highlands of scotland, one of the places which has always intrugued me. I liked the idea of a healer woman and the man who loved her. Recommended.
June 10, 2018
This one was boring and slow. I did not like h. I skip a lot, i jus wanted to know how Honora was doing.
November 29, 2020
(Review to come)
April 20, 2024
loved this bodice ripper. I loved Zia’s passion for healing and Artair’s protective and responsible nature. Overall 7/10 not bad
August 10, 2012
This was just cheesy for me. Usually DF's books are really good, but this reminded me of acHippie Witch Coven meets highlander???
I can't really add to what has bee posted, but to sum it up... Woman healer tied up to be burned for being a witch is saved by a highlander looking for his brother who is missing & injured. She says she can take him to his brother, but can't tell him where he is. He trades gold for her release blah blah blah & she skips happily through the forest to her secret village with him & his mighty crew. Later he thinks they need to pretend they're married at another village, Yes of course they get hot and heavy & do the deed... (totally not truly HR quality) It seemed like this could easily been written in the present era, by only changing horses for cars & paving some roads...
The cheesiness of the hippie witch alone cause my low rating... Where was Fabio when you needed him on the cover in a tye dyed kilt!
Only took me a day to read this too...
I can't really add to what has bee posted, but to sum it up... Woman healer tied up to be burned for being a witch is saved by a highlander looking for his brother who is missing & injured. She says she can take him to his brother, but can't tell him where he is. He trades gold for her release blah blah blah & she skips happily through the forest to her secret village with him & his mighty crew. Later he thinks they need to pretend they're married at another village, Yes of course they get hot and heavy & do the deed... (totally not truly HR quality) It seemed like this could easily been written in the present era, by only changing horses for cars & paving some roads...
The cheesiness of the hippie witch alone cause my low rating... Where was Fabio when you needed him on the cover in a tye dyed kilt!
Only took me a day to read this too...
May 6, 2010
Entertaining enough to keep me reading. I found after starting that it was the 2nd in a series. I get the feeling that I would have enjoyed this book more had I started with the first book. As I kept finding my mind wandering off asking questions that were probably answered it the 1st book or maybe even the one following this about other family members. I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series and starting over :o)
December 19, 2017
I like Artair, he is thoughtful and passionate, but is Zya the one that I was not a real fan of. Story felt repetitive at times but was always around her and what she said, same thing over and over again.
July 28, 2017
DNF - too much discussion about the meaning of love and what it is to marry for love etc...
February 10, 2021
1.5 stars
The .5 is for the twist at the end, the rest of this book made me roll my eyes one too many times unfortunately
The .5 is for the twist at the end, the rest of this book made me roll my eyes one too many times unfortunately
March 22, 2012
3-3.5 stars
Once again, this book is a good read, just not a great read.... The 16th century characters and story suffer from a bad case of "modernism" in attitudes and phrases that are incongruous to the time period and do a disservice to the entire story. It's such a shame, too, as there's much to love about this book.
This is Artair Sinclare's story - 2nd of 4 brothers. (I just love stories about families - sisters or brothers!) Artair is the practical, pragmatic one. He's calm, cool, collected, and he has a rational approach to life. In the 1st book, when his elder brother Cavan was missing, and as the next son, Artair thought it wise for him to take a wife and bring an heir to the Sinclare clan. Just as his wedding ceremony to Honora was ending, Cavan enters the church; and to everyone's surprise, Artair discovered that he married Honora simply as Cavan's proxy. The wedding contract specified that Honora was to marry the next heir and laird of the Sinclares. But Artair hadn't lost his heart to Honora; he thought her a good woman, but he wasn't in love. So he didn't protest.
From the very beginning of this book, we see a slightly different Artair - one who rides into town and snatches a woman condemned as a witch from the stake. Of course, Artair deals with the townsfolk in a most rational way, talking them out of the burning and paying for the woman's freedom. It isn't until we learn that the woman, Zia, is a healer and the Sinclare's have learned that she might have tended to their youngest brother Ronan, who is still missing, that we understand his rush to free Zia.
Zia seems to be all that Artair is not. Passion rules her life, and it's that very passion and joy that get her into so much trouble. She's a skilled healer, trained by her grandmother, Bethane; when Zia comes to a village plagued by illness, she's usually able to save most of the lives there with her skills. So why is it that the villagers often decide that she must be a witch, when she's saving their lives? That's the mystery. And because she's also beautiful, the villagers think she bewitches the men. Ha!
Before Artair takes Zia from the stake, she bargains with him. She won't tell him how to find Ronan, but she'll take him to the last place that she knows he was seen. When Artair tries to get her to simply tell him and his warriors how to get there, Zia refuses, saying that it's a place with no direction and no name, and only she can take them there. Artair isn't sure whether she's leading them into a trap or not, and his men are somewhat afraid that Zia might really be a witch.
But it turns out that Zia is leading them back to her village, known simply as village Black - an out of the way place that no one would simply wander into. It's heavily guarded by unseen sentries, and no one is allowed to enter the village without the permission of Bethane, Zia's grandmother and acknowledged leader. Bethane offers sanctuary and protection to anyone who comes to village Black, and most come because they're in need of physical or mental healing. Many choose to stay and leave their old life behind, whether they were barbarians or victims. When Artair sees Bethane tending to a barbarian, one of Mordrec's - the man responsible for his father's death - he tries to angrily persuade Bethane to give the man to him and his men for execution. But Bethane and the village stand up to Artair and refuse.
Artair has never seen such a village. It's a place where everyone shares... everyone smiles... everyone takes turns tending to the needs of the others, including the sick and injured.
His amazement is also due to Zia and her grandmother, the likes of whom he's never met. But especially Zia. There's a strong attraction and connection between Artair and Zia, which on the surface, seems to be because they're complete opposites. Zia can't stand that Artair is so rational and reasonable about everything, including his ideas of love and marriage. Artair can't understand Zia's insistence that love and life are all about passion - passion that can't be defined in reasonable terms. But underneath, the two are very much alike; they both approach their life's work with calm, cool skill and won't give up until the job or duty is done.
When Zia is called as a healer to a village very near the one she was nearly burned as witch in, Artair insists that he go with her. And because the Sinclare name is so respected, he reasons with Zia that they must pretend to be man and wife; that way, the Sinclare name protects her, as few would come up against the strong clan with so many allies. Zia agrees to go along with this, mainly because it's a means to get her to the village. She doesn't fear for her own safety, believing that fate will do as it will; she is a healer and must use her skills when called upon.
So Artair and Zia go to the village as man and wife, even sharing a cottage and a bed. Of course, their attraction blooms into more, and Artair finds himself making passionate love to Zia more than once. He's fascinated by her. She's fascinated by him - by the way that he observes and absorbs, helping when he can. Artair makes sure that Zia eats and sleeps. And he's always near, patiently waiting for her. He doesn't intrude, interrupt, or demand. He simply is.
When a messenger from the village that cried "witch" arrives, demanding that this village turn Zia over to him, Artair intervenes. The messenger says that Zia will soon be condemned by the church, as his village sent for the church officials to put Zia on trial. Artair knows that he must get Zia to him home. And he's determined to marry her, so that he can show their marriage certificate to the bishop and Zia can officially come under Sinclare protection. But Zia refuses; she loves Artair, but she wants him to marry her for passion and love, not duty or safety. Silly girl! She can't see the forest for the trees anymore than Artair can.
When the bishop arrives at the Sinclare keep before the cleric who would marry them and predate the wedding papers, everyone is on edge, afraid that Zia will be taken away. But Bethane, invited to the wedding, tells Zia a tale of her mother and father - a father that Zia has never known - and a tale that might just save her life.
------------------
While I see that Artair and Zia are falling in love... and Artair has every intention of marrying Zia, the idea that they'd almost casually fall into bed with one another is incongruous to that time. Having sex - taking Zia's maidenhead - IS the equivalent of marriage, even then. They could have simply hand-fasted and been done with it! Even the church in that time grudgingly acknowledged hand-fasting; at most, the bishop would have required them to marry in his presence for the church's blessing.
Zia is a free spirit, so I see that to her, sex was a way of expressing passion and love. She wouldn't see herself necessarily bound to Artair for life because she slept with him. But Artair wouldn't lightly enter into a full consummation with Zia until they were either hand-fasted or married. It simply wasn't done - it wasn't honorable. Yes, passion can override duty and honor, but anyone who knows anything about the time period knows how sacred taking a maidenhead was.
That combined with the modern vernacular and attitudes in general are simply a put-off. They spoil the beauty of these stories...
So why did I read all 4 books? I guess because I was caught in the characters and wanted to see what happened next, despite the somewhat predictable outcomes of the love stories. But... simply said, I hesitate to read other historical romances/fiction by this author because of her blatant disregard for the history and customs of the very people she's writing about.
Once again, this book is a good read, just not a great read.... The 16th century characters and story suffer from a bad case of "modernism" in attitudes and phrases that are incongruous to the time period and do a disservice to the entire story. It's such a shame, too, as there's much to love about this book.
This is Artair Sinclare's story - 2nd of 4 brothers. (I just love stories about families - sisters or brothers!) Artair is the practical, pragmatic one. He's calm, cool, collected, and he has a rational approach to life. In the 1st book, when his elder brother Cavan was missing, and as the next son, Artair thought it wise for him to take a wife and bring an heir to the Sinclare clan. Just as his wedding ceremony to Honora was ending, Cavan enters the church; and to everyone's surprise, Artair discovered that he married Honora simply as Cavan's proxy. The wedding contract specified that Honora was to marry the next heir and laird of the Sinclares. But Artair hadn't lost his heart to Honora; he thought her a good woman, but he wasn't in love. So he didn't protest.
From the very beginning of this book, we see a slightly different Artair - one who rides into town and snatches a woman condemned as a witch from the stake. Of course, Artair deals with the townsfolk in a most rational way, talking them out of the burning and paying for the woman's freedom. It isn't until we learn that the woman, Zia, is a healer and the Sinclare's have learned that she might have tended to their youngest brother Ronan, who is still missing, that we understand his rush to free Zia.
Zia seems to be all that Artair is not. Passion rules her life, and it's that very passion and joy that get her into so much trouble. She's a skilled healer, trained by her grandmother, Bethane; when Zia comes to a village plagued by illness, she's usually able to save most of the lives there with her skills. So why is it that the villagers often decide that she must be a witch, when she's saving their lives? That's the mystery. And because she's also beautiful, the villagers think she bewitches the men. Ha!
Before Artair takes Zia from the stake, she bargains with him. She won't tell him how to find Ronan, but she'll take him to the last place that she knows he was seen. When Artair tries to get her to simply tell him and his warriors how to get there, Zia refuses, saying that it's a place with no direction and no name, and only she can take them there. Artair isn't sure whether she's leading them into a trap or not, and his men are somewhat afraid that Zia might really be a witch.
But it turns out that Zia is leading them back to her village, known simply as village Black - an out of the way place that no one would simply wander into. It's heavily guarded by unseen sentries, and no one is allowed to enter the village without the permission of Bethane, Zia's grandmother and acknowledged leader. Bethane offers sanctuary and protection to anyone who comes to village Black, and most come because they're in need of physical or mental healing. Many choose to stay and leave their old life behind, whether they were barbarians or victims. When Artair sees Bethane tending to a barbarian, one of Mordrec's - the man responsible for his father's death - he tries to angrily persuade Bethane to give the man to him and his men for execution. But Bethane and the village stand up to Artair and refuse.
Artair has never seen such a village. It's a place where everyone shares... everyone smiles... everyone takes turns tending to the needs of the others, including the sick and injured.
His amazement is also due to Zia and her grandmother, the likes of whom he's never met. But especially Zia. There's a strong attraction and connection between Artair and Zia, which on the surface, seems to be because they're complete opposites. Zia can't stand that Artair is so rational and reasonable about everything, including his ideas of love and marriage. Artair can't understand Zia's insistence that love and life are all about passion - passion that can't be defined in reasonable terms. But underneath, the two are very much alike; they both approach their life's work with calm, cool skill and won't give up until the job or duty is done.
When Zia is called as a healer to a village very near the one she was nearly burned as witch in, Artair insists that he go with her. And because the Sinclare name is so respected, he reasons with Zia that they must pretend to be man and wife; that way, the Sinclare name protects her, as few would come up against the strong clan with so many allies. Zia agrees to go along with this, mainly because it's a means to get her to the village. She doesn't fear for her own safety, believing that fate will do as it will; she is a healer and must use her skills when called upon.
So Artair and Zia go to the village as man and wife, even sharing a cottage and a bed. Of course, their attraction blooms into more, and Artair finds himself making passionate love to Zia more than once. He's fascinated by her. She's fascinated by him - by the way that he observes and absorbs, helping when he can. Artair makes sure that Zia eats and sleeps. And he's always near, patiently waiting for her. He doesn't intrude, interrupt, or demand. He simply is.
When a messenger from the village that cried "witch" arrives, demanding that this village turn Zia over to him, Artair intervenes. The messenger says that Zia will soon be condemned by the church, as his village sent for the church officials to put Zia on trial. Artair knows that he must get Zia to him home. And he's determined to marry her, so that he can show their marriage certificate to the bishop and Zia can officially come under Sinclare protection. But Zia refuses; she loves Artair, but she wants him to marry her for passion and love, not duty or safety. Silly girl! She can't see the forest for the trees anymore than Artair can.
When the bishop arrives at the Sinclare keep before the cleric who would marry them and predate the wedding papers, everyone is on edge, afraid that Zia will be taken away. But Bethane, invited to the wedding, tells Zia a tale of her mother and father - a father that Zia has never known - and a tale that might just save her life.
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While I see that Artair and Zia are falling in love... and Artair has every intention of marrying Zia, the idea that they'd almost casually fall into bed with one another is incongruous to that time. Having sex - taking Zia's maidenhead - IS the equivalent of marriage, even then. They could have simply hand-fasted and been done with it! Even the church in that time grudgingly acknowledged hand-fasting; at most, the bishop would have required them to marry in his presence for the church's blessing.
Zia is a free spirit, so I see that to her, sex was a way of expressing passion and love. She wouldn't see herself necessarily bound to Artair for life because she slept with him. But Artair wouldn't lightly enter into a full consummation with Zia until they were either hand-fasted or married. It simply wasn't done - it wasn't honorable. Yes, passion can override duty and honor, but anyone who knows anything about the time period knows how sacred taking a maidenhead was.
That combined with the modern vernacular and attitudes in general are simply a put-off. They spoil the beauty of these stories...
So why did I read all 4 books? I guess because I was caught in the characters and wanted to see what happened next, despite the somewhat predictable outcomes of the love stories. But... simply said, I hesitate to read other historical romances/fiction by this author because of her blatant disregard for the history and customs of the very people she's writing about.
March 9, 2021
unfortunately, i did not enjoy this book as much as i enjoyed Return of the Rogue because i felt Artair was a boring person. he's just too reasonable and logical all the time that it's boring. Zia is nice, i like that she's very honest and likes to tease Artair.
their romance blossomed way too fast and i did not see how it did because Zia was busy with her work the majority of the time which didn't allow for the relationship to be developed properly. hence, the romance was unbelievable to me.
their relationship flowed way too smoothly and even though there was the problem of Zia being a witch, their relationship was not disturbed much. it was very rushed at the end when the bishop recognized Zia. would have been better if the bishop had a few doubts regarding Zia and that Zia and Artair should have some challenges in their relationship. there was too little conflict.
the sex was alright, would prefer more descriptions.
i did like seeing an 'epilogue' in this book for Return of the Rogue where we see Cavan and Honora have children and Lachlan being his usual fun self. honestly, out of the 4 brothers, i like Lachlan the most as he seems the most fun and interesting. looking forward to reading his book.
despite my issues with this book, i did enjoy the first 3/4 of the book. an enjoyable read.
their romance blossomed way too fast and i did not see how it did because Zia was busy with her work the majority of the time which didn't allow for the relationship to be developed properly. hence, the romance was unbelievable to me.
their relationship flowed way too smoothly and even though there was the problem of Zia being a witch, their relationship was not disturbed much. it was very rushed at the end when the bishop recognized Zia. would have been better if the bishop had a few doubts regarding Zia and that Zia and Artair should have some challenges in their relationship. there was too little conflict.
the sex was alright, would prefer more descriptions.
i did like seeing an 'epilogue' in this book for Return of the Rogue where we see Cavan and Honora have children and Lachlan being his usual fun self. honestly, out of the 4 brothers, i like Lachlan the most as he seems the most fun and interesting. looking forward to reading his book.
despite my issues with this book, i did enjoy the first 3/4 of the book. an enjoyable read.
March 3, 2024
I wanted to like this book since I liked the first one very much. I wanted to like the characters. There was nothing wrong with them. She was a feminist who was true to herself and he was supportive and understanding and sweet. And yet i did not care that much about their romance. It was boring with Spikes of exasperation. OK! Here is basically what happens:
she is about to burn as witch. He rescues her. Then He: i have an idea, marry me so they dont burn you.
She: no I only marry for love and passion.
He: come on marry me. It make sense.
She: no, I want love and passion.
He: lets get married. Totally makes sense.
She: no LOVE AND PASSION!!! Im horny though lets f*.
He: I'm horny too. OK lets.
He: can we get married now?
She: no I want Love and passion.
HE declares in Front of everyone: i love you!!! She...runs away!!!
Me: R u F* kidding me?
Then blablaba they marry the end
she is about to burn as witch. He rescues her. Then He: i have an idea, marry me so they dont burn you.
She: no I only marry for love and passion.
He: come on marry me. It make sense.
She: no, I want love and passion.
He: lets get married. Totally makes sense.
She: no LOVE AND PASSION!!! Im horny though lets f*.
He: I'm horny too. OK lets.
He: can we get married now?
She: no I want Love and passion.
HE declares in Front of everyone: i love you!!! She...runs away!!!
Me: R u F* kidding me?
Then blablaba they marry the end
October 13, 2018
Mediocre
Well, I have a problem when the woman is to pushy and the man lets her especially because he thinks she is the best thing ever. Zia’s personality got on my nerves and Artairs constant milk toast ways made it easy for me to quickly skim pages. The conversations they had were boring so I couldn’t wait to get to the end. I did like the end. Now I have to read the next one to see what happened to Ronan although I think I can guess and what will Laughlin’ story be about. I think these are Miss Fletcher’s earlier books but I can say that her recent books are much better.
Well, I have a problem when the woman is to pushy and the man lets her especially because he thinks she is the best thing ever. Zia’s personality got on my nerves and Artairs constant milk toast ways made it easy for me to quickly skim pages. The conversations they had were boring so I couldn’t wait to get to the end. I did like the end. Now I have to read the next one to see what happened to Ronan although I think I can guess and what will Laughlin’ story be about. I think these are Miss Fletcher’s earlier books but I can say that her recent books are much better.
June 29, 2022
2 🌟's | i was v much anticipating this second book as i LOVED the first one in the series but unfortunately, this just did not work out for me :/ the friends to lovers trope often lacks the sizzle/tension that i need and this one fell into those same trappings. i did enjoy the heroine whose a confident, romantic healer being paired with a sinclare warrior but .. the romance itself didn't really hold any chemistry to me so i was basically skimming and just trying to finish the book :/
📝 tropes: healer x warrior, friends to lovers, fake marriage of convenience, scottish/highlander rom
🌶 spice: 1/5
📝 tropes: healer x warrior, friends to lovers, fake marriage of convenience, scottish/highlander rom
🌶 spice: 1/5
November 7, 2020
I read this book probably 10 years ago when I was a senior in high school. I loved it then. I unknowingly reread it and recognized it with the first word. Nostalgia kept me reading but this is a VERY different book to me. While adolescent me connected with Zia’s stubbornness, adult me was irritated the whole book. Some parts I skimmed through because I found her insufferable. Even the naughty parts were bothersome. Onto the next one only because Lachlan seems to be a more entertaining character. Best part of the book was Honora’s story line.
May 3, 2021
This was book 2 in series, but can be read as a stand-alone.
I generally love Donna’s female leads in her books; she gives them strength of character and integrity. With this book, I had to make a determined effort to get past the first chapter because I found Zia’s reaction to her dire situation really hard to understand. Then later, Zia’s rather childish antics with Artair.
The story redeemed itself with a great, surprise twist ending.
I’ll read the next in the series and hope Donna’s next story brings all the feels that I’m accustomed to having with her books.
I generally love Donna’s female leads in her books; she gives them strength of character and integrity. With this book, I had to make a determined effort to get past the first chapter because I found Zia’s reaction to her dire situation really hard to understand. Then later, Zia’s rather childish antics with Artair.
The story redeemed itself with a great, surprise twist ending.
I’ll read the next in the series and hope Donna’s next story brings all the feels that I’m accustomed to having with her books.
December 20, 2024
I found the heroine somewhat annoying and immature. I didn’t mind the hero; I think his practicality gave him good sense. However, I was confused because, during that time period, if they declared themselves husband and wife in Scotland in front of witnesses, it was a done deal. This made the plot seem unrealistic to me. I kept reading, wondering when that conclusion would be reached, but it wasn’t, which made it seem absurd. At this point, I’m halfway through the series, so I might as well continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
I figured out what happened to Ronan early in this one, mainly because of the help Honora had with her escape in the first book. The barbarian's daughter survived her dad the same way Honora did, by being cunning. And there's no way she didn't know Honora would follow her. The Sinclares didn't catch her because she will prove to be a good guy and Ronan's love in one of the sequels. Yes, this is speculation, but you have to admit it fits. This was a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2022
Unfortunately I found Zia far too annoying. I felt bad for Artair having to put up with her self-righteousness. Zia felt like a Mary Sue character done badly, she had no depth and was single-mindedly stupidly stubborn with no sense of self preservation.
The resolution with the bishop also made me roll my eyes.
It was nice to see the previous couple. And am still looking forward to reading the next two books.
The resolution with the bishop also made me roll my eyes.
It was nice to see the previous couple. And am still looking forward to reading the next two books.
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