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MacKay #1
His Wicked Ways
From across the Scottish Highlands strides Cameron McKay, the last member of the once powerful Clan MacKay. Handsome, fearless, and determined, he is a man who catches the eye of many a woman...yet he has but one goal—to find Meredith, last daughter of the Clan Munro...and force her to provide him with an heir.
When Cameron kidnaps Meredith from the gentle confines of the priory where she has sought refuge, he discovers that he is powerless to resist her tender beauty and is captivated by her bold bargaining for her freedom. And although she is the precious daughter of his sworn enemy, Cameron finds himself tempted to abandon his quest to bend her to his will.
Meredith had vowed long ago never to trust any man...for men and their ways cause pain to those they love. Her head told her not to give in to the dangerous desire she felt for Cameron; but her heart hoped that he had finally abandoned his wicked ways.
When Cameron kidnaps Meredith from the gentle confines of the priory where she has sought refuge, he discovers that he is powerless to resist her tender beauty and is captivated by her bold bargaining for her freedom. And although she is the precious daughter of his sworn enemy, Cameron finds himself tempted to abandon his quest to bend her to his will.
Meredith had vowed long ago never to trust any man...for men and their ways cause pain to those they love. Her head told her not to give in to the dangerous desire she felt for Cameron; but her heart hoped that he had finally abandoned his wicked ways.
356 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
116 people are currently reading
2028 people want to read
About the author
Samantha James
91 books504 followersGrowing up in Joliet, Illinois, Samantha James had many childhood aspirations--being a writer was never one of them. When she was ten, she was certain she was destined to be an astronomer. That soon changed (happened a lot during those pre-teen years!) when she decided archaeology was in her future. Detective work was her next goal, thanks to the Trixie Belden mysteries she was reading, and before long, nursing beckoned (courtesy of the Cherry Ames series). In college, she set her sights on teaching history, then briefly entertained the notion of becoming a flight attendant, only to discover she did not like to fly.
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
Having been raised in a family of avid readers, she was rarely without a book in hand. Her tastes were rather eclectic. She got hooked on the Doc Savage series and Edgar Rice Burroughs after her older brother finished them, in her teen years, moved on to Agatha Christie, Daphne DuMaurier, and Phyllis A. Whitney.
In the meantime, the right guy came along. They met on a semi-blind date at an office Christmas party. She was told he wanted to go out with her, and he was told she wanted to go out with him. Six months later, the U.S. Army shipped him off to Germany--and she wrote faithfully at least three times a week--she often jokes this was the start of her writing career!
Marriage followed, as well as three daughters. Samantha left the detective work to her husband and turned her attention to raising their girls. When her youngest was six months old, two things happened: 1) she read Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain and scrambled to find every historical romance she could lay her hands on; 2) her older brother revealed he was writing and submitting his short stories to big-name magazines. As he put it, "I've been rejected by the best of 'em."
The seed was planted. Rejection was a dreaded word, but Samantha figured, "Well, if he can take it, so can I."
That summer, she wrote not one book, but three--longhand, in a notebook, during naptime. Bedtime. Any time she could. The burning desire to write was a long time in coming--she was nearing thirty by then--but she discovered that once she set pen to paper, she couldn't stop.
Those three manuscripts did get the dreaded rejection letter (they're still languishing somewhere in her attic), but she finally hit pay dirt with her fourth. Samantha's brother promptly proposed collaborating on a fantasy together--alas, still unwritten... Nowadays, she's firmly convinced she's the queen of rejected titles for her books. She's only managed to retain two original titles thus far, but writing is indeed a dream come true...
To date, her books have been published in numerous foreign countries (her daughters' number one choice for show-and-tell were always the foreign editions of Mom's books). Known for her heartfelt, emotionally charged "three-hanky reads", her books have been nominated for numerous awards, and have consistently hit the bestseller lists.
Maybe someday she'll do that fantasy-romance collaboration with her brother. For now, she's having a great time spinning dramatic, passionate tales of old...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
November 29, 2018
Amazing book. Hero and heroine had so much chemistry. I adored the angst, the melodrama, the misunderstandings! Heroine was loving and caring and a real sweetheart. Cameron was an alpha male sexy and arrogant but I loved the way he loved Meredith. Some scenes were so emotional and sad. When Meredith almost died giving birth and hero started crying I was heartbroken! From enemies they became lovers and then husband and wife and soulmates and their journey was thrilling. Samantha James is a flawless wonderful author.
November 23, 2020
"His Wicked Ways" is the story of Meredith and Cameron.
What a wonderful read!
The book begins with our hero kidnapping the heroine from an abbey, and coercing her to fake her own death. She is the sole heir to the Munro clan, he is the only survivor of the McKay clan. He plans to drag her to his land and take revenge from her family for brutally slaying his. She is traumatized, running from her nightmares after suffering an assault in the dark. Theirs is an unlikely couple who go through many trials and tribulations to finally find happiness.
I really loved this story. It was so beautifully written, and the conflict the characters went through was thoroughly engaging. The heroine's unrelenting faith, the hero's ability to forgive, their eventual coming together, the secondary characters and their parallel contribution all added to the main plot. Their romance was swoonworthy- she was as fierce as he was kind. There are sinister mysteries in the background of a slow blooming love- and the sex scenes are very well done. This is filled with angst and heartbreak, but overall an extremely satisfying read.
Safe
4.5/5
What a wonderful read!
The book begins with our hero kidnapping the heroine from an abbey, and coercing her to fake her own death. She is the sole heir to the Munro clan, he is the only survivor of the McKay clan. He plans to drag her to his land and take revenge from her family for brutally slaying his. She is traumatized, running from her nightmares after suffering an assault in the dark. Theirs is an unlikely couple who go through many trials and tribulations to finally find happiness.
I really loved this story. It was so beautifully written, and the conflict the characters went through was thoroughly engaging. The heroine's unrelenting faith, the hero's ability to forgive, their eventual coming together, the secondary characters and their parallel contribution all added to the main plot. Their romance was swoonworthy- she was as fierce as he was kind. There are sinister mysteries in the background of a slow blooming love- and the sex scenes are very well done. This is filled with angst and heartbreak, but overall an extremely satisfying read.
Safe
4.5/5
January 13, 2014
When in doubt...always choose a Highlander book!
This book had all the right ingredients:
1. a hot Highlander!
2. a stubborn and possesive Highlander that has suffered the loss of his father and brothers from a rival clan.
3. a hot Highlander!
4. a redhaired, blue-eyed, kind-hearted beauty, daughter of the enemy chieftain, who has her own demons to vanquish.
5. a hot Highlander!
6. revenge subplot
7. a hot Highlander!
8. kidnapping of the innocent heroine.
9. a hot Highlander!
10. clansmen's hatred towards the heroine and the rival clan.
11. a hot Highlander!
12. interesting secondary characters with great potential for the second book.
13. a hot Highlander!
14. unexpectedly HAWT SCENES for a historical romance that upped the overal impression of the book!
and...
15. Did I mention a hot Highlander?
(Sorry, I couldn't help myself!)
Though I had my ISSUES...
~>Punctuation & Rhetorical questions
For the love of spelling and commas and semicolons! WHY SO MANY EXCLAMATION MARKS, Ms James? From Ch 1, I felt like I was in the ancient amphitheatre of Epidaurus watching some Greek tragedy were the actors were high on pompous proclamations! ( ! Yes! I ! AM ! USING ! EXCLAMATION ! POINTS ! TOO ! it's contagious! )
How about the rhetoricals questions? If a person in real life uses so many, then they must be either philosophers or highly sophisticated in the unbearable lightness of being!
~>Let's pray!
Though the issue of religion is omnipresent in the story (the heroine was abducted from a nunnery and she is highly pious), I fear that many times the story felt like a christian romance in which everything is considered a sin and only by praying absolution can come.
~>"I am a coward!" ...or not!
There were times that the insecurity and lack of self-confidence of the heroine could try even the saintest of people (not the hero but the poor reader). Her actions were constatly opposite to her inner thoughts of cowardice, thus making me love her the moment I wanted to roll my eyes at her words. In the end, she won the man, the clan and the reader!
...book satisfaction was achieved in the end!
Thankfully, just after the middle, the book picked up with heartfelt scenes and unexpected turn of events that led to a beautiful conclusion of this story.
This book had all the right ingredients:
1. a hot Highlander!
2. a stubborn and possesive Highlander that has suffered the loss of his father and brothers from a rival clan.
3. a hot Highlander!
4. a redhaired, blue-eyed, kind-hearted beauty, daughter of the enemy chieftain, who has her own demons to vanquish.
5. a hot Highlander!
6. revenge subplot
7. a hot Highlander!
8. kidnapping of the innocent heroine.
9. a hot Highlander!
10. clansmen's hatred towards the heroine and the rival clan.
11. a hot Highlander!
12. interesting secondary characters with great potential for the second book.
13. a hot Highlander!
14. unexpectedly HAWT SCENES for a historical romance that upped the overal impression of the book!
and...
15. Did I mention a hot Highlander?
(Sorry, I couldn't help myself!)
Though I had my ISSUES...
~>Punctuation & Rhetorical questions
For the love of spelling and commas and semicolons! WHY SO MANY EXCLAMATION MARKS, Ms James? From Ch 1, I felt like I was in the ancient amphitheatre of Epidaurus watching some Greek tragedy were the actors were high on pompous proclamations! ( ! Yes! I ! AM ! USING ! EXCLAMATION ! POINTS ! TOO ! it's contagious! )
How about the rhetoricals questions? If a person in real life uses so many, then they must be either philosophers or highly sophisticated in the unbearable lightness of being!
~>Let's pray!
Though the issue of religion is omnipresent in the story (the heroine was abducted from a nunnery and she is highly pious), I fear that many times the story felt like a christian romance in which everything is considered a sin and only by praying absolution can come.
~>"I am a coward!" ...or not!
There were times that the insecurity and lack of self-confidence of the heroine could try even the saintest of people (not the hero but the poor reader). Her actions were constatly opposite to her inner thoughts of cowardice, thus making me love her the moment I wanted to roll my eyes at her words. In the end, she won the man, the clan and the reader!
...book satisfaction was achieved in the end!
Thankfully, just after the middle, the book picked up with heartfelt scenes and unexpected turn of events that led to a beautiful conclusion of this story.
March 6, 2021
Loved this book. Cameron's 7 brothers and father are murdered and he is left for dead. Meredith was raped by an unknown clan member and ran away to the safety of a nunnery. To revenge his family Cameron steals his enemy's daughter from a convent.
Right away Cameron is strongly attracted to the pretty little nun. On the way to his keep they have a few mishaps that bond them together. Cameron still wants revenge. So he changes tactics, "give him a son and he will set her free". Yes he really wants to bed!Meredith on the other hand is terrified of any man's touch.
In any other writer this story could have been offensive, but the author pulls it off. I love the chemistry between the h and hr. Hell I loved Cameron. It was enjoyable to watch him help Meredith overcome her fear. The villians are surprising. Worth the read!
Right away Cameron is strongly attracted to the pretty little nun. On the way to his keep they have a few mishaps that bond them together. Cameron still wants revenge. So he changes tactics, "give him a son and he will set her free". Yes he really wants to bed!Meredith on the other hand is terrified of any man's touch.
In any other writer this story could have been offensive, but the author pulls it off. I love the chemistry between the h and hr. Hell I loved Cameron. It was enjoyable to watch him help Meredith overcome her fear. The villians are surprising. Worth the read!
September 8, 2016
This is a Highlander novel, and we have the usual Rival Clans theme. Meredith, our heroine, belonged to the Munro clan, while our hero (hah!), Cameron, came from clan McKay. The two clans were apparently at each others throats.
Gasp. Shocking. I certainly did not expect that from a Highlander story.
Anyway, so Cameron was like "I'mma kidnap you, Meredith, cuz yo daddy killed my daddy and my bros, 'n you have'ta pay for dem sins." So he proceeded to kidnap her, fake her death (he forced Meredith to write a suicide note), and force her to bear him a son in exchange for her freedom. I've read similar Highlander stories--those written by Julie Garwood, Monica McCarty, Veronica Wolff and Donna Fletcher--so I wasn't really shocked or outraged by this turn of events. But what didn't sit well with me was the way Cameron handled things. He was too selfish for me to give a fuck about him. In the end, he never fully redeemed himself. The other writers I mentioned managed to absolve their heroes, but Samantha James failed to do so, at least in my eyes.
I really pitied Meredith because she was certainly the victim in all of this. God, she was too kind by half and definitely did not deserve all the shit that happened to her. I just wanted to give her a good, comforting hug. I know that a lot of other reviewers scorned her for being a whiny crybaby, but I didn't interpret it that way. Her reactions were wholly justifiable given the circumstances. Hell, if you were raped by an unknown man, forced to take refuge in a nunnery, and then kidnapped by rival clansmen, wouldn't you have felt the same fear and uncertainty?
After reading this novel I just felt a really intense urge to lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling for a long time.
Gasp. Shocking. I certainly did not expect that from a Highlander story.
Anyway, so Cameron was like "I'mma kidnap you, Meredith, cuz yo daddy killed my daddy and my bros, 'n you have'ta pay for dem sins." So he proceeded to kidnap her, fake her death (he forced Meredith to write a suicide note), and force her to bear him a son in exchange for her freedom. I've read similar Highlander stories--those written by Julie Garwood, Monica McCarty, Veronica Wolff and Donna Fletcher--so I wasn't really shocked or outraged by this turn of events. But what didn't sit well with me was the way Cameron handled things. He was too selfish for me to give a fuck about him. In the end, he never fully redeemed himself. The other writers I mentioned managed to absolve their heroes, but Samantha James failed to do so, at least in my eyes.
I really pitied Meredith because she was certainly the victim in all of this. God, she was too kind by half and definitely did not deserve all the shit that happened to her. I just wanted to give her a good, comforting hug. I know that a lot of other reviewers scorned her for being a whiny crybaby, but I didn't interpret it that way. Her reactions were wholly justifiable given the circumstances. Hell, if you were raped by an unknown man, forced to take refuge in a nunnery, and then kidnapped by rival clansmen, wouldn't you have felt the same fear and uncertainty?
After reading this novel I just felt a really intense urge to lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling for a long time.
February 20, 2010
This was my first read by Samantha James and I enoyed the book very much. The story was well written and the dialogue was wonderful. There were several tender hearted scenes between the H/h and even at times when it was simply the heros POV or the heroines POV.
The story was a bit predicatable but it certainly didn't take away from the story at all. There were moments where I cried and laughed out loud. Meredith and Cameron had a great love story and I'm looking forward to reading Glenda's story...once I get it.
The story was a bit predicatable but it certainly didn't take away from the story at all. There were moments where I cried and laughed out loud. Meredith and Cameron had a great love story and I'm looking forward to reading Glenda's story...once I get it.
December 19, 2014
Cameron MacKay abducts Meredith, his enemy's only daughter, from the convent she stays in. He plans to take her back to his castle, leaving her father thinking her as dead, thus getting revenge for his family's deaths. He expects to hate Meredith, known as shy and timid, but during their journey back to his lands, which takes several days, he discovers her courage, her innocence, her kind heart and is swayed. When they arrive in his castle, he's not sure what to do with her any more. His people hate her and display their feelings openly, but he doesn't feel that she's his enemy anymore and treats her more like a guest which doesn't go well with everyone. There's mischief, jealousy, passion and tenderness a lot, a fast paced story and lovely three-dimensional characters, besides the heroine and the hero, making this story a delight.
Highlander romance is not my favorite genre but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it to everyone.
Highlander romance is not my favorite genre but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it to everyone.
April 5, 2013
When Cameron MacKay, his brothers, and his father are ambushed by what they think are the Munro Clan, Cameron vows vengence. Having losing his father and his brother, he is Laird of his clan now, and knows that he has to strike a blow to the one that deceived him and his brothers. So he plans on kidnapping the young beautiful daughter who is in the priory and has been for some time. When Meredith is attacked and having not knowing the culprit, she enters the priory, not knowing who to trust in her own home. But then she is kidnapped by Cameron MacKay and having a viotile personality, she has great fear of the one that holds her life in the palm of his hand. Cameron blaming Meredith's father for his families death, he wants him to suffer a small portion of the way he is suffering. So he plans a way for it to look like Meredith has died, and since she is his only daughter, he knows it is the perfect way. However he hardly knows what to do now, that he has Meredith, all he knows is that she unlike any other woman he has known. She entices and captivates his attention, and he goes about to defending her to his clan. Time goes by, and before Cameron realizes it he finds a tender response that he feels toward the one he once saw as his enemy, he now wants as his lover and the mother of his future child. Throughout this book there is a tender love story that will break down the harden walls of Cameron's heart and show him the meaning of true love.
I really have enjoyed reading this, and the more that I read of Samantha James, the more I love her!!! She has such a way with her writing, that captures the attention of her readers, where she definitely has won a place on my bookshelves of books to keep. I found Meredith having such a inner strength, that I found endearing. Even though she is taken into the Clan of MacKay, who despise her at first, she eventually finds a way to make friends, and really connect with those that viewed her once as a most hated enemy. Cameron is a bitter man who hates the Munroe Clan, and for good reason. However it was interesting seeing him soften up his heart toward Meredith, who is a loving and gentle woman who doesn't understand the hatred that is directed to her and those that she loves. I found it to be a very compelling story that pulled at my heart strings, from beginning to end I found it to be a very vivid story.
I really have enjoyed reading this, and the more that I read of Samantha James, the more I love her!!! She has such a way with her writing, that captures the attention of her readers, where she definitely has won a place on my bookshelves of books to keep. I found Meredith having such a inner strength, that I found endearing. Even though she is taken into the Clan of MacKay, who despise her at first, she eventually finds a way to make friends, and really connect with those that viewed her once as a most hated enemy. Cameron is a bitter man who hates the Munroe Clan, and for good reason. However it was interesting seeing him soften up his heart toward Meredith, who is a loving and gentle woman who doesn't understand the hatred that is directed to her and those that she loves. I found it to be a very compelling story that pulled at my heart strings, from beginning to end I found it to be a very vivid story.
November 23, 2015
This is a typical highland romance, slightly above the average. I like Cameron and Meredith as characters and the relationship. I think Cameron's revenge idea was kind of dumb but hey, without the idea there is no book. Maybe I should take the period element into account, impregnating your enemy's daughter probably was fitting revenge for people in the medieval times. I could live with that in a fiction.
I think Cameron was actually nice to Meredith. He set out to hurt Mederith and her father but fell in love with her instead. I imagine most readers would have problems with Meredith? She is kind of a crybaby but is not without pride. It is much better than a indignant woman who thinks the entire world, especially the hero, has wronged her. I did think it kind of odd that Cameron just kept Meredith with him without saying anything, anything at all. Everyone thought of her as Cameron's leman, and that she was. It was kind of insulting, no? But at least Cameron was open about what Meredith meant to him. He did not pretend that he didn't care about her. In fact everyone in his clan knew that he cared greatly about Meredith's well-being. So I guess that soothed my female pride. lol
Plot development is not great but also not awful. As I said I thought the revenge idea pretty stupid. To beget a son from your enemy's daughter? Wouldn't that bind you to the enemy forever? Why would you want that with your enemy?? But well people in Medieval times obviously felt differently so I will drop it. I thought the last 20% could have been much better. I mean for Cameron to avoid his wife and the marriage bed because of child birth.....I could see that but I think there could have been a little more struggle on Cameron's side. The reconciliation between the clans was also kind of blah, but at the same time, I also did not want to read about Meredith's father and uncle so much.
I love Scotland so I liked the story. If you don't like highland or medieval stories this will probably bore you. It's one of those "I may or may not read it again" books.
I think Cameron was actually nice to Meredith. He set out to hurt Mederith and her father but fell in love with her instead. I imagine most readers would have problems with Meredith? She is kind of a crybaby but is not without pride. It is much better than a indignant woman who thinks the entire world, especially the hero, has wronged her. I did think it kind of odd that Cameron just kept Meredith with him without saying anything, anything at all. Everyone thought of her as Cameron's leman, and that she was. It was kind of insulting, no? But at least Cameron was open about what Meredith meant to him. He did not pretend that he didn't care about her. In fact everyone in his clan knew that he cared greatly about Meredith's well-being. So I guess that soothed my female pride. lol
Plot development is not great but also not awful. As I said I thought the revenge idea pretty stupid. To beget a son from your enemy's daughter? Wouldn't that bind you to the enemy forever? Why would you want that with your enemy?? But well people in Medieval times obviously felt differently so I will drop it. I thought the last 20% could have been much better. I mean for Cameron to avoid his wife and the marriage bed because of child birth.....I could see that but I think there could have been a little more struggle on Cameron's side. The reconciliation between the clans was also kind of blah, but at the same time, I also did not want to read about Meredith's father and uncle so much.
I love Scotland so I liked the story. If you don't like highland or medieval stories this will probably bore you. It's one of those "I may or may not read it again" books.
May 23, 2010
This was a great story and very well written. I enjoyed the struggle Cameron had not to show his affection and then love for Meredith. He was so upset with himself because how could he love her when her father killed his father and 6 brothers? He was so very gentle and kind to her even though he kidnapped her in the middle of the night and was so cold to her at first. The story has a few mysteries in it too. I was pretty sure who was doing the bad stuff at Cameron's castle. I wasn't sure who really murdered his family until the end.
March 15, 2022
I liked this one, I plan to read the next one and most likely more from Samantha James.
August 27, 2017
*spoiler!!!! *
*trigger* rape experience mentioned
Just an ok read for me. The proportion of this book seems right considering it is a romance but somehow seeming quite wrong for this book. The unknown factors were not revealed till the last 15 or so pages and were so quickly wrapped up it was a bit anticlimatic, considering how these issues were hanging over the head of the whole book. Given that the mystery part was dealt with so quickly, it would make sense to have a very satisfying romance taking up the rest of the pages, alas, both protaganists were just too prideful and stubborn to do much on their own, hence the pace was pretty slow and boring with the same old same old circle of argument, distrusts and accusations instead of having some real loving and tender moments.
The premise isn't bad at all, and kidnapping and loving the enemy is a well written plot for this period and could have a lot of potential. Unfortunately we seem to have a H that is so willing to overlook everything except for his lust for the h. He doesn't like introspection or facing facts, is pretty opinionated and isn't willing to change his mind once it is made up. This coupled with the mischieves going on in his holding and with his callous treatment of our h don't endear him much to me. He doesn't seem to be able to find out what is going on in his land, making him pretty weak as a leader in my eyes, to be honest. While I initially understand his stand regarding our h, he also didn't wise up to his feelings quick enough for me, and when he finally did, his inaction just makes me all the more annoyed. All in all, too passive a H that did a really dishonorable thing in my mind to the h and it never even occurred to him till someone mentioned it, which I found quite a joke, to be honest, seeing the time period and code of morality then.
Our h showed promises when she stood up to our H, but this only comes in bursts and a lot of times, she seems to ruin things between them with her defiance (ok I understand she could have been a bit moody then given her situation...) and when it matters to me, she folds quickly at the oddest time, and after holding out or up for so long, I couldn't really understand her sudden acceptance of her situation. While she is a kind and gentle person with a backbone of steel that I really admire, the progress of the story makes her to be forever in the weaker position, and this makes it very hard to see her as something more than a victim making the most of her situation.
The imbalance of the whole plot just bugs me a lot, our h is more or less not in a position to do much except accept the situation. I would have felt better if H quickly empowers her in some way by showing his emotions, but this didn't happen. Quite honestly, if I were this girl, I would have done something quite drastic or just totally gave up, despite H being kind to her, as he himself admitted, he didn't really notice her emotional state or her happiness until much later, and even when he acknowledges it, very little still was done about it. And h never really has the ability to do much to change her untenable situation until towards the end. Both seem to be ok to just bob with the current for the longest while semi content...
Sexy times were well written, yet it is v hard to credit these two can love each other given the great issue that neither is willing to address throughout the book, it just left something bad in my mouth to see this issue totally ignored even in both their minds throughout, as if there really isn't much between these two shown except a few sentences described by each party.
As the relationship is so subdued with so many things left unsaid, we are informed a lot via monologues, which when coupled with the same old same old topic of vengeance, distrust, unhappiness with the status quo, really makes this book a huge bore.
All in all, I really only finish this one with a huge sigh of relieve in order to find out the mystery bit, as I couldn't have cared less if either really love each other, seeing as both are willing to ignore unpleasant things and stay together without much affirmation in any case.
*trigger* rape experience mentioned
Just an ok read for me. The proportion of this book seems right considering it is a romance but somehow seeming quite wrong for this book. The unknown factors were not revealed till the last 15 or so pages and were so quickly wrapped up it was a bit anticlimatic, considering how these issues were hanging over the head of the whole book. Given that the mystery part was dealt with so quickly, it would make sense to have a very satisfying romance taking up the rest of the pages, alas, both protaganists were just too prideful and stubborn to do much on their own, hence the pace was pretty slow and boring with the same old same old circle of argument, distrusts and accusations instead of having some real loving and tender moments.
The premise isn't bad at all, and kidnapping and loving the enemy is a well written plot for this period and could have a lot of potential. Unfortunately we seem to have a H that is so willing to overlook everything except for his lust for the h. He doesn't like introspection or facing facts, is pretty opinionated and isn't willing to change his mind once it is made up. This coupled with the mischieves going on in his holding and with his callous treatment of our h don't endear him much to me. He doesn't seem to be able to find out what is going on in his land, making him pretty weak as a leader in my eyes, to be honest. While I initially understand his stand regarding our h, he also didn't wise up to his feelings quick enough for me, and when he finally did, his inaction just makes me all the more annoyed. All in all, too passive a H that did a really dishonorable thing in my mind to the h and it never even occurred to him till someone mentioned it, which I found quite a joke, to be honest, seeing the time period and code of morality then.
Our h showed promises when she stood up to our H, but this only comes in bursts and a lot of times, she seems to ruin things between them with her defiance (ok I understand she could have been a bit moody then given her situation...) and when it matters to me, she folds quickly at the oddest time, and after holding out or up for so long, I couldn't really understand her sudden acceptance of her situation. While she is a kind and gentle person with a backbone of steel that I really admire, the progress of the story makes her to be forever in the weaker position, and this makes it very hard to see her as something more than a victim making the most of her situation.
The imbalance of the whole plot just bugs me a lot, our h is more or less not in a position to do much except accept the situation. I would have felt better if H quickly empowers her in some way by showing his emotions, but this didn't happen. Quite honestly, if I were this girl, I would have done something quite drastic or just totally gave up, despite H being kind to her, as he himself admitted, he didn't really notice her emotional state or her happiness until much later, and even when he acknowledges it, very little still was done about it. And h never really has the ability to do much to change her untenable situation until towards the end. Both seem to be ok to just bob with the current for the longest while semi content...
Sexy times were well written, yet it is v hard to credit these two can love each other given the great issue that neither is willing to address throughout the book, it just left something bad in my mouth to see this issue totally ignored even in both their minds throughout, as if there really isn't much between these two shown except a few sentences described by each party.
As the relationship is so subdued with so many things left unsaid, we are informed a lot via monologues, which when coupled with the same old same old topic of vengeance, distrust, unhappiness with the status quo, really makes this book a huge bore.
All in all, I really only finish this one with a huge sigh of relieve in order to find out the mystery bit, as I couldn't have cared less if either really love each other, seeing as both are willing to ignore unpleasant things and stay together without much affirmation in any case.
January 14, 2021
2.5
If you've read medieval or highlander romance novels where the hero kidnaps the heroine (in this case, from a nunnery) for revenge, then this is nothing new. I swear, even the first chapter was very similar to another book I've read with this trope.
If you've read medieval or highlander romance novels where the hero kidnaps the heroine (in this case, from a nunnery) for revenge, then this is nothing new. I swear, even the first chapter was very similar to another book I've read with this trope.
July 9, 2015
I can't decide if I've read this one before somewhere or if it felt like that because it seems medieval Highland Lairds do nothing but steal each others daughters for vengeance.
I think I'd have enjoyed this more if the "heroine" hadn't spent so much time weeping and wailing about how weak and cowardly she was even though her actions and behaviour were anything but. I can't stand stories where people seem to almost revel in their status as victim (real or imagined). Also the "heroes" behaviour left me pretty cool towards him too. He kidnaps the heroine and takes her back to his castle where she's watched around the clock, forced to share his bed (even though she's spent the last 2 years as a novice intending to take vows), and shunned by everyone who sees her as a hateful enemy, then doesn't seem to understand why she'd be so lonely, miserable and defiant all the time.
I also thought the ending was a pretty hurried affair. Things bumbled on with the main characters secretly loving and misunderstanding each other until about 10% before the end where suddenly the author seemed to realise that she'd need to wrap this all up somehow. I knew all these things were going to happen, but it was rather unsatisfying to have them told to us instead of seeing them happen .
Overall I'd say this definitely deserves the okay-but-boring shelf. There's nothing wrong with it as such and the writing is actually pretty good, but the plot is really a whole lot of "seen it all before" and didn't even attempt any real twists or surprises.
I think I'd have enjoyed this more if the "heroine" hadn't spent so much time weeping and wailing about how weak and cowardly she was even though her actions and behaviour were anything but. I can't stand stories where people seem to almost revel in their status as victim (real or imagined). Also the "heroes" behaviour left me pretty cool towards him too. He kidnaps the heroine and takes her back to his castle where she's watched around the clock, forced to share his bed (even though she's spent the last 2 years as a novice intending to take vows), and shunned by everyone who sees her as a hateful enemy, then doesn't seem to understand why she'd be so lonely, miserable and defiant all the time.
I also thought the ending was a pretty hurried affair. Things bumbled on with the main characters secretly loving and misunderstanding each other until about 10% before the end where suddenly the author seemed to realise that she'd need to wrap this all up somehow. I knew all these things were going to happen, but it was rather unsatisfying to have them told to us instead of seeing them happen .
Overall I'd say this definitely deserves the okay-but-boring shelf. There's nothing wrong with it as such and the writing is actually pretty good, but the plot is really a whole lot of "seen it all before" and didn't even attempt any real twists or surprises.
October 21, 2020
This was a re-read for me, but I love it just as much each time I do.
Emotional, engaging, enchanting, and hawt. This is one of favorite highlander tales.
Emotional, engaging, enchanting, and hawt. This is one of favorite highlander tales.
December 2, 2018
He wanted revenge!!!! 😏 ha?? Instead he fell in love with a wonderful woman 😍
March 1, 2024
Dnf. Skimmed after 60% of the book.
March 14, 2024
3.5 stars
September 8, 2021
I really liked this book. At times, the power imbalance between the couple made me uncomfortable but it was expected of a kidnapping trope. Our heroine Meredith, was so sweet and brave. She reminds me a lot of Sansa Stark (And not just because they are both redheads). The hero Cameron was a douche at first and very stubborn, but he did redeem himself towards the end. However, I wished I could’ve seen him grovel more for Meredith’s forgiveness at the end.
November 14, 2014
I have read the romance, His Wicked Ways by Samantha James, now 3 times. First time in 2011, second time in 2012 and most recently November 14 2014. I just love the premise of this romance story.
Cameron McKay, the last member of the once powerful Clan MacKay, who watched his father and four brothers butchered buy a warring clan decides he wants revenge. Handsome, fearless, and determined, he is a man who catches the eye of many a woman.. yet he has but one goal--to find Meredith, last daughter of the Clan Munro, and force her to provide him with an heir. When Cameron finds Meredith in a priory to eventually take her vows to become a nun he is speechless in seeing her beauty. The Church and living a life of prayer with the nuns is where Meredith has sought refuge, from the terrible and shameful crime that someone has done to her. Cameron discovers that he is powerless to resist her tender beauty and is captivated by her bold bargaining for her freedom. And although she is the precious daughter of his sworn enemy, Cameron finds himself tempted to abandon his quest to bend her to his will. Poor Meredith had vowed long ago never to trust any man, for men and their ways cause pain to those they love.
I strongly recommend this novel. Samantha James is an incredible author who spins a very strong story with likable characters. Rating the sizzle factor for this story I would rate it a 7.
Cameron McKay, the last member of the once powerful Clan MacKay, who watched his father and four brothers butchered buy a warring clan decides he wants revenge. Handsome, fearless, and determined, he is a man who catches the eye of many a woman.. yet he has but one goal--to find Meredith, last daughter of the Clan Munro, and force her to provide him with an heir. When Cameron finds Meredith in a priory to eventually take her vows to become a nun he is speechless in seeing her beauty. The Church and living a life of prayer with the nuns is where Meredith has sought refuge, from the terrible and shameful crime that someone has done to her. Cameron discovers that he is powerless to resist her tender beauty and is captivated by her bold bargaining for her freedom. And although she is the precious daughter of his sworn enemy, Cameron finds himself tempted to abandon his quest to bend her to his will. Poor Meredith had vowed long ago never to trust any man, for men and their ways cause pain to those they love.
I strongly recommend this novel. Samantha James is an incredible author who spins a very strong story with likable characters. Rating the sizzle factor for this story I would rate it a 7.
November 9, 2024
11/8/24 re-read still a solid story and stronger the second time around; my first review feels a little harsh because it is a strong story telling. I think what is/was missing for me is the warm fuzzies that a good romance provokes, the fairy dust sprinkled over the dry reality of the period, maybe she too pious, too many inner ramblings of self doubt, too much grey and not enough light, not sure
4 stars
A solid story but the writing felt diluted. The telling of Cameron and Meredith could have been powerful and moving, but it was weakened by the writing. Any of the Js could have made this a 5 star HR classic for me because it featured my favorite tropes. This was my first Samantha James and I’ll move on to her next, but it was diet soda rather than the original.
4 stars
A solid story but the writing felt diluted. The telling of Cameron and Meredith could have been powerful and moving, but it was weakened by the writing. Any of the Js could have made this a 5 star HR classic for me because it featured my favorite tropes. This was my first Samantha James and I’ll move on to her next, but it was diet soda rather than the original.
April 14, 2019
First read July 2012 in paperback.
Re-read October 2016. I'm a lover of the old medieval romances with knights, highlanders, etc. This book is one that I will continually go back and read again periodically. Cameron, the leader of the McKay clan, has suffered the loss of his father and all of his brothers. He thinks it's because of the leader of the Munro clan, Red Angus. He burns with the need for revenge and abducts Meredith, the only child of Red Angus. What starts with hate in Cameron's heart ends up being an epic love story. I have read many of this author's other books and liked them but this one is definitely in my read again folder and a favorite highlander romance.
Re-read October 2016. I'm a lover of the old medieval romances with knights, highlanders, etc. This book is one that I will continually go back and read again periodically. Cameron, the leader of the McKay clan, has suffered the loss of his father and all of his brothers. He thinks it's because of the leader of the Munro clan, Red Angus. He burns with the need for revenge and abducts Meredith, the only child of Red Angus. What starts with hate in Cameron's heart ends up being an epic love story. I have read many of this author's other books and liked them but this one is definitely in my read again folder and a favorite highlander romance.
November 29, 2021
Primo approccio con questa autrice e direi che è andato abbastanza bene. Poco convinta dalla sinossi, non avevo grandi aspettative: pensavo fosse la solita storia d'amore tra i due protagonisti appartenenti a clan rivali che prima si fanno la guerra poi si innamorano e vissero tutti felici e contenti. Invece no. Questa è la traccia del tema da svolgere... The best is yet to come. L'autrice è riuscita a confezionare un bel romanzo, per niente banale, scorrevole e mai noioso. Se l'è cavata bene anche con i personaggi, dando loro spessore e carattere.
Credo che alla mia lista di fidanzati letterari si sia appena aggiunto un bel "highlander".
Ringrazio moltissimo chi me l'ha consigliato!
Credo che alla mia lista di fidanzati letterari si sia appena aggiunto un bel "highlander".
Ringrazio moltissimo chi me l'ha consigliato!
November 15, 2010
When Cameron MacKay kidnaps Meredith from the gentle confines of the priory where she has sought refuge, he discovers that he is powerless to resist her tender beauty and is captivated by her boldness in bargaining for her freedom. Although she is the precious daughter of his sworn enemy, Cameron finds himself tempted to abandon his quest to bend her to his will.
I really enjoyed this book. And cant wait to read the next installment His Wicked Promise.
I really enjoyed this book. And cant wait to read the next installment His Wicked Promise.
January 5, 2012
oh yea! i just finished this book and even though i read them out of order i cant believe that i waited so long! very good a re-read for sure.. thanks samantha james for once again teaching me that love isn't lost that it can be found if not in real life then in between the pages of one of your sexy books...
September 18, 2012
I was annoyed by the volume of exclamation points in this book. There were 876 of them and it was only a 200 page book on my e reader. Besides the authors over enthusiasm to say everything with an exclamation I though that the book was a nice typical bodice ripper. I would give 3.5 stars.
May 29, 2012
surprised..it was a really great book...the characters had a depth to their emotions/actions. The ending however, where the mystery is solved, seems a bit rushed.
Overall, 5+stars
Overall, 5+stars
May 11, 2025
Guys... I really liked this book
-The opening line "do not be afraid"
*The whole first chapter of Cameron straight up stealing would-be nun, Meredith from her bed, moonlight spilling through the cathedral windows... very Gothic inspired to me.
-Coming to terms with trauma
1.First we get to see Meredith open up about her SA via an unseen assailant (spoiler alert: it was her disgusting uncle Robert. And he played all the part in Cameron's own trauma, but we'll get there). Not only did it make her fear all men in the sexual sense, but the assault/its misplaced shame upon her is what made her enter the convent in the first place. Throughout the novel, Meredith also deals with a crisis of faith: did she really want to be a nun? Was it a calling or just offering safety because there were no men allowed? I really like that before they can properly do-the-do, Cameron wants her to open up as best she can about the SA. And when she does, he tells her "you're not impure; you are still the strong willed, beautiful woman I want to have a son with. And if that bastard was here, I'd eagerly rip him limb from limb. He's the one who should be ashamed not you".
2.Cameron's whole "give me a son for the family your father stole (AKA murdered in a most cowardly way)from me" stems from his thinking he saw Angus in the hills. But can we blame him? The way Robert orchestrated his cowardly kills (stole their weapons while they slept, attacked them after simply selling their wooly wares in the village. And worst yet, Robert killed Cameron's youngest brother, who was only ten! That flashback when it's revealed that the boy died reaching out for Cameron in pain/confusion... turned my stomach. But by getting to know Meredith/interacting with Brodie and eventually Angus, Cameron comes to realize he needs to look at these people in his life as healing rather than vengeance.
-The angst!
*Yes, it was annoying when it crept in at the very end, but the push-pull just makes sense.
-Caring Cameron from the jump
*He bandages her feet(despite his saying "I'll not tend to your wounds even if you beg"/douses her fever, and don't get me started on his actions during her pregnancy and labor. I love their late night discussions/his want of hearing how she's doing throughout.
*He fears sleeping intimately with her again because of how hard it was watching her nearly die from after birth effects. My guy 😢.
*Meredith catches Cameron cuddling Brodie in his study 🥹.
-Meredith literally took a stabbing for him 💘.
-When they finally do-the-do... it's so sweet my teeth were hurting 🍬❤️.
-The novel ends with a reverse of their bargain
*His was "give me a son and I'll set you free. Hers: "give me a daughter and I'll ensnare you forever". And he goes "Ah love, you already have" 🥰.
It's interesting how while reading, I couldn't help feeling that this was a mash-up of two books I ended up not liking very much (TWATD and The Prize). This really did those tropes some justice, for me anyway.
-The opening line "do not be afraid"
*The whole first chapter of Cameron straight up stealing would-be nun, Meredith from her bed, moonlight spilling through the cathedral windows... very Gothic inspired to me.
-Coming to terms with trauma
1.First we get to see Meredith open up about her SA via an unseen assailant (spoiler alert: it was her disgusting uncle Robert. And he played all the part in Cameron's own trauma, but we'll get there). Not only did it make her fear all men in the sexual sense, but the assault/its misplaced shame upon her is what made her enter the convent in the first place. Throughout the novel, Meredith also deals with a crisis of faith: did she really want to be a nun? Was it a calling or just offering safety because there were no men allowed? I really like that before they can properly do-the-do, Cameron wants her to open up as best she can about the SA. And when she does, he tells her "you're not impure; you are still the strong willed, beautiful woman I want to have a son with. And if that bastard was here, I'd eagerly rip him limb from limb. He's the one who should be ashamed not you".
2.Cameron's whole "give me a son for the family your father stole (AKA murdered in a most cowardly way)from me" stems from his thinking he saw Angus in the hills. But can we blame him? The way Robert orchestrated his cowardly kills (stole their weapons while they slept, attacked them after simply selling their wooly wares in the village. And worst yet, Robert killed Cameron's youngest brother, who was only ten! That flashback when it's revealed that the boy died reaching out for Cameron in pain/confusion... turned my stomach. But by getting to know Meredith/interacting with Brodie and eventually Angus, Cameron comes to realize he needs to look at these people in his life as healing rather than vengeance.
-The angst!
*Yes, it was annoying when it crept in at the very end, but the push-pull just makes sense.
-Caring Cameron from the jump
*He bandages her feet(despite his saying "I'll not tend to your wounds even if you beg"/douses her fever, and don't get me started on his actions during her pregnancy and labor. I love their late night discussions/his want of hearing how she's doing throughout.
*He fears sleeping intimately with her again because of how hard it was watching her nearly die from after birth effects. My guy 😢.
*Meredith catches Cameron cuddling Brodie in his study 🥹.
-Meredith literally took a stabbing for him 💘.
-When they finally do-the-do... it's so sweet my teeth were hurting 🍬❤️.
-The novel ends with a reverse of their bargain
*His was "give me a son and I'll set you free. Hers: "give me a daughter and I'll ensnare you forever". And he goes "Ah love, you already have" 🥰.
It's interesting how while reading, I couldn't help feeling that this was a mash-up of two books I ended up not liking very much (TWATD and The Prize). This really did those tropes some justice, for me anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2021
this book was a little different from Samantha's other books as this was about feuds and clans. i don't usually read books with feuds and clans because i feel they focus too much on the feud and lots of descriptions of fighting would come out but thankfully this book did not and focused on building the relationship between the hero and heroine instead.
due to the feud, Cameron and Meredith did not have a good start. they were constantly arguing so it took me a while to warm to them but i did like that they started to get closer and know one another better. through the journey to Dunthrope, i could really see that despite the harsh exterior, Cameron had a good heart as he was always caring for Meredith who was always stubborn and set in her ways.
Meredith, i liked that she grew bolder along the way and often challenged Cameron. she's a spitfire and i liked that. though she grew bolder, she still has insecurities that endeared me to her.
their romance was a bit slow to develop as i believe it is due to the anger Cameron felt and Meredith's fear of men and what Cameron would do with her but i liked the slow development as it really allowed them to expose their fears to one another. i liked how Cameron accepted Meredith's fear of men and did not force her to be with him.
it was heartwarming to see Cameron's and Meredith's relationship become even better after Meredith got with child. occasionally they would have their spats but i feel it's part and parcel of being a couple.
onto the cons of the book... the few times where Cameron and Meredith quarreled, i felt it was because they did not communicate enough with one another. despite Cameron having good intentions, Meredith did not see it as good intentions and thought something else. i do believe Meredith thinks too much and should just seek Cameron out for answers which would relieve her fears.
as for Moire poisoning Cameron, it was pretty obvious to me. i did not expect Meredith's uncle who did what he did but was glad what happened to him in the end. it would have been nice to have an epilogue where we see the results of the feuds' ending, some prosperity and future children of Meredith and Cameron. also, though they did mention throwing Moire in jail, i would have liked to see her screaming and being actually thrown in jail.
due to the feud, Cameron and Meredith did not have a good start. they were constantly arguing so it took me a while to warm to them but i did like that they started to get closer and know one another better. through the journey to Dunthrope, i could really see that despite the harsh exterior, Cameron had a good heart as he was always caring for Meredith who was always stubborn and set in her ways.
Meredith, i liked that she grew bolder along the way and often challenged Cameron. she's a spitfire and i liked that. though she grew bolder, she still has insecurities that endeared me to her.
their romance was a bit slow to develop as i believe it is due to the anger Cameron felt and Meredith's fear of men and what Cameron would do with her but i liked the slow development as it really allowed them to expose their fears to one another. i liked how Cameron accepted Meredith's fear of men and did not force her to be with him.
it was heartwarming to see Cameron's and Meredith's relationship become even better after Meredith got with child. occasionally they would have their spats but i feel it's part and parcel of being a couple.
onto the cons of the book... the few times where Cameron and Meredith quarreled, i felt it was because they did not communicate enough with one another. despite Cameron having good intentions, Meredith did not see it as good intentions and thought something else. i do believe Meredith thinks too much and should just seek Cameron out for answers which would relieve her fears.
as for Moire poisoning Cameron, it was pretty obvious to me. i did not expect Meredith's uncle who did what he did but was glad what happened to him in the end. it would have been nice to have an epilogue where we see the results of the feuds' ending, some prosperity and future children of Meredith and Cameron. also, though they did mention throwing Moire in jail, i would have liked to see her screaming and being actually thrown in jail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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