Will he ever speak the truth to her? And will she ever believe him?
Willow is the dependable, sensible sister and, due to her mum’s tutelage, has become a fine healer. She’s on her way home from visiting her sister Sorrell when the small troop escorting her is attacked. She’s taken prisoner and lowered down into a hole in the ground where a male prisoner is being kept. She has no idea what awaits her and all the reasoning in the world isn’t going to help her.
Slatter is a scoundrel and a good-for-nothing. He’s a liar, far from dependable, has no common sense, and is the one responsible for a fire that was started on Macardle land. He’s a man of fine features and many a woman has lost her heart to him. Or is there more to the tales about Slatter than anyone knows?
Thrown together and forced to marry under bizarre circumstances, Slatter and Willow make the most of their situation until things can be made right. And for the first time in her life Willow finds herself not being at all sensible and Slatter finds himself wanting more than he ever thought possible.
Danger threatens both their lives along with an old secret waiting to be revealed and instead of following her steadfast common sense, Willow allows herself to follow her heart and does something others warn her against… she trusts Slatter. Will Slatter disappoint her or will love conquer all?
Desired by a Highlander is the second book in the Macardle sisters' trilogy; this book focused on the eldest: Willow. At the conclusion of the first book, Willow is departing her sister Sorrell's new home with a strong contingent of her brother-in-law's warriors to see her safely home. When this story begins, the troop is under siege by ruthless barbarians, and Willow has hidden herself well until the lead barbarian (named Beck) demands that she reveal herself or he will kill one of the warriors she was traveling with, she yells her location and is painfully yanked out of the barbed bush she was hiding within. The warriors are left for dead, but Willow (a very accomplished healer) is able to feign providing comforting words as he dies (his wounds were not fatal, but she has him play along), so that he can rescue his comrades and find help as Willow is dragged away. Upon reaching the barbarian camp, Willow is tossed into a prisoner's hole in the ground... except that this one is occupied... by a very attractive and very naked man.
Said naked man is Slatter, considered by many to be a scoundrel, liar, and charming rake who has a "love 'em and leave 'em" mentality. Slatter realizes that Beck has a motive in doing so: keep Slatter from escaping as Slatter is known to escape any situation. Beck knows that Slatter would not abandon a woman prisoner, especially not one so vulnerable as Willow --- and while their introduction was made in the dark, when the sun rises, they realize they "know" each other as Slatter was a prisoner at Macardle (accused of setting fire to buildings on their land), and Willow dispassionately attended to his injuries, not at all swayed by his charming tongue in the process which was a very new experience for Slatter. Beck decides to have even more fun with Slatter by giving him the choice to "save" her via marriage. Slatter would rather hang than be married, but he feels compelled to help Willow and agrees. But before he can return Willow home, he must find the man who has been impersonating him and destroying his reputation while placing him in danger of being executed for the many crimes this man has committed in his name. Who is this man who claims to be Slatter? Why is he so vengeful, and what can he possibly gain from ruining Slatter's name? Will Slatter and Willow seal their vows as passion seems to draw them closer, or will they do the sensible thing and annul their nuptials before it is too late to turn back?
What I liked: --- Willow is a very likeable character; Slatter is very intriguing with his many secrets --- There was a lot happening in the story which made it move very quickly and keep the reader interested to see how it would all be resolved
What I didn't like as much: --- Holy confusing multiple plot lines, Batman! For me, it got a little too "busy" with the various plot lines happening all in this one book - if one of them were fully explored (the impersonator OR the slayer situation, for example), I think it would have been a little easier to follow; as it was, there was too much going on to the extent that it felt rushed and unsatisfying when the truths were revealed --- At the beginning, the attacking barbarians demand the warriors to "give them the woman!" but we have no idea why they wanted her or how they knew she traveled with them - that seemed random in retrospect --- It still doesn't make sense to me about the motive for the impersonator - just didn't really seem to be a compelling reason in the end --- The steamy goodness factor fell flat for me - the chemistry was there early on (for example, the scene in the prisoner hole), but the later action just didn't do it for me as it wasn't very descriptive or exciting
Overall, this was a story I enjoyed but felt there were unanswered or dissatisfying resolutions in the end. I am very much looking forward to the final story about the youngest sister Snow as the set-up in the past couple of books has gained my interest in how that will come about.
Plot --- 3.5/5 Main Characters --- 4/5 Supporting Cast --- 3.5/5 Steam Level* --- 2.5/5 Violence --- nothing graphic Language --- not egregious POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
Please note that I received an advance copy of this book directly from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Unfortunately, while Highlander of My Heart had all the things I love from Donna Fletcher reads, Desired by a Highlander did not hit the same mark.
The story picks up from where HomH left off, with Willow on her way back home after visiting Sorrell and Ruddock. She and the warriors are attacked on the way, and Willow is kidnapped by an outlaw named Beck. He lowers her into a hole with another captive, Slatter, and plans to ransom them both later.
Willow and Slatter are quite literally trapped up against each other, and get to know each other quite well by the time Beck decides to let them go. So much so, in fact, that when they're released and forced to consider marriage to each other, they both agree, and so proceeds their kind-of marriage from there while Willow is returned home.
Secrets are abound, as always, and at the same time, the hero and heroine have to fight their attraction to each other because they just can't be together, despite both very much wanting to.
In terms of the story itself, I did like both Willow and Slatter, although I did feel that the rumors surrounding Slatter really made him out to be worse than he really was--i.e. a cad, a compulsive liar, a ladies' man, etc. And as for Willow, it was a bit disappointing to see how she didn't just remain as sensible as her sisters described her as in book 1, particularly since that was the #1 most unique aspect about her. Still though, I did like the couple's dynamic, and enjoyed their scenes together.
Where the book most significantly lost me though was with regards to the following:
1 - the back-and-forth regarding the mystery around Slatter, and how long it took to come to a climax in terms of that. It just...I don't know, I didn't get as much of a sense of the high stakes there as I feel I should've, and therefore think it could've been handled better.
2 - how some scenes felt repetitive
3 - how there weren't nearly as many love scenes as in HomH, which would've helped to speed up the action a little bit. The whole reason why HomH and the entire Cree & Dawn series works so well is that it follows a love scene/action/love scene/action formula that keeps things seeming fast-paced; without the love scene intervals, it's basically action/ exposition/action /exposition/action /exposition-discussion, which is quite frankly a more tiring thing to get through, and makes the book feel longer than it is. If only the action more directly concerned Willow and Slatter rather than just people around them--and not even close to them--getting hurt or targeted, then it would've felt more engaging as well, I'm sure.
So, all in all, to conclude, it's a GOOD read and I LIKED it, but not a great read and I didn't quite love it as I did HomH.
Next up, Snow's story--which, let's face it, is the one we're looking forward to the most!
I received this book in a giveaway. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Captured on her way to her sister, Willow finds herself in a precarious situation. When her jailer decides to throw her in a hole with a naked man, things go from bad to worse. Slatter is currently on the losing end of his back and forth battle with a man named Beck. He's been planning to escape but when an innocent woman is thrown into his jail with him, he knows he must stay to protect her. Willow thinks she knows Slatter but lies, revenge, and the truth are all about to be revealed.
“A woman only belongs to a man if she’s wed to him. So if you want to leave here with her, you’ll wed her,”
Second in the Macardle Sisters of Courage Trilogy, I would highly suggest reading the first. The story begins right away with the action, Willow being kidnapped, and I had no idea the who and whys of the situation. There was other background information that would have been helpful, character motivations and how they were all tied together, by family or enemies. There was also an overuse of the word “poke” (sex), it was used 22 times with the second and third chapter, that became extremely tiresome and redundant to read. I personally like to see emotional/mental growth in my leads romance before the sexual occurs and this had Slatter giving Willow an orgasm within the first three chapters. This put me in the mindset that the story was going to be steamier but the tone changes and the sexual aspect actually doesn't really appear until later in the story, this made the beginning feel even more separate from the rest.
The war between Slatter and Beck, was confusing for me and I didn't understand their connection and animosity (maybe something I missed from not reading the first) and when the story moves on to Willow and Slatter at her brother's, it is forgotten for while in favor of a different one, involving characters thinking Slatter is a lying, adulterous, killer. The author keeps Willow and Slatter together through a forced marriage and they move to caring for each other and suddenly not wanting to get divorced very quickly. Willow and Slatter try to convince everyone that someone who looks exactly like Slatter is impersonating him and that guy is the true villain. This story thread also left me confused and not feeling it was fully fleshed out, again, characters and reasons felt left out.
“A husband sees to his wife’s care. I am your husband and I will be your husband until I am no more.”
I really think if you read this series in order, you would get more out of it. You'd have the foundation for the three sisters each book centers, the hows, whys, and character relationships. The first sister isn't shown in this but the third and youngest sister, Snow, has a teased enemies-to-lovers romance with the Lord of Fire, someone wanting Slatter dead for supposedly killing one of his warriors.
As a new reader to the series I was lost on character relationships and didn't fully grasp storylines. There was an interesting revenge plot but with the other threads going on, especially the whole Slayer, a man who mysteriously appears when you ask for his help in killing the “unjust”, mystery that felt tagged on in the end and didn't land the shock or emotional impact it should have. I ended up feeling lost for most of the story and never really connected with Willow and Slatter's romance.
Desired by a Highlander by Donna Fletcher is book Two in the Macardle Sisters of Courage Series. This is the story of Slatter and Willow. I have read (and Loved!) the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Willow was on her way home from being with her sister Sorrell, but her escorts were attacked and she was taken. They placed in in a whole type prison but there was someone already there...Slatter. Slatter of course isn't perfect wants to get out and clear his name. But they end up being put in a situation that neither wanted but they are finding that they can't stop their growing feelings. I am a huge fan of Ms. Fletcher's writing....her stories are ones you cannot put down. Loved it!
5 stars ( 5/4 stars Margaret Mallory, Julie Johnstone, Monica McCarty, Lynsay Sands, Donna Fletcher)
5 stars: This book was great, truly awesome, couldn’t and wouldn’t put it down. It hit all my personal markers for a great read...1. smart and engaging writing, 2. Humorous, 3. sexy interactions and 4. stories with family/friends.
I love series around family members or a group of friends. I love the series even more when the author intertwines those characters throughout the book series (it’s a pet peeve when authors don’t do that because what’s the point of the series and introducing the characters if they are not going to interact throughout the series).
Totally engrossed with the development and interest in main characters and secondary characters. Will definitely read the next book by this author.
Laugh out loud...humorous all through the book. The give and take of all the characters are ridiculous awesome.
Movement of the book was a sweet flow. Book writing/conversation super engaging.
I loved the writing around the women empowerment (it wasn’t over the top for me). Badass women rock.
Romantic/sexual content (kissing, oral, love making scenes) was throughout the book. Nothing over the top; again nicely intertwined in the story. 3/5 hotness and steam.
I’m not a huge fan of ‘internal dialogue’ in books. I can only take so much before I start skimming through pages. This book did not have me doing that...the internal dialogue was placed appropriately throughout the book.
Will definitely re-read this book/series to enjoy it again.
It’s a nice book. There is action, adventure, sexy, shirtless men… it’s actually a decently good story plot and the characters are dynamic and interesting. The relationship between Slatter and Willow is actually pretty healthy -if a little too gushy for me. I liked that his is so playful and she is so pragmatic- it was nice to read about a female lead that is just smart and thinks everything through. The spice level is a 3.5 - open door but minimally descriptive. As with the first book in this series I found the first 3/4 to be really good, I could hardly put it down. But i found the last quarter of the book to drag a little as I found the writing to get a little repetitive-happily not enough to stop me reading but it definitely lost its hooks in me. Overall I give it 4/5. Just because of the repetitive writing near the end, and because I found the romance to be a little too mushy.
Slatter is chasing a man who is using his name and causing havoc in his life. Slatter is captured and held in a pit when Willow is captured and lowered into the same pit. Upon release they are forced to marry. Slatter promises to return her to her home once he is finished with his mission. They fall in love along the way. Slatter’s mission becomes more and more dangerous bringing them closer together. This is a unique story with mystery and twists that I loved and Slatter and Willow are great together.
What a beautiful adventure! The adventure was really awesome, exciting and intriguing! I would have never guessed the ending! The characters were awesome and brave. Can't wait to read the next one about Snow and Thaw! If I am guessing right the Lord of Fire is in for a very exciting change in his life! Thanks for sharing your story!!!
So many grammatical errors and spelling errors eg. Whole when it should have been hole, waste should have have waist. Also, an incredibly boring story. Save your money!
I normally not a constant reader, But I couldn't stop reading this book. It has an amazing story line . A combination of Romance and Mystery. The love story of Willow and Slatter. 😍
I much prefer the gradual pace of the romance compared to the first book, which was more insta-lovey and the "mystery" ridiculous. Also liked Willow and Slatter better than Sorrell and Ruddock, sorry (but not sorry).
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6/3/20:
I've only read one other book by the same author--The Bewitching Twin--but it's enough for me to say that she does not do complicated plots all that well. The subplots in Desired by a Highlander kept piling up and got more and more ridiculously confusing, and even though most of problems were resolved in the end, I'm still left with plenty of unanswered questions.
Also, whoever the editor was seriously needs to be fired (or hired, cuz I don't even think there was one). I'm usually pretty lax about grammar and spelling if it's just one or two errors--everybody makes mistakes after all--but the editing (or lack thereof) for this book was atrocious. Seriously, we've got gems like the following:
"...an arm snagged her around the waste and yanked her away."
"'We've come a long way from that whole in the ground...'"
And this was absolute gold:
"His hands went to her waste..."
I don't know whether to laugh or facepalm (or both).
Issues aside, the romance was surprisingly sweet and cute, though a bit sappy. Given Slatter's reputation, I was dreading the possibility of idiotic OW drama or annoying mentions of all his past conquests, but thankfully there was none of that. Slatter turned out to be more of a Flynn Rider "scoundrel" than an actual one, and I really liked how he gradually fell for Willow, who is definitely taking a spot in my list of "best romance heroines."
3 stars - yay to the romance, nay to the grammatical issues and mind-screwing plotline.
Willow is the dependable, sensible sister and, due to her mum’s tutelage, has become a fine healer. She’s on her way home from visiting her sister Sorrell when the small troop escorting her is attacked. She’s taken prisoner and lowered down into a hole in the ground where a male prisoner is being kept. She has no idea what awaits her and all the reasoning in the world isn’t going to help her.
Slatter is a scoundrel and a good-for-nothing. He’s a liar, far from dependable, has no common sense, and is the one responsible for a fire that was started on Macardle land. He’s a man of fine features and many a woman has lost her heart to him. Or is there more to the tales about Slatter than anyone knows?
Once again Donna Fletcher has written a beautiful story with a bit of a mystery and a goodly portion of romance to satisfy my hunger for a happy ever after for my hero and heroine. When I open a book by this author I know I’m in for excitement and adventure to the point of never wanting to leave the pages of such a well written, nail-biting, page turning story full of bad guys, tense moments as well as humor, love, laughter and wonderful characters. This story is fast paced and has an awesome ending that ties all the mystery and questions together quite nicely. This is a great addition to book one in this series.
Desired by a Highlander Macardle Sisters of Courage book 2 by Donna Fletcher
Donna Fletcher has another fantastic story!
Willow the ever practical sister has been captured and put in a tight situation...literally. Hoping that Willam the warrior who was her escort will be able to send help. She’s relying on her practical nature to keep safe. As a healer she’s tended to many in need of her skill, she never expected to come in close contact with the man that has ruined her life, and have her feel safe in his arms.
Slatter has never forgotten Willow the only woman not affected by his charm, so he thinks. Their lives take a turn when they’re forced to marry and together they will have to find the villain that has created trouble for Slatter. As they try to find the mysterious man they find something greater, a love that has no bounds!
Exceptionally written with lots of intense emotion and intrigue. Fast paced, an interesting plot, a sexy alpha hero and a heroine that stands by her man no matter what!! Donna Fletcher is a highly talented story teller who takes the reader on a journey with the characters, you actually feel part of the story! I totally recommend her books to all who love historical romance and sexy Highlanders!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my honest unbiased opinion.
Desired by a Highlander by Donna Fletcher Macardle Sisters of Courage Series Book Two Willow Macardle was always the sensible sister. After her latest adventure, not so much. Getting close to a man...literally very close...known for his charming personality. Especially with women. She's not sure if she's still sensible or just blind. For some reason, she trusts the scoundrel and is ready to hang on for the adventure he takes her on.
Slatter has secrets. He's not a man who will settle down and have a real life. Marriage is out of the question. Not to mention, he has to clear his name. Things, very bad things, have been done in his name and he's a wanted man.
I love all of Donna Fletcher's stories. The tough men always have a soft spot and usually aren't quite who they seem to be. In Slatter's case, he's even more than what he seems to be. Can't wait for Snow's story, the third sister, she was blinded in a fire. **Sexual content https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
I am never disappointed when one of Donna’s books comes out! This second of the Macardle Sisters was so good had trouble putting it down! I won’t give any spoilers so you’ll have to read it but there are twists and turns that you won’t be expecting! I even had an OMG moment!! I can’t wait until Snow’s story comes out! I need more!! You have to get this series if you love your Highlanders and the strong women they love. This is my unsolicited and honest review!!
I enjoyed reading about the majestic and mysterious Scottish Highlands.This book was fast moving and compelling. There is suspense and a little of magic that keep you involved and turning pages.The lovemaking is scorching hot and sizzling. Willow was strong,feisty and brave. She loved deep and hard and Slatter is "Robin Hood"of the Highlands.You will love this book and you will not be disappointed by selecting it.
What a great an amazing multi talented writer/story teller, Donna Fletcher's books just pulls you in from the first chapter to the last. You will love Willow and Slatter's adventure. It is number 2 in the series of the Macardle Sisters. I can't wait for Snow's story to be spun. Maybe we can have the half brothers story as number 4..... :)
Well thought out character and loved the interactions. I really enjoyed Willow and Slater’s story. It had a lot of action, adventure, and mystery. I did a lot of cheering and yelling at the bad guys. I’m looking forward to Dawn’s story.
What a brilliant second story in this series. I can’t wait for Snow’s story! I love Slatter and Willow’s story because their relationship begins under such horrendous circumstances. It is such an interesting story and the plot thickens as the story goes along. The reader really doesn’t know how this elusive problem will be solved. Excellent writing.
I am guessing that the newest edition will include Snow and Tarass ; at least I can hope. I love these stories that includes strong willed women. I admit I had not concluded who the Slayer was until close to the end. This. Book was based on an interesting concept. Looking forward to book 3!
everything Donna writes takes you on a trip to another time and place,this series is great would expect no less from this story teller..........................