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Wild Conquest
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From New York Times bestseller Hannah Howell, a classic love story of a Scottish hero too wild to be tamed and the woman he’s destined to set free...
Pleasance Dunstan is used to silently bearing the cruelties put upon her by her thoughtless family. But nothing can prepare her for the greatest indignity of all: being sold into servitude to a man as wild as Tearlach O’Duine. His untamed ways are whispered of throughout town, and he has set his sights on Pleasance to be more than his servant. He will have her in his bed.
Pleasance could escape this fate with a word, but her fierce pride keeps her silent. Instead, she follows her new master to the rough lands where he has made a home and finds a world beyond any she has ever known—a world of desire. For though he is her captor, only Tearlach can show her how freeing true passion can be... and while her servitude to him will one day end, nothing can stop the binding of their hearts...
From New York Times bestseller Hannah Howell, a classic love story of a Scottish hero too wild to be tamed and the woman he’s destined to set free...
Pleasance Dunstan is used to silently bearing the cruelties put upon her by her thoughtless family. But nothing can prepare her for the greatest indignity of all: being sold into servitude to a man as wild as Tearlach O’Duine. His untamed ways are whispered of throughout town, and he has set his sights on Pleasance to be more than his servant. He will have her in his bed.
Pleasance could escape this fate with a word, but her fierce pride keeps her silent. Instead, she follows her new master to the rough lands where he has made a home and finds a world beyond any she has ever known—a world of desire. For though he is her captor, only Tearlach can show her how freeing true passion can be... and while her servitude to him will one day end, nothing can stop the binding of their hearts...
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1993
131 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Howell
116 books2,643 followersHannah Dustin Howell is a best-selling American author of over 40 historical romance novels. Many of her novels are set in medieval Scotland. She also writes under the names Sarah Dustin, Sandra Dustin, and Anna Jennet (see below).
She has also used the following pseudonyms:
Anna Jennet, Sarah Dustin and Sandra Dustin
She has also used the following pseudonyms:
Anna Jennet, Sarah Dustin and Sandra Dustin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 7, 2013
It's the American Colonies, Massachusetts Bay, 1769.
Tearlach O'Duine
Is courting Pleasance Dunstan
Tearlach has a little half-sister, Moira,
…who thinks she's a witch.
Pleasance has a younger sister, Letitia,
Who is a witch (and not in a good way).
Letitia decides she wants Tearlach, and pouts until their parents demand that Pleasance hand him over.
So Pleasance tells Tearlach to bugger off. His widdle feewings are hurt, so he decides he'll show her by hooking up with Letitia.
FF a month or so. Letitia comes to Pleasance with a problem: seems Letty changed her mind and wants to marry someone else, but she wrote Tearlach a bunch of raunchy letters and gave him a silver tankard that was actually a gift to her from the guy she now wants to wed. If it gets out, Letty's "love" du jour is sure to kick her to the curb (cuz she's a ho), and the whole family's reputation and standing in society will swirl down the crapper. As a girl, Pleasance had to learn to pick locks if she didn't want to either starve (because she was denied food and the pantry was locked tight) or spend her life locked in the attic. Letty wants Pleasance to use her ill-gotten skills to steal the goods back.
Now, remember, this is early America, just emerging from its Puritan roots. The penalties for crimes are still extremely harsh and cruel. Flogging is not unheard of for "crimes" like "fornication." Thieves can still be hanged.
…but because the family has been so very good to her, Pleasance breaks out her lock picks and smuggler's lantern.
…and naturally, she gets caught.
Tearlach, because his widdle feewings are still ouchy, has her arrested. And her family, true to form, leaves her to rot in jail. Come the court date, Letty and kin trump up a story that makes Pleasance guilty and all of them victims. (Evidently evidence was not used in those days, or Letty's letters would prove that was all lies, but hey, who am I to quibble with a good story?)
Pleasance reckons nobody will believe the truth if she tells it, so she just plays martyr (yet again) and says nothing to defend herself. And Tearlach, knowing the truth, lets her get convicted. So now it's prison, where she'll probably be raped and die, or a fine she can't afford to pay.
But Tearlach has a "solution." Once Pleasance is truly in the stew, he offers to pay the fine. She can be his indentured servant (wink, wink) for a year. Or go to prison and die. See? She had a choice.
Pleasance accepts the lovely offer, but makes clear that she intends to be a
Tearlach hears this and dismisses it, cuz...
Pleasance protests that she doesn’t want to be a whore, and Tearlach says “I don’t think of you as a whore.” Me: Then what, exactly? Someone to use and toss aside. Exactly what does that make her? It's even worse, because (remember?) women were still being flogged for fornication. AND the SOB doesn't even bother to try to protect her from pregnancy. What a guy.
Apparently he thinks she owes him this. We're told, “No matter how hard he tried, he could not convince himself that having Pleasance as his lover now (against her protests, mind) made up for her callous rejection of his earlier and far more honorable overtures.”
Not surprisingly, he's mightily offended when she leaves him.
By the end, I liked him somewhat better, and while I was not thrilled with the way she finally showed a little backbone (since by this point I felt he needed to seriously kiss her a$$ first), she also became a better (stronger)person.
I didn't love this story, but when a book has me arguing with the characters, that's still a good thing. So, eh, I'll give it three and a half stars (barely).
Tearlach O'Duine
Is courting Pleasance Dunstan
Tearlach has a little half-sister, Moira,
…who thinks she's a witch.
Pleasance has a younger sister, Letitia,
Who is a witch (and not in a good way).
Letitia decides she wants Tearlach, and pouts until their parents demand that Pleasance hand him over.
So Pleasance tells Tearlach to bugger off. His widdle feewings are hurt, so he decides he'll show her by hooking up with Letitia.
FF a month or so. Letitia comes to Pleasance with a problem: seems Letty changed her mind and wants to marry someone else, but she wrote Tearlach a bunch of raunchy letters and gave him a silver tankard that was actually a gift to her from the guy she now wants to wed. If it gets out, Letty's "love" du jour is sure to kick her to the curb (cuz she's a ho), and the whole family's reputation and standing in society will swirl down the crapper. As a girl, Pleasance had to learn to pick locks if she didn't want to either starve (because she was denied food and the pantry was locked tight) or spend her life locked in the attic. Letty wants Pleasance to use her ill-gotten skills to steal the goods back.
Now, remember, this is early America, just emerging from its Puritan roots. The penalties for crimes are still extremely harsh and cruel. Flogging is not unheard of for "crimes" like "fornication." Thieves can still be hanged.
…but because the family has been so very good to her, Pleasance breaks out her lock picks and smuggler's lantern.
…and naturally, she gets caught.
Tearlach, because his widdle feewings are still ouchy, has her arrested. And her family, true to form, leaves her to rot in jail. Come the court date, Letty and kin trump up a story that makes Pleasance guilty and all of them victims. (Evidently evidence was not used in those days, or Letty's letters would prove that was all lies, but hey, who am I to quibble with a good story?)
Pleasance reckons nobody will believe the truth if she tells it, so she just plays martyr (yet again) and says nothing to defend herself. And Tearlach, knowing the truth, lets her get convicted. So now it's prison, where she'll probably be raped and die, or a fine she can't afford to pay.
But Tearlach has a "solution." Once Pleasance is truly in the stew, he offers to pay the fine. She can be his indentured servant (wink, wink) for a year. Or go to prison and die. See? She had a choice.
Pleasance accepts the lovely offer, but makes clear that she intends to be a
Tearlach hears this and dismisses it, cuz...
Side note: I really hate it when the “hero” of a historical novel decides he’s going to sleep with the heroine even if she objects, in a historical context where she's the one who is going to pay every price for it. Evidently it’s ok as long as he can drag a response from her body.
Pleasance protests that she doesn’t want to be a whore, and Tearlach says “I don’t think of you as a whore.” Me: Then what, exactly? Someone to use and toss aside. Exactly what does that make her? It's even worse, because (remember?) women were still being flogged for fornication. AND the SOB doesn't even bother to try to protect her from pregnancy. What a guy.
Apparently he thinks she owes him this. We're told, “No matter how hard he tried, he could not convince himself that having Pleasance as his lover now (against her protests, mind) made up for her callous rejection of his earlier and far more honorable overtures.”
Not surprisingly, he's mightily offended when she leaves him.
By the end, I liked him somewhat better, and while I was not thrilled with the way she finally showed a little backbone (since by this point I felt he needed to seriously kiss her a$$ first), she also became a better (stronger)person.
I didn't love this story, but when a book has me arguing with the characters, that's still a good thing. So, eh, I'll give it three and a half stars (barely).
November 21, 2013
I see why only 15 people read this book on amazon.com. It's not all that good. This chick was a serious door mat. A door mat for her family and now a door mat for her "employer". The only connection/chemistry I felt with this couple was at the very beginning when she..oh wait...when her family decided she should kick him to the curb, I honestly felt a real connection between them. I felt that Tearlach really liked her. Now, I understand why Tearlach did not speak up at the trial, I agree it was her fight to win and he was following her lead...I understand that he felt sorry for her and a little vengeful so she became his servant...but what I DO NOT understand is how this chick will allow him to speak down to her, verbally insult her and then in the next minute start kissing her neck and walking up behind her and rubbing her. How freaking inappropriate and she ALLOWED it at every turn. This is the worst case of stupidity I've ever seen/read. Have some back bone, tell this dude where to get off and if he sees she has respect for herself and mentally strong, I could actually buy into the attraction he had for her and the love that grew for her. I did not finish this book. After the scene where she just gave this dude her virginity, the next day she starts again with putting her down, telling her she's not doing a good enough job as a servant and here she is explaining herself and literally a second later, he says now that the chores are done we can "play"..aka HAVE SEX....and of course she goes along with it...I won't read another book from this author..lost all respect for her writing.
January 20, 2021
this has got to be the stupidest book ever written. it makes fifty shades of gray seem like shakespeare
December 7, 2009
I had a really hard time with this book
1) I had a hard time understanding it. The hero is Scottish and I know that the style was to show off his accent but it was hard to follow (rereading a simple sentence three times to understand it!) and he didn't always have his accent.
2) The big thing the heroine was nearly raped THREE times and it seemed as if it were shrugged off by both characters each time. Rape was a huge part of this book but it felt, at times, that the author wanted to drive the point home, what point I am not sure, but missed her mark.
1) I had a hard time understanding it. The hero is Scottish and I know that the style was to show off his accent but it was hard to follow (rereading a simple sentence three times to understand it!) and he didn't always have his accent.
2) The big thing the heroine was nearly raped THREE times and it seemed as if it were shrugged off by both characters each time. Rape was a huge part of this book but it felt, at times, that the author wanted to drive the point home, what point I am not sure, but missed her mark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2012
The main male character was constantly getting hurt, and the main female is constantly getting almost-raped. And all but 3 of the men in this book were jackasses.
After a while, even the sex got boring. You can tell this book was published in 1993.
After a while, even the sex got boring. You can tell this book was published in 1993.
November 18, 2022
It picked up a little at the end but still I wish I hadn't read it... It was soooo boring... It took me over a year to be able to finish it and I kinda regret spending time reading about Pleasance and Tearlach...
December 31, 2022
This book is 30 years old, so it has the dated stereotypes as expected. But looking past those it was an ok read. But it did go on for about 100 pages longer than it needed to. The stuff in the last 100 pages was interesting enough, but not really necessary at all, since there were many times the two love interests could have admitted their feelings for each other before all of that, so it did seem like the book dragged a little. The spice was ok but predictable after a while. The amount of attempted rapes in this book was off the charts though. Really odd. Perhaps the woman could have needed saving from a wild animal, an injury, or something else other than constant rape attempts??
December 1, 2023
Not bad. Nice pacing. =)
February 5, 2014
While there is a pinch of "Scottish" spice to this romance by Hannah Howell, it is much better described as a "Colonial American" romance. I am not a lover of frontier/pioneer romance, but there was enough Scottish elements and influence in the story to keep me reading. The very gaelic name of the hero, "Terlach O'doune," is enough to wet your lips with a taste of the highlands. He is, of course, strong and sexy, but with the typical male weaknesses of an overabundance of pride and arrogance. Add to that a serious lack of trust, and he's quite a mess!
In pleasant contrast, not so the heroine, Miss Pleasance Dunstan :-) Miss Pleasance knows exactly what she wants, is sweet, compassionate, and innocent. She is, however, sacrificial to the extreme. While I can admire such sacrifice and conclude that it takes no small amount of bravery and strength, it tends to elicit a frustrating sense of pity. I really loved many things about this heroine, I just wished she had a little more strength to control her all too weak desire for the hero, but with a family and life like hers who could blame her. It was definitely the heroine of this story that stole the show.
A good showing at 3.5 - stars.
In pleasant contrast, not so the heroine, Miss Pleasance Dunstan :-) Miss Pleasance knows exactly what she wants, is sweet, compassionate, and innocent. She is, however, sacrificial to the extreme. While I can admire such sacrifice and conclude that it takes no small amount of bravery and strength, it tends to elicit a frustrating sense of pity. I really loved many things about this heroine, I just wished she had a little more strength to control her all too weak desire for the hero, but with a family and life like hers who could blame her. It was definitely the heroine of this story that stole the show.
A good showing at 3.5 - stars.
May 12, 2020
I bought a bulk of books from this author and so far
I'm kind of regretting it.
The book is very passive and the hero is no hero at all.
He treats the heroine like a whore and then gets mad when
she calls him on his behavior. The heroine on her part is
constantly forgiving the Hero for his awful behavior towards
her with zero groveling. The first time they sleep together he
acts very cold and mean towards her and basically kicks her
out of his bed. The only thing that redeemed this book
is that the heroine saved herself during the climax scene.
She was super badass and proved that she didn't need a man
to protect her. I just wish her family would have been punished.
I'm kind of regretting it.
The book is very passive and the hero is no hero at all.
He treats the heroine like a whore and then gets mad when
she calls him on his behavior. The heroine on her part is
constantly forgiving the Hero for his awful behavior towards
her with zero groveling. The first time they sleep together he
acts very cold and mean towards her and basically kicks her
out of his bed. The only thing that redeemed this book
is that the heroine saved herself during the climax scene.
She was super badass and proved that she didn't need a man
to protect her. I just wish her family would have been punished.
March 30, 2018
Nope, just nope. You have two unlikeable characters in the beginning, the doormat/victim and the a**hole/bully. In the end you still have two unlikeable characters. He gives her flowers at the end of the book, ya'll. Flowers... That's it. Flowers does not make a changed man. Waiting for flowers instead of fighting for what you want does not make for a changed women. Don't waste your time.
May 4, 2012
So far I'm not sure about it.. the indentured servitude deal is sort of a turn-off.
FINISHED!
Final verdict: Once you read about one grumpy tsundere scotsman, you've pretty much read about them all. It wasn't bad, it was just very predictable.
FINISHED!
Final verdict: Once you read about one grumpy tsundere scotsman, you've pretty much read about them all. It wasn't bad, it was just very predictable.
February 23, 2024
DNF
I can't take this anymore. The 2 MCs are horrible. The male MC is an a*hole. He caused a terrible Situation for the female MC. Had her persecuted for Theft, incarcerated then trialed and humilated in Front of her whole village. Resulting in her shitty family throwing her to the Wolf. Then bought her Indenture to serve him for a year. And all that because she rejected him after a courtship of 2 whole weeks. It was so petty and small. It is not that she broke his heart or anything. The reason he courted her in the first place were practical and convenient. After he had her under his Power he took advantage of her sexually, while treating her like sh*t
The female MC on the other hand is a naive, spineless, stupid Martyr. She practically runs around with a sign welcoming anyone to walk all over her. It was unbearable to wach... ehh read. I waited a little to see if there is a turning point, but after 50% i gave up. It only got worse. And her stupidity had no bounds: for instance: She allready was nearly raped at one time she was alone and she was told of a mad rapist Roaming the forrest. So when she was upset at one point she runs away through the forrest alone, without porotection or weapons and now gess what happens??? Yeah nope. My patience ran thin and I dnf it.
I can't take this anymore. The 2 MCs are horrible. The male MC is an a*hole. He caused a terrible Situation for the female MC. Had her persecuted for Theft, incarcerated then trialed and humilated in Front of her whole village. Resulting in her shitty family throwing her to the Wolf. Then bought her Indenture to serve him for a year. And all that because she rejected him after a courtship of 2 whole weeks. It was so petty and small. It is not that she broke his heart or anything. The reason he courted her in the first place were practical and convenient. After he had her under his Power he took advantage of her sexually, while treating her like sh*t
The female MC on the other hand is a naive, spineless, stupid Martyr. She practically runs around with a sign welcoming anyone to walk all over her. It was unbearable to wach... ehh read. I waited a little to see if there is a turning point, but after 50% i gave up. It only got worse. And her stupidity had no bounds: for instance: She allready was nearly raped at one time she was alone and she was told of a mad rapist Roaming the forrest. So when she was upset at one point she runs away through the forrest alone, without porotection or weapons and now gess what happens??? Yeah nope. My patience ran thin and I dnf it.
February 19, 2023
Cute read. Pleasance Dunstan has been living under her cruel family her whole life. But when her sisters reckless actions leave Pleasance to fix the mess, she gets caught in a sticky situation. Pleasance is found stealing from her former suitor Tearlache O’Duine, he has Pleasance arrested in hopes to scare her and teach her a quick lesson. But when Pleasance’s family doesn’t come to help, Tearlache is forced to go through with the trial and Pleasance is placed as his indentured servant for one year. Pleasance is brought to Tearlache’s cabin to help around the house, as well as look after his younger sister Moira. But the longer she stays, the more she realizes how much more there is to Tearlache O’Duine.
Pretty wholesome and sweet. Loved the cabin setting as always. I’ve read very similar stories, but it was a nice read before bed.
Pretty wholesome and sweet. Loved the cabin setting as always. I’ve read very similar stories, but it was a nice read before bed.
December 2, 2020
Loved
Great story when a lass is forced to give up the man she enjoys courting her to her spoiled little sister by her parents . When her sister then changes her mind to marry the man her father originally wanted her sister ask her steal letter and a silver trench back from non other then the man who has been played by her sister it leads to her down fall but possibly love. I love this story one my fav by said author
Great story when a lass is forced to give up the man she enjoys courting her to her spoiled little sister by her parents . When her sister then changes her mind to marry the man her father originally wanted her sister ask her steal letter and a silver trench back from non other then the man who has been played by her sister it leads to her down fall but possibly love. I love this story one my fav by said author
September 4, 2023
The female lead started out as weak but evolved as the story went forward and discovered her voice. The treatment from her family, with the excception of none brother, was horrendous, and she shouldn't have felt any loyalty. The male lead was stubbornly focused on his bruised ego. Eventually, he got it together, and the story progressed well as the two grew together. Overall, it's a good book. Narrator did a good job.
March 26, 2020
This book was so dumb. I hope no one takes any kind of dating/relationship/any type of meaning from the book. The main character thinks she can make a guy love her by having sex. He repeatedly shows her he does not care about her and she continues to do whatever he ask and hope she can “touch his heart”. I love cheesy romances but this was disgusting, disheartening, and frustrating to read.
Read
December 26, 2024I stopped reading at page 200. Not because there was anything wrong with the book. The author did a great job, I just didn't like the subject. For some reasons, westerns don't work for me. That is the reason I am not rating this book.
June 30, 2017
This one was hard to get through I don't know if it was slow or what but I just had the hardest time finishing it.
February 13, 2018
Lets just say, I couldn't put the book down. Not knowing whats going to happen next its so exciting .
Read
July 24, 2021Well worth reading
Hannah Howell really can tell a story with all the characters involved coming to life for the reader. This book is well worth reading!
Hannah Howell really can tell a story with all the characters involved coming to life for the reader. This book is well worth reading!
April 30, 2024
1.5 stars
I wish the bear had won the battle.
This guy was trash-y
I wish the bear had won the battle.
This guy was trash-y
Want to read
August 28, 2024O
Read
October 16, 2025DNF at 10%.
Too tiresome for words
Too tiresome for words
July 15, 2024
The heroine Pleasance, a 21 year-old ‘spinster’, supposedly high class, spent half of the book cursing and claiming she wasn’t a thief, enraged at the hero for having her jailed. Clearly she actually was guilty, but never showed any penitence whatsoever. I’m convinced that, had she been honest when she refused his courtship and then again admitted to her crime when she was caught red-handed, the H probably wouldn’t even have pressed charges, but no, she had to continue acting all mighty and snobbish...
So the real pivotal point of the book is the part where the heroine ends Tearlach’s courtship, for it changes his opinion of her and sends him on an endless spiral of mistrust.
But he never admits it, and she never guesses.
The revelation of her actual reasons to have done so is of course delayed and dragged on forever, until literally the last chapter of the book, almost as an epilogue. Way too late, IMO.
Tearlach didn’t seem particularly bright for the most part of the book, but clearly his ego doesn’t easily forgive an offence. He was also blind as a mole, or made blind by his huge ego. You would think the man would start doubting that his judgment of her was right after having her slave away in his house and in his bed night after night, or after the way she tendered to his wounds and recovery… Alas, the plot just drags along repetitively while the dynamic between them never really changes.
When the hero decides to go on one last hunting, he simply tells Pleasance that they need to have a ‘talk’ after he comes back… like months later... makes no sense.
By this point, the heroine has already lost all signs of modesty in the bedroom and I, to be honest, was fed up with the scenes and started jumping blocks of text at a time.
Surprisingly, it turns out that the heroine and her brother Nathan are actually rich due to an inheritance from her late mother. She wasn’t aware of this because the ‘lawyer’ had decided it was best she didn’t and also Nathan, knowing all along how the family treated her, decided to leave for months without actually informing her.
Pleasance also learns that Tearlach, that bright man, is actually an entrepreneur and very rich too, and basically everyone knew that but the heroine. She was understandingly upset but, fortunately, she finds herself pregnant shortly after and doesn’t seem to dwell too much on it.
Whereas Nathan was angry at how quick Tearlach had been able to impregnate her in such a short time, I had already wondered a couple of times how, with such frequent and persistent love-making, it hadn’t happened earlier.
Apparently in the 18th century the ladies didn’t have any knowledge about pregnancy, but they were aware that intensive work (wink wink) could alter your cycle. Impressive.
All in all, I choose to believe that, despite all the seemingly irresponsible behaviour of the hero towards the heroine, he planned all along to keep her there after the one year had passed and probably marry her if she ever got pregnant...
Unfortunately, by his own rapport and actions, clearly that isn’t so... for he mistrusted her to the very end and would never, ever had confessed his love hadn’t she done it first.
So I’m disappointed in this book.
I guess it’s my fault really, for after having read the summary and the first part of the book, I was expecting a completely different development romantically, but it turned out to be more of an erotic novel than an actual romance.
I didn’t really care for the pregnancy arc or his untimely courtship of her again…With so many perils around them, one would think they could have been a little more honest with each other. No shame in the bedroom but too proud where it really mattered. Meh.
So the real pivotal point of the book is the part where the heroine ends Tearlach’s courtship, for it changes his opinion of her and sends him on an endless spiral of mistrust.
But he never admits it, and she never guesses.
The revelation of her actual reasons to have done so is of course delayed and dragged on forever, until literally the last chapter of the book, almost as an epilogue. Way too late, IMO.
Tearlach didn’t seem particularly bright for the most part of the book, but clearly his ego doesn’t easily forgive an offence. He was also blind as a mole, or made blind by his huge ego. You would think the man would start doubting that his judgment of her was right after having her slave away in his house and in his bed night after night, or after the way she tendered to his wounds and recovery… Alas, the plot just drags along repetitively while the dynamic between them never really changes.
When the hero decides to go on one last hunting, he simply tells Pleasance that they need to have a ‘talk’ after he comes back… like months later... makes no sense.
By this point, the heroine has already lost all signs of modesty in the bedroom and I, to be honest, was fed up with the scenes and started jumping blocks of text at a time.
Surprisingly, it turns out that the heroine and her brother Nathan are actually rich due to an inheritance from her late mother. She wasn’t aware of this because the ‘lawyer’ had decided it was best she didn’t and also Nathan, knowing all along how the family treated her, decided to leave for months without actually informing her.
Pleasance also learns that Tearlach, that bright man, is actually an entrepreneur and very rich too, and basically everyone knew that but the heroine. She was understandingly upset but, fortunately, she finds herself pregnant shortly after and doesn’t seem to dwell too much on it.
Whereas Nathan was angry at how quick Tearlach had been able to impregnate her in such a short time, I had already wondered a couple of times how, with such frequent and persistent love-making, it hadn’t happened earlier.
Apparently in the 18th century the ladies didn’t have any knowledge about pregnancy, but they were aware that intensive work (wink wink) could alter your cycle. Impressive.
All in all, I choose to believe that, despite all the seemingly irresponsible behaviour of the hero towards the heroine, he planned all along to keep her there after the one year had passed and probably marry her if she ever got pregnant...
Unfortunately, by his own rapport and actions, clearly that isn’t so... for he mistrusted her to the very end and would never, ever had confessed his love hadn’t she done it first.
So I’m disappointed in this book.
I guess it’s my fault really, for after having read the summary and the first part of the book, I was expecting a completely different development romantically, but it turned out to be more of an erotic novel than an actual romance.
I didn’t really care for the pregnancy arc or his untimely courtship of her again…With so many perils around them, one would think they could have been a little more honest with each other. No shame in the bedroom but too proud where it really mattered. Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2013
This one is a difficult one for me to rate because I've reread it a couple of times now and I enjoyed the first time, but it doesn't hold up as well during subsequent readings. Ms. Howell is a talented writer and on the one hand, I don't mind that her stories are driven primarily by dialogue and the interactions between the characters even though I'm generally not a fan of that style of writing. She also tends to avoid (thankfully) characters that hold a grudge for even the most minor of things - the exception, of course, being the antagonists, but then, that's why they're the antagonist. Her female characters also tend to own their sexuality in a way that's rather refreshing.
On the other hand, however, her characters--particularly the female ones--tend to be way too forgiving and Pleasance is one of the worst. She's beyond a doormat and I just wanted to smack some sense into her...but she would probably just forgive me and explain how it was only fair using logic so twisted that it would make a Cirque du Soleil acrobat jealous. Tearlach is also a great example of how a character can essentially be a flawed but good man, but not really be a good romantic hero. While I said that Ms. Howell tends to avoid long-term grudge holders, it doesn't mean she never uses them and, man, can our boy Tearlach hold a grudge. And, while it's one thing to own your sexuality, it's also ok to have some control over your desires. He treats me like crap and wants to get some lovin'? I shouldn't but oh my treacherous body!
As for the rest, other reviewers have already articulated my other issues with this story - I mean really, how many times can a person be nearly raped or be gravely injured? So, keeping in mind that two stars is a rating of 'ok' on Goodreads, that's what I'm giving it.
On the other hand, however, her characters--particularly the female ones--tend to be way too forgiving and Pleasance is one of the worst. She's beyond a doormat and I just wanted to smack some sense into her...but she would probably just forgive me and explain how it was only fair using logic so twisted that it would make a Cirque du Soleil acrobat jealous. Tearlach is also a great example of how a character can essentially be a flawed but good man, but not really be a good romantic hero. While I said that Ms. Howell tends to avoid long-term grudge holders, it doesn't mean she never uses them and, man, can our boy Tearlach hold a grudge. And, while it's one thing to own your sexuality, it's also ok to have some control over your desires. He treats me like crap and wants to get some lovin'? I shouldn't but oh my treacherous body!
As for the rest, other reviewers have already articulated my other issues with this story - I mean really, how many times can a person be nearly raped or be gravely injured? So, keeping in mind that two stars is a rating of 'ok' on Goodreads, that's what I'm giving it.
January 2, 2024
Tearlach O'Duine and Pleasance Dunstan
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Audible Premium Plus membership borrow. Multiple POV. Standalone. Ruth Urquhart read well and her Scottish accent was clear and easy to understand. Content warnings: family betrayal and secrets; child born of r@pe, mother died not long after her daughter's birth; bear attack; knife fight; and a murder in self-defense.
Pleasance Dunstan is the oldest of three children and considered a spinster. Her younger brother is away traveling and working. Her younger sister is attractive but spoilt because she is favored by their parent. Tearlach O'Duine (Scottish) has been courting Pleasance but when her younger sister decides she wants him Pleasance acquiesces and agrees to rebuff him. When her sister realizes she isn't interested in Tearlach, she needs the scandalous letters she wrote him and a silver trinket she gave him back. Pleasance was frequently locked away so she learned to pick locks to free herself so her sister asks her to steal the letters and silver trinket from Tearlach's room while she keeps him occupied. Pleasance didn't want to do it but she also didn't want her family's name shamed because of her careless younger sister so she reluctantly ages to do it. Unfortunately Pleasance is caught and when her family betrays her she receives a fine she cannot pay so Tearlach pays it in exchange for her indentured servitude for one year. Tearlach has kept his wealth a secret from Pleasance hoping to find someone who wants to marry him for love and not his money. He is raising his younger half-sister and hopes that Pleasance can help her because she's quite wild.
This story is packed full and the couple find their HEA in the end. I really enjoyed the story and definitely recommend it if you're looking for a MMC with a Scottish accent. JP
1st listen 04-11-23
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
By and1515
Pleasence had unfortunately ended up with the least friendly or loveable family you probably ever would see.
For some reason they catered to her younger sister whims at every turn denying her absolutely nothing.
And when her parents demand she turn the man she'd been courted by away she didn't know what else to.
But when he came to call on her she did what she'd been order to even thought she hated every second of it because she never wanted to hurt him.
Pleasence shouldn't have been surprised when she instructed to steal something back for her sister and when she tried to deny her.
For some reason she couldn't defend herself again her.
And in the gave in.
However the worst happen and now she was sitting in a cell waiting to be punished for trying to help her devious selfish sister.
Tearlach hated what was happening to the poor girl and he knew there was very little he could do to help except for one thing.
But she was probably going to hate him.
In the end her family totally abandoned her and of course she was found her guilty and to add insult to injury she was now and inductured servant.
To the man she'd been forced to reject.
As the days past there were moments she couldn't hold her tongue eventually leading to an argument.
However when an evil man he'd hoped was long dead reappears first trying to kill leaving him injury then when he attacked his sister and Pleasence who fought bravely against the foul man and finally dispatching him to hades.
Pleasence could hardly believe her ears as her brother Nathan explain she was now free to leave with him.
Tearlach was a stubborn man who unfortunately suffered as most men did when it came to women but sooner or later hopefully he'd figure out just how to woo his lass back.
Pleasence had unfortunately ended up with the least friendly or loveable family you probably ever would see.
For some reason they catered to her younger sister whims at every turn denying her absolutely nothing.
And when her parents demand she turn the man she'd been courted by away she didn't know what else to.
But when he came to call on her she did what she'd been order to even thought she hated every second of it because she never wanted to hurt him.
Pleasence shouldn't have been surprised when she instructed to steal something back for her sister and when she tried to deny her.
For some reason she couldn't defend herself again her.
And in the gave in.
However the worst happen and now she was sitting in a cell waiting to be punished for trying to help her devious selfish sister.
Tearlach hated what was happening to the poor girl and he knew there was very little he could do to help except for one thing.
But she was probably going to hate him.
In the end her family totally abandoned her and of course she was found her guilty and to add insult to injury she was now and inductured servant.
To the man she'd been forced to reject.
As the days past there were moments she couldn't hold her tongue eventually leading to an argument.
However when an evil man he'd hoped was long dead reappears first trying to kill leaving him injury then when he attacked his sister and Pleasence who fought bravely against the foul man and finally dispatching him to hades.
Pleasence could hardly believe her ears as her brother Nathan explain she was now free to leave with him.
Tearlach was a stubborn man who unfortunately suffered as most men did when it came to women but sooner or later hopefully he'd figure out just how to woo his lass back.
October 2, 2025
The barrier to their commitment was contrived, stupid and beyond my understanding.
Everything else was great!
Everything else was great!
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