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Chieftain #1
The Chieftain's Curse
2014 RWA RITA Award finalist for Best Historical Romance and 2014 Romance Writers of New Zealand (RWNZ) KORU Readers' Choice Award winner! Euan McArthur is a chieftain in need of an heir. While still a young a warrior, Euan incites the fury of a witch. She retaliates with a curse that no wife will ever bear him an heir. As he buries his third wife and yet another bonnie stillborn son, Euan can no longer cast her words aside. Morag Farquhar is a woman in need of sanctuary. With a young relative in tow, Morag flees the only home she has ever known to escape her brother, Baron of Wolfsdale, and find sanctuary in the MacArthur stronghold. Pronounced barren by a midwife, Morag is of little value to her family, but a Godsend to Euan, a lover he can't kill by getting with child. Years ago, chance drew them together, and tangled their lives in ways they could never have imagined. This time their destiny lies in their own hands, but it will take courage and strong hearts to see it through to the end.
460 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
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217 people want to read
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May 5, 2013
Unusual but Absorbing Tale from the 11th century Scottish Highlands
It took me a while to get used to the author’s writing style and the amount of introspection in between lines of dialog, but once I did, I found this tale from the Highlands held my interest. Housden has captured the feel of a medieval keep and has given us some wonderful characters.
Set in 1081 in Northeast Scotland, it tells of Euan, Laird of the McArthurs, and lord of Cragenlaw Castle, who desperately wants an heir but a witch’s curse has left him with three dead wives who lost their lives and his sons in childbirth. Morag Farquhar, only daughter of Baron Wolfsdale of Northumbria helped the young Scot 12 years earlier when she was 14 and he was severely wounded on the battlefield, and as he healed, gave him her innocence only to have him leave her. Now she is fleeing her brother who has succeeded her father as Baron Wolfsdale, and hoping to find a haven with her former lover.
Morag arrives at Euan’s castle on a stormy night with an 11-year-old boy in tow who she says is her brother. Euan doesn’t recognize Morag, but sees her as just the woman he needs when she tells him she is barren for he can take her as his leman without worrying about getting her with child. Having few options, and still caring for the man who left her all those years ago, Morag does not object.
It’s pretty clear from the beginning that Rob is Euan’s child though Morag doesn’t tell Euan. Morag, who is not a Scot, seems to blend in well with Euan’s clan, albeit the women keep their distance from her. Housden has developed the characters well and weaves an absorbing story of envy, treachery, lies and second chances. The lives of the main characters and families are all intertwined which leads to some fascinating twists and turns.
It took me a while to get used to the author’s writing style and the amount of introspection in between lines of dialog, but once I did, I found this tale from the Highlands held my interest. Housden has captured the feel of a medieval keep and has given us some wonderful characters.
Set in 1081 in Northeast Scotland, it tells of Euan, Laird of the McArthurs, and lord of Cragenlaw Castle, who desperately wants an heir but a witch’s curse has left him with three dead wives who lost their lives and his sons in childbirth. Morag Farquhar, only daughter of Baron Wolfsdale of Northumbria helped the young Scot 12 years earlier when she was 14 and he was severely wounded on the battlefield, and as he healed, gave him her innocence only to have him leave her. Now she is fleeing her brother who has succeeded her father as Baron Wolfsdale, and hoping to find a haven with her former lover.
Morag arrives at Euan’s castle on a stormy night with an 11-year-old boy in tow who she says is her brother. Euan doesn’t recognize Morag, but sees her as just the woman he needs when she tells him she is barren for he can take her as his leman without worrying about getting her with child. Having few options, and still caring for the man who left her all those years ago, Morag does not object.
It’s pretty clear from the beginning that Rob is Euan’s child though Morag doesn’t tell Euan. Morag, who is not a Scot, seems to blend in well with Euan’s clan, albeit the women keep their distance from her. Housden has developed the characters well and weaves an absorbing story of envy, treachery, lies and second chances. The lives of the main characters and families are all intertwined which leads to some fascinating twists and turns.
April 30, 2018
Can't decide if I want to recommend this or not. I bought this book because it was a deal and a finalist in the Australian Rita.
It is a book that keeps you interested, but I can't deny that the focus on sex did shadow a bit both the romance and the plot. I usually have no problem with sex :), but it has to be well written, and I can't say here it is.
Plus, I agree with other readers that making the gay and black characters pederasts was racist and sexist. They might have been considered villains in those years, but the author could have subverted the story.
Other nits: I wasn't sold on the instalust nor her reasons for silence up to the end.
But if you put aside those points, I did really enjoy the book.
It is a book that keeps you interested, but I can't deny that the focus on sex did shadow a bit both the romance and the plot. I usually have no problem with sex :), but it has to be well written, and I can't say here it is.
Plus, I agree with other readers that making the gay and black characters pederasts was racist and sexist. They might have been considered villains in those years, but the author could have subverted the story.
Other nits: I wasn't sold on the instalust nor her reasons for silence up to the end.
But if you put aside those points, I did really enjoy the book.
August 18, 2019
It's all pretty good. Not great, but ok.
Graded down because the evil brother is gay.
Sound petty?
Imagine there are three gay people. Only. Well, ok there's a guy with mild aspersions cast on his masculinity. But there are three. The brother who is gay and kills the older brother and plots with his lover-who is the only black person, too-to kill his father, sister, and nephew. Because reasons. The lover also tried to rape the nephew. The third gay guy is also a pederast who tries to attack another character.
That's it. Is that really it? All the gays are evil?
Graded down because the evil brother is gay.
Sound petty?
Imagine there are three gay people. Only. Well, ok there's a guy with mild aspersions cast on his masculinity. But there are three. The brother who is gay and kills the older brother and plots with his lover-who is the only black person, too-to kill his father, sister, and nephew. Because reasons. The lover also tried to rape the nephew. The third gay guy is also a pederast who tries to attack another character.
That's it. Is that really it? All the gays are evil?
September 24, 2013
Now I'll start off with what I liked about this book.
I liked the narrative voice and style, it was different and took a little getting used to but after a few pages I found it very engaging and held my interest well.
I liked the characters and the way they progressed through the novel.
I also enjoyed the basic plotline.
What I didn't like,
The ridiculous amount of graphic sex and how it pushed all the interesting points of the plot into the background. There was a lot of political intrigue and secrets in this story but it felt way to pushed behind the sex life of Morag and McArthur.
I understand that this is a Harlequin novel but I found the frequent sex in this novel just too distracting, and sadly not in a good way. I felt that there was no build up, no tension, no anticipation to their relationship. Which is a pity, because Ms Frances Housden actually has a fair bit of talent with writing.
I'm by no means saying this is a bad novel, but it was just not what I was after. I'd recommend this book to someone who wants to read something more in the realm of erotica rather than romance. As I wouldn't really classify this as a romance novel.
Give it a go, if only to experience Ms Frances Housden's narrative style which is what kept me reading.
I liked the narrative voice and style, it was different and took a little getting used to but after a few pages I found it very engaging and held my interest well.
I liked the characters and the way they progressed through the novel.
I also enjoyed the basic plotline.
What I didn't like,
The ridiculous amount of graphic sex and how it pushed all the interesting points of the plot into the background. There was a lot of political intrigue and secrets in this story but it felt way to pushed behind the sex life of Morag and McArthur.
I understand that this is a Harlequin novel but I found the frequent sex in this novel just too distracting, and sadly not in a good way. I felt that there was no build up, no tension, no anticipation to their relationship. Which is a pity, because Ms Frances Housden actually has a fair bit of talent with writing.
I'm by no means saying this is a bad novel, but it was just not what I was after. I'd recommend this book to someone who wants to read something more in the realm of erotica rather than romance. As I wouldn't really classify this as a romance novel.
Give it a go, if only to experience Ms Frances Housden's narrative style which is what kept me reading.
September 19, 2016
This book had so much potential and if it wasn't for a few key things, I could've enjoyed it. I think it was a shame that instead of using the diversity of her characters (specifically a British gay man and an Islamic African gay man), the author decided to make these men the villains. While I understand the view of homosexuality at this time as unnatural, it is sad that the author further enforced this idea in the present by making these characters evil and having one of them be a pedophile.
My other big complaint is that the whole purpose of the story felt fake. Why did Morag have to keep the fact that Euan was Rob's father a secret? If she had just outright told him, none of these problems would have occurred.
Also the sex scenes were pretty bad. I have a hard time imaging a well-born lady in this time period yelling "fill me now" - that sounds more like something out of a porno, not a romance novel.
My other big complaint is that the whole purpose of the story felt fake. Why did Morag have to keep the fact that Euan was Rob's father a secret? If she had just outright told him, none of these problems would have occurred.
Also the sex scenes were pretty bad. I have a hard time imaging a well-born lady in this time period yelling "fill me now" - that sounds more like something out of a porno, not a romance novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2019
I liked this book for the historical detail as much, or probably more, as for the story. I guessed right away at the relationships between h and her younger traveling companion and the mercenary called the Raven introduced toward the end of the book, so if these were supposed to be surprises, I could see them coming from a mile away. I found the H very difficult to read/interpret in his thoughts and actions. Sometimes his dialogue would give the impression that he was angry, but then his actions wouldn't match (or vise versa), and I would think that I had misinterpreted his dialogue somehow. There are also some pretty grisly scenes in it - which, to be fair, happened in a grisly period of history, so I have nothing really against that except to say that it's not for the squeamish! I wish there was more time spent on the flashbacks between the H and h (and you expect me to believe that, for an entire month with daily contact, they never ONCE saw one another?), and that the sex scenes were handled with more...I don't know, tenderness? I don't mind explicit scenes, at all. But a lot of the time it seemed like it was just wham, bam, thank you, ma'am - no romance, at all. And it reeeeally bothered me that all the bad guys were gay. Really? We can't have just a normal gay person in a book? So I guess my summary is, not a bad book, per se, but not good enough to make me want to read the sequel about the Raven.
January 14, 2022
Close the bedroom door
So many good historical fiction books are ruined with pornographic sexual content and foul language. Jesus Christ is my savior and seeing his name used in vain is disturbing so I had to take a star off for that and also a star for the pornographic sexual content , and the reference to homosexual activity is offensive to me. Otherwise this was a good book. Those things are not needed when you have a story as good as yours.
So many good historical fiction books are ruined with pornographic sexual content and foul language. Jesus Christ is my savior and seeing his name used in vain is disturbing so I had to take a star off for that and also a star for the pornographic sexual content , and the reference to homosexual activity is offensive to me. Otherwise this was a good book. Those things are not needed when you have a story as good as yours.
June 6, 2018
Tiene sus "cosillas" (como que una parte de los malos sean los únicos homosexuales de la historia, incluido el único "moro" (sus palabras)) pero la historia tiene buen ritmo y hace que ignores estos y otros fallos en la historia, como que nadie se diera cuenta de la relación de parentesco entre el prota y Rob a pesar de que desde el principio se nos asegure que son muy parecidos de aspecto.
July 28, 2019
The Chieftain's Curse
With the old woman's curse ringing in his ears as he held his dead son in his hands and watched as life left his third wife's body, the McAuther turned to find a strange women in his keep. She was his destiny and his salvation but it would take much heartache to gain it.
With the old woman's curse ringing in his ears as he held his dead son in his hands and watched as life left his third wife's body, the McAuther turned to find a strange women in his keep. She was his destiny and his salvation but it would take much heartache to gain it.
February 26, 2019
The story was good
However every book I have read with the name Morag in it ; she was old narled women; so that alone was distracting! First time I had read this author and I really enjoyed her. I will read more.
However every book I have read with the name Morag in it ; she was old narled women; so that alone was distracting! First time I had read this author and I really enjoyed her. I will read more.
January 13, 2021
Written by a New Zealand author so I decided to give this a go. It’s reads like an old school bodice ripper that your Nana would have owned and was enjoyable in a nostalgic way. Marked down for the racist and homophobic plot which is a great shame
February 16, 2018
4.5* because it was great!!!
September 24, 2018
The killing of the little boy (not telling you which one) was just so unnecessary - otherwise I thought this was decent.
July 11, 2020
An enjoyable read.
July 18, 2020
Good but it took too long for him to remember the hr. It got frustrating !
November 13, 2013
Review
Morag Farquhar is a woman fleeing for her life, from her English aristocratic brother, with her young charge - Rob. Her brother is the newly titled Baron of Wolfsdale after a mysterious horse riding accident killed her father.
She and Rob have travelled for many months to finally arrive at Cragenlaw Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, on a dark and dismal day. The weather is throwing a brutal storm at them and the Laird of the keep, Euan McArthur, has lost his third wife and stillborn son during childbirth.
The witches curse from his careless youth continues to rip any chance of an heir from him as each of his three wives die during childbirth and all his babes have been stillborn sons.
As Morag encounters the McArthur and bargains for a place in his stronghold for her and Rob, she quickly realizes he does not recognize her from the young girl who nursed him back to health after he was almost fatally wounded on the battlefield. Their time together, back in the cave she had hid him in, turned from caring into lovers. A time she has never forgotten and feelings never erased.
After a difficult labour and childbirth, Morag was pronounced barren by the midwife and would have no more babies. This news becomes Euan's salvation. It has been many years since he's been able to lie with a woman without the fear that loving them would eventually kill them if they became pregnant. The drive to beget an heir pushed him to marry three times, but never again would he marry, unless the witches curse can be lifted. However, taking a leman that is barren seems the logical solution to all.
Morag still has feelings for Euan and her and Rob's safety is more assured the longer they can stay within the McArthur stronghold. So she agrees to his terms and becomes his leman.
This story dragged me in almost immediately. Frances Housdens' writing style is different and intriguing. The blend of the Scottish phrasing and words throughout the story really helped me to quickly feel absorbed back in Scotland. The descriptive tone took me to the Scottish Highlands back in 1069.
I am originally from Australia and spent many years living in Scotland and could imagine the accent and the characters easily as I was reading.
Mhairi wasn't in a mood for taking any of his nonsense. "Aye, I did, and gave it a fine skelp as well, for weren't you a right wee devil? ..."
Right from the very beginning there were questions I was asking, that I needed the answers to. Frances ensnared my interest early and didn't disappoint as the plot progressed.
Why didn't Euan recognise Morag when he first saw her? Why didn't Morag confront Euan about his abandonment of her? Why didn't Euan recognise Morag after she became his leman? These are just a few questions that I needed answered, and they are handled very believably as you begin to understand the motivations for each character and as the many secrets slowing give you another missing piece of the answer. Of course don't be surprised if you learn one thing and then have another three questions.
There are many secrets within the keep and the occupants and visitors whose daily lives twisted and twirled kept me regretting having to put the iPad down for that luxury in my life I call sleep.
The erotic scenes were more than I'd expected, but were very welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptive style and frequency of the scenes. This was definately my style of book. It had all my personal favourites - a great story, believable characters, lots of erotic scenes with a strong romance theme, suspense, intrigue and mystery and best of all it's set in the Scottish Highlands a few hundred years ago.
A thoroughly great read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who enjoys a very 'spicy' romance.
Favourite Quote
"I never spoke her name, never heard it cross her lips, it was best not to know anything that could betray the other. I simply called her Love -- better going without that intimacy than betraying her if I were caught."
Rating
5 Flames
The Chieftain's Curse
Morag Farquhar is a woman fleeing for her life, from her English aristocratic brother, with her young charge - Rob. Her brother is the newly titled Baron of Wolfsdale after a mysterious horse riding accident killed her father.
She and Rob have travelled for many months to finally arrive at Cragenlaw Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, on a dark and dismal day. The weather is throwing a brutal storm at them and the Laird of the keep, Euan McArthur, has lost his third wife and stillborn son during childbirth.
The witches curse from his careless youth continues to rip any chance of an heir from him as each of his three wives die during childbirth and all his babes have been stillborn sons.
As Morag encounters the McArthur and bargains for a place in his stronghold for her and Rob, she quickly realizes he does not recognize her from the young girl who nursed him back to health after he was almost fatally wounded on the battlefield. Their time together, back in the cave she had hid him in, turned from caring into lovers. A time she has never forgotten and feelings never erased.
After a difficult labour and childbirth, Morag was pronounced barren by the midwife and would have no more babies. This news becomes Euan's salvation. It has been many years since he's been able to lie with a woman without the fear that loving them would eventually kill them if they became pregnant. The drive to beget an heir pushed him to marry three times, but never again would he marry, unless the witches curse can be lifted. However, taking a leman that is barren seems the logical solution to all.
Morag still has feelings for Euan and her and Rob's safety is more assured the longer they can stay within the McArthur stronghold. So she agrees to his terms and becomes his leman.
This story dragged me in almost immediately. Frances Housdens' writing style is different and intriguing. The blend of the Scottish phrasing and words throughout the story really helped me to quickly feel absorbed back in Scotland. The descriptive tone took me to the Scottish Highlands back in 1069.
I am originally from Australia and spent many years living in Scotland and could imagine the accent and the characters easily as I was reading.
Mhairi wasn't in a mood for taking any of his nonsense. "Aye, I did, and gave it a fine skelp as well, for weren't you a right wee devil? ..."
Right from the very beginning there were questions I was asking, that I needed the answers to. Frances ensnared my interest early and didn't disappoint as the plot progressed.
Why didn't Euan recognise Morag when he first saw her? Why didn't Morag confront Euan about his abandonment of her? Why didn't Euan recognise Morag after she became his leman? These are just a few questions that I needed answered, and they are handled very believably as you begin to understand the motivations for each character and as the many secrets slowing give you another missing piece of the answer. Of course don't be surprised if you learn one thing and then have another three questions.
There are many secrets within the keep and the occupants and visitors whose daily lives twisted and twirled kept me regretting having to put the iPad down for that luxury in my life I call sleep.
The erotic scenes were more than I'd expected, but were very welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptive style and frequency of the scenes. This was definately my style of book. It had all my personal favourites - a great story, believable characters, lots of erotic scenes with a strong romance theme, suspense, intrigue and mystery and best of all it's set in the Scottish Highlands a few hundred years ago.
A thoroughly great read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who enjoys a very 'spicy' romance.
Favourite Quote
"I never spoke her name, never heard it cross her lips, it was best not to know anything that could betray the other. I simply called her Love -- better going without that intimacy than betraying her if I were caught."
Rating
5 Flames
The Chieftain's Curse
August 30, 2013
Original and interesting storyline set in the 11th century Scottish Highlands. We see the relationship build between Morag and Evan which I enjoyed much so.
But I have to say as a reader I had to get use to the authors writing style. It took me a little longer to absorb the words within the pages. With it being set in a world so different to our own, I took my time reading it and paying attention to all detail.
But Frances portrayed her characters well and the storyline with interest and depth. Filled with many secrets.
I love stories set in the highlands, as well of course as a sexy Hot Scottish man. The author did a wonderful job of putting forth the descriptions and characters in this story as well as the story set within the medieval times.
The lives of the main characters and families are all entwined within the story giving us a vast variety of conflicts within the pages – this gives the reader a few twists and turns to make it an interesting read.
An enjoyable read – filled erotic romance with second chances, lies, manipulation, regret, and betrayal.
A well written Erotica - with some smokin hot scenes. So be prepared when reading for it to get a little heated and passionate ;) Loved the erotic. Well detailed and ** sizzlin ** blushes.
But I have to say as a reader I had to get use to the authors writing style. It took me a little longer to absorb the words within the pages. With it being set in a world so different to our own, I took my time reading it and paying attention to all detail.
But Frances portrayed her characters well and the storyline with interest and depth. Filled with many secrets.
I love stories set in the highlands, as well of course as a sexy Hot Scottish man. The author did a wonderful job of putting forth the descriptions and characters in this story as well as the story set within the medieval times.
The lives of the main characters and families are all entwined within the story giving us a vast variety of conflicts within the pages – this gives the reader a few twists and turns to make it an interesting read.
An enjoyable read – filled erotic romance with second chances, lies, manipulation, regret, and betrayal.
A well written Erotica - with some smokin hot scenes. So be prepared when reading for it to get a little heated and passionate ;) Loved the erotic. Well detailed and ** sizzlin ** blushes.
September 26, 2014
**3.5 Stars**
The Chieftain’s Curse has all the elements I love in historical romances - the beautiful highland setting, mystery, action, and steamy romance. This is my first time reading from this author so I was really impressed with her writing. Her attention to detail made me feel as if I was in the ancient highlands. My only disappointment was with the pace of the story. Just when something exciting was about to happen it was interrupted by a sex scene. I love highland romances because of the passion and devotion of highland men so I expect steamy scenes. But The Chieftain’s Curse had too many sex scenes. They were an irritating distraction from the storyline and made the story drag. The Chieftain’s Curse has a great love story and mystery so it was a shame that the sex scenes ruined my excitement.
But despite my dislikes I still enjoyed this story. The story was predictable but I really liked the characters, Euan and Morag. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
The Chieftain’s Curse has all the elements I love in historical romances - the beautiful highland setting, mystery, action, and steamy romance. This is my first time reading from this author so I was really impressed with her writing. Her attention to detail made me feel as if I was in the ancient highlands. My only disappointment was with the pace of the story. Just when something exciting was about to happen it was interrupted by a sex scene. I love highland romances because of the passion and devotion of highland men so I expect steamy scenes. But The Chieftain’s Curse had too many sex scenes. They were an irritating distraction from the storyline and made the story drag. The Chieftain’s Curse has a great love story and mystery so it was a shame that the sex scenes ruined my excitement.
But despite my dislikes I still enjoyed this story. The story was predictable but I really liked the characters, Euan and Morag. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
December 29, 2014
The story of a Scottish chieftain, his love and the curse that hounds him.
Euan McArthur is a Scottish chieftain in the 11th century. In an otherwise realistic story which paints the Scottish highlands of the 1000’s realistically, he is the victim of a witch’s curse. We come upon his castle during a violently-stormy night, in which the curse again rears its ugly head.
Arriving on that stormy night is Morag Farquhar, also from the aristocratic classes. However, she is a female with an heir, so doomed to death by a murderous … (spoiler averted). Her backstory is revealed little by little so I won’t spoil it.
Although the author defended the copulation scenes early in the book it still seemed distasteful for a recently-widowed man to take a new woman ‘abed’ so soon. Also, there was quite a bit of exposition which repeated the main plot points throughout the book.
We meet Jamie and the ‘Fool’ whose stories resonated with me even more than Euan’s and Morag’s.
This is a finalist in its category of the RITA awards, so others no doubt liked it a whole lot more than I did.
Euan McArthur is a Scottish chieftain in the 11th century. In an otherwise realistic story which paints the Scottish highlands of the 1000’s realistically, he is the victim of a witch’s curse. We come upon his castle during a violently-stormy night, in which the curse again rears its ugly head.
Arriving on that stormy night is Morag Farquhar, also from the aristocratic classes. However, she is a female with an heir, so doomed to death by a murderous … (spoiler averted). Her backstory is revealed little by little so I won’t spoil it.
Although the author defended the copulation scenes early in the book it still seemed distasteful for a recently-widowed man to take a new woman ‘abed’ so soon. Also, there was quite a bit of exposition which repeated the main plot points throughout the book.
We meet Jamie and the ‘Fool’ whose stories resonated with me even more than Euan’s and Morag’s.
This is a finalist in its category of the RITA awards, so others no doubt liked it a whole lot more than I did.
June 3, 2015
When I read books that involve the highlands of Scotland, they automatically get compared at least a little to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. This one was ok but couldn't come close to that standard. Admittedly it was not set in the same time period and didn't involve time travel, but it did involve a Laird and his lady - except initially he just took her as his leman (mistress). Perhaps his attitude was typical of the time, but it rather grated on me as did her willingness to give in to him because she had known him before even if he didn't recognize her. There were more graphic sex scenes than I needed too and I ended up just skimming many of them. The basic story line was interesting and there were certain characters that I really came to care for. I would probably read another book by this author.
February 22, 2016
For such a long book this story flew by and it was 3:00 a.m. before I knew it. I loved this story set in 1061 Scotland. I loved the characters, the romance, the story was interesting and engaging and the plot twists had me surprised. That doesn't happen often. I really loved Rob and Nhaimeth. The relationships between the characters really drew me in.
This book wasn't perfect. The insta lust between Morag and Euen was a little much. The author didn't really explain why he was suddenly so attracted to her beyond any other woman. Also I had to keep in mind that this book takes place in a very different time with a different morality than we have. Once I got over that, I really loved this book.
This book wasn't perfect. The insta lust between Morag and Euen was a little much. The author didn't really explain why he was suddenly so attracted to her beyond any other woman. Also I had to keep in mind that this book takes place in a very different time with a different morality than we have. Once I got over that, I really loved this book.
September 7, 2014
What a great book, loved it.Euan McArthur is a chieftain in need of an heir.Since he was cursed by a witch, every woman he has married has died in child birth.Along comes Morag Farquhar and a young boy, desperate to find sanctuary.Euan allows them to stay if Morag will become his lover.Since Morag is barren,she is a godsend. As the story unravels, Morag has to keep her wits about her,Euan doesn't recognise her and she cant tell him.This story had plenty of action and twists, the romance was hot...great ending.This book can stand alone, but you should get the next book.Great read.
February 4, 2017
The writing was not great, aspects of the storyline didn't seem realistic and in the iBooks version there were SO many grammar mistakes!
I thought the idea was good but not well executed. After being raised a lady she things nothing of becoming Euan's mistress (?) I also don't really understand why she didn't tell him who she was when she got there and who Rob was. I will confess that I started to skip pages because I was bored.
I thought the idea was good but not well executed. After being raised a lady she things nothing of becoming Euan's mistress (?) I also don't really understand why she didn't tell him who she was when she got there and who Rob was. I will confess that I started to skip pages because I was bored.
September 28, 2013
I loved this book. I found the writing style engaging and easy to read. I loved all the little twists and turns and the premise of this book. It was well written. I've not read many books in this time-period, but the images conjured about the Highlands and the characters has me wanting to read more.
September 5, 2014
Great read
Frances Housden is a new author for me and also a new favorite. This read has great strong characters and a story line that keeps you interested from beginning to the very end. For most of us trust is not easily given or won and it was just so with this group of characters. I enjoyed this book and will get Chieftain by Command.
Frances Housden is a new author for me and also a new favorite. This read has great strong characters and a story line that keeps you interested from beginning to the very end. For most of us trust is not easily given or won and it was just so with this group of characters. I enjoyed this book and will get Chieftain by Command.
March 24, 2015
VERY GOOD
I really enjoyed this book.
It had just enough of everything I look for in a romance novel.
The reason I only have four stars instead of five was because it lacked historical intricacies I enjoy in historical novels. They were just skimmed over lightly. I will read more of her books because the stories she weaves are great.
I really enjoyed this book.
It had just enough of everything I look for in a romance novel.
The reason I only have four stars instead of five was because it lacked historical intricacies I enjoy in historical novels. They were just skimmed over lightly. I will read more of her books because the stories she weaves are great.
September 29, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I related to all the characters very easily. I didn't really understand why Morag keep her secrets from the McArthur once she got to his keep. I wish the book hadn't told us so soon but let us figure it all out. Overall the book is a strong 4. I loved the ending. The author did outstanding job. Highly recommend this book.
January 23, 2016
I liked this book. It was unusual but good. I liked the many different aspects. Euan and Morag were so nice together. Rob was a great lad and I liked the friendships he had with Nahmaeith (probably spelt that wrong). Liked how Gavyn came back!! All the secrets were cool..Don't have much else to say besides that I liked it a lot!
October 4, 2016
I can admit that the reason I didn't love this book was probably more my issue, than any issue with the book itself. I had a hard time with the dialect (is that the right word?) used by the characters in the story. The story itself was interesting and Euan was a sweetheart. He reminded me of Jamie from the Outlander series. I'm not sure if I'll read the rest of the series or not.
May 25, 2013
Immersion into a world which is so different to our own requires special attention to detail. Frances delivers here. Especially delightful are the fleshed out secondary characters, such as the tragic Naismeth, the fool. Also nicely done is the development of Morag and Evan's relationship.
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