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The Legacy of MacLeod #1
Charming the Shrew
"I will not marry. I'll not bend to the likes of any man."
Known far and wide as the Shrew of Assynt, Catriona MacLeod has fled her home and ridden out into the Highlands, where she vows to live life on her own terms and submit to no man. Until the storm-tossed night she meets a handsome bard who offers her his protection. Though Tayg Munro is not the minstrel he appears to be, sudden passion flames into a union to be tested again and again. As Cat and Tayg fight to thwart a scheme that could topple thrones and destroy their homeland, they discover a love that will take everything they have to give ...
Known far and wide as the Shrew of Assynt, Catriona MacLeod has fled her home and ridden out into the Highlands, where she vows to live life on her own terms and submit to no man. Until the storm-tossed night she meets a handsome bard who offers her his protection. Though Tayg Munro is not the minstrel he appears to be, sudden passion flames into a union to be tested again and again. As Cat and Tayg fight to thwart a scheme that could topple thrones and destroy their homeland, they discover a love that will take everything they have to give ...
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 4, 2004
783 people are currently reading
1143 people want to read
About the author
Laurin Wittig
12 books241 followersLaurin writes bestselling and award-winning Scottish medieval romances and lives in southeastern Virginia.
For more information about all of Laurin’s books, please visit her web site, http://Heartlightjoy.com/books.
For more information about all of Laurin’s books, please visit her web site, http://Heartlightjoy.com/books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
February 28, 2025
I love a difficult woman who speaks her mind and tries to do the right thing... but as a woman, reading a stubborn-for-no-reason woman annoys me a bit. If I'm finding a need to roll my eyes... that's not a good thing.
Found myself skimming through quite a bit of this just to be done with it!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5 (One cracked door scene, some kissing etc)
Found myself skimming through quite a bit of this just to be done with it!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5 (One cracked door scene, some kissing etc)
July 17, 2014
According to Amazon, I bought this book 2 years ago (for free). I had forgotten I bought it but when I was looking through my Kindle the other night to find books for the Romance Genre summer challenge I re-found this and decided to read it. For the most part, it wasn't bad. Tayg and Cat(riona) are basically on a unsupervised, extended road trip to get to the King of Scotland for two weeks complete with fake sibling disguises that no one buys, angry (real)siblings hunting them down, and of course, those pesky, unwanted emotions that sneak up on the two of them when they least expect it. I laughed a few times at the barbs the two exchanged and I thought the way they revealed their true self to the other was well done. The ending was a little meh for me and I'm not a fan of Cat's brother enough to read his story next but for a free book, this was not bad at all. 3.5 stars.
February 16, 2015
Another Kindle Unlimited read. Fun, if not cliche, premise. Terrible execution. Characters are one-dimensional and juvenile, and insta-romance abounds from the first meeting. Dropped at the 55% mark.
July 24, 2016
I've given this a B- overall (B-for content and C+ for narration at AAR - 3.5 stars
The plot of Charming the Shrew certainly wouldn’t win any prizes for originality, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the audiobook about a hero-in-disguise and the intelligent and sharp-tongued woman with whom he is forced to undertake a wintry journey.
Tayg Munro is the heir to the chiefdom of his clan of Culrain. Having spent a year away fighting with King Robert (the Bruce), Tayg returns home to a hero’s welcome. He wants nothing more than to be left to his own devices for a while and to perhaps take advantage of the many invitations he receives from the willing women of the clan.
But that is not to be. Following the death of his brother, Tayg’s parents are, more than ever, concerned about ensuring the safety of the clan by seeing Tayg married and producing sons of his own. He is adamant that he is not ready to marry and his mother equally determined to find him a bride. His father tells him that he cannot assume his position and duties as his heir until Tayg has found himself a wife. Stalling for time, Tayg undertakes a mission for the King, thinking that the journey will give him an opportunity to escape his mother’s demands and afford him a chance to look for a wife on his own terms.
Catriona MacLeod is known far and wide as the “shrew of Assynt” because of her sharp tongue and quick temper. Her eldest brother is planning to force her into an unwanted marriage with the chief of a neighbouring clan, and she has nobody to turn to for help. Desperate, she runs away, intending to make her way to her aunt’s house and thence, perhaps, to a convent, as that may be the only way she can avoid marriage to a man she detests.
She meets Tayg (who has decided to travel in the guise of a wandering bard) by accident following her flight and, with severe weather settling in, she is forced to accept his help to find shelter and food. He discovers she’s unpleasant company, thinking she deserves her shrewish reputation, and hopes to be able to part ways with her as soon as possible.
He changes his mind when Catriona unwittingly tells him something which makes him realise that her brothers are plotting against the king and instead, decides to take her with him as proof of the plot and as a hostage. He tells her nothing of this; knowing he is travelling to meet with the king, she is happy to tag along, as she believes Robert may be able to find her a husband more to her liking. Perhaps someone like Tayg of Culrain, warrior and hero of whose bravery and prowess in battle songs are sung and tales are told throughout the Highlands.
One of the things I particularly enjoy about “road trip” stories is that the author can take plenty of time to develop her characters and their relationship without too much extraneous action or too many other characters crowding in, and Ms Witting has certainly made good use of the trope in this story. As they travel together, Tayg’s opinions about Catriona begin to change as he learns more about what has caused her to be so prickly and quick to anger; and she begins to see that perhaps her behaviour has not been as it should and so she tries hard to listen more and to think before she speaks.
The plot of Charming the Shrew certainly wouldn’t win any prizes for originality, but that didn’t prevent me from enjoying the audiobook about a hero-in-disguise and the intelligent and sharp-tongued woman with whom he is forced to undertake a wintry journey.
Tayg Munro is the heir to the chiefdom of his clan of Culrain. Having spent a year away fighting with King Robert (the Bruce), Tayg returns home to a hero’s welcome. He wants nothing more than to be left to his own devices for a while and to perhaps take advantage of the many invitations he receives from the willing women of the clan.
But that is not to be. Following the death of his brother, Tayg’s parents are, more than ever, concerned about ensuring the safety of the clan by seeing Tayg married and producing sons of his own. He is adamant that he is not ready to marry and his mother equally determined to find him a bride. His father tells him that he cannot assume his position and duties as his heir until Tayg has found himself a wife. Stalling for time, Tayg undertakes a mission for the King, thinking that the journey will give him an opportunity to escape his mother’s demands and afford him a chance to look for a wife on his own terms.
Catriona MacLeod is known far and wide as the “shrew of Assynt” because of her sharp tongue and quick temper. Her eldest brother is planning to force her into an unwanted marriage with the chief of a neighbouring clan, and she has nobody to turn to for help. Desperate, she runs away, intending to make her way to her aunt’s house and thence, perhaps, to a convent, as that may be the only way she can avoid marriage to a man she detests.
She meets Tayg (who has decided to travel in the guise of a wandering bard) by accident following her flight and, with severe weather settling in, she is forced to accept his help to find shelter and food. He discovers she’s unpleasant company, thinking she deserves her shrewish reputation, and hopes to be able to part ways with her as soon as possible.
He changes his mind when Catriona unwittingly tells him something which makes him realise that her brothers are plotting against the king and instead, decides to take her with him as proof of the plot and as a hostage. He tells her nothing of this; knowing he is travelling to meet with the king, she is happy to tag along, as she believes Robert may be able to find her a husband more to her liking. Perhaps someone like Tayg of Culrain, warrior and hero of whose bravery and prowess in battle songs are sung and tales are told throughout the Highlands.
One of the things I particularly enjoy about “road trip” stories is that the author can take plenty of time to develop her characters and their relationship without too much extraneous action or too many other characters crowding in, and Ms Witting has certainly made good use of the trope in this story. As they travel together, Tayg’s opinions about Catriona begin to change as he learns more about what has caused her to be so prickly and quick to anger; and she begins to see that perhaps her behaviour has not been as it should and so she tries hard to listen more and to think before she speaks.
The romance between them develops quite naturally and at a good pace. Tayg is not your normal super-alpha Highland chieftain; he’s charming and funny and – for the most part – accepts Catriona for what and who she is and is proud of her independence and determination.
Catriona is perhaps a little more of a stereotypical character, a woman who has suffered humiliation at the hands of those who should have protected her and has developed a hard shell as a way of protecting herself from finding herself in that situation again. But she is not too proud to change her ways or to admit to her feelings for her handsome young bard. I did have some issues with her behaviour towards the end of the novel, when she seemed to suddenly turn into an even more stereotypical romantic heroine who couldn’t make up her mind and was then determined to push the hero away because she wasn’t good enough for him, but other than that, I thought she was fairly likeable.
As I said at the beginning of this review, the plot isn’t especially original, but I’ve got nothing against an unoriginal storyline provided it’s well-told and well-written, as is the case here. Both protagonists are strongly and consistently characterised, and the author’s depiction of the Highland winter was very evocative.
Ralph Lister is a very experienced narrator, but I believe this book to be his first foray into the romance genre. I enjoyed his narration very much, although I did have a number of issues with his character portrayals.
He has a very pleasant, slightly husky baritone which is expressive and very pleasant to the ear. His narration was well-paced, his enunciation was clear and I enjoyed listening to him very much.
I did, however, have problems when it came to his interpretation of Catriona and the other female characters. He did raise the pitch of his voice to portray the heroine, but it seemed that almost everything she said, she shouted, even in the more romantic scenes. I don’t know if it was because sustaining the higher pitch was a strain or if it was a conscious acting choice, but in any case, it really didn’t work for me. I know that Catriona is supposed to sound “shrewish” – but that doesn’t mean that she shouts all the time.
Another issue was the one of accents. I know I frequently discuss the authenticity – or otherwise – of different British accents in the audiobooks I listen to, but it’s something that’s really important to me. If I’m supposed to be listening to a Scotsman and yet he sounds like an Irishman, I’m going to find it irritating and it will take me out of the story completely. I do realise that for some, this isn’t as important an issue as it is for me, but this is my review and so I’m going to mention it again!
As soon as the Scottish characters started speaking, I realised that I wasn’t going to be listening to a performance where the accents sounded either consistent or authentic. I can adjust my expectations for that and did so, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that the Scottish accents throughout were distinctly “iffy” and sometimes a character would begin a sentence sounding Scottish and end it sounding Irish. There are definite similarities between those accents, but they’re also distinctly different, and there were more than a few occasions when that happened. I also thought that Mr Lister didn’t seem to have quite decided where to pitch Tayg, as much of the time, he sounded rather high-pitched, which didn’t really fit with the picture of the brawny Highland warrior the author had drawn. His portrayal of Tayg worked best when he kept his voice closer to his natural register, and used a softer tone than the harder-edged one he employed in conjunction with the higher pitch.
One last thing was that it sounded to me as though Mr Lister constantly mis-pronounced the heroine’s name as “Cat-ri-OH-na”, rather than “Catr-EE-o-na”, which is the way I’ve always thought the name was pronounced.
Despite those reservations, however, I did enjoy Charming the Shrew and would definitely consider listening to more of Mr Lister’s work. I think he’s an excellent reader, and welcome his addition to the ever-expanding stable of romance narrators – but I think he needs to re-think the vocalisations of his heroines in any future work in this genre.
April 30, 2019
2.5 stars
The story itself wasn't that bad, it tried to be more than a romance using political issues, intrigues and so on.
Unfortunately the writing was awful. A lot of repetition, aaaaaaaaaall the time to be exact, using the same 150 words all over. I was also missing athmosphere, it never came through in which period the story was taking place.
The story itself wasn't that bad, it tried to be more than a romance using political issues, intrigues and so on.
Unfortunately the writing was awful. A lot of repetition, aaaaaaaaaall the time to be exact, using the same 150 words all over. I was also missing athmosphere, it never came through in which period the story was taking place.
April 5, 2016
How can you not love a caring warrior, barely able to carry a tune, who pretends to be a bard? And a woman, ill-used by her brothers, whose only recourse was a sharp tongue? Send these two on a concurrent mission with conflicting goals and you have a wonderful read to get lost in. Ah, I should not leave out the wonderful scenery and vivid descriptions! Highly Recommended.
August 7, 2016
The heroine in Charming is not only a bonafide shrew, she can't seem to put two and two together and get the right answer. Reading about her is a bit like fingernails on chalk-board. You can't like it.
June 4, 2017
What a grand adventure! It's been way too long since I've read a good book about the Scottish clans and to have it read to me in the Scottish accent was heavenly and has spoiled me. I may never read another book about the Scottish highlands to myself again! The audiobook version is definitely the way to go, although I may pass on the "Bard's" poor singing... but even that was all in good fun and part of the charm of the story.
CHARMING THE SHREW is delightful. Author Laurin Wittig has spun a brilliant rendition of Taming of the Shrew, my favorite comedy from Shakespeare. Katriona MacLeod and Tayg Munro's journey to see the King was filled with danger, suspicions, intrigue, humor, passion, misunderstanding, and self-awakening on both their parts. I truly enjoyed every moment and hated it coming to an end. 4.5 stars
CHARMING THE SHREW is delightful. Author Laurin Wittig has spun a brilliant rendition of Taming of the Shrew, my favorite comedy from Shakespeare. Katriona MacLeod and Tayg Munro's journey to see the King was filled with danger, suspicions, intrigue, humor, passion, misunderstanding, and self-awakening on both their parts. I truly enjoyed every moment and hated it coming to an end. 4.5 stars
December 6, 2017
Not at all what I thought but I found it adventurous and one dimensional with regards to the characters. It was enjoyable for the most part but thought it could have been done better. I've read other books by Ms. Wittig and thought this one dropped a bit. This was a start stop and start read for me.
2.5 Stars
2.5 Stars
December 17, 2020
Die Geschichte spielt in den Highlands im Jahre 1308 und wie sollte es anders sein soll der Held ,Tayg von Culrain heiraten .Doch da er sich lieber selbst eine Frau suchen will kommt ihm eine Mission des Königs ,die ihn tief in die Highlands führt gerade recht.Als unser Held sich nun auf die reise macht trifft er im tiefsten Winter plötzlich auf eine junge Frau fern ab der Zivilisation und vorallem ohne Begleitung und Pferd und so hilt er ihr. Cat ist vor ihren Brüdern geflüchtet die sie an einen fürchterlichen Clanchief verschachern wollen.Cats Ruf auf dem Heiratsmarkt ist getrübt ,denn sie hat eine spitze Zunge un deinen brillianten Verstand und hält damit auch nicht hinter dem Berg ,was ihr den Spitznamen Biest eingebracht hat.
Beide wollen nicht verheiratett werden und Tagy ist zudem noch einem Komplott auf der Spur ,in dem Cats Familie eine tragende Rolle spielt.Tagy sollte einen Brief an Cats Bruder überbringen doch der ist eine geheime Botschaft und nun sind Cats Brüder nicht nur hinter ihr sondern auch hinter ihm her.
Die beiden raufen sich auf ihrer unfreiwilligen ,gemeinsamen Reise durch die verschneiten Highlands zusammen .Es ist immer wieder lustig zu lesen wie die beiden sich Stück für Stück näher kommen und wie verzweifelt jeder versucht seine Gefühle für den anderen vor sich selber zu verstecken.Klar ahnt man das Happy End aber es liest sich trotzdem sehr schön
Beide wollen nicht verheiratett werden und Tagy ist zudem noch einem Komplott auf der Spur ,in dem Cats Familie eine tragende Rolle spielt.Tagy sollte einen Brief an Cats Bruder überbringen doch der ist eine geheime Botschaft und nun sind Cats Brüder nicht nur hinter ihr sondern auch hinter ihm her.
Die beiden raufen sich auf ihrer unfreiwilligen ,gemeinsamen Reise durch die verschneiten Highlands zusammen .Es ist immer wieder lustig zu lesen wie die beiden sich Stück für Stück näher kommen und wie verzweifelt jeder versucht seine Gefühle für den anderen vor sich selber zu verstecken.Klar ahnt man das Happy End aber es liest sich trotzdem sehr schön
July 31, 2015
DIDN'T CARE FOR THE SHREW!!
December 1307 and Robert the Bruce of Scotland has won the war against Longshanks of England. The Bruce is now King of Scotland.
Tayg Munro has returned home from the war fighting for Robert the Bruce and is a war hero. His eldest brother Robbie was killed in the war so Tayg will one day become Chiefton of Culrain after his father Angus's dead. His mother Sorcha has started Bride Haunting for Tayg and being a legend war hero all the lasses of Cultrain are already snapping at his heels. Tayg does not want his mother to pick his bride nor is he particularly interested in marriage just yet. So his father and him devise a scheme to send Tayg away to deliver the Kings message as his Bard to all the Clans to come to his sisters wedding. While traveling from Clan to Clan Tayg will also, look out for a wife of his choosing.
Caitroina MacLeod of Assynt Clan Leod has just been made aware of ther betrothal to Dogface/ Duff MacDonnell who she despises. She refuses to marry him. Broc her eldest brother and her don't get along and she suspects that he has arranged this marriage as revenge. Broc really hates his sister and the other 4 brothers do noting to stop Broc from being mean and uncaring ot his sister. Except the younger brother Ailig does try to interven sometimes on Cats behalf.
Caitriona decides to run away and she loses her horse while a snow storm has strained her. She runs smack into Tayg. Once Tayg realizes who Caitriona is "The Shrew" and that he has stumbled upon a plot using her to Kill King Robert he agrees to take her along with him to the KIng. Cat doesn't know the plot her brother Broc has devised with Duff MacDonnell. She beleives she is going to the King to seek his aid in marrying her off to Tayg the great War hero or some other nobleman. She doesn't know That Tagy the Bard is one and the same as Tayg the hero.
The story is basically good, but Cat is a real Shrew and she stays that way most of the book which is off putting. By the time she begans to change for the better I didn't care about her at all. The Angst between Tayg and Caitroina went on much to long in the book. The romance only started at the very end of the story. Once there little bit of Romance starts the book ends. I wish the author had more of a loving romance between the H/H instead of there constant bickering and ther rushed escapes running away from her brothers and Duff. All in All it was a good story and held my interest. Just not a great story or a romantic story.
December 1307 and Robert the Bruce of Scotland has won the war against Longshanks of England. The Bruce is now King of Scotland.
Tayg Munro has returned home from the war fighting for Robert the Bruce and is a war hero. His eldest brother Robbie was killed in the war so Tayg will one day become Chiefton of Culrain after his father Angus's dead. His mother Sorcha has started Bride Haunting for Tayg and being a legend war hero all the lasses of Cultrain are already snapping at his heels. Tayg does not want his mother to pick his bride nor is he particularly interested in marriage just yet. So his father and him devise a scheme to send Tayg away to deliver the Kings message as his Bard to all the Clans to come to his sisters wedding. While traveling from Clan to Clan Tayg will also, look out for a wife of his choosing.
Caitroina MacLeod of Assynt Clan Leod has just been made aware of ther betrothal to Dogface/ Duff MacDonnell who she despises. She refuses to marry him. Broc her eldest brother and her don't get along and she suspects that he has arranged this marriage as revenge. Broc really hates his sister and the other 4 brothers do noting to stop Broc from being mean and uncaring ot his sister. Except the younger brother Ailig does try to interven sometimes on Cats behalf.
Caitriona decides to run away and she loses her horse while a snow storm has strained her. She runs smack into Tayg. Once Tayg realizes who Caitriona is "The Shrew" and that he has stumbled upon a plot using her to Kill King Robert he agrees to take her along with him to the KIng. Cat doesn't know the plot her brother Broc has devised with Duff MacDonnell. She beleives she is going to the King to seek his aid in marrying her off to Tayg the great War hero or some other nobleman. She doesn't know That Tagy the Bard is one and the same as Tayg the hero.
The story is basically good, but Cat is a real Shrew and she stays that way most of the book which is off putting. By the time she begans to change for the better I didn't care about her at all. The Angst between Tayg and Caitroina went on much to long in the book. The romance only started at the very end of the story. Once there little bit of Romance starts the book ends. I wish the author had more of a loving romance between the H/H instead of there constant bickering and ther rushed escapes running away from her brothers and Duff. All in All it was a good story and held my interest. Just not a great story or a romantic story.
April 28, 2012
Unusual Highland Hero and Feisty Heroine Make for Endearing Tale
Wittig has crafted a charming, though somewhat fanciful, historical set in Scotland in the early 14th century. She has masterfully captured the voice of the Highland folks; her dialog is quite witty; and her storytelling clever.
The story tells of Catriona, the headstrong daughter of the MacLeod laird, who rebels at the betrothed her father and older brother have in mind for her—Duff (“dog faced”) MacDonnell—so she runs away. In a snowstorm, she encounters Tayg Munro, heir to the Munro clan, who has just come from the MacDonnell clan and is traveling disguised as a bard while on an errand for King Robert Bruce. Though Tayg knows who Catriona is, and that she is fleeing an unwanted betrothal, she doesn’t know who Tayg is, nor that he considers her his hostage for her brother’s plot against the king.
The hero is unusual for a future laird—more the charmer than an alpha male leader. He is only going to be laird because his older brother was killed in battle, so perhaps that explains it. In any event, we have a strong, feisty heroine and a beta male hero who’s a bit of an entertainer. Neither initially sees the other as a life’s mate though both are searching for just that. There are lots of twists and turns on the way to romance here. If you like the unusual and more lighthearted Scottish historicals, you’ll love this one!
The sequel is DARING THE HIGHLANDER, the story of Cat's brother, Ailig MacLeod.
Wittig has crafted a charming, though somewhat fanciful, historical set in Scotland in the early 14th century. She has masterfully captured the voice of the Highland folks; her dialog is quite witty; and her storytelling clever.
The story tells of Catriona, the headstrong daughter of the MacLeod laird, who rebels at the betrothed her father and older brother have in mind for her—Duff (“dog faced”) MacDonnell—so she runs away. In a snowstorm, she encounters Tayg Munro, heir to the Munro clan, who has just come from the MacDonnell clan and is traveling disguised as a bard while on an errand for King Robert Bruce. Though Tayg knows who Catriona is, and that she is fleeing an unwanted betrothal, she doesn’t know who Tayg is, nor that he considers her his hostage for her brother’s plot against the king.
The hero is unusual for a future laird—more the charmer than an alpha male leader. He is only going to be laird because his older brother was killed in battle, so perhaps that explains it. In any event, we have a strong, feisty heroine and a beta male hero who’s a bit of an entertainer. Neither initially sees the other as a life’s mate though both are searching for just that. There are lots of twists and turns on the way to romance here. If you like the unusual and more lighthearted Scottish historicals, you’ll love this one!
The sequel is DARING THE HIGHLANDER, the story of Cat's brother, Ailig MacLeod.
November 4, 2013
AUDIOBOOK Narrated by Ralph Lister 2.5 Stars
This was my first book by Laurin Witting. The plot was unique and really good but for me it just missed something. Catriona is definitely a shrew but her past experiences really influenced her attitude and it's part of her defense against her brothers. With that said... there are a few times I just wanted to jump into the book and slap her silly then stuff a sock in her mouth. I liked idea of Tayg playing the bard but I kept feeling like there could had been more humor and sexual tension in the story. It's not a really hot and steamy novel. It has a lot of wanting from both the characters but not a lot of heat.
I just didn't really connect with either Catriona or Tayg. I was also left a bit confused over why Catriona's father did not play more of a role in the plot. I'm not sure if it was enough for me to pick up the next book. I can see how it would come down to preference of what you are looking for in a good romance book.
This might be one of those books best read rather than listen to. It took me a few tries and almost returned the book before I got comfortable with the narrator, Ralph Lister. He does a wonderful job with the accents and doesn't try to hard on the female voices but it's something about the tone of his voice that I'm not a fan of.
This was my first book by Laurin Witting. The plot was unique and really good but for me it just missed something. Catriona is definitely a shrew but her past experiences really influenced her attitude and it's part of her defense against her brothers. With that said... there are a few times I just wanted to jump into the book and slap her silly then stuff a sock in her mouth. I liked idea of Tayg playing the bard but I kept feeling like there could had been more humor and sexual tension in the story. It's not a really hot and steamy novel. It has a lot of wanting from both the characters but not a lot of heat.
I just didn't really connect with either Catriona or Tayg. I was also left a bit confused over why Catriona's father did not play more of a role in the plot. I'm not sure if it was enough for me to pick up the next book. I can see how it would come down to preference of what you are looking for in a good romance book.
This might be one of those books best read rather than listen to. It took me a few tries and almost returned the book before I got comfortable with the narrator, Ralph Lister. He does a wonderful job with the accents and doesn't try to hard on the female voices but it's something about the tone of his voice that I'm not a fan of.
January 24, 2012
This is a great example of a highland romance novel. The romance is, however, played out in a more creative manner.
In the novel Cat is originally a sharper tongued young woman who has to be strong in order to survive the household with her brothers, of which the oldest is particularly cruel and abusive. Tayg, who is a strapping war hero of the highlands who is being pushed into marriage by his family. In order to assert his independance he goes off on a mission for the king, which will enable him to possibly find his own bride.
As Tayg journeys off he chooses the guise of a bard as a disguise. His disguise enables him to learn of a plot against the king. The guise also allows him to know and travel with Cat...
Cat and Tayg not only fall in love on their jouney, but also break down the barriers each one has to their hearts and true self. In the end a kingdom is saved, but more important, an everlasting love is formed.
My only crucial about the book is that something seemed left out in the end. I don't know if the book connected the beginning and end as it should have...
In the novel Cat is originally a sharper tongued young woman who has to be strong in order to survive the household with her brothers, of which the oldest is particularly cruel and abusive. Tayg, who is a strapping war hero of the highlands who is being pushed into marriage by his family. In order to assert his independance he goes off on a mission for the king, which will enable him to possibly find his own bride.
As Tayg journeys off he chooses the guise of a bard as a disguise. His disguise enables him to learn of a plot against the king. The guise also allows him to know and travel with Cat...
Cat and Tayg not only fall in love on their jouney, but also break down the barriers each one has to their hearts and true self. In the end a kingdom is saved, but more important, an everlasting love is formed.
My only crucial about the book is that something seemed left out in the end. I don't know if the book connected the beginning and end as it should have...
March 13, 2012
I usually don't give a book 5 stars anymore but I'm going to go ahead and do just that with Charming the Shrew. Why? Because it's my review I feel like it. LOL. But seriously, I had zero expectations for this book and I only got it because it was only 0.99c on Kindle. I have to say that title is a bit unfortunate, not very enticing. I was expecting a typical Highlander romance novel to the likes of the Highlander series by KMM but where the Highlander series was repetitive, predictable, and boring, Charming the Shrew was intriguing, the characters were well developed and their relationship blossomed in a way that made me feel giddy. Actually, come to think of it, the main characters were very similar to Scarlett and Rhett Buttler.
I will definitely be reading the following book in this series.
I will definitely be reading the following book in this series.
June 3, 2013
This is my first book by Laurin Wittig. Being an audio book and to hear the Scotland brogue enhanced the experience, loved it. Great voice choice, versatile, I didn't have to think and figure out to know which one of the characters was speaking.
A Highlander love story, not the usual or typical story, it is gradually built and speeds up as it goes on. Lots of unexpected twists, which had me hurrying the narrator up to hear what happened next. The characters are well built and Catriona and Tayg connection is felt throughout the story. I fell in love with Tayg and cheered for Catriona and was hoping for a good ending for them and they did get their happy ending. Looking forward to read other books from Ms. Wittig.
A Highlander love story, not the usual or typical story, it is gradually built and speeds up as it goes on. Lots of unexpected twists, which had me hurrying the narrator up to hear what happened next. The characters are well built and Catriona and Tayg connection is felt throughout the story. I fell in love with Tayg and cheered for Catriona and was hoping for a good ending for them and they did get their happy ending. Looking forward to read other books from Ms. Wittig.
August 2, 2014
I'm afraid I did not finish this novel. If a story doesn't grab me by the end of the first chapter I am unable to continue it. I attempted to listen to this on audio with Ralph Lister as the narrator and persevered to the end of the second chapter.
Mr. Lister has a very, pleasing, melodious speaking voice but CAN NOT do a Scottish accent! This completely ruined a fairly mediocre first couple of chapters. I detected a very poor attempt at Scottish which sounded more like Irish and even Welsh. In a different set of circumstances I would like to listen to Mr.Lister narrate an English story. There are too many good Scottish narrators out there. Sorry, perhaps if the story had been more gripping I would have stuck with it but just couldn't.
Mr. Lister has a very, pleasing, melodious speaking voice but CAN NOT do a Scottish accent! This completely ruined a fairly mediocre first couple of chapters. I detected a very poor attempt at Scottish which sounded more like Irish and even Welsh. In a different set of circumstances I would like to listen to Mr.Lister narrate an English story. There are too many good Scottish narrators out there. Sorry, perhaps if the story had been more gripping I would have stuck with it but just couldn't.
January 22, 2012
Laurin is one of my top five favorite authors. Laurin has a way of taking you into the scene, into the moment. Tayg is strong and kind and you can't help but like him. Although I felt sorry for Catriona she was still likable and I found myself rooting for her at every turn.
This was definitely one of those books I just couldn't put down. ;o)
This was definitely one of those books I just couldn't put down. ;o)
April 1, 2012
This was a surprise. I really enjoyed this book. Some highlander books can be very hokey and heavy on the brog but this had action, romance and comedy. Laurin Wittig is very informative about the history of the time and quite descriptive which I really like. I will read the next book to this series and hopefully there will be more.
March 28, 2015
Tayg
Tayg is a charming fantasy for sure. His and Cat's banter, humor, pride, and love is refreshing. The characters and plot are are intriguing and funny. I did not want to put this book down. Such an enjoyable read.
Tayg is a charming fantasy for sure. His and Cat's banter, humor, pride, and love is refreshing. The characters and plot are are intriguing and funny. I did not want to put this book down. Such an enjoyable read.
January 5, 2010
Hey, I just saw this was up here at Goodreads. This is actually the second German edition of Charming the Shrew!
May 30, 2015
3.5 Stars
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Review to come...
Hotness Rating 3 out of 5
Review to come...
July 20, 2012
There's a handsome highlander and a sharp tongued wench and a cockstand or two but "Outlander" this is not. An ok vacation read.
October 21, 2024
Tayg and Catriona
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Charming the Shrew by Laurin Wittig. The Legacy of MacLeod series, book 1. Dual POV. Solo style narration. Slow burn, historical Highland romance. It's listed as 10 hours 44 minutes; I listened at speed 2.00 for 5 hours 22 minutes. Unnecessary intro and finalé music. Although his voice is clearly older than the characters' voices, narrator Ralph Lister's Scottish accent and pace were perfect for the story and easy to understand. Content warnings: H's brother d¡es in battle; h's oldest brother is the bad guy and has plotted against h since she was young; H is badly beaten by h's brothers; h's oldest brother falls on his own dagger and d¡es instantly; and H keeps his true identity from the h for almost 80% of the book.
Time period: December 23, 1307 - 1309
Location: Inverurie, Scotland
Tayg Munro has returned from battle with a heavy heart and new responsibilities. Sadly, his older brother passed away, and now all of his duties fall on Tayg. Their mother is pressuring him to choose a wife, and Tayg didn't want to get married and isn't interested in any of the local options. His father sends him on an important errand, hoping he'll find a wife along the way. Catriona MacLeod (19; aka Triona/Cat) just learned she's betrothed to Duff MacDonell (aka Dogface), a man she hates. She has no intention of marrying him, so she runs away. She gets lost and then loses her horse, but Tayg finds her and takes her to safety. He tells her he's a bard and is on an errand to deliver a letter to her. She quickly reveals who she is, but he keeps his true identity from her. She takes the letter but can't read it so he reads it to her. Tayg realizes her oldest brother and Duff are plotting against their king, but he needs to keep her with him so she can tell the king what the message means. Her brothers and Duff are all hot on their trail and catch up to them twice. They fall in love along the way, but when his true identity is revealed, she's crushed. In the end, Cat forgives Tayg and agrees to marry him. JP
1.5 out of 5 on my spice scale.
1st listen 10-20-24 (KU Read & Listen program)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2020
3+
Satisfying and well-rounded. Both characters start out quite lonely in different ways and find that healed in each other. Also both get solid arcs separate from the relationship.
The political intrigue holds together well (although there's many a clan name to keep track of). Them being on the move and trying to keep one step ahead despite the odds of harsh winter weather and plenty of complications works well for the plot and their combined arcs.
Supporting cast is robust but all there for a purpose.
I liked that we were slow in getting to know both leads, paralleling the deeper things and understanding they saw/shared in one another as they fell in love, making them more likable and motivations clearer as it goes along.
The heroine got to develop and earn victories as well as lessons learned in experiences and setbacks. And the hero matured and tripped headlong into love and duty when he'd not been wanting of either. Nice.
Moments that pang in the chest when the heroine reveals her past hurts that are still tender scars and the hero reveals his vulnerabilities, within himself and where she's concerned. And so the tried and true "you lied so I can't trust you I'm angry" device works based on those elements, but it's resolved in successive realizations that give it a bit of a new feeling, and without getting dragged on past making sense.
A well-earned happy ending and they'll be well-suited and glad in it.
Satisfying and well-rounded. Both characters start out quite lonely in different ways and find that healed in each other. Also both get solid arcs separate from the relationship.
The political intrigue holds together well (although there's many a clan name to keep track of). Them being on the move and trying to keep one step ahead despite the odds of harsh winter weather and plenty of complications works well for the plot and their combined arcs.
Supporting cast is robust but all there for a purpose.
I liked that we were slow in getting to know both leads, paralleling the deeper things and understanding they saw/shared in one another as they fell in love, making them more likable and motivations clearer as it goes along.
The heroine got to develop and earn victories as well as lessons learned in experiences and setbacks. And the hero matured and tripped headlong into love and duty when he'd not been wanting of either. Nice.
Moments that pang in the chest when the heroine reveals her past hurts that are still tender scars and the hero reveals his vulnerabilities, within himself and where she's concerned. And so the tried and true "you lied so I can't trust you I'm angry" device works based on those elements, but it's resolved in successive realizations that give it a bit of a new feeling, and without getting dragged on past making sense.
A well-earned happy ending and they'll be well-suited and glad in it.
December 13, 2023
Audiobook version (read and listen free through Kindle & Audible) Tayg & Catriona: this story is entertaining but not really a romance to me. First I have to say that the narrator was bogus. The accent which should have been Scottish seemed more English than anything. So that was annoying. I really wish that authors would choose dual narrators when they have more that one POV. It helps break up the tone that because constant throughout the book. This narrator was very monotone. Now the story was very mysterious because your have Catriona literally running from a betrothal to somebody who's referred to as "dog face" for majority of the book but we don't really find it why until the end of the book. Tayg is pretending to be a bard and is told to send a message to his betrothed's brother when he runs into Cat. He discovers a wicked plot within the note and he and Cat decide to take it to the King. Only Cat's brothers and betrothed is not going to accept that and begin hunting for them. I didn't like that Tayg and Cat kept lying to everyone they can't across. But I loved their banter. I didn't feel too much chemistry between the characters but story is good.
May 21, 2018
Returning home to the Scottish Highlands after battling the English, Tayg Munro receives a hero’s welcome—and a shocking ultimatum. In order to take his place as heir to the chiefdom of Culrain, he must choose a wife within the month or have one chosen for him. Angered by his family's decree, Tayg delays the inevitable by volunteering for a mission for the king that takes him deep into the Highlands. Preoccupied by his marital obligation, the brooding warrior sets out with no hint of the fateful encounter that awaits him...
Catriona MacLeod is known throughout the Highlands as the Shrew of Assynt, thanks to her razor-sharp tongue and her unwillingness to yield to her five brothers. When she's told that her eldest brother has promised her hand in marriage to a man she has good reason to hate, she flees into the Scottish wilderness, determined to seek the king’s intervention in her plight. When she reluctantly joins forces with a handsome traveler, she cannot anticipate the treacherous plot that will soon embroil them—nor the passion that will ignite between them.
Catriona MacLeod is known throughout the Highlands as the Shrew of Assynt, thanks to her razor-sharp tongue and her unwillingness to yield to her five brothers. When she's told that her eldest brother has promised her hand in marriage to a man she has good reason to hate, she flees into the Scottish wilderness, determined to seek the king’s intervention in her plight. When she reluctantly joins forces with a handsome traveler, she cannot anticipate the treacherous plot that will soon embroil them—nor the passion that will ignite between them.
June 17, 2017
This was a well developed story of taming of the shrew, but instead of the male making her bend to his will. He loved her by being his charming self and asking her to try to hide the shrew so they could get to the king while they were traveling with a letter of ill intent for the king. Catriona lets her true self show and lets down the mask she wore at home to survive her brothers torments. Tayg finds himself falling in love with this version of Catriona. The author wrote how Catriona became a shrew to be able to have some control in her home over her brothers. The story she tells about what her brothers did to her shows you the kind of scarring we hide to survive. As they cross the terrain of Scotland, Catriona grows and Tayg begins to feel guilty about the deceit he concocted to get her to go with him.
February 4, 2018
Charming The Shrew
This book is very good and contains no bad language and very little sex. The story of Tayg and Cat is one of Laurin Wittig's best. The series should be one of her best.
Cat has been raised with all brothers who constantly picked on her causing her to withdraw into anger and a shrewish tongue. Her oldest brother is very evil to her and would force her to marry Dogface MacDollen for him to ally with his clan. Cat leaves and meets Tayg who is posing as a bard and is in her territory on the King's business. Cat wants to travel to see the king and find a husband to take charge of her clan. Their adventures are many on their journey to the King. Read this book for a good read and a nice change of the usual warfare. I give Laurin 4 stars and am ready to read book 2 in this series.
This book is very good and contains no bad language and very little sex. The story of Tayg and Cat is one of Laurin Wittig's best. The series should be one of her best.
Cat has been raised with all brothers who constantly picked on her causing her to withdraw into anger and a shrewish tongue. Her oldest brother is very evil to her and would force her to marry Dogface MacDollen for him to ally with his clan. Cat leaves and meets Tayg who is posing as a bard and is in her territory on the King's business. Cat wants to travel to see the king and find a husband to take charge of her clan. Their adventures are many on their journey to the King. Read this book for a good read and a nice change of the usual warfare. I give Laurin 4 stars and am ready to read book 2 in this series.
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