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The Warrior King #1

Bound to a Warrior

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Schotland, 1005
 
Vier mannen, opgegroeid als broers, zullen Schotland in zijn oude glorie herstellen…
 
Duncan MacAlpin is een van die mannen. Helaas wordt hij tijdens zijn missie gegrepen door soldaten van de tiranieke koning. Die hem vervolgens vastklinken aan de beeldschone Mercy. Zij is vanwege een duister geheim ook in een lastig parket verzeild geraakt.

De twee weten aan hun belagers te ontkomen, en beginnen - nog steeds aan elkaar geketend - aan een lange reis door de Schotse Hooglanden. Dit blijkt dé manier om elkaar wel héél goed te leren kennen! Aan het eind van hun reis is het dan ook de vraag of ze nog wel bevrijd wíllen worden van de ketenen die hen verbinden…

Dit verhaal is eerder verschenen.

 

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2010

124 people are currently reading
1734 people want to read

About the author

Donna Fletcher

102 books961 followers

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5 stars
779 (38%)
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417 (20%)
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107 (5%)
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53 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
Profile Image for EmBibliophile.
675 reviews2,028 followers
November 29, 2020
3.75 stars

After a never ending week of exams, I just needed something out of the 21st century. And what’s better than a historical romance with two strangers who are CHAINED TOGETHER and on the run? This was just as enjoyable and messy as it sounds. I saw that big chain on the cover and I was sold.

I liked that this got that “outlander” vibe. it’s set in Scotland and i just love anything in Scotland and highlander heroes. Both the main characters are on the run, trying to escape the king’s men. And the most interesting part is that they’re both literally bound. They have been chained together and sent to their death when they decided to escape. So the majority of the book is just them being chained together and trying to survive and reach safety. Did I mention that they’re chained together?

Duncan was so sweet. He’s such a big softie. And Mercy was such a brave little thing. I loved them both. They were just so in sync and talked about things. There wasn’t any unnecessary silly drama which I appreciate. I really liked Duncan’s family as well and I’m interested in reading more about his brothers.
Profile Image for Jessica .
2,646 reviews16k followers
May 20, 2021
3.5 Stars

This actually ended up being a lot sweeter and lower-angst than I thought it would be! We are dropped into the story when our two main characters are already chained together as prisoners and Duncan attempts to escape. They end up journeying together trying to survive and make it to Duncan's homelands where they will be safe. While talking and getting to know each other, the two find it instantly hard to ignore their attraction to one another as they are forced to stay chained together. This was a cute romance, but it didn't really have a lot of stakes or drama. They were falling and sure they both had a secret, but it wasn't an end-all-be-all kind of conflict. I felt like they fell in love too quickly and I wasn't as invested in their story as I wanted to be. I found myself passively listening to the audiobook instead of being obsessed and intrigued by the story. While it wasn't a bad romance, it just didn't knock my socks off.
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,713 reviews1,125 followers
March 28, 2013
Duncan, gets caught by the king's soldiers and finds himself chained to her side. He knows that they will be killed very soon. Chained to her side, he admires this woman's courage and tenacity. When they manage to escape the soldiers, just barely, they are on the run, trying to hide from the soldiers that hunt them. Duncan has a important mission, and being chained to Mercy is a challenge, but a delightful one. He finds himself captivated by her beauty and strength of spirit. Mercy is running from a past that has haunted her. She feels a deep connection to Duncan, a attraction that she can't deny. Even though a part of her knows, they could never have a future together, all she wants is to embrace the precious time they have left.Having read the three other books in the Warrior King series, I very much was looking forward to reading Duncan's story. I think from the first few pages of the story, I was captivated by these two characters, I couldn't help but like them from the start. Duncan, is part of the four brothers where one of them will become the true King. It starts out with Duncan and Mercy being chained from the first page. Then after that, the real adventure begins. I have to say both of them handled being chained together very well. Mercy, is a very strong young woman, and can be just as fierce as Duncan. (Which was very enjoyable to see them together). I loved the way the story was written with creative scenes that could make one laugh numerous times. The love story that develops was a sweet and passionate one. The sex scenes were very hot and sexy. I really liked the way the plot unravels in such a way that captivates the reader and keeps you fully entertained until the end. I found Bound To A Warrior a delectable read, and one I had a hard time putting down. One that will be capture your heart!!Quotes I Enjoyed

"He surprised himself when without forethought, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her up against him, settling his mouth close to hers. "Love ," He whispered "Love lasts forever."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Long, lazy kissses, soft, exploring touches and endless hours of lovemaking.
Damn he was in trouble.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Look at all that food, Duncan," Mercy said and eagerly licked her lips.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "And here I thought you only had a taste for me,"
Her warm cheek stung his cool one as she pressed it against his. "I'm saving the tastiest, most delicious for last."
"Now you're really tempting me," he warned
Profile Image for Cherie.
1,153 reviews20 followers
June 28, 2019
Donna Fletcher is one of my favorite highlander authors. Real characters making real decisions and not acting like idiots while pretending to be alphas. Thank you Donna!

This is the first story of the four warriors and it begins with Duncan and Mercy shackled to each other. It is pages and pages of positive interaction with none of the silly drama that is often used to stretch out a story. This is my second time through and though I know who the true king is I'm totally engrossed in the story again.

Donna Fletcher understands love and romance and demonstrates it elegantly with her characters.

Third time reading, still love this series.

June 2019: I have always liked this series and I still do. Sometimes the dialog reads like a play, instead of two people talking, in an over dramatized way and I sense an "insert sex scene here" pause at times. On to book two.
Profile Image for Ivana Azap Feješ.
217 reviews44 followers
January 30, 2016
I love this author. Amazing author, really great at how she writes her books.
Duncan and Mercy. Duncan, gets caught by the king's soldiers and finds himself chained to her side.
I enjoined this book very much, I loved that they were shackled together, and thought that it was a great way to start the book. I loved this story from beginning to end, from hero to heroine and every secondary character in between.

Scotland Highlands 1005
A Seer's Prophecy
When summer touches winter and the snow descends the reign of the false king begins to end.
Four warriors ride together and then divide among them the true king hides.
When he meets death on his own that is when he reclaims his throne.


A very exciting story. Open the book and start reading.
Profile Image for Zoe.
766 reviews202 followers
March 19, 2016
This was a very quick read, mostly painless. I have tried to read this book before and couldn't get pass the 3rd chapter. But this time I managed to stay interested. Maybe it is the 2 stars books I have read this week. In comparison this book seems a lot easier to get through.

Duncan and Mercy are easy to like as main characters. Duncan belonged to a special warrior groups and one of them was the true king of Scotland. He was a honorable kind of man. No mistreating his woman here. Mercy was also a good heroine, no hysterics or crazy bitchiness. They started the book being chained to each other and journeyed to safety. 50% of the book was their "road trip" where they shared passionate kisses and decided that one day, one day, when the chain came off, they would have sex. Quite an interesting goal I have to say. I know they where chained to each other but if Duncan could manage to carry her while being chained, I wonder what was stopping them from having intercourse?

But I digress.

Then finally they had sex. Mind you, they'd till were chained to each other. It was of course great and Duncan "got hard" all the time, the poor man. I felt for him, it couldn't have been very comfortable. Sorry, I digress again. Anyways, Mercy met Duncan's family. Everyone is great and they all got alone great, but Mercy's father p, aka the current and fake King, wanted Mercy for some secrets that he thought Mercy knew. Being the king's bastard daughter, Mercy was in a bind. She decided to return to her father to save someone and his wife, who had helped Duncan and Mercy on their dangerous journey. Duncan and Mercy reunites, and oh, Mercy was pregnant.

The story ends most abruptly without an epilogue. It was a very sudden end. But I felt that maybe it was for the best. With Duncan and Mercy being "so so in love", as we are told repeatedly in the story, in a way I felt spared another "I love you so much" comedy. I just don't like when the stories get so cheesy. I mean, come on, love and desires are "shown", not "described". And what's with all these "I love you with my heart and soul" men?? I honestly do not know men who go around saying these things to their loved ones. I like it much better when the men show their affections through actions rather than words. But well, personal preference.

Incidentally because Angela brought my attention to the horrendous cover, I realized that it was a LONG chain that binded them. So all these heroic actions Duncan pulled had a chance of actually happening. Covers are indeed important!! lol
Profile Image for ♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡.
939 reviews87 followers
January 4, 2012
Good GOD! I hate travel boooks! Half of the book was about 2 people trying to get from point a to point b safely! It brings me back to sitting in a car on a long trip (5-12 hrs)with my mom singing (not Me!)stupid songs with my sisters & asking if we are almost there yet. My dad sighing... trying to be nice, and telling me "NO!" Geeeez! Early childhood traumas!

Needless to say, I was quite bored with the travel. It repeats itself in all but setting in every change of event. Walk, feet hurt, fall get hurt, stay some place, either wet or dry, naked or not, warm or cold, kill kings guard, repeat 3 times and 164 pages later... woman unconscious and hazily realizes they are in mans safe territory.

Uh oh! He has a secret along with his family & so does she! Low and behold only hers is blown by a loud mouth enemy. This all smart and beautiful woman does something EXTREMELY stupid and BAM! All their hard work escaping totally backfires and oh well! She deserves to be shot or hit in the center of her forehead with a fly swatter(unfortunately neither was invented at this time)! Something like hearing a noise outside when Jason or Mike Meyers is around & walking outside naked to check it out! Then a few pages - much less this time - all ends well. If that's a spoiler, then you have not read many romance novels. There are always HEA endings.

If I didn't get so bored it would be worth more stars, but no! I was retraumatized!

The romance was hot, just in case you were wondering. It couldn't keep my attention & was almost 400 pages, with maybe 100 of exciting detail.
Profile Image for Севдалина.
856 reviews54 followers
February 7, 2021
Дънкън МакАлпин и Мърси

Легендата гласи, че четирима мъже отгледани като братя ще възкачат истинският крал на Шотландия на трона, детронирайки настоящият зъл крал, който се е възкачил на трона със сила. И истинският крал се крие измежду тези четирима братя.

Дънкън МакАлпин е един от 4те воини, измежду които се крие истинският крал. Осиновен в клана МакАлпин след смъртта на родителите му, заедно с още 2 осиротели момчета, той знае, че негова мисия е да възкачи истинският крал на трона. По време на една от мисиите си, той прави грешката да бъде заловен от войниците на краля, докато пренася съобщение. Окован за младо момиче, Дънкън вярва, че това е краят му, докато не му се отдава възможност да избяга. Единственият проблем е, че няма как да избяга сам с китка окована към тази на момичето, тъй че единственият му шанс е да я вземе със себе си. Ако не го направи, и двамата са обречени на сигурна смърт. И за негово удивление, момичето се хвърля с него в бурните води на близката река, без дори да умее да плува. Сега на двама им, им предстои да изм��нат пеша и оковани дългият път до дома на Дънкън, докато по петите им са войниците на краля. С всяка изминала минута Дънкън се удивлява колко рационална, силна и спокойна е Мърси. Двамата изграждат ритъм и успяват да преборят куп перипетии, и Дънкън усеща неусетно, че се влюбва в нея. Но мисията му да възкачи истинският крал на трона, може би ще попречи на любовта им.

Мърси е незаконна дъщеря на и любовницата му. През целият си живот тя е била пренебрегвана от родителите си и на нея са гледали само като начин за добиване на повече власт. Когато баща й научава, че майка й търси истинският крал с намерението да омъжи Мърси за него, той се вбесява и нарежда смъртта им. Успява да убие майка й, но Мърси, заедно с Дънкън успява да се измъкне. Докато бягат през Шотландия в опит да стигнат до дома на Дънкън, Мърси знае, че не може да остане завинаги там, въпреки, че го желае, и въпреки, че се влюбва в Дънкън самото й присъствие там ще застраши семейството и близките му. Затова, когато дойде момента, тя знае, че ще трябва да го напусне завинаги.

Първо да кажа, че корицата е перфектна. Героите изглеждат точно както са нарисувани на корицата, дори оковите им са точно като в книгата, неговата на дясната ръка, нейната на лявата. И бурната река в която скочиха в началото се вижда на корицата зад тях. Просто обожавам когато корицата си пасва с книгата а тук е самото съвършенство. <3

Началото на книгата ми беше доста мудно. Имам чувството, че 2/3 от книгата минаха в това Дънкън и Мърси да бягат оковани през гората, да се крият или да се бият с войниците, да намират мили хора, които да им дадат малко храна и после пак да бягат, да спят по поляни и пещери, да ги вали дъжд, да ги брули вятър, да падат да стават. Не че беше интересно, просто в един момент ми стана еднообразно. Когато се добраха до дома на Дънкън, ето тогава вече книгата успя да ме грабне и я дочетох на един дъх. Като се започне от безкрайните забавни моменти с братята и майката на Дънкън, през сладките романтични части с него и Мърси, до сплетните на краля и разкриването на тайните които и Мърси и Дънкън крият и се стигне до моментите в които всеки от тях трябваше да вземе съдбоносно решение. Всичко беше чудесно. Срещнахме се с братята на Дънкън. Трей, който е единствения биологичен син на МакАлпин, за който ще е 4та книга, срещнахме и бъдещата му съпруга в лицето на лечителката Блис. Запознахме се с Рийв, за който е следващата книга и който намирам за супер интересен. В книгата постоянно се наблягаше колко по-силен е от всеки мъж и, че никой не може да го победи. За малко се срещнахме и с Брайс, макар че в тази книга не успях да си изградя мнение за него.

Сега, най-интересното в тази история мисля, че е това, че някой измежду 4мата ни герои е истинският крал на Шотландия. Всеки път се говори за краля в трето лице. Като само краля може да разшифрова какво пише във свитъка, който е доказателство за рождението му, или краля знае какво да прави. Краля е на сигурно място. Краля ще ви бъде благодарен. И това все реплики от 4мата братя. Дори на края Дънкън каза на Мърси, че един от тях е кралят, но така и не бе уточнено кой е. Аз разбира се имам своя теория. И то е, че кралят е Трей. Първо, само той уж е истински син на МакАлпин, което следва, че той не би трябвало да е кралят. Но може би точно това е причината той да е кралят ;). Отделно 4та книга чак е за него. Ако се разбере рано кой е кралят няма да са интересни другите книги. Но пък може би авторката иска да си мислим точно така и може би книгата започва с кралят, и Дънкън е истинският крал. Или пък уникалните умения на Рийв свидетелстват за това, че той е кралят.... ох много е гадно така да не знаем. Умувам различни вероятности и сега реших да се спра на това, че никой от тях не е истинският крал, ами е баща им. та така. Следва книгата на Рийв.
Profile Image for Tori - Novel Life.
1,564 reviews1,942 followers
March 20, 2021
4.5 Stars - Historical Romance

I enjoyed this historical so much!! I thought this books was really going to be enemies to lovers but it’s more friends to lovers! I thought the concept of them being bound together and trying to survive was so interesting!!
Profile Image for Erin.
262 reviews133 followers
August 2, 2016
"He surprised himself when without forethought, he slipped his arm around her waist and drew her up against him, settling his mouth close to hers. "Love ," He whispered "Love lasts forever."

This is the first installment of 'The Warrior King' series by Donna Fletcher.
Duncan MacAlpin and Mercy find themselves chained together after getting captured by the king's soldiers,they escape and go on a whirlwind adventure for freedom(FOR SCOTLANDDDD!) and ultimately love.

Duncan is one of the Four warrior's who may be the True King of Scotland-Hold your horses,kids! That is NOT revealed in this book, though by the end of it you'll have your theories. I do and I really want to know who the True King is...BADLY. 'Cause who doesn't love a 'true king claiming back his throne while falling in love' story. I CERTAINLY DO!
We get to meet all the brother's in 'Bound to a Warrior'-and I can't seem to figure out which one I like more. (AHUM, BRYCE...And DUNCAN...AND TREY....AND REEVE. Shit, That's all of them. OH WELL)

Duncan is a hero to DIE for. He is chivalrous, nurturing, GORGEOUS, protective, possessive-not in a crazy Fifty shades of Grey way which it goes without saying is good-honorable and did I mention he is GORGEOUS?!(At least in my head...and the description, of course.AND THE STUFF HE SAYS, KILLS ME!!!)

Mercy is the bastard daughter of the current King-Who is straight up awful and if I was in the story would have killed him. Why? Because he is a dick, that's why.
Mercy is....Unexpected. She not only surprised me a couple of time but she might as well have given Duncan whiplash from all the time's she shocks and surprises him with her seer tenacity and inner strength.

This is my first read by Donna Fletcher and most definitely NOT the last. 'Bound to a Warrior' was awesome and Fletcher did a marvelous job of drawing me into her story. Believe me, Mrs Fletcher. I'll be back for more.

I actually picked a theme song for the series...If you have read any of my previous badly written reviews, you might have noticed I like to have playlists etc. For this series, I chose a particular theme that I think goes well with the adventurous spirit of the tale. I can literally see Duncan and Mercy running across the highlands with Soilder's hot on their tail to this song:
Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston (Instrumental)
It might interest you to know (if you find yourself saying 'OH, I KNOW THAT SONG?! BUT WHERE COULD IT BE FROM?!', Worry not I will tell you:)this is also the theme song to Rizzoli & Isles (Tv Show, Based off Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series, Not as good as the books, DUH.)
Profile Image for Penny.
167 reviews
August 11, 2021
I really did not like this book and I struggled to finish it. If you can get through the first half it does get a bit better. I was surprised that so many gave it 4 or 5 star ratings. It has a great premise, but I just decided that this author's style of writing isn't my cup of tea. The story starts with no background given as to why these two are bound together or what their background happens to be. Basically nothing about them. I can understand an author perhaps wanting to keep one character's background a secret, but both! If you hate a book that goes into description of places, things, etc., this is a great book for you as there is almost none of that. In fact, the notes about the author mentioned she loves "researching" her books and it made me laugh out loud. As I believe you could write this book with no knowledge of the time in which it's set. All throughout the first half of the book Duncan keeps telling Mercy how beautiful she is and Mercy keeps commenting on how much of a gentleman Duncan is, over and over. It just got to be annoying. I finished it basically because I hate to purchase a book and then not read it. But this author just isn't for me.
Profile Image for Lady Tea.
1,792 reviews126 followers
February 22, 2024
Rating: 3 / 5

I'm not sure what it is that threw me off about this romance, but if I had to guess I'd say that there's something about it that I just can't believe or really get behind.

As the story goes, Duncan and Mercy are both prisoners of the king, literally bound together by a chain. Their guards for some reason give them the option of either jumping off a cliff of being stabbed for the execution, and the pair decide to jump off the cliff, as there is a river at the bottom. They do survive, but the king's men are still looking for them to make sure they're dead (I mean, why give them the option of cliff jumping if you thought they might survive that? Sounds like just creating more work for yourself) and since the pair are still chained together, they have to work together to survive.

Into this mix come into play both Duncan's obvious attraction to Mercy, and her own attraction to him mixed with warnings from her mother to "never put herself at the mercy of a man, always be in control because men will betray you, etc.".

So...basically this setup has Duncan believing in love and Mercy not believing in it, and both of them fighting their passion while they're bound together--Duncan because of chivalry and Mercy because of her mother's warnings ringing in her head annoyingly every time things get headed.

Into this setup...I don't know why, but I just didn't find myself believing in either of them. For Mercy, she's labelled a strong heroine, but then she's also been so brainwashed by her mother that it makes her seem weak when she likes Duncan but then "can't" let herself like him too much because that puts her in an inferior position; for Duncan, likewise, his attraction to her is so persistent and focused on lust that, while he does believe in the power of love, I'm never sure if he really means it or is inclined towards it for Mercy.

Just...neither of them feel like they're fleshed out enough as characters, and so I just didn't know what to make of them, and found myself less and less interested in the outcome of their journey and especially their relationship, the more I read.

As a Donna Fletcher read, this did indeed leave me wanting. Apologies, but it is what it is.
Profile Image for Elle.
379 reviews
October 3, 2011
This was a four-star story that lost one because of the numerous logic issues. For a good part of the story, the hero is shackled to the heroine, but there are all kinds of things going on that would require all kinds of contortions which are never satisfactorily discussed or explained. For example, they dress and undress several times. There are a couple references to the obvious problems, but, for example, at one point the hero and his mother get the still-shackled heroine into a nightgown, without any mention how that was accomplished. Also, the hero keeps scooping her into his arms. There appears to be very little length of chain between them, so how is this accomplished? They mount a horse - it's mentioned that her arm is crossed around her, but how did they get up there?

Also, seriously, their first night together, they jump in a river, so they're wet, so they decide they will get a chill if they don't get naked (yeah, right). So they strip off their clothes (this time it IS mentioned that their shirts don't come entirely off, thank you), make up a nice fluffy bed of leaves, and he breaks off an evergreen branch to serve as a blanket. Maybe evergreens were really different in the early 18th century in Scotland? Because the evergreens I know of would not provide warmth and certainly sleeping naked under a branch would be more than "a little prickly."

Also, the characters say stuff like "what the heck," and "shagging." I'm one of those readers who loves well-researched historical novels. They don't have to be 100% true to the period (if the characters actually spoke the way people did back then, most readers would struggle to understand). But things that jump out as anachronisms bother me.

Anyway, despite all this, I am very caught up in the story and am waiting with bated breath for the next two in what I assume will be a four-part series. I want to know which of the four warriors will be the true king. I've dug into Scottish history of the period a bit but even having done so I can't tell which of the four brothers would be the next king. I am wondering whether this will be based on historical fact or not, and am hoping it will be and I'll be able to reconcile the end with what I've been able to glean from the Internet about the monarchs of the period.
13 reviews
June 13, 2017
This was a DNF for me. I got through the first 4 chapters. I could not finish. A couple of things started to bother me and I just could not keep going. First the h and H share a first kiss and then later each keep thinking about when they will share their first kiss???? Also, the h&H are traveling through the wilderness and on two different occasions within a few pages, they are startled by squirrels and therefore stop their conversation and begin moving on. I can understand it happening once, but due to the fact that the H is supposed to frequently travel that area and be out in the wilderness regularly, I would assume he would not be tricked by squirrels twice. A lot of the conversations between the two seemed a bit contrived and didn't feel like they flowed well. Just couldn't get into it. Maybe it gets better.
Profile Image for Zina.
43 reviews2 followers
January 18, 2012
Ugh, if only this book was as good as the cover. I totally got sucked in by the picture of Brad Pitt in a kilt. It started off pretty good, but about one-third into it the story started falling apart, and by the end it was a grisly mess. Sorry, dear author, I usually keep my complaints to myself, but this book was just awful.
Profile Image for Michael K.
785 reviews30 followers
March 26, 2013
Super fun romance. Almost elegant in its smut content. Fun dialogue, charming plot-line. Just one easy, breezy read.

If you're buying this book, however, you'll want to shell out the dough and just purchase the other three books in the series; unless you enjoy cliffhanging plot-lines, you won't be satisfied with this part one's ending.
Profile Image for Lana.
263 reviews
October 26, 2022
4.5 stars

Absolutely loved this books! From the moment I saw that they were bound most of the book, I couldn’t get it out of my head and knew I HAD to read it asap!

The hero was the perfect simp for the heroine and was completely devoted and smitten with the heroine. The heroine was strong and likable. Their relationship came so naturally and I adored the casual affection: hand holding, her resting her head on him, touching his chest and arms and the sweet kisses. This was just the kind of story I love to spice up my romance reads. Slow burn and passion is good sometimes but its nice to read a fluffy, relatively angst free romance from time to time!

My only complaints were that I never got to find out who the true king of Scotland was by the end of the book!! I had theories for pretty much all of the brothers except Reeve to be the true king and the fact that I never found out leaves me unsatisfied.

The other is that it just felt like Duncan wasn’t honest with Mercy. At the end he does tell her he’s one of the four warriors from the prophecy, which was obvious, however he wouldn’t tell her which brother it was! Like what??? If there’s one person he SHOULD tell it should be her! The woman he loves!!! Like what the actual fuck. I could’ve even accepted if he told her but it wasn’t said on page and all we got was her reaction! But nope! He keeps it from her.

The last complaint is that I absolutely hated that Mercy was not his number one priority. All the way up until they got to the Keep he put her first, obviously, but once he started having the conflict of her versus his mission however I was disappointed each time he chose to keep to his mission. Especially once I found out that he didn’t go to her for TWO MONTHS!!! I desperately wanted him to shirk his responsibility and go to her. Imho the hero should always put the heroine first as number one priority. And this bothered me greatly!

Though I had these problems, I overall loved the book and the romance. I just wished there had been more trust with the hero to the heroine and that he would’ve put her first. I have a feeling this will be a running theme in the next three books and while that is disappointing I look forward to reading the rest of the series.


Safety:
◇no om/ow drama
◇ ages mid to late 20s i think possibly early 30s
◇h virgin, H not a manwhore (it was said he occasionally enjoyed female company but i didn't get the impression that it was often)
◇2 month separation they remained a couple during this time neither with others.
◇HFN with pretty much an HEA they plan to get married and she is pregnant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jill Dunlop.
419 reviews26 followers
December 5, 2010
Duncan MacAlpine, on his way back home to Scotland finds himself captured by the English. He is handcuffed to a brave English woman, Mercy. At the first opportunity Duncan and Mercy break away from their captors. They must travel over treacherous land riddled with English soldiers avoiding recapture while literally bound to each other by their wrists. Talk about teamwork. These two must learn to master the art of hiking, eating, bathing and sleeping as one unit.

Sounds like a winning scenario for a great romance, right? Not so much. After the first chapter I knew this book wasn't for me. I am one of those optimistic readers who hope that the book is going to get better. While it did get better, it still wasn't a stellar read.

My main problem with the book was the writing style. It was overly simplified and too explanative. I didn't need to be given an explanation for every little action made by either Mercy or Duncan. Readers aren't idiots. We don't need every little nuance spelled out. Give us good action and we can intuit what is going on between the characters for ourselves. Also, the characters especially Mercy seemed a little too "fairy tale" perfect. Their personalities were not realistic enough for my taste. It is difficult for me to recommend this book.
Profile Image for Nicole.
52 reviews
September 6, 2013
Donna Fletcher - Bound to a Highland Warrior Love Love Love Donna Fletcher!! Always a must read Author!
 
Duncan & Mercy,
Loved the plot, setting & characters. Love the dynamics of the McAlpin brothers. Teasing, funloving, serious, caring, loving, just great clan to be around.
Love Mara the mommy, perfect personality for all those rough boys in her house.
 
Duncan is sweet, chivalrous, caring, nurturing, protective, prowess, valour, honorable and oh so delicious. Love how he always thinks of Mercy first. He is very attentive and observant.
 
Mercy is determined, strong, passionate, wise, stubborn and trusts Duncan with her life from the very start. Love the story line. Love their way of solving grouchy feelings :) I will definately implement that!!
 
Is Duncan the Next King of Scotland?? I cant wait to read the next book!!
Profile Image for Linda.
1,429 reviews
May 12, 2011
Started this 5/9/11 & it's (really) good so far
I take it back! Disappointed the further I read. Started off very well & the storyline seemed interesting but the writing style left a lot to be desired. Not as fluid/accomplished as say L.Kleypas or some my fav authors. Dialogue was simplistic & didn't set the right tone for the era it was set in; someone saying "Hi!" ?? Did ppl talk that way, way back then? *laughs*
Doubt if i want to read anymore of her books & don't plan to get the rest in this series.
Profile Image for Karen Darling.
3,381 reviews24 followers
October 22, 2023
This book is ridiculous. The hero and the heroine are shackled together by a chain. I am on chapter nine, and I don't know who they are, why they were captured, how they were captured, or why they are shackled together. They have tumbled down several rocks and you mean to tell me that they can't at least try to use a rock to bash the shackle apart. Furthermore, the hero doesn't know anything about the heroine but all he wants to do is kiss and f_ _k her.
Profile Image for Lisa.
243 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2010
I really liked this book. The humor between the characters came off as real. Something like the way my parents interacted with each other. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Wish I could find a target date for its release.
Profile Image for Sam Fox.
642 reviews10 followers
August 30, 2023
I picked this book based on a recommendation for a romance readathon in august 2023. This had adventure, mystery and a lot of tension. I thought the author wrote the characters well and the storyline. Some things could have been developed better but overall was a good historical romance.
Profile Image for Joy.
510 reviews145 followers
April 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I love reading about highlanders and this one was interesting and well written.
7 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2014
This is a great book! I read it in less than a day and a half. I was completely swept away by the characters, setting, and writing.
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