"Landep News"
A warrior is caught between family loyalty and forbidden love in book two of bestselling author Maya Banks’s sensual new trilogy featuring three indomitable Highlanders.
Fiercely loyal to his elder brother, Alaric McCabe leads his clan in the fight for their birthright. Now he is prepared to wed for duty, as well. But on his way to claim the hand of Rionna McDonald, daughter of a neighboring chieftain, he is ambushed and left for dead. Miraculously, his life is saved by the soft touch of a Highland angel, a courageous beauty who will put to the test his fealty to his clan, his honor, and his deepest desires.
An outcast from her own clan, Keeley McDonald was betrayed by those she loved and trusted. When the wounded warrior falls from his horse, she is drawn to his strong, lean body. The wicked glint in his green eyes ignites a passion that will follow them back to Alaric’s keep, where their forbidden love draws them deeper into the pleasures of the flesh. But as conspiracy and danger circle closer, Alaric must make an impossible choice: Will he betray his blood ties for the woman he loves?
Where the first book in the series had more external conflict, this one has a lot more internal conflict.
Alaric MacCabeis on his way to a neighboring clan to formally offer marriage to the Laird's daughter, Rionna MacDonald, to secure an alliance, when he's attacked. All of his men are killed and he's gravely wounded. He manages to make it to Keeley MacDonald's cabin on the outskirts of the clan. She's a skilled healer and is able to save his life. When his bothers, Ewan and Caelen, show up, they decide to keep Keeley since they need a healer in their clan. Not only is Keeley charged with caring for Alaric, but Ewan wants her to attend the birth of his first child.
Keeley was cast out of her clan as a young girl after the Laird made unwanted advances and his wife cried her a whore. She's been living alone ever since. The idea of being accepted as a healer in a new clan is appealing, but she's not happy to have been snatched from her home with no choice. The deciding factor in her not fighting her situation is Alaric. They formed a deep bond while Keeley was caring for him.
The problem is Alaric promised to marry Rionna MacDonald. The MacDonald land lies between the McCabe keep and the new land Ewan McCabe (the laird) inherited when he married his new wife. Without the alliance the clan will be divided, not to mention the other alliances they're working on might be jeopardized. Alaric knows his duty. As much as he wants Keeley, he knows he can't have her. Not permanently.
Although Duncan Cameron, the villain from the first book, is still a threat in this novel, but the focus is on the internal conflict of Alaric and Keeley being in love but unable to marry. The story could have become bogged down with angst, but Banks managed a good balance between sexy-times, humor and conflict.
Keeley was a practical woman. Her clan threw her out, but she isn't so hung up on it she's willing to cut off her nose to spite her face. When Ewan offers her a place with the McCabe clan, she takes it. Her practicality and levelheadedness worked well with the conflict, too. Yes, she wanted Alaric, but she understood what was at stake and what would happen if they risked everything. Alaric also knew his duty, but my heart broke for him. He knew right away that he wanted Keeley and no other, but he also knew he didn't have a choice.
I think too often in historical novels the main characters throw convention and duty out the window to the detriment of the story. Yes, it happened, but it was rare. I think for a couple to focus more on duty than on love brought a touch of realism.
The story isn't perfect. There were times when it was bogged down with useless info. The dialogue ran toward cheesy now and again. I also found myself struggling to connect to Keeley in the beginning. Thankfully that didn't last long.
Overall this was a satisfying read. I enjoyed the characters and the conflict. Banks has penned a strong second novel for this series.
4 out of 5
The series:
This book is available from Ballantine Books. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Thank's for link:
0 Response to "Holly's review of Seduction of a Highland Lass (McCabe Trilogy, Book 2) by Maya Banks"
Post a Comment