Monday, April 8, 2013

TLC Book Tours Book Review: Highlander Most Wanted


Author: Maya Banks
Title: Highlander Most Wanted
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publish Date: March 19, 2013
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours & the publisher
Book Blurb: 
Genevieve McInnis is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.


Review: After reading Highlander Most Wanted, I have a new favorite author when it comes to Scottish Historical Romance.

Maya Banks, really knows how to craft an emotionally charged story.

This isn't a bodice ripper.

The heroine is a character that has been kidnapped, tortured and raped by the Highland clan she is with. The laird's son was brutal, disfiguring her face to mar her beauty so that no other man would want her.

She is emotionally numb and wants her freedom.

Enter our hero who is part of a clan seeking revenge on the MacHugh's who tried to do much the same to his brother's wife.

But there is more to Genevieve then meets the eye. Though she's numb on the outside, there's still a heart of a fighter on the inside who has done things she's not proud of in hopes of gaining her freedom.

It is hard not to ache for all the suffering that Genevieve has gone through. She's definitely not your typical romantic heroine. It isn't that she's flawed, its that she's broken.

Maya Banks brings the love between Genevieve and Bowen slowly, which is as it should be. I couldn't possibly expect her to really fall in love or hop into bed with him in the first few chapters. It made more sense that he felt an attraction as well as a desire to protect her, even when he wasn't sure her actions were in the best interest of his clan.

This isn't a light, airy love story by any means. I found myself near tears for Genevieve many times, but the story is beautifully written and you feel emotionally invested in each character that it was hard to put the book down.

I think I may have to pre-order the next book, which features Taliesan ASAP even though the book isn't due out til Sept!

Rating: 5 flowers






About Maya Banks

Maya Banks is the New York Times bestselling author of Highlander Most Wanted, Never Seduce a Scot, In Bed with a Highlander, Seduction of a Highland Lass, Never Love a Highlander, The Darkest Hour, No Place to Run, Hidden Away, Sweet Possession, Sweet Temptation, Colter’s Woman, and Colter’s Lady. She lives in Texas with her husband, three children, and an assortment of pets. For more information on Maya and her work, please visit her website, mayabanks.com.

5 comments:

Book of Secrets said...

Sounds like an emotional read! I just picked up the first book in this series - looking forward to reading it.

The Mistress of the Dark said...

I'm going to have to go back and read all of them. If they are as good as this book, then they should be fantastic!

Anna (herding cats-burning soup) said...

I just love her books. I haven't started her highland series yet but each time I see a review of it it makes me want to pick it up soon. Just need to find the time.

I really like that she doesn't rush them after what Genevieve's gone through.

Great review :)

~Anna
herding cats & burning soup

The Mistress of the Dark said...

Anna I was really impressed with how she handed the physical relationship in this book.

Heather J @ TLC Book Tours said...

This certainly doesn't seem like a typical romance novel but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I love that this book has more "meat" to it.

Thanks for being a part of the tour! I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.

 
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