Highlander Untamed: A Novel (MacLeods of Skye, #1)

by Monica McCarty

Rory MacLeod is a bold and powerful Highland Chief with only one allegiance–to his clan. He vows revenge against the rival MacDonald clan, though duty demands a handfast marriage to Isabel MacDonald–a bride he does not want and has no intention of keeping. But Rory couldn’t have anticipated the captivating woman who challenges his steely control, and unleashes the untamed passion simmering beneath his fierce exterior.

Blessed with incomparable beauty, Isabel MacDonald is prepared to use every means possible–including seduction–to uncover her husband’s most guarded secrets. Instead Rory awakens Isabel’s deepest desires and her sweetest fantasies. Now Isabel has found the happiness she’s always dreamed of with the very man she must betray, and discovers that passion can be far more dangerous than revenge.

• ISBN10: 0345494369
• ISBN13: 9780345494368
• Publish Date: 31 July 2007 (first published 1 January 2007)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Ballantine Books Inc.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780345494368

Reviews

[Ing Cruz]

The cover of the book was what actually caught my eye when I was browsing B&N back in 2007. I e-mailed Monica McCarty the author about the book hoping she would have copies of the book at RWA in 2007 and she did. I'm so glad I picked this book up.

So basically the plot line of this story which Monica did a lot of research is based on an actual clan that existed in Scotland. The couples for each book were real couples but of course they're love story is of Monica's imagination. In Highlander Untamed you have Rory MacLeod who is the Chief of the Clan MacLeod. The Clan MacLeod has been in a bloody battle for the past 2 years with the MacDonald Clan. In order to stop this battle between the 2 clans and to have peace King James of Scotland has forced Rory to enter into a handfast (a sort of probationary marriage for a year---full benefits of marriage but w/out actually being married yet) with Isabel MacDonald who is the niece of Sleat MacDonald the man who shamed Rory's sister and clan. Sleat has other plans for Isabel he has forced her into spying on Rory and his clan during this year handfast to find information that would help him destroys Rory and his clan. In return Sleat will help Isabel's family wage a war against the McKenzie clan. Isabel expects this to be an easy task and she does not want to fail her family, a family that she has been trying to get approval from. She is a favorite at the Kings court and is considered a rare beauty.

Isabel ends up falling for Rory and has the hard choice of either choosing between the man she has fallen for or her family. As for Rory he faces the struggle of whether to go with his heart or do what is good for his clan. I love this kind of plotline and for me Monica brought a fresh outlook. You will fall in love with Rory. He is so honest, sexy, and caring. His love for his people and his actions towards Isabel and his sister will make you love him. Isabel is a great heroine. She has her insecurities but does not let them stop her for fighting for what she loves. There were many times I had to root for her. She is no wilting flower. The chemistry between the couple is electric. Lots of sexual tension and the love story takes place over a period of a year, so you get to see the relationship grow from weary to caring and into love. Anyways if you love a good a sexy man in kilt and are looking for a good Highlander story with history, great details, a sexy hero, a sassy heroine and a evil uncle who'll stop at nothing to destroy the MacLeods give this book a try!