The Highlander’s Defiant Captive (The Lairds Most Likely, #4)

by Anna Campbell

[stacey_is_sassy]

The Laird Most Likely...to be a sucker for punishment

The Highlander's Defiant Captive was exactly what I've come to expect from an Anna Cambell historical romance. Her characters are strong, intelligent and determined, with a big heart and an ability to look past the nose on their face...eventually. This latest instalment to The Lairds Most Likely series, brings together sworn enemies looking to end the bloodshed between their clans. Well, Callum Mackinnon brings them together for that purpose... a little unconventionally... a little manipulatively... almost, you could say, kidnapping...ly...

Mhairi Drummond is as fiery as the red hair on her head. When The Mackinnon steals her away from her family, she swears she'll never consent to his mad-capped scheme. A Drummond marrying a Mackinnon to end a centuries-long feud is ludicrous in her eyes... especially if she's the bride. Fighting him with tooth and nail, and even drawing his blood seems to lure him not turn him away. Sure, the devil is quite handsome. Sure, he speaks some sense in ending the war. But, his methods were to make her his prisoner and trap her in the enemies lair.

Callum is sick of having loved ones dying because of a war that no one can recall or agree on its origins. He is determined, as the Laird, to bring peace to his people. Callum hatches a plan to take Bonny Mhairi Drummond, the Rose of Bruard, and make her his wife. He knows of her beauty, but nothing prepared him for Mhairi's fiery spirit. This woman could end the war and make him the happiest of men. If only she wouldn't rather die than marry him. It's going to take a lot of patience, a wee bit of spilled blood, and a lot of self-control to win the woman who has captured his heart.

Mhairi has always had more freedom than the other women she knows. Her father is the laird, and his love for Mhairi has given her a little too much independence. She thinks she has the freedom to marry at her will and choose the husband of her heart. Little does she know, her father, while doting, has plans for her future. The more time Mhairi spends with her captor and his clan, the more she realises that Callum's mad-capped scheme isn't so ludicrous after all.

I really enjoyed reading The Highlander's Defiant Captive. Callum was an amazing hero and I loved him from start to finish. Even when he was kidnapping Mhairi, I never felt she was in danger or that he would take advantage. In some ways, Callum was a sucker for punishment when it came to falling in love with a spitfire. I'm pretty sure a lot of men would have given up rather than put up with her tantrums. Mhairi's determination to thwart Callum's efforts went on a little too long, in my opinion. Like her maid, Flossie, Mhairi appeared to be cutting her nose to spite her face just to keep her supposed freedom. I was glad when she finally realised the wonderful opportunity she was given to become Callum's wife.

I'm a fan of Anna Campbell's storytelling abilities and I loved the characters, storyline and setting she created in this historical highlander romance. I will definitely be back for more in the future.