The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

The Sinner

Book 2: THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS
by Margaret Mallory

ISBN10: 0446583103  ISBN13: 9780446583107
Publisher: Grand Central
Release date: November 1, 2011

Review courtesy of netGalley

Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

IRRESISTIBLE DESIRE
Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty—and defiant ways.Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex's past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?

My thoughts:

If you love sexy highlanders, strong female heroines, a dash of drama and a smidgen or two of some awesome sex scenes, you will not be disappointed. It was hard for me not to put the book down and read it all through the night. For those of you that are interested in history, Ms. Mallory adds a number of nuggets of historical data in the back of the book.

In the first book of the Highlander series, 'The Guardian', we were introduced to the four highlanders who have been friends since childhood: Connor, Ian, Alex and Duncan. After learning of his father's death Connor must take his place as chieftain. In order to solidify his clan, Connor asked his cousin Alex to enter into a marriage alliance with a neighboring clan. Alex would do anything Connor asks of him, but marriage, he had the wrong guy.

“I’d take a blade for Connor,” Alex said, losing his humor, “but I’ll no take a wife for him.”

Alex is a confirmed bachelor; he has a weakness for pretty lasses. After witnessing first hand the bitter union between his parents, he vows never to marry. He is the Don Juan of the Highlands, a love 'em and leave them type of guy. He stays around long enough to satisfy them, but leaves before they have any thoughts of entangling him in marriage. It isn’t until he meets the strong willed heroine, Glynis, that his bachelor days are threaten. The first moment they meet it was explosive and from there on it only got hotter…

The last thing on Glynis mind is to marry again. Her first marriage ended after just a few months, she had enough of her abusive husband's philandering ways and to prove her point she stabbed him. Her decision to quit the marriage did not go over well with her father nor her former husband. Her father wanted her to wed and her ex husband wanted his property back.

I liked the fact that Ms. Mallory added a touch of paranormal to this series. In the first book, we were introduced to the one eyed seer, Tearlag. She returns again in ‘The Sinner’ when Alex seeks her wisdom after receiving a letter from a former lover stating she had a “gift” for him, but in order to receive it he must meet her in Edinburg. The visions Tearlag had were of the women Alex would encounter in his travels: 

‘On your journey, three women will ask for help and ye must give it,’ she said. ‘But beware! One brings danger, another deceit and the last one with the power to fulfill his deepest desires.’

When Glynis learns her father is planning another arranged marriage, Glynis persuades Alex to take her along with him. As you might have expected being alone day and night stirs up the hidden desires they have for one another, ones they could no longer resist. WOW!! The sex scenes between them are hot and steamy.

Alex did not want a wife. But, like it or not, he had a sudden need for one. Could he change his ways and give his heart to just one? Alex vows he will be faithful, but Glynis cannot let her guard down enough to trust him. You almost could predict there was going to be some issue over his fidelity.

You do not need to read the first book to enjoy ‘The Sinner’, as the author gives a brief synopsis throughout the book. Although, having read the first one, I had a better understanding of the characters. I am glad I didn’t miss out on the prologue in the first book. We were introduced to the seer, Tearlag. In my opinion the scene between her and the young highlander boys set the foundation for the rest of the series, this is when she told each of the young lads about the love they would find.

I received this ARC copy free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

My Rating:        

            

Author:
Margaret Mallory surprised her friends and family by abandoning her legal career--and her steady job--to write tales of romance and adventure. At long last, she can satisfy her passion for justice by punishing the bad and rewarding the worthy-in the pages of her novels, of course. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, a silly dog and an ornery cat. 

With her two children off to college, Margaret spends most of her time working on her new Scottish historical series, THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS.