Conquered by a Highlander (Children of the Mist #4) by Paula Quinn

Conquered by a Highlander (Children of the Mist #4)
by Paula Quinn
Published (first published May 22nd 2012)

Publisher: Forever
ISBN:0446552356 (ISBN13: 9780446552356)

Received book by author in exchange for honest review.

BOUND BY DUTY
Colin MacGregor was born to fight-for his beliefs, his king, and his family's honor. After years away from his beloved Scotland, he yearns to return to its lush, green hills-and he can, after he completes one final mission for the king. Sent to infiltrate a traitor's home, Colin is determined to expose the treasonous plot and triumph on the battlefield . . . until he meets a sensual lass who tempts him towards other pursuits . . . .

BETRAYED BY PASSION
Lady Gillian Dearly is no stranger to temptation. Cast out of her family for bearing an illegitimate child, she's now the ward of a barbarian conspiring against the king. Her only desire: freedom for her son and for herself at any cost, even if it means making a deal with the devil. Yet when a mysterious Highlander appears in their midst, his braw strength and smoldering gaze give her hope for a future beyond the castle walls-and promise a desire unlike any she's ever known. But passion comes at a price . . .

My Thoughts:
I have been lucky enough to receive this book from the author, I have been anticipating Colin's story and I can tell you right off - it was AMAZING.

This book is everything I love in a story intrigue, romance, suspense and of course, my brawny highlanders. I love strong willed heroines, those that can stand up for themselves among self centered egotistical overpowering men. Lady Gillian Dearly, is a single unwed mother and also the daughter of the Earl. Upon the birth of her son, Edmund, the Earl banished her to live with her overpowering cousin, Lord Devon in Dartmouth.

As we learned in earlier books in the series, Colin is devouted to King. Colin comes to Darmouth under false pretense, he is spying for the king, he is going by the name of Colin Campbell. Lady Gillian lives for her 3-year-old son, Edmund. While at Darmouth, Colin befriends the boy, all the while he is ingratiating himself into the group of Devon’s men earning their trust and measuring their level of skill.

I love the way that Ms. Quinn, slowly built the romance between Colin and Gillian. It was important to see the bond between Colin and Edmund grow, the boy looking for a father figure and a man protecting and loving a boy that is not his own.

The battles are vivid and very descriptive, you can almost hear the clashing of the swords. Ms. Quinn spends the needed time to build the characters.  I felt anguish for Colin as he suddenly has doubts and begins to question his loyalty to the man whom he fights for, the man who he is willing to die for. When he learns the King plans to do harm to the two people that Colin has come to love, that act threaten and strains his allegiance. It was nailing biting right until the end.

I will miss this series and have grown to see the children of the Laird of the Mist have their own stories and loves. I look forward to any future books Ms. Quinn scripts.

I want to thank the Paula Quinn for very kindly sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an  honest review.

My Rating:  

                 

What do you you plan on reading this summer?

Are you catching up on your TBR list or adding to it?

Which books are a must read this summer?

Children of the Mist Series (Scottish historical featuring the grown children from the MacGregor Series)

MacGregor Series (Scottish historical)