Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Review: Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks



Highlander Most Wanted 
By Maya Banks 
Book #2 in The Montgomerys & Armstrongs series 

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any 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, nor bring herself 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 longing 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 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.


Genevieve McInnes was abducted by Ian McHugh over a year ago and suffered unspeakable degradation and cruelty at his hands during that time. When he had the audacity to kidnap Eveline, the wife of powerful laird Graeme Montgomery, he was killed when they came to rescue her. Genevieve helped them locate Eveline and it brought an end to her own suffering. They were unaware that she was the daughter of an infamous laird with ties to the king and she hides her identity for a time. Now she wants to just be allowed to join an abbey and live out the rest of her life rather than have her parents experience the shame of her experience…they believe she’s dead and she wants to keep it that way.

I must admit I fell in love with this series from the first sentence in the first book, with it’s highly appealing warriors and intriguing women. This story has less action than the first but is packed with highly charged emotion and romance. Genevieve’s situation was really tragic and Bowen Montgomery’s sensitivity to her having been abused by not only Ian but the members of the McHugh clan helped transition this into a love story. Their romance was a tough one given her circumstances (yes, you’ve got to suspend reality a bit to accept her quick recovery, but why not). I loved their story, Genevieve’s courage and Bowen’s honor. There are also secrets that threaten to upend both Genevieve and Bowen, which only served to make it more interesting.

While it lacked some of the spark of the first book, this was still a great story with lots of conflict, steamy romance and interesting characters. I had a hard time walking away from it until I finished. There’s an interesting set up for the next book and I am already anxious to read it. I don’t ever want the series to end.






Review

6 comments:

  1. Too many books came out lately. Need to catch up on them all including this one! I loved the first book! I bet I'll love this one too! :)

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    1. There were SOOOO many books released on the same day, March 26. I'm still trying to catch up.

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  2. I agree! I liked this one too but wasn't as good as the first (still terrific though). I am REALLY looking forward to book 3 :)

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    1. Me, too! That first book just had a certain something that this one didn't.

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  3. I really need to give this series a chance. I have hardly ever read any Banks books so I need to start somewhere.

    Thanks for the great review, I'm glad you liked the story and I hope book three is even better :)

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    1. If you haven't read anything by Banks, I'd also read her McCabe Trilogy, another Scottish series I loved.

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