Search - In Bed with the Highlander (McCabe, Bk 1)

This is a keeper for me!

The illegitimate daughter of royalty, Mairin Stuart is wanted for her land and her dowry. Because of that she has been in hiding amongst nuns since a very young age. When an evil Laird kidnaps her from the Abby with the intent of making her his unwilling bride, she escapes with the help of a little friend and soon finds herself captive by yet another Laird.

Laird Ewan McCabe’s people have been through a lot in the last 8 years, determined to rebuild and make his clan stronger than ever, Ewan sees a match between he and Mairin beneficial to both of them. He needs her money and land, she needs a protector.

I absolutely loved this story! Mairin is enchanting and feisty and has the humorous habit of speaking thoughts out loud without knowing she is doing so. Ewan is strong and 100% yummy alpha male but it doesn’t take long for Mairin to chisel away his armor and get to his softer side.

This book had me laughing out loud at Mairins sass and antics, and struggling to read through misty eyes when both she and Ewan’s vulnerability came through. The supporting cast is extraordinary and each one made an impression on this reader. I really had a hard time setting this book down when I needed to get back to the real world. I was so involved and having so much fun with this Scottish group I wanted to extend my visit more and more.

This is one of those books that I will read and reread over and over again. It just had everything I look for in a romance novel and I cannot wait to read the next two books in the series!

Cherise Everhard, August 2011

Oh buddy did I just love Ewan McCabe! He was rough and arrogant at first but as he mellowed, boy did he get loveable in a hurry.

Poor Mairin Stuart, bastard daughter of the king, kidnapped from a nunnery by Duncan Cameron, an evil highlander with bad intentions, and the McCabe's greatest enemy. When she rescues little Crispen McCabe from Cameron, she basically writes her ticket to freedom...well sort of. Of course, even without knowing her identity, Ewan is reluctant to let her go after her encounter with Cameron(he beat the living hell out of her because she wouldn't marry him). Once Ewan gets the whole story from both Crispen and Mairin, the game is on and Duncan better watch his ass. But of course Duncan is a vengeful and greedy lord and takes his case to the king. Ewan has to fight for his woman the good old fashioned way.

This is the first Maya Banks I've read but since I love sexy highlanders and this one in particular, I will certainly be reading the rest of the trilogy. I can't wait to see how Alaric and Caelan find their unwanted brides. Oh the fun of alpha men falling head over heels!

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
* I received this ARC free from the author in exchange for an honest review*

In Bed with a Highlander is the first book in the Highlander trilogy about the McCabe brothers. Ewan McCabe has been doing everything he can to keep his clan fed and clothed. His father was killed eight years ago and it’s all that the three of them can do to keep everyone safe and prepared for another attack.

Mairin is the neice of King David and she has been in hiding because she will inherit a valuable piece of property, Neamh Alainn which makes her coveted by a power hungry laird. She meets a young boy who is wise beyond his years and helps her through her “stay” at Duncan Cameron’s home.

Ewan’s brother returns not only with Crispin but also a young lass that has been seriously abused. He agrees to let her stay at the keep until she heals but the more he is around her the more he wants to keep her. Little does he realize that she is the key to not only his clan’s future but his own too?

Mairin thought she had found a savior in Ewan but he is after her land too. She agrees to be his lady wife but in truth, she is drawn to him like no other and feels protected and safe when she is in his arms. She finally has a home and a clan and she couldn’t be happier.

I loved Mairin’s character, she is such a spirited young lass. She has been alone all her life and craves family and a clan she can call home. She is prepared to take over her duties with the clan but keeps getting into trouble with the laird. She is wise but when it comes to womanhood she is young and innocent. I loved how she chastised Ewan because he wasn’t kissing right because he was using his tongue. She even questioned his lovemaking skills, which I thought was funny.

Ewan is a single father and leader of his clan. He has seen and done much in his young lifetime. He is a fierce but fair ruler and he cares deeply for those close to him. There are many tender moments between him and Mairin. He is definitely an alpha male but at times his actions surprised me, making me love him all the more.

I loved this book from start to finish; it was full of love, humor and action. There were many things that Mairin said or did that kept me laughing throughout the book. The tender moments between her and Ewan or Crispin were so sweet. She came into that household and basically turned it upside down while managing to earn the love and respect of her clan along the way.

I wanted to stop reading when once Ewan and Mairin received the summons to appear before the King but I had to find out how it ended. I was so afraid that things wouldn’t go well for them considering Duncan Cameron was involved and he would do anything to gain control of Neamh Alainn. Mairin proved over and over again how cunning she could be when her life or the ones she loved were at stake.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the second one in the series. I give In Bed with a Highlander 4 Flaming Hearts.

In Bed with the Highlander was an excellent read! I am a big fan of Maya Banks' contemporary novels but this was the first historical I read. The lady is talented, to say the least. The story centers around heroine, Mairin Stewart, the illegitimate daughter of the king who has been stashed away at a convent to keep her safe from those who would seek to use her as a pawn. When Mairin is discovered at the convent by the ruthless Duncan Cameron, she realizes that he means to marry her and bed her in order to seize control of the properties given to her by the king. When Mairin manages to escape Cameron, along with a boy named Crispin who she's rescued and taken under her wing, the true adventure begins. Crispin is the son of Laird Ewan McCabe, who has been desperate to find his son. When Crispin's uncle Alaric finds Crispin and Mairin after they've escaped they are taken back to Castle McCabe whereupon Laird Ewan discovers Mairin's true identity. Realizing that marrying Mairin could save his struggling clan and crush his enemy Cameron's plans, Ewan quickly marries and beds Mairin. Once united, Ewan and Mairin find themselves falling head over heels in love as they struggle to conquer a dangerous enemy who is intent on destroying the McCabe clan. An honest to goodness fantastic read.

Great start to a new series by this very talented author! She keeps your interest from page one all the way until the end. I will say that I read book 2 first, Seduction of a Highland Lass, before reading this one and in my opinion the second was better than the first. I highly recommend these and you won't be disappointed especially if you like Scottish, Historical Romance:)

This was the first book I've read from this author.
And what a great introduction to her writing! I haven't teared up over a book in a long, long time. This one did it. I was very moved, as the heroine was, towards the end. I actually was just reading this to get off my TBR pile. I'm certainly glad that I didn't pass it up. I can't wait to read the next in the series. (sigh)