In Bed with a Highlander | Conkie's library | TinyCat |

2024-05-20 9:58 pm

In Bed with a Highlander

by Maya Banks

Paperback, 2011

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Series

The McCabe Trilogy (1)

Tags

FROM: Early Reviewers, TYPE: Book, SERIES: Book 1, "McCabe Brothers" trilogy, STATUS: Received 09.29.11.

Genres

Collections

* Keeping For NOW, SOURCE: LT Early Reviewer

Publication

Ballantine Books (2011), Mass Market Paperback, 368 pages

Description

Fiction. Literature. Romance. Historical Fiction. Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his-until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan's clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn-and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin's strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons-and embrace a love that means more than revenge or land.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Bea_writer

I have read most of Ms. Bank's books and I have liked/loved most. I went into this book looking forward to her style in the historical genre. This book was perhaps one of the worse books I have read. At first I honestly thought I had read it before, but as a Julie Garwood book. Scene after scene I

called based on other books I had read.

I finally just could not finish the book, thus the one star. If I wanted to have read a Julie Garwood book (who I love) I would have read one.

Other people seem to have liked this book, so maybe it was just a case of different tastes.

LibraryThing member elissa_kay

This book is Book 1 of the McCabe Brothers trilogy, and it is a good one. The story involves Ewan, the oldest McCabe brother who is trying to rebuild his clan from a terrible ambush 8 years prior, and Mairin, the bastard niece of the king who has hidden from the world because her massive dowry

causes bad men to want her for all the wrong reasons. She rescues Ewan's son (from his first marriage) after being abducted herself and he takes her to McCabe lands. Ewan marries her in part because her dowry will help rebuild his lands--never expecting to fall in love with her. For her part, Mairin agrees to the marriage to protect herself and because she finds Ewan to be an honorable man...who, it turns out, can melt her resistance with a kiss.

I enjoy Maya Banks writing quite a lot. She manages to give you enough of a hint of Scotland in dialogue without burdening the reader with too many "och", "nays" and "bonnie lasses". I also enjoy her books because she stays away from the most common romance novel drama-inducing plot points. I hate when a lack of communication is used as a reason for later turmoil--and Maya Banks doesn't do that.

All in all, I can't wait for Book 2!

LibraryThing member gincam

"In Bed with a Highlander", by Maya Banks, is the first book in a trilogy featuring three brothers, each a Highland Warrior destined to meet his soulmate through the twists and turns of fate. Ewan McCabe has waited eight long years to restore prosperity to his clan and to revenge the deaths of his

wife and father. He will do whatever it takes to protect and preserve his young son's heritage. Ewan is a brave, brawny, battle-hardened Highland Warrior. The laird of his clan, and a leader among men. The unexpected arrival in his life of a spirited beauty with a royal dowry seems like the answer to the financial woes of his struggling clan. Mairin Stuart, illegitimate daughter of a king, his lived her life in the security of convent. Her property entitlement upon her marriage makes her a target for the most unscrupulous of suitors. When she is kidnapped from the convent, meant to become the bride of the ruthless Laird Duncan Cameron, her fate becomes intertwined with Ewan's young son, Crispen. Mairin is protective of Crispen, and when they are rescued by Ewan's brother, Alaric, she is given shelter by the McCabe clan. Once Ewan learns Mairin's true identity, he makes her options clear. She can marry him and have the family and security she has always craved, or she can fall prey to the avaricious Laird Cameron. Mairin agrees to become Ewan's wife, and she is quite surprised to learn that her fierce Highlander has a tender heart when it comes to those for whom he cares. As blazing passion grows toward a lasting true love, forces are at work to tear apart Mairin and her new-found family. It takes the might of a great Highlander and the heart of a very special woman to defeat their determined foe. This is an imminently readable and enjoyable historical romance. Having "met" Ewan's brothers, Alaric and Caelan, I look forward to reading their own stories in the upcoming books in the series.

Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

LibraryThing member twylyghtbay

In Bed with a Highlander is the first book of the trilogy about the McCabe brothers. Maya Banks does an outstanding job of creating a story line to keeps the reader interested in the current story and yet creates interest in the next two books. The hero, Ewan McCabe, and the heroine, Mairin Stuart,

fall in love after he marries her to save her from the villain of the story, Duncan Cameron. They never loose faith in one anther despite political unrest within the McCabe clan, their neighbors the McDonald's and the McLauren's, as- well-as with the ruling royal of Scotland, King David. The family must trust each other and develop allies with the correct neighbors or lose everything. The characters are strong, loving, intelligent and understanding. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy.

Thank you to Maya Banks for this Advanced Readers copy of In Bed with a Highlander. It was a pleasure to read and review.

LibraryThing member DianeYu

I can't tell you how pleased I am to know there are two more books to come after In Bed With a Highlander. This first installment in a planned trilogy took off running in the first few pages and rarely let up. It kept me engaged and often enthralled as Mairen is abducted and mistreated only to find

her way to Laird Ewan McCabe's lands and her destiny. Both she and Ewan will have to fight for her to stay, and I found myself holding my breath on occasion, wondering how they would solve their challenges.

There is plenty of humor here too, and I often found myself laughing out loud at Mairen's antics and naivete. A host of supporting character's enrich the story, not the least of which are Ewan's two younger brothers who will have their own stories in future books.

I didn't know what to expect from an author I've known only for her erotic titles, but I was thoroughly impressed at Banks' skill in weaving a beautiful, well-written historical that even managed to get in a bodice-ripping scene to my amused delight. Run, don't walk, to get this book, I promise you, you won't be disappointed in this Highlander adventure/romance.

LibraryThing member Nicholette

I enjoyed it. I sat down and read it cover-to-cover. It was a quick read. Good storyline for the highlands romance. I hadn't read one in a while and it kept me wondering about who was doing what.

Hadn't read anything by Maya Banks before and now I want to read others--especially the ones with the

other brothers.

I definitely recommend this book if you like romances, especially highland romances.

LibraryThing member Read2Me2010

This historical novel is set in medieval Scotland. Mairin, a great heiress, is running away from Laird Cameron, a kidnapper trying to force her into marriage to gain control of her dowry and her lands. Along the way she develops an affection for a fellow victim, a little boy. The two escape to the

boy's father, Laird Ewan McCabe, a widower who's had his lands decimated by Laird Cameron. The story is fairly predictable, but there is fun to be had in the characterizations and watching the plot unfold. All of the characters are well rounded, and the relationships absorbing. Banks, sets the stage to give an emotional edge to her sex scenes so that they have an impact instead of seeming by rote. The only real criticism is that some of her phraseology is a little too contemporary for a novel set in the middle ages, i.e. "what part of .... don't you understand?" or the ever popular "it's complicated". In spite of that, the book was enjoyable and an absorbing read.

In Bed with a Highlander is a great start to the trilogy. The plot is filled with romance and suspense. It is fun to watch the conflict and attraction work between Ewan and Mairin. They are just two of the great characters in the book. I look forward to the next two books featuring Ewan's brothers Alaric and Caelen.

LibraryThing member buzzkiss

I really liked this book and can't wait to read the other two in this series. It was hard to put this book down once I started.

LibraryThing member jmaloney17

This is the first in a new trilogy by Maya Banks. It was pretty good, pretty much what you expect out of a highlander romance novel. I will probably read the others in the series. I am interested in what happens to the other two brothers. One complaint. The picture on the cover looks absolutely

nothing like the characters in the book. The only thing that says highlander in the pic is the plaid.

LibraryThing member Keng

Overall this was a good read. I am a fan of Maya Banks and she brought a good story as usual. I had a bit of a problem with Ewan's quick acceptance of his new wife and his easy acceptance of his love for her. The story itself was a typical story of a woman being wanted by two men - one for her

dowry and one (as it starts out) just to win against his nemesis. I enjoyed Ewan's clan and his brothers. I will read the reast of the series.

LibraryThing member Bookmyer

What a great story! I enjoyed it immensley and plan to add Maya Banks right into my buy list. It caught my mind and I had a hard time to put it down long enough to go to work. There was conflict and romance and fighting and I loved that there are brothers who still have stories to tell. It is

currently on my read it again shelf , so I can re-read it at a slower pace.

LibraryThing member aimeef

This is my first Maya Banks read...absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the characters and am looking forward to the next in the series.

LibraryThing member keeneam

I loved this book, right from the start. It started of with a lot of intensity and never let up. I loved the hero from the beginning and enjoyed the heroine, Marin, as well. I had a hard time putting this book down, and the author did a great job of setting up the stories of Ewan's brothers in

future books. I can't wait to read more historical romance from Maya Banks.

LibraryThing member onyx95

Hiding away for so many years in an Abbey gave Mairin Stuart had a false sense of security. Hearing the demands of the intruders brought her to full attention. Never wanting the Sisters of the Abbey to be harmed protecting her, she stepped forward and was immediately man handled till the men could

verify that she was Mairin Stuart, the heir of ‘Neamn Alainn’. Finding the royal brand, Duncan Cameron’s men “escorted her” to his keep. Along the way a young boy, Crispin McCabe stumbled into the camp and found a champion in Mairin. Escaping the castle, Crispin knew where to go, his father would protect her from all her enemies. Finding his son was all that mattered to Ewan McCabe, discovering what and who his champion really was needed some time. The discovery of her identity, her dowry and her first borns inheritance gave him more hope for the future than he had carried for so many years.

Book 1 ….. Fast paced, not all high intensity but all highly intriguing and attention grabbing. The calm was riddled with humorous moments that head me giggling several times throughout the book. Simply enjoyed all the characteristic traits of Mairin and Ewan’s devotion to his clan and duty. This is really a great book so glad there is another to follow and what a great set up for Alaric. Even though I can guess how the story will progress, I can’t wait to read it.
I was lucky enough to receive this as an early reviewers copy, it took quite a while to get it (it was already available to the public for a month before I received mine) but I am so glad it finally arrived.

LibraryThing member sbrush

In Bed with a Highlander is the story of Mairin Stuart, bastard daughter of now-dead King Alexander of Scotland. She’s been hidden away in a convent for the past ten years to keep her safe. Her father bequeathed a large tract of land to her and so whoever marries her will inherit. This makes her

a prize, and one unscrupulous laird steals her from the convent, intent on making her his bride. Mairin escapes his clutches with the help of young Crispen McCabe, a lost 8-year-old boy Mairin encounters during the journey from the abbey to Cameron's home. Mairin saves the boy's life and he, in turn, promises her the protection of his father, Laird McCabe if they can escape and make their way to McCabe land.
Ewan McCabe lives for the day he can make Cameron pay for the near destruction of the McCabe clan and the deaths of Ewan's wife and father. He has neither the time nor the desire to take another wife but when his lost son is found and returned to him in the company of a young woman who could bring his clan the money they desperately need, he knows marriage is the only answer for both the McCabe clan's survival and Mairin Stuart's protection. He makes the logical decision for the sake of his clan and the lass, never expecting his heart to become part of the equation.

LibraryThing member SueYates

I don't read a lot of historical romance, but this was a good book. Humorous, interesting plot, and the other characters in the book makes me want to read the future trilogy books. The situations and obstacles the characters faced were not so horrible that it ruined the book. When I read, I want

fantasy and for the good guys to win, so that I can escape from real life while I'm reading. This book was fun to read and I look forward to reading about the other McCabe's adventures. Maya Banks is a good author.

LibraryThing member mstx

First book by Maya that I have read and I have to admit after reading this book I went and bought the rest in the series!!!! Plenty of romance and the interactions between the main charactors keep you on your toes the whole time. If you like historical romance this is a must read!!

LibraryThing member RitaJo

I thought I'd read all the Highlander historical romances there were to read a long time ago. I really enjoyed this book. It had everything in it that makes a great Romance book. Intrigue, excitement, passion, dark drama, and funny moments. The hero was strong, fierce, and use to his word being

law. The heroine comes across as strong willed and funny. She believes things should be done a certain way and that everyone should do things that way, for their own good. Now the heroine doesn't pertend to know everything and isn't afraid to ask for help. She freely admits when she's wrong. What happens when you throw together a bossy man with a women that one minute enrages him then the next makes him want to laugh. You must read this book to find out.

I liked this book so much I bought the next one in line and am looking forward to the 3rd when it comes out.

LibraryThing member tmommy4

I was most pleasantly suprised by this book. I went through a phase where all I read were Historical romances set in the Highlands and England. I became pretty burned out on them as they all seemed to be the same plot and same characters rewrittten by different authors. Ms. Banks has renewed my

interest with this book. I found both Ewan and Mirian to be absolutely delightful. They grew up in two very different worlds, Ewan in the Highlands and Mirian hidden in an abby for most of her life. Ewan is a typical highland warrior grows into a well rounded man through his relationship wih Mirian. Mirian is a sheltered young woman in many ways however she has a strong will. The interact very well and there were many humorous moments. I was truly relieved that there were no "separations for their own good, separations because of lack of communications etc" chapter. There was one separation but it was one that was caused by people outside of their relationship and one in which they wereboth unwilling to have. The one note I will make was I did find the ending to be a bit rushed, however that did not effect my overall enjoyment of the book. This is my first read by this author and I can not wait to start reading the next book in this trilogy.

LibraryThing member Dotland101

This is the first of Maya Banks' series I've ever read, at first I wasn't sure if I'd like it. Well, it turns out, I've found 'tis a delightful read. Cute love story with chuckles. Maya Banks was bold and not holding back in the areas of passion and romance, don't think fans of historical romance

will be disappointed, I wasn't. Plenty of sizzling erotica in kilt to satisfy the readers, I'm sure. Rich in cultures and customs of the Scottish Highlands, Banks did a good job at giving us the insight into the ancient time long gone of the "clan" societies and their ways of life, even the language usage. There's something to be said about highlands lasses and warriors, they're not only "fierce" in battles, it seems. You'll just have to read all three books in this trilogy because like me, once started I just couldn't stop at book -1. I like both characters, Ewan & Mairin, met under odd circumstances, one looks all rough, tough, intimidating from the outside, the other all fragile, small, innocent and seems helpless, but both are passionate, determine and fierce in their own ways. I ended up read all three books... nonstop, hard to put down, it was worth those sleepless nights. Think I'll add Maya Banks to my "Fav" HR writer list, and add this trilogy to my favorite collection.

LibraryThing member ginger30297

First, I have to say I was extremely disappointed in the publisher for the time it has taken to receive this book! I received it a month AFTER it was published. Moving on. . .No matter how angry I am with the publisher, the author did a wonderful job writing this book. Maya Banks was a new author

to me and I have to say I was not disappointed in this book! She really brought the characters alive and made the story intriguing! Once I started reading I could not put it down! I won't give away the story, but anyone whose into romantic suspense, or drama will LOVE this, so go get it!

LibraryThing member ikeyjamehoward

In Bed with a Highlander had an interesting story, was well written, had a good romance--all the things a great historical romance novel needs. If I hadn't read SO many highlander romance novels over the years i would say that is an excellent book.

LibraryThing member thehistorychic

Won from Library Thing's Early Reviewer Program
Overall Rating 4.5
Story Rating 4.5
Character Rating 4.5

NOTE: Totally irked over cover---don't describe a guy as long black hair (which I totally pictured) and then have a guy with short hair on the front. Sorry that is just a cover pet peeve of

mine.

What I Loved: The McCabe brothers---seriously these are some h-a-w-t highlanders. Actually, the thing I loved the most about In Bed with A Highlander was that it reminded me of why I wanted to time travel, visit the highlands, and fall in love with a laird. It took me back to reading as a teenager and have all those fantasies. FANTASTICALLY done Maya Banks!

What I Liked: The detail in this book was done brilliantly. Maya gave you just enough description to feel like you were there but left enough of up to your imagination to insert your own scenery.

Complaints: See the Note above---cover, cover, cover!

LibraryThing member Jaitai16

I loved this book. It began in such a gripping fashion, with a heroine that you want to win from the start. The violence against her in the beginning might be a little jarring to some readers but I thought it was necessary to show her bravery and her journey to trust after she had been so horribly

mistreated. The entertwining stories of the two brothers made me itching to go out and buy the rest of the series. I am now a loyal fan of Ms. Banks. Buy her books!

LibraryThing member reesa00

I must admit that I was reluctant to read this book at first after reading the plot summary on the back. I have read a half dozen Scottish romances in the last few months that have had similar plot devices and it just grew tired. However, this was a breathe of fresh air in the genre. While the plot

was not unique - I actually would like to read a book set in Scotland that does not feature kidnapping and the need to marry the heroine for her money or connections - the writing was very refreshing and the characters were well developed. The characters were very real and while they had moments of foolishness or bad decisions, they were overall very mature and intelligent and thus the relationship development between the hero and heroine was very satisfying.

I'm looking forward to the next two books in the series and future books by Maya Banks.

Language

Original publication date

2011-08-30

Physical description

368 p.; 6.85 inches

ISBN

0345519477 / 9780345519474

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