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A review by lynseyisreading
The Highlander's Dangerous Temptation by Terri Brisbin
4.0
Highlander's Redemption
Like the total muppet that I am, I didn't bother to check after receiving THE HIGHLANDER'S DANGEROUS TEMPTATION for review, if it was part of a series or not. Not that it's all that unusual for me to read my hunky highlander books out of order - what spoilers you find are usually very small and probably forgotten by the time you backtrack to that couple's book - but with this one, it seems to me that I might have been wise to at least read the book in which Athdar featured as a child, since it seems to have had quite an impact on his character.
Regardless, I didn't have any problems getting with the programme and understanding that Athdar was an outspoken, impetuous child, whose runaway mouth often got himself, and other people, in trouble. But that was then and this is now. Twenty-some years, two dead wives, and one dead betrothed later, and Athdar is anything but impetuous. He's... just sad, really. He's given up on his dreams of family, happiness and love, believing himself to be cursed since everyone he loves dies.
This forlorn, broken version of a once animated and full-of-life man, speaks to our heroine Isobel. To a part of her that wants to soothe and mend his battered spirit, to show him that the contentedness he seeks as an older man, is still within his reach.
And, yeppers, that does mean he is a touch older than your usual 25-year-old Highland hero. I don't know exactly since it didn't say, but I was guessing him to be around 38 to Isobel's 18. So an age gap relationship to be sure, which was actually surprisingly sweet. And of course, in this era, older men often had younger brides so it's not something any of the other characters in the book would even bat an eye at.
Aside from the romance, the plot had a mystery to its center, which was interesting to watch unfold even though I worked it out early. Athdar suffers from PTSD which, in the period setting, wasn't recognised as a condition. It was therefore a tricky situation for Athdar to be in; trying to keep the respect of his people, while his mind kept letting him down in front of them. Good thing he had someone as supportive and loving as Isobel by his side. But, with his "curse," for how long would that remain true?
There were some nice romantic moments and love scenes in THE HIGHLANDER'S DANGEROUS TEMPTATION, as you'd expect from this type of novel. Though I confess I was expecting Isobel to be more... forward, from the blurb's description of her as "sin personified". I also thought the ending was terribly rushed. Still, all in all this was another enjoyable trip through the Highlands for this reader. I give it a happy and contented 4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Like the total muppet that I am, I didn't bother to check after receiving THE HIGHLANDER'S DANGEROUS TEMPTATION for review, if it was part of a series or not. Not that it's all that unusual for me to read my hunky highlander books out of order - what spoilers you find are usually very small and probably forgotten by the time you backtrack to that couple's book - but with this one, it seems to me that I might have been wise to at least read the book in which Athdar featured as a child, since it seems to have had quite an impact on his character.
Regardless, I didn't have any problems getting with the programme and understanding that Athdar was an outspoken, impetuous child, whose runaway mouth often got himself, and other people, in trouble. But that was then and this is now. Twenty-some years, two dead wives, and one dead betrothed later, and Athdar is anything but impetuous. He's... just sad, really. He's given up on his dreams of family, happiness and love, believing himself to be cursed since everyone he loves dies.
This forlorn, broken version of a once animated and full-of-life man, speaks to our heroine Isobel. To a part of her that wants to soothe and mend his battered spirit, to show him that the contentedness he seeks as an older man, is still within his reach.
And, yeppers, that does mean he is a touch older than your usual 25-year-old Highland hero. I don't know exactly since it didn't say, but I was guessing him to be around 38 to Isobel's 18. So an age gap relationship to be sure, which was actually surprisingly sweet. And of course, in this era, older men often had younger brides so it's not something any of the other characters in the book would even bat an eye at.
Aside from the romance, the plot had a mystery to its center, which was interesting to watch unfold even though I worked it out early. Athdar suffers from PTSD which, in the period setting, wasn't recognised as a condition. It was therefore a tricky situation for Athdar to be in; trying to keep the respect of his people, while his mind kept letting him down in front of them. Good thing he had someone as supportive and loving as Isobel by his side. But, with his "curse," for how long would that remain true?
There were some nice romantic moments and love scenes in THE HIGHLANDER'S DANGEROUS TEMPTATION, as you'd expect from this type of novel. Though I confess I was expecting Isobel to be more... forward, from the blurb's description of her as "sin personified". I also thought the ending was terribly rushed. Still, all in all this was another enjoyable trip through the Highlands for this reader. I give it a happy and contented 4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.