Embrace the Highland WarriorAuthor: Anita Clenney
Release Date: Nov 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Highland Warrior Series #2
ISBN: #978-1402251269
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
When the powerful demon that left Shay for dead discovers her empty grave, he comes seeking retribution, believing she possesses an ancient book he has sought for centuries. Knowing she can’t fight the demon alone, Shay returns to her clan and the Scottish Warrior who betrayed her…the only man she’s ever loved, where she discovers that betrayal isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes it’s far worse.
What B is talking about: |
Having fled to Scotland after learning that everything about her past was a lie, Shay Logan has returned to her home in Virginia with a stalker tracking her every move. There’s also the matter of her childhood friend and crush, who’s now all grown up and more irresistible than ever. Now, she just needs to figure out why a demon and a group of vampires are after her, too, and maybe things can get back to normal.
Cody MacBain thought he’d lost the woman who was destined to be his years ago, and has done his best to move on with his life. He is a warrior: pledged to saving humanity from the demons who would destroy it and take the earth for their own. He’s sacrificed everything for his clan and their destiny, but when Shay comes back, in danger and alone, he’s determined he’ll never lose her again. Whatever the cost.
I very much enjoyed the first novel in Clenney’s Highland Warrior series, Awaken The Highland Warrior, I had high hopes for this second book. I was not disappointed! In fact, I enjoyed it so much I read it twice, back-to-back. Embrace The Highland Warrior has everything I love in a novel: suspense, humor, romance, sensuality, unflinching heroes, strong female leads, and so on.
Shay and Cody are perfect for each other. That they are destined for one another is clear, not just because they’re “supposed” to be, but their connection to one another feels so pure and right. The flashbacks to their childhood games, and especially the events that happened later on to drive them apart, seem so true to their characters, that I had no trouble accepting that they are fated to be together.
All the returning characters are more vivid, in fact, and there’s none of the anachronistic unease that was present in a few places in the first novel. The warriors are a family, skirmishes and all, and the ties to their mutual history, as well as their futures, create a sense of unity that’s natural and seamless.
Another wonderful surprise in Embrace The Highland Warrior is the humor. I laughed out loud throughout the novel, watching the tough band of warriors frustrated and dumbfounded by the very headstrong women they’re trying to protect. Comic relief is provided by The Mighty Faelan, from Awaken The Highland Warrior, whose honeymoon has been interrupted so that the clan can rally together to protect Shay. He’s still adjusting to modern times, and his wife, Bree, has him constantly pulling his hair out, a detail she readily ignores. She has things to do! Mysteries to solve! Council meetings to eavesdrop on! Shay’s two elderly “Aunts” also keep the laughs coming, and I had a great time watching them turn the brave warriors completely upside down.
There are serious moments, too, however, but in Clenney’s capable hands, they’re handled extremely well. She gives them the sincerity they deserve, allowing her characters to grieve and regret as they need to, without letting these events derail the future they have a chance of making for themselves.
Embrace The Highland Warrior is a fantastic novel full of conflict and hope, and laughter and love. Cody and Shay are endearing, as are all the warriors and extended family. The battles are fierce, the good guys are very much worth rooting for, and the laughs are easy and welcome. Clenney got this one just right, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll come up with next.
B’s Rating: |
Loved it – enthusiastically recommend (A)
Books in the Series:
Awaken the Highland Warrior
Embrace the Highland Warrior
GIVEAWAY: I have two (2) copies (two winners) of Embrace the Highland Warrior to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Sourcebooks (www.sourcebooks.com) for sponsoring the giveaway of Anita’s newest release. To enter, please leave a comment and your email at the end of today’s review of Embrace the Highland Warrior or later today at the end of my interview with Anita Clenney. One entry per person. Winners are restricted to US and Canada mailing addresses, only. Contest open from November 1, 2011 until Friday November 4, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. Two (2) winners will be selected from the comment entries using random.org. As always, you do not need to be a google friends connect follower, but it is appreciated.
Thanks for a wonderful review!!
Awesome review!! If this book wasn’t already high on my TBR list, this review would do it for me!
I can’t wait to read more about Cody!!
Thank you for the chance!
GFC follower Missy
mnjcarter@charter.net
Awesome Review B!
(not entering)
I really like that the conflict and romance balance each other out 🙂
Ok. I’m sold 🙂 Havent tried this series but after your reviews, they are bumped up to the top of the wishlist! Thanks for a wonderful review! Love them all!
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
GFC ~ erin
Thank you for allowing me to read your wonderful novels! I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thanks so much for the kind words!
Great review! I’m definitely going to put this book in my tbr list.
marcie(dot)turner(at)yahoo(dot)com
I enjoyed the review and I’m looking forward to reading Embrace the Highland Warrior. Any book with Highlanders in it is a winner to me.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
This sounds interesting. I have not read this series but I am putting it on my wishlist. Thanks for the chance.
sariahwalters at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing your views on this! I’ve read and enjoyed Anita’s first book and very much look forward to this one!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com