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Home » Authors, Honorary Dolls, Maya Banks, Reviews, Salsta

Guest Review: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

Submitted by on September 22, 2011 – 12:22 am4 Comments

Author: Maya Banks
Book: In Bed with a Highlander
Release: August 30, 2011
Series: The McCabe Trilogy 1
Reviewer: Salsta
Source: ARC copy from Maya Banks
Purchase: – Book Depository

Bestselling author Maya Banks’s beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy—and to surrender their hearts to love.

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 and land.

Since reading quite a few of Maya Banks’ books I’ve found her to be a very giving and reader focussed author.  She has a very accessible web site, a good blog and is happy to engage with readers.  She’s also done a Q & A for aspiring authors on “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Digital Publishing But Were Afraid to Ask”  Though I’m not an aspiring author, I fully appreciate that she’s put herself out there for those who are.

As I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a number of books by Maya Banks, when I had the opportunity to ask for an ARC of “In Bed With a Highlander” I was delighted.

The McCabe Trilogy is a new series of three erotic romance books set in the Scottish Highlands.  “In bed With a Highlander” is the first of them.  Thankfully they will all be released in quick succession, so there won’t be extended periods of angst waiting for the next in the series.

As with her other books, I found the characters well drawn and clearly established through their deeds early on.  The villain of the piece identifies himself clearly and his actions set the stage to explain future actions that would otherwise seem incredible given the context.

As with all of her books that I’ve read so far, the communication between the characters is clear, the relationship between the Ewan and Mairin is believable in the context of the book and the voices also worked for the dialogue without offending my ear that’s naturally tuned to Commonwealth English.

There are romance standards throughout including the virgin bride, the alpha male and the difficulties they have before getting together.  However the approach is fresh and there is one particular standard that I was delighted to see shattered with good reason within the storyline.  The sex scenes are explicit and there is some humour to be enjoyed as well.

The story involves love, duty, honour, deception, attempted regiside and adventure.  The plot is feasible and carried forward throughout by each scene .

I’m quite certain that it’ll be enjoyed very much by lovers of erotic romance, Scottish romance and other Maya Banks books.  For readers new to her books, it’ll also serve to introduce you to an excellent author, with an extensive back catalogue in both print and eBook forms – and you won’t have to wait long for the next instalments of the series either.

Also Reviewed By: Dear AuthorSmexy ReviewsHeroes and Heartbreakers

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4 Comments »

  • Doll Noa says:

    Awesome review Salsta! I love Maya Banks’ books so will definitely put this on my TBR list! :D

    Reply to this comment »
  • Deborah says:

    Great review! Thank you Salsta. :)

    Reply to this comment »
  • [...] 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 and land. Read her review Here [...]

    Reply to this comment »
  • Salsta says:

    Just to let everyone who likes historical romances and Maya Banks’ books, I’m reading Seduction of a Highland Lass right now and thin it’s better than In Bed With a Highlander. Better still Never Love a Highlander comes out in two days. There’s simply no time for angsting about the release of the next in this series and I love Maya Banks for that.

    Reply to this comment »