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Highland Destiny (2006)

Highland Destiny (2006)

Book Info

Author
Genre
Series
Rating
3.66 of 5 Votes: 7
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ISBN
0821779826 (ISBN13: 9780821779828)
Language
English
Publisher
zebra

About book Highland Destiny (2006)

Spectacular read not surprising since I absolutely love Hannah Howell and have been a huge fan for many years. This is book one is Ms. Howells Murray series and I think there like 19 books and they are all magnificent reads in my opinion. This is the book that started it all and I highly recommend you read this wonderful it definitely one for the reread and keeper shelf . Yes it is that exceptional of a read.1430, ScotlandThis story is about Laird of Duncoill Clan, Balfour Murray as his young half brother Eric has been kidnapped by his clans worst enemy clan Beaton and as the boy was once left to die as a newborn for the wolves since Balfour father had an affair with Beatons long dead wife. This is what started the war between clans. Though both parents are long dead but now the dying Beaton wants Eric as heir. The infant he left got the wolves all those years ago. The trouble is Eric is a Murray and many will just murder a teenage boy as others Beacon's want that wealth and title and feel entitled to so. They don't think Eric will past. Day once Beacon dies. They also fear for Beacon's known cruelty as they know Eric will never accept Beacon as his Father and wonder is he will force this through torture. There Mak The heroine of this story is Maldie Kirkaldy who promised revenge on her mother's deathbed to murder and kill the Beaton of Dubblinn whom used and discarded which left them in a life of poverty and starvation. Maldie's mother had to whore for them to be able survive yet Maldie disgusted at her mother's way of life. Plus a mother who had even wanted her own daughter to join in her profession which Maldie refused holding onto her virginity for dear life. All Maldie want is to kill Beaton her sire and get her revenge but needs help and then she finds the Murray whom had just been beaten in a skirmish with the Beatons that was supposed to be a peace truce but as usually Beaton betrayed them. Balfour's brother is injured near death and Maldie offers her skills as a healer though they know the lass must have secrets to show up in the middle of a bloody battle but also know the old healer at Murray household is useless so they accepts,her offer not to mention she is the bonniest woman Balfour has ever behold and has know immediately he wants her in his bed as well.This book was so beautifully written and there is so much action, adventure and emotion, deception, betrayal, murder and love. Even how two brothers being in love with the same lass. I found this unique secondary storyline although how it is resolved is bittersweet. I really felt bad for Nigel knowing he didn't have a chance with Maldie. Plus I felt bad for how Maldie grew up with an emotionally abusive mother and and a father she never met but was beyond evil. I understood her reasons for keeping her secret and think I would of chosen the same path in her place as Balfour would never believe a daughter of Beacon's would want to murder him, but I felt for Maldie's pain when he accused her of spying. I really hated this book to end it was one of those rare those books that so many character's have that endearing quality not just the main couple, but Balfour's bro there's Nigel, and Eric, even Maldie's Uncle Colin from the Kirkcaldy Clan. I cannot praise this book enough and all the dangerous on slip of a lass can get into. Some moment made me giggle too as Hannah Howell is one of those rare writers that really brings the reader into the story. It's heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time. I highly recommend you start with this book I'd you are just venturing into her Murray Clan series as it is a spectacular series and I highly recommend. I would give this book a bazillion stars if allowed. I totally loved Highland Destiny by Hannah Howell who has always been a favorite author of mine! I got this book from NetGalley.com for an honest review..

This was a fairly predictable and mild-paced Highlander Romance. The main couple, Maldie and Balfour, had enough chemistry and the conflict, though more hype than delivery, was a highlight for the book as well as for the whole series. The Murrays, family of the Balfour, fights to save one of their own, who has been kidnapped. The heroine, Maldie, becomes a key player in this because she is the daughter of the kidnapper/villain, and she has a diabolical plan of her own.The characters, from the Murray clan to those connected to the story through Maldie, are typical of this historical genre, with the wise old woman, the Highland warriors, the people of the Highland clans and the healer-heroine with a heart of gold. Howell gives this story a bit of angst, but using the characters of Maldie and the kidnapped, youngest Murray brother, brings about strong themes of family and loyalty.Unfortunately, while the themes and characters have potential, two weak points for me would be the dialogue and major actions of the key characters. Firstly, the dialogue was overrun with "ayes" "nays" and contractions such as "havenae" & "didnae". IDK why, but "weel" and "ye" being used in place of "well" and "you" bothered me. I read and listened to this. The narrator definitely did not say "ye" very distinctly and most of the time it sounded like "you". It may be great for other readers, but the use of the antiquated English [incl. o'er & e'en, etc.] made me feel like I was reading Shakespeare or Milton, lol. I just felt like it was forced and lost the voice it could have had if less was used, and the narrator didn't help. But maybe I should read the next one, forego the audio, and let this style seep in:DAs Maldie says: “I didnae think this through verra weel at all. It has the taste of a lilt some minstrel would use when he cannae think of the words.”Secondly, Balfour's actions and his brothers' actions annoyed me. Granted, they had reason to doubt Maldie's motive for being around them, but Balfour was very obtuse at times and he effed up when it was time for him to face the music. Furthermore, he was very wishy-washy in making up his mind, and this condition didn't make his brother's "very acute" interest in Maldie any better. A good thing is there is no love triangle, but the brother's interest for Maldie disturbingly lingers. This added conflict doesn't flow well into the plot.

Do You like book Highland Destiny (2006)?

J'étais toute pressée de découvrir cette histoire, surtout que je suis une fan inconditionnelle des Highlanders. En plus, c'est le deuxième roman de cette auteure que je lis, Hannah Howell.Sauf que là, je suis restée sur ma faim. Je n'ai absolument rien ressentie pour les personnages.Rien du tout. NADA.J'ai trouvé que la relation entre nos deux personnages principaux (Maldie et Balfour) était vraiment trop rapide. Dès qu'il rencontre Maldie, il en tombe presque amoureux et à peine arrivés au château tous les deux, qu'il se jette sur elle.....lui avoue son amour et blablabla. Je n'ai rien compris.Elle qui le rejette au début, fait la fille coriace, qui ne cédera pas. Pis au final, cède comme une cruche. Juste ça, j'étais déjà à bout. Je déteste cette facilité à vite tomber dans les bras de l'autre.Ensuite, l'histoire en elle-même n'était pas si originale que ça. Il manquait vraiment quelque chose.D'une lenteur à te jeter sur une bouteille de vin, tellement que c'est mou, insipide. Trop de répétitions. J'ai voulu arrêter ma lecture plus d'une fois mais j'ai tenue bon parce que pas le choix, c'est un SP. Quelle torture.En tout cas, c'est vraiment dommage !Hannah Howell n'a pas réussi à me captiver avec sa plume.
—Hamisoitil

Once in awhile you run into a book which drags and drags and DRAGS! I was really disappointed in this book especially with the high rating Highland Destiny received. Maldie is on a mission to fulfill her mothers dying wish, she must find her father and kill him. Her mother, the local whore had some serious mental issues when raising Maldie. She raised Maldie to see the same hatred she had for Maldie's father, told Maldie the secrets to sex as a young child and was basically an acquaintance to Maldie than a mother. So when Maldie's mother died she sets off to kill her father, however, when she finds out it is not easy to kill the Laird, Maldie turns to her fathers enemy, Balfour. Balfour has been feuding with the Beatons for the last 13 years. So when Balfours younger brother, Eric is kidnapped by Beaton he sets out for battle. But when he meets Maldie he is captivated by her beauty and her nurturing ways that he questions his plans for battle because he becomes suspicious as to why she mysteriously appears and is instantly ready to help his brother and his clan. A passionate love affair begins between Maldie and Balfour which is based on Maldie's deception and Balfour suspicions. The first problem I had with this book is that it was VERY repetitive. Yes, we know Maldie feels guilty for not telling Balfour she was sired by Beaton and that Balfour feels guilty for being suspicious of his lover. (I don't believe it needs to be repeated EVERY chapter.) My next issue was the romance built really fast, the attraction was fast which I understand but their was no courtship just fast sex with then pulling their clothes on immediately. The story line was just blah to me and didn't captivate me like many other highlander books I had read recently. Lastly, there were grammatical errors and wrong names put in lieu of another person. (I understand I make errors all the time but you would think the publishing company would catch these mistakes.)I'm so sad, that I found this book such a disappointment.
—Trang Nguyen

Main conflict between the couple for half the book was irrational. There was no interesting character development or dialogue.STORY BRIEF:Beaton bedded many women and produced many illegitimate girls, never a boy. Maldie was one of those girls. Her mother became a prostitute to support herself and Maldie. When the mother died, she made Maldie vow to kill Beaton for revenge. Maldie then traveled to Beaton’s village.Several years ago Beaton’s wife got pregnant by a Murray and had a boy. Beaton put the baby boy in the woods to die. A Murray found the baby (Eric) and took him home. The Murray clan raised him. Beaton has been ill for a few years and needs a boy to inherit his place as laird. He kidnaps Eric. The Murrays attack the Beatons hoping to get Eric back, but they are defeated. The remaining Murrays return home to heal and plan another attack. Maldie sees them on the road and asks to go with them. She tells them she is a healer and can help. Balfour is laird of the Murray clan and agrees to let her stay.While there, she and Balfour are attracted to each other. She does not tell Balfour that she is related to Beaton and wants to kill Beaton. This is her big secret, and she is worried that Balfour will feel betrayed when he finds out. He senses she has a secret, but he doesn’t know what it is.REVIEWER’S OPINION:The first half of the book felt like nothing but “filler.” The main conflict was that Maldie was keeping a secret from Balfour. I found this ridiculous. First of all they had a common enemy. If Maldie was reasonable, she would have told Balfour she was on his side, and they could work together. He wanted Eric back. She wanted Beaton’s death. Also for the entire first half of the book, both Maldie and Balfour spent too much time pondering. She pondered her lust for him and her worry that he might discover her secret. He pondered his lust for her and why she wouldn’t tell him her secrets.Finally some plot developments and action occur during the last half of the book. But it was ordinary, it was predictable, it’s been done before. There was no interesting character development, no interesting dialogue. I can’t think of anything positive to say, other than the second half was better than the first half. I wanted it to be over and almost stopped reading it in the middle. The only reason I finished it was for the benefit of this review.The heroine was “stupid” in some of her thinking and actions which I won’t go into so as to avoid any spoilers. I was annoyed with this.The author wrote all conversation in Scottish brogue. I don’t mind a little of it or occasional use, but this was too much. It was tedious and hard “for me” to follow. For example: Ye make a mon greedy. Ye make me feel verra greedy as weel. Howbeit, I think… I ken that ye can see naught but a woman hurrying away to betray ye again.Minor problem, publisher’s fault, the cover picture is wrong. Balfour has hair to his shoulders. Cover guy does not.This is the first book in the Murray Family series (ten books so far).DATA:Story length: 299 pages. Swearing language: none. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Approximate number of sex scene pages: 11. Setting: 1430 Scotland. Copyright: 1998. Genre: historical romance.
—Jane Stewart

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