Beyond the Highlands Mist - The Highlander #1 - Karen Marie Moning
Sum Up (Goodreads):
He would sell his warrior soul to possess her...
An alluring laird...
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.
A prisoner in time...
She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side...
Some scenes contain sexual contents that may offend the sensibilities of readers.
Plot:
Hawk is the laird of Dalkeith-Upon-the-Sea. He has served his King for over 15 years. The King clearly hated him because his mother had refused to marry him a few decades ago. He made Hawk do things to humiliate him and he pressured him by threatening to destroy Dalkeith-Upon-the-Sea. Thus, Hawk is known by all the ladies to be the best lover they have ever encountered.There have been songs written about all his exploits in bed and even the fairy world knows all about it for their queen has succumbed to his charms. The King and his Fool do not like the fact that the Queen has been so enchanted by this human and they decide to take revenge by finding a woman who has sworn off of handsome men. And boy did they find her... in 1997, that is to say 500 years after their time period. They send her in the past to marry Hawk in an arranged marriage. He does not show up and his best friend takes his place to sign all the papers and take her to Dalkeith-Upon-the-Sea. There, she meets Hawk and Adam...
Hawk likes challenges and the fact that his beautiful wife does not want him at first makes him eager for a new challenge: conquering her heart. But he did not anticipate that the handsome blacksmith - who is actually nothing more that the King's Fool, who came to see Hawk's defeat - is also trying his best to conquer Adrienne's heart. The bet is on. But she is more than a lady and refuses to surrender to either of these men. Let the game begins!
Opinion:
It was my first read from this author and I really enjoy it. Why? Because Adrienne is a stubborn, proud woman who has known quite her fair of bad affairs with men. She is very smart and she is not afraid to fight for what and who she loves. However, sometimes her stubborness would really get on my nerves because she was so stubborn that she became blind to what is going on in front of her eyes, especially regarding who Adam is and Hawk's feelings. And she became the source of many miscommunication in her relationship with Hawk.
Hawk (sigh), boy did he make my heart melt! He is such a sweet, attentive, adorable, handsome (...) man! He has been forced to do things and he only aspired to have a beautiful family and a house full of kids. Little did he know that Adrienne would be quite a handful woman! He is not scared to anything to win his wife's heart. Even if it means that he took some bad decisions from time to time.
Adam (jeeeeeez), how I wanted to slap him. He could have been quite a nice character to follow but he is actually just a big pain in the butt. And I do not understand why it took so long to other characters to realize who he truly is.
Anyway, I quite enjoyed this book, though it was not the best I have ever read. Why? Because of all the useless misunderstandings in the couple that could have been so easily avoided. There were constant problems between Hawk and Adrienne, may it be her uncertainties or the bad guys... So that kind of drove me crazy throughout the book.
Then, Adrienne could be either very nice and loving, and a few minutes after, she could be a real pain in the butt. She hates handsome men because of her former relationship that turned out to be a real disaster but she was so stubborn that she could not see it. I just wanted to shout at her. She assumed that all the handsome men were necessarily bad.
Thank God Hawk and "all" (there were not that many) the sex scenes helped out a little bit.
Still, it is a nice book to take with you on holidays.
Excerpts:
First one. Adrienne, comparing Adam and Hawk
“Valhalla on the right. Paradise regained on the left. Stuck between a Godiva truffle and a chocolate eclair. Between a rock and a very hard place. Two very hard places from the looks of it.”
Second one:
“What are the tales?" Adrienne asked wryly.
"His exploits are legendary!"
"His conquests are legion. 'Tis rumored he's traveled the world accompanied by only the most beautiful lasses."
"'Tis said there isna a comely lass in all of Scotia he hasna tumbled"
"in England, too!"
"and he canna recall any of their names."
"He is said to have godlike beauty, and a practiced hand in the fine art of seduction."
"He is fabulously wealthy and rumors say his castle is luxurious beyond compare."Adrienne blinked. "Wonderful. A materialistic, unfaithfill, beautiful playboy of a self-indulged, inconsiderate man with a bad memory. And he's all mine. Dear sweet God, what have I done to deserve this?" she wondered aloud. Twice, she brooded privately.”
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