Book Review: Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2) by Maya Banks

Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)

By Maya Banks

Release Date: March 19th, 2013

Format: Ebook (ARC)

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:

Maya Banks, the New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance, romantic suspense, and contemporary romance, has captivated readers with her steamy Scottish historical novels, perfect for fans of Julie Garwood. In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love. 

  

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

A very big thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of this book. 

My Reaction Upon Receiving the Approval (cuz I'm such a big fan of this series):

My Review:
Highlander Most Wanted picks up where Never Seduce A Scot leaves off. The pacing of the story is very much similar to the first book in the series, albeit a little slow going. Nevertheless, the characters are engaging, the plot crisp and solid.

Genevieve is such a strong woman. After all the tragedies and horrors that have besieged her, she does not turn bitter. Instead, she possesses a beautiful heart and spirit. Her tenacity and determination are greatly admired.

Bowen is the epitome of male perfection – very much like his brother Graeme. His love for Genevieve is so deep that he is willing to sacrifice his own happiness to give back what has been stolen from her.

Although the attraction between Bowen and Genevieve is immediate and mutual, the build up to the romance keeps you at the edge of your seat. Once again, Maya Banks has crafted a captivating and heartfelt story of courage, honour, hope and love.

Book Review: Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1) by Maya Banks

Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1) 

By Maya Banks

Release Date: September 25th, 2012
Format: Ebook (ARC)
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Blurb from Goodreads:
This sinfully sweet new romance from Maya Banks features a remarkable woman whose rare gift teaches a gruff Scottish warrior how to listen with his heart.

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but considered "touched" to outsiders. Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn't speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Eveline taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft, content to stay with her family. But when an arranged marriage with a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, she accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful she can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled he awakens her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by his new bride, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation, whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

My Review:
A very big thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of this book.

My very first read from Maya Banks was her wonderful McCabe Trilogy and fell instantly in love with the series. When I was hounding Maya Bank's website and Goodread's author page, I saw her new Scottish romance series. I was instantly sold, what more when I saw the tender scene of the cover and the irresistible blurb.

Never Seduce a Scot was a sweet, sexy and emotional read. It was really good and I could hardly put my e-reader down. I actually slept at 3.40am. It was that good and engrossing.

I adore Eveline. I have a penchant for deaf heroines who are considered "daft" and "touched" just because they are different. Eveline had a delicate and fragile appearance, like a porcelain doll, but boy, she was persistent, determined, optimistic and most of all, she had a big heart and generous spirit. I totally enjoyed reading about her. She was like a breath of fresh air. My favourite scene was of her trying to drag her chests and satchels to Graeme's chamber.

Graeme was an interesting and great hero. I respected how he was fair and just in treating Eveline. Even though it was a forced marriage, he did not let out his anger or revenge upon innocent Eveline. I really like how he was a different romance hero than most as he was mostly celibate and did not simply sleep around with every women just because he can. It was really refreshing to read that he considered the least attractive among the brothers and I just love him more because of these. He just had a very huge and strong presence.

I thought the pace of the story was perfect. While there are others who commented that nothing basically happened until a 3/4 of the story, I beg to differ. It was so romantic and amusing to read about Graeme and Eveline's interactions and how they fall in love. Graeme was such a tender and understanding husband and lover. Their love scene was so sweet. I just can't help sighing dreamily while reading it.

Did I mention that I adore Rorie? I love her relationship with Eveline and her mischief. One of their most amusing scene was how she ended up dozing off when she was supposed to stand guard while Eveline took a bath in the river.

Another refreshing aspect was how Eveline was so loved and protected by her parents and brothers. It was so sweet, really. Other than that, I'm really looking forward to reading about Eveline's and Graeme's brothers.

I only regret having finishing it in just a day. Now is the agonizing wait for the sequel, Highlander Most Wanted.

Never Seduce a Scot was a great start to a new series and highly recommended.