Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

Title: Highlander Most Wanted
Author: Maya Banks
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: March 19th, 2013
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 352
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: Never Seduce A Scot
Age Group: Adult

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

Like everything from Maya Banks, I loved this series! Another Highland novel that takes your breath away (and makes me fall in love with the Scottish even more!).

This is a continuation of the last book. As soon as the McHugh's have left their keep, leaving his people in the hands of the Montgomery and the Armstrongs. Distrust runs deep and loyalties are questioned at every turn. In the heart of the madness is Genevieve, a young woman who had been kidnapped a year prior to the novel. She is known as Ian's whore, and harassed constantly by the McHughs.

When Bowen arrives, desires begin between the two. But it is not that easy, especially because of the part that Genevieve plays in what had been his sister-in-law's kidnapping.

I found myself a liking Genevieve, and irritated with her at the same time. The things that occurred to her were obviously unfair, and she was a strong woman, but sometimes she showed a lot of weakness that brought her down a notch.

I was mainly irritated with the Armstrongs, and this might be because I didn't understand exactly the relationship that was going on with them and other clans, or just clan rules in general. I wish I could explain further, but that would be major spoiler alert. If only Maya explained the rules of the clans a little better, I could probably understand this novel in a whole new light.

Also, I didn't like how fast the relationship between Genevieve and Bowen developed. Prior to getting together they were just at odds with each other, and then he saves her, again after multiple times, but after that last one things changed drastically and they just sleep together. I raised my eyebrows, like really?! Sweetheart, he saved you from getting raped and you just willing give yourself to him? I found that just a little bit unrealistic.

Besides all the feels, because there was a lot of that, trust me! I absolutely found myself enjoying this novel. Maya Banks is amazing! She is a beautiful writer that brings her characters to life and has beautiful writing style.

I would recommend Maya Banks to just about anyone. And did I mention how she reenforces my love for Scottish men?

The Memory Thief by Emily Colin

Title: The Memory Thief
Author: Emily Colin
Info: Twitter | Website | Facebook
Release Date: August 21st, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 432
Format: Paperback
Acquired: From Publisher
Age Group: Adult

When Madeleine Kimble’s husband Aiden dies in a mountain climbing accident, Maddie can only think of his earnest promise to return to her and their young son. Aiden’s best friend J.C. feels great remorse over his inability to save him, but J.C.’s grief is also seasoned with the guilt of loving Maddie through the years. Meanwhile, across the country another young man wakes up in a hospital and finds that his memories have been wiped clean, and replaced with haunting dreams of a beautiful woman and a five year old boy whom he feels driven to find. What Nicholas Sullivan discovers upon his journey is utterly unexpected—and it will change all of their lives, especially Maddie’s

For starters, this book was amazing! It was an excellent break from all the erotica that I was reading (and I was reading enough to make me feel like a pervert) and I am so glad that I got the chance to interview the author!

This book reminded me of something that Jodi Picoult would write (and I love Jodi Picoult) so I was connecting well with this book! The touching moments - the one's that leave you breathless, the one's that leave you gasping, the one's that you will always remember - this book had it all.

I found myself in tears and hoping for the best. I didn't want to think of the worst, because it would just break my heart, but as I read and read, I realized that it wasn't as bad as I expected!

After Maddie begs her husband Aiden not to go mountain climbing, her worst fears are realized when she hears news of his death. The book shifts from various viewpoints, something I personally like. It helps, especially when authors like Colin's start to present pieces of the puzzle in those viewpoints.

This novel was heart-warming/breaking, it made a dozen emotions run through me, and I just loved every second of it!

The moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. If you are a Jodi Picoult fan, even Nicholas Sparks, this book is for you! It touches so close to home sometimes, I just had to wonder how the author was able to write this!

It was a beautiful story. Worth checking out!

Never Seduce A Scot by Maya Banks

Title: Never Seduce A Scot
Author: Maya Banks
Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Release Date: September 15th, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 352
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Interest: Series
Age Group: Adult

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and 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

I absolutely love Banks! Her last Highlander series I devoured in one weekend and I was excited for this book series! I wish I didn't have to wait until 2013 to get the next book!

Eveline in one word: Amazing! I would not know what I would do if I were in her shoes. I would have given up and never looked back, but this girl went into a position that was difficult and she made the best out of it. After being forced to marry the enemy of her clan, Eveline is humiliated and insulted at all ends. After suffering a past accident, being with the Montgomery's is not easy.

And Graeme is less than pleased, after rumors go around that his future wife could possibly be daft. The idea of never having children or a real marriage is a punishment he does not want to consider, but when he meets Eveline, he knows there is something more to this blond-haired, blue-eyed girl that never speaks a word.

I automatically loved Graeme and Eveline. Even when he thought she was daft, and even being the daughter of the enemy, he still supported her at every turn. Never once did he let her become victim of humiliation, and if she was, he would her champion.

Like most of Banks' work, she makes the reader feel the love that the two protagonist share. She does a wonderful job with character development and shows Eveline's progress throughout the novel.

Though what I don't like is how she always waits until something exciting happens. I almost felt like it was too fast, but I think that this is just to set up for the next coming books.

Another wonderful work from a wonderful author.