Love Conquers All in Paula Quinn’s Latest Highlander Romance [REVIEW]

Have your claymore at the ready. Love with a highlander is tricky business. (Photo by Bernard Walker, Flickr)

When a young woman encounters a handsome stranger in the woods, she could never dream how dramatically he will change her life, especially when he is discovered hours later, shot and left for dead. Now it is up to her to overlook her own pain and nurse him back to health. But will his secrets destroy their newly minted relationship? Find out in Paula Quinn’s irresistible new novel, A Highlander’s Christmas Kiss. 

Forever

Set in 1711 Scotland, this story is populated by a cast of delicious, strong characters. On one hand you have the people of Linavar, a tiny hamlet : fiery Temperance Menzie; her equally feisty Gram; and the betrothed/best friend, Will. Then there is Cailean Grant, a brokenhearted mercenary for hire; his charming cousin, Patrick; and the villain at the heart of everyone’s trouble, Duncan Murdoch, the vile son of the local lord.

Much more than another historical bodice ripper, this story is richly layered and complex. It shows how good communication is vital to any relationship, but love is built on honesty and trust. It also demonstrates how grief affects all of us differently, and what steps must be taken to move on with one’s life even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Perhaps the most important theme in this tale, however, is the importance of personal integrity. Quinn proves that it is easy to lose it and ourselves forever, but it takes real courage to fight for what is right. If we do, no obstacle is too great and miracles really are possible.

There are many things about this novel which I loved. First, the witty banter between Temperance, Cailean and Gram is laugh-out-loud funny. Everyone needs a shrewd granny like Gram, who may only have one eye and be slightly hunched over, yet she is a sage soul who sees everything. Also, I thought Quinn did a great job building suspense. Even though this is first and foremost a historical romance, it also contains elements of adventure and intrigue.

The novel seemed familiar on several levels though, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I have met the hero and heroine before. Temperance is a very headstrong and independent Scottish lass who won’t be told who she should marry, just like Merida in Disney/Pixar’s Brave. Cailean, on the other hand, is the bad boy highland rogue who becomes the hero for the people of Linavar, much like Rob Roy does in Sir Walter Scott’s novel, playing to the political landscape of the time. This sense of déjà vu isn’t a bad thing per se, because both Temperance and Cailean are very enjoyable in their own rights, but the similarities are rather difficult to miss.

All in all, Paula Quinn delivers escapist fiction at its best. This is a novel that transports you through time to a distant land where a man wears plaid, keeps a hand on his claymore, and is willing and able to fight valiantly for love and justice. Pick up a copy of A Highlander’s Christmas Kiss today, then pour yourself a pint of mead and get ready to lose your heart on the Scottish braes this winter.

Paula Quinn

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paula Quinn is the New York Times bestselling author of The Taming of Malcolm Grant, The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor, The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd, and The Seduction of Miss Amelia Bell, among others.

A writer from age 11, she loves to read romance and science fiction. She also adores everything medieval, although it is her love for Scotland that really pulls at her heartstrings, which is quite evident in her popular MacGregor series.

Ms. Quinn lives in New York with her three beautiful children, three overprotective chihuahuas, and a loud umbrella cockatoo. Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

A HIGHLANDER’S CHRISTMAS KISS
By Paula Quinn
352 pgs. Forever. $7.99