gswain's review
4.0
It was a good mix between romance and fantasy. I enjoyed the plot and characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.
lynseyisreading's review
4.0
A sweet Scottish Romance with just a hint of paranormal.
This is the story of Caden MacBain, chief of clan MacBain, and Meg Boswell, niece to the MacBain's fiercest enemy, the Munro's. It's just barely a Historical-Paranormal, although really the paranormal aspect was very small and limited to only one main character. I found it to be a really sweet and sexy story and I will definitely be reading more from this new (to me) author.
It was also quite a quick read; I probably could have happily read it in one sitting if real life hadn't gotten in the way, as it was instantly engaging and very readable.
I think my favourite character had to be Caden. He was a most unusual highland Laird; so invested in his people's well-being, making daily rounds to each family in the village to make sure they had everything they needed. He was just a really nice guy, despite some of his shady decisions made in hopes of saving his clan from starvation. I had no trouble forgiving him his transgression at all. He seemed pretty selfless to me. And as well as being an all round decent guy, he also sounded particularly delicious with his low-slung kilt and rippling muscles and narrow hips and..... Och, aye.
Meg was a very likeable heroine as well. Tough and more than capable of taking care of herself, either with her words or with her bow, or failing both of those things, her pet wolf.
I liked the way the pair met in such unusual circumstances, and I enjoyed reading about Caden's instant attraction that he tried to keep to himself, knowing that once Meg found out what was really going on, she would hate him. I also liked the fact that the clan members were all (well, mostly all) kind and honourable men. Especially sweet young Donald. Bless him.
And I definitely appreciated that the dialogue was written very straightforwardly. There wasn't really any attempt to portray the Scottish dialect with strange spellings or dropped letters, other than exchanging 'you' for 'ye', and 'your' for 'yer'. That was about it. This makes it so much easier to read. No more stumbling and tripping my way through people's speeches. I know what a Scot sounds like without any visual assistance thanks very much. A few little changes such as these are more than sufficient, if you ask me.
There were a couple of parts of the plot that were a little obvious, and of course, many of the plot devices used—clan feuds, kidnapped daughters, marriage alliances, etc.—have all been done before numerous times. But I thought the addition of the witchy healing powers and the clues left within the notebook were an interesting twist and made the story stand out as unique.
All together, a quick, fun, sweet and sexy read. Recommended to all fans of Scottish/Highlander Romances.
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided for an honest review.
This is the story of Caden MacBain, chief of clan MacBain, and Meg Boswell, niece to the MacBain's fiercest enemy, the Munro's. It's just barely a Historical-Paranormal, although really the paranormal aspect was very small and limited to only one main character. I found it to be a really sweet and sexy story and I will definitely be reading more from this new (to me) author.
It was also quite a quick read; I probably could have happily read it in one sitting if real life hadn't gotten in the way, as it was instantly engaging and very readable.
I think my favourite character had to be Caden. He was a most unusual highland Laird; so invested in his people's well-being, making daily rounds to each family in the village to make sure they had everything they needed. He was just a really nice guy, despite some of his shady decisions made in hopes of saving his clan from starvation. I had no trouble forgiving him his transgression at all. He seemed pretty selfless to me. And as well as being an all round decent guy, he also sounded particularly delicious with his low-slung kilt and rippling muscles and narrow hips and..... Och, aye.
Meg was a very likeable heroine as well. Tough and more than capable of taking care of herself, either with her words or with her bow, or failing both of those things, her pet wolf.
I liked the way the pair met in such unusual circumstances, and I enjoyed reading about Caden's instant attraction that he tried to keep to himself, knowing that once Meg found out what was really going on, she would hate him. I also liked the fact that the clan members were all (well, mostly all) kind and honourable men. Especially sweet young Donald. Bless him.
And I definitely appreciated that the dialogue was written very straightforwardly. There wasn't really any attempt to portray the Scottish dialect with strange spellings or dropped letters, other than exchanging 'you' for 'ye', and 'your' for 'yer'. That was about it. This makes it so much easier to read. No more stumbling and tripping my way through people's speeches. I know what a Scot sounds like without any visual assistance thanks very much. A few little changes such as these are more than sufficient, if you ask me.
There were a couple of parts of the plot that were a little obvious, and of course, many of the plot devices used—clan feuds, kidnapped daughters, marriage alliances, etc.—have all been done before numerous times. But I thought the addition of the witchy healing powers and the clues left within the notebook were an interesting twist and made the story stand out as unique.
All together, a quick, fun, sweet and sexy read. Recommended to all fans of Scottish/Highlander Romances.
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided for an honest review.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Read for Review (NetGalley)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First Thought when finished: Captured Heart was a fantastic historical romance that made me swoon several times. I think all historicals should make you do that at least once :)
Quick Thoughts: Captured Heart is probably my 2nd favorite historical read this year. It contained all the elements I love: strong man, stronger woman, great setting, evil villain, swoon-worthy moments, strong family, and a touch of magic. The story was well paced and the characters were really well done. I fell in love immediately with all of the McBains and loved how they treated Meg (with the exception of a few). Caden was made of pure hotness and he was the kind of man you would want to have on your side. Caden and Meg together were just sizzling hot and their romance made me smile.
Final Thought: Captured Heart swept me away and made me smile!
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First Thought when finished: Captured Heart was a fantastic historical romance that made me swoon several times. I think all historicals should make you do that at least once :)
Quick Thoughts: Captured Heart is probably my 2nd favorite historical read this year. It contained all the elements I love: strong man, stronger woman, great setting, evil villain, swoon-worthy moments, strong family, and a touch of magic. The story was well paced and the characters were really well done. I fell in love immediately with all of the McBains and loved how they treated Meg (with the exception of a few). Caden was made of pure hotness and he was the kind of man you would want to have on your side. Caden and Meg together were just sizzling hot and their romance made me smile.
Final Thought: Captured Heart swept me away and made me smile!
venusofthesnakes's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Because I like the author.
The book is fine.
Starts off with Meg very capably running away from home with her giant wolf and cute horse.
The rest of the book is a mess.
She gets captured, but doesn't know that she's captured. She's a bargaining tool in an old feud, but doesnt know that either. She's pressured to get married to stop the fued and save herself from her father. The marriage works for neither.
Twice all the men in the village leave the castle to go be manly men, and twice her father comes for her. She's left in a castle where someone is actively trying to kill her and they're just like, yeah, well, nevermind that.
The plot is just so dumb. It's so slow. It’s more complicated than it needs to be. But, the book is fine. It's just not for me.
The book is fine.
Starts off with Meg very capably running away from home with her giant wolf and cute horse.
The rest of the book is a mess.
She gets captured, but doesn't know that she's captured. She's a bargaining tool in an old feud, but doesnt know that either. She's pressured to get married to stop the fued and save herself from her father. The marriage works for neither.
Twice all the men in the village leave the castle to go be manly men, and twice her father comes for her. She's left in a castle where someone is actively trying to kill her and they're just like, yeah, well, nevermind that.
The plot is just so dumb. It's so slow. It’s more complicated than it needs to be. But, the book is fine. It's just not for me.
bex0022's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
loverofromance's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Captured Heart is the second book in the series, or technically the first book....but there is a book before this book that is a #0.5??....so yeah I will call this book two in the series. I have been ITCHING to read this author and I finally grabbed up this one since I found it on the audible romance package, and WOW what a great book. I was swept up in the story so quickly and the narrator was awesomesauce peeps. Like, I want to look at all the books she has narrated and listen to them all because she was so wonderful. She has such a beautiful voice, does great tones for various characters, and loved the Scottish drawl she incorporated and she really makes the characters come alive here.
Captured Heart is a story that begins Meg Boswell fleeing her home in England. Her life is in terrible danger. Her father, a Englishman, killed her mother claiming her to be "a witch" and burned her at the stake. Her mother was a gentle and kind woman, and was a healer. But when she receives word that her father is coming for her to make sure she is free of any evil spirits, she knows that really means "torture and death" and that what he really wants is the information she knows. That he is a traitor to King Henry VIII, and her mother had proof and the proof is in a secret hiding place in the Highlands. But she has family, an aunt, her mothers sister, Rachel, who is married to the clan chief Munroe.
While on her journey up north, she runs into a skirmish between the Scots and the English, and saves the life of a highland warrior, and soon learns that he is the chief of the clan Macbain. Meg has healing abilities and offers to help with his injured men if they will provide an escort up to her aunt's home. But Meg doesn't realize that this highlanderwith whom she is drawn to....has other purposes for her. Caden is the chief and after a horrible raid of all of their cattle and their fields burned and with winter upon them....his people will not survive the winter. His plan was to kidnap Alec Munroe's beloved niece, in exchange for the return of their supplies and the chance for peace between their feuding clans. But there is a problem...Caden is falling in love with this lovely lass who is stealing the hearts of his people...himself included. But there is a plot, a brutal englishman, wants Meg and not for any good reason and he might have to choose between his clan and the woman he has fallen in love with.
This is such a lovely book and I loved it so much. I think I have found a new author to love and adore because I was so drawn into this story. And of course we have one of my favorite themes in highlander romances....a highland laird and a healer for a heroine. I really love this set up though. Because there is a kidnapping trope here....however the heroine for most of the book has NO clue she has actually been kidnapped. Its apparently a very unconventional kidnapping. But Caden doesn't want Meg to know the truth, because he knows that she is learning to love his clan and the life they have. But when he marries her to protect her from her English father, other truths are revealed about Meg's true parentage, about the legacy her mother left behind including a healing magic, and connecting with her Aunt Rachel who shares the same gift.
There is a plot that is full of suspense and action which really keeps you on edge throughout the story and we see some betrayal from trusted allies. I really enjoyed the way that this author handled this aspect of the story. It didn't detract from the romance, it ended up enchancing the story in such a lovely way.
The romance that develops between Caden and Meg is slow and sweet. They both have some great chemistry, but nothing really happens until their marriage of convenience, and by this time there is a great affection between them. There is a strong level of trust and friendship between them, and I did like seeing their relationship deepen as they face off some conflicts. I will say the "clan feud" added a fun element. I got a kick out of Alec Monroe though, he is such a typical highland chief, full or pride and stubborness. But seeing how his wife, Rachel, and their son deceive him to bring about peace between the clans is brilliant. And for my readers....Alec Monroe and Rachel, are the pair in book one of the series so I am excited to see more of them soon.
From beginning to end this story thrilled me and definitely kept me on my toes and I never wanted this book to end. This author crafts so beautifully written characters they you could see yourself being best friends with them in real life and it was really hard to let them go. The ending was PERFECT....one of the best endings I have read in a while. And yes there was some tissues involved because the emotional level was so right on. Highly Recommend to any readers that love a sexy highlander romance that curls your toes and tugs at your heartstrings....A TASTY DELIGHT!!
[foogallery id="56819"]
Captured Heart is the second book in the series, or technically the first book....but there is a book before this book that is a #0.5??....so yeah I will call this book two in the series. I have been ITCHING to read this author and I finally grabbed up this one since I found it on the audible romance package, and WOW what a great book. I was swept up in the story so quickly and the narrator was awesomesauce peeps. Like, I want to look at all the books she has narrated and listen to them all because she was so wonderful. She has such a beautiful voice, does great tones for various characters, and loved the Scottish drawl she incorporated and she really makes the characters come alive here.
Captured Heart is a story that begins Meg Boswell fleeing her home in England. Her life is in terrible danger. Her father, a Englishman, killed her mother claiming her to be "a witch" and burned her at the stake. Her mother was a gentle and kind woman, and was a healer. But when she receives word that her father is coming for her to make sure she is free of any evil spirits, she knows that really means "torture and death" and that what he really wants is the information she knows. That he is a traitor to King Henry VIII, and her mother had proof and the proof is in a secret hiding place in the Highlands. But she has family, an aunt, her mothers sister, Rachel, who is married to the clan chief Munroe.
While on her journey up north, she runs into a skirmish between the Scots and the English, and saves the life of a highland warrior, and soon learns that he is the chief of the clan Macbain. Meg has healing abilities and offers to help with his injured men if they will provide an escort up to her aunt's home. But Meg doesn't realize that this highlanderwith whom she is drawn to....has other purposes for her. Caden is the chief and after a horrible raid of all of their cattle and their fields burned and with winter upon them....his people will not survive the winter. His plan was to kidnap Alec Munroe's beloved niece, in exchange for the return of their supplies and the chance for peace between their feuding clans. But there is a problem...Caden is falling in love with this lovely lass who is stealing the hearts of his people...himself included. But there is a plot, a brutal englishman, wants Meg and not for any good reason and he might have to choose between his clan and the woman he has fallen in love with.
This is such a lovely book and I loved it so much. I think I have found a new author to love and adore because I was so drawn into this story. And of course we have one of my favorite themes in highlander romances....a highland laird and a healer for a heroine. I really love this set up though. Because there is a kidnapping trope here....however the heroine for most of the book has NO clue she has actually been kidnapped. Its apparently a very unconventional kidnapping. But Caden doesn't want Meg to know the truth, because he knows that she is learning to love his clan and the life they have. But when he marries her to protect her from her English father, other truths are revealed about Meg's true parentage, about the legacy her mother left behind including a healing magic, and connecting with her Aunt Rachel who shares the same gift.
There is a plot that is full of suspense and action which really keeps you on edge throughout the story and we see some betrayal from trusted allies. I really enjoyed the way that this author handled this aspect of the story. It didn't detract from the romance, it ended up enchancing the story in such a lovely way.
The romance that develops between Caden and Meg is slow and sweet. They both have some great chemistry, but nothing really happens until their marriage of convenience, and by this time there is a great affection between them. There is a strong level of trust and friendship between them, and I did like seeing their relationship deepen as they face off some conflicts. I will say the "clan feud" added a fun element. I got a kick out of Alec Monroe though, he is such a typical highland chief, full or pride and stubborness. But seeing how his wife, Rachel, and their son deceive him to bring about peace between the clans is brilliant. And for my readers....Alec Monroe and Rachel, are the pair in book one of the series so I am excited to see more of them soon.
From beginning to end this story thrilled me and definitely kept me on my toes and I never wanted this book to end. This author crafts so beautifully written characters they you could see yourself being best friends with them in real life and it was really hard to let them go. The ending was PERFECT....one of the best endings I have read in a while. And yes there was some tissues involved because the emotional level was so right on. Highly Recommend to any readers that love a sexy highlander romance that curls your toes and tugs at your heartstrings....A TASTY DELIGHT!!
[foogallery id="56819"]
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good Scottish Highlander story and this one didn’t disappoint. Meg Boswell is on the run because her father is on his way home to have her “examined” to see if she’s a witch. Meg’s a healer with some added magical abilities and she doesn’t want to meet the same fate as her mother. She’s headed for Scotland to find and stay with her aunt, her mother’s sister, but as she nears the border, Meg comes upon a skirmish between some Highlanders and English soldiers. She unwittingly saves the Macbain clan chief and enlists his help to get her to her final destination. What she doesn’t know is Chief Caden Macbain was on his way to kidnap her as ransom for a peace accord with her aunt’s clan.
Meg’s kept in the dark about the true motives of the Macbain clan and even though everyone is aware she’s clueless about the situation, there’s lots of animosity about her being a “guest” at the keep. Caden is attracted to the beautiful Meg and does his best to keep her at arm’s length but she shares the same feelings. Though they try to resist each other it was inevitable that they gave up fighting their feelings.
There’s so much conflict in this story that I couldn’t stand to be away from it for very long. Caden’s subterfuge, Meg’s untrained magical powers, jealous lovers, feuding clans and others with their own agendas distinguished this book from being just another Highlander tale. The attention to period detail also helped transport me to that era and lose myself in the story. I was also charmed by Caden and Meg’s romance, really liking her honesty and courage and Caden’s strength and leadership.
As if the story in itself wasn’t interesting enough, there were a number of twists and surprises to keep me off balance. The climax was incredibly exciting, drawn out and tense, with lots of uncertainty about how some things would ultimately be resolved. I am excited that this is a series and I’ll be one of the first in line to read the next book. It is very well written and the story telling sets it apart. This one is special and if you like medieval period romances, you should have this on your shelf.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
Meg’s kept in the dark about the true motives of the Macbain clan and even though everyone is aware she’s clueless about the situation, there’s lots of animosity about her being a “guest” at the keep. Caden is attracted to the beautiful Meg and does his best to keep her at arm’s length but she shares the same feelings. Though they try to resist each other it was inevitable that they gave up fighting their feelings.
There’s so much conflict in this story that I couldn’t stand to be away from it for very long. Caden’s subterfuge, Meg’s untrained magical powers, jealous lovers, feuding clans and others with their own agendas distinguished this book from being just another Highlander tale. The attention to period detail also helped transport me to that era and lose myself in the story. I was also charmed by Caden and Meg’s romance, really liking her honesty and courage and Caden’s strength and leadership.
As if the story in itself wasn’t interesting enough, there were a number of twists and surprises to keep me off balance. The climax was incredibly exciting, drawn out and tense, with lots of uncertainty about how some things would ultimately be resolved. I am excited that this is a series and I’ll be one of the first in line to read the next book. It is very well written and the story telling sets it apart. This one is special and if you like medieval period romances, you should have this on your shelf.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley)
sydneymcginn's review against another edition
4.0
Read it in one sitting, aka 2 am to 9 am. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and surplus of blankets!!
vervain's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
teaandbooklover's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book and the author's writing. So much passion, danger, traitors and secrets. Plus I'm a sucker for any heroine who has magical powers, feistiness and a pet wolf!
Caden was a wonderful leader and alpha male who was also sweet and caring.
Caden was a wonderful leader and alpha male who was also sweet and caring.