Highland Betrayal

The Sons of Gregor MacLeod Series, Book 3

By: Alyson McLayne

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

The third book in an exciting series from Wattpad author Alyson McLayne, featuring the loyal, brooding heroes of the Scottish Highlands and the beautiful lasses who steal their hearts. 

Scottish historical romance: Laird Callum MacLean vowed to marry Maggie MacDonnell. But when his father's supposed suicide makes him Laird of a clan, he's too busy unmasking his father's killer to bring her into his dangerous new home. 

Maggie's home isn't any safer, so she does what any resourceful Highland lass would do. She escapes - and finds herself toe-to-toe with Callum, who's determined to fulfill his promise. Maggie can't bring herself to trust him with her heart again. But with a traitor still at large, they must rely on each other in every way, or their clans - and their love - will be destroyed.

©2018 Alyson McLayne (P)2018 Recorded Books

Highland Betrayal

5 Stars to the author and 5 to the narrator as well. A very good book filled with twists and turns that hold your attention until the very end. Loved this audiobook. 💗

A Heroine who REALLY likes pointy things

Summary: After years of being betrothed, Callum didn’t marry his lady because he thought she’d be safer in her home clan since his father’s murderer is somewhere lurking around his home – probably. He discovers that’s Maggie is indeed not safe, and he tries to save her, while keeping her in the dark, which leads to her feeling betrayed (in the highlands). Maggie does NOT like to be the damsel, and keeps taking things into her own hands. Also in her hands, she frequently has daggers, and sometimes ropes and pulley systems. Entertaining conflicts around gender roles and Maggie's reluctance to get married ensue. There’s a happy ending for the main characters, and all of the MacLeod foster brothers get to both harass and croon over the happy couple in the end.

I am enjoying this series a lot, so far. While I like highland romances, sometimes… sometimes I don’t. Male characters can be a little domineering, demanding, and demeaning of women (also dumb, despicable...) If I want to strangle the hero and yell at the heroine to leave his sorry tail, for me, that detracts from my enjoyment of the story. Not so with McLayne’s books - or hardly ever.

I think this series excels in how the main male characters respect and value their female counterparts (in comparison with many other highland series). They start out being frustrated and mystified by their lovely ladies, but end up validating and affirming them in ways that make my Social Worker heart rejoice. Those views may be a little uncommon for the time, but I appreciate the men not being quite so overbearing.

Maggie is tough, smart, and spunky, while also being rather caring. Callum was a little less interesting to me, but he’s protective and admires Maggie’s strengths and talents. The only time he’s a downright a-hole is during a very poignant scene where Maggie accidentally insults/rejects him and the notion of getting married to him. The emotional tension in that scene was on point!

Comparison to the first two: I liked the preceding books slightly more. I liked the journey to Callum’s home and his attempts to woo/defeat Maggie. But overall, I think I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters and plots a little more in the first two.

While not strictly necessary, I recommend reading these in order. Depending on how fast your listening speed is, this is a good 8-10 hours of entertainment! Romance with a little adventure and suspense thrown in.

Keeps Getting Better

Maggie and Callum, what a pair! This book is very interesting and exciting from the beginning.

Incredibly unlikeable female character

Maggie is such a irrational, “woe-is me”, cranky main character. It kind of ruins the whole story, since Callum is such a sweet guy. I love all the guys in these stories, and the narrator is fantastic. This is my least favorite so far.

Strong woman

I thought it was interesting how the author dealt with a relationship when a woman was better than her man at something- in this case archery and knife throwing. It was actually believable. I liked that it was made clear that to be truly strong, you have to be Together- one helps the other.. not overpowering one over the other.

Continued good historical romance

It was good reading about the continuation of the characters from highland conquest. read it!

Great story, great series!

I am loving this series! Except for the first book in which I found the heroine extremely annoying. The stories are not quite as predictable as some other series that I have read in this genre. I love the narrator! She does a great job with both the male and female voices. Some others that I have heard almost make the males characters sound wimpy or half witted instead of strong and sexy. I accidentally listened to book 4 before book 3 and that one was definitely my favorite. Typically I wouldn’t spend a credit on the last book in a series but I think I am going to have to for book 5. Gotta find out how Kerr finally wins Isabella’s hand.

Lame and Contrived

I’ve listened to probably over 100 books in this genre. Some really good ones, and some real stinkers. By far, this is the lamest of the lame, and that’s me being nice.

The first two in this series were just ok. I had hope for this one, at first, because I thought the heroine was going to be unbeatable. Best at everything and easily outmaneuvering everyone every time. I was ready for a strong lead befitting of the word “heroine”.

While she may indeed be talented and skilled, she only bests the men because they are a clan of buffoons. It is a small feat for her to be better than all of them combined. Instead of brawny and braw, with a quiet knowing, this clan of dummies are like circus clowns. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them ran around honking a horn under his raised leg.

Alyson appears obsessed with sex. Like a teenager would be. Every scene is framed around tupping. The descriptions of the kisses are juvenile, like a 14 year old took their best guess at what it would be like. I have to wonder if Alyson allowed a teenager to write using her name. I mean, in the the most inappropriate moments, (fire licking their heels, while the bad guys are right behind them as they are narrowly escaping, while dodging a swiping dagger), both leads can’t seem to think of anything else other than what “carnal knowledge” with the other would be like. Embarrassing and cringe worthy. Expect to have many involuntary eye rolls and sudden bursts of laughter because the set ups are so ludicrous. I probably recommended this to people who like discomfort, 2nd hand embarrassment, and abysmal literature. To those people, you will place this selection on your top shelf because there is just so much in here you will love.

Rosalyn, on behalf of your agent, I apologize. You are worth more.

Great Story

To me the first half seemed to be a little slow but the second half made was so much better which equaled the book. Some mystery, love and no angst. Narrator was okay. Will continue with the series.

Book three - this series just keeps getting better

Laird Callum MacLean has been betrothed to Maggie MacDonnell for many years.
After his father dies Callum suspects foul play and wanting to keep Maggie safe he is unwilling to bring her into his clan.
Unknowingly Maggie is in danger in her clan, her evil cousin intends to use her to further his plans of taking over the lairdship.
Maggie being the warrior woman she is escapes as Callum is trying to break into the castle to rescue her.
There is much danger along the way, a stubborn woman angry that she has been left alone for so long. Witty banter, steamy scenes and new love.
Once again all the characters were well written and I loved immersing myself in this world of highland warriors and the women they love.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration.

This book dragged on terribly

It took me ages to finish this one, it just did not capture my interest and was quite flat.