Highland Destiny

Murray Family, Book 1

By: Hannah Howell

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

When destiny brought Sir Balfour Murray and his wounded brother down the same road as Maldie Kirkaldy, she offered her services as a nurse even as she tried to deny the desire this dark-eyed knight had ignited at first sight. Soon they discover that they both share a mission of vengeance, but Maldie cannot tell him her true identity - to do so would brand her a spy.

Sworn to avenge his family as chief of the Doncoill Clan, Balfour vows to destroy his greatest foe, with Maldie at his side. Yet Balfour knows that he can no more afford to trust her than he can ignore his lust for this sultry beauty. Now, he is not only determined to unearth her deepest secrets, but also to pursue his passion for her. And nothing will stand in his way.

©1998 Hannah Howell (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A brightly colored plaid that is sure to capture [listeners'] hearts everywhere." ( Romantic Times)

a great start to the series

This was a very well written tale with a remarkable cast. I really appreciated seeing a Laird who wasn’t infallible. As a whole this is a novel that reminded me why I so love historical highland romances. I fully admit that I’ve read this series upside down and backwards but it was really neat to get back to the beginning and read the first instalment. I fell in love with Howell’s work all over again.

Bad narrator, but worth a listen

The narrator had a terrible Scottish accent. Unfortunately, everyone sounded like they were from Transylvania or somewhere in that vicinity. If you get past that, which I can confess can be hard to do, there is a great story waiting to be heard. The characters are all worth falling in love with, the story can be a bit slow, but there’s good detail to be heard. I look forward to the next books in the series.

wonderful series

I binge listened the entire series. Loved every book. While you don't have to listen to them in order (the author would explain who was who in each book) it did make it easier to follow the characters. Angela did an amazing job narrating.

Another worthy Highland Warrior Trilogy starts

These books are about the three handsome Highland brothers from the Murray clan. Balfour is clan chief and he is instantly attracted to Maldie, a healer, who he comes across while returning from a battle and decides he needs her - not just because his brother Nigel is wounded but because she is also beautiful.

Both Balfour and Nigel are attracted to Maldie but she is only interested in one of the brothers. Instant attraction, good romance but secrets that are kept ruins their relationship and anyway she has a previous promise to fulfil elsewhere which all leads to mistrust and misgivings.

I hope Audible will soon stock book 2 Highland Honor (Nigel's story) and Highland Promise (Eric's story). Then there are the spin off series that H.H. wrote like Highland Daughters, Highland Grandsons and all the In-Laws - so, with any luck, there will be a lot to follow.

Worth a credit? Good strong characters and an interesting plot all lead to a yummy listen so it's a YES.

narrators can make or break an audiobook

What made the experience of listening to Highland Destiny the most enjoyable?

When will they realize that a woman just cannot do the voices of highland warriors...a man has a better chance at doing a woman's voice however. These brauny men should be read by MEN not women! It totally distracted from the experience. The male characters were made to sound like snivelling creeps. Sorry, just my opinion.

What three words best describe Angela Dawe’s performance?

Did not enjoy

Love the Highlanders!

The language used in this series is very old, much more "authentic" than I've seen in some others, I like it but it can be a little difficult to get used to. That said, it's hot, book is good and frightening! TONS of drama! I love how the highlanders fall so hard for their women! I like this book, excited for this series!

EXCELLENT!

What made the experience of listening to Highland Destiny the most enjoyable?

The narrator and the plot.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Highland Destiny?

When the heroine leaves because she feels she won't be forgiven.

What does Angela Dawe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent accents and emotion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but it was very well done.

Any additional comments?

One of the best I've heard.

Good but a lot of rehashing

The story was good but would have been much better with less rehashing of feelings. While the heroine was running away she the had time to sit and go over her feelings for about the 4th time.

I don't know if I will continue with this series.

Angela Dawe did a great job!

Please Replace the Narrator

Would you be willing to try another one of Angela Dawe’s performances?

NO!!!! SHE HAS THE MOST IRRITATING VOICE I HAVE EVER HEARD IN AUDIOBOOKS

Any additional comments?

I have not been able to finish this book and will not finish it. I'm unable to follow the Characters. I have started the book 3 times and i'm unable to get to the 3rd chapter.

Heed the warning, the narration is not good.

I'm saddened that I did not enjoy the narrator, I ignored others reviews on the poor narration because I had listened to other books read by this same narrator and enjoyed them. So I was puzzled as to why I didn't enjoy this one at all. Angela Dawe's reading of this story sounds like the evenings news anchor reading off another days job. "This just in....highland knight falls for the bastard daughter of his biggest enemy. Film at eleven."

She sounds flat and emotionless. Her quick pace left me stressed and feeling oddly rushed as I listened. I know this isn't complimentary and narrating must be an arduous job but its true what another reviewer said, it can make or break a book. I often wonder if the writer has the choice of who reads for their book or not and I now understand why some authors refuse to go audible.

I would love to see more romances read by men, after all mostly women read romance novels and its the male character that is the most dominant character, so why not have a man read? Some of my most favorite romances have been read by men. Anyway, I have strayed off topic. The story is good, rife with thick plot lines and intrigue. The romantic scenes are a little sterile but likable. I would have liked more passion between the characters but truly it was the narration that I disliked the most. Miss Dawe's passionless reading made this story just so-so.