Beauty and the Barbarian

Highland Force, Book 3

By: Amy Jarecki

Narrated by: Brad Wills

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Born with the mark of the devil, Merrin has been hidden on the islet of Eilean Fladda for near 20 years. When the body of a Highlander washes ashore, the innocent lass presumes him dead. Brushing the hair from the rugged warrior's face, her fingers connect with warm flesh. Warm.

Ian MacLeod wakes to a woman so radiant, he believes her an angel. But when the lass recoils from him, he fears she knows of his evil deeds. While he heals, Ian is stunned when he exposes her witch's mark, yet he's spellbound by Merrin's allure. He'd do anything to erase his haunting past and earn her love.

But there's a henchman after Ian's head, and when that man learns the Highlander is still alive, the couple is forced to flee Merrin's sheltered world. Fighting for survival, destiny demands they each face their demons, but doing so may forever ruin them both.

©2014 Amy Jarecki (P)2014 Amy Jarecki

Don't be affraid...Get the book!

Great narrator for a good story!
Brad Wills...Really like him! He does have a nice low voice that he controls really well to any type of character even women voices are well done and...boy, his accent is a charm.
Like the story and how they always get out of fixes. Even the dog can fight.

The marked Beauty

If you could sum up Beauty and the Barbarian in three words, what would they be?

Spellbinding, romantic, action

Who was your favorite character and why?

Merran, poor sweet Lass, no one had ever given her a Chance until Ian washes up on her shore

Which character – as performed by Brad Wills – was your favorite?

I couldn't choose, Mister Wills does them all brilliantly

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Just that I can't wait to listen to Alexander's story now.

Story was good...narrator...not so good.

I thought the stories in books 2 and 3 of this series were good, however, the narrator is very hard to get used to. When the dialogue between characters is read..he goes very fast and mumbles. Several times I had to back up to see what was said. But I did enjoy the stories and I would definitely continue to read her books. However, I wish she would consider a better narrator. Sorry Amy...

Beauty and the Barbarian: Highland Force, Book 3

Would you consider the audio edition of Beauty and the Barbarian to be better than the print version?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

The whole story line.

Which character – as performed by Brad Wills – was your favorite?

All of them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Everything.

Any additional comments?

Brad Wills did a great job, love listening to him

Excellent!

What made the experience of listening to Beauty and the Barbarian the most enjoyable?

Since the narrator is Brad Wills, it's always a great pleasure to listen to his voice! He really captivates us but his strong accent and beautiful intonations.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My hero is Ian MacLeod, because Ms. Jarecki created a character filled with passion and humor!

Which character – as performed by Brad Wills – was your favorite?

The character is like best was of course Ian. The narrator chose the perfect voice for him!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

First, when Ian is found wounded on the shore by the beautiful Merrin; then, while they spent some precious moments together in her cabin, away from others. They were so cute together.

Any additional comments?

Amy Jarecki is a very talented author of Scottish adventures and a passionate writer. We can feel it in her writing! I recommend her books, without hesitation!

Action packed romance!

I found this action-packed romance very entertaining. and of course Brad Wills brings it all to life as he usually does!

Narrator voice makes the hero easily imaginable!

Would you consider the audio edition of Beauty and the Barbarian to be better than the print version?

In a sense yes Mr. Brad Wills the narrator really brings the book to life. I can easily imagine the handsome brawny larger than life hero Ian MacLeod. Ian who is on the run from his uncle’s henchman is shot in the back. He is washed ashore and meets the beauteous but marked healer heroine Merrin Ian is also unconscious and bleeding to death. When Merrin discovers that Ian is not dead but alive she takes care of him which puts her at risk. Ian who has a secret can’t avoid Merrin’s allure but Merrin also has a secret too. After listenting to Mr. Wills narration of this story this is what I imagined what Ian would sound like and Mr. Wills sounds distinctly Scottish well at least to me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beauty and the Barbarian?

For me it was when Merrin discovered Ian who is washed up on the beach she notices his kilt hiked up on his thighs and notices how big Ian’s male package is. I think I laughed for about 10 minutes and my face turned red that I bookmarked that spot. The only bad thing was I was listening at a slow time at work so here I had my ear plugs in listening to that part with me laughing maniacally and my face is all red. Okay I admit it the first part of the book did get me a little bit hot and bothered especially in the descriptions of Ian. Another time was when Merrin was making the tincture attempting to stop the strange illness affecting the clan. Mr. Wills had such a despair and desperation to his voice that I was hoping that no one was going to die before Merrin found a cure.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Merrin is giving Ian a bath and washes his private area. Ian can’t help his erection and Merrin states “merciful father ye’re like a stallion with a mare in heat,” but Ian begs Merrin to not stop I blushed and giggled for five minutes picturing the very vivid scene in my mind admiring Merrin for her gumption in washing such a man as Ian and not losing her nerve. I couldn’t help but wonder what Mr. Wills thought of when he got to that part which made me laugh even harder.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I always wondered why the title of the book was called the beauty and the barbarian when I think it should be the witch and the highlander or the marked beauty and the highlander but then maybe that would tell too much about the story.

Any additional comments?

I was gifted this audio edition of this book from Ms. Jarecki from a contest on her website but even if I didn’t get it as a gift I would definitely buy it not only for the action packed story that Ms. Jarecki tells but also Mr. Wills amazing voice talent and narration of such a wonderful story. I think he could make reading the calorie content of a food or even a school textbook enticing! I really just love Mr. Wills’s deep husky voice especially for this book since it is one of my new favorites that I would definitely listen to this audio book again. Mr. Wills packs a lot of emotion altering his voice for each of the characters and throughout the novel giving the story amazing life to it too.

Narration left much to be desired

The story was good, I think. But the narration was lacking. The only way the narrator shows excitment is to get loud. I was trying to listen with ear buds. My ears were ringing from the loudness. Mens voices were grating and gravely. It was good when he was just speaking but when he tried to act it was off-putting. I have tried to listen to this two times. I wish I had requested a refund the first time. My second try is not any better.

A lot of hype leading to a kazoo solo

After Book #2 of this series, I ran to through Book #3 eager to learn more of Enya and Bran. While this novel started off passionate, and immediately launched into action, it left me unsatisfied.

So this peasant falls in love with this poor not-a-Laird...and I just don't care. Am I shallow? Am I so materialistic that, unless he is wealthy and powerful, I just don't care? Am I a horrible person!? Perhaps.

So...**no spoilers** Merrin is an isolated commoner/peasant on her own little island because everyone thinks she's a witch, and Ian, the not-a-Laird, finds Merrin who gets wrapped up in his troubles. Why didn't I like this book? It was sweet, but I just didn't care. I couldn't see how their happily ever after would be much different than the impoverished lifestyle Merrin lived before Ian came along. Only now, she had love and would be happy. Eh.

I hated the mangy dog under everyone's feet. I hated the on again/off again witch hunt. I hated the whiny superstitious, in-the-way, father.

The book wasn't bad. I just didn't enjoy it.

The title says "The Beauty and the Barbarian." There was no Barbarian! I was waiting for Laird Alexander to die and Ian becomes Laird and Merrin has to learn how to be a lady, and the people all have to kneel to a witch. But none of that happened! The climax did suck, It was an anti-climax. Just, a lot of hype leading to a kazoo solo.

A Highland Hit!

While I've enjoyed the whole series, this book is my favorite. The characters are unique and don't fall into a stereotypical role. If you have the chance, listen to the whole series from start to finish.