The Highlander (The Highlanders)

By: Terry Spear

Narrated by: Rosalind Ashford

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Anora, the shepherdess, finds a half-naked man in her bed, so what's a woman living alone in a cottage in the Lowlands of Scotland supposed to do? Prod him with her pitchfork to chase him off! Only the man is not just a traveler seeking her bed for a rest-but a wounded Highlander, who fights back, swinging his sword!

Niall MacNeill is searching for a Frenchwoman of nobility to escort to his cousin's castle for safekeeping, when he and his friend, Gunnolf, are attacked by another Highland clan, seeking the same woman. The other Highlanders wish to sell her to the highest bidder-English or French-it does not matter.

Niall takes refuge in a sheepherder's cottage to heal up from his wounds and discovers the shepherdess taking care of him may very well be the woman he seeks. He has no intention of doing anything but what his cousin requests of him-ensure her safety on their way to Craigly Castle-but when the lass so bravely wields her pitchfork at him, he is thinking of other, more interesting possibilities.

©2013 Terry Spear (P)2014 Terry Spear

The Highlander's mission results in love!

Nial McNeill is sent on a mission with his friend to save and protect a unknown woman. Anora is a shepherdess who has a secret. When an injured man makes him self at home in her cottage. She must figure out a way to escape and keep her secret. What happens when a independent woman with a secret meets The Highlander sent to protect her? Sparks fly and love blooms while they find danger around every corner.

Nial has been injured from an attack of his clan's enemy and separated from his friend. He takes refuge in a cottage to recover. Anora has been out tending her sheep and comes home to find a Highlander asleep in her bed. She protects herself with a pitchfork. Intrigued and amused by this woman Nial takes control. He tries to explain but reluctantly ties her up overnight. Anora is plotting her escape but her compassion kicks in when she realizes he's been injured. When a friend shows up she must explain that Nail is a distant cousin come to visit. She's surprised by her friends attitude toward her with Nial around. She's always thought of Matthew as a friend, knowing nothing but friendship can be between them. Matthew has different ideas. As Nial's passion for Anora grows so does his respect and suspicion about who she really is. When he gets a fever Anora takes care of him. He gets jealous of Matthew. Anora must ask questions in the village about Nial's friend. She gets a warning from the bar owner's daughter about Matthew. She sees a man who looks familiar. Nial goes looking for his friend. While he's away his enemy shows up at Anora's looking for him. She must protect her self and Nial comes to the rescue. After they kill the small band of enemy, their friends coming looking for them only to be sent away by Anora. Nial's friend gets news of his whereabouts and comes to the cottage. Anora reveals her secret to Nial. They realize they have feelings for each other and he plans to marry her. Anora realizes she can't stay at the cottage anymore. With a party of French knights and the enemy clan looking for them its not safe. They leave her sheep with a local shepherd and head for Nial's clan's castle taking her dog Charlie along. They avoid the people looking for them. When they make a stop and Anora goes off alone and finds a stray puppy. She's set upon by the a french woman and her knights claiming to be her sister. Matthew comes along but doesn't get the clues that Anora has given him. Nial is worried and goes looking for Anora and watches her being taken. Outnumbered, he must track them while Anora thinks of a way to escape and hopes Matthew tells Nial what she said. Matthew comes across Nial and his friend and the three of them go to Anora's rescue. Anora escapes and Nial saves her from the river. They take refuge in a cave and reveal their feelings for each other. They become hand-fasted while trying to survive. A visit from the enemy has Nial fighting for their lives. A noise alerts them to someone coming from a different direction. When allies come to help them, they must traverse treacherous tunnel to get to freedom. Anora plays decoy allowing Nial and friends to get the upper hand. A friend's life is taken. An alternate destination has them meeting up with her French relatives and the Uncle who is her protector. A decision is made and accepted. Nial promises to give Anora what she's lost.

The Highlander is an action packed historical adventure full of passion and danger. Terry Spear weaves a tale of instant attraction that grows into love. A woman in danger leads a Highlander to the woman, he must protect and tries to keep at arms length with no luck. It was a surprise that this was a historical book. I'd read and listened to Terry Spear in the past but they were her shifter books. So this came as a pleasant surprise. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her Highlanders series.

Book cover photo better than the book...

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The Hero and Heroine are together almost the entire story.

How could the performance have been better?

Rosalind Ashford's voice drones on and on. Within the first five minutes I knew it would be a chore just to continue to listen. She tried to affect character voices, but it wasn't done very well. Please don't ruin other audio books by using Rosalind Ashford.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

There was always something happening and never really had a dull moment. The story would either be better if you read it from the book or if it had a different narrator.

Sadly....it's not good...don't know how I finished

I have a hard time giving a really bad review. So I will not be malicious. There is so much about this book and it's writing I could pick apart...but when it comes right down to it......it's just BAD. I couldn't get I to it because it was so wishy washy.....the story...the characters....both undeveloped. The male lead was horrible and unbelievable for a Highlander.
I think I got this book on sale or buy one get one free.....still it was not worth the time I spent listening. I can't believe I finished it.
Rosalind Ashford is good and maybe the only reason I could finish it..