I recently finished two books I read for the Highlander Reading Challenge; Devil in a Kilt by Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning.

Title: Devil in a Kilt
Author: Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Pages: 421
Publisher: Warner Forever
Publication Date: August 1st, 2001

via Goodreads:

A Fiery Angel, a Coldhearted Devil, and a Marriage Hotter Than Hell! Linnet MacDonnell was the youngest of seven sisters, and not the family beauty. With her flame-bright red hair, sharp tongue, and strange gift of second-sight, no man wanted her. But the devil would take her. Bartered as a bride to her father's long-sworn enemy, the nobly born Highlander Duncan MacKenzie of Kintail, she had no choice but to enter a marriage with a man rumored to have murdered his first wife and said to possess neither heart nor soul. Forbidding and proud, Duncan MacKenzie wanted only one thing from his new bride -- to use her special gift to determine if young Robbie was truly his son. He never expected the MacDonnell lass to stubbornly follow her heart, chase away the darkness in his castle with light and laughter, and ignite a raging fire in his blood. How dare she defy him, and tempt a devil like him to feel what he feared most of all --- love!

This book was not a great read, but it wasn't terrible either. Every time I read "Linnet" I kept having Sweeney Todd "green finch and linnet bird" flashbacks... quite distracting actually. The whole marriage plot, capture a girl with the Sight to find out if his son is really his, kind of bothered me too. Though Robbie's parentage probably bothered Duncan to no end, it shows that the plot pretty much revolves around that issue alone. Kind of boring after 200 pages or so. Over all, this book was an "ehh" read. Nothing fantastic, but perfect for a quick read.

Cover: 3 Writing Style: 2 Characters: 3 Plot: 2 Ending: 3 Overall: 3


via Goodreads:

An alluring laird

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart - until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length - but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side....

This one was a great read! I'm a total Karen Marie Moning fan now! It just so happens that I found this at my local library as a donation, and someone kindly donated books #2-5 as well! Yay! This book kept me up into the late hours of the night reading. I love how Hawk is all "I'm magnificant and you shall now worship the ground I walk on" and Adrienne very quickly snaps him out of that little daydream. The story had me laughing out loud in many spot. Highly recommended!

Cover: 3 Writing Style: 4 Characters: 4 Plot: 4 Ending: 4 Overall: 4

Happy readings!