Never Love a Highlander

By: Maya Banks

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Caelen McCabe's young, reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now, putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother's jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trusts no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white-hot longing.

As the sacrificial lamb in her father's power game, Rionna will do her duty but vows to protect her heart and her pride from humiliation. Despite everything, though, the heat in Caelen's touch melts her defenses, and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna's true warrior spirit emerges. She will risk the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Caelen that his wife's love is too precious to lose.

©2011 Maya Banks (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Banks nicely balances bedroom and battlefield action as Rionnas tough swordsmanship and Caelens tender lust propel the couple and the clans toward harmony." ( Publishers Weekly)

Sensual and more

A wonderful tale, combined with both brief and lingering intimate moments that delight, and enhance a beautiful story. Well done

Caelen and Rionna

Third book in the series. It features the final brother, Caelen, who has sworn to never care about a woman again, and never to marry, Caelen's first love betrayed the McCabe clan and caused the death of the father, and many men, women and children at the hands of Cameron. But the book begins with Caelen's wedding to Rionna McDonald. . .The only reason Caelen married Rionna is that his first two brothers rejected her for other women and one of the McCabe brothers must marry her in order to secure an alliance with the McDonalds. The King is demanding the alliance so that they can defeat the evil Cameron who is in league with another Laird to overthrow the crown. Rionna is a small beautiful woman, but she is also a deadly warrior that can fight and defeat any man with her sword and skill. Upon their marriage, Rionna and Caelen move to the McDonald castle where Caelen has now been named the Laird because the former Laird, who is Rionna's father, was dishonorable and worthless. Caelen must train the McDonald men to be skilled warriors such as the McCabe men. The McDonalds resist obeying Caelen as Laird, but they love Rionna. There is much discord. Rionna and Caelen have tremendous desire for one another even if Caelen cannot love a woman because of the betrayal. The saga finally comes to an end in this book with the battle between the good guys and the evil Cameron.

The book is interesting but I gave it four stars, as I did the first two books, because it goes over the top sometimes with the big strong warriors yelling to everyone in the clan about their love for the women they have chosen. Very silly thing and very out of character for a highland Laird. However they are engaging books with interesting and likable characters along with well written intimate scenes.

So loved this book.

Fantastic love story! nice balance. Terrific battle scenes . great suspense
perfect family dynamic

Such a Sweet Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it has all the elements necessary to keep the reader wanting more. It may be my favorite adventure yet.

Emotional and riveting

I love these stories. I find myself crying and yelling at characters and even feeling heartbroken. I can do without the detailed spicy parts since they're all the same routine and also in some places violent and disgusting. over all, these are great escapes from everyday troubles.

Leftovers can be the best

Two people who really don't want to do what they must do end up being really glad they did. Great end of a great series.

INCREDIBLE SERIES!!!!

This is the most wonderful series and would so recommend it! The narrator is so passionate......

Never Love a Highlander

Review:

"Never Love a Highlander" by Maya Banks was as always a wonderful read. This novel was a conclusion to a wonderful trilogy that only this author..Maya Banks can deliver. The novel was of a 'Scottish' historical romance of the McCabe trilogy. What would become of Caelen and Rionna as he takes over the McDonald Clan...where there had been a marriage out of the sense of duty...returns to take over the McDonald clan. Ms. Banks offers us a relationship between Caelen and Rionna only causing this to be a very hot, steamy and sexual read...all the characters were so very strong and well developed that would only keep the reader on the edge of their seat. You will find from the read that this hero and heroine both "had been wounded deeply by their pass and nothing could heal it but only each other." Now, for you to found out how this will play out you must pick up "Never Love a Highlander" to find out just what Ms. Banks has in store for the reader. I felt this novel flowed very well...especially with it being the last of this series...being very interesting and even suspenseful. Be ready for a novel presenting..."romance, betrayal, a bit of mystery" and a over all excellent read.

If you are looking for a 'McCabe Series' that only Ms. Banks can give us... you have come to the right place and yes I would recommend "Never Love a Highlander" as a excellent read.

WOW

This book is a great read/listen and the narrator was the best person to read this book it is a must buy

Loyalty, passion and a good story

Would you consider the audio edition of Never Love a Highlander to be better than the print version?

I did not read the book; I just listened to the audiobook so I cannot say. However, I cannot image one is superior to the other.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Never Love a Highlander?

There were many memorable moments in this story but the most memorable moment for me was when Rionna saved Caelen and the warriors from the McDonald clan scaled over the walls to fight for their Laird. It was really a powerful moment and the narrator made you feel that you were there experiencing the emotions, danger and adrenaline of the moment. In truth, I teared up while listening.

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

Not only does she read well, she brings the right emotion to the characters. She does not need to sound like a man to do that. She is now one of my favorite narrators. I always consider the narrator when I purchase an audiobook and even if I like the book, if the narrator is not right, I don't purchase. If Kristen Potter is the narrator I will not think twice before buying.

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

Yes. I did!

Any additional comments?

Well, this series is one of my favorites and I know I will listen to it over and over again. The series had EVERYTHING needed to make a good story and books connect very well together. The narration is certainly a bonus.