Review and Giveaway! "Ravished by a Highlander"


Contest Closed! Thank you to everyone who entered!!

As part of the "Ravished by a Highlander" blog tour, I have my review of Paula Quinn's new historical as well as a 5 copy giveaway of the book, sponsored by Hachette! So read on to see my review of this fantastic Highlander romance and please enter for your chance to win!!

"Ravished by a Highlander"
by Paula Quinn

Source: ARC from Anna at Hachette Books

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

"Ravished by a Highlander" was a rare mix of in-depth historical and political details combined with a moving, emotional love story. It's pretty unique for an author to succeed so well at both ends of the spectrum.

Davina has been hidden away in a convent for her whole life in order to protect her from political plots to kill her. Everything comes to a peak when the entire abbey and the soldiers guarding her perish in an attack. Fatefully, the son of a Scottish laird, Robert MacGregor, and his clansmen happen by the siege and join the fray. Rob heroically rescues Davina from the fire, but she holds onto many secrets about the cause of the battle and why someone will go to such lengths to murder a nun in training. On their journey back to Rob's home, they develop feelings for each other, but will Rob ever know all of her secrets.

Rob is my favorite kind of hero, the always honorable, strong and protective warrior. He's been so busy training to be a laird and take care of his clan, he hasn't had time for love-until love finds him with Davina. Rob loves her at all costs and will defend her safety no matter what.

I loved that Davina was a bit of a free spirit and full of life once she saw the world outside of the convent. Her spontaneity and Rob's no-nonsense way didn't always mix, but they love and accept their differences and don't try to change each other.

I love complex secondary characters, and the men in Rob's clan just jumped off the page for me. After Davina's rescue, all of the men practically fell in love with her. Who doesn't want a handful of handsome, charming highlanders catering to her every whim? Of course, all of the men are complete gentlemen and the flirtations are so innocent, it makes for the perfect fantasy. All of the clansmen have unique, three dimensional personalities, and Davina has a unique friendship with each one. My personal favorite of the group is Finn. He's just too sweet and cute, as well as a little bit fragile, as he follows Davina where ever she goes like a puppy.

Sometimes, I preferred a bit less historical detail, because I wanted to read more about the vivid characters and their interactions than the politics. But the historical landscape was essential to the magnitude of the story, so I felt like it was a bit like eating my vegetables to get to dessert.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5 (I can't wait to see them in their own books!)

Setting: 4/5

Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (what's not to love?)

Writing: 4/5



Bottom Line:
This romance is for the reader who wants a deep, emotional love story with lots of historical details and action to fill out the story. i can't wait to read the rest of the series and see more of the MacGregor clan.



GIVEAWAY RULES:


Hachette books has generously provided FIVE copies of this awesome historical romance for readers of this blog! All you have to do is follow my blog and leave a comment on this review!

Extra Entries:
  • +2 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
  • +2 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)

Rules:
  • US and Canada only
  • No PO Boxes please
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  • Leave a comment with your email address
  • Books will be mailed out by Hachette
  • Ends May 16
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

26 comments

  1. already a follower of your sweet blog. ravish in the title is what hooked me. love to get a crack at this one ;-D yay for historicals!
    vvb32 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. THis looks good. Following .

    vampireprincess2468@yahoo.com

    Link in sidebar here http://vampira2468.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good luck to all participants!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm now following you on Google Friend Connect. What a pretty blog you have. I love Highlander novels but many have seemed kind of fluffy for me. This one seems (from your excellent review) more complex and with greater depth. I can't wait to read it and have bumped it to top priority on my TBR list.

    rubymoonstone at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Have been a follower/lurker for some time now!!

    Great contest...I have heard good things about this book...fantastic review.

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am already a follower of your blog thanks for the giveaway.
    takyram@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I <3 complex secondary characters! :) Great review.
    (not an entry)

    ReplyDelete
  8. It sounds like something that may be good!

    I'm a follower and link in Sidebar is here http://booksbytheirstory.blogspot.com/

    booksbytheirstory@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great review! This one sounds very good. I’d love to enter. Oh, and I’m a follower.

    TheFictionEnthusiast @live.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven't read a historical romance before, but I'd really like to try a Highlander one! My close friend loooves them and she always tells me to give em a chance. :) Great review Carrie!

    kris@rebloco.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Would love to enter please :) I'm a follower
    rubs.escalona [at] gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'd like to enter! But if I'm fortunate enough to win, I might need to wait a while until my address gets settled to have it mailed. :-)

    I follow!

    leighofthestone(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Highlander books are always a lot of fun to read. This sounds like a good one.

    Tweeted & I Follow
    http://twitter.com/dawnpnr/status/13403090906

    dawnpnr(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love a good historical romance and especially when the heroine is feisty!

    +2 blogged--http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/
    review-and-giveaway-ravished-by.html
    ENDS 5/16

    +2 tweeted-alterlisa
    http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/ review-and-giveaway-ravished-by.html ENDS 5/16

    I follow and live in the US

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to read this book! I have become a follower of your blog.

    carlocheerleader@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a new follower. Found you through the blog hop(A Journey of Books blog). Please enter me too. Thank you for the contest.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. please count me in.I am a new follower

    tweeted http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/13687331758

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like my kind of book. Love those Highlanders. Pls count me in.

    I am a new follower

    Tweet 5-9-10
    misskallie2000 Review and Giveaway! "Ravished by a Highlander" http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-and-giveaway-ravished-by.html
    less than 10 seconds ago via web

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm a follower and would love a chance to win!

    julieann535 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would love to be entered!
    I am a new follower:)
    I tweeted http://twitter.com/bangersis/status/13836589859
    Thanks!!
    bangersis(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Please, enter me! The book sounds wonderful!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love a chance at winning this book. Thanks for hosting. I am now a Google Friend Connect follower

    kdhaney at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm a GFC follower now, and of course I am dying to read this! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Google friend Connect follower. Please accept my entry. Thanks!
    +2 tweet http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/14062970450

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  25. please enter me
    spynaert@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow

    Blogged:
    http://twitter.com/nfmgirl/status/14095543603

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your lovely comments!