The Sweetest Sin

Rating:
Summary: An emotional story that tugged at my heartstrings!
Review: I'm not a huge fan of Scottish historicals, since many of them seem cliched, and I especially hate trying to read the Scottish brogue some authors try to write to give their story "flavor". Thankfully, Ms. McCall avoids boths of these traps and has written a story that is emotional and exciting, with a smooth, lyrical style and straightforward dialog free of those anoying colloquialisms.

As much as I enjoyed the storyline, I absolutely LOVED the hero. Although his name is perhaps over-used in Scottish stories, this Duncan is unique and very compelling as a hero. He is powerful and dangerous, yet capable of being breathtakingly tender. And although he's suffered terribly thanks to Aileana's family, he is still a good, honorable man at heart who, inch by painful inch, allows himself to open to Aileana and learns to love again with her help.

As a couple Aileana and Duncan face seemingly insurmountable conflict, but the way McCall showed them both slowly learning to trust, respect and feel passion for each other, when each had perceived the other as his or her worst enemy at the start, really pulled at my heart. One of my favorite scenes is the one when Duncan secretly sees Aileana mending his clothes and realizes all of the joys of simple life that he's missed. His heart aches over all that he yearns to have with Aileana, if only he could find the courage to reach out and take it. That scene, along with several others, brought tears to my eyes.

Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed is that for once, the villain is a female. I found her fascinating and thought that she had, in her own mind anyway, very good reasons for feeling and acting the way she did.

Overall, this was a beautiful love story that turned out to be more than I expected. I highly recommend it and plan on seaching out McCall's backlist.

Rating:
Summary: An emotional story that tugged at my heartstrings!
Review: I'm not a huge fan of Scottish historicals, since many of them seem cliched, and I especially hate trying to read the Scottish brogue some authors try to write to give their story "flavor". Thankfully, Ms. McCall avoids boths of these traps and has written a story that is emotional and exciting, with a smooth, lyrical style and straightforward dialog free of those anoying colloquialisms.

As much as I enjoyed the storyline, I absolutely LOVED the hero. Although his name is perhaps over-used in Scottish stories, this Duncan is unique and very compelling as a hero. He is powerful and dangerous, yet capable of being breathtakingly tender. And although he's suffered terribly thanks to Aileana's family, he is still a good, honorable man at heart who, inch by painful inch, allows himself to open to Aileana and learns to love again with her help.

As a couple Aileana and Duncan face seemingly insurmountable conflict, but the way McCall showed them both slowly learning to trust, respect and feel passion for each other, when each had perceived the other as his or her worst enemy at the start, really pulled at my heart. One of my favorite scenes is the one when Duncan secretly sees Aileana mending his clothes and realizes all of the joys of simple life that he's missed. His heart aches over all that he yearns to have with Aileana, if only he could find the courage to reach out and take it. That scene, along with several others, brought tears to my eyes.

Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed is that for once, the villain is a female. I found her fascinating and thought that she had, in her own mind anyway, very good reasons for feeling and acting the way she did.

Overall, this was a beautiful love story that turned out to be more than I expected. I highly recommend it and plan on seaching out McCall's backlist.

Rating:
Summary: exciting historical romance with a touch of fantasy
Review: In 1545 in the Scottish Highlands, Duncan MacRae is betrayed by his brother Colin and Morgana MacDonnal at his wedding ceremony. The MacDonnals kill many of the MacRaes including Duncan's bride, steal the magical amulet Ealach, and sell Duncan to the English, who imprison him in the Tower.

Thirteen years later, Duncan returns to Scotland following Queen Elizabeth freeing the Scottish prisoners. He and his clan raid MacDonnal to take back the Ealach as well as to avenge what happened to him and his people. However, both Colin and Morgana were reported dead while in exile and her brother Robert offers a deal to end the feuds. He offers his other sister Aieleana as Duncan's wife in exchange for allowing his other brother to live. Duncan accepts Aieleana as his leman until he begins to fall in love with the witch who has safely hidden the Ealach.

THE SWEETEST SIN is exciting historical romance with a touch of fantasy to spice the plot. Duncan admires Aieleana for her courage within hostile environs while she learns of the atrocities committed by her family towards the MacRae clan. The story line grips the audience from the moment that Duncan realizes what happened to his beloved as they stood at the altar until the final neat twist places his new beloved in jeopardy by his enemies. This Scottish historical is a terrific tale that sub-genre fans will enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: exciting historical romance with a touch of fantasy
Review: In 1545 in the Scottish Highlands, Duncan MacRae is betrayed by his brother Colin and Morgana MacDonnal at his wedding ceremony. The MacDonnals kill many of the MacRaes including Duncan's bride, steal the magical amulet Ealach, and sell Duncan to the English, who imprison him in the Tower.

Thirteen years later, Duncan returns to Scotland following Queen Elizabeth freeing the Scottish prisoners. He and his clan raid MacDonnal to take back the Ealach as well as to avenge what happened to him and his people. However, both Colin and Morgana were reported dead while in exile and her brother Robert offers a deal to end the feuds. He offers his other sister Aieleana as Duncan's wife in exchange for allowing his other brother to live. Duncan accepts Aieleana as his leman until he begins to fall in love with the witch who has safely hidden the Ealach.

THE SWEETEST SIN is exciting historical romance with a touch of fantasy to spice the plot. Duncan admires Aieleana for her courage within hostile environs while she learns of the atrocities committed by her family towards the MacRae clan. The story line grips the audience from the moment that Duncan realizes what happened to his beloved as they stood at the altar until the final neat twist places his new beloved in jeopardy by his enemies. This Scottish historical is a terrific tale that sub-genre fans will enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Skip this one. No chemistry between the hero and heroine!
Review: McCall is an excellent writer overall but this book is not a good example of her writing. The main problem with the story is there is really no chemisty or connection between Duncan and Aieleanna. The story has an interesting promise- revenge and angst from the hero against the evil sister of Aieleanna, who killed his young wife and tortured him years ago. Duncan means to take it out on her by making Aieleanna his mistress. His overall cruelity forms into affection and love but overall not believable. There is too much emotional seperation for the two and the sudden love from Duncan will make most readers scratch their heads in confusion.
On the positive side, McCall can write convicing life during the early middle ages. Too bad this romance is too stale.

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