The Eternal Highlander

Rating:
Summary: Great read.
Review: I bought this book for the Lynsay Sands story, even though the 2 stories were linked & writen by 2 authors (Hannah Howell). Having read Lynsay's other vampire books about the Angeneau's & her contribution in "His immortal embrace", I could wait to read this book & it was great. I loved the characters in both stories.

I do hope Hannah & Lynsay will make this into a series with the MacNachton's & MacAdie's. This book has just given me a taster of hopefully thing to come.

Rating:
Summary: Sands disappoints...
Review: I really enjoyed Hannah Howell's "Nightriders." The character's, even secondary, were brought to life beautifully. The "Vampire" aspect was very much brought to the forefront. Suspenseful at times, the Vampire's showed exciting strength and abilities through a plot full of action and emotion. But, with the following story by Sand's, the Vampire aspect was non-exisistant. Except for the hero needing blood after a significant loss, the rumors the heroine hears about the "soulless Vampire's" prior to her arrival, and the occasional comment on how well they age, there's really no other examples of this story being part of a "Vampire" novel. Sands also fails to touch on a "mating ritual" that was very prominent in "Nightrider's" that should have been included if we're to believe that the two hero's are cousins and both "half breeds," thus suffering from the same issues. If "The Highland Bride" had been the first installment, these inconsistencies might not have been as bothersome. It definitely doesn't compare to "Nightrider's." To get the most out of this duo I would recommend reading the first chapter that introduces us to the two cousin's and their plans, then jump to Sand's "The Highland Bride," then go back and read Howell's "Nightrider's." You won't miss a thing, I Promise! And might avoid being let down in the end. If you enjoy the Vampire aspect Christine Feehan's "Dark" series shines!

Rating:
Summary: Two Stories That Tell The Tale of A Family!
Review: Ms. Howell and Ms. Sands have worked together to bring to life a very different "vampire" legend that was very entertaining.

Two men need to find wives that are of normal blood (in other words...not vampire)in order to extend the family lines. I know this makes no sense but trust me...you just have to read the stories. Anyhow without going into great detail and thereby risking the chance of ruining the story for everyone suffice it to say this was a fun read with the trademark humor both authors manage to offer readers. Why than not a higher rating you ask? The answer is simple. There was really no continuity between these two stories. It was about a set of cousins, and where one aspect of the legend was important, in the other story is was darn right ignored. This would not have been a problem if the reader was clued into why certain issues (such as the mating ritual) did not apply. This reader was left scratching her head a few times since there was no explanation.

On the whole I felt Ms. Howell's story was a little bit stronger than Ms. Sands. This is not to say Ms. Sand's story was not good, it was but her character's simply did not speak to me as much as Ms. Howell's. If you like a good vampire romance this is the book for you. These author's have taken a legend and worked it to their advantage. What you are left with is a unique story that will entertain the reader.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Rating:
Summary: two super intertwined tales
Review: This is a really neat premise - two bestseller author working in tandem on the same storyline. Lynsay Sands and Hannah Howell pen the two tales in The Eternal Highlander. This is a real treat for Sands' fan, who know her for her Hysterical Historicals and the wacky Angeneau Vamps. This is a serious story, showing another side of her talent. Hannah Howell has long been known for her strong Scottish Historical. These two talented ladies combine their muses and come up with these interlocking stories.

Set in Medieval Times, Cathal and NacNachton and Connal MacAdie are Highlanders, they are cousins, but they are bound in a way deeper than blood or Clan alliances. They have a dark secret that ties them to their Clan, their lands, an ancient curse that has fallen upon all of their ancestry. This curse has seen them stalk the night, and shun neighboring Clans, burning with an unquenchable thirst that drives them and those like them. However, time of their remoteness is fast changing, and the fear their kindred might be hunted down and destroyed, push these two strong men, to lead the way to the future...and light. They can breed out their curse by marriage with Outsiders - women who blood will weaken the taint and forever break the pall of the curse that has made them a Clan apart.

In Nightriders by Hannah Howell, Cathal had decided to marry Bridget Callan. Dire circumstances pressed her to accept the offer of marriage to Cathal NacNachton. In The Highland Bridge Lynsay Sand's pens the gentle tale of Connal MacAdie and Eva Claxton. She, too, must marry because of desperate circumstances. The marriages of both of these women draw them into danger as the nature of the men they married slowly comes to light, pulling them into intrigue, danger and desire.

Both women are strong and refused to be turned into pawns in a deadly game, with the lives of their husbands and their new Clan - the ultimate prize. Both women have decided to stand by their new spouses and fight for eternal love and the very survival of the Clan. For those who love Scottish Sagas and dark vamps this is a super read.

2004 Reviews International Organization Award of Excellence Finalist (Lynsay Sands) for best short story


Rating:
Summary: Unexpected Love
Review: THIS TWO- PART ANTHOLOGY, COMBINING THE WORKS OF lINDSAY SANDS AND HANNAH HOWELL IN TWO RELATED STORIES TELLS OF LOVE FOUND BY ACCIDENT. IN THE FIRST, A LOST YOUNG LADY ON HER WAY TO VISIT HER COUSIN, TAKES ADVCANTAGE OF THE MOONLIGHT TO FRESHEN UP DURING A REST STOP. UNFORTUNATELY, HER GAURDS WERE KILLED DURING HER REST, AND SHE IS FOUND RUNNING FOR HER LIFE. RESCUED BY STRANGERS, SHE ENDS UP IN A MAN'S BED....tHE ENDING IS GREAT, AND I WON'T SPOIL IT FOR THE READER.
MS SANDS TELLS OF A BRIDE BOUGHT FOT A DARK AND MYSTERIOUS LAIRD. fINDING OUT HIS DARKEST SECRETS IS NOT, FOR HER, AS EASY AS FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER HUSBAND.
tHE LAIRDS OF THESE STORIES ARE COUSINS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS THEIR BIRTHRIGHTS, AND INTERESTING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS. tHE PAIRING OF THESE TOW AUTHORS IS SOMETHING i HOPE HAPPENS AGAIN.

i FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE A FAST READ, ONE i COULD NOT PUT DOWN, AND i RECOMMEND IT TO THOSE LOOKING FOR A FAST AND SEXY READ.

Rating:
Summary: 2 stories, 2 writers, 1 amazing book
Review: Two very talented writers combine their efforts on this haunting saga of men with a dark secret and the women willing to fight for them. SIGH....wonderful to read on a dark, stormy night.