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The Dark Highlander (Wheeler Large Print Book Series (Cloth))

The Dark Highlander (Wheeler Large Print Book Series (Cloth))

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $29.95
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sexy Bad Boy with Magic
Review: "Dark Highlander" is one in a series of books revolving around hunky Scottish Druids who can travel through time. Its immediate prequel is "Kiss of the Highlander," though "Dark" can be read alone with little or no reference to "Kiss." The author, Moning, doesn't rely on back-story to make "Dark" flow, which is great for first time readers.

I liked "Dark" MUCH more than "Kiss." "Dark" revolves around Dageus, the MacKeltar twin with black hair falling down to his waist and gold eyes. Dageus also has a secret: he has 13 evil Druids inside him, just waiting for him to lose control of his magical power so that they can use his body to destroy the world.

The story begins with Dageus already "corrupted" by the evil. Once again, it is not necessary to read "Kiss" to find out how Dageus ended up like this in "Dark." In the prequel "Kiss," Dageus was a minor character with very little time devoted to him. His corruption occurs in the last two pages of "Kiss," with about two to three brief sentences (as described in a letter) devoted to the entire incident. In essence, it was a draw to get people to read "Dark."

In "Dark," Moning creates a character in Dageus that is very attractive, and not just because he is gorgeous. He is honorable and lonely, yet he reeks of a predatory sexual dominance that has every female character in the story drawn to him like bees to nectar. Plus, he has a dark side - which is always much, much more exciting than white knights and squeaky-clean heroes.

His heroine is Chloe, a Kansas "nerd" who now works in a museum in Manhattan tending to Celtic artifacts. Dageus, who happened to be from the 16th Century Scotland, is by far the greatest, sexiest, and most dangerous artifact Chloe could ever hope to discover. I wasn't a big fan of Chloe - she just seemed too frumpy and naïve a love interest for such a hot guy, but oh well, I guess. It is a fantasy.

Chloe's reactions to a man like Dageus, however, are very, very real. There is definitely a sizzle to the numerous love scenes. They are long, graphic, and not at all flowery. It's Dageus' aggression and complete control of each sexual encounter that gives "Dark" its satisfying heat. Luckily, "Dark" doesn't not have the overly crude language that I found so vulgar in "Kiss."

This is a story with many magical elements, a dark brooding hero, and an innocent modern heroine. You don't need a background in Celtic lore to understand it. All you need is a desire to read about an interesting man pursued by evil both within and around him, the girl he loves, and his amazing abilities to move back and forth in time.







Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty good book by the author.
Review: Dark Highlander is the first book that I have read from Karen Marie Moning and I found I really enjoyed the book.

The hero and heroine were great together. Dagaues was the perfect hero- dark, brooding, handsome, caring, etc. And although at times the heroine was a little annoying, she was a perfect foil for the more darker hero. The growth and sexual tension between was well played out throughout the book, and at times it was HOT HOT HOT! The dilemma the hero faced with the thirteen souls of the evil Druids was an interesting one, and the small glimpses of the world of the Fay (Fairie) was interesting, especially the character Adam Black, who I hope will get his own story. The added interactions with the hero's family added a humor and a more personal feel to the story.

However, there were a few problems I had with the book that prevented me from giving it a higher rating. One, is that although it is supposed to be a stand alone book, from my point of view it would have been easier to read the story of the hero's brother, Drustan, which was the prequel to Dark Highlander. It would have clarified some confusion about what really happened and why the hero, Dageaus was cursed in the first place. The second was the ending! It felt completely rushed and the whole confrontation with the thirteen Druid souls and the sect who worshipped him was anticlamatic. The author does not detail WHAT EXACTLY happened. The reader was left with the feeling of- that's it???

But overall, the story was good. There is great built up between the characters, the action was good and love story great. I will definitely read more from this author.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This was bad....
Review: I don't know why...must be cause this story lacks something. And I just thought it was about sex and nothing more... it didn't say or show why they fall in love or love eachother except. And the only good thing is that it showed a bit of the other people from the earlier works.
I've read all of the earlier books and this is the worst one, I'm not sure if I'm going to read more of this author if it's like this one.... And if i could.. I've given this book NO star at all....

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Karen Marie Moning fan....
Review: I have been a fan of historical romances for several years. I have recently found time-travel and para-normal. By far, my favorite time-travel romances are by Karen Marie Moning. Out of all her books I enjoyed Kiss of the Highlander the most. This book, The Dark Highlander, is the sequel to that one. The Dark Highlander is funny, sexy, emotional and most definitely a must read for time travel romance fans. There was some parts of this book I found boring which is unusual for me to find in Karen's writing. It has alot of history of the celtics and druids which I thought could have been cut down a bit..well for me anyway. Some people may enjoy all the history details. It was more confusing than Kiss of the Highlander in that it went back and forth a bit between the Tuatha De' Danaan (you have to read her books to know about this), they are basically like gods to druids (which is what Dageus is), and present time and the 16th century.
As far as the heroine ...Chloe. She was cute and strong in her own way. I do like that both the McKelter men found women that weren't the perfect leggy model type.
THE BOTTOM LINE...4 stars instead of 5 because it was a bit confusing to me with all the history, etc. The book made me laugh out loud and it brought tears to my eyes. The sex is very steamy and a big WOW on Dageus's fantasies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Super, Extraordinary, One Of A Kind, Special Novel!!
Review: I may be Karen Marie Moning's biggest fan! I have read all of her books and "The Dark Highlander" is my favorite. Daegus MacKelter, the dark, intense, super-alpha hero, (the most alpha man around), is the reason. He is smart, sexy, enchanting and determined. Once you meet him, you won't be able to put this book down. The plot happens to be intelligent and exciting also.

Daegus is a 16th century Highlander living in a lush apartment in 21st century Manhattan. Yes, there's time travel here, as well as magic, romance, mystery, adventure and edge-of-your-seat suspense. McKelter is in this century searching for an ancient manuscript, from his time, so he can find the method to exorcise the thirteen evil Druid entities that possess him. He has to find the texts soon because their dark presence threatens to take him over completely, and their power grows with every minute.

Chloe Zanders, an antiquities dealer who is especially interested in 16th century military pieces, is found in Daegus' apartment snooping through his texts and manuscripts. She had actually gone there on official business. When she found the door unlocked she entered. Daegus was not at home - but his treasures, ancient artifacts which appear new, are all over the place, right out in the open - like a museum! How can she resist? Actually Daegus is the one who finds her....and he ties her up. How like an alpha male! He is immediately drawn to this intelligent, feisty lady who would bargain away her soul to get her hands on some of his antiquities. He holds Chloe captive - but this is not your usual captive damsel romance plot. Chloe is no damsel, believe me!

There are plot twists, hilarious scenes that ooze with sexual tension and sensuality. Yum! The dialogue and banter between the two is outstanding! They eventually travel to Scotland because the book he has been searching for is not in America after all - but back home. There he meets with his brother and sister-in-law. Daegus had been avoiding his family because he feared their learning of his possession - knowledge which could lead to his death. And in Scotland the evil grows stronger.

The "Tuatha De Dannan," (a fairy type immortal race), had made a pact with the human race hundreds of years before. The Keltar became the chosen to protect the earth, nourish it and rebuild the land. A compact was forged between the two races - man and fairy. Under extreme duress, Daegus was forced to break this pact and when he did, the 13 "Tuatha De Dannan," who had broken away from the main group and turned to dark ways, possessed Daegus' mind, and eventually threatened his very soul. This is a very special and most unusual story.

Ms. Moning has created a magical world where time has little meaning and lovers will cross centuries and continents to stay together. The author has included fascinating, accurate details of Celtic Druid lore and life. Her characters are three-dimensional and so likable. All I can say, to sum up, is that I read avidly - all kinds of books. This is one of my Top Ten favorites. Highest recommendation!
JANA

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good but not Great
Review: I wanted to adore this book as much as it's predecessor Kiss of the Highlander since it was Daegus' story (Drustan's twin brother), but instead, I liked it a whole lot. The story is most definitely unique and engaging and our hero is certainly scrumptouously sexy in his darkness. However, I just didn't warm up to the heroine, Chloe. I feel Ms. Moning didn't develop this character as fully as she did Gwen in KOTH. As a result, this story misses the complete "romance" aspect. I couldn't say "Yes! These characters were meant to be together above all others", but rather felt that they shared a mere fondness for one another and a whole lot of attraction. If you are looking for an intriguing and more complex plotline, this book is wonderful. If you want heart-stopping love and romance, you may feel a little short-changed. If you desire the whole romance package complete with a great storyline, read KOTH. All in all, The Dark Highlander makes for an enjoyable read and is certainly one of the better novels written in this genre.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Karen Marie Moning, where have you been all my life?
Review: Lately, I've been scouring the book store Romance section for a decent romance novel and I have been disappointed time and time again...until The Dark Highlander. Wow, this book was such a pleasant surprise! I really loved it. The story was engaging and the characters were very lovable.

I will spare you my summary of the plotline as may others have outlined the story. I only want to put my two cents in because I have to stress how much I liked this book. Especially, the hero, Dageus. Boy oh, boy! Dageus is a romance novel hero to end them all: tall, dark, handsome, brooding, very alpha-male, and too sexy for words, but he doesn't stop there. He is also smart. Smart as in Albert Einstein smart. This may sound a bit farfetched, but once you read the book, it will make perfect sense. Moreover he is a sexual dynamo without being cheesy. I have to say that KMM writes some of the best erotic scenes that I have ever read.

With all the above said, I have to also stress that the story becomes extremely emotional and heartwrenching near the end. When you read what Dageus' father says to him near the end and how Chloe, the intrepid heroine, reacts to events, you will feel your heartstrings being tugged. The familial relationship was just beautiful to read about. The words and feelings that Dageus conveys to Chloe will make you sigh with longing. KMM really knows how to squeeze a girl's heart!

So, don't walk...run to the bookstore and get this one. I haven't read any books this satisfying since Linda Howard's "After the Night". I hope you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: DARK, HOT, SEXY, ROMANTIC, I WANT AN ENCORE!
Review: My OH MY deagus is hot, sexy, dark, and so scotishly romantic and the way he is so seductive. and the sex is so hot and chole gets it better than me and i have a scot who let me say is romantic but i wish i had my own dark highlander and i wish i had the kind of love chole gets. oh my oh my this was such a good book that i wish there was another to go along with it as a follow up every one should read this book. THIS IS FOR ALL THOSE WHO SAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER; IT WASN'T GOOD; I'M SELLING MY COPY; OR I HAVE READ BETTER get your mind out of the gutter and read a book with an open mind, i have read books from josie litton that could have been better but i didn't think about oh josie litton is a good writer so this will be good, or i read this because the back sounds so convincing no i read because i wanted to create my own opinion and that my friend is what writters try and do.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Time-Travel Romance
Review: Quickly becoming the master of time travel romance, Ms. Moning follows KISS OF THE HIGHLANDER, Drustan's tale, with her latest work, the story of his twin brother Dageus MacKeltar. Though Dageus traveled through time to save his brother, doing so for personal reasons was in violation of an ancient pact. As punishment, Dageus is consumed with thirteen evil ancient beings that threaten to take over his soul. Ironically, his only relief from the dark spirits occurs when he is engaged in sexual activity.

When Chloe Zanders' employer asks her to take an ancient book over to a client's New York apartment, she reluctantly agrees. Dageus, the client, is absent when she first enters his penthouse and discovers among recently stolen museum artifacts, other objects attesting to his sexual proclivity. Caught snooping under his bed, Chloe is mortified with the appearance of Dageus, the most handsome virile man she has ever met. His refusal to let her leave renders Chloe with unwitting feelings of attraction and bewilderment from this utterly fascinating man.

Helplessly falling under his spell, Chloe journeys with Dageus to visit his identical twin brother in Scotland. As Chloe and Dageus journey back to his sixteenth century world, she learns of the dark force that threatens to claim him and desperately hopes that with her love and help, they can defeat the evil that wants to consume his soul.

Ms. Moning writes some of the most sensual love scenes in historical romance, and this latest read is proof positive of that fact. Much to her credit, the sexual encounters are well integrated into the plot line and exude feeling, eschewing the gratuitous sex often found in romance novels. This is quite possibly her best work to date, chock full of romance, time traveling suspense, and eerie mysticism.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not as good as "Kiss of the Highlander"
Review: The heroine was weaker I felt in this book. I found myself frustrated with her whereas I had more respect for Gwen in the Kiss of the Highlander. It was terrible that Silvan tells Daegus that he's the favorite over Drustan, no father would say that to one of twin sons. And the whole story about a tortured hero who can be saved only by the one mate, and uttering a binding spell was shamelessly unoriginal and imitative of Christine Feehan's "Dark" series... Otherwise he will become "a dark one" and lose his soul, again just like Feehan's series.
Easy ending, too easy. No good twists like Kiss of the Highlander.
I don't know if I'll bother with the next one, Highlander's Touch.


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