TITLE: The Hawk
THE SYNOPSIS
Handpicked by Robert the Bruce to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule, the elite warriors of the Highland Guard face their darkest days. When Bruce is forced to flee, his bid for freedom rests on the shoulders of one extraordinary warrior.
Erik MacSorley is a brilliant seafarer who has never encountered a wind he could not harness or a woman he could not win—until he drags a wet, half-naked “nursemaid” out of the waters off the Irish coast. Ellie’s ordinary appearance belies the truth: She is in fact Lady Elyne de Burgh, the spirited daughter of the most powerful noble in Ireland. Worse, this irresistible woman is determined to prove herself immune to Erik’s charms—a challenge he cannot resist.
Her captor may look every inch a rugged warrior, but Ellie vows that it will take more than a wickedly suggestive caress to impress her. Yet Erik will sweep away Ellie’s resistance with a desire that resonates deep within her heart. Still, he is a man driven by loyalty, and she is a woman with secrets that could jeopardize Bruce’s chance to reclaim his throne. As the battle for king and country sounds across the shores, will Ellie’s love be enough to finally tame the legend known as the Hawk?
THE REVIEW
Ellie, Lady Elyne de Burgh crew up watching her mother love her father and be devastated that he did not return the feelings. When her mother died, Ellie slipped into the roll of taking care of her siblings and her fathers house. Being engaged to a very wealthy, kind nobleman seems like a very safe, secure future. But Ellie is bored and discontent. Before her mother died, she was adventurous and excited for the future, but now she more or less has resigned herself to it. Until she is kidnapped while overhearing a secret meeting.
Erik MacSorley is the best seafarer alive and part of the Highland Guard. He is a charmer and a 'ladies man' through and through. Usually women fall over him and he is used to getting his way, but when he ends up needing to keep Ellie with him, he takes a liking to the woman who is the complete opposite of what he usually likes. She is petite with a small bosom and a spirit for adventure. Thinking that she is simply a nursemaid, he finds himself unable to resist her, but knows it can't go farther because he needs to marry someone with a title and wealth to further his clan. But when he finds out she is actually the daughter of one of the greatest nobleman in Christendom, he is furious and is almost hurt by the fact that she doesn't need him or his title and wealth.
The story is captivating, adventurous, romantic, and angsty...and I loved it! Monica McCarty is FAST becoming one of my favorite authors! I find that I need to space out her books so I can recover from the beautiful story and allow myself to cherish the story; easily thinking about the book weeks later! I don't always remember books a few days after I read them (I blame my ADD brain and short term memory issues!), but I ALWAYS remember her books for months afterwards.
THE STEAM
So there was a scene when they were in the middle of a raging storm and Ellie was terrified. Hawk distracts her by rubbing her back and body...they end up making love while the storm swirls around them! It was amazing!
TROPES
Historical Romance, Medieval Era, Scotland Setting, Alpha Hero, Highland Warrior Hero, Rake Hero, Soldier/War Hero, Protective Hero, Titled Hero, Heiress Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Outdoor Steam, High Seas Steam, Angst Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Abduction, Hidden Identity, Abducted/Kidnapped, Secrets & Lies, Suspense/Danger/Murder, Five Star, Three Flame
HistoricalRomance, MedievalEra, Scotlandsetting, AlphaHero, HighlandWarriorHero, RakeHero, Soldier/WarHero, ProtectiveHero, TitledHero, HeiressHeroine, VirginHeroine, OutdoorSteam, HighSeasSteam, AngstRomance, EnemiestoLovers, Abductiontrope, HiddenIdentity, Abducted/Kidnapped, SecretsandLies, Suspense/Danger/Murder, FiveStar, ThreeFlame
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