A commander in the McTiernay clan, Dugan is known far and wide for his skills with a sword—and his skills in seduction. His rugged countenance and arrogant swagger are a lethal combination for the women who try to tame him and fail. Until a mysterious firebrand tempts him with her wicked ways.
The way the book starts is very similar to another book I read not too long ago, so I was already a little off-set. Then, though, the more I got into the book the more divided I became. I ended up really liking Adanel but really disliking Dugan. His character seemed more fitting for the bodice-rippers of the 80s rather than today. I just really didn’t like him and wished for more for Adanel.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I have not read books by this author before, but I will definitely be reading them now! This was a fun story, though a little chaotic at times. I liked that the couple got together early in the story -- it gives the reader more of an attachment to them as a couple vs individuals, and it lowered the angst level (I am not a fan of unnecessary angst!). There was a LOT going on in this story, and I am not sure if some of the characters were from other books or will maybe be featured in upcoming ones, but it was hard for me to keep track of everyone -- a cheat sheet on who is who and how they are connected would have been welcome. The other thing that distracted me were the throwbacks to the past -- again, it could be that this is because I haven't read the earlier books, but it was a little hard to follow. Overall, though, I enjoyed this story and look forward to going back to read up on the previous stories in the series.

This is an amazingly good highlander story with complex drawn out characters. The author knows how to please the readers giving them enough tension yet steaminess to love everything! Dugan the hot handsome commander of the McTiernay’s definitely makes it hard not to fall for him. Adanel's world turned upside down with the death of her fiance, at the hands of her father. When they get together, it's exactly what they needed. Yes they fight but the makeup between them is just that much more intense! The book moves along quite nicely with much action and simmering passion that definitely holds you until the last very page!

I am new to Ms Sinclair’s work. Some parts of this book I really liked but the majority of it was pretty boring. I will say one thing for sure is the sexual chemistry between Dugan and Adanel was pretty hot. Ms Sinclair knows how to write a love/sex scene. I just think their whole relationship started out as wham bam thank you ma’am. Right away they meet and are having sex and to me it was way too rushed. I felt like Adanel used Dugan to get back at her nasty father and as a way escape him household. Their actual relationship felt like it was a couple of high schoolers, with all the lack of communication or talking of thing through. It was just kind of a turn off and I found my self wanting the book to be over.

Book #8 in The McTiernay series, How to Marry a Highlander can be read without knowledge of the previous books, though.
Some readers have complained about H and h getting to know each other (in the biblical sense) too early in the story. It may be true, but it seems to make sense in which concerns the h, Adanel MackBaythe, as she's trying to escape her cruel father.
However, the thing that doesn't make sense is the number of lies Adanel gets herself entangled. Had she told the truth once and twice, she could have avoid the H's anger.
Well, the hero... Dugan is too arrogant for his own good. And childish - he overreacts 9 out of 10 times.
I can't say I dislike the book at all, but Dugan and Adanel's didn't work with me.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Adanel Mackbaythe is trapped with her cruel family and finds her only respite in regular trysts with a man she refuses to learn the name of. All she knows is that he is from the opposing McTiernay clan, and hopes one day that it will be a means of escaping. When Dugan discovers her identity, he loses whatever faith he had in her. Their clans' rivalries deteriorate further, and the animosity between Adanel and Dugan is only matched by the passion and love they still have for each other.

How to Marry a Highlander is the eighth book in the McTiernay Brothers series, and I don't think I read any of the prior seven. Even so, I haven't lost any context by not reading the stories of other hardheaded McTierney men or their wives. In contrast to a lot of romance books written about the 1300's or later, the hero and heroine of the story start out with an illicit affair and don't even learn each others' names. Adanel's fiance had been murdered in front of her, so she has a good reason to avoid knowing anything about Dugan. Dugan is curious and assumes the worst when he discovers that Adanel is a Mackbaythe.

Intrigue between the clans continues to put the two of them in each others' paths, as well as a number of pranks from well-meaning friends who are certain the two remain in love despite the deep resentment and hurt they feel. They're not wrong, and the situations they deal with force Adanel and Dugan to compromise and help each other. There are arguments and some misunderstandings, but of course, they're eventually resolved; if anything, it still bothers me that Dugan never apologized for his believing the worst in Adanel and not coming to her defense when everyone accused her of treachery. We do end the book on a hopeful note, with more relationships than just theirs being repaired. It's a little pat to be resolved so quickly, but it doesn't downplay the fact that there is still a lot of work to be done, something that likely will be alluded to in future books of the series.

I was hoping for a charming romance set in a somewhat less-common era, but this failed to satisfy. From the opening pages, there’s no authentic sense of the supposed era, though there are a few blatant anachronisms. I found the writing to be heavy-handed and... obvious, for lack of a better word. This might be a fun book for someone less invested in the historical part of historical romance, but I couldn’t get into it.

To escape her daily life and her father Adanel Mackbaythe would sneak away and swim in her secret loch. Adanel thought that she was so smart because for the longest time it was only her swimming but one April day Adanel sees the handsomest man she has ever seen swimming in the loch as well. Adanel can’t resist him or his allure and gives herself to him not knowing who he really is but doesn’t care. Secretly Adanel meets with her mystery man as often as she can because she knows that her time is running out because her hated father does have a plan for her. The mystery man is actually Dugan McTiernay and an enemy to her clan. As Adanel and Dugan continue to meet Dugan realizes he wants more than just a physical relationship because he has fallen deeply in love and so has Adanel. Of course when Dugan finds out whom Adanel really is, can he forgive her betrayal enough to prevent others from wanting her too?
This is an amazingly good highlander story that not only leaves you breathless from not just the perfect imagery but the wonderfully complex drawn out characters including the side characters who definitely need to have their story told too. Sure the book is book eight in the series but really has no problem standing alone. The author knows how to please the readers giving them enough tension yet steaminess to love everything! Dugan the hot handsome commander of the McTiernay’s definitely makes it hard not to fall for him, wishing that you could find him swimming naked in the loch and making him your very own. Sure he has his faults; he’s stubborn and can be downright mean at times but he’s also soft, sensitive and compassionate-such great fodder for the perfect book boyfriend! He also doesn’t hold on to his anger to long either and his sarcasm still will make anyone smile because he has a great big heart underneath it all! Adanel is no wilting flower either and can her own against Dugan. Yes they fight but the makeup between them is just that much more intense! Plus Adanel is hard not to have an extreme girl crush on either. She’s strong, courageous and loves not only Dugan but everyone in the clan. The book moves along quite nicely with much action and simmering passion that definitely holds you until the last very page!

I had not read any of the previous books in this series but that did not stop me enjoying the story, which centres on Dugan, a commander in the McTiernay clan. He starts a secret romance but does not know the identity of his with an unknown lover. He discovers that she is none other than, Adele Mackbaythe and feels completely betrayed. A great read with plenty of steamy romance.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. All views are my own.

Adanel MackBaythe knows her father will murder any man she comes to attached to or love, he’s already proven he’s a mean heartless father. So when she spies a sexy rugged highlander she only wants to keep him a secret from everyone. Dugan stops by a lake while he’s out patrolling until he spies a mysterious firebrand tempts him with her wicked ways, but Dugan is not a man to be toyed with. He figures out she’s from an enemy clan out to trap him and vows never to see her again and deserts her. There’s a war about to start after murdered has been committed and he soon finds himself back into the arms of the one woman he swore to never desire again as he goes to her rescue. A great story filled with intrigue, passion, adventure and to fill a lifetime. I love Dugan and Adanel their perfect together and you’ll be cheering them as they fight their way through all the betrayal and mistrust to find their HEA!! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

This is book 8 in the McTiernays series but is a stand alone. But this book kind of picks up where the previous book ends, so reading that one first would definitely add to enjoying this one.
This is the story of Dugan, liaison to the Laird of the McTiernays, Captain in their guard and Adanel, granddaughter of the McCleod laird.
They meet accidentally at a loch each likes to visit for its privacy and solitude . Their connection and chemistry is instantaneous. You could feel it in their words and in their actions. But they both keep secrets from each other, including their true identities.
This leads to many misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
How will they overcome all that has happened to them?
The book had me hooked from the beginning. I couldn't put it down. I thought at times the main characters could be a little immature and stubborn, but that was their personality traits.
But I loved how they put all aside for the sake of others. Great ending too. Never saw that coming.

While I quite liked Adanel, the heroine of this book, the hero Dugan was a complete and utter A double S hole. I just could not with his blaming Adanel for everything. She TOLD HIM that her father was a powerful, abusive, dangerous man who butchered the first man she wanted to marry before her eyes, Dugan literally had to rescue her from a tower where she’d been locked up for months, and then he insisted on believing she was in league with her father all along.

Adanel got in at least three brilliant ego-demolishing speeches to Dugan in the book, but unfortunately it appeared he didn’t listen to a single word of any of them, and didn’t believe any of what she said until it was confirmed for him… by other men. This is one of the most horrible things men do and it’s extremely unheroic behaviour. Despite this, Adanel still practically swoons every time he touches her, even though there’s one scene which is very forced-consent and made me deeply uncomfortable.

Despite the hot mess of the romance in this book, it does have its good parts; Adanel’s above-mentioned speeches are actually brilliant and deserved a much better reaction from the horse’s behind she had for a love interest, and the inter-clan political wrangling actually felt extremely realistic. Those are the only things that salvage this from the bottom of the barrel. Two stars.

This is the 8th book in this series but it can be read as a stand-alone. Dugan and Adanel are great characters with steamy chemistry. Adanel is desperate to escape her cruel father and hopes Dugan will be the one to help her. Dugan is surprised by his feelings for Adanel as he doesn’t want a relationship. Will love win in the end? Entertaining historical read. I really liked it.

Book: How to Marry a Highlander
By Michele Sinclair
Series: Series: The McTiernays, Book #8

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating:🔥

Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

April 1317, Loch Coire Fionnaraich


Adanel MackBaythe, is the heroine of this story and daughter of a brutal and cruel Laird. Everyone has to obey to corrupt wicked depraved ways or suffer the consequences! He seems to crave everyone to fear and piss in their boots over his evil ways. No one can ever question him no matter what you think or you will suffer the consequences! The one that suffers his cancer the most is his own daughter Adanel. She wants to escape her father and his wicked ways as he even murdered her first love.

Dugan the commander of the McTiernay clan meet Adanel while swimming in a Loch. One thing leads to another that starts an emotional love affair. He is known for his talent on the battlefield and in a lassies bedroom. It is emotional as it is only the second man Adanel has ever been with. Plus that was only one time where Dugan has been with countless number of women. Yet he is clear he has no interest in marriage. Dugan doesn't usually get drawn in by females, yet this outspoken wench draws him in like a moth to a flame. So this affair meets regularly for weekly trysts. As he can never seem to get enough of her. Yet the one thing he can’t tolerate is liars, secrets, and betrayals, yet he has plenty of his own. He breaks Adanel’s tender heart when he finds out she is the daughter of an enemy Clan.

Then as Dugan comes head to head wanting revenge on Adanels clan. Adanel and Dugan will come head to head. Another clans son planning to marry Adanel and she being locked away.

Another mind blowing, fast paced McTiernay novel that I couldn’t put down. It is another fast paced, page turning, riveting, romantic, adventure with an abusive father that is possibly mentally ill. The abusive Laird has a good hearted daughter that was his opposite. It is filled with betrayal, imprisonment, abduction, violence, treachery, murder, clan wars, passion, loyalty, forgiveness and love. The daughter meets the man of her dreams, the McTiernay commander Dugan. Though she has deceived him for good reasons. A man that demands honesty and respect can he ever forgive her betrayal? They meet again in the heat of battle will they forgive and forget or go their separate ways?

A book Michele Sinclair readers don’t want to miss. You can read as a stand alone book or in book order. I have enjoyed each book in the series. I highly recommend How to Marry a Highlander by Michele Sinclair.

Again breathtaking settings, dialogue that made me gasp in delight, and plotting that was absolutely awe-inspiring. In addition the characters were unforgettable.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy from the publishers through netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advance copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

Amazon Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Marry-Highlander-Michele-Sinclair-ebook/dp/B07F64DBY5

I received an eARC at no cost from the author, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.

2.5*

This book had a few problems for me.

I didn’t connect with the main characters and thought they were quite annoying, to be honest. And, although they had great background stories that were supposed to make us feel like we could forgive them almost anything, it didn’t work that way for me.

Dugan was arrogant, and never really understood that a great part of the problem was created by him. Adanel was a bit annoying and at the end, even though they had the HEA, they didn’t really talk. They just had sex and that was pretty much it. There was a lot of miscommunication and anger that really wasn’t resolved.

The best characters were all secondary, and maybe some will have their story told in another book? If so, I would like to read it later on. I liked the end of the book. When Dugan became laird, and was actually doing things for other people and not just thinking of him. And Adanel grew up, and actually behaved in the right way.

The book wasn’t bad, it just didn’t appeal to me. So, it gets its a two and half out of five rating because of it.

I love this book!!! It has desire, passion, romance as well as feelings of betrayal, fear, anger, frustration and greed. We also have love, loyalty and friendship. There is also humor exchanged between some of the major characters and I could not help but laugh and smile. The book creates a tension that is only broken by reading page after page. I could not put this down. I had to read it in one go. There is the main plot with several excellent subplots. This is well written and the characters had great personalities. I was so surprised at the ending. I did not see it coming but was pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend this book.

This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. A rather unconventional story with strong and vaired characters. Well written tale that flows fast enough to keep you reading.

How to Marry a Highlander by Michele Sinclair is book 8 in The McTiernays Series. This is the story of Adanel MackBaythe and Dugan. This can be a standalone book.
Adanel is wanting to escape her abusive father who even killed her first love. When Dugan finds her desire of course starts to fire up and she thinks he might be the one to save her. Dugan loves the women but doesn't trust them. Adanel and Dugan start a secret affair at first but will it be one they can find a happy ever after with?

(This review has been posted on Amazon, GoodReads, and BookBub.)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2765874757?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Too quick to rush to judgement without knowing all the facts does quite a number on this main couple’s budding romance. Dugan wasn’t doing himself any favors by discounting Adanel’s, his mysterious secret lover, affection for him. He’s a man who seems to be on a mission to look for reasons why he can’t marry, then why he’ll never trust her. He’s a guy who cares more about being right than being happy, folks. This was proven time and time again throughout the story. Honestly, I found myself applauding all the times Adanel gave him harsh words right back and the cold shoulder to boot. Thankfully she wasn’t one to just to take it, folks.

Adanel was trapped between a rock and a hard place. Desperate to get away from her family leaves her unexpectedly hatching a plan to be with a man she wasn’t expecting to fall in love with. But she did, my fellow romance book loving friends, then had her heart stomped on repeatedly.

With a large cast of sub-characters, clan business involving three families, and a twist that put Dugan and Adanel in an unexpected arrangement, I did stay fully engaged, despite my frustration at this stubborn, refused to admit he was mistaken, knuckleheaded hero. My only regret is Adanel didn’t just take off and make this Highlander have to hightail it after her to make things right. At least he eventually came to his senses. I like to think he regretted his actions, too.

As a lover of relationship angst, that part was right up my alley. The writing flowed, and despite everything he put her through, I was glad things worked out for them, though he really tried my patience. Again, I'm thankful she did call him out on his misbehavior towards her and didn't let him off the hook for it.

Title: How to Marry a Highlander, Series: The McTiernay’s (Book 8), Author: Michele Sinclair, Pages: 352, stand-alone but part of a series, steamy scenes, reluctant to love/trust her hero, no love triangle, no cheating, celibate during separation, violent clan justice, puts thinking his right about everything over being happy, slowly comes to his senses, wanted her to leave him at times, he tested my patience a lot.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Highland games just got serious!

The story started off with a somewhat predictable set of circumstances. Wild highland gal, daughter of a nasty clan chief takes some time out for naked (of course) bathing, only to be disturbed by gorgeous, strapping highland warrior. They end up in lust in the water. There you go! Those ravenous, feisty highlanders, untamed and untrammeled!
So that was all a bit sudden, but maybe understandable if you've been kept apart or kept yourself apart, either physically or emotionally from others. After all I am reading a romantic highlander historical novel! So suck up the improbables and read on.
I rather think their initial encounter was mutually agreed seduction, and not too much of the "mysterious firebrand tempting [Dugan] with her wicked ways!" "Her" being Adanel Mackbay. Dugan is a commander of the McTiernay clan and women apparently fall all over him. Let's just say their affair took on its own secretive and mysterious life that they enjoyed. Unfortunately confession time pertaining to their real identities was interrupted and became the source of misunderstanding and wrath.
As we went further into the narrative I found myself enjoying the characters of Adanel and Dugan.
Despite being somewhat predicable in places their situation and the slowly won solutions became quite intriguing.
The last part I did not see coming. Interesting and somewhat whimsical. I added .5 for that alone.
An enjoyable read despite the somewhat shaky premise of Adanel and Dugan's initial encounter.

A NetGalley ARC