ARC Review: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

In Bed with a Highlander
Format: ARC
Genre: Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 351 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (August 30,2011)
ISBN: 9780345519474
Bestselling author Maya Bank's beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy ---and to surrender their hearts to love.

Ewan, the oldest of the McCabe brothers, is a ruggedly powerful warrior. With the time ripe for battle, Ewan is poised to take back what is his ---until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust into his life. The illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn ---and wary of love. But her attraction to Ewan McCabe makes her crave his surprisingly tender touch. Mairin's strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons ---and embrace a love that means more than revenge or land. (source: backcover)

WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Books-a-Million | The Book Depository
WHERE TO FIND MAYA: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
EXTRAS: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

OTHER BOOKS IN SERIES (COMING SOON):







REVIEW & BOOK TRAILER:

Let me start off by saying that I have never read a book by Maya Banks, until now. Go ahead, judge. After coming back from RomCon11, I had a new appreciation for highlanders. Anyway, the ARC was staring at me from my bookshelf. It kept crying my name and I finally gave in. Also contributing to the need to read factor, the ultra fabulous Tessa Dare made the above book trailer. How can you not pick up the book after watching this?


7 REASONS TO READ THIS BOOK:

1. Ewan McCabe. As the oldest McCabe he is the Laird. Rough, tough, focused and all alpha, Ewan has spent the past 8 years trying to rebuild his clan, his keep and make alliances with other clans. He was supposed to marry Laird McDonald's daughter and then the spitfire known as Mairin Stuart enters his life and turns it upside down. At first, he's only marrying Mairin to keep her out of Cameron's hands and needs the dowry she brings. Well, some hot loving and a few minor attempts on her life change everything around.
2. Mairin Stuart. She is the illegitimate daughter of the king and has been in a convent most of her life. Neamh Alainn is her dowry and Laird Duncan Cameron will stop at nothing to gain it. He kidnaps her from the convent and tries to force her into marrying him. Not a good idea since Mairin is pretty spunky and resourceful. She also speaks her mind and doesn't realize it. This causes for some hilarious and awkward scenes. 
3. Alaric and Caelen McCabe. The younger brothers of Ewan. Alaric discovers Mairin with Crispen, his nephew, and takes her back to McCabe land. He takes to Mairin a little faster than his brother Caelen. Something happened to Caelen to make him weary of Mairin or women in general. I am very much looking forward to each of their books. In the end, Alaric has decided to take one for the clan and agrees to marry Rionna McDonald to bind the clans together.
4. Men in kilts trews. Come on! Don't you want to know what's under those? Or how about picturing a highlander, half naked while training with his fellow half naked clansmen? All sweaty and muscly... Are you drooling yet???
5. Crispen. Ewan's only son who goes to welcome his uncles home and ends up getting kidnapped by McDonald soldiers. He is to be ransomed but ends up running away and hiding in a merchant's cart. He is found by Cameron soldiers and is saved by Mairin. He immediate warms up to her. I like the fact  that even though he is Ewan's son, he doesn't hinder the story but enhances it in the parts that he is in.
6. The Women of the McCabe Clan. They take a liking to Mairin, although a little wary at first. Maddie and Bertha give Mairin advice on the matters of "loving" which she did not get from Mother Serenity. Gertie is a bit ornery but she's a great cook. They keep the clan fed and clothed and all around support each other.
7. Hot loving from a highlander. With every part of his being. His hands, his mouth, his fingers and his *whispers* penis. The first time Ewan beds Mairin, it's over quickly. This is due to the fact that Duncan Cameron and his men are approaching. Mairin of course thinks that Ewan is an unskilled lover. Well, the second time around, Ewan proves her wrong. Phew! Does he ever!

FAVORITE QUOTE: "He'd stripped down to his trews, and she found it hard to concentrate on her food when he was lying there looking so blasted appealing." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Oh my stars! I need the next book (after reading the teaser in the back) right now. I'd do anything for it, even drop trew. I must say that this book series could totally be made into a movie or an epic TV show. This book had me giggling and sighing, wishing I had my own highlander going alpha when I misbehaved. Ms. Banks has a way with words, placing me inside the story and experiencing all the emotions each character feels whether it is inner or outer turmoil. I laughed, I cried, I may have thrown the book at the wall a few times (courtesy of Ewan and Caelen) but I came back for more. Now, is it September yet??

***Won an ARC from Maya Banks off of Twitter giveaway***