The Warrior by Margaret Mallory
Return of the Highlanders, Book 3
Grand Central
Historical
ISBN: 978-0446583091
Reviewed by Miranda




There is no place that Moira would rather be than Dunscaith Castle on the misty Isle of the Skye.  She used to daydream about her brother and her one true love rescuing her from the miserable marriage that her father condemned her to but she must suffer her reality now.  Moira and her son Ragnall are running out of time. Her husband is becoming more violent; it won’t be long before he does permanent damage. She plans to escape but will she get the chance?

Duncan MacDonald has fought many battles with and for his friend Connor.  Connor is now chieftain and he wants something from Duncan that he may not be able to deliver.  The thought of seeing his one true love Moira amidst her happy home with her husband and babes is too much but Connor requires Duncan to seek out Moira’s husband to see if they will stand with them against their rivals. Duncan is opposed but will do his duty for his chieftain.  When he arrives it is to discover that the woman he has always loved is in need of rescuing and he’s just the man for the job.

A rescue doesn’t undo the hurt Duncan caused in Moira’s eyes.  She loved Duncan but the scars he left on her heart are deep.  Now she is determined to rescue her son from their enemies clutches.  Duncan promises Moira he will bring her son home. Is this a promise he can keep and will the search for Ragnall bring them back together?

Margaret Mallory’s Return of the Highlanders series is pure satisfaction guaranteed for Highlander lovers.  It is rare that I wait for a book with baited breath but for every book in this series Ms. Mallory manages to outdo even herself making my anticipation for the next book even greater.  The Warrior is dark and dangerous with its impassioned couple and remarkable story.  My heart ached deeply for this couple; no one should endure such pain and hardship as Moira.  There are points where I literally held my breath out of fear for the characters.  For instance, the scenes on the boat had me an emotional wreck!  My mind was reading as fast as possible while thinking please, oh please do not let happen what I think is going to happen.  This is why I love Ms. Mallory’s writing so much. I get so sucked into the story I feel what the characters feel, I root for them and fight along with them!

The Warrior’s Duncan and Moira are two people not to be reckoned with.  Both are well-seasoned with disappointment and know how to fight. It is impossible to miss the intense desire between them.  The sparks fly as these two battle each other and their enemies.  I was disappointed with how long it took Duncan to see the big picture and stop viewing his woman as if she were still the girl he fell in love with when they were youths.  I wanted to yell at him so many times! However, I loved how this gave Moira the ability to assert herself and prove just how prepared she is to take care of herself. There are so many things that I want to talk about but don’t want to spoil anything for anyone!

The Warrior definitely sets the story up for the next installment The Chieftain which I presume will be the final book in the series even if it kills me to say that!  I am wholly in love with these characters and I’ve been dying for Connor’s story since book one but it will be bittersweet. He is The Chieftain and it’s only right that it all end with him.  I recommend that these books be read in order although they can be enjoyed individually.

The Warrior is as mighty as it is fierce this romance is a stand-out and I’m Joyfully Recommending it!