Patrick MacGregor es un hombre perseguido que vive al límite. Despojado de sus tierras y con su clan prosrito, Patrick y sus hombres se han visto obligados a ocultarse… y los culpables de todo (al menos para Patrick) son los odiados Campbell. Así que no se detendrá ante nada para salvar a su clan de la destrucción, y casarse con Elizabeth Campbell, cuya serena belleza ha admirado en la distancia, podría ser la respuesta. Disponer un ataque parece el medio perfecto para ganarse la confianza de la protegida muchacha, pero no tardará en darse cuenta de que no sólo es su vida la que corre peligro si ella descubre su verdadera identidad, sino algo que había creído perdido hacía mucho tiempo: su corazón.

Patrick MacGregor is a wanted man. His clan of MacGregors has been declared outlaws. Their lands were taken from them many years ago. Patrick has not had a home since he was ten years old, when the Campbells came and killed his parents in front of him. He escaped with his siblings and has lived on the run for twenty years.

Patrick’s cousin, Alisdair, the chief of the MacGregors, could never resist a challenge. Patrick can’t believe what he is doing. He is competing in the archery contest at inveraray Castle, the Highland stronghold of Clan Campbell. His plan is to win the contest then reveal himself as Alisdair MacGregor so everyone knows who the best archer in the Highlands is and get away while Patrick and his brother distract everyone by making the giant tent collapse on top of everyone.

While Patrick is waiting for the signal, he is intrigued by a small lass walking in his direction. Nearby, a man is bragging about how he is betrothed to Elizabeth Campbell who has a stuttering problem and has had two other betrothals that were broken and how easy it was to pretend he was interested in her because she was so desperate that he only had to give her compliments and she “lapped them up like a grateful pup”. When the lass looks devastated and horrified, he realizes that she must be Elizabeth Campbell. She tries to say something but stutters and then slips and falls in the mud. All the men laugh at her and say that her feet are just as tangled as her tongue. Patrick is disgusted by the men and helps her up. She is so embarrassed that she doesn’t even look at him and walks hurriedly away. Because he helped her, he almost gets caught by her brother Jamie who recognizes him but he and his clan get away.

Elizabeth Campbell has a huge tocher or dowry but she actually owns land in her name also which is rare for a woman. She is on her way to see her cousin, the Earl of Argyll, because he summoned her. From his letter which tells her that he is giving her more land, she can tell that it is just another way to tell her that he is going to betroth her to someone again. Her last betrothal was a disaster. Her betrothed made her believe that he loved her but learned the truth when she overheard him bragging about how desperate she was. She is now 26 years old which is considered too old not to be married.

Her carriage is attacked by outlaw MacGregors but is saved by a man named Patrick Murray. A lot of her guardsmen are badly wounded or dead so she travels back to Castle Campbell with Patrick Murray and his men to get help. He saves her life again when a wolf tries to attack her by killing it with his bare hands. She finds herself very attracted to him.

Clan MacGregor has learned that the Earl of Argyll is giving Patrick’s parents lands to Elizabeth Campbell who since the day of the archery games, they have called Patrick’s Campbell because of his gallantry almost getting them caught. They want the lands and plan to have Patrick get close to her and convince her to marry him. They set up the attack on her carriage but nobody was supposed to have been hurt. His brother Gregor, who is wild and savage from living on the run too long, acted rashly, almost killing Elizabeth in the process. Patrick came to her rescue which was the original plan but he wasn’t planning on his brother trying to kill Elizabeth and her stabbing him in the stomach. He had to threaten to kill his brother so he would let her go. Now, he is finding himself falling for her for real. Will she ever forgive him for tricking her?

Once again, Monica McCarty had my emotions in turmoil. She is such a great writer to be able to make my heart go out to these characters. It’s crazy how she pulls me into the story and makes me emotionally attached to the hero and heroine.

I’m definitely going to read the last book of the trilogy. In fact, that’s what I’m going to do right now.

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A solid four stars. One slip up: the Highlander hero says to the heroine during their lovemaking, "God, you are hot!"??? ( )

Love Patrick!!!!!!!!!

Patrick's character is endearing. Just so well written. His pain is palpable. It just jumps off the page and touches your soul. His story left a lingering imprint on my psyche. He is the embodiment of a hero for all people. Such a strong sense of duty and right from wrong. Where other's would react on emotion he holds himself in check. So admirable. He left me reeling.

Elizabeth wasn't my favorite character. But she wasn't your standard heroine either. She wasn't whiny or spoiled. She wasn't redundant. She was strong and biddable. She endured and moved on. She was loyal and determined. I liked that about her character. she wasn't masculine. Yet she wasn't week either. She was a true woman. She continued to move forward through any obstacle with minimal complaint. She trudged on. She showed a quiet strength.

The book to me was more about Patrick and the plight of the Clan MacGregor. How the neither Campbell or MacGregor was innocent. They had both committed grave atrocities. All in all a intelligent well written plot. With a lot of twist and turns. Loved it!!!!!!!!
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Wonderful story! Draws you in and doesn't want to let you go, with easy to love and hate characters you'll find your self rooting for even if they seem doomed ( )