The Warrior: Return of the Highlanders Series, Book 3

Margaret Mallory does it AGAIN!! In her third book of her Return of the Highlander Series Ms Mallory tells us Duncan's story and oh what a story it is. These four young men have returned from France to save their clan. The tightrope they must walk between clans who have been allies and powerful clans that have the kings ear is a constant battle.Duncan MacDonald, bastard child of one of the evilest men, scion to the clan's greatest enemies. He has been ordered by his Laird to go to Ireland and check on the Laird's sister. Duncan having been in love with the lovely Moira since he was a teen was loath to go. He did not want to go and see her happy with another man. And yet, he knew he was the clan's best bet for the trip. Upon arrival he finds things not quite as they seem but in his jealousy and loss he misses the signs.Moira, princess of the MacDonalds.. adored daughter.. has been in love with Duncan MacDonald since he was a teen. When he left abruptly she discovered she was pregnant and agreed to be married immediately to a man of her father's choice. Only to spend the next seven years being verbally abused. Finally after an aborted escape attempt her fears are justified and her son is sent to the MacDonald's greatest enemy for foster. When Duncan arrives she refuses to believe that he can help and his behavior only causes more disaster for Moira..Finding Moira bloody and battered Duncan and she escape into the storms of the Scottish Isles. One disaster after another leaves them stranded with a neighboring clan where they slowly begin to find their way back to each other. Only Moira still has secrets and Duncan still doesn't believe he is good enough for her.As their inner turmoil heats up, so too does the battle for MacDonald lands. Duncan is sent into battle and Moira must learn how to stand firm. And Duncan must accept a woman's assistance..This story is a wonderful addition to this series and tells Duncan and Moira's story beautifully as well as advancing the overall story arc. It was a complete thrill to read this book and I wholeheartedly recommend it.ShauniThis review is based on the ARC of The Warrior provided by netgalley

I was so please to be able to listen to the audio version of The Warrior. Duncan has always been one of my favorite characters as Ms. Mallory weaves severall of her stronger, more demanding, personalities throughout the series. If I'm not mistaken, each main character seems to demand and deserve a chance to allow us into their own personal adventure, which of course is a very colorful and intriguing love story. Derek Perkins once again leaves me spellbound with his phenomenal narration with the audio book version. I do wish that whomever chooses the covers for audio books especially, would pay closer attention to the detained description of the main character is they plan to have him on the cover. The audio cover for this book has a beautiful man on the front cover, however, that is how I pictured him throughout the story, not as a redhead or an auburn haired man. This is not the fault of the author or narrator, but can be very disconcerting to us visual learners/readers. For The Sinner, the book cover was much more appropriate while the audible cover was not, though the audible cover was ok, it just didn't really appeal to me or match the Viking blonde character. Great books however in this series by Margaret Mallory and narrated by Derek Perkins. This is a series you will not want to miss. I'd recommend it to any of my friends.

Another great book in the series. Duncan is probably the most highlander of the three so far. He is your big fierce highland warrior with a gentle touch and heart. The big teddy bear. Duncan and Moira fell in love when they were young. Duncan knew her chieftain father would never allow them to be together. As he is just the son of the nursemaid. When they get caught her father only didn't kill him because the seer said he would one day save the chieftain's son Connor. They force him to leave with Connor, Ian, and Alex to France, and lie to Moira saying Duncan chose to leave her. She is forced to marry someone who treats her bad. She blames Duncan for all the things that have happened to her since he abandoned her. 7 years later Duncan is sent to find out if her husband is mistreating her. Duncan still loves her, and has been sad all these years. He knows no one will ever take her place, and has never been in a serious relationship. He doesn't want to go until the seers says he sees her and blood. He is afraid for her then and takes off as quick as possible. I would have liked for them to spend more time together, but there were a lot of things going on. Still no complaint.Sexual content low.

Duncan and Moira have a long history. They grew up together and had a summer of love when Moria was just 17. Duncan is her brothers (Connor) best friend and his captain of the guard. Connor sends Duncan to check on Moira in Ireland after the seer has a vision of her danger. Duncan arrives in time to rescue her. Their journey begins. It’s a sweet story with twists and turns that keep me reading.

The Warrior is a very satisfying highland tale of treachery, danger, suspense, intrigue, camaraderie, honor and love. Margaret Mallory's words spring to life in the characters of The Warrior. Duncan MacDonald is a formidable warrior with all the prerequisites for a highland Scott hero. And Oh how I love my highland heroes. My feelings toward Moira MacDonald(the heroine)are a little more ambivalent as she wafts between being a woman of substance and a princess. Although she has been through much and shows strength in the face of adversity, sometimes her actions are manipulative and put others in danger. She does come more into her own toward the end of the book when her brave actions save the clan.

Moira is living a nightmare with a vicious, vindictive and cruel brute of a man Sean MacQuillan, her husband. All she wants and has wanted for the last seven years is to be rescued by the man she truly loves, Duncan MacDonald. She has been in love with Duncan since she was seventeen. Duncan was sent away by Moira's father, but he never stopped loving her, he just never had enough belief in himself to change their future, so they can be together. He believes she betrayed him and she believes, he abandoned her. But fate and perhaps the faeries intervene and so this gripping and dark tale unravels into a wonderfully fast paced and romantic adventure. As usual, Margaret shows very descriptively how dark, violent and cruel the early 1500's were. The villains in this tale, make you tense as you read their parts in this tale and the book comes to life with Margaret's wonderful word play, humour and descriptiveness. I loved this story, I think it is my favourite one so far and all the surrounding characters are wonderful too. Reading Duncan's journey to claiming his self-worth, despite his own evil father, is so endearing and passionate and Moira is a wonderful heroine, full of fire, beauty, drive and bravery. She is a perfect match for the handsome warrior who is brave, heroic and kind. Absolutely magical!!

The story out-did the quality of the book delivered. It was a 2nd-hand book and not too bad a condition, but definitely not "good as new". I did not mind though.

All the stories in this series are a raunchy mills and boon, yes a romance, yes a love story, but wouldn't it be nice to have a grown up story, yes we like to read about a handsome hero and a gutsy girl, and we all like a happy ending. Men in Kilts, yes please but a little less predictable.

Loved it best one yet. I can't stop reading these books there brilliant. Full of twists and turns excitement love intrigue. I find myself reading late and then wanting the next one. Fantastic

What can I say, Margaret Mallory never fails to deliver. Another excellent book by her that I really enjoyed.