The Warrior
By Margaret Mallory
Return of the Highlanders Book #3

Duncan MacDonald has been in the previous two books and we know he was in love before and he never really got over it. In this book, we learn that Duncan was in love with his best friend’s sister. Years ago, before his best friend was the chief and before they had gone off to France to fight, he and Moira had a secret love affair but Duncan always knew it couldn’t last because he was born a bastard with an unknown father and Moira was a chieftain’s daughter.

Both of them thinks the other one abandoned them. Moira had unrealistic expectations and believed that her father would allow her to marry Duncan but when her father found out, he told Duncan to go to France with the others and leave his daughter alone or die. Her father let Moira think he ran off to France without saying goodbye. Duncan believes that Moira got married to the first person she met and forgot about him because her father forced her to marry, not only for alliances but because he knew Moira was pregnant.

Now, Duncan has to rescue Moira from an abusive and dangerous marriage in Ireland. He has no clue that her son is his child. They have to overcome the hurt and betrayal they feel for each other.

I think this was the best book so far of the series. There is still the threat of the chief’s uncle who is now a pirate and causing trouble all over the place and trouble with other clans. There was emotional turmoil and danger all through the book. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series which I believe is the final book.

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Each book is this series has been interesting and well written. Very enjoyable!! ( )

Great read (listen). I liked Derek Perkins narration, although he occasionally sounds like the "Mrs. Doubtfire" character from the movie, when voicing Scottish females. ( )

Very good book that started with intensity and kept it up. Moira and Duncan had been secret sweethearts when she was seventeen and he was nineteen. But Moira was the daughter of the laird and Duncan a bastard son, and when they were discovered Duncan was sent away and Moira married off. Each of them believes the other deserted them when things got tough.

Seven years later Duncan and his friends are back to reclaim the land stolen from the clan. Moira's brother Connor, listening to the local seer who sees Moira in trouble, sends Duncan to Ireland to check on her. He arrives in time to see her kill her husband after he nearly beat her to death. Duncan discovers that in spite of his feelings of betrayal, his heart still belongs to Moira.

Moira had been her father's "princess" and certain that whatever she wanted she would get. Stunned at being denied her heart's desire of marrying Duncan, she accepted her father's candidate for marriage, only to find herself at the mercy of an abusive man. Seven years later she puts herself at risk to save her son from her husband's cruelty, only to see the boy sent to her clan's worst enemy for fostering. Duncan's arrival saves her life, but trusting him isn't something she can't do.

I loved the interweaving of the action and the romance. Duncan and Moira are wary of each other at first, still hurting from the perceived circumstances of their separation. During their escape they are forced to stop to get help for Duncan's injured companion, and the attraction between them flares hot again. Moira wants Duncan's help to rescue her son, but her plans to keep herself separate don't last long. Duncan is determined to win her back, but Moira doesn't want to trust him with her heart again though sharing her body is no problem. Even after the truth comes out, no matter how often Duncan tells Moira of his love, Moira continues to hold back. Eventually all her secrets are revealed and her trust begins to return. I liked seeing Duncan's protectiveness toward Moira. Moira will accept his help and protection, but she has become quite a survivor. She has no problem letting him know when he goes too far. I liked seeing them grow to respect each other as well as grow their love.

Now that Moira is safe, the attention returns to reclaiming MacDonald land. Duncan goes undercover to scope out the defenses, and discovers a complication in that Moira's son is present at the castle. Back home, Connor and Duncan try to work out the best way to attack the castle, while a spy waits to discover their plans and betray them. Bad luck has Duncan captured, but a surprising rescue gets him back on track. The battle is followed by more trouble, and it is Moira's quick thinking that prevents a disaster. There's a twist to this final confrontation, but it ends well and Duncan and Moira finally get the future they want.

The secondary characters were great. Young Ragnall and his dog Sar were terrific. I liked Ragnall's ingenuity and protectiveness towards his mother. Sar was pretty amazing and came through several times when things were looking grim. Moira's brother Connor, as clan leader, was fantastic. I really enjoyed is part in getting Duncan and Moira together, and am really looking forward to his story. I'm also looking forward to the downfall of their Uncle Hugh after all the trouble he has caused. ( )

Good historical romance with lots of fast paced exciting action. I liked the strength of the heroine. Some of plot was common but with enough variation to make it interesting. Warrior Duncan is ordered to rescue clan chiefs sister Moira who he once loved.
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