Having read the first book in the series and enjoyed it, I was a bit aprehensive of the second in what looks to be a trilogy. Could it measure up? Actually, I found this to be much more enjoyable than the first book. What made the first book a delight, the witty banter, is found equally in this one but is actually more enjoyable as it is the hero and heroine who get all the best lines. To me it read like a meatier Julie Garwood, complete with a well seasoned warrior matching wits with a heroine who thinks nothing of challenging him with his own claymore. You got to love a heroine who thinks nothing of throwing stones at her hero after he has been shot. If only we all had a bit of Claire in each of us.

I found Claire Stuart to be a breath of fresh air as she embraces the life of the warrior and the cause of the Royalist rebels and yet along the way she learns to accept if not easily embraces her feminine side. Claire is not a twit and clearly has no problem giving as good as she gets be it with a sword or her sharp tongue. Graham Grant, is my kind of hero a seasoned warrior but wasn't put off by his lady's warrior prowess and he actually embraced it. Of course until he fell in love with her but she too is leveled by love and they are fun to watch. Especially as Graham becomes what he fears most: a love sick pansy. As a reader it is always fun to watch a couple struggle to find their paths to each other. Readers will enjoy the expertly crafted sexual tension that grabs the reader within the first couple of chapters and does let go until the very end. The intimacy scenes with this couple were not overdone and were effectivily used to show the heroine' and hero's growth from lust to love. If there was one character that needed a good shot in the dark it was Anne, but then she was Robert's problem. She was a good contrast for Claire but at times she was just to caught up in what was proper but provided a nice contrast for Claire.

The story was well grounded in the history of the period, a period that is sadly lacking in historical romances be they Scottish or English of late. Ms Quinn knows how to effectivily place her well developed characters in the history of the period to provide a sense of time and place, without hitting the reader over the head with it. For those who like trilogies or spin offs, Ms Quinn effectively foreshadows events/people in this books which this reader hopes is a promise that in the future we readers will be able to visit with this couple and those of the first book to resolve those events still unsolved in this book.

If you like Scottish romances and aren't all caught up in the typical historical periods of Scottish history (1300's/1746) and enjoy a story not peppered with cliched "kinna/dinnas" then you must place this one at the top your to be read pile. You won't be disappointed.

Having truly enjoyed Laird in the Mist, I was anxious to read the sequel. Paula Quinn doesn't disappoint. This story was just as exciting and as sensual. I loved the heroine, feeling a bond with a twenty-first century woman stuck in a time where her talents and independence aren't appreciated. The hero was perfect, not only in characterization but perfectly matched with heroine Claire.

This was a great sequel to Laird of the Mist. I hope she writes more with these characters. Like Brodie or Angus. And especially Anne & Robert Campbell's story

What can I say aboot this, you give me a braw laddy wearing a kilt swinging a claymore in one hand and a sword in the other fighting for the good of Scotland and makin love to his lassie. Well who could want more.
Ms Quinn is one of my favorite Highland writers, her novels are very touching, sensual and full of action and this one is no different and left me as always longing for the Highlands

Graham Grant was my favorite secondary character in the first book of this two-book series by Paula Quinn. I am thrilled he has his own story. He's met an intriguing woman warrior who can match him blow for blow, Clair Stuart. Their chemistry is hot. The believable story moves forward at a brisk pace. The scenes are brimming with action and romance. Plus we get to renew old acquaintances from Laird of the Mist. Graham is one sexy Scot. At times I will start a book from this genre, realize it's the same old same old and I'll set it aside. Not this book. I read it from cover to cover in one day.

This is not my normal genre - but I loved it! This book takes place in Scotland in 1659 , Claire Stuart is a warrior who is off to rescue her sister and ends up Highlander Grahan Grant and Robert -Earl of Argyll insisting to escort her... Clair and Graham respect and fight from the very begining! I loved the romance, mystery (since I didn't know my history) and great characters, Enjoy!

I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of humor, much of it from the bawdy gang of Scots that are the supporting characters. The main character, Claire is a sassy warrior lady. I think she's a bit like a blonde, Scottish Xena. I liked the "Mr & Mrs Smith" dynamic where the hero & heroine are at each other's throats but attracted to each other.