July has been another outstanding month! You guys are such a blast! There were a lot of guest bloggers this month and I would like to take a moment to thank them all. You're contributions really made this month special and I am so pleased with the responses they garnered. We also saw the announcement of the 2009 RWA Rita and Golden Heart winners this month. Congratulations again authors, your work truly enriches all our lives. Below are this past month's highlights:
Starting out in 1499, the novel tells the tale of Grimm aka Gavrael McIllioch, the son of a powerful Highland laird and best friend to Hawk, from Beyond the Highland Mist.
Upon finding his mother dead, assuming at the hands of his father, he flees to become one of the most sought after, intelligent and highly capable warriors of his time. However, nothing is ever peaches and daises in a Moning novel, as Grimm carries a deep secret; a secret so important in keeping that he doesn’t quite understand its depth himself.
Loving Grimm since she was a little girl is Jillian St. Clair. Cornered into choosing a husband, preferably Grimm, by her scheming parents, she refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer, no matter how many times Grimm shoos her away.
The beauty of this story, unlike the other six Highlander tales, it that this one solely takes place in the past. There is no time-traveling or shifting so to speak.
Moning finally touches the paranormal side of things, by mixing things up with a Norse legend about a mythical man, an unbeatable beast, with inconceivable power to destroy and rage; a Berserker.
Known to shape shift and become larger, with icy blue eyes and immaculate senses, a Berserker is said to be unstoppable.
The entire first half of the book touches on Grimm’s history, Jillian’s history and their history together. It also illustrates why Grimm doesn’t want to love Jillian, as well as, why Jillian feels the need to stay close to Grimm.
It’s not until the second half of the novel, does the actual adventure start, the mysteries are unwrapped and the impossible becomes rather possible.
To Tame a Highland Warrior is definitely full of surprises; what you think you know about the story may not be the outcome. This is one of the few books in the seven-part series that isn’t predictable and that idea is very refreshing.
Weaving through history and the timeless tale of girl loves boy, boy loves girl but won’t admit it – Moning redeemed herself after the freakish, unhealthy love from Beyond the Highland Mist.
This is really a great read, but only perfect for extended and uninterrupted periods of time because of its nature. I don’t recommend doing what I did and reading it in little spurts whenever you can. Make the time to sit down and enjoy it, it will really keep you on your toes.
It's been awhile since I've come across a series of books that I can honestly say I love, especially, from a genre that I do not commonly read. But that's the beauty of Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series: it defies the ordinary and jumps head on into the extraordinary.
Set, in mostly, throughout the 1500s shifting in between modern times, the seven books center around seven incredible heroes. From twins Daegus and Drustan, to warriors Grimm, Circenn, Cian and Hawk, to the 'abso-freakin-lutely' stunning black fairy (fae) Adam, the series is full of intense story lines that cut across history, time and space.
Whether you enjoy fantasy, science-fiction, romance, fiction, action, adventure or mystery, there is a little bit of everything. Most book sellers classify the series as "Paranormal/Time-Travel Romance." The series really reminds me of Stardust and Harry Potter in the sense that the author takes multiple facets of mythology and history combining them to make her own margarita concoction.
For example, Drustan is a Highlander, yes, but he also has the ability to shift through time, was possessed by the 13 Darkest Druid beings, and is a Druid himself. Sounds more like Joss Whedon's Angel the more I think about it. Or take for example, Grimm, a Highland warrior with extraordinary powers who has the ability to turn into a Berserk, a raging human beast of exquisitely irreconcilable power bred to destroy.
As a series, the books are mind-blowing, but like everything else in life, there is good and bad. Individually, some of the books are far better than others. Hands-down the best book in the entire series is The Dark Highlander, the worst is Beyond the Highland Mist and the one that disappoints, for the direction it takes, is the The Immortal Highlander which brings back Adam Black (aka Puck aka "the Fool" aka The Black Fairy/Fae).
One of the most interesting characters brought to life is Aoibheal, the Queen of the Fae. She's sexy, alluring, smart, wicked, spiteful, playful, yet, very firm in her beliefs and way of life. It's through her and Adam that most of the issues throughout the seven books occur. Well, it's through Adam most of the issues occur, it's through Aoibheal that the problems are fixed. Together, these two characters add a stream of sensual humor that is unique and brands Karen Marie Moning's style as an author.
Each Friday we will be featuring an in-depth review on each of the Highlander books and you can make sure not to miss a single one by keeping tabs on the tag for the author "Karen Marie Moning."
But make no mistake, if you want an easy read, to keep you on your toes and encase your senses in the unbelievable and extremely wanting - this is the series for you!
has to be the second best book in the Karen Marie Moning Highlander series, falling short directly behind 
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in the sense that the author takes multiple facets of mythology and history combining them to make her own margarita concoction.
the more I think about it. Or take for example, Grimm, a Highland warrior with extraordinary powers who has the ability to turn into a Berserk, a raging human beast of exquisitely irreconcilable power bred to destroy.
which brings back Adam Black (aka Puck aka "the Fool" aka The Black Fairy/Fae).
One of the most interesting characters brought to life is Aoibheal, the Queen of the Fae. She's sexy, alluring, smart, wicked, spiteful, playful, yet, very firm in her beliefs and way of life. It's through her and Adam that most of the issues throughout the seven books occur. Well, it's through Adam most of the issues occur, it's through Aoibheal that the problems are fixed. Together, these two characters add a stream of sensual humor that is unique and brands Karen Marie Moning's style as an author.
