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I have wanted to read this book for a while. I can't tell you how happy I am that I finally did read this book! As I closed the book, I was gushing. There were so many aspects of this story that I liked, it's hard to find any to point out as negatives, but there are two side plot arcs that could have been left well enough alone and the story would have been tighter focused and undiminished.
As both arcs together make the bigger blackmail arc in the story, I'll just detail them really quickly. One was the woman who slept with Anna's late husband, and wanted that information hidden. The other was the lover of the woman who wanted his pockets lined. Of the two, the male lover blackmail arc was completely superfluous and unnecessary.
What I liked:
Anna working as Edward's secretary.
Edward's internal monologues.
Anna masquerading herself and claiming Edward at a "luxury" brothel.
Edward's proposals.
The sex. Hot stuff, I tell you.
Anna is a respectable widow. Her late husband a complete scoundrel and adulterer. She can't have kids, or so she thinks (as is the way with most romance novels - the heroes just have mightier seed - it's a fact!).
Edward's late wife died in childbirth. He found out after he married her just how much he disgusted her. He won't make that mistake twice. He's currently wooing a baron of an old family line for his daughter, and reassuring himself more than once that the daughter wants to be wed to him. This side arc makes sense for the time period, but it was just another unneeded obstacle in the story.
Meanwhile, Anna has gone to work for him. From the moment he meets her officially, he can't take his mind off of Anna. She's invaded his senses so much, he runs to London to seek release in a high end brothel so he won't ruin her respectability. Little does he know... evil grin.
In parting I want to add just how much I loved the wren and raven symbolism and it's correlation to the fairytale posted at the beginning of every chapter.
Sex scenes are hard - pun intended. They've become nearly essential to a good romance. Writing one that is believable and heated can require a lot of effort. If you're uncomfortable it shows and turns off readers. So where does one start? By remembering that the sex scenes are for and about your characters and not yourself.
1. Don't use medical terms if you can avoid them.
Nobody wants to read about vaginas and penises. Nothing can be more jarring than that. Of course crazy euphemisms hurt the story flow also. Pronouns however are great. Use both subjective and objective particularly!
Consider:
"He entered her swiftly" is hotter than "His penis entered her vagina swiftly." It's also better than "His pink cigar entered her taco swiftly."
Notice how the euphemisms were taken to the extreme. That was to prove a point because clefts, feminine deltas, meat, and poles can be equally weird in a situation. Use with discretion.
Conclusion: Readers want to be able to slip into the fantasy. Let them!
2. Reflect and record.
What attracts you to sex scenes in other romance novels?
Make a list of what you find and have found sexy in other authors' writing. Keep this list handy so you can refer to it while writing. Think of it as inspirational reminders. Be sure to try to include the list in your own work. Just don't turn this into a formula as that won't help. Formulized sex scenes read flat, underdeveloped, and are forgettable.
If you can't think of anything for your list, remember that sex is explored through all the senses. You can start there and flush out the scene accordingly.
Conclusion: Formulaic sex scenes are crap, but having a list of good sex scene qualities that appeal to you will go a long way.
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.
First Kiss Contest for unpublished authors hosted by RWA New England Chapter is an annual event. Based on the article, I particularly want to go and read 'The More I See' because of this:
Her [Mondello] favorite of her own first puckers appears in "The More I See," a novel about a blind hero who must use his hands to find first base.
"I ended up doing this thing where he touches her face to get a feel of what she looks like," Mondello says. "Several of my readers said it had them fanning. It was all that buildup."
I think that's why I'm so drawn to blind heroes and heroines because the other senses like touch get completely revved up before exploding in a series of multicolored sparks. It's very sensuous and explores love and passion in a way not usually thought about in most other romances.
Karen Woodward was the winner of this year's contest chosen by Patience Smith, an editor for Harlequin. The passage comes from her as of yet unpublished historical, Dagger's Destiny. Here's the kiss (minus the buildup sadly).
A look of surprise crossed her face as he tilted her head to the side. Stepping close, he leaned down and brought warm parted lips to her full, soft ones. One arm reached behind her back, encircling her body in a crushing embrace as the other cradled and caressed the side of her face.
What's the best first kiss you've ever read? Share your real life first kiss experience too!
I can't say for books, because I find so many authors write such seductive first kisses, but I will share my favorite movie kiss.
When Edward kisses Bella for the first time on screen, is singularly the best silver screen kiss I've ever seen. The catcalls were well deserved. The tension that built right before their lips touched was enough to melt a glacier it was so steamy.
has to be the second best book in the Karen Marie Moning Highlander series, falling short directly behind 
.
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When Edward kisses Bella for the first time on screen, is singularly the best silver screen kiss I've ever seen. The catcalls were well deserved. The tension that built right before their lips touched was enough to melt a glacier it was so steamy.
