Review: The Wolf of Kisimul Castle by Heather McCollum

The Wolf of Kisimul Castle (Highland Isles #3) by Heather McCollum
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Publication date: August 14th 2017
My rating: 4.5 Stars
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Mairi Maclean is kidnapped on her wedding day by the enemy of her dead husband. Taken north to the water-surrounded Kisimul Castle, she is held captive in the name of retribution. But The Wolf of Kisimul Castle soon learns Mairi is not a docile pawn in this game of war between neighboring Scots. Nor will she be frightened into walking down the aisle to wed the fierce Highland chief.

Alec MacNeil is set on revenge. When he finds his enemy dead, he takes his wife to replace the one that was murdered. An eye for an eye. A bride for a bride. But Mairi is more tiger than kitten and refuses to bend to his will. Set stubbornly against one another, the passion that flares between them threatens to tear Alec’s strategy to shreds.

My Thoughts:

Mairi Maclean is kidnapped from her clan the day she’s to wed another by Alec, Chief of the Mac Neil clan of Barra Isle.   He plans on stealing her off and make her his wife as revenge against Clan MacInnes, for the murder of his own wife.  He’s surprised by Mairi demanding a kiss when he barges in to steal her away (there’s a story behind that).  The prospect of marrying Mairi becomes sweeter after the passionate kiss they share, but her attitude towards Alec swiftly changes when she realizes he’s come to haul her off to his island.  Mairi is outraged when he demands that she marry him or become his prisoner. 

Kidnapping would hardly be the way to any woman’s heart, but I was relieved to discover Alec wouldn’t force Mairi to do anything against her will.  And hey, this was the 1500’s, so I guess things were a little different back then.  Marriages were often entered into as a political alliance, with or without the consent of the woman.  But Mairi was no pushover.  She dug her heels at the idea, but getting to know Alec softened her up; especially witnessing the love and care he had for his kids. Mairi can’t help the powerful attraction she feels for Alec regardless of how she ended up at Kisimul Castle.

I had an open mind about Alec, and he didn’t disappoint.  I fell for hard for this soft-hearted warrior and I even liked him a little more than Mairi. Alec had a vulnerable side to him; worried that anyone he loved would leave or be taken from him. He had good reasons to worry. There was a fair bit of tension by the end, Alec’s wife’s murder isn’t all what it seemed, and the mystery behind it ended up bringing danger to the clan!   

Heather McCollum brought Alec and Mairi to life, made me care about them. I felt their emotions: fear, uncertainty, passion, and love. I do love a good historical romance with a sexy highlander. They’re usually a lot of fun, but I was pleased that The Wolf of Kisimul Castle was more. 

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