The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor

Lush, lush Highland tale! Loved! That's it. I've decided. Paula Quinn is a deity in this genre. or a cyborg Highland/Historical Romance novelist here on Earth to churn out Rich, multi-dimensional characters, thrilling plots and imagery that captivates. The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor is my favorite Highland/Historical Romance of 2015. And I indulge in this yummy genre often. It is especially fitting, as Quinn supersedes herself as 2014's The MacGregors: Highland Heirs #2, was my absolute favorite Highland Historical Romance last year. Scandalous Secrets definitely lived up to it's title. The story, the story! So exciting! Abigail is the fierce and loyal daughter to the true heir of the English crown who will stop at nothing to protect her beloved Highland homeland from the possible threat of invasion by the sitting Queen, Anne. Our hero Daniel (Daniel!!!!) is the most beloved Knight of the Queen's forces who is duty bound to fetch Abigail and bring her to meet the Queen to ensure no usurping is on the horizon. Daniel is a hero- and I don't mean in name only as the male protagonist. Daniel is a HERO. The stuff little highland girls (and highland wannabe girls) dreams are made of. He can fend off more than a dozen men in battle, bathed in blood and still stop the heart of his bonny lass. He is fearsome and viral and maturely sexy with hard planes and ridges in his abdomen and legs of a stallion and a big heavy, weighty peen! More than that he is a good man. Honorable and respectful, wise and handsome. Hero, through and through. Daniel is beholden to his queen and fights the temptation of the promise he sees in young Abigail's eyes. Abby is smitten, done for, her heart lost to Daniel not long after they begin their journey to England. Though she is no brainless, daft lady and the deadly secrets she harbors she cleves to until discovery is unavoidable. Abby is a worthy heroine. She is proud, but not too obstinate to deny the desires of her soul. She is protective of her clan and has her eyes set on being clan chief when her father steps down. Ambitious and stubborn, there is no chance she will completely bend to any man's will. Tough mettle and soft womanly wiles, she is something to behold! "You smashed a vase into my skull. I'm glad you slept well and didn't burden yourself with thoughts that you might have killed me." She blinked, giving reprieve from the cold frost of her eyes. "Ye were treating me like a misbehaving child. Be thankful ye're still alive."The obstacles to their HEA were many. They were quite literally in a Hatfields vs McCoy's love affair. He was a sworn sword against her people who believed another to be the rightful ruler and participated in insurgency against the crown. She was resolute in her bone deep belief that her own kin is the true heir to the throne and the current Queen the pretender. The dangers for falling in love with Daniel were substantial- the most imminent being a supremely delusional and (allegedly) homicidal admirer in the Duchess Charlotte Blackburn, a venomous, faithless woman hell bent on sharing Daniel's bed and claiming his child. Drama in the castle!! Yet true to her courageous spirit, Abby was cautious, but confident when confronted with Lady Blackburn's ire."Caution with Lady Blackburn is imperative," she told Abby. "She seems to be charmed by Daniel alone." "Where I grew up," Abby told her, "we cut the heads off venomous snakes." Daniel reveled in the glorious woman sitting across from him, so bold, so proud. [Queen] Anne saw her inner strength and leaned closer in her chair. "What if the snake has been your friend for many, many years? What if you don't know how to cut off her head?"Yessssss! The plot thickens! One of the finer aspects of this book is that the plot was ever moving, always advancing and revealing new (hilarious!!) characters and court intrigues. Daniel escorts Abby to London and on the way they encounter bandits, an ambush and aid from the most unlikely Highlander local clan. Despite being chocked full of Alpha male presence, there were no chauvinistic nuances. I loved that the feminine power was revered and respected by all of the male characters. I loved not knowing who would leave their home behind to start anew with the other. There was definite promise of an HEA, however, it was so damn entertaining, I was not preoccupied with it. I laughed aloud, blushed, giggled and audibly panted several times over. Seriously, the build up of sensuality and sexual tension was rewarding (as evidence by my sticky fingers heh heh, tis true lass!!)"She wanted more, something instinctual and feral, something he gave to no other woman before her or after her. More than his body she wanted the wild heart beneath all the armor...She was awakening parts of him that had been put to sleep long ago. Duty to God and to the throne came before selfish desire. Honor came before love. But not tonight. Tonight he would give her what she wanted and take what he needed..."Aye! Aye indeed! Perhaps, the third most important character in the novel, has to be the locale. Traveling the Highlands or on the countryside back roads into England, I felt as if I were one word away from transporting myself and becoming a self proclaimed clan member. I saw myself traveling with the Daniel and Abby, evading danger, I watched Daniel slaughter Abby's would be attackers and (like the creeper I am) I watched as they dared that first kiss under the stars. Quinn's descriptive language was engaging and endearing and the only think I missed about this book was an epilogue! I wasn't ready to let them go, it was all over far too quickly but not the least bit unsatisfying on the whole. if you are a fan of historical fiction and you love these honorable kilted warriors and noble Knights, I recommend this gem. It is the third of it's series, but stands alone just fine. Be warned that you are likely to want to immerse yourself and snap up books 1 & 2 and wait ever so impatiently for the next installment, The Taming of Malcolm Grant (The MacGregors: Highland Heirs #4).

Paula Quinn is one of the most talented authors in today’s historical romance world. I haven’t read a book written by her that I have been disappointed. She was put on my auto buy list immediately after I read Lord of Desire in 2005. Her unique mix of history and fiction along with her characters and plots captivates the reader and pulls them into the story making them feel as if they are there along with the characters in another time and place. All the reader has to do is open the book to the first page, begin reading, and escape into one of the best adventure’s they will ever experience. The story will take them there. The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor fits into this category as well.Abigail MacGregor’s, an ambitious highland bold beauty, with courage and strength to become clan chief after her father, main concern is in keeping her mother’s and clans secret, which if made known could mean war for Scotland. Although the Clan MacGregor is proscribed by England, her mother, being the actual true heir to the English Throne is summoned to the Royal Court. As her mother is just getting over an illness, Abigail is determined that she must answer the summons with the goal of reinforcing to the Queen that her mother is absolutely no threat to the crown. The truth is that her mother has no interest whatsoever in taking the royal seat.Her escort, General Daniel Marlow, the most handsome trusted knight of the Queen, is a hero in every sense of the word, the kind of which invades the dreams of young ladies, the kind of which all young men strive to be like. Daniel is a highly desired loyal knight, and he finds his mission to escort this fiery spirited beauty a temptation with which he must struggle. The feudal sparks between this couple fly from the first meeting. Abigail is unlike any other woman he has ever met and he finds her refreshing innocence very captivating and tempting. He feels that he would choose the battlefield any day over fighting the battle to ignore the disturbing heat she creates within him. He feels that this magnet between the two of them will have to be answered at some point and that could even mean more trouble for him. Because if he gives into temptation with this temptress he feels he will be betraying his Queen.Abigail, being as bold as she is she didn’t count on having to fight the strong attraction of her escort, threats being in the form of his meaningful and sexual kisses that disturbs her in ways she has never known. The two encounter many dangers on the route to London, but it doesn’t end there. Courtly politics, backstabbing, and plots are no surprise to Abigail and she finds she must use her wits and strength even after she reaches her destination.Along with the murder, mystery, kidnapping, assassinations, sexual steamy tension, romance, and thrilling adventure, I found myself laughing out loud at times. This book, along with Paula Quinn’s other books, is a page turning keeper shelf can’t put down and even carry to the bathroom read! Never repetitive and never boring, I very highly recommend this author to anyone who loves a great historical romance. This is one you will find yourself going back to time and again. If this is the first book you read by Paula Quinn, it will not be the last. You will find yourself pulled to obtain her previous books for your keeper shelf.

J'aurais mis 5 étoiles car le roman est très intéressant, très bien écrit et l'auteure sait entretenir le suspense, mais il y a quelques invraisemblances que j'ai eu du mal à digérer. La toile de fond historique est plutôt bien respectée mais les évènements qui tournent autour de la reine Anne sont beaucoup trop fantaisistes. Hormis cela, l'histoire est passionnante avec un héros, général britannique protestant, et une héroïne écossaise catholique qui vont s'opposer pendant les 2/3 du roman, ce qui donne lieu à des dialogues succulents qui ressemblent plutôt à des passes d'armes. On retrouve les Highlanders toujours aussi hauts en couleur qui ne peuvent accepter d'être soumis à l'autorité anglaise. Et les deux héros aux personnalités bien affirmées mais dont les certitudes vont voler en éclats sont très émouvants dans leurs doutes et interrogations.

Another enjoyable read from PQ Did find the ending a bit rushed tho

I loved it from start to finish in fact I think it's my favourite of the "Highland Heirs"

Everyone should read this author's books she never disappoints

Loved it love thus author love her books well worth reading have a go you won't be disappointed A ********