As we being our journey of Dangerous Pleasure, we find 25 year old Paige Galbraithe being "held captive" in her brother Khalid Mustafa's household for her own protection. Khalid and Paige are half siblings and Khalid's insane father Azir Mustafa wants revenge on the siblings and their mother Marilyn who escaped from his clutches in Saudi Arabia when Khalid was a baby.
Khalid's half brother, Abram Mustafa is also the offspring of Azir and the handsome and sensual thirty-something Abram, has had it bad for Paige since she was a teen. The attraction, in fact, was mutual but Abram always felt he would endanger Paige by bringing the attraction to light, as well a really anger Khalid. Aside from the fact that Abram and his cousin Tariq enjoy some sexual games that may be too much for the young Paige to handle.
Fed up with being her brother Khalid's "house-guest", Paige walks out of protective custody and right into Azir Mustafa's hands and Abram must find a way to save her from his father before Azir destroys her.
I loved Dangerous Pleasure. I wish it was longer, but the story was excellent. I have always enjoyed Lora Leigh's Bound Heart Series and this was definitely worth waiting for. I am crossing my fingers for Tariq's book.
Maya Banks, how do I love thee? Oh, let me count the ways. First, you chat on Twitter with me. Second, I get to meet your most awesome self at the NY RWA. Third, you send me In Bed with a Highlander to read and review way before its release date. I do consider this a birthday gift, thank you. This book releases on August 30, 2011.
In Bed with a Highlander begins with Mairin Stuart hiding out in a convent for many years hidden from all those who would have her for their own means. Mairin happens to be the illegitimate daughter of King Alexander of Scotland. He who marries and has a child with Mairin will also claim Neamh Alainn, which is why her location and identity have been kept secret. From page one danger lurks for Mairin. The awful Duncan Cameron’s men, who seek to return her to this Laird, kidnap her. On the way, a young boy named Crispin, who was trying to steal a horse, is captured, and Mairin immediately takes him under her wing.
Once Mairin and the boy arrive at Duncan Cameron’s stronghold, bad goes to worse, and the evil Laird demands marriage from Mairin, when she adamantly refuses, Cameron beats her unconscious. In pain but determined, Mairin escapes with Crispin and they continue, only to be found by Crispin’s uncle Alaric. Crispin happens to be the son of Laird Ewan McCabe, a quite handsome but very imposing man.
Mairin arrives onto McCabe lands; she exacts a promise from young Crispin that her identity be kept quiet from everyone, even his father, the Laird. Well, that does not go her way either, but so much does not. This poor woman has one trial and tribulation after the other. One wonders how much she can take and remain her strong self, especially with the constant threat of Duncan Cameron lurking.
This was an excellent first story to Maya Banks’ McCabe Trilogy. I found this to be very different from the countless other Highlander books I have read, in that right off you know Ewan McCabe is not a conceited and needy warrior. Meeting his brothers, Alaric and Caelen we see they have something different to offer as well. I am a very big fan of Maya Banks and she didn't disappoint here.
I am so looking forward to Alaric’s story in Seduction of a Highland Lass, releasing on September 27, 2011, and the Caelen’s story, Never Love a Highlander, set to drop on October 25, 2011. Please pick of In Bed with a Highlander,on August 30th, you won’t be sorry!
Here's an excerpt from In Bed with a Highlander
In Bed with a Highlander
Maya's beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy—and surrender their hearts to love.
Ewan McCabe, the eldest, is a warrior determined to vanquish his enemy. Now, with the time ripe for battle, his men are ready and Ewan is poised to take back what is his—until a blue-eyed, raven-haired temptress is thrust upon him. Mairin may be the salvation of Ewan’s clan, but for a man who dreams only of revenge, matters of the heart are strange territory to conquer.
Though the illegitimate daughter of the king, Mairin possesses prized property that has made her a pawn—and wary of love. Her worst fears are realized when she is rescued from peril, only to be forced into marriage by her charismatic and commanding savior, Ewan McCabe. But her attraction to her ruggedly powerful new husband finds her craving his surprisingly tender touch; her body comes alive under his sensual mastery. And as war draws near, Mairin’s strength, spirit, and passion challenge Ewan to conquer his demons—and embrace a love that means more than revenge and land.
