The Viper (Highland Guard, #4)
by Monica McCarty
Prized for his snakelike stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist but not to trust. His only loyalty is to his purse, his indifference sealed by bitter betrayal. All that changes when Lachlan is tasked to protect and deliver Bella MacDuff to the king’s coronation—and the proud, lushly sensual countess unwittingly challenges him to his greatest battle yet: to love again.
Passionate and devoted, Bella has defied Britain’s king and her own husband to place the crown on Bruce’s head, and for this she pays a terrible price: Losing her daughter and her freedom to her husband’s vengeance. Imprisoned with barbaric cruelty, she vows to reclaim her child, even if it means selling her soul—and her body—to a dark, lethal warrior whose eyes glint like steel, but who makes her skin tingle and her breath race. Together they embark on a rogue mission with sinister twists and turns that threatens not only Bella’s gamble to save her daughter—but also her heart.
Bella was held captive for four years before she was rescued; her pride kept her strong, pride helped her survive. After being freed, Bella’s main goal was to reunite with her daughter and she would do whatever it took, putting herself and those around her in jeopardy. You could feel Bella’s sorrow and anguish when she continually had to make difficult decisions for the sake of her daughter.
We met Lachlan MacRuairi in the first two books of the series; he is part of Bruce’s secret band of phantom warriors, the Highland Guard. He was given the name Viper for his venomous disposition. And like a snake, he was slippery when evading capture and had a silent, deadly strike. His ability to get in and out without being seen is the reason he was the one called upon to help Bella.Lachlan is your typical bad boy but underneath the tough exterior is a man with a troubled past. He just needs a strong enough women to break down his defenses. His wife’s betrayal taught him a hard lesson in trust that had left the men who followed him dead, himself unjustly disgraced, and his holdings forfeited.
“Take my word for it, marriage is a black plague on the soul; a wife will only make you miserable.”
Although he tried to keep as far away from Bella as possible, their paths were always crossing and with each encounter you could feel the chemistry growing more intense. Each of them had to deal with their own obstacles before they could let anyone close to them. Bella knew only coldness for years and Lachlan never had anyone to care for him, never had anyone he could trust. For every step they took to get closer, something happened to make them take two steps back, but in the end they both knew it was worth fighting for. Some of the love scenes were harsh, and some made you swoon, all necessary to depict the turbulent times they were facing.
Monica McCarty combines the real events of history with the tenderness of heart-stirring romance. As with all books in the Highland Guard series, I highly recommend this book. If you are a fan of Highlanders and love romance books that brings passion and history to life, Get This Today! My Ratings:“I love you, Bella. I will love you not until my dying day, but from the heights of heaven or the depths of hell until my soul ceases to be.”
With so many men that make up the Highland Guard, Monica has helped the reader with a Who’s Who in the Highland Guard. While you’re there check out the sexy book covers, honestly, what’s sexier than a man in a kilt?