The Chieftain: Return of the Highlanders Series, Book 4

(***As a note, I am not sure why this title is classified as "historical erotica" - it is steamy, but I would def not categorize it as erotica***.)In the first book of this series (The Guardian), 4 young boys visit the clan's elderly seer to be told of their fortunes hoping to hear of the great warriors they will become and the many battles they will win; instead, they are disappointed to be told their fortunes about.. of all things!... love and women. Connor, at the time a second son and thus not in line for the chieftain role, was told that his clan's future will depend upon his picking the right woman and that this woman would actually be the one to choose him.Ten years later, Connor is the chieftain of his clan after his father and older brother were killed in the battle at Flodden, most likely by his father's greedy half-brother Hugh who claimed the MacDonald chieftain role for himself immediately following the tragedy until Connor received the tragic news and returned from fighting in France with his warrior cousins (Ian and Alex) and best friend/captain of the guard (Duncan). Since then, Connor has struggled to both stay alive after numerous assassination attempts and restore his clan to its former glory. Most recently, he has reclaimed a property taken by the rival MacLeod clan, and he has chosen to live there as the former family seat has too many ghosts of his childhood for him to wish to remain in those walls. Connor has left Duncan in charge of that property and placed Alex in charge of the seat to the north; thus, he has secured the castles, but he has not been able to completely rid the area surrounding his residence of their enemies. In addition, his uncle Hugh has become a notorious pirate who pillages, rapes, and plunders all that stand in his way of regaining the chieftain position... and Hugh continues to plot to rid himself of the nephew that simply will not die despite his many attempts. Though Connor has put off marrying for as long as he can, he is being pressured to forge an alliance that will keep his clan safe from its enemies and produce heirs to secure his succession.Ilysa is the younger sister of Connor's best friend Duncan; when her brother and the other men went to battle in France and Connor's sister was wed to an Irishman, Ilysa assumed the duties involved in running the household. She has also been learning from the clan's elderly seer as she has some of "the gift"herself and is struggling to understand how to use it to protect those she loves. Upon Connor's return, her childhood crush on him is only intensified when she sees the type of man and leader he has become, but she knows as the daughter of his former nursemaid with no named father, she can never be considered to be his wife. So Ilysa does all that she can to care for the man who has taken on so much responsibility by maintaining a smooth running home, and when Connor moves to the remote castle the clan has just reacquired, Ilysa does not hesitate to go with him to get things established there until he finds a suitable wife to assume those duties. As her mother always instructed, Ilysa hides her looks behind ill-fitting gowns and wraps her hair in a kerchief so that she fades into the background and does not draw attention to herself, but when she interferes with Connor's plans (in order to save his life from a vision she had), he angrily dismisses her.As the Gaelic saying goes, "the value of the well is not known until it goes dry;" when Ilysa leaves, Connor realizes nothing in his home or his life runs smoothly without her at the helm. When he encounters her a couple of weeks later sans the shapeless gowns and kerchief and sees her outer beauty shine as much as her inner does, he is floored. Though he wishes things were different, he knows he must put the clan's needs above his own happiness and marry for the alliance he needs to keep his enemies at bay. But what will happen when his heart refuses to listen to his head? Will he jeopardize his clan's future for a woman as his father and grandfather did before him? And once questions from Ilysa's parentage arise, will it save their future or lead to certain doom?What I liked:--- Likeable characters and getting to revisit characters from earlier books in the series--- Quick-moving plot that kept me turning the pages until the wee hours with all the action and the culmination of the series--- Steamy goodness!What I didn't like as much:--- Connor was kind of a jerk at first - it felt a little superficial that he mostly ignored Ilysa until she basically got a makeover and then was all gaga about her... I think the author's intent was to paint him as overwhelmed with responsibility to the extent that he did not think about women at all (he was celibate because he didn't want to have the illegitimacy problems his father and grandfather scattered about), but it felt like he went from 0 to 60 with lust and love for Ilysa after she came out of her shell--- I wish that there was another book or novella in this one because there are a couple of characters that practically begged for their own HEAs... specifically Niall (Ian's younger brother - he has been in all of the books) and Lachlan who was a focus ancillary character in this bookOverall, this book edged out the others in the series in terms of my rating as it pulled most of the moving pieces together that had been in play from the start of this "quadrilogy." The story line was very engaging with lots of action, intrigue, romance, and (of course) a mostly satisfying HEA.Plot --- 4.25/5Main Characters --- 4.5/5Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5Steam Level* --- 4/5Violence --- some battle scene violence (not too graphic)Language --- not egregiousPOV --- 3rd*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

I first read the Douglas Series and then moved on to The Return of the Highlanders. All of Ms. Mallory’s books are so in depth and with her well fleshed out characters/leading figures as well as side figures. Her vivid depictions of the time period seemed as if I was there. I am unable to put down a book of hers until I have finished it completely. I look forward to each book she writes as I continue on my journey to read every book she has written and look forward to one’s not yet written!

If you are a highland warrior fan, "The Return of the Highlanders" is a must read series. I rate the whole series with 5 stars. Just because of personal bias, I liked some of the books better than the others. However the writing in all four books was superb. This series is the best I've read since Outlander. While it is hard to compete with Gabaldon when she is at her best, there are some things that Margaret Mallory does better.Mallory's words spring to life in her characters. Her warriors are formidable with all the prerequisites for a highland Scott hero. The women in her books are well rounded characters who sometimes outshine the heroes. It was a pleasure reading about heroines and heroes who don't always follow stereotypical male/female roles. Mallory gives equal opportunity for both the men and women to play the fool and the savior. Each character is unique and evolves as the stories progress. The character of the antiheroes are also unique and well developed. They provide just the right amount of sinister vileness to generate hatred and suspense. Mallory's plots succeed in the development of action, angst, deception, treachery, danger, intrigue and suspense. They are weaved with tales of camaraderie, honor, love, romance, vulnerability, honesty and humor. Her portrayal of sensual desires is fabulous.I did not read the books in order and each one can stand alone. If you are just beginning the series, I would recommend starting with the first book, The Guardian. The back stories are more cohesive if read in order. Just based on my personal preferences, I liked The Sinner the best, then The Warrior, followed by The Chieftain, and The Guardian. However, other reviewers have rated them in various other sequences. I'm sad that the series will be ending because I could read a dozen more. They kept me well entertained and reading into the wee hours of the night.

This is the first series I have read from this author, and will now be sure to check out her others works !!!. I am a sucker for a good highland romance, one that makes me laugh, makes me cry and keeps me wondering what will happen next is hard to find. This book and the series as a whole delivered on all counts.Connor is a strong alpha character that carries the weight of the world or at least his clan on his shoulders. His back story takes your breath away and helps you to understand why he thinks the way he does and why he makes such self-sacrificing decisions. He is blind to what is right in front of his face and when he does finally start to "see" the light it is funny how he chastises himself for his wayward thoughts.Ilysa to me was like a butterfly in a cocoon and again her back story explains why the tragedies from her past keep her hidden in her present. When she leaves the safety of her cocoon the author does a great job at showing us that though we may look different on the outside on the inside the same insecurities can and do exist.When the two come together it is awkward at first but in the end a breath taking happily ever after.I liked the slightly magical notes laces through all four books and if I had a disappointment at all, I would have liked to hear more Tearlag's story and how she came to be such an important part of Connor's, Duncan's, Ian's and Alex's lives.I look forward to Miss Mallory's next series and HOPE!! It will be out soon.

Connor MacDonald is the young Chieftain who must find a wife and make a powerful marriage alliance and have children to secure his bloodline, but he is so busy looking, he cannot see the wood for the trees, because right in front of him is the perfect woman for him, Ilysa. Ilysa loves him, she has loved him forever. She is loyal, kind, intelligent and beautiful. She is perfect for him, if only he would wake up and see this for himself! This is a frustratingly wonderful adventure filled with danger and passion. Connor is a young man, full of conflict, undecided with which path to take, what would be best for his clan... His mind never rests and yet Ilysa protects him with the Sight, looks after him and cares for him. This tale is like sitting in one of their galleys, going up and down and down and up! Twists and turns abound, which makes this story an unforgettable read. Margaret as usual explains all the historical beliefs and behaviour of these dark times so well and in such detail, that it adds to the fascination of this passionate and magical tale. I absolutely loved it!

I have read one of Margaret Mallory's books before and I had been looking out for the others in the series for some time. Then it dawned on me to check if I could get them through Amazon. I could and did and I am very happy.Good to NOTE though: it arrived with a library paper and label in the front, so I was alarmed. I phoned the library and they confirmed they legally give their old book stocks to "Better World Books" - so this was okay.

Wonderful book, my favourite of the series. I love the story development and it was great to see and hear about characters from past book (though you don't have to have read the others to enjoy this book). Ilysa was such a lovely heroine that conducted herself with quiet dignity whilst not being weak. I hate a sappy female lead who is totally dependent on the hero. In many ways this was completely the other way around. As always the landscape, setting and history were very much a part of the tale and captured the period well. Would love to have more stories in this series please!

FAB- U- LOUS the best in the series. I love it love it loved it. I could not put it down. Stayed up till the early hours reading. Brilliant set of books and the best till last. I'm sad its the last one. brilliant storyliney throughout the four books. All very different, twists and turns sexy and exciting. Thank you. Great books.Definate recommend these books and author.

Great thrilling and romatic story . If you like a highland warrior and cheiftain who is the strong silent type you'll love this each page keeps you wanting more , loved this story went through every emotion and would shout out to the book (although I know they aren't real or. Can hear me ) it pulls you into their life's and love story a must read