3 & 1/2 stars ..This novel started off so well , it had most of the qualities that I look for in most stories : historical , set in Scotland , the hero is a powerful warrior , and the heroine is petite and dark haired - I for one am affected by the physical description of the hero and heroine , for instance I don't like it when the heroine is tall , YEAH sure it's because I'm short too ! .... It was great just up till the last 70 pages or so , the ending was short & hastened and just dreadful . You kind of expect a little bit more of scenes where the hero and heroine are happy together , but you don't get that here. I don't think that I will be capable of reading the rest of the series , but if I did , I would be forcing myself just to know what happens to the highland guard team . Monica McCarty advertises her Highland Guard series (of which this is the first) as "Special Ops in kilts." These are medieval Scottish romances about an elite group of specially-trained, specially-skilled warriors who serve Robert the Bruce in the fourteenth-century struggle for Scottish independence. The first five of these books have been sitting in my TBR pile for ages, and I decided, in the week leading up to the September 18 vote on Scotland's independence referendum, that this was the perfect time to move them to the top of the pile. I read The Chief on Saturday-Sunday, The Hawk Monday-Tuesday, and started The Ranger this morning. Obviously, though, I'm not going to finish the whole ten book (so far) series by tomorrow's vote.While it's clear McCarty did a lot of research (and her Author's Notes at the end of each book, about the true events versus where she took artistic liberties, are fascinating and not to be skipped), these read like wallpaper historicals because the dialogue and the character's sensibilities and values are anachronistically modern. That's okay with me: I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy so long as I get a good story.The Chief tells the story of Tor McLeod, the reluctant leader of the Highland Guard, and Christina Fraser, the youngest daughter of a fervent and somewhat crazy Scottish rebel. Tor doesn't want to get involved with the Highland Guard or with Fraser and his cohorts, because it is better for his clan if he can keep them neutral in the bloody conflict between Robert Bruce and the English. However, when Fraser forces Christina to go along with one of those arrange-for-virgin-daughter-to-be-caught-alone-with-heir-so-he'll-be-honor-bound-to-marry-her schemes that one often sees in Regency romance plots, Tor no longer has much choice in the matter.Despite her participation in this nefarious marriage trap (Christina only did it because she knew her weaker and meeker sister would be forced to if she didn't), Tor and Christina's marriage has a fairly promising beginning. He forgives her, they've got chemistry, and Christina works her curvy little butt off trying to be a good chatelaine for his dreary old heap of a castle. Unfortunately, Tor is determined to hold himself emotionally aloof because as master of his clan, he can't afford to have his judgment clouded by sentiment. Consequently, he tells her nothing about anything, and as a result of her naivete and her well-intentioned but misdirected attempts to muddle along in her new role without any guidance from her husband, Christina makes some very costly mistakes that threaten to drive a further wedge between the lovers.I gave this book only three stars because I'm not a fan of the I-don't-wanna-love-you-because-REASONS trope (and the attendant poor communication between the main characters that always results), so the romance between Tor and Christina didn't do much for me, but the story about gathering and training the Highland Guard and the coming conflict between the Bruce and the English was enough to hold my attention anyway.
What do You think about The Chief (2010)?
This book didn't work for me. Felt like parts of it I had read in other stories, e.g., tallying books in order to earn appreciation, talking food out to village for same, bending over backward for a positive or kind word....all the while being a cry baby. I didn't like either main character. That sunk the book for me. Tor had possibilities, but didn't come around fast enough. He was very medieval "I'm the leader/chief." Which is fine for the time period, but I didn't like it or him. He basically used Christina for sex. Period. He rarely spoke with her. Rarely interacted with her. Went to her room very late at night for sex and would leave immediately. How nice? All the while, she bent over backward trying to get him to notice the things she could and was doing during the day. The few times he did catch her during the day it was always when she was doing something "silly, but goofy" and how the rest of the people in the castle all grew to love her. She was always "tearing up" and I was frustrated with how stupid she was. I still couldn't help but feel I read sections of this book in numerous other books before. Rinse and repeat already. Again, I know it was a medieval, but I didn't like it. Tor came around too slow for me and he never redeemed himself enough. Also, I didn't care about reading the family who's not talking to who list and Great Scott, I'd have to make a chart to keep up with who is speaking to whom in what family and who they supported (politically), but frankly I didn't really care. I wanted a good romantic story in the highlands and this wasn't it.
—Etchedinurheart09
Historical romance is probably my favorite genre, and I've been lucky enough to find a brilliant author who executes a riveting tale. I was thoroughly enrapt with this story. It had everything from the brooding highlander, Tor, to the intelligent and beautiful heroine, Christina. The evolution of their love was frustrating enough to keep you rooting for them and sexy enough to keep you wanting more. Extremely well-writing with wonderful details and accounts of Scottish history. Amazing secondary characters. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
—Samantha
