Never Love a Highlander (McCable Trilogy #3) by Maya Banks

In a tale of strong ties and true love, Maya Banks' trilogy comes to its conclusion, as the youngest McCabe brother uses sword and seduction to save his clan - and seal his heart.

Caelen McCabe’s young, reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now, putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother’s jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trusts no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white-hot longing.

As the sacrificial lamb in her father’s power game, Rionna will do her duty but vows to protect her heart and her pride from humiliation. Despite everything, though, the heat in Caelen’s touch melts her defenses, and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna’s true warrior spirit emerges. She will risk the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Caelen that his wife’s love is too precious to lose.

Cover: Again, another raunchy cover for this series that I neither love or hate.

I completely devoured this series- as soon as I finished one, I had to pick up the next.  I was so devastated that I reached the end of this series.  It’s become one of my absolute favourites, and can’t recommend it enough for fellow historical romance fans.

I was slightly anxious about book 3, not only because it was the final instalment but because it was Caelen’s book, and while he has been supportive of his bother’s finding their matches, he’s been the most cynical of the brothers, due to a woman betraying him in the past.  I shouldn’t have worried, Maya Banks made me love him and his book just as much as the previous two!  I cannot pick a favourite out of the three!

I loved that Rhionna was a real match for him.  Unlike most women of this time, Rhionna is a real warrior and she fights for what she wants.  And what she wants is for them to have a real marriage, but it takes Caelen time to see that Rhionna isn’t like the woman that hurt him, and that he loves her just the way that she is.

5/5 stars

Seduction of a Highlander Lass (McCabe Trilogy #2) by Maya Banks

Maya Banks, the New York Times bestselling author of romance and romantic suspense has captivated readers with her steamy Scottish historical novels, perfect for fans of Julie Garwood. In Seduction of a Highland Lass, an indomitable Highland warrior is caught between loyalty and forbidden love. 
 
Fiercely loyal to his elder brother, Alaric McCabe leads his clan in the fight for their birthright. Now he is prepared to wed for duty, as well. But on his way to claim the hand of Rionna McDonald, daughter of a neighboring chieftain, he is ambushed and left for dead. Miraculously, his life is saved by the soft touch of a Highland angel, a courageous beauty who will put to the test his fealty to his clan, his honor, and his deepest desires.

An outcast from her own clan, Keeley McDonald was betrayed by those she loved and trusted. When the wounded warrior falls from his horse, she is drawn to his strong, lean body. The wicked glint in his green eyes ignites a passion that will follow them back to Alaric’s keep, where their forbidden love draws them deeper into the pleasures of the flesh. But as conspiracy and danger circle closer, Alaric must make an impossible choice: Will he betray his blood ties for the woman he loves?
Cover: Not such a fan of this cover, not necessarily because it's so raunchy but because the people on the cover just don't look realistic to me.

After devouring the first book in this series, I immediately started book 2.  I was completely absorbed in the world, the characters and the stories so just wanted to jump straight into the next instalment.
I loved Alaric and Keeley so much.  The bond between them is just so adorable, and I really feel the connection between them.
Alaric is injured and finds himself at Keeley's little cottage.  Really the love between them is forbidden as Aleric is promised to marry another clan chief's daughter, and yet he can't help but fall in love with Keeley.  Keeley falls in love with Alaric but hates the position it puts him in, and the potential affect it could have on her new clan.
I love the whole dynamic of this book, and Keeley is one heck of a female protagonist.
Cannot recommend this series enough!
5/5 stars.

In Bed With a Highlander (McCabe Trilogy #1) by Maya Banks

Maya Banks' beguiling new trilogy features three unforgettable brothers risking everything to save their clan and their legacy—and to 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.

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 makes her crave 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. 

Cover:  Kind of a typical raunchy romance cover, but I do like the colour scheme of it for some reason.

This is a book that I came across completely by chance.  I was on Goodreads one day and saw someone update that they were reading it, read the synopsis, and thought that it sounded like a potentially good historical romance novel, aka my favourite genre.

I downloaded it and started it on a whim and was hooked from the very beginning.  I was completely absorbed.  I loved the writing and the characters.

Normally I go for Regency Romance, but I would say that this has opened a new potential favourite in Highlander Romance.

I loved the book so much that I read it in just over 24 hours, and as soon as I finished it I downloaded the rest of the books in the series.

I also recommend them to a friend, who also devoured them!

This became an instant favourite.

5/5 stars.