The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor (The MacGregors: Highland Heirs, #3) by Paula Quinn
Released March 31, 2015
Historical Romance
Forever

Reviewed by Sheena

Blurb: Known for her beauty and boldness, Abigail MacGregor must preserve her clan’s dangerous secret: that her mother is the true heir to the English Crown. If the wrong people find out, it will mean war for her beloved Scotland. To keep peace, she embarks for London, unprepared for the treachery that awaits—especially from her wickedly handsome escort. He is the enemy, but his slow, sensuous kisses entice her beyond reason…

General Daniel Marlow, loyal knight and the kingdom’s most desirable hero, would rather be on the battlefield than transporting a spoiled Highland lass. But Abby MacGregor is unlike any woman he’s ever met, in a ballroom or in his bedroom. Captivated by her daring spirit and seduced by her lovely innocence, Daniel must choose between betraying his queen or giving up the woman who would steal his country—and his traitorous heart.

Lush, lush  Highland  tale! Loved! That’s it.  I’ve decided.  Paula Quinn is a deity in this genre or  a cyborg Highland/Historical Romance novelist here on Earth to churn out Rich, multi-dimensional characters, thrilling plots and imagery that captivates.  The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor is my favorite Highland/Historical Romance of 2015. And I indulge in this yummy genre often.  It is especially fitting, as Quinn supersedes herself as 2014’s The MacGregors: Highland Heirs #2, was my absolute favorite Highland Historical Romance last year.  Scandalous Secrets definitely lived up to its title.  The story, the story!  So exciting!  Abigail is the fierce and loyal daughter to the true heir of the English crown who will stop at nothing to protect her beloved Highland homeland from the possible threat of invasion by the sitting queen, Anne. Our hero Daniel (Daniel!!!!) is the most beloved Knight of the queen’s forces who is duty bound to fetch Abigail and bring her to meet the Queen to ensure no usurping is on the horizon.  Daniel is a hero- – and I don’t mean in name only as the male protagonist.  Daniel is a HERO.  The stuff little highland girls (and highland wannabe girls) dreams are made of.  He can fend off more than a dozen men in battle, bathed in blood and still stop the heart of his bonny lass.  He is fearsome and virile and maturely sexy with hard planes and ridges in his abdomen and legs of a stallion and a big heavy, weighty peen! More than that he is a good man. Honorable and respectful, wise and handsome.  Hero, through and through.  Daniel is beholden to his queen and fights the temptation of the promise he sees in young Abigail’s eyes. Abby is smitten, done for, her heart lost to Daniel not long after they begin their journey to England. Though she is no brainless, daft lady and  the deadly secrets she harbors she clings to until discovery is unavoidable,  Abby is a worthy heroine.  She is proud, but not too obstinate to deny the desires of her soul.  She is protective of her clan and has her eyes set on being clan chief when her father steps down.  Ambitious and stubborn, there is no chance she will completely bend to any man’s will.  Tough mettle and soft womanly wiles, she is something to behold!

  “You smashed a vase into my skull.  I’m glad you slept well and didn’t burden yourself with thoughts that you might have killed me.”  She blinked, giving reprieve from the cold frost of her eyes.  “Ye were treating me like a misbehaving  child.  Be thankful ye’re still alive.”

The obstacles to their HEA were many. They were quite literally in a Hatfields vs McCoy’s love affair.  He was a sworn sword against her people who believed another to be the rightful ruler and participated in insurgency against the crown.  She was resolute in her bone deep belief that her own kin is the true heir to the throne and the current Queen the pretender.  The dangers for falling in love with Daniel were substantial- the most imminent being a supremely delusional and (allegedly) homicidal admirer in the Duchess Charlotte Blackburn, a venomous, faithless woman hell-bent on sharing Daniel’s bed and claiming his child.  Drama in the castle!!  Yet true to her courageous spirit, Abby was cautious, but confident when confronted with Lady Blackburn’s ire.

“Caution with Lady Blackburn is imperative,” she told Abby. “She seems to be charmed by Daniel alone.” “Where I grew up,” Abby told her, “we cut the heads off venomous snakes.”  Daniel reveled in the glorious woman sitting across from him, so bold, so proud.  [Queen] Anne saw her inner strength and leaned closer in her chair.  “What if the snake has been your friend for many, many years?  What if you don’t know how to cut off her head?”

Yessssss! The plot thickens!  One of the finer aspects of this book is that the plot was ever moving, always advancing and revealing new (hilarious!!) characters and court intrigues.  Daniel escorts Abby to London and on the way they encounter bandits, an ambush and aid from the most unlikely Highlander local clan.  Despite being chocked full of Alpha male presence, there were no chauvinistic nuances.   I loved that the feminine power was revered and respected by all of the male characters.  I loved not knowing who would leave their home behind to start anew with the other.  There was definite promise of an HEA, however, it was so damn entertaining, I was not preoccupied with it.   I laughed aloud, blushed, giggled and audibly panted several times over.  Seriously, the build up of sensuality and sexual tension was rewarding (as evidence by my sticky fingers heh heh, tis true lass!!)

She wanted more, something instinctual and feral, something he gave to no other woman before her or after her.  More than his body she wanted the wild heart beneath all the armor…

She was awakening parts of him that had been put to sleep long ago. Duty to God and to the throne came before selfish desire.  Honor came before love.  But not tonight. Tonight he would give her what she wanted and take what he needed…

When he held her buttocks in his palms and clenched his hands around them, she tried to move off, not really sure of what to do and not convinced that it wasn’t going to hurt like hell.  He guided her slowly, sensually, against his warm, hard length.  She moved to take him into her, to fulfill some unknown, ancient desire to have him inside her.  He stopped her with a low growl and a slow smile…his huge cock nestled between her thighs…she looked down at it and bit her lip and then, from behind her pale locks, she cast him a smile as sinful as his own and began to move over him.  

Aye! Aye indeed!  Perhaps, the third most important character in the novel, has to be the locale.  Traveling the Highlands or on the countryside back roads into England, I felt as if I were one word away from transporting myself and becoming a self proclaimed clan member.  I saw myself traveling with the Daniel and Abby, evading danger, I watched Daniel slaughter Abby’s would be attackers and (like the creeper I am) I watched as they dared that first kiss under the stars.  Quinn’s descriptive language was engaging and endearing and the only think I missed about this book was an epilogue! I wasn’t ready to let them go, it was all over far too quickly but not the least bit unsatisfying on the whole.  if you are a fan of historical fiction and you love these honorable kilted warriors and noble Knights, I recommend this gem. It is the third of its series, but stands alone just fine.  Be warned that you are likely to want to immerse yourself and snap up books 1 & 2 and wait ever so impatiently for the next installment, The Taming of Malcolm Grant (The MacGregors: Highland Heirs #4).

Grade: A

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