Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Cleeney
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 3, 2011)
Category – Adult Paranormal Romance
Available Now from Sourcebooks
I loved this book from the very first page. The writing was evocative, had a lovely touch of humour and lots of sensitivity. The story had plenty of action, romance and mystery, and I so much wanted to spend more time with the Warrior, Faelan that I re read the book as soon as I finished it.
The Blurb
He’s had centuries to dream of her…
Mis-adventurous historian Bree Kirkland discovers a 19th century Scottish warrior buried in a crypt behind her house. But Faelan, the warrior, isn’t dead. When this chauvinistic Scottish Warrior awakes, he has no choice but accept the help of this modern-day woman who’s rescued him, but she’s more fearsome than the demon trying to kill him. If he’s not careful, she’ll uncover every secret his clan has bled and died to protect.
This book had me giggling in some parts, gripping my seat in others and moved to tears in others. It’s the kind of romance I love – the romance isn’t the only thing happening and the sex isn’t over done, but the attraction is potent. The Warrior Faelen is one of the most endearing male characters I’ve ever come across.
Imagine a gorgeous, well built, highland warrior who’d just time travelled from the 19th century and had walked into a modern lingerie shop.
‘There he was, in all his kilted glory, standing near the edible panty display, holding a tiny piece of material in his hands.’
As well as painting a picture of a physically powerful man with a huge appetite, Anita Cleeney describes Faelen’s innocence in all things modern; his vulnerability in being without his horse, his sword and any coin of his own; his curiosity at the modern world and his grief at realising that his loved ones are long dead. Although his attitudes to women appear chauvinistic to a modern woman, they come from the times in which he was born and at the base of which is a deep respect for women. He wants to cherish and protect them. He soon realises that he has to change his thinking to accommodate the modern woman, but there is something incredibly sweet about his simple desire to look after his woman and give her lots of babies.
Bree on the other hand is a modern woman who never asked to be protected though once she sees what they’re up against is pleased that a man with awesome fighting skills is with her. She’s not afraid of going to rescue him either and all this is quite confusing for the poor time transplanted being. Along with this tension is the attraction between them that they try hard to deny because initially they aren’t quite sure what the other is, the relationship can’t go anywhere because he can only marry one of his clan – and THE one he is destined for, a bit like the werewolf imprinting idea. He’s lusting after her one moment and apologising for his improper behaviour the next, while she is unable to resist him one moment, then reminding herself that she’s off men and that he’ll be leaving as soon as he finds his clan the next. All this while battling demons and planning to take out the big one.
His clan are a delightful bunch too and the atmosphere within the family is incredibly heart-warming.
The ending might be a little too sweet in another context, but here it’s perfect. I recommend this for all lovers of paranormal romance, especially if you’re looking for something a little different. It’s a good start for someone interested in venturing into the genre too. I give it 5 stars without hesitation and I look forward to the next instalment due near the end of the year.
