Georgina Townsend has never behaved like a “proper” lady. Her family accuses her of being impulsive, sometimes to the point of recklessness. And they must be right. Because when a band of Highland outlaws steals Georgina’s late mother’s music box, instead of letting the proper authorities take care of the matter, she disguises herself as a Highland lass and joins the group of outlaws to find the … the stolen item. She certainly doesn’t plan on falling for their charming leader…
Malcolm Stewart has never met a more bold and captivating woman than the mysterious lass who suddenly shows up to join his small band of outlaws. But while she fits in easily, she’s more distracting than he expected. When he returned from the war to find his life destroyed, Mal decided to get revenge on the Highland landlords, whom he blames for the death of his family. Falling in love isn’t part of that plan–especially not with the sister of one of the very landlords he’s sworn to fight against.
Each book in the Townsends series is STANDALONE:
* Enchanting the Earl
* The Rogue’s Conquest
* A Scot’s Surrender
* Claiming the Highlander’s Heart
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Claiming the Highlander’s Heart by Lily Maxton is book Four in The Townsends series. This is the story of Georgina Townsend and Malcolm “Mal” Stewart. I haven’t yet read the previous book but feel this was easily a standalone book for me.
Mal had went off to war and left his family but when he returned to only find that they were dead after being forced off their property and dying on a ship. With vengeance in mind he became a ‘Robin Hood’ type of robber. Georgina is not your regular ‘Lady’ and when she finds out that her mother’s music box has been stolen…she goes to track down that links to her mother. This takes Georgina to meeting the leader of a misfitted group of robbers where she pretends to be someone else to become ‘one of them’ to get her music box back. What Georgina didn’t count on was being attracted to Mal. Mal starts to have feelings for her also.
I really enjoyed their story and it was somewhat different then most historical romances with the heroine. Loved it!
I have read a lot of historical romances and I think it is safe to say that I have never read this particular storyline before.
Georgina Townsend, the youngest and last unattached Townsend has just returned from a trip to Glasgow, while in town, she got some very troubling and unsettling news from her doctor, she is still processing that information when she learns that her house was robbed and her mother’s music box was stolen.
Unwilling to just accept the box is gone, Georgina tracks down the thieves and joins their band of outlaws to learn the whereabouts of the last link she has to her mother. She is a little surprised by the group and is undeniably attracted to their leader, Malcolm “Mal” Stewart.
Mal returned from the war to learn his family had been forced out of their home and left for Nova Scotia, but died aboard ship during a typhus outbreak. Alone in the world and extremely angry, Mal decides to make the “Lords” responsible for the clearances pay by stealing sheep. He is sort of a Robin Hood type and has a band of strays that have joined him. When Georgina approaches, he is instantly smitten, but the others are leery and decide she needs to be tested. Georgina gives them a false name – Catriona MacPhearson and is willing to do whatever is necessary to stay with the group until she gets what she came for.
She passes their test with flying colors, she also learns that she and Mal share a love of music and they play exceptionally well together. Her feelings are getting muddled and when their raid goes wrong and Mal is shot – she chooses to stay with him. They take Mal to a remote cottage to heal and while there, he gives her the music box as a gift. But instead of leaving right away, she stays until she is sure he will recover and then leaves without a word.
Weeks pass, Malcolm is still hurt and upset that she left, but tells himself to forget her. She is not faring much better. So when he takes a chance and tracks her down – he is shocked to find out who and what she really is. Georgina is shocked (and elated) to see Malcolm, but is also worried – will he tell her brother? The desire between them is even stronger than they remembered – but neither is willing to give an inch. Plus Georgina has a secret that may change everything between them.
This is a well written, well paced story with an unusual storyline as well as a heroine with a unique problem. There is a lot of desire, some steamy love scenes, dangerous situations, an exceptional hero, very likable secondary characters, some heartache, some joy and a sigh worthy HEA.
This is the fourth book in the Townsends series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title.
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 4 in the Townsends series. Georgia has just been given bad news which you don’t find out until almost the end of the book. On top of that, her mom’s jewelry box was stolen by a gang of thieves so whats a girl to do but go find them and join in the gang. It was kind of ridiculous plan but it works and she fools them. I just wasn’t in love with this. The two main characters meet and are kissing by the next day it seems like. Just didn’t seem realistic.
Malcolm Stewart and his small band of thieves took Georgina Townsend’s beloved music box, and she will do anything to get it back which includes joining their merry band of thieves. Who knew that it could lead to something more? Something even more precious than her beloved music box.
I really loved this story. It had the perfect blend of sass, humor, drama and emotion which made it such an entertaining and wonderful read. If you love Scottish romance you are going to love this book. Lily was a new author for me, and I am looking forward to reading more from her. I recommend this book!
Oh, what a wonderful book! Thank goodness my boss was out of town and I had two days to read at work, because I did not want to put this one down. It’s the fourth book in The Townsends series, but can totally stand alone. You won’t be the least bit lost; you’ll just want to go back and read the first three!
Georgina and Mal were wonderful characters. I loved they weren’t perfect looking, but were attractive. They were both stubborn, and both had tragedies in their past that helped define them. But they were different enough to let the sparks fly. And fly they did! I swear there was some steam coming out of my e-reader. I absolutely adored their bickering, Georgina’s sarcasm and Mal’s hyperbole.
The secondary characters were also terrific. From Georgina’s loving, funny and somewhat protective family to Mal’s “brothers” to the schoolchildren, they were all people you would want to know. Though one does need to suspend disbelief at a couple of the plot points, you won’t care. This is such a great story of love, loss, the hard times of the Scots because of the Clearances and family that you’ll be totally immersed in this book. I’m a new fan of Lily Maxton.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Georgina Townsend is furious when she finds someone has stolen her music box. There is only one thing to do, go and get it back. Our brave and independent heroine is part of a loving family, but has a health problem that is causing her heartache.
Malcolm Stewart is a soldier who came home to find his whole family wiped out by the highland clearance. All these aristocrats forcing out families to make way for sheep have to pay for what they have done.
Our hero is a thief who is trying to make things better for his little band of misfits.
A lovely, witty highland adventure with wonderful characters. It is part of a series, but easily read alone.
Good fun.
A definite twist and a different storyline that kept my interest. Almost reckless at times, Georgina Townsend is not your typical heroine. When a group of Highland outlaws steals her treasured music box that was her late mother’s, she sets out on an intriguing journey. Disguising herself as a Highland lass ahe wiggles her way into joining the group so she can get back her precious possession. Of course she does not count on Malcolm Steward, the handsome leader of the group, becoming so enticing. A take on the Robin Hood tale, the story weaves through some interesting times and growing emotions between the two. Will Malcolm find out who she really is or will Georgina tell him? Read to find out what happens with these two seemingly mismatched couple and know you will smile at the end.
The last of the Townsend series. Mal and Georgie make a fearsome couple. The author delves deep to show the type of effects that abandonment, childhood illnesses, death, war and other losses can impact a person and the types of bonds they form. Mal and Georgie were from different social and economic backgrounds but found solace in each other because of their experiences. Character development was very well done and made the story that much more unique and exciting.
Georgina Townsend has never behaved like a proper lady. Her family accuses her of being impulsive, sometimes to the point of recklessness. When a band of Highland outlaws steals Georgina’s late mother’s music box, instead of letting the proper authorities take care of the matter, she disguises herself as a Highland lass and joins the group of outlaws to find the stolen item. Malcolm Stewart has never met a more bold and captivating woman than the mysterious lass who suddenly shows up to join his small band of outlaws. But while she fits in easily, she’s more distracting than he expected.
This is the fourth book in The Townsend series but is easily read as a stand alone book, however the author builds on previous books so I’m glad I’ve read the earlier books but then again I have to read a series in order! This is different from the normal romance in that George takes matters into her own hands to get her precious music box back. The attraction between Mal & George is immediate & only grows along with liking each other. An interesting enthralling read which held my interest all the way through & it took me through a range of emotions
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read