The handsome Highlander who seduced her… …is the very man she must marry! In this Warriors of the Night story, Lianna MacKinnon seeks to avoid her betrothal to a Norman lord by giving herself to an intriguing stranger. But afterward, she discovers her sensual lover is none other than Rhys de Laurent–her betrothed–in disguise! They’ve already had their wedding night… Now there’s no … Now there’s no escaping their marriage vows!
Warriors of the Night miniseries
Book 1 — Forbidden Night with the Warrior
Book 2 — Forbidden Night with the Highlander
Book 3 — Forbidden Night with the Prince — coming soon
“Willingham has written another winner!”
— RT Book Reviews on Warrior of Fire
“Medieval fans are in for a treat, as this novel has everything — star-crossed lovers, scandal, murder, damsels in distress, dark, sexy heroes, lots of action, battles and a hard-won happy ending!”
— RT Book Reviews on Forbidden Night with the Warrior
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Good book. This one is about Rhys de Laurent, older brother of Warrick from the first book in the series (Forbidden Night with the Warrior). Parts of this book take place at the same time as the first book, filling in a few blank spaces. In this book, it is time for Rhys to follow through on the long-standing betrothal between himself and Lianna. He doesn’t want to live in Scotland, so far away from his home and family, but he is a man of honor and will do what he must – though he does contemplate getting his brother to marry her instead. His qualms are not eased when he speaks to her father and learns that Lianna wants no part of marrying a Norman. He goes along with her father’s suggestion that he get to know her without revealing his identity, but he doesn’t like the deception. Lianna is an unusual woman and is considered odd by her clansmen. She loves her people and constantly worries about their health and welfare. She knows that if she doesn’t go through with the marriage, it could mean starvation and exile for them. When she meets a handsome stranger, she is nervous at first but also attracted. Part of her feels that he may be the answer to her prayers.
The development of the relationship between Lianna and Rhys was very turbulent. The sparks flew between them from the moment they met. Rhys was as fascinated as he was attracted, and no longer thought of giving her up. Lianna was attracted but also felt guilty because of her betrothal to Rhys. She was also desperate to escape the marriage, and when she sees the opportunity to do so, gives in to the passion she feels for her stranger, thinking she will no longer be wanted by Rhys. I liked Rhys’s discomfort with his deception and how he tried to tell her the truth before passion took over. To say that Lianna wasn’t happy when she found out the truth would be putting it mildly. Things go from bad to worse when Lianna’s older brother attempts to kill Rhys and his men and is killed himself. Lianna is beside herself with grief and anger, making her even more set against her marriage.
I ached for Rhys, who had begun to care for Lianna. I loved the way that he saw how much she did for her people and how disturbed he was by the way they treated her. He tried in so many ways to treat her well and show her the respect he thought she deserved. When they left to go to his home in England for the wedding, Lianna still treated him like pond scum. I was very frustrated with her during their time in England. She held herself away from everyone and was pretty rude to people who wanted to make her feel welcome. Even though she could see that Rhys was a good man who cared for his people, just as she cared for hers, her stubbornness would not let her give in. Eventually, the attraction between them worked a bit of a truce, and Lianna finally began to loosen up. By the time they returned to Scotland, things were looking up for them. Unfortunately, her people hadn’t forgiven him for the death of her brother, and Lianna found herself caught between the two sides. Some ill-spoken words by Lianna were overheard by Rhys, putting them at odds once again.
Another trip back to England gives Lianna the opportunity to make things right with Rhys, but now he is the one resisting. His pride has been hurt and he doesn’t want to risk being hurt again. Rhys also has some trust issues stemming from some things that happened when he was a child. When Lianna’s behavior towards him changes so drastically, he doesn’t know whether to believe it or if she is trying to manipulate him. I loved seeing the difference in her attitude and seeing her make her own mark on her new home. I liked the progress she made toward repairing her relationship with Rhys, especially with what happened in the cellar and how it brought them closer together. When a crisis in Scotland sends Rhys riding to the rescue, Lianna must decide whether to follow her heart or her husband’s orders. The conclusion was intense, with some very surprising and satisfying twists.
“Forbidden Night with the Highlander”1}
by Michelle Willingham
Series: Warriors of the Night, Book #2
Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
Heat Rating:
Overall Rating:
Scotland 1171
The heroine of this story is Lianna MacKinnon. She thinks if she gives her innocence to a total stranger it will resolve her problem to marry a hated Norman Lord! Yet her father, Alastair advises Rhys to pretend he is another Scottish highlander and get to know his true daughter. As he knows his daughter won’t even give him a chance if she knows he is the Norman she is being forced to marry. Rhys does not feel right about this dishonesty but understands her prejudice against Norman’s. Plus her selfish gambling brother does not feel right about Rhys getting all the titles and lands he desires.
Rhys de Laurent and Lianna had been betrothed and a match since before Lianna was even born. Lianna knows most of her kin and clan think her ways as unusual, odd and different. As she keeps everything clean and tidy and in order.Some nowadays might call it obsessive compulsive disorder, known as OCD. She always has made sure she has known every clan member by name and what they need and cares for everyone. Her clan is starving and if this marriage does not happen it could be their destruction and exile! As the castle and lands belong to Rhys de Laurent.
The Normans have every right to throw the entire clan off the land. As Rhys father made an alliance that depended on this marriage. His father could of exiled The MacKinnon Clan long ago. However, since his mother and Rhys’s grandmother loved her second husband, Fergus MacKinnon and her life in Scotland, he did not. Rhys Grandfather owned the lands. Plus Alastair knew his son would of been a horrible leader due to his dangerous habits and selfish needs. Yet is Lianna we’re born a male she would of made a wonderful leader. Like her father, Lianna always puts the clan first, even when she is being mistreated by her own clan members!
The Now Lianna is duped by the stranger who is actually Rhys de Laurent her dreaded betrothed. Now she is caught in the very web she weaves and there is no turning back! Lianna has no choice but to marry this villain Norman bastard! What will she do? Abandon her clan to a life of starvation and being homeless? How can she even let a filthy Norman touch her…again? Will she ever see Rhys and his people for whom he truly is? A fair and good leader who cares for his people. A good fighter with an intelligent mind, a passionate lover, a man that can’t go of his pride with a few skeletons in his past.
I highly recommend you read this gripping emotional story about betrayal, lies, prejudice, pride, forgiveness, faith, trust, joy, passion, love and so much more! You can read as a stand alone but I highly recommend you read in series order. For example book #1 Forbidden Night with the Warrior is a actually about Rhys’s younger brother Warrick De Laurent and Rosamund de Beaufort.
OMG have those tissue ready! Another Michelle Willingham emotional winner that I could not put down or stop sobbing through! If I get that attached in a story well it means it’s an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. I have been a fan of Michelle Willingham books since her debut, she still blows me away with each and every book she writes and releases!
A delightful action packed emotional novel with all the elements romance readers love! Plus with phenomenal settings, many faceted characters and emotional plotting! I never know what to anticipate next…which is totally brilliant!
I can’t wait for the third novel in this amazing Forbidden Night series. Book three is titled “Forbidden Night with the Prince”. I have absolutely and unequivocally loved this emotional heartstring pulling series! It is definitely one you don’t want to miss!
I received an advance readers copy from the author. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest and fair ‘review and blog. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Warriors of the Night Series
By Michelle Willingham
1)Forbidden Night with the Warrior – Warrick & Rosamund
2)Forbidden Night with the Highlander – Rhys & Lianna
3)Forbidden Night with the Prince – TBR 8/1/2018
https://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Night-Highlander-Warriors-ebook/dp/B073TZ3XDX/ ref=nodl_