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Monday, July 5, 2010
title: To Conquer a Highlander
author: Mary Wine
genre: historical romance
published: July 2010 ARC
pages: 347
first line: Fire could be a welcome sight to a man when he'd been riding a long time and the sun had set, leaving him surrounded by darkness.
rated: 3 1/2 out of 5
In To Conquer a Highlander Shannon McBoyd, twenty something daughter of Laird McBoyd, has found out she will soon be married in her fathers attempt for an alliance.
Shannon's father raids rival Torin McLeren's land and Laird Torin has vowed vengeance. With the two clans at odds, and McBoyd about to marry his daughter off in an attempt to gain another clans alliance, Torin kidnaps Shannon in order to deter the plans. However, Torin finds out that Shannon is a bit more than he bargained for.
Shannon is smart, sassy and shows no fear.
Being raised by a cold hearted father has taught her how to be strong on the outside, no matter how scared she might really be, this comes in handy for Shannon when she is kidnapped. However, she is surprised at the decency Torin is showing her, even though she is the daughter of a hated rival. Even Torin's household staff is treating her better than she expected. When Shannon gets to sleep in a room just one floor under Torin's room, she can't help but wonder if Torin plans on taking her to bed. When he unexpectedly kisses her, Shannon finds herself wanting more.
Torin on the other hand, finds himself thinking about Shannon all the time and is feeling protective of her. He doesn't want the time to come where he has to hand her over to her father.
With the sexual tension building up, you begin to wonder when these two are going to get together.
I liked Shannon's character. She doesn't sit around waiting to be married off by her father. She doesn't want to enter into an arranged marriage that will most likely be loveless. So when her father tells her that she is to be married off, she is heartbroken.
At twenty-two, she was getting rather past the age for a first wedding. Shannon didn't lament hear years. In truth, she enjoyed being past the age of uncertainty. After her last birthday had passed and no groom sought her hand, a peace had settled over her. A sense of freedom that seemed to fill her with poise and confidence. She liked who she was and did not need a husband to feel complete.
Torin is your perfect hero, he's tall, dark and handsome and has a Scottish Brogue. What more could you want?
I also liked that Torin was patient with Shannon, and cared about her feelings.
And as per my personal preference, I was envisioning Gerard Butler yielding a sword...wearing a kilt....speaking with his hawt Scottish accent.
"I couldn't bear the thought of ye undressing without me there to enjoy it."
"But...surely there were others..."
"I want ye Shannon. It has never been my way to tumble many lasses, only to tumble the one lass who I consider mine, very often."
The love scenes do not start until about halfway through the book, but they are really steamy once you do get to them.
I enjoyed the tension between these two, Shannon trying to deny her attraction for Torin, meanwhile he teases her for blushing bright red whenever he is near.
To Conquer a Highlander is a good beach read. If you want to immerse yourself in romance, while being transported to 15th century Scotland, look no further.
This is my first time reading a book by Mary Wine and I really enjoyed it.
Special thanks to Danielle over at Sourcebooks for sending me a copy of this book.
Friday, July 2, 2010
It aggravates me when people complain about it and slag it, the majority of these people haven't even read the books and solely base their opinions on the movies - the movies are great, but they are nothing compared to the books. Even worse, some people base their opinions on other people's opinions of it, hearing the negative points about the story and by seeing piss-takes. This is just being prejudiced. I know so many people who have slagged the movies, Edward and the whole Twilight concept - then they read the books. Next thing they're asking you for a lend of of the books. It's ridiculous! If you don't like it and have read the books, fair enough. But by basing your opinions on solely the movies or just disliking it to seem cool is beyond pathetic. Give it a chance! You'll be surprised.
I was curious to see what Eclipse would be like, David Slade is globally known to be a great director but I was anxious to see his take on this movie. The previous two have been fantastic, but both were so different. The tones of the movie were first blue and cold, then the second one being earthy and warm. The first thing that impressed me about Eclipse was the different tones, different scenes had different tones and feelings to them, in comparison to the previous movies where there was only an element of one repetitive colour throughout. This movie is most definitely the best one so far, ratings of this movie are incredible and it really exceeded everyone's expectations. The exciting fight scene was incredible, the sexual tension between Edward and Bella was clearly shown and made me (and I assusme others, extremely jealous of Bella).. Edward (Rob) is just divine.
I don't want to give anything away, as the movie isn't officially out until next week, but all I'll say is go in and see it with an open mind and expect a lot of good looking people. There were tops off everywhere. It was fabulous!
Me, being Team Edward even sympathised for Jacob a little more. Taylor Lautner is extremely easy on the eye and he plays cheeky Jacob to a T. But of course, Robert Pattinson nailed it, yet again. He is one of the most beautiful humans I have ever seen and he is just perfect for playing Edward Cullen. I know many people dislike Kristen Stewart as Bella in these movies, but she really has upped her game this time. She's let loose more and there is much less cross-eyed, dopey scenes of her. She really lived up to Bella, was serious and witty at the same time, and acted extremely well.
The only bit of criticism I would give, would be that (spoiler alert!) they didn't elongate Rosalie's story as much as they should have, they didn't place it or act it well enough. I think that part of the book really was an eye-opener for readers and I don't think it was told as well as it could've been. That said, some people seeing Eclipse haven't even read the books and have nothing to compare it to!
I would highly recommend this movie to anyone, romance and fight scenes - there's appealing elements to it for everyone! Also, it's hilarious. You'll be laughing every 5 minutes - let's just say Team Charlie will be getting more and more fans!
Now, as you all know my favourite designers are Chanel and Balmain. I love Chanel dearly due to my Nana's love for it and how she's passed it on to me, it's nostalgic essence to me and of course, the sheer excellence of Chanel creations. Glamour and simplicity, always.
Balmain I adore due to me wanting to wear every single item of clothing on the Balmain runway, it's sense of femininity, risqué and masculine cuts mixed in to one, never leaves each collections. Balmain (and Chanel) never fails to please me, every time I see the new collections I wish I was rolling in cash and I would literally buy each piece from the collection. So of course, the Fall collection for this year made me gaze longingly at each piece. I saw leopard-print, rock'n'roll, military, tailoring, plunging necklines and metallics.. basically everything I love. Christophe Dicarnin must be related to me, because this collection makes me want to rob a Balmain boutique asap and I would literally wear every single item of it. Since 2005, this genius has just amazed the fashion world with his daring designs. Everything from clothes themselves, to the shoes, to the hair and make-up always look exquisite on the runways.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I've been a fan of Twilight since 2nd year, before the whole phenomenon started and I have been throughout the years. Since the movies, Twilight is everywhere and is always dissed by the ''cool'' people. I find it ridiculous because the majority of these people have not read the books and based their opinions on the solely the movie. Don't get me wrong I love the movies, but the books outshine them by millions. Tomorrow I'm attending the midnight screening preview of 'Eclipse', I cannot wait!
Here I love you.
In the dark pines the wind disentangles itself.
The moon glows like phosphorous on the vagrant waters.
Days, all one kind, go chasing each other.
The snow unfurls in dancing figures.
A silver gull slips down from the west.
Sometimes a sail. High, high stars.
Oh the black cross of a ship.
Alone.
Sometimes I get up early and even my soul is wet.
Far away the sea sounds and resounds.
This is a port.
Here I love you.
Here I love you and the horizon hides you in vain.
I love you still among these cold things.
Sometimes my kisses go on those heavy vessels
that cross the sea towards no arrival.
I see myself forgotten like those old anchors.
The piers sadden when the afternoon moors there.
My life grows tired, hungry to no purpose.
I love what I do not have. You are so far.
My loathing wrestles with the slow twilights.
But night comes and starts to sing to me.
The moon turns its clockwork dream.
The biggest stars look at me with your eyes.
And as I love you, the pines in the wind
want to sing your name with their leaves of wire.
-Pablo Neruda
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Another beautiful poem by Neruda. I think my favorite lines are:Sometimes I get up early and even my soul is wet.
Far away the sea sounds and resounds.
This is a port.
Here I love you.
Here I love you and the horizon hides you in vain.
I love you still among these cold things.
Sometimes my kisses go on those heavy vessels
that cross the sea towards no arrival.
He just creates such sad and beautiful imagery, I can't help but 'sigh' as I read his work.
I hope you enjoy this poem, feel free to discuss :)
