Review: The Chief by Monica McCarty

The Chief 
(Highland Guard, #1)
By: Monica McCarty
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: March 23, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
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AN ELITE FIGHTING FORCE UNLIKE THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN . . .

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Robert the Bruce handpicks ten warriors to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule. They are the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare. And to lead his secret Highland Guard, Bruce chooses the greatest warrior of all.

The ultimate Highland warlord and a swordsman without equal, Tor MacLeod has no intention of being drawn into Scotland’s war against the English. Dedicated to his clan, the fiercely independent chief answers to no one—especially not to his alluring new bride, bartered to him in a bid to secure his command of the deadliest fighting force the world has ever seen. The treacherous chit who made her way to Tor’s bed may have won his hand, but she will never claim his heart.

Although her husband’s reputation is as fierce as his manner, Christina Fraser believes that something softer hides beneath his brutal shell. But the only warmth she feels is in their bed, in glorious moments of white-hot desire that disappear with the dawn. When Christina’s reckless bid to win her husband’s love goes awry and thrusts them into danger on the eve of war, Tor will face his ultimate battle: to save his wife and to open his heart—before it’s too late.

It all starts with the “Chief”, Tor. There is a secret elite team of highlanders who specialize in certain aspects of battle and Bruce has selected Tor to be their Chief. Bruce knows that Tor isn’t going to agree to this easily and hopes that the prospect of a bride might sway his decision. However, Tor wants nothing to do with the secret team nor does he want to make an alliance with the Fraser’s. However, Christina’s abusive father makes Christina sneak into Tor’s chambers while he’s asleep so that she can be “caught” in his bed, forcing Tor to do the noble thing and marry her. Not only is Tor now in charge of a group of men that have been his enemies for years but he also has a wife who seems to be more trouble than he bargained for.

Christina got on my nerves a lot in this book. Tor will tell her to do something and she will do the exact opposite. It seems like she’s always getting herself into trouble and Tor is always getting her out of it. However, Tor is clueless on how to be a good husband. He is gone all day and comes home at night for a shag and then is up and gone before Christina wakes up. So I guess I cannot blame her for exploring on her own. I really liked the fact that even though these two find the other attractive, neither of them are thrilled with their current situation and must over come a lot in order to work in harmony together.

Monica McCarty does a great job weaving both the romance and the upcoming war into one good Highlander story.  You get a glimpse at the other men in the Highland Guard and I personally cannot wait to read their stories.

Tor is sitting at the table talking with his (ex) leman when Christina walks in.

“He frowned, noticing the glasslike stiffness in Christina’s expression and the high color on her cheeks. She looked upset about something. He quickly scanned the room to see whether there was some new womanly touch he was supposed to have noticed.”

… guys… they just done get it.