The Sinner: The Return of the Highlanders, Book 2

Alex has been a ladies man all of his adult life. Glynis had left an arranged marriage that was violent. They both said they would never marry. Glynis asked Alex to help her escape another arranged marriage and he agreed, taking her from her home to Edinburgh to live with her mother’s family. When she realizes it is no better there, she reunites with Alex to take her back. Then it gets interesting. I love Alex and in my opinion he is the strength of the story. I found Glynis to be frustrating and idiotic at times but it made their journey interesting.

This is a good read, which I would have given a five star rating had it not contained too much dialouge of political intrigue and the tedious, boring and endless traveling. When I read romance book, I like it to be of intrigue regarding the romance, and not of boring political issues. I dislike romance books that include the h/h on boring uneventful traveling. That almost ruined the book for me. This read was not as good as book one. The heroine got on my nerves throughout most of the book because of her insecurities, I understand why she was insecure, but the hero did not deserve her accusation. She was really cruel toward the H towards the, which made me dislike her a lot. She was so cruel, that she behaved like a nasty shrew. I realized that in this series, the author has all the heroes really kissing up to the h and the heroine's abuse them because they know the H loves them, which happened in all four books, except for book four where the H was a bit of a jerk toward the h. However, I would recommend this read.

Well, I love the premise for the four lads. A son of the Laird (Chieftian), cousins and the nursemaid's son all grow up together. Along side of them are four beautiful, intelligent, independent lasses. Two of the women are related and grow but in the background. The lads become warriors and travel to France for five years. While there they fight, wench and drink together. After the massive losses the Scots take at Flooden, they return home. So begins the Guardian...Ian's story. It was midbook before I started to enjoy. Reason...Ian, the hero, was shallow, selfish and immature in his relationships with women. I hung in there because I HATE not finishing something I'd begun. It was a good decision. Sooooooooo.....I decided to continue on. The Sinner is the next book in the series. It tells the story of the Viking looking, charming, rouge, in the group, Alexander. Due to the constant battles between his parents, he refuses to marry.... not for love or duty. Eventually, he meets a woman much like himself. Her first husband was crude, met his needs before his clans' ( he was Chieftan ), and unfaithful. After three months, the heroine, Glynis, tries to relieve him of his bullocks with her dirk. She fails and is sent home in shame. There she meets the hero, Alex. Much alike, they first fall in lust and then in love. Neither will admit to love but continue to share their bodies. Now, I cannot relate what happens next as it would ruin much of the tale. Now my gripe. Mallory does it to me again but in reverse from The Guardian. The first half of the book is great including the H/h. Then the h becomes a whiney, shallow person and the story lags accordingly. Of course, I must finish and we do have our HEA but I feel sucker punched ! Damn ! Again. I' m going to read The Warrior next because I like Duncan ( well, so far ) and want to see him happy. I hope I am not making a mistake. Do I recommend this book? Yes, if you like half books. Also, if you've already read The Guardian then you can handle any disappointment you may find here.

I really love your books this series has a little of everything,suspense, love,lust adventure, a stubborn lass and a handsome warrior

I can't believe I've never left a review for this book! I've read The Sinner by Margaret Mallory multiple times now, and somehow I always forget how much I love it. The story centers on Alex MacDonald, a highland warrior with Viking blood who likes to love 'em and leave 'em. Reluctant to marry due to family dysfunction, Alex meets his match in Glynis MacNeil, the headstrong daughter of a chieftain who stabbed (but didn't kill) her abusive husband and has returned to the safety of her father's clan. Alex and Glynis share a love of the sea, and before long, a simmering romantic tension that neither one will admit to. Can Alex and Glynis learn to trust each other? If I had one complaint about this story, it would be some frustration with how long Glynis dances around whether or not she can really trust Alex. However, her doubt does make it all the more sweet when she does finally open up to him. Ultimately, I love these two crazy kids together, and this book has become my second favorite in the series, after The Chieftain #4.

This is the third book that I have read in the RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS series by Margaret Mallory. I'm anxiously awaiting the fourth and last book in the series that will be delivered to my kindle in two days. I'm sad that the series will be ending because I could read a dozen more. I started with the third book "The Warrior" which I liked very much. I then returned to the first book, which I enjoyed but did not find as compelling as the "The warrior." I've just finished the second book "The Sinner," which I like the best. I don't think the writing is any better; I just got caught up in the "will they or won't they" struggle between Alex and Glynis and their path to a love match. Alex starts out as a bad boy who won't commit to any relationship. Glynis has experienced the worst in a previous marriage and swears that she will never marry again. Vulnerability and honesty are their biggest obstacles in dealing with their past and trusting their feelings for each other. In the end they both become better and stronger versions of themselves. I'm a sucker for a love story and the struggles of these two drew me in at an emotional level. Mallory's writing succeeds in the development of action, angst, deception, suspense, and sensual desires.

Handsome, brave, honest and a great warrior, Alex MacDonald is the kind of man who could charm any woman when he puts his mind to it, he has that way with the ladies... but that is before he meets the beautiful Glynis MacNeil, who changes everything before he even realises it. But these two lovers are haunted by trust issues and stubborn thinking. This book is a lesson in communication and honesty and these are the two life lessons that Alex and Glynis have to learn in order to be happy and together. Margaret has spun her usual magic as she really captures the harshness and violence of these times, when men were cruel and stopped at nothing to get what they wanted or what they believed they were owed. But this deliciously passionate tale is full of humour and love. Little Sorcha is an added delight as she adds an emotionally poignant dimension to this tale and again, as with Margaret's first book in this series (The Guardian), the close, dynamic and humorous bond of Duncan, Alex, Ian and Connor is a great addition. This book is a real page turner, it is a fabulously romantic love story.

Another handsome Nordic descendant scot, another gutsy girl who turns a womaniser into a faithful loving spouse. Another man capable of fantastic feats in bed rendering the woman helpless with desire. Not a bad story just wish they were not quite so predictable.

The author has had the ability to transfer the reader to the book's time and place and for a moment you feel you there experiencing history. As book two of a four book saga there is a seamless flow from one novel to the next about the family, their history and their adventure. A wonderful and compelling read.

I do like the series. The characters are well developed and story isn't missing anything. A nice page turner.

Like this series very much. Obviously paints the period too rosy but love the characters.