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    The Guardian
    The Guardian
    The Guardian
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Guardian

    Written by Margaret Mallory

    Narrated by Derek Perkins

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past...and claim the bride he's long resisted.

    As a young lass, Sileas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sileas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sileas-and he won't take no for an answer.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateJun 24, 2013
    ISBN9781452684871
    The Guardian

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    Reviews for The Guardian

    4/5

    63 ratings9 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Ian, after years of fighting along side his three companions, they have finally come home. But when they arrive home, nothing is as it should be. Ian left five years ago, abandoned the woman he was forced to marry and went to fight, and spent much time in France. When he returns their clan is torn into two. His plans are to help his friend Connor, take his rightful place as Laird. But even more than that, to claim his wife. However that task is not as easy as he thought it would be. Sileas is so different from when he knew her as a girl, she is one of the most beautiful women he has ever laid his eyes on...and doesn't even recognize who she really is at first. Even though she once followed him around like a puppy dog, she has grown and has her own mind, and a spirit that is filled with fire and courage. He knows he has tasks to accomplish that may be close to impossible but the one that tops them all is proving to his wife that he is here to stay....for good this time. I have been wanting to read this author for quite some time, but haven't had the chance until now. Ever since the first book came out in this series, I have been aching to read it. So finally I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do so. The Guardian, takes us to a time back to the 1500's. At this time, in Scotland, it starts out with four boys who want to know their fortunes. Ian's pleases him none at all, in fact he finds himself greatly disappointed to hear that he will be married twice. Especially since he has no desire to ever get married. But we see that he does end up married, to a childhood friend, Sileas. He leaves, after being forced to marry her when he tries to protect her from her family. Not truly knowing about the circumstances upon why she left, he does marry her. Now he has returned, he finds things at home so different than when he left. First, his younger brother looks at him with disdain and mistrust. His father has suffered a grave battle injury. His wife, more beautiful than ever, but just as distant. I really loved how this story played out, there were many amusing scenes that made me almost want to cheer. I just loved seeing Ian having to prove himself to Sileas and grovel at times. I just love a good highlander who needs to learn how to be humble. I fell in love with Sileas from the start, she is so sweet and endearing, but at the same time has a fiery spirit to admire. She doesn't just meekly let Ian back into her life, she makes him work for it, and definitely was amusing to see. I also loved the love story....it had some twists and turn, some great action scenes, a emotionally gripping tale that will charm any that loves a good romance! An sizzling start to a recent series that is sure to sweep you off of your feet!!
    • 5/5
      loved it. great story line. loved the strongwilled characters. thank you
    • 4/5
      good story. too long.
    • 3/5
      The Guardian
      3 Stars

      When visiting a soothsayer, four young highland boys receive prophecies of their future brides. Ian MacDonald is told that he will marry twice - once for hate and once for love. Years later he is forced to wed a childhood friend and deserts her to fight in France. Upon his return, he discovers that gangly Síleas has become a beautiful and spirited young woman with little patience for a man who chose war over hearth and home. Is it too late for Ian to prove his love for her?

      Ian has to be one of the most self-centered, obnoxious and irritating heroes ever to disgrace the pages of a historical romance novel. He returns home and expects the woman he deserted to welcome him with open arms and kiss the ground he walks on . . . Well, he is in for a big surprise!

      Síleas is a charming heroine - beautiful, caring and independent. The only problem with her character is her love for the undeserving Ian. It seems that love truly is blind…and deaf … and stupid!

      The rest of the plot revolving around a struggle for leadership of the Clan is well developed with some exciting action scenes. Unfortunately, it never quite succeeds in compensating for the weak romance.

      The rest of the series focuses on the other boys: Alex the womanizer, Duncan the tormented and Connor the leader. As their characters are far more likable than Ian, I am willing to give their books a chance.
    • 5/5
      Good historical romance with plenty of action while the hero fights to save his clan and at the same time romance when he works to build his relationship with the heroine. After five years of fighting, Ian returns to Sileas, the wife he was forced to marry before he left. Looking forward to the next in the series.
    • 4/5
      Due to circumstances, Sileas is forced to marry when she is 13. Although she does marry the "boy" who she has adored forever he does not want the match and resents her for it. He takes off for battles in France with his three friends and does not return for five years. When he returns he does not even recognize the woman she has become. Does Sileas want him after she feels slighted, embarrassed and ashamed of his behavior? Ian is also coming to terms with whether he wants to have her as a wife or have a wife at all.I really liked how Sileas found herself while living with Ian's family for those five years. I also liked the character of Ian and how he comes to realize his feelings for her. I did have difficulty with the smaller stories that are woven throughout the main plot. The author is setting us up for future romance novels but it made some of the side plots difficult to follow.
    • 5/5
      The Guardian begins a fascinating new series from the very talented Margaret Mallory. The story primarily focuses on the story of Ian and Sileas. They were forced to marry before he left Scotland for five long years. He planned to return and encourage Sileas to find a new husband, but when he discovers what a beauty she has become he begins to change his mind. Sileas finds it difficult to trust Ian after the hurt and humiliation he caused her, but after loving him her entire life she hopes the man she once knew is still inside him. She doesn’t want to spend her life in a loveless marriage and has concocted a plan to end their union if Ian can’t love her the way she deserves, even if it will break her heart to see it end. I was completely drawn in by the story of Ian and Sileas. Sileas is a character with so much heart. After being dealt so much pain in her life I wanted to see her find her HEA. Ian is a character who managed to be both frustrating and endearing. As the circumstances that set their forced union into motion came to light, it was so much easier to understand Ian’s frustrations and Sileas’s fears. Sileas was just a child when the marriage took place, and Ian was a young Highlander ready for a life on the battlefield. I was wholeheartedly rooting for them even when Ian’s actions were less than noble. I also fell in love with Ian’s family. There was so much development of not only the key players, but also the secondary ones. This story left me longing for more time with the fascinating characters the author created. If you like strong and sassy heroines you’ll love this book. There is a scene involving an angry Sileas and a frying pan that is not to be missed ;) The Guardian is a stellar series debut, and I can’t wait to get to know the other Highlanders as it progresses. The romantic elements paired with a bit of political intrigue and laugh out loud moments, created a thoroughly engaging look into the Highlander life.Margaret Mallory takes a mix of fact and fiction, and weaves a magnificently romantic tale. Her love of Scotland and history is apparent when reading her stories. She was one of my first experiences with historical romance, and one of the reasons I’m hooked today. If you are a fan of historical romance this is an author you do not want to miss!
    • 5/5
      Reviewed by ValerieSource: eBook provided by NetGalley for reviewBlurb: Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.PASSION IGNITEDAfter years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . . and claim the bride he's long resisted. As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer.Review: When the cover makes you swoon, what’s a girl to do??? READ! After the blurb definitely got my attention and I started reading, I fell hard for the characters in this book as I read and am so glad that there will be more books in the series.One of the things I really loved about the sassy red-headed lass, Sìleas, is that she never gave up on her one true love, ever. She and Ian grew up in the same area and she often tagged along as he and his friends and cousins played. Time and again he would get her out of one mishap or another, until even he didn’t realize the impact it would have on their lives. Finding oneself sleeping under the stars with an impressionable unmarried girl is a no-no. Sìleas and Ian find themselves married in the blink of an eye so that her reputation is saved...Fast forward to five years and Ian’s returning to a beautiful, bitter, lonely wife that ignores him yet she’s also the treasured daughter his parents never had and the sister his brother needed. To say Ian is confused is an understatement. I laughed when he realized the young girl he married had grown up in his absence and had other admirers. When his mom would mumble under her breath about men being thick skulled, I was chuckling with her. No matter how good his intentions, Ian is clumsy and continually puts his foot in his mouth anytime Sìleas is around him. This constant ring-around-the-rosy between these two characters was very entertaining.Besides the tug-of-war happening between the supposed husband and wife, add in jealous suitors, naked maids, overprotective family members, interfering friends, and lots and lots of enemy clansmen from all around the region. Everyone seems to want Sìleas’ birthright, Knock Castle, including her husband. People get injured, killed, and betrayed as the power shifts between Ian’s cousin and his half-uncle throughout much of the story.As well as having the area details and accents accurately portrayed, several customs and beliefs from the time are mentioned including women that have the power to heal and ghosts who make their intentions known. Will Sìleas and Ian ever come to an understanding and be happy? Who will ultimately become the head chieftain?
    • 5/5
      Wow! Wow! And wow, again! Margaret Mallory's work is phenomenal!!! Not only did I love her writing, I loved the feeling of traveling to another place in time, and seeing the characters come to life. This is one rockin' hot book! It's filled with love, humor, and a little suspense and rolled into a book that kept me up long into the night, turning page after page, to see what the clansmen would be doing next.....The Gaurdian is filled with both lovable and not-so-lovable characters. Ian's character was my favorite. And, no, not just because he was the hero of the story. I loved his character for the way he grew in the story. Sileas' character was a sweet one, and I loved her part in the story as well, but, well, Ian really tugged my heart strings. Sweet Ian as a lad (it's Scotland...gotta throw the terms in and make it real!), the way he involved the wee lass Sileas in all the adventures that he and his cousins partook, was so sweet! It was passion way back then! Of course, the cousins were funny and sweet and added some kick to the story as well.I'll warn ya....this book is full of wonderful love and deep passion. Ian and Sileas have sparks flying all the time around them. But, when Ian takes of for 5 years to France, just after a forced wedding to a young Sileas, will she be able to forgive him and still claim him as her husband? Will he accept the fact that she is the one for him, even during the warring between clans?Yes, I most definitely recommend this 5 star start to a sure-to-be-a-hit series, to all you romance and historical lovers. Let Margaret Mallory's amazing skills and words, take you on a far away trip to a land of clans and cheiftans, love and passion in this historical romance novel! I can't wait until The Sinner (book 2) releases in November!