Genre: Historical
Book 1 in the Mist Trilogy
ISBN: 0-446-61912-4
Releasedate: December 1, 2007
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
PROTECTING HER WAS HIS PASSION
High-born though she is, Kate Campbell isn't afraid to draw her sword. When raiders strike, she rushes into the fray...and is lucky when a mysterious Highlander shields her from a deadly blow. Swept onto his stallion, she soon discovers that her rescuer is her clan's most hated enemy: Callum MacGregor, the man they call The Devil. Yet she cannot ignore his achingly tender touch or the way his fiery gaze leaves her breathless.

POSSESSING HER WOULD BE HIS PLEASURE
Callum MacGregor has taken many Campbell lives, but he's never saved one--until now. Mesmerized by this spirited lass, he wants her by his side, even if it means holding her for ransom. As his fingers graze her sumptuous curves and tangle in her unruly tresses, Callum realizes Kate Campbell is his most dangerous foe of all. For he can't make love to her without betraying his kinsmen and his honor...and surrendering his heart forever.

REVIEW
A new star has risen and her name is Paula Quinn. Ok I know this is not her debut novel but it is the first novel I read off her hand and she makes me hungry for more! Her ability to put her vision to words in a story so compelling that it shook my world and broadened my longing for stories like hers, is rare on my shelves! From the first page I was captured and pulled into the feud between the Campbells and MacGregors in the Scottish Highlands. To see how she puts two characters from these clans together without losing their dignity, bringing a small step into solving this century long hatred between two clans is stunning.

Paula has a talent for writing her stories in the setting it takes place. The use of the Scottish bur and words add so much to the story making it top quality historical romance and puts her right next to Historical icons such as Elizabeth Lowell. She knows how to describe a setting and varies from humor and laughter to sorrow and pain with a romance strangled within, so radiant and passionate, it touches your heart instantly and you can’t do all but love Kate and Callum and the secondary characters whom are involved in this story that is told.

Kate is a loving, caring, strong woman who stands for what she believes is to be true but knows when to adjust her believes when she finds them based on untrue facts. She has an extraordinary mind and willpower within to set right what’s been done wrong. Callum is a man who has a lot to give and wants nothing more than to honor the family he’s born in and carry his name with pride and joy. Circumstances in the past made him the cold hard devil everybody sees him for and will do everything that is needed to protect what he finds is his or belongs to him and his clan. This makes him unapproachable and closed off for love and companionship in his life…. Until he meets Kate… She does things that make him look at things a little more different than he was used to, but her being a “bloody” Campbell doesn’t make things easy for his MacGregor-heart.

The passion between them both sizzles off the pages and the love-making seems are steamy and without overtaking the Historical Romance only add to this heart-warming love-story.

The way Paula sets stone to their love story within this ongoing war between Scottish clans is what stands out in this genre. I have not come across a story like hers in a long time and knowing I still have a trilogy of her to read makes me sigh in relief for stories like this is what makes reading even a bigger pleasure and joy. This is one of those books that opens up those people who aren’t into reading Historical Romance and make them hooked instantly to this genre. It has everything a Historical Romance Reader longs for and wants to see back.

It reads with such ease that it’s hard to put down and the words seems to glide through your mind and soul, touching every core of your being and claims it’s way into your heart. Callum had to grow on me a bit and had to make me open up to him throughout the story, but I grew with him in the way he opened up to Kate, where Graham touched me straight away, so I’m in a glorious mood when I learned his story is next in line! But also the young warrior Jamie has his own uniqueness and Angus – god love him – with his Gillis is such a pleasure to see coming by every time. Paula used the “bruteness” and "brawling" of the true highlanders and implemented it in the story, making it all the more fun to read.

Everything within this story fits, every chapter you read is built up towards the climaxing ending and makes you long to read the following pages. The more you read the more you want to read about his couple and MacGregor clan and their journey towards meeting in the middle where they can take their hands and walk the same line. I’m still drifting on a high and know that whichever novel comes next for me to read of Paula’s hand will be perfection once more as she is talented to no end! Throughout this story her love for Scotland shows, she’s able to channel that love into the pages of her story and I think that is what makes it stand out!

Overall I think A-MA-ZING is all I can say to describe what my overall feel of this novel is and this is an author who will be read and re-read many a time in the years ahead!

5 Stars