Review: Dirk Is My Fave Highlander In This Series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 11, 2014
I have truly enjoyed Vonda Sinclair's Highland Adventure Series and Dirk is probably my favorite of all the highlander men.  He is totally Alpha Male and somewhat of a loner, seemingly very uncomfortable expressing his tender emotions.  In the previous two books in this series, he has always been in the background, supporting the other leading alpha males, yet always at the forefront of every single battle -  the best and loyal friend and having everyone's back.  I was glad to get a better understanding of his persona and this book does not disappoint.Background:  At the end of Lachlan's and Anglique's book, "The Wild Highlander," Dirk leaves his friends to return to his boyhood home -Dunnakeil Castle on the far north coast of Scotland - after receiving a letter stating his father who he has not seen in 12 years is near death.  It seems Dirk had a wicked stepmother who was beyond cruel to Dirk from the time he was a very young boy and eventually attempted to have him murdered.  Dirk's father would never believe Dirk when he told him about her cruelty.  Finally, after her last murder attempt, Dirk's uncle sent him away and allowed everyone to believe Dirk died.  Now, Dirk is heading back home hoping to find his father yet alive so he can see him before taking up his duties as Chieftain of the MacLerie Clan.It seems Dirk cannot get away from all his friends, however, because good old Rebbie refuses to let Dirk travel the long hard trip back to Dunnakeil Castle without some company.  As they near the end of their long arduous journey, traveling in the cold snow, they come across Lady Isobel and her maid who are braving the cruel weather on foot.  They immediately take the ladies under their protection and eventually learn that Lady Isobel is the betrothed of Chief Torrin MacLeod, but has fled his home after an attempted rape by his brother.There is no choice but to take Isobel along with them to Dunnakeil Castle where Dirk must prove he did not die and that he is his father's heir.  He faces two half-brothers - Aiden, the older who is the current Chief and Haldane, the younger, as well as his hateful stepmother.  Aiden welcomes his brother but Haldene, his mother's son in every way, is determined to do everything in his power to keep Dirk from taking his rightful place as Chief of the MacLeries.  In the midst of all this confusion, Dirk realizes that Torrin MacLeod will soon show up to claim Isobel but Dirk will not allow him to take her because he has fallen fast and hard and he will not give Isobel to another man.Great love story, a good background plot, interesting lesser characters - Rebbie always livens everything up with his joking, Aiden is a sweetheart who loves his music, there are some handsome cousins and we are introduced to the lovely Jessie MacLerie, Dirk's beautiful sister and chatelaine of the castle.  When Torrin MacLeod show up, we can only begin to hope he will have his own book and guess what, he does!