Karen Marie Moning Series

To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning

From the Publisher…

Only her love could gentle his savage soul—

He
was born to a clan of warriors of supernatural strength, but Gavrael
McIllioch abandoned his name and his Highland castle, determined to
escape the dark fate of his ancestors. Hiding his identity from the
relentless rival clan that hunted him, he called himself Grimm to
protect the people he cared for, vowing never to acknowledge his love
for ravishing Jillian St. Clair. Yet even from afar he watched over her,
and when her father sent an urgent summons, “Come for Jillian,” he
raced to her side—into a competition to win her hand in marriage.

Why
had he run from her so many years before? And why return now to see her
offered as a prize in her father’s manipulative game? Furious, Jillian
vowed never to wed. But Grimm was the man she loved, the one who urged
her to marry another. He tried to pretend indifference as she tempted
him, but he could not deny the fierce desires that compelled him to
abduct her from the altar. She was the only woman who could tame the
beast that raged within him—even as deadly enemies plotted to destroy
them both….

From Me…

This book is actually a lot of fun!  We meet Grimm in the first book of the series, but he seems so different in book one.  He seemed a little weaker, not an alpha male – more of a side kick.  When this book starts, however, he seems to become his own man. He grows in the first chapter to almost overshadow the Hawk.

Then we meet this girl, Jilian. You can tell immediately that there are sparks here. And you can tell that there is a problem.  In this book, the main problem lies with Grimm and his belief that he is crazy and an uncontrollable killing monster.  While I enjoyed and understood the need for this mystical conflict, the dishonesty of it all really got to me.


A man’s life, and all of his decisions from a young age, is framed by something he sees as a child.  At no time, in the next 20 plus years, does Grimm doubt what he saw or why.  Even though he didn’t see something that I would consider proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  Grimm runs away from home, refuses to allow himself love and denies his entire family based on this misconception.


Other than the above problem, this novel was truly enjoyable.  The characters were likeable.  Te story was eventful and intriguing. Even up until the end, there was action and adventure propelling the characters.  I was almost sad to see this book end.

Favorite Quotes…

“[she] understood that people didn’t come perfect; sometimes they’d been
so badly scarred that it took love to heal them and allow them to
realize their potential. Sometimes the badly scarred ones have the
greatest depth and the most to offer because they understand the
infinite value of tenderness.” 

“She’s my baby girl, Quinn. I want love for her. Real love. The kind that makes a man crazy inside.