Bedding The Enemy [Paperback]

Keir McQuade takes his new role as Laird very seriously. Unlike his ruthless father and his treacherous brothers, Keir fully intends to fulfill his duty to his people and that means marrying and providing heirs as well as pledging fealty to the English King. Keir prides himself on being an honorable man and his word is his bond but he never would have imagined the trials and tribulations he'll face just by visiting the King's court.

Helena Knyvett is sick and tired of her brother Edmund's abusive and manipulative ways. He's using her to advance his place at court and his latest plot would mean the ruination of a Scottish girl, Raelin, one of the Queen's ladies - something Helena isn't willing to aid him in doing. Helena hates court and all the backstabbing and mind games but when she captures the attention of one very determined Scotsman things definitely get very interesting.

Like most titled young women, Helena has been raised with the knowledge that she'll marry to further her family's social position and wealth. Love isn't even a consideration. That doesn't stop her from being drawn to Keir despite her brother's obvious disapproval. While she goes through the motions to do as her brother demands, Helena befriends Raelin and fervently prays that nothing untoward happens to her.

Unfortunately Helena's brother proves to be every bit as ruthless as she believes him to be and he assaults Raelin. Keir witnesses the attack and comes to her rescue before she's seriously harmed but that puts Keir in a precarious position. Edmund's position as a peer of the realm means that he gets away with many things he really shouldn't. In this case, Edmund miscalculated because Helena was with Raelin at the time of the attack and she backs up everything Keir and Raelin say happened - at great personal risk to herself.

For Keir, rescuing Helena from her deranged, self-involved brother is going to be rather tricky. He's a highlander and thus deemed unworthy. Fortunately, the King is a Scotsman and he has his own ideas on how to handle the whole situation. The English court is full of ambitious men, scandal and intrigue but throw in a love match and you're adding kindling to the fire. Some people will stop at nothing to obtain their goals - can Keir and Helena survive Edmund's maneuvering or will they meet their fates in the Tower of London?

Mary Wine sweeps readers back in time and deposits you in King James Stuart's court amidst all the brilliant fashions and posturing right down to the uglier behind the scenes treachery and scandal. BEDDING THE ENEMY blends fascinating characters with stunning portrayals of ruthless ambition. Throw in love at first sight and a larger than life Highlander and you have the makings of a breathtaking historical romance. I had to admire Helena and Keir's honesty and refusal to cower in the face of adversity. They're strong individuals who instill you with a feeling of empowerment, like you can achieve anything if you're willing to believe. As you can tell, I love this book and hoping there will be more to come involving characters introduced in BEDDING THE ENEMY - including Raelin. A girl as spirited as Raelin certainly needs a story of her own.

Mary Wine's attention to detail makes it easy to visualize the scenes while her whimsical and sometimes lighthearted approach brings them to life. BEDDING THE ENEMY is definitely a must read historical romance.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Overall Rating: 3.75 // Action: 3 / Emotion: 3.75 / Romance: 3 / Sensuous: 4 / Intrigue: 3.5 / Historical Flavor: 3 // Humor: 2 / Tears: 0

"Bedding The Enemy" is a story of "love at first sight." The McQuade Clan's new laird, (third-born son) Keir, must go to London to swear fealty to King James Stuart in an effort to restore the clan's honor and promote peace. Keir spots the tall, modest Helena Knyvett across the crowded room and decides he has found the woman who will be his wife. Helena's evil, power-hungry brother, Edmund, is opposed to allowing a common Scot to wed his blue-blooded sister.

"Bedding The Enemy" is an enjoyable read. The book is packed with {1} gorgeous, hunky Scots (who outshine English pretty-boys); {2} a huge, muscled, determined, generous hero; {3} an honorable, mistreated heroine (who comes to the hero's rescue after he rescues her); {4} hot, steamy, graphically-vivid, numerous love scenes; {5} interesting supporting characters; {6} plenty of action to speed the story along; {5} copious amounts of suspense concerning Keir and Helena's ability to overcome Edmund's plots and schemes to find their happily ever after.

Wolf Bear Does Books features a more detailed review of "Bedding The Enemy."

Bedding the Enemy, the best book so far of a top notch McJames series by Mary Wine (hopefully more to come in the series). There is nothing better than a highlander story except maybe turning it into to a highlander erotica story, well that is how I would classify Bedding the Enemy. Loaded with chivalrous alphas and plenty of sensual love scenes.

Keir has inherited his newly Laird title because his father and two older brothers were killed in book 2 - bad, bad men. Keir is everything his father and brothers weren't, respectable, moral, and noble and Keir is going to bring honor back to his family name. First, he needs to find a bride with connections so he travels from his lands in Scotland to the English court to pledge his allegiance to the new king (who is half Scottish) and hopefully find a wife. Keir is so delicious, he is real man, not some sissy boy wearing pastels like the English flops, but he is disgusted by the ladies of the court. They are shallow, and painted with no substance. Then he spots her, Helena, and she captivates him immediately. Helena has wonderful character and is Keir's perfect match, she is not fake or high maintenance, but genuine. I loved them together, they were both so strong and when they touched the pages sizzled.

The problem is; Helena is a blue blood, daughter of an Earl and she has a nasty brother that beats her and feels he can use her for his selfish purposes. Her brother Edmund refuses Keir's bid to court her because he thinks Keir is too common for her and their family's title, plus Keir is a "savage" Scot. Edmund is a mean, repulsive twit and I cheered when Keir got in a few good punches when Edmund said and did bad things to Helena. Keir seemed to anticipate Edmund's traitorous plots and was always there to save her from her brother's cruelty. Even though Keir was a strong alpha with such a protective nature towards Helena he loved her so tenderly. Every woman needs one of those!

Although I have seen similar plots in the highlander stories before I was just so drawn in by the H/h relationship and that is why I gave it 5 stars- hot sex scenes earned big points too!!!

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