Margaret Mallery’s The Guardianis an extraordinary medieval romance that absolutely encompasses the 3 Cs:  clans, chieftains and castles in a perfect indulgence for readers wanting a hint of paranormal with the intoxicating combination of fearless warriors, loyal family, requited love and the unmistakable pull of the Scottish Highlands.

From page one, The Guardian was a non-stop read introducing the series, The Return of the Highlanders, featuring the story of Ian and Sileas MacDonald with a touch of paranormal sprinkled throughout the book thanks to the legendary seer, Tearlag and the ghost of the Green Lady of Knock Castle.

Mallery has brilliantly set the stage for the next of three books in Highlands following the life, loves and adventures of Ian’s distinctive warrior kinsmen: the irrepressible Alex, enormous, brooding Duncan and the sensible, good-hearted Connor.  The paranormal aspect gives credence to the Celtic myths and pagan rituals the isles are well-known for from the beginning when, as young lads the inseparable four-some visit the mysterious Tearlag for prophecies. It’s her visions that set up the plot that flows effortlessly owing to quick dialogue, clan exchanges and deeply etched personalities and loyalties.

After five years, they have returned from France to their homeland on the Isle of Skye to claim their legacies only to find their clan in peril and preparing for war. Worse for the battle-hardened Ian, he must now face the wife he never meant to have when he was forced to wed his young friend, Sileas to preserve her honor and that of the clan’s right to Knock Castle. He arrives home to find his father gravely wounded, his family in turmoil and Sileas struggling to keep together, his family and lands. What he does not expect to find is a mature Sileas who has blossomed into a beautiful, strong-willed woman he desires not only in his bed, but forever as his wife. As heir to Knock Castle, she could help secure the clan’s safety now in question due to a hastily proclaimed chieftainship by her uncle Hugh in cahoots with her venomous step-father Murdoc.

But the sting of Ian’s abandonment and taunting by women villagers eased somewhat by his family’s acceptance of her is too fresh even five years later for her to forgive and forget.  The truly miserable options that women faced alone in a land of harsh beauty and stubborn men comes alive as Sileas holds onto her pride and tries to win Ian’s love - not just his desire for her body or her castle.  Both Sileas and Ian face a growing passion and grudging mutual respect but with unanswered questions between them, their union will not be easily won.

As the chieftainship hangs in the balance, Ian, Duncan, Connor and Alex, fight to ensure the chieftainship aligns with the will of the people when it’s determined that decision will take place at the Samhain festival just a fortnight away. But things ratchet up even further as warring clans come to blows and the rival Mackinnon clan kidnaps Sileas before the Samhain to force her wedding to one of their beastly clansmen.

The MacDonalds are so precisely portrayed in Payton and his sons Ian and Niall that we feel these passionate characters and the women who love them, leaping off the pages taking us with them into the rugged highlands through mercurial weather, dangerous clan meetings, bloody battles and treacherous political dealings.  And, readers will also experience the intense loyalty of family bonds, deep love and the sensuous passion ignited between Ian and Sileas as they finally consummate their wedding and seal their clan’s fate.

The physical, mental and emotional journeys readers take in Mallery’s exquisite novel The Guardian are so authentic, we must turn the pages to experience our next move and find ourselves thrilled at the outcome while looking forward to the stories promised for Alex, Connor and Duncan whom we have come to know and love as much as Ian and Sileas. The Guardian is a true keeper to devour happily knowing it remains on your shelf or in your e-reader to be re-read and savored over and over again!

~ Helena