I'm not at all surprised that many people enjoy this book. But I could hardly stand it. It's awful. lol. The heroine is stunningly reckless, and is supposed to be a really talented fighter, but hardly ever actually accomplishes anything with her skills and is always needing to be saved. And when she does occasionally display skills it feels inconsistent and unlikely. And the hero isn't all that likable. I suppose he improves some, but he's still largely unappealing to me. There are gaps in plot and reason. It's long and meandering, maybe I would have enjoyed the plot if I had cared about any of it more. There's a whole battle of wills thing between the H & h, which, granted, isn't usually my thing anyway. But even the love scenes are eye-roll inducing. **And I've liked some of the previous MacGregor stories, so it's not that I hate this sort of story or this author's writing.** These last two (the first two in Highland Heirs) have just been nearly painful though. I hope this isn't her new normal! ( )

First paragraph was amazing.

The rest was a kind of a long drawn out version of a season of Starz's Black Sails. ( )

This is the second book in Paula Quinn’s new series The MacGregors: Highland Heirs and if you are an Outlander fan, you’ll love this series. Its setting is around the start of 18th Century [a ways off the Culloden 1743 rising], but you still have the same contentious and turbulent life in the Scottish Highlands.

This is the adventure of a young woman who is actively seeking one and a man who will give it to her.

Caitrina Grant is restless and is in a need of an adventure so when the opportunity shows itself, she grabs it whole heartedly not knowing quite where it would take her.

Alexander Kidd, witty, handsome and very dangerous pirate, is on a mission on the Isle of Skye and means to get it over with as soon as possible then sail off in search of a treasure, following the map his father had left him. I loved them both. He was such a charming and witty rogue and she was an innocent and inquisitive lass who knew love when it came-a-calling.

Honestly, if anyone can take two totally different and ... thanks for jumping to b2b to finish reading my review ...

http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com/2014/11/02/the-wicked-ways-of-alexander-k...

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher ( )

Ok but too predictable. Couldn't get thru it ( )

Originally posted at The Bookaholic Cat

4 ½ Stars

The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd is the second book in the MacGregors: Highland Heirs series by Paula Quinn.

Since she was a child Caitrina Grant has yearned for adventure. After declining many offers of marriage her father has had enough and accepts one on her behalf. The last thing Caitrina wants is to become a wife and have children, she wants to live new experiences, something she knows she can’t do in the Isle of Skye under her family’s watch.
Pirate Alexander Kidd comes to Skye to get a map his father left him with the chieftain. Caitrina has never seen a pirate ship before and takes advantage of Alex visit to explore his ship while he’s in the keep. Caitrina’s cousin and protector, Kyle, follows her to the ship, but their adventure gets complicated when they have to hide to avoid discovery from the crew that was staying in the ship. Soon after, they fall at sleep and wake up hours later when the ship has already sailed and is far from land. When they are found, Alex thinks they are in his ship to steal his map. He doesn’t tolerate stowaways, but he also doesn’t want to start a war with the MacGregors. He plans to leave them in France as soon as they reach port. But his plans change when they are forced to continue to Portugal. Alex can’t wait to get Caitrina off of his ship; she’s a distraction he doesn’t need. Caitrina was afraid on the beginning of their journey, but now she’s enjoying herself. Finally she’s getting the adventures he dreamt about and being in Alex’s company only adds up to her enjoyment.

Paula Quinn is one of my to-go authors when I want a good historical romance. I have liked all of her books, some more than others, but in general I think they are all pretty good. When I saw this book up for review I knew I have to read it. My only problem was that lately I haven’t been enjoying historical romance as much as I did before. I kept postponing and postponing reading this book until the moment I couldn’t postpone it anymore. Somewhat reluctant I started to read The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd and… Oh, me of little faith! I should have known better and trust Paula Quinn’s talent with words, because after reading just couple of pages I was completely lost in the story.

I loved Caitrina so much! She’s the perfect historical romance heroine. She’s smart, she’s witty, she’s determined and all around a good person. I loved how she earned the love and admiration not only of Alex, but also from his crew. She is truly remarkable heroine.

Alex… He’s a dreamy pirate! He doesn’t believe in love because a woman broke his heart when he was young. He loves his life of pilfering and risks and the sea is his lover… until Caitrina comes to his life. *swoon*
Alex hides under a tough façade, but deep inside he’s soft, caring, funny and sinfully delicious.

Caitrina and Alex couldn’t be a better match, they are a match made in heaven; they balance each other, and bring out the best from the other. Their banter and chemistry made of The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd an impossible to put down book.

The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd is packed with adventures, secrets and so much sexual tension that you will find yourself devouring the pages wanting to know what is coming next. The different locations made the story even richer. Paula Quinn did an amazing job with the different settings, from the Isle of Skye, to Portugal, to the Caribbean and of course Alex’s ship.

My only complaint about The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd is that the end felt a bit rushed and incomplete. A short epilogue would have done wonders to perfectly finish this book. Despite this, The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd was a pretty great read.

The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd is part of a series, but it could be easily read as a stand-alone. I recommend this book to historical romance fans or to anyone who likes to read about sexy pirates and witty heroines.

I’m looking forward to next book in the series, The Scandalous Secret of Abigail MacGregor, to be released on March 31st, 2015. ( )