There is only one creature more dangerous than a Berserker without a mate… and that’s a Berserker who’s found one. The MacLachlan clan is cursed with an ancient bloodline, strong as ten men and violent as a legion. Included are nine stories of men who battle the beast within, and the woman who are strong enough to tame them.
If you're anything like me, the best night is one spent with a brawny highlander, a mysterious werewolf, a conflicted vampire, or a hot-headed Irishman. My stories span the spectrum of romantic fiction from historical, to paranormal, to romantic suspense. But I can always promise my readers one thing: memorable and sexy Celtic heroes who are guaranteed to heat your blood before they steal your heart. Lose yourself in the enchanted Celtic Isles, you never know who, or what, will find you...
These novellas are best taken in small chunks- reading the whole lot one after the other was probably too much! Well, it was for me. Not sure how "romantic" the stories were, what with Berserkers slaughtering everything that breathed and all the talk of fucking. I must be a bit old school, because "I am going to fuck you!" is not terribly high on my romantic declarations list! I use the word myself, too often probably, but not to describe sex. I have read this author's Victorian Rebels series, most of which I enjoyed, and while she can get very earthy and crude, the Highland Magic novellas were just too much so. I guess Vikings and Druids were not terribly full of delicate sensibilities.
I read all nine books in Kerrigan Byrne’s Highland Magic Collection in a row! They are three book collections of Druids, Berserkers and Banshees, OH MY, that all intertwine. They could be read as standalones but I enjoyed reading them all in order.
I loved the growly alpha fated mates of the three Berserker stories! Those were my favorite. Roderick, Connor and Finn are wonderfully overbearing but when they met their mates they were total softies!
This collection of novellas was a lot of fun! I enjoyed each of the stories for their own reasons and purposes, and you can see even through this series how Kerrigan Byrne's writing has evolved to be what she is now. They are all fairly predictable, and had a bit of a formula to them. But I honestly still enjoyed them!
Highland Secret, Highland Magic book 1 Short sweet. Story of insta-lust and love between a not-so-humble barmaid and a Scottish Beserker. Ellie & Roderick
Highland Shadow, a Highland Magic tale Connor’s story with a kidnapped bride. Lots of fire between these two. It’s good. Angst, but not too much.
Highland Stranger, a Highland Magic Tale Connor and Roderick’s bastard brother. An untested ring story. I like the heroine, that she is widow, not a noble.
Highland Darkness Catriona (banshee) and Rory, only living McKay brother. This trilogy features three sisters who are turned into banshees after they are murdered by the deceased laird’s son. How they die is grisly and awful, but it’s mostly off-page. It was nice to see Rory get a HEA, and I liked that he is the one who craves pain, not gives it.
Highland Devil The sister who was the target of the terrible Angus, who died in the same fire, gets her HEA. With the Druid who makes an appearance in book 1. Their live is hard fought, and I liked the story.
Highland Destiny Camden, the youngest of the three sister burned & then turned into banshees. She is tasked with finding and killing the Norse berserker who fell off the boat back in Highland Stranger, Finn’s story. Of course, Soren and Camden are mates.
Highland Warrior (a witch trio?) Set in a much older period - the 1100’s? Featuring a beserker and his mate, a Druid.
Highland Witch, a Highland Magic story Another witch, cousin to the one in the previous book, finds her Berserker mate
My true average rating is 22 stars / 9 books = 2.44 stars. Despite what seems a low rating, the Highland Magic did keep me entertained and interested. This series is part of the Kindle Unlimited library, and I would and should say, enabled kindly by KB.
I think my favourite heroes were the berserkers and I enjoyed reading about the MacLauchlan and MacKay families the most. My favourite pairings were Rhona/Finn, Katriona/Rory and Kamdyn/Soren.
My takeaway message would be that Kerrigan Byrne's stories are worth reading, and if you've enjoyed this series, to definitely read her full length books. If you didn't enjoy this series, I would still recommend you to try some of her other historical romances. I feel that these novellas hindered KB's potential in a way, and she is definitely more than capable of writing riveting adventures and wonderful romance.
....sexy good short story with a little ‘foreseeing ability and instant mate connection’.
I really did like the H/H’s for all the books; well paired as a couple in its writing.
writing style is easy to follow. Strong women, humour and overall enjoyable read.
romantic/sexual content is written well throughout the book (kissing, oral, love making) I’d rate it 4/5 steam and fire.
I love series around family members or a group of friends. I love the series even more when the author intertwines those characters throughout the book series (it’s a pet peeve when authors don’t do that because what’s the point of the series and introducing the characters if they are not going to interact throughout the series).
I’m not a huge fan of ‘internal dialogue’ in books. I can only take so much before I start skimming through pages and I found myself doing that with this book/series. But nothing that was too annoying for me.
would absolutely recommend the book and the series. you don’t have to read the series in order but i would suggest you do read them in order because the history of characters would bring better enjoyment of the stories in general.
Not 100% sure what I think of these short stories—the only reason I completed the first three books of this box set was because I was listening to them as I commuted to work and the narrator was awesome. The Narrator gets 5 stars. The stories themselves are based on various mythology embedded in Scotland and the 3 books I completed were about Berserkers and their mates.
The stories had no real plot other than each of the MacLachlan brothers finding their mates, killing people who threatened them or their family, and having a lot of sex.
I'm not normally a fan or paranormal books. These are described more as preternatural. It is the feas, druids, and magic of the Highlands. I enjoyed Unspoken, Unwilling, Unwanted. All three berserker stories were great. I must say that I enjoyed Released, Redeemed, and Reluctant just as much or even more than the first three. Now I did read Insolent, Indecent, and Incarnate and did not find them as much to my liking.
I found the books to an interesting take on Berserkers and loved each on of their tales. Kerrigan is a new author to me and I will definitely be reading more from her. If you like a quick read as each is a short story and hot highland men and sassy women this set is read for you
All the plots of 9 stories were really really good. Each story worth it’s own book, all I could say is it’s so sad it’s this is so short. Because of its shortness the ending of each were somehow a bit unsatisfying. All 9 stories were connected and you can see epilogue here and there (so that somehow helps). KB never disappoint with her writing, the books always pulled me in and never want the story to stop. The emotion, love and thrill are always there. It’s a surprise how such a short stories could captivate so much emotion and connection of all characters.
The list of stories: H/h Clan MacLauchlan Berserkers -Highland Secret Roderick MacLauchlan❤️Evelyn Woodhouse -Highland Shadow Connor MacLauchlan❤️Lindsay Stewart -Highland Stranger Finn❤️Rhona McEwan
The de Moray Druids -Highland Warlord Morgana de Moray❤️Bael Bloodborn -Highland Witch Kenna de Moray❤️Niall Thorson -Highland Warrior Malcolm de Moray❤️Vian
I started reading this book because I had amazon unlimited and I had heard Kerrigan Byrne was an amazing author. She is and now I am going to read all of her HR. These novellas are so wonderfully done! I definitely recommend reading this collection as one book as the stories tend to blend into one another and it saves library space and time searching for the next one. I also recommend reading the 3rd trio of novellas before the first 2. The last Trio ends 100 years before the first trio begins and blends into the second. :)
I liked some of the stories more than others, and was especially bored when it came to nonberserker dudes. All around fun, though. They are all novella length, so high on the steam, low on the sense. Basically a theme park ride of all our favorite tropes. And damn, who doesn't love a good big ol rough hunk of Highlander?
All tales of love so strong that man, beast, Druid and woman are one! Making the ultimate sacrifice for love and future generations that have not been written! You will laugh and cry and rejoice for the epic battle fought for love and their own peculiar HEA! Outstanding!!
I really enjoyed this collection of 9 books . I picked this collection for the Vikings, Highlander's . The story lines were different then anything I have read before, and so enjoyed them all. I personally would like to have seen a wee bit more information in the story. Great read none the less, and I now have a new author to read.
This is a DNF for me I probably will get around to finishing it at some point but right now to me each story has a beginning and an end with absolutely no middle. I want more story and its just not there. I like the characters and I like the idea the author had but there just isn't enough filler for me to get further invested in it.
I actually borrowed this from KU to reread them. Loved them the first time. Loved them again the second time. I don’t reread books often- made an exception for one of my favorite authors.
In the highlands things do happen. Bereserkers , warriors, ghosts, banshees, virgins and druids seem to keep the piece. Wonderful things do happen even if they fight witches. I’m so happy I didn’t live in those times.
Loved reading these stories. ❤ I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. It was fun how they built on each person. I thought they were going to add the funny man next in the stories.
Loved the collection of Berserkers, Banshees and Druids oh my! So happy I finally got to read Kerrigan Byrne loved her berserkers and hope to read more of them.
I loved this series. Highlanders, Druids, Banshees, and Berserkers. Can’t get enough. The cursed and the blessed come together in nine awesome story’s.
Not my usual read. I read this because it's Kerrigan Byrne and I struggled to finish. Not as good as her traditional HRs IMO Each story can be read in one sitting which is definitely a good thing.
This is the second time I’ve read these books and I loved them just as much as the first time. I liked that they are all together in one book now as many of them are connected.
A collection of novellas not full size novels. Though the fantasy world well developed and engaging the fast paced story leaves a yearning for better character development. Great for quick reads but won’t recommend to read them all consecutively.