Rodrick the Bold: Book Three of The Mackintoshes and McLarens

Rodrick the Bold, the third book in the Mackintoshes-McLauren books, was first introduced in Ian's Rose and then in the Bowie's Bride. Though his parts in those books were brief, he held my attention and curiosity about the man from the start. Am so pleased that Suzan Tisdale gave him his own story!Here, the strong and audacious warrior whose only secret wish he has to one day marry and have a family of his own. Rodrick begins to have dreams of a young woman with red hair and emerald eyes pleading for his help, along with his deceased friend(who betrayed their friendship in Ian’s Rose) he makes the connection that the young woman is his friend’s sister Muriel.Muriel, taken forcefully to repay a debt of her deceased father, then sold to another shortly after that to the abusive Fergus MacDonald who also rapes Muriel. Here is where Rodrick finds her and with a bit of difficulty manages to get Muriel to the Mackintoshes-MaLuren keep.But life is not easy for either of them and soon Mauriel is kidnapped and Rodrick is determined to get her back and he does by killing MacDonald in a befitting death for one so evil as that man.

One cannot help but notice the excellent writing, interesting plots, sparkling dialogue, tender moments etc. in all of the author's works that I have read.What I find universally present is the sheer amount of horrific violence perpretrated against women by sick, really sick men and sometimes other women. The kidnappings, the rapes, the scarring are juxtaposed by wonderful, kind, saviors who through action and discussion work through the dark experiences with the newly or repeatedly damaged victim.I just reread Wee William's Woman followed by The Bowie Bride and then Roderick the Bold. I must say it seems most people have issues in the books one way or another. As I believe do most people outside of novels. Therapy can be expensive - that being said reading the novels by this author might go a long way to help those whose real lives are touched by the criminally insane, the sick, the cruel, the deviant, the rapist, the dysfuntional parent etc. I mean that most sincerely.If I had a wish list, I would like more loose ends tied up - for example, did Patrice get together with Donnall to raise his five sons in The Bowie Bride. I would like a little less violencedirected towards women. I would love a little more overt sex as an expression of love. For some reason the violence towards the heroine and the love making with Roderick is really just glossed over making this particular novel somewhat clinical. But then, I suppose so is therapy.

As always, Tisdale creates a story with a lot of adventure, heart-warming moments and humor. I really enjoyed reading Rodrick and Muriel's story. Rodrick has always been cool, aloof and a hardened warrior, but he softens immediately with abused Muriel. I loved how he didn't fight his feelings like the other men in this series did. He quietly and steadily loved Muriel and accepted baby Cora. Muriel comes through atrocious physical and sexual abuse. The author allows the main characters to take time in their relationship, and for Muriel to heal.The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I am getting a bit tired of all the abuse/tragedies/darkness that the female characters have to endure in order to get their happy ever after. In ever story that I have read, the women are abused or kidnapped. I'd appreciate a different plot-line please!

The beginning was very hard to read because of the subject of rape. It is only touched on once and not graphic, but if this is a trigger for you, be warned.I did enjoy both the H/h from the beginning. I understood the h being cautious and felt her reactions were true. Our H was the perfect counterpart of what the h was going through. These are two trouble souls who fall in love slowly. This is a clean story for our H/h only a few kisses.There is a lot going on for the ending, very suspenseful and full of surprises and twists. \ But, the middle was slow and had more filler than was necessary, that is the reason I lowered my rating. I loved the epilogue 20 years in the future which was great. For our H/h we do get HEA and a very bumpy road to reach it. There is a very slight cliffhanger that has no bearing for our H/h lives, but for a daughter.I am not going into the blurb, as many have described it better than me, just what you may feel/discover reading it. (ljb)

I love people, and I love books especially when they introduce me to real folk. In each of Suzan Tisdale's books you meet "Real Men & Women!" I love how they live their lives with honor, hope, grit, and determination to not only survive but Overcome whatever obstacles life, and circumstance throws at them!, No matter what LOVE conquers all, Family is honored as is clan pride. I could hardly wait to start reading Rodrick the Bold, and could NOT put it down until I knew just what happened to him, & his love! I laughed, cried, cheered for spilled entrails, and sighed...i have.read it twice already. Thank you Suzan for a fantastic journey, updates on the other families, and of course I cannot wait for your next tale!!!"

I gave this book five stars in only wish I could give it ten. Rodrick has a dream he is haunted by this woman in his dream. Muriel is a beautiful woman who has been brutalized and raped.This story keeps you glued in place until You read every word. You are afraid to look away for fear of missing something.Suzan Tisdale writes smooth story that flows like water through your hand. To go can never go wrong with any of her works. She makes the stories fun and also has real depth.I cried with Muriel and I laughed when the evil was taken care of.

The first chapter will leave you with a visual image of which any woman would have nightmares. A story such as this one about the horrible things women endured back then and even to this day brings me to tears. This is a love story between one tortured woman and a warrior who wishes for a family to love. This is a beautiful story of the pain of abuse. This is a story of Strength and Love. Thank you Suzan Tisdale for giving this couple their Happy Ever After!

Loved the slow development of their love which came through from despair to care and friendship. Loved the characters and their story. Great series of books.

It was okay. A bit flat when compared to the other books I've read in the series.The ending was very confusing. A bit of a disappointment.

She writes beautiful stories, lovely characters and no worries about coming across things you would rather not as her stories are clean. You really feel the story, I love her books.

Loved this book.

Great books hope there are more