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The Chief  By  cover art

The Chief

By: Monica McCarty
Narrated by: Robert McNab
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Publisher's summary

Best-selling author Monica McCarty transports listeners to the 14th-century Scottish highlands in this dazzling novel. Warrior Tor MacLeod is picked by Robert the Bruce to lead the fight against English rule. Despite Tor’s rigid disposition and devotion to his craft, his new bride is determined to warm his heart.

©2010 Monica McCarty (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

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What listeners say about The Chief

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Overbearing Chief meets Romantic Lass

I listened to this book later than many of the other reviewers so I had the opportunity to read the reviews before I listened. Because the reviews seemed mixed I didn't know what to expect. As anyone who reads my reviews knows.......I love historical romances, especially ones with Highlanders, so I eventually would have gotten to this one.

The Chief is a well written story and is a cross between historical fiction and a harlequin romance. History is intertwined nicely within the romantic story along with action, spies and a mystery. At times this book was predictable but it didn't take away any delightful moments of the story.

A few negative reviews of this book unfairly compared it to 'The Outlander' and I don't understand why. 'The Chief' is not paranormal and not 33 hours long. It is an entertaining romantic historical romance set in Scotland and that's where the comparison ends.

Overall, it was quite nice to escape to Scotland to visit an overbearing, stubborn, handsome highland chief and his curious, beautiful dreamer of a lass. Hope to visit them again in book 2.


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52 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What happened after "Braveheart"

This book (Book 1 of the third series of McCarty's historical romances) begins about two weeks after William Wallace was executed by Longshanks. It tells a very possible reconstruction of the events in Robert the Bruce's efforts to regain the Scottish crown. McCarty has woven a wonderful set of tales that are both entertaining and educational for anyone who is interested in the history of the Scots' efforts to regain their country and their freedom.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

All hail the Chief!

This story begins with a longwinded and boring recitation of historical facts and the setup for this story. It was hard for me to follow... l felt like I was back in school and too bored to learn anything. However... once that is done a very good story grows. It is full of strong individuals and interesting personalities. The tale becomes one to truly enjoy instead of one to prepare you for a quiz.

NARRATOR: I have always enjoyed Robert McNab . He is a talented narrator with a mastery of voices, accents and emotions.

CREDITWORTHY? Well.... get if You can past the dry , awful , boring beginning of this tale then yes!

Heat Factor? steam...

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

4 and a Half Stars!!! Loved it!

Where does The Chief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was very good I will definitely be coming back to listen to this one again! On the keeper shelf!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really loved both Tor and Christina and all the guard!

Which scene was your favorite?

Several you need to get this one and find out for yourself!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes if I could have I would have wasn't able to put it down!

Any additional comments?

This is the first in Monica McCarty’s fabulous Highland Guard Series of novels. Though I have had the first of these books on my TBR shelf for several years I have just now gotten to start on them a few weeks ago… and since then I haven’t been able to stop! (I’m now on book 6 and planning on getting 7 as soon as I’m done with this one!) Yes they are that good and I will venture to say without a doubt that if you like a good, sexy, and exciting Scottish romance you will too!

The first book The Chief is the story of Tor MacLeod (for those of you that have read Monica’s Macleod series Tor is indeed an ancestor of them. So all be it loosely this book at the very least is connected to her several of her previous books). Scotland is once again in the throes of upheaval and near all out war with Edward (the scumsucker) Longshanks as Robert the Bruce begins his campaign to attain the crown of Scotland for himself.

Tor wants nothing to do with the conflict (he wants only to protect and look after his clan) but he is being leaned on heavily by many who want his support on The Bruce’s side. Through a series of many twists and turns, the largest of which involves a temptingly beautiful lass by the name of Christina Fraser, Tor is coerced into agreeing to head the training of an elite set of warriors. The Highland Guard, as they are later named, will work in the shadows as the covert special ops unit for Robert the Bruce in the quickly growing conflict. And with Tor as the head of the guard it quickly becomes the stuff of legend.

But with Tor feeling tricked into a marriage with Christina, even though he is very attracted to her, he makes up his mind to stay aloof from his sexy new bride accept in the bedroom. But as the passion grows between them can Tor truly defend the stone wall around his warriors heart from his lovely and tempting new wife?

The Chief is a romping adventure on top of being a bang up and solid Scottish romance. So if you enjoy a good tale in the veins of Braveheart and Rob Roy with a heavy dose of romance thrown in with it you will love this one as much as I did. It’s going on my keeper shelf and as I said I haven’t been able to stop on the series since I started the first one. (Reviews of the rest of the series will follow shortly so stay tuned for those!) I thoroughly enjoyed Monica’s MacLeod trilogy several years back, and I have to say that I have loved The Highland Guard series even more... which I wasn’t expecting but was presently surprised by it doing so.

Well what are you waiting for? Go get the first book and get started on this sexy adventure for yourself today I guarantee you won't be sorry!

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monica McCarty brings history and romance to life in this historical romance novel. I recommend this book and hope that audible will add more of The Highland Guard Series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
  • MC
  • 12-09-12

Oh for heaven sakes..

Would you try another book from Monica McCarty and/or Robert McNab?

Probably not.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A Diana Gabaldon, one of the Lord John series.

Would you be willing to try another one of Robert McNab’s performances?

Perhaps, but not if he's reading a romance.

What character would you cut from The Chief?

Both protagonists.

Any additional comments?

I decided if the author used, when I was about 3/4 of the way through this thing "it was exquisite" one more time I was going to pan the book. Unfortunately, once you've listened to Gabaldon's Outlander series your expectations for description, characters, and the intelligence of female characters in particular, rises to the point where a great number of the romance writers are no longer able to meet your expectations.

And I had such high hopes for this book based on the synopsis.

Perhaps someone else will have better luck with this, I found it repetitive and predictable. And, of course, this meant I found the female lead naive to the point of absurd. Really, you're going to crawl into bed with a man, trusting your father, who you know to be manipulative and completely untrustworthy, to "rescue" you? You're going to rush off, defying logic and orders, because you're a clever girl who can read?

Disappointing, and read by a man, which was distinctly unsettling when "it was exquisite" was used repeatedly to describe any and all sexual arousal.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Monica is always a winner!

What did you love best about The Chief?

Romantic, narrator was amazing. I love a book with a strong male lead and a heroine that can hold her own. Monica and the narrator really transported me back in time. It was wonderful!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exiting and intense

Where does The Chief rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

Among the good ones.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main chatacters, The Cheif, Christina and the Ranger.

What about Robert McNab???s performance did you like?

Good voices for each one.

Who was the most memorable character of The Chief and why?

the way the Chief transformed and his hidden sensitivity.

Any additional comments?

Please get the Ranger and the Viper on audio books!!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a series!! Can't wait for book 4 on audio

I've listened to the first three in the series. I love the story behind the books. The secret guard, their women and Scottich history. Some chivilry, some great stories and some wonderful highlanders. Robert McNab is wonderful. It does take some getting used to him speaking as a woman but in time you get lost in the story and you don't even notice it. I can't wait for the 4th in the series to come out. These are definitely worth a listen.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Overall No Complaints!

What did you love best about The Chief?

I loved the story of a man who dismissed a trap and turned it to his advantage.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Chief could not be matched. He rose to meet every trial, reasonsed out every trap, and ultimately changed the circumstances to his advantage.

What aspect of Robert McNab???s performance would you have changed?

A complete disappointment. He made the heros sounds like cartoon book characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to know the ending but found the narrator's mighty mouse voice beyond annoying.

Any additional comments?

I finished the book despite the narrrator, but am hoping future books have a different narrator. The storyline is completely captivating and can't be ignored.

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4 people found this helpful