The scope of this book is much broader than the title implies. Like all good ethnographers, the author sought answers about alcohol use and abuse in the daily activities and religious practices of the community. Thus, she lived in the highland Mayan town of San Pedro Chenalhó in Chiapas, Mexico, and looked at the place of alcohol in the social structure, including the paradoxical role of rum which is aligned with religious experience, but with the potential to do harm. However, in living in the community and in asking questions about drinking, the author necessarily broadened her theme to include child-rearing practices, shamanism, and the control exerted over envy among community members. Although based in anthropological research, this book is very readable. The anecdotes are interesting. Moreover, the author is forthright about her own role in the community, her personal experience with drunkenness in Tenejapa, and the potential problems she generated for one family by her presence in their household. I have only minor quibbles with this book. The inclusion of Aztec traditions with respect to gender and alcohol could have been omitted, and terms such as "time-out" might have been briefly defined the first time they were used. But, overall, this is an essential resource for anyone interested in contemporary Mayan culture.

The heroine of this book was irritating. The writer tried to make her seem headstrong and strong willed but she was really just rather stupid to provoke men who were much more powerful than she so openly. She was just extremely lucky that the hero was a good guy and stopped her from getting hurt. She tries to defend men who are complete cowards and just cause trouble and let her take the consequences. There was zero chemistry and the you just don't care about the characters.

This is a bleak tale that had me wondering halfway through the book if I was actually reading a romance. The circumstances of the people is so depressing that it is hard to imagine a romance set during these awful times.
Set in war ravaged Scotland in 1746, Ian MacRae returns to his mother's home where he had left upon her brutal rape and murder. Under the belief a warring clan had killed his mother, he had enlisted in the British army to wreck havoc upon the Scottish he hates.

Known as 'Butcher of Inverness' Ian arrives to find his mother's former home ravaged by war. The people are starving and defeated. Out of the few survivors he finds Leitus MacRae, a young lady he shared a stolen kiss with many years before. Not recognizing him, Leitus finds herself his captive in exchange for one of the older clansman who foolishly likes to stand on hills playing his pipes.

Karen Ranney depicts very accurately, not to mention vividly how the English decimates Scotland during this tragic period in history. However, the chemistry between the hero and heroine is lacking, perhaps due to the very violent realistic backdrop and total hopelessness of the situation.

As Ian begins to find his Scottish roots again, and becomes "The Raven" in order to help his mother's people. Leitus finds herself falling in love with him, and therefore her captor in disguise.

This story is too gloomy and sober for this reviewer's taste though Ms. Ranney is not to be faulted for her writing, which is fluid and well paced.

This story oozes love. You know the mother loves Alec, you know Alec loves Leitis, and you know the MacRaes love their Scotland. You are never in doubt.

Alec is tormented from the battlefield and battles within himself. Leitis is tormented by her losses. The clan is tormented by the threat of extinction. Everything and everybody come together in a desire for preservation.

Ranney treats the characters and the setting lovingly and respectfully. The reader leaves the story educated about the historical period, awed by strength of the Scottish people, and warmed by the love Alec and Leitis share.

I also didn't know there was a first book when I read this. I liked it, and I'd like to read the first one now, but the flashbacks to the past were definitely more interesting than 1988. Also, it goes on and on about the land, the glen, the mist, until you want to yell "Enough already!"I wish I had read the first one first! I think that I would have liked it better.

I did not realize this book was part of a series or I would have read Too Deep for Tears first. However, this book does well as a stand alone, also. Normally I don't like stories that switch back and forth from past to present, but this book was superbly written in such a way that it was still easy to follow. I thought it was a touching story about family and the traits that are passed down from generation to generation. I especially enjoyed the sections that were written about Eva's ancestors and their lives, joys, and pains.

I read this book 1st not realizing that is was part of a series. I strongly suggest reading Too Deep for Tears first. This is an amazing book that takes you to the green hills of Scotland. I felt as if I was a part of the Rose family. It made me feel the joy and sorrow of the characters. If you want to take yourself to another time and world this book is a good read.

I wish I had listened to the 1st review which showed 1 star! What a disappointment! As a matter of fact one third of the way through I couldn't bear to read anymore and tossed it out. In trying to provide an adventure filled story, the writer sacrified the depth and flow needed to make this an interesting read. From the beginning, I was unable to develop any real feeing for either of the main characters. I am an avid reader of romance novels - historical and scottish being particular favorites of mine. I can honestly say that this was perhaps the worst book I ever purchased. Sorry Ms. Cameron, please try again.

A pretty good romance. In this the herorine (Rebecca) escapes her marriage bed to a brutal man by striking him with a sword but as she escapes she finds someone is breaking in the kidnap her... Edward now Laird of his clan and her childhood friend (and love) and sparing partner... But they have been estranged due to a rif between the two clans when Edwards father is murdered. Then the battle of wills starts. It is interesting to see how the rest of the story unfolds. Two very strong characters with very stron wills!

I so strongly disagree with the two one-star ratings this wonderful book received. Wild Highland Rose is a refreshing read, full of emotion and intrigue. What a pleasure to read this fresh new voice and I hope to see many more books written by Christine Cameron. Thank you for the heartfelt journey your book afforded me.

I love a great scottish romance!! Too bad this can't classify as one. I actually liked Anora-she does what she can in a man's world to help her people and save her land. Our hero, Ramsay, however-blah. He was really irritating and he spent half of the book injured. I would have liked to see more of the brothers and parents in parents in it, too. They were much more interesting characters. And the evil character starts out that way but at the end, you're not sure if he still is. And there are a couple of questions left over at the end-how did Ramsay's brothers find them and who was the warrior? It just seemed the author wasn't paying that much attention to the plot.

Who was the mysterious woman who charmed the warrior Ramsay MacGowan? The woman who spun the enchanting tales was Anora Fraser, who needed an escort back to her home at Evermyst. As she and Ramsay take the journey, her stories become more and more outrageous, especially when Anora declares upon arrival at the castle that Ramsay is her lover. With the deception comes the magic, and that's exactly what Lois Greiman spins in her book. Anora may be lying, but the stories are so enchanting that the reader can fall under the same spell that Ramsay has, especially when Anora's reasons for her tall tales are finally discovered. They're surprising, and the audience will find them endearing as well.

I wont go into another summary of he book .i loved this book.i also had read the highland flame and enjoyed seeing some of my favorite characters again.i wouldn't want to hear they were not happy and looked really old and not interesting anymore.hey are like old friends.those who enjoyed their story want to hear about them.

i thought ramsey and anora had a great chemistry .i am looking forward to her next book in the series!!!

Although i have to agree about the cat & baby on the horse i dont agree with the overall review about Hannah Howells books I have most of them and enjoy reading them over and again. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they aren't so easy to get in Australia, I especialy like the family saga's that continue each sibling/family members story it lets you no who has children whos had more. I especialy like the fact that with highland vow it has started with the next geneartion of the family.

This was my first Hannah Howell book and it was a pleasure to read. The characters were delightful and I could not put this one down.

I've read hundreds of historical romances and this was one I could not put down. It's rare to have such a good combination of humor and excitement.

This was also my first Hannah Howell book and I am going back and buying every other one I can find. She's one of the best.

Hamish McBeth is called to a strange murder scene. Inveterate practical Joker Andrew Trent has been murdered by a guest in his home. The live in couple already have him laid out with candles on his billiard table. Apparently, the deceased got all of his relatives to visit him by saying that he was dying. After tormenting them with various cruel practical jokes, he is found stabbed to death in one of the guest's rooms. They all hated him enough to kill him, but which one actually did.

This wasn't the best of the series. The characters are not very sympathetic and are pretty two dimensional. Hamish and Priscilla's relationship has no real place in the story, and the ending really doesn't resolve much. A quick read, but not up to her usual standards.

"Death of a Prankster" is the seventh Hamish Macbeth mystery by M. C. Beaton. Andrew Trent, a rich old man, who is a terrible practical joker has called his family to his home telling everyone he is dying. It is a practical joke, but comes to pass as he is murdered. When Hamish Macbeth is told that Mr. Trent has been murdered at his home, he hesitates thinking it is just another practical joke. But Andrew Trent has been murdered. Hamish Macbeth investigates finding several people in his family that wanted him dead. Was he killed for hate, or was he killed for money? This novel is good, but some of the local Scottish flavor that is in the other books is absent in this one, but if you are reading through the series, as I am, it is worth your time.

This was my first M.C.Beaton book, and so far I have read many more. My mother bought it for me becasue she enjoyed his writing for a long time. This was a funny mystery because the prankster would play pranks even after he was gone... The best M.C Beaton book i have read.
The humor and incidents leading to the crime are exciting and fast moving. I couldn't figure out who did it, and it takes a skill to make the reader wonder and not feel the need ot give up at the same time, without giving the answer away.

The cd was not worth the price for the information it provided, and the maps were ILLEGIBLE. If you want something informative on clan history, try "Highlanders : A History of the Scottish Clans" by Fitzroy MacLean. It gives almost exactly the same information plus a lot more history and vignettes on specific clan figures.

I thought History of the Highland Clans was a well balanced presentation giving me all the information necessary including some very detailed texts. I wasnt sure what to expect but It is an invaluable resource and I look forward to more from the publisher

This Cd gave me just the information I was looking for plus a whole lot more. As it states its a history of the Highland Clans only, based on a previous victorian book I think. But it gives you a lot more information about the early scots and picts even and there way of life

If peppy murder stories are your bag, here's one. Recommended to me as a Scottish forensics story, the jolly setting is Highland Games (caber tossing and fling dancing) but actually set in the hills of W. Virgina. Apparently third in a series featuring forensic specialist Elizabeth MacPhearson, she is facetious, chipper, sassy, and distances herself with clever wordplay. A number of characters are set up as people you'd love to hate (suspects) and then events are allowed to spin out apparently from those conflicts. There's no agonizing over relationships, just "off with their heads." A fast, light, vacation read for those times when you want to let the author do all the work. In fact, this is so fleet, light, and smooth, it probably takes a major writing talent to pull it off. The paper quality is strictly throwaway.

Nevertheless, I learned something from this book: maybe I don't appreciate jocular murders. I know, I know: it's fiction, it's just a story, no more significant than a drive-by shooting....

Sharyn McCrumb is the author of three mystery series, each very different from the others. This is the third book featuring forensic anthropologist Elizabeth MacPherson. They are fairly lightwight and humerous. Some of her later volumes ('MacPherson's Lament' and If I'd Killed Him When I Met Him...') combine current and historic mysteries which I found particulary intriguing.

This mix of contemporary and historical mysteries is also a key element of her second series. Based in the mountains of eastern Tennessee with titles gleaned from old Appalachian folk songs it is a more serious collection that is rich in the beauty and folklore of the region. My personal favorite is 'She Walks These Hills'.

On the off chance that there is someone out there looking for something a little more irreverent than 'Highland Laddie Gone,' McCrumb has an answer for that, too. The title says it all:

'Bimbos of the Death Sun'

Don't laugh. It won an Edgar.

Unlike some of my fellow reviewers, I love funny mysteries. They have to be well-written, too, mind you - something that has funny lines but is otherwise incoherent wouldn't get five stars from me. However, Sharyn McCrumb is anything but incoherent. Her characters have lots of witty dialogue, but also are fleshed out to be real people. (Some more thinly fleshed out than others, but still...)

Elizabeth is attending the Highland Games with her cousin Geoffrey because she happens to be the Maid of the Cat for Clan Chattan. The cat is an old, toothless mountain lion. There are funny moments with other animals too- keep an eye out for poultry. At the games, she meets a genuine Scot- who has a rather jaundiced view of the American version of things, but who also has an accent that Elizabeth compares to pancake syrup; she falls in love with it almost immediately, and then with the rest of the guy.

The person who is murdered certainly deserves it, as is often the case in McCrumb's stories. She writes really good nasty people.

For me, perhaps the funniest part of the book is near the end. The officer who has been working on the case also happens to be part of a Civil War recreation group- costumes, battles, etc. Elizabeth is talking to him about the next event that's going to use the grounds after the Games are finished. It's the SCA, who dress up in medieval costumes and hold jousting tournaments. About this group, "those people are weird" says Clan Chattan Maid of the Cat to Confederal Colonel Lightfoot MacDonald!!

I have read all of the Agatha Raisin series, and I am a great fan of M.C. Beaton's style of cozy, but this is the first Hamish Macbeth book I've read. They are as different from Agatha Raisin as could be, but just as enjoyable. Macbeth is a poky Scottish village constable who appears to not know how to even tie his shoes, but when he sets his mind on discovering a murderer, he shows that he has a mind like a steel trap. He has the Miss Marple knack of being able to compare people and situations to those he is familiar with, and he has the added help of many relatives throughout the world that he can call on for information. In this book Hamish solves the murder of a very nasty woman who has come to the village for a week long fishing school. It turns out that she is a gossip columnist for a tabloid newspaper, and she is at this school to dig up dirt on the other students. A very nasty character indeed, and there is certainly no lack of suspects. Great fun!

This is a cozy in the classic sense of the concept. There's just about as little violence as you can have while still having a murder. The story centers around a small group of diverse characters, in this case a vacation fishing school class. And, this book introduces a slueth, Hamish MacBeth, who makes Columbo look like a millionaire. The victim, Lady Jane, has made everyone (including you, the reader) ready to kill her with her evil inuendos. But who did it?

Anyhow, a solid read for a snowy day with a cup of cocoa. MacBeth has a considerable amount of charm and I'll be reading more in this series. The Scottish scenery doesn't hurt either.

First of the Hamish MacBeth series, this book introduces the quirky country constable who -- while not ambitious -- refuses to take a back seat to the big city Detective Inspector sent to solve Lochdubh's murder.

It's a short, light, quick reading book that centers on the characters moreso than the murder. Luckily, Beaton's dialog is snappy, enough so that you can overlook some two-dimensionality in supporting characters and some all too heavy-handed contrivance plot-wise. Then too, the Hamish MacBeth character is so very interesting and well thought, that whatever character flaws there may be in the book, you don't care as long as you can spend some time with MacBeth....

....And you do get to spend most of the last half of the book with MacBeth, puzzling out the mystery and scrounging free tea and sandwiches from the locals. Not a bad way to spend day.