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Highlander #4
Kiss of the Highlander
A laird trapped between centuries...
Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he’d ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side....
A woman changed forever in his arms...
Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern — to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she’d ever seen? Or that once he’d kissed her, he wouldn’t let her go?
Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them... and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves....
Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he’d ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side....
A woman changed forever in his arms...
Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern — to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she’d ever seen? Or that once he’d kissed her, he wouldn’t let her go?
Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them... and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves....
396 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 4, 2001
About the author
Karen Marie Moning
55 books30.1k followers“The only other calling I ever felt was an irrepressible desire to be Captain of my own Starship. I was born in the wrong century and it wasn’t possible, so I chose to explore the universe by writing fiction instead. Books are doors to endless adventure.” -KMM
Karen Marie Moning is the #1 NYT bestselling author of the Fever Series and Highlander novels.
An alum of the Immaculate Conception Academy, at seventeen she attended Purdue University where she completed a BA in Society & Law, with minors in Philosophy, Creative Writing and Theatre, while working full time as a bartender and computer consultant. She intended to go to law school but after an internship with a firm of Criminal Attorneys, decided against it. For the next decade, she worked in insurance, where she wrote intercompany arbitrations and directed commercial litigation. At the age of thirty, she decided it was time to get serious and do what she’d always wanted to do: write fiction novels.
Beyond the Highland Mist was published in 1999 and nominated for two RITA awards. She then published six more novels in her award-winning HIGHLANDER series, and received the RITA Award in 2001 for The Highlander’s Touch.
In 2004, she began writing the #1 New York Times bestselling FEVER series. The books have been optioned twice for potential franchise development by Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Studios, but the rights are currently held by Moning who has expressed a desire to one day see it as a television series. Her novels have been published in over thirty countries. She divides her time between Ohio and Florida and is working on two future projects for Random House Publishing.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges
Karen Marie Moning is the #1 NYT bestselling author of the Fever Series and Highlander novels.
An alum of the Immaculate Conception Academy, at seventeen she attended Purdue University where she completed a BA in Society & Law, with minors in Philosophy, Creative Writing and Theatre, while working full time as a bartender and computer consultant. She intended to go to law school but after an internship with a firm of Criminal Attorneys, decided against it. For the next decade, she worked in insurance, where she wrote intercompany arbitrations and directed commercial litigation. At the age of thirty, she decided it was time to get serious and do what she’d always wanted to do: write fiction novels.
Beyond the Highland Mist was published in 1999 and nominated for two RITA awards. She then published six more novels in her award-winning HIGHLANDER series, and received the RITA Award in 2001 for The Highlander’s Touch.
In 2004, she began writing the #1 New York Times bestselling FEVER series. The books have been optioned twice for potential franchise development by Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Studios, but the rights are currently held by Moning who has expressed a desire to one day see it as a television series. Her novels have been published in over thirty countries. She divides her time between Ohio and Florida and is working on two future projects for Random House Publishing.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,937 reviews
February 12, 2011
Yes, in case you're wondering, I'm even more ashamed than when I gave its predeccesor The Highlander's Touch three stars. It seems that I'm deteriorating into some obscure form of madness in which time-travelling, historical romance can illicit a four star rating out of me.
They should name a damn charitable foundation after me to help other people suffering from this obscure mental illness.
But it's honestly not my fault. The fault lies with Karen Marie Moning.
There it is, folks. The face of pure evil.
She makes these RIDICULOUS books that you should blush at the idea of reading - readable, fun and hilarious. If I deign to pick up a Historical Romance - especially one in which time-travelling is involved - I would spend most of it groaning, rolling my eyes and looking for a wall to bash my head on.
And yet, here we are. I've read two books in this series now and I have no intention of stopping. I mean, I totally could stop. If I wanted to...
I could stop anytime...
The strongest part of this book is, without a doubt, the characters. They're fantastic. Gwen and Drustan had me in hysterics. I thought this was going to be the usual pushy, chauvinistic male character with sex-pot-in-the-making virgin who admires his studly-studlyness until they have great sex and babies and we forget that they ever had issues. No. This is a story where the pushy, chauvinistic male character gets locked in the privy by the brilliant and stubborn female protagonist until he learns to behave himself. I feel this is a trend that already should have existed in many more romances. Because women have been writing 'romantic' men who're really just giant jackasses for waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too long.
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish and it's not because I like romances. Or history. Or time-travelling. It's because Karen Marie Moning has me wrapped around her twisted little finger as she kicks my ass with her story-telling ability and writing craft. I'm only glad I wasn't a fan of such books BEFORE I read Moning's, because otherwise she would have ruined Historical Romances as thoroughly for me as she's ruined Urban Fantasy with her Fever Series.
Simply because she can, the heartless bitch!
They should name a damn charitable foundation after me to help other people suffering from this obscure mental illness.
But it's honestly not my fault. The fault lies with Karen Marie Moning.
There it is, folks. The face of pure evil.
She makes these RIDICULOUS books that you should blush at the idea of reading - readable, fun and hilarious. If I deign to pick up a Historical Romance - especially one in which time-travelling is involved - I would spend most of it groaning, rolling my eyes and looking for a wall to bash my head on.
And yet, here we are. I've read two books in this series now and I have no intention of stopping. I mean, I totally could stop. If I wanted to...
I could stop anytime...
The strongest part of this book is, without a doubt, the characters. They're fantastic. Gwen and Drustan had me in hysterics. I thought this was going to be the usual pushy, chauvinistic male character with sex-pot-in-the-making virgin who admires his studly-studlyness until they have great sex and babies and we forget that they ever had issues. No. This is a story where the pushy, chauvinistic male character gets locked in the privy by the brilliant and stubborn female protagonist until he learns to behave himself. I feel this is a trend that already should have existed in many more romances. Because women have been writing 'romantic' men who're really just giant jackasses for waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy too long.
I absolutely adored this book from start to finish and it's not because I like romances. Or history. Or time-travelling. It's because Karen Marie Moning has me wrapped around her twisted little finger as she kicks my ass with her story-telling ability and writing craft. I'm only glad I wasn't a fan of such books BEFORE I read Moning's, because otherwise she would have ruined Historical Romances as thoroughly for me as she's ruined Urban Fantasy with her Fever Series.
Simply because she can, the heartless bitch!
August 28, 2017
I am on Highlander high and these books are going to be my fix! I absolutely LOVED Kiss of the Highlander
The cover - my oh my can it be more hot?!
Love the pic, and I'd sure like to meet that model just to see how good a Highlander kiss can be :))))
The story - I loved the whole concept, and it was well written, mixing time travel with druids and magic... Just wow!
It's about Gwen, an american girl on vacation in Scotland. She is in search of a cherry picker
and so far no man has been worthy enough. So one day, during a field trip, she falls into a cave and stumbles upon a body, a perfectly preserved specimen of human male perfection
I guess you could say at that point that her cherry picking quest was definitely over
Drustan awakens in this new world, he doesn't know what happened to him, and now must find a way to undo everything and restore the Keltar clan.
Drustan - I so loved him
one of the favorite Highlanders I've read <3 He is the head of his clan, and bearer of the druid lore. They have served and protected mankind for centuries, and it is his duty that his line continues, and the druid knowledge be perserved. Unfortunately, he awakens in the future, and finds his home destroyed, meaning that his line was broken and the lore forgotten. That's why he comes up with a plan that could make Gwen hate him forever...
Gwen - a great heroine
She's instantly attracted to Drustan (can't blame the girl) and she falls for him in the short time they had before he found his home. She decides to give her virginity to him, and they "do it" in the middle of the stone circle (some druid stuff). They form a bond, he vows love to her, and then attempts to go back in time to undo what has happened to him. BUT, the plan fails (doesn't it always), and Gwen finds herself alone in the past, with Drustan and his family believing her a crazed woman wanting to trap him in marriage XD
Overall - This was such a great read, it really got me by surprise! I have to say the author's writing is waaaay waaaay better than the first one, and I'm so glad! I loved the fact that for almost first half of the book Gwen thought Drustan was a madman with his claimes that he's from the past, and almost all the second half Drustan believed Gwen was the crazy one with her claims of being from the future XD This was very well written, I could see that this kind of plotline could be developed in so many ways (bad ones at that), and am so glad this turned out the way it did :)
Favorite scenes
- when Drustan awakens and starts dressing himself, and Gwen notices the million and one knives on him loool
- Drustan's first car ride
- when they went shopping, him trying on jeans - HOT scene!!
- he discovers his castle's ruins and is heartbroken
- Gwen's first conversation with the Drustan from the past XD
- when they lock him up to have the second conversation
- the ending, oh how that got me in tears, it was just PERFECT!!!!
The cover - my oh my can it be more hot?!
Love the pic, and I'd sure like to meet that model just to see how good a Highlander kiss can be :)))) The story - I loved the whole concept, and it was well written, mixing time travel with druids and magic... Just wow!
It's about Gwen, an american girl on vacation in Scotland. She is in search of a cherry picker
and so far no man has been worthy enough. So one day, during a field trip, she falls into a cave and stumbles upon a body, a perfectly preserved specimen of human male perfection
I guess you could say at that point that her cherry picking quest was definitely over
Drustan awakens in this new world, he doesn't know what happened to him, and now must find a way to undo everything and restore the Keltar clan.Drustan - I so loved him
one of the favorite Highlanders I've read <3 He is the head of his clan, and bearer of the druid lore. They have served and protected mankind for centuries, and it is his duty that his line continues, and the druid knowledge be perserved. Unfortunately, he awakens in the future, and finds his home destroyed, meaning that his line was broken and the lore forgotten. That's why he comes up with a plan that could make Gwen hate him forever...
Gwen - a great heroine
She's instantly attracted to Drustan (can't blame the girl) and she falls for him in the short time they had before he found his home. She decides to give her virginity to him, and they "do it" in the middle of the stone circle (some druid stuff). They form a bond, he vows love to her, and then attempts to go back in time to undo what has happened to him. BUT, the plan fails (doesn't it always), and Gwen finds herself alone in the past, with Drustan and his family believing her a crazed woman wanting to trap him in marriage XDOverall - This was such a great read, it really got me by surprise! I have to say the author's writing is waaaay waaaay better than the first one, and I'm so glad! I loved the fact that for almost first half of the book Gwen thought Drustan was a madman with his claimes that he's from the past, and almost all the second half Drustan believed Gwen was the crazy one with her claims of being from the future XD This was very well written, I could see that this kind of plotline could be developed in so many ways (bad ones at that), and am so glad this turned out the way it did :)
Favorite scenes
- when Drustan awakens and starts dressing himself, and Gwen notices the million and one knives on him loool
- Drustan's first car ride
- when they went shopping, him trying on jeans - HOT scene!!
- he discovers his castle's ruins and is heartbroken
- Gwen's first conversation with the Drustan from the past XD
- when they lock him up to have the second conversation
- the ending, oh how that got me in tears, it was just PERFECT!!!!
January 28, 2011
Drustan and Gwen's story - I enjoyed this book, it was my first KMM book ever! This is one of KMM's funniest books. I love how Gwen was looking for a cherry picker to rid her of her virginity then when she saw Drustan she thought he looked more like a cherry tree chopper downer than a cherry picker.
The storyline was very good, I love the part toward the end when Drustan remembers then they have a very passionate encounter in the buttery. Gwen was a great heroine, she was intelligent, honorable and smart enough to figure out how to trap Drustan in his own guarderobe. This story was a great set up for the next book, Dark Highlander. Highly recommeded!
The storyline was very good, I love the part toward the end when Drustan remembers then they have a very passionate encounter in the buttery. Gwen was a great heroine, she was intelligent, honorable and smart enough to figure out how to trap Drustan in his own guarderobe. This story was a great set up for the next book, Dark Highlander. Highly recommeded!
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February 14, 2022
I loved loved loved this - again! Everything is still perfect: the writing, the characters, the plot. And the audiobook is sooo gooood!
Original review 2020:
Tongue-in-cheek historical romance I absolutely loved, helped by a third-person narrator; think Outlander but light and easy-going. Definitely the best in the series so far! I’m so glad I listened to everyone recommending this series, even if some are only about average, as this was absolutely worth it. Yay for Drustan! (If you‘ve read the Fever series, he will be familiar to you. I actually might have to reread it now with that background knowledge!)
Books in this series so far:
Beyond the Highland Mist: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
To Tame a Highland Warrior ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Highlander‘s Touch ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kiss of the Highlander ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The Dark Highlander 🖤🖤🖤🖤
The Immortal Highlander ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Side note: I listened to the audiobook and it only took me so long to finish this because of some technical difficulties.
Original review 2020:
Tongue-in-cheek historical romance I absolutely loved, helped by a third-person narrator; think Outlander but light and easy-going. Definitely the best in the series so far! I’m so glad I listened to everyone recommending this series, even if some are only about average, as this was absolutely worth it. Yay for Drustan! (If you‘ve read the Fever series, he will be familiar to you. I actually might have to reread it now with that background knowledge!)
Books in this series so far:
Beyond the Highland Mist: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
To Tame a Highland Warrior ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Highlander‘s Touch ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kiss of the Highlander ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The Dark Highlander 🖤🖤🖤🖤
The Immortal Highlander ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Side note: I listened to the audiobook and it only took me so long to finish this because of some technical difficulties.
December 7, 2016
★★★★★5 Transcending stars <3★★★★★
Absolutely delightful read ! An intelligent hero, a kick-ass heroine,fabulous plot AND Time-Travel,What more could I have asked for?
It almost felt like a believable fairy-tale. Their love was absolutely transcendent and I loved how effortlessly the author handled the time-travel concept.(which,believe me,is a RARE talent.)
Would highly recommend this read and Yes,defiantly planning on reading the squeal ASAP :)
This series in Ratings so far:
#1 Beyond the Highland Mist - 5 Stars ! (Review=https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#2 To Tame A Highland Warrior - 1 Star :( [The ONLY book in this series I rated so low.]Here's why->(Review=https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#3 The Highlander's Touch - 3 Stars (Not bad but not that great either.*Shrug*)
#4 Kiss of the Highlander - 5 Stars !!
(Review = https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#5 The Dark Highlander -4 Stars :)
(Review = https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )
#6 The Immortal Highlander - 4.75 Stars !
#7 Spell of the Highlander - 4 Stars.
(Review= https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#8 Into the Dreaming -4 Stars :)
Absolutely delightful read ! An intelligent hero, a kick-ass heroine,fabulous plot AND Time-Travel,What more could I have asked for?
It almost felt like a believable fairy-tale. Their love was absolutely transcendent and I loved how effortlessly the author handled the time-travel concept.(which,believe me,is a RARE talent.)
Would highly recommend this read and Yes,defiantly planning on reading the squeal ASAP :)
This series in Ratings so far:
#1 Beyond the Highland Mist - 5 Stars ! (Review=https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#2 To Tame A Highland Warrior - 1 Star :( [The ONLY book in this series I rated so low.]Here's why->(Review=https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#3 The Highlander's Touch - 3 Stars (Not bad but not that great either.*Shrug*)
#4 Kiss of the Highlander - 5 Stars !!
(Review = https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#5 The Dark Highlander -4 Stars :)
(Review = https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )
#6 The Immortal Highlander - 4.75 Stars !
#7 Spell of the Highlander - 4 Stars.
(Review= https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
#8 Into the Dreaming -4 Stars :)
October 29, 2016
2.5 stars
Whelp I am in the minority. I enjoyed the first part of this book but the last 2/3's were not for me. I also just can't stand the term "make love" or "Love making" and found this book incredibly frustrating and too much instalove.
There were moments I enjoyed, I want to read the next book but overall to cheesy for me. Maybe because of the year it was published? Moving on.
Whelp I am in the minority. I enjoyed the first part of this book but the last 2/3's were not for me. I also just can't stand the term "make love" or "Love making" and found this book incredibly frustrating and too much instalove.
There were moments I enjoyed, I want to read the next book but overall to cheesy for me. Maybe because of the year it was published? Moving on.
July 28, 2012
5 Gigantic Stars!!! FANTASTICAL!! It was worth all the anxiety I felt for reading out of order. A few pages in and all that OCD flew out the window!!
“If aught must be lost, ‘twill be my honor for yours. If one must be forsaken, ‘twill be my soul for yours. Should death come anon, ‘twill be my life for yours. I am Given.”
This book had everything and then some that I look for in a story. A larger than life hero, who is cocky, funny, protective, loving, worships his woman and is SCRUMPTIOUS! Drustan MacKeltar...RAWRRRRRR!!! A heroine who stands on her own will, she's mouthy, pushy, smart, challenges her man and loves him beyond reason! Gwen Cassidy...AMAZING!! A story that captivates, charms, tugs at the heart! Passion, desire and love that is breathtaking and heart-pounding...YES!!! Secondary characters that play a huge role in the plot and are so intriguing, you hope that you get more of them, in future books or stories of their own.
I was overwhelmed with emotion while reading this book, but the last few pages made my eyes so wet, I could barely read to the end. I damn near passed out with Kip clutched in my hands! When I could finally breathe, I began to smile and I still can't get that shit-ass grin off my face.
Thank you to my dear friend Kristen, who convinced me to step out of the box and read out of order. It was no easy task for her to do, but I trust her and knew she wouldn't steer me wrong. Not to mention all of my other GR friends who agreed with her and encouraged me to go for it. You were all right, I didn't miss a thing. This books starts what is a mini-series within a series. It was everything you all said it would be and more. Thank you!!
Finally to Kris, who told me about her love for this series a while back. Why I didn't listen to you is beyond me. It's always been in the back of my mind and your profile pic was a daily reminder. You know me better than I know myself.
Dark Highlander here I come!!
“If aught must be lost, ‘twill be my honor for yours. If one must be forsaken, ‘twill be my soul for yours. Should death come anon, ‘twill be my life for yours. I am Given.”
This book had everything and then some that I look for in a story. A larger than life hero, who is cocky, funny, protective, loving, worships his woman and is SCRUMPTIOUS! Drustan MacKeltar...RAWRRRRRR!!! A heroine who stands on her own will, she's mouthy, pushy, smart, challenges her man and loves him beyond reason! Gwen Cassidy...AMAZING!! A story that captivates, charms, tugs at the heart! Passion, desire and love that is breathtaking and heart-pounding...YES!!! Secondary characters that play a huge role in the plot and are so intriguing, you hope that you get more of them, in future books or stories of their own.
I was overwhelmed with emotion while reading this book, but the last few pages made my eyes so wet, I could barely read to the end. I damn near passed out with Kip clutched in my hands! When I could finally breathe, I began to smile and I still can't get that shit-ass grin off my face.
Thank you to my dear friend Kristen, who convinced me to step out of the box and read out of order. It was no easy task for her to do, but I trust her and knew she wouldn't steer me wrong. Not to mention all of my other GR friends who agreed with her and encouraged me to go for it. You were all right, I didn't miss a thing. This books starts what is a mini-series within a series. It was everything you all said it would be and more. Thank you!!
Finally to Kris, who told me about her love for this series a while back. Why I didn't listen to you is beyond me. It's always been in the back of my mind and your profile pic was a daily reminder. You know me better than I know myself.
Dark Highlander here I come!!
June 19, 2011
I couldn't help but smile while reading this book. I simply fell in love with the love story. This book had a clever plot, fascinating characters, steamy romance, and great writing. Definitely a keeper!
December 11, 2016
Once upon a time 'a girl who was hiking in the foothills of Scotland found an enchanted highlader sleeping in a cave above Loch Ness'. A bit clumsy as she was, she lost her balance and landed on top of him waking him up. The sleeping beauty, Drustan, had been slept for 500 years and he was a bit lost when he woke up in 21st century, but Gwen helped him found his way.
This was a great love story!
I had a goofy smile while I was reading it from the beginning until the end. The story is basically divided into two parts.
-The first part is taking place in the 21st century when Drustan wakes up and Gwen thinks he is completely crazy
-The second part is taking place in the 16th century when Gwen travels back in time, Drustan does not remember her and he thinks she is completely crazy.
I honestly wished I had read this book and the ones that follow before the Fever series by Moning. Apparently as I realised Drustan is Christian's uncle. Christian is the druid who is helping Mac and in Fever we meet again Drustan and his brother Dugeous.
Finally, I know that what I am about to say will sound very boring but doesn't the guy in the bookcover has the most kissable lips you have ever seen?
This was a great love story!
I had a goofy smile while I was reading it from the beginning until the end. The story is basically divided into two parts.
-The first part is taking place in the 21st century when Drustan wakes up and Gwen thinks he is completely crazy
-The second part is taking place in the 16th century when Gwen travels back in time, Drustan does not remember her and he thinks she is completely crazy.
I honestly wished I had read this book and the ones that follow before the Fever series by Moning. Apparently as I realised Drustan is Christian's uncle. Christian is the druid who is helping Mac and in Fever we meet again Drustan and his brother Dugeous.
Finally, I know that what I am about to say will sound very boring but doesn't the guy in the bookcover has the most kissable lips you have ever seen?
April 12, 2017
I am a big fan of time travel romances and this book more than met my expectations for a great read! The author created characters you come to love with a plot that will pull at your heart strings and give you a chuckle now and then.
Beautifully crafted story that you won't want to put down. A definite keeper!! Kiss of the Highlander is definitely a 5 star read and I highly recommend it! I look forward to reading more of Ms. Moning's work.
In short:
Hero 5/5 | Heroine 5/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 4/5 | Darkness 0/5 | Humor 3/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 4/5 | Twists 5/5 | Pacing Steady | Action 4/5
February 27, 2011
KISS OF A HIGHLANDER
Okay, now I have your attention I would like to say - hasnt the model on the cover of this book have the most kissable lips you have ever seen? What I would give to have them babies roaming my body...oh my - im sweating here....
LMAO...Okay, now the review -
Well, well, well looky what I stumbled across here – HUNKY HIGHLANDERS – my lordy lord, this book was more than I ever perceived it was going to be. If it wasn’t for my fabulous GR friend, Nissie, I would not have taken the plunge to read this so soon.
Okay so about the story – This is my first time travelling book, and initially my thoughts on time travel are simply – meh – but when introduced to Drustan MacKeltar who is from the 16th century, I melted. This scot is a drop dead, kilt wearing hunk of spunk AND to make it all that much sweeter *drool drips from mouth* he goes completely commando! On the theory that if it isn’t constricted then it will continue to grow (hmm...an interesting theory I would love to test on any willing hunky participants)....Any who, gypsy’s cast a nasty ass spell on him to sleep for all eternity, only able to be awaked by sun and blood. He is placed in a cave where he sleeps for 500 years. That is until our minx of a heroine klutzily stumbles across his hidey hole and BAM SLAM THANKYOU MAM – the story get hot.
Gwen is on vacation to Scotland, touring with a bunch of pensioners (completely by accident) – I found this funny because the same thing happens to me when I was 15. Went on a tour in Canada and It turned out to be a tour for pensioners. I actually ended up having a blast and came to respect the elderly much more. Her main goal while in Scotland – TO FIND A CHERRY PICKER...LMAO!!!! When Gwen falls into Drustens cave she awakens the hunk of spunk and instantly their passion for one another is palpable.
Gwen sets out to help Drusten get back to his own time (she's not really aware of it, but she’s along for the ride), he needs to get back to his time to save his clan. Unfortunately he sends them back too far into time thus erasing himself. Gwen is then left to convince the 16th century Drusten that they are meant to be together.
This was a wild ride, and I am so glad that I read it. I cannot wait to get my greedy little mitts on the next one, which if I gather correctly is about Drustens twin and equally as sexy brother.
Happy reading ladies.
Okay, now I have your attention I would like to say - hasnt the model on the cover of this book have the most kissable lips you have ever seen? What I would give to have them babies roaming my body...oh my - im sweating here....
LMAO...Okay, now the review -
Well, well, well looky what I stumbled across here – HUNKY HIGHLANDERS – my lordy lord, this book was more than I ever perceived it was going to be. If it wasn’t for my fabulous GR friend, Nissie, I would not have taken the plunge to read this so soon.
Okay so about the story – This is my first time travelling book, and initially my thoughts on time travel are simply – meh – but when introduced to Drustan MacKeltar who is from the 16th century, I melted. This scot is a drop dead, kilt wearing hunk of spunk AND to make it all that much sweeter *drool drips from mouth* he goes completely commando! On the theory that if it isn’t constricted then it will continue to grow (hmm...an interesting theory I would love to test on any willing hunky participants)....Any who, gypsy’s cast a nasty ass spell on him to sleep for all eternity, only able to be awaked by sun and blood. He is placed in a cave where he sleeps for 500 years. That is until our minx of a heroine klutzily stumbles across his hidey hole and BAM SLAM THANKYOU MAM – the story get hot.
Gwen is on vacation to Scotland, touring with a bunch of pensioners (completely by accident) – I found this funny because the same thing happens to me when I was 15. Went on a tour in Canada and It turned out to be a tour for pensioners. I actually ended up having a blast and came to respect the elderly much more. Her main goal while in Scotland – TO FIND A CHERRY PICKER...LMAO!!!! When Gwen falls into Drustens cave she awakens the hunk of spunk and instantly their passion for one another is palpable.
Gwen sets out to help Drusten get back to his own time (she's not really aware of it, but she’s along for the ride), he needs to get back to his time to save his clan. Unfortunately he sends them back too far into time thus erasing himself. Gwen is then left to convince the 16th century Drusten that they are meant to be together.
This was a wild ride, and I am so glad that I read it. I cannot wait to get my greedy little mitts on the next one, which if I gather correctly is about Drustens twin and equally as sexy brother.
Happy reading ladies.
June 25, 2018
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: I struggled at times with this one tbh. I love the time travel idea of it, but it just fell a little flat for me. I felt like there was way too much inner dialogue going on (especially in the first half) and not enough actual interactions. The connection between the h and H felt mostly sexual, and I didn't get the progression of feelings to love. The ending also was a huge bummer. We get all this struggle for them and then an ending that didn't even feel complete! Oh well. I did enjoy the characters themselves, and I also enjoyed their banter and the side characters. I'm going to go with a middle of the road 3 Stars, because while I didn't love it I didn't hate it either.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Gwen and Drustan's story. Gwen is tired of her life and is on a vacation in Scotland when she finds herself falling in a hole and landing on top of a half naked, hot man. After being in what seems to be a coma or deep sleep, Gwen somehow awakens him. Drustan is instantly confused by his surroundings and shocks Gwen when he declares that he is from the 16th century and somehow had been enchanted. Gwen tries to help him because she thinks he's mentally ill, but with their strong attraction and some undeniable magic she can no longer deny that he is speaking the truth. Gwen somehow ends up catapulted back into Drustan's time, and she must warn the past Drustan and his family of the upcoming danger. There are some funny moments, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Gwen and Drustan in 3rd person narrative. It did have some parts that focused on side characters as well.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. It felt slow at times. I skimmed some of the decor descriptions, (seemingly) repetitive inner dialogue, and sex scenes. I don't think I missed much by doing so either.
Instalove: Kind of. They don't have much basis to their relationship (other than lust) when they start confessing (at least in their inner dialogue) stronger feelings IMO.
H rating: 4 stars. Drustan. I liked him. He was sweet, alpha, and loyal.
h rating: 4 stars. Gwen. I liked her. She was smart, sassy, and brave.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes. I skimmed some scenes tbh because they did feel like a little bit too much at times.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had an abrupt ending with not nearly enough closure for me! I wanted to know how they fared and how they created their future! It seems as though we'll see them in later books, but I am frustrated I didn't even get a glimpse into their HEA. I would call this a HFN ending just because of my so many unanswered questions, but others might be fine in calling it a HEA
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: I struggled at times with this one tbh. I love the time travel idea of it, but it just fell a little flat for me. I felt like there was way too much inner dialogue going on (especially in the first half) and not enough actual interactions. The connection between the h and H felt mostly sexual, and I didn't get the progression of feelings to love. The ending also was a huge bummer. We get all this struggle for them and then an ending that didn't even feel complete! Oh well. I did enjoy the characters themselves, and I also enjoyed their banter and the side characters. I'm going to go with a middle of the road 3 Stars, because while I didn't love it I didn't hate it either.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Gwen and Drustan's story. Gwen is tired of her life and is on a vacation in Scotland when she finds herself falling in a hole and landing on top of a half naked, hot man. After being in what seems to be a coma or deep sleep, Gwen somehow awakens him. Drustan is instantly confused by his surroundings and shocks Gwen when he declares that he is from the 16th century and somehow had been enchanted. Gwen tries to help him because she thinks he's mentally ill, but with their strong attraction and some undeniable magic she can no longer deny that he is speaking the truth. Gwen somehow ends up catapulted back into Drustan's time, and she must warn the past Drustan and his family of the upcoming danger. There are some funny moments, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Gwen and Drustan in 3rd person narrative. It did have some parts that focused on side characters as well.
Overall Pace of Story: Not the best. It felt slow at times. I skimmed some of the decor descriptions, (seemingly) repetitive inner dialogue, and sex scenes. I don't think I missed much by doing so either.
Instalove: Kind of. They don't have much basis to their relationship (other than lust) when they start confessing (at least in their inner dialogue) stronger feelings IMO.
H rating: 4 stars. Drustan. I liked him. He was sweet, alpha, and loyal.
h rating: 4 stars. Gwen. I liked her. She was smart, sassy, and brave.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes. I skimmed some scenes tbh because they did feel like a little bit too much at times.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had an abrupt ending with not nearly enough closure for me! I wanted to know how they fared and how they created their future! It seems as though we'll see them in later books, but I am frustrated I didn't even get a glimpse into their HEA. I would call this a HFN ending just because of my so many unanswered questions, but others might be fine in calling it a HEA
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
April 13, 2009
This was a delightful book. Heartwarming and hilarious in turns, it kept my interest. I really enjoy the fact that KMM's heroines tend to be very intelligent and capable. It's nice to see that in romances. I don't see why a heroine can't be smarter than the hero or more accomplished. I'm glad that KMM doesn't adhere to that formula in her novels. Her heroines tend to be on the physically perfect side, but they are so nice, it doesn't annoy me. Drustan was delicious and he was a nice guy too. He was yearning for a woman to love and accept him. Aww! The scene where Gwen says she loves him just melted my heart because it meant so much to Drustan. I love elements of Scotland and the historical aspects. The druid lore is interesting, and the physics aspect, mind-boggling.
This book is steamy and sexy, but the love relationship is always at the forefront. I really loved the tender moments between Drustan and Gwen, and also between his father Silvan and his housekeeper, Nell.
I have never been much of a time travel fan, but I really do like what KMM does with the genre. I like that she has plausible science and mixes the Druid lore with physics and mathematics so that you read this book and can definitely believe that Druid magic is just science in a different framework of understanding.
The part that annoyed me was the priest's mother, Besseta. She was totally clueless about faith and fate. If only she had listened to her son and trusted that God would take care of him. But if she had done that, would Gwen and Drustan ever have met? Too much to ponder.
At any rate, I'm glad I got to read this novel, for the hours of entertainment it gave me. It also gave me some things to think about, such as meddling with fate and how the search for knowledge should never overstep the boundaries of ethics.
This book is steamy and sexy, but the love relationship is always at the forefront. I really loved the tender moments between Drustan and Gwen, and also between his father Silvan and his housekeeper, Nell.
I have never been much of a time travel fan, but I really do like what KMM does with the genre. I like that she has plausible science and mixes the Druid lore with physics and mathematics so that you read this book and can definitely believe that Druid magic is just science in a different framework of understanding.
The part that annoyed me was the priest's mother, Besseta. She was totally clueless about faith and fate. If only she had listened to her son and trusted that God would take care of him. But if she had done that, would Gwen and Drustan ever have met? Too much to ponder.
At any rate, I'm glad I got to read this novel, for the hours of entertainment it gave me. It also gave me some things to think about, such as meddling with fate and how the search for knowledge should never overstep the boundaries of ethics.
July 18, 2011
I loved everything about this book, starting with the yummy cover! Oh boy, I could stare at Nathan Kamp's lips for a lifetime!... ;)
Now, focusing on the story itself... Once again, KMM gave us a more-than-wonderful hero (Drustan MacKeltar) but, this time, she gave us an amazing heroine (Gwen Cassidy) who, I admit, I loved better than the hero. And that's something, because I adored Drustan! Gwen was intelligent, funny, feisty and determined; Drustan didn't really stand a chance with her. When she locked him in the garderobe to force him into "seeing reason", I did a little happy dance - only in my mind, of course...
While I was reading the book, I kept wondering how KMM would solve the "changing the past" issue. I mean, Aaargh, my mind went a little crazy over this, until I reached KMM's "resolution". Good and logical but, like Gwen said when Drustan explained what had happened, "this hurts my head." (LOL)
I was planning on taking a break from the series after this book, but I just can't - not after having read Silvan's letter at the end! Thankfully, I'm late to the Highlander party and Dageus's book has already been released, so I don't have to wait. :)
Now, focusing on the story itself... Once again, KMM gave us a more-than-wonderful hero (Drustan MacKeltar) but, this time, she gave us an amazing heroine (Gwen Cassidy) who, I admit, I loved better than the hero. And that's something, because I adored Drustan! Gwen was intelligent, funny, feisty and determined; Drustan didn't really stand a chance with her. When she locked him in the garderobe to force him into "seeing reason", I did a little happy dance - only in my mind, of course...
While I was reading the book, I kept wondering how KMM would solve the "changing the past" issue. I mean, Aaargh, my mind went a little crazy over this, until I reached KMM's "resolution". Good and logical but, like Gwen said when Drustan explained what had happened, "this hurts my head." (LOL)
I was planning on taking a break from the series after this book, but I just can't - not after having read Silvan's letter at the end! Thankfully, I'm late to the Highlander party and Dageus's book has already been released, so I don't have to wait. :)
July 9, 2021
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖 (How much the plot made sense/propelled the story forward)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 (Did this make my heart clutch? Did it give me feels?)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 (How well do I feel I know the characters by the end of the story. Am I attached to them? Do I care about them?)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋 (How balanced were the sex scenes and kisses? Is it a mix of details and feelings? I prefer a mix of both instead of too much mechanics or too much vague, flowery prose, if that is balance, I rate it higher)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 🔥 (Two scenes are super long and detailed, there’s a few more that are brief. See end of review for exact amounts, this may feel steamier than a 2 to some people depending what counts as a ‘full’ scene to you)
Humor: Yes! Definitely some humor and banter sprinkled throughout. Especially in the first half when the hero is exploring the ‘modern’ world with the heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 except the steam scale, which follows our ratings in The Ton and Tartans facebook group. Each flame is a sex scene, generally.)
This is book 4 in the series. I picked this one up as a stand alone years ago (I think it was the first one I tried in the series) and it works fine. If you want more background about how the whole ‘world’ works, I would suggest book 1 before this. Though they have all been really enjoyable stories and do loosely fall into each other (I will say the next one and this one are closely related though, so if you want to read book 5, then read this one first)
Gwen has lost her parents and isn’t happy with her job as an insurance adjuster. She goes on vacation to Scotland and ends up falling through into a cave and waking up Drusten, a highland laird that has been slumbering for 500 years.
Give this a try if you want:
- Time travel romance – heroine finds the hero in a cave and she travels back to his time (1518 Scotland) – this book is about equal in each time period
- A decent amount of humor, though I wouldn’t say the book is lighthearted, really. It has loss, danger, and death.
- A touch of magic throughout – the hero is a Druid and he can use his voice to make commands followed, can travel through time, and cast certain spells
- Hero loves first �� no hero can’t love drama in this one! AND he wants babies! Yay!
- A 6’6” hero and a 5’3” heroine (I think the hero is around 30 and heroine is about 25)
- You have to be okay with a light touch of dubcon – the kisses and sex is consensual but he does force her to go with him and even chains her to him for a short while. (yum :P )
- Mid steam – again, this book feels so much steamier than I marked it as. There’s a lot of kisses, some scenes a little brief, and lots of almost touches, kisses, and glorious sexual tension. (See end of review for exact amounts)
- Highlander hero and American heroine (herione describes herself as a bit curvy and ‘plump’ at one point, and has a ‘tendency towards inertia’)
I looooooooove this story. So so SO much. Drusten is one of my favorite hero’s ever. He is just so damn sexy. And I love that he wants love so much. He has had 3 betrothals and all of them have left him. He wants to find someone that will love him for him and he won’t have to hide parts of himself (like that he’s a Druid). Oh I just adore him. He’s funny, and fearless and protective and cares for Gwen more than anything.
I liked Gwen a lot. She’s very smart but came from emotionally stagnant parents and desires love so much. She’s a bit leery of Drusten at first because, well, she basically thinks he’s having some kind of mental crisis, but once she accepts him, it’s so wonderful.
I felt like this book was super romantic. Drusten does everything he can to protect and seduce Gwen. Little things like kisses on the palm of a hand. And of course the
I could have used just a touch more character depth in this book, but not enough to complain. I did NOT like
It was a touch slow towards the middle, but it had enough tension and kisses to hold me through. I really enjoy this story and I’m so glad I’ve reread it. I sometimes wonder if the ones I loved will hold up over time for me and this one really does.
Some scenes I loved
“Ladies first,” she said sweetly.
He shook his head. “You would bound off faster than a hare if I were such a fool.” He grasped her shoulders and pulled her close. “I would advise against running from me. I would catch you easily, and the chase would only arouse me.” When she tried to shrug his hands off her shoulders, he said, “Is this the fashion in which you thank me for freeing you?” he teased. “You might grand me a boon for my efforts.” He rested his gaze on her lips, making it clear what boon he had in mind. When she wet them nervously, he dropped his head closer, taking it as a sign of compliance.
But the contrary lass flattened her wee palms on his cheeks and held him at bay. “Fine. Go first, then. Age before beauty,” she added sweetly.
And a bit later….
She ran for several seconds before the missile blasted her from behind. She stumbled and landed on her stomach in a springy patch of purple vetch, trapped beneath his body. He stretched her hands above her head and pressed her against the ground. “I said doona run from me,” he gritted out. “Which word did you have difficulty with?”
And when he realizes she doesn’t want to go with him and tries to leave him
When he wrapped his hand about her wrist, she realized that while they were arguing he’d removed a chain of sorts from somewhere on his body. When he closed the metal links about her wrist and bound her to him, she opened her mouth to scream, but he clamped a powerful hand over her mouth.
“Then you come with me of my will alone. So be it.”
I thought the part where she is choosing him close was absolutely hilarious and I loved that kiss. So damn hot.
Brushing her hands aside, he tugged her shirt over her head, then stared at her bra. He touched the lacy fabric with fascination. “Lass, show me your breasts. Be quit of this thing, lest I tear it to shreds in my haste.”
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖 (How much the plot made sense/propelled the story forward)
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 (Did this make my heart clutch? Did it give me feels?)
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔 (How well do I feel I know the characters by the end of the story. Am I attached to them? Do I care about them?)
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋💋 (How balanced were the sex scenes and kisses? Is it a mix of details and feelings? I prefer a mix of both instead of too much mechanics or too much vague, flowery prose, if that is balance, I rate it higher)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 🔥 (Two scenes are super long and detailed, there’s a few more that are brief. See end of review for exact amounts, this may feel steamier than a 2 to some people depending what counts as a ‘full’ scene to you)
Humor: Yes! Definitely some humor and banter sprinkled throughout. Especially in the first half when the hero is exploring the ‘modern’ world with the heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 except the steam scale, which follows our ratings in The Ton and Tartans facebook group. Each flame is a sex scene, generally.)
This is book 4 in the series. I picked this one up as a stand alone years ago (I think it was the first one I tried in the series) and it works fine. If you want more background about how the whole ‘world’ works, I would suggest book 1 before this. Though they have all been really enjoyable stories and do loosely fall into each other (I will say the next one and this one are closely related though, so if you want to read book 5, then read this one first)
Gwen has lost her parents and isn’t happy with her job as an insurance adjuster. She goes on vacation to Scotland and ends up falling through into a cave and waking up Drusten, a highland laird that has been slumbering for 500 years.
Give this a try if you want:
- Time travel romance – heroine finds the hero in a cave and she travels back to his time (1518 Scotland) – this book is about equal in each time period
- A decent amount of humor, though I wouldn’t say the book is lighthearted, really. It has loss, danger, and death.
- A touch of magic throughout – the hero is a Druid and he can use his voice to make commands followed, can travel through time, and cast certain spells
- Hero loves first �� no hero can’t love drama in this one! AND he wants babies! Yay!
- A 6’6” hero and a 5’3” heroine (I think the hero is around 30 and heroine is about 25)
- You have to be okay with a light touch of dubcon – the kisses and sex is consensual but he does force her to go with him and even chains her to him for a short while. (yum :P )
- Mid steam – again, this book feels so much steamier than I marked it as. There’s a lot of kisses, some scenes a little brief, and lots of almost touches, kisses, and glorious sexual tension. (See end of review for exact amounts)
- Highlander hero and American heroine (herione describes herself as a bit curvy and ‘plump’ at one point, and has a ‘tendency towards inertia’)
I looooooooove this story. So so SO much. Drusten is one of my favorite hero’s ever. He is just so damn sexy. And I love that he wants love so much. He has had 3 betrothals and all of them have left him. He wants to find someone that will love him for him and he won’t have to hide parts of himself (like that he’s a Druid). Oh I just adore him. He’s funny, and fearless and protective and cares for Gwen more than anything.
I liked Gwen a lot. She’s very smart but came from emotionally stagnant parents and desires love so much. She’s a bit leery of Drusten at first because, well, she basically thinks he’s having some kind of mental crisis, but once she accepts him, it’s so wonderful.
I felt like this book was super romantic. Drusten does everything he can to protect and seduce Gwen. Little things like kisses on the palm of a hand. And of course the
I could have used just a touch more character depth in this book, but not enough to complain. I did NOT like
It was a touch slow towards the middle, but it had enough tension and kisses to hold me through. I really enjoy this story and I’m so glad I’ve reread it. I sometimes wonder if the ones I loved will hold up over time for me and this one really does.
Some scenes I loved
“Ladies first,” she said sweetly.
He shook his head. “You would bound off faster than a hare if I were such a fool.” He grasped her shoulders and pulled her close. “I would advise against running from me. I would catch you easily, and the chase would only arouse me.” When she tried to shrug his hands off her shoulders, he said, “Is this the fashion in which you thank me for freeing you?” he teased. “You might grand me a boon for my efforts.” He rested his gaze on her lips, making it clear what boon he had in mind. When she wet them nervously, he dropped his head closer, taking it as a sign of compliance.
But the contrary lass flattened her wee palms on his cheeks and held him at bay. “Fine. Go first, then. Age before beauty,” she added sweetly.
And a bit later….
She ran for several seconds before the missile blasted her from behind. She stumbled and landed on her stomach in a springy patch of purple vetch, trapped beneath his body. He stretched her hands above her head and pressed her against the ground. “I said doona run from me,” he gritted out. “Which word did you have difficulty with?”
And when he realizes she doesn’t want to go with him and tries to leave him
When he wrapped his hand about her wrist, she realized that while they were arguing he’d removed a chain of sorts from somewhere on his body. When he closed the metal links about her wrist and bound her to him, she opened her mouth to scream, but he clamped a powerful hand over her mouth.
“Then you come with me of my will alone. So be it.”
I thought the part where she is choosing him close was absolutely hilarious and I loved that kiss. So damn hot.
Brushing her hands aside, he tugged her shirt over her head, then stared at her bra. He touched the lacy fabric with fascination. “Lass, show me your breasts. Be quit of this thing, lest I tear it to shreds in my haste.”
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
July 22, 2013
I prayed, prayed, PRAYED that after my recent "4 in row crappy books" that this would be the one to pull me out of my reading funk...
IT DID! Yay for me! I'm back in the game :D
I've said this many times that I am not big on Historical romance reads. So it's no surprise that Highlanders for the most part are not my cup of tea. Although there have been some "Gems" in my past. Though I do not follow this series (I've only read this one & book 6) & love both, I would recommend this series based on the fact that I am a fan of Ms. Moning's Fever series, which was born from this series. I do plan to work my way through this series eventually, now that I have these 2 books under my belt.
I love this book for 2 reasons... Drustan (H) & the story. What more could you ask for? I would say that I do love Gwen as well. I feel her & Drustan are perfectly matched. Their coupling, how it begins to where it leads, was beyond entertaining, heartfelt, & frustratingly erotic.
I would definitely recommend you read this book. It has everything on it's pages.
IT DID! Yay for me! I'm back in the game :D
I've said this many times that I am not big on Historical romance reads. So it's no surprise that Highlanders for the most part are not my cup of tea. Although there have been some "Gems" in my past. Though I do not follow this series (I've only read this one & book 6) & love both, I would recommend this series based on the fact that I am a fan of Ms. Moning's Fever series, which was born from this series. I do plan to work my way through this series eventually, now that I have these 2 books under my belt.
I love this book for 2 reasons... Drustan (H) & the story. What more could you ask for? I would say that I do love Gwen as well. I feel her & Drustan are perfectly matched. Their coupling, how it begins to where it leads, was beyond entertaining, heartfelt, & frustratingly erotic.
I would definitely recommend you read this book. It has everything on it's pages.
March 7, 2018
Well, I didn't hate it. I know that doesn't sound like high praise, but I H A T E time travel books. They get so caught up in their own complications that it's near impossible to disregard the implications.
But this book honestly did it a bit better than most, though that wasn't the highlight. The story just didn't take itself that seriously. It was fun and sexy, a welcome diversion.
It's still only a 2-2.5 because I felt the focus on the heroine's virginity to be a snooze fest, and I did quite a lot of skimming because some of that background was just not why I was reading this.
But all in all, I checked off a challenge book and I can now safely say...not for me for this series.
But this book honestly did it a bit better than most, though that wasn't the highlight. The story just didn't take itself that seriously. It was fun and sexy, a welcome diversion.
It's still only a 2-2.5 because I felt the focus on the heroine's virginity to be a snooze fest, and I did quite a lot of skimming because some of that background was just not why I was reading this.
But all in all, I checked off a challenge book and I can now safely say...not for me for this series.
May 21, 2018
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4stars.
It was a good read. Based on the plots and writing it was definitely good and five stars worthy, but... I didn’t like some of the things. I can’t explain those BUTS without spoiling everything so better not to say anything. But one thing I can say is that constantly talking about a 25 years old heroine's virginity is definitely not cool. Every time the author mentioned something about heroine’s virginity, I consider to mark it DNF, "I am not reading an HP... Am I? Nay." A good plot kept me alive.
The heroine was ok. She was strong but her thinking about the virginity and picking up a cheery picker monologue was irritating.
The book was safe. I have some issues with the hero but he was honorable and celibate for some time. It was a time travel romance. And I liked the fact that
It was a good read. Based on the plots and writing it was definitely good and five stars worthy, but... I didn’t like some of the things. I can’t explain those BUTS without spoiling everything so better not to say anything. But one thing I can say is that constantly talking about a 25 years old heroine's virginity is definitely not cool. Every time the author mentioned something about heroine’s virginity, I consider to mark it DNF, "I am not reading an HP... Am I? Nay." A good plot kept me alive.
The heroine was ok. She was strong but her thinking about the virginity and picking up a cheery picker monologue was irritating.
The book was safe. I have some issues with the hero but he was honorable and celibate for some time. It was a time travel romance. And I liked the fact that
“If aught must be lost, ‘twill be my honor for yours. If one must be forsaken, ‘twill be my soul for yours. Should death come anon, ‘twill be my life for yours. I am Given.”
April 1, 2016
Lo siento, en este momento no puedo decir que es un libro maravilloso, una historia como hacía tiempo que no leía, no, no puedo... Sencillamente no puedo porque estoy enfadada. Vamos a ver ¿cómo es posible que los demás libros de la saga estén descatalogados? ¿Qué se supone que tengo que hacer ahora? Ay, madre, que me he quedado sin saber que le pasó a Dageus...
July 15, 2017
Un libro de "ficción-romántica" (si es que existe esa categoría) con viajes en el tiempo incluidos. Es una novela muy entretenida y he disfrutado mucho leyéndola. Quizá la primera mitad es algo plana ya que prácticamente no hay despliegue de personajes y locaciones, pues se centra en el conocimiento de los dos personajes principales, pero también tiene su encanto al abordar con un buen toque de humor problemas tan contemporáneos como tratar de dejar de fumar con un parche de nicotina.
Sin embargo, la segunda mitad atrapará hasta al lector más exigente en este género: intrigas, magia, pasión, excelentes diálogos y un despliegue de personajes muy queribles, que conquistan con su actuar y que entregan una historia secundaria muy emotiva. Lo mejor: la personalidad arrolladora y tenaz de la protagonista.
Aunque he leído que los libros de la serie Highlander de la autora son independientes entre sí, éste en particular tiene una continuación que se deja entrever en sus últimas páginas: "El highlander oscuro". Si bien no es imprescindible leerlo, ya que esta entrega da un cierre completo a la historia principal, me muero de ganas de saber qué va a pasar con uno de sus personajes secundarios.
Sin embargo, la segunda mitad atrapará hasta al lector más exigente en este género: intrigas, magia, pasión, excelentes diálogos y un despliegue de personajes muy queribles, que conquistan con su actuar y que entregan una historia secundaria muy emotiva. Lo mejor: la personalidad arrolladora y tenaz de la protagonista.
Aunque he leído que los libros de la serie Highlander de la autora son independientes entre sí, éste en particular tiene una continuación que se deja entrever en sus últimas páginas: "El highlander oscuro". Si bien no es imprescindible leerlo, ya que esta entrega da un cierre completo a la historia principal, me muero de ganas de saber qué va a pasar con uno de sus personajes secundarios.
December 17, 2020
4.5 Stars
I super enjoyed this one. Best so far.
I super enjoyed this one. Best so far.
September 20, 2013
A sort of modern, lame, gender reversed, Sottish version of sleeping beauty. I apologise for the length of this
WOW! So I just read The Darkest Night and you may have read in my review how peeved I was at the stupid obsessive love between the virginal girl with no personality called
Basically the romance in this novel was so sugary I wasn't sure whether I should laugh or vomit. I just did not understand how the same author who created JZB and Mac could come up with such total saps as Drustan and Gwen. While reading it I felt like Bruce being forced to eat that cake:
It was all just way too much for me.
This book is about a time travelling Scottish laird. Sorta. Maybe being from Scotland made it a bit too cringe for me; but when reading time travel I want something more interesting than angsty characters pining for each other.
The first thing, of many, that bugged me was:
Gwen's vapid personality:
You know, Gwen is supposed to be a scientist, she has just traveled back in time, but her mind is blissfully empty; she has gone back to 'the age of discovery' but she has no desire to discuss the advances we have discovered since then with them! SHE SIMPLY HAS NO CURIOSITY. UGH. GIVE THEM SOME PENICILLIN. TELL THEM ABOUT EMILY PANKHURST. IMAGINE ALL THE POSSIBILITIES.
Hermoine can't stand Gwen.
If Gwen is the girl who is going back 500 years with the opportunity to show how far we have advanced then I AM EMBARRASSED AND FURIOUS WITH FATE because, although she is slightly more cocky than was expected from women back then; there is little else aught different with her. She wants a man. She wants babies. She is not interested in pursuing her career. Most of the time it felt like she actively switched off her brain.
Even Clint is disgusted.
To be honest I think Moning is being harsh on 15th century woman, I am sure that although they lived in a much more chauvinistic environment, I doubt they were all misogynists or dumb blow up dolls. This is the era that gave us Joan of Arc for gods sake (give or take a hundred years and lets overlook her horrid death please).
But she is insinuating that an insipid virgin like Gwen would go back in time and simply take the men by storm with her feisty modern ways. Like WOW she knows who Isaac Newton is; she must be strong and smart... but please don't talk about physics in the morning because it hurts her head and she is desperately trying to daydream of new ways to ensnare a man using her body.
Gwen's lack of 'experience':
"Her virginity was hardly presented in the best light when she kept snarling at every man she met."
Gwen is, of course, gagging to be rid of her virginity, which is strange as she is in her mid-twenties and hasn't found an opportunity so far. Apparently because she hasn't met a guy she is attracted to (then why plan a thousand dollar trip just to jump on some stranger??).
Her desperation is offensive and pathetic in equal measure. I have friends who are virgins and they are so by choice...obviously I don't judge them, because they own their own choices. But the way Gwen acts is like a teenager who thinks her virginity is an embarrassing disease.
In fact the whole reason she went to Scotland was to 'find her cherry picker', however she accidentally booked herself onto a geriatric bus tour (oh how silly, but honestly can you expect a woman to curl her hair, apply lipstick, and work a computer?!). Therefore she only met a man when she fell through a hole in the ground and landed on
"If he treated her to a few more of those cocky strokes, she might have her first real orgasm without even sacrificing her cherry."
ummmm...what?
I beg your pardon? Did I hear you right, Gwen? You are a beautiful, intelligent, adventurous woman in your mid-twenties and not only are you a virgin, but you haven't even had an orgasm? It doesn't necessarily require a man honey... although I am beginning to think that, in your case, changing a light bulb would require a man.
The sex scenes: (made me want to gag)
Ok so my rant about the sex scenes shall be quite short, unlike Drustans 'schmenis', which is apparently so large it cant fit inside of modern jeans. Something to do with wearing kilts all the time. (Here is a very quick tangent; why does Moning think people in the fifteenth century were smaller than now??? Drustan mentions how he draws attention because of his height and calls us 21st century peeps 'wee folks, the lot of you.' Which is strange because it's not the case; people were much smaller five hundred years ago.)
So anyhow the sex:
""Lass show me your breasts. Be quit of this thing, lest I tear it to shreds in my haste""
Well obviously this is Moning releasing her inner comedian again, because it certainly made me LOL. But I am still not at all sure what the attraction is with these neanderthal, over possessive, sappy and spoiled males???
Anyway the dialogue during sex was something else:
""Gwen? Do you want me?"
"God, yes!"
"Did you want me in the blue trews? Did you want me then too?"
"Yes."
"Do you feel the heat when I touch you? Does it hit you like a thunderbolt?"
"Yes.""
Remember that song by Meatloaf, 'Took the words right out of my mouth'?
[Boy:] On a hot summer night,
would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?
[Girl:] Will he offer me his mouth?
[Boy:] Yes.
[Girl:] Will he offer me his teeth?
[Boy:] Yes.
[Girl:] Will he offer me his jaws?
[Boy:] Yes.
[Girl:] Will he offer me his hunger?
[Boy:] Yes.
[Girl:] Again, will he offer me his hunger?
[Boy:] Yes!
[Girl:]And will he starve without me?
[Boy:] Yes!
[Girl:] And does he love me?
[Boy:] Yes.
[Girl:] Yes.
[Boy:] On a hot summer night,
would you offer your throat to the wolf with the red roses?
[Girl:] Yes.
[Boy:] I bet you say that to all the boys."
Well the dirty talk in the book was a lot less cool than that dialogue, but equally cheesy.
"He was the last MacKeltar left to sire sons. He glanced speculatively at Gwen."
Most ladies would find this creepy, but for Gwen it set her ovaries on fire with possessive and obsessive lust.
SO FINALLY! My last peeve was with Gwens desire to be a wife and get knocked up:
I will keep this snappy, because I don't really need to explain that I have no problem with procreation or woman wanting babies, I just think there is more out there.
I would enjoy a book about a happily married mother of five, in her forties, battling it out against vampires or a teenage mum showing that she can can kick zombie ass and read the Gruffolo to her baby! BUT I am not interested in reading about Gwen disregarding her education and the choices given to her, so she can roll into bed with a caveman and happily live out her life like a good little wifey. That is boring.
If getting knocked up is the thing Gwen is most excited about, after discovering time travel, then I don't like her. This is Gwen's conversation with her ovaries seconds after falling on to Drustan in the cave:
"Aw, kiss him, Gwen, clamored a hundred perky eggs. Shut up, she rebuked. We don't even know him, and until moments ago we though he was dead. That's no way to start a relationship. Who's asking for a relationship? Kisskisskiss! her babies-in-waiting insisted."
"...Drustan was bending over her, gazing down with so much love in his eyes that she gasped and began to cry."
THE END
February 25, 2019
This story was one of the best in the series so far!
This game of fate and travelling in time to change the past but simultaneously alter the future in unexpected ways, kept me mostly entertained while reading the book, and to be honest most of the time perched on the edge of my seat anxious to see, how the heroes will overcome the obstacles set upon them by magic and laws of physics.
But I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a physics prodigy and a medieval druid found their way to each other after all....
This game of fate and travelling in time to change the past but simultaneously alter the future in unexpected ways, kept me mostly entertained while reading the book, and to be honest most of the time perched on the edge of my seat anxious to see, how the heroes will overcome the obstacles set upon them by magic and laws of physics.
But I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a physics prodigy and a medieval druid found their way to each other after all....
September 1, 2019
Wow! This is my first book in this series because I heard they were standalones. I didn't feel like I missed anything so I think it was a great one to start with. This time travel romance felt like perfection. There was humor, it was so damn sexy and Drustan was the highland warrior I didn't realize I was missing in my life. The sacrifices and extreme lengths to which both Gwen and Drustan went to get their HEA had this romance junkie swooning, laughing and crying. ALL THE FEELS with this spectacular book!
April 12, 2015
I'm not going to write a lengthy review here as this book is years old and there are already so many reviews but I will say that it's a highly enjoyable Highlander romance with some supernatural time travel elements mixed in and plenty of humour as well as a well-planned and surprisingly complex plot.
Drustan is a wonderful hero and I very much enjoyed seeing him waking in the 21st century after sleeping for hundreds of years and experiencing cars and lighters and such like. The time travel elements were enmeshed beautifully and Gwen is a wonderfully, determined kickass heroine with a real backbone.
Fantastic stuff!
4 stars
Drustan is a wonderful hero and I very much enjoyed seeing him waking in the 21st century after sleeping for hundreds of years and experiencing cars and lighters and such like. The time travel elements were enmeshed beautifully and Gwen is a wonderfully, determined kickass heroine with a real backbone.
Fantastic stuff!
4 stars
September 19, 2011
I laughed. I cried. I will never look at the color purple the same way again. The ending surprised me. I wasn't expecting that. And let's just say I'm thrilled by it.
normally I read a series in order. With this one though, I started here since this is what was at my library(and it was the only one) I've been told it's ok to read it out of order. But, if the next book takes up from the letter that was left for Drustan and Gwen, I'll have to read it next. Anyone want to take pity on me and and me their copy of the next book? ;)
normally I read a series in order. With this one though, I started here since this is what was at my library(and it was the only one) I've been told it's ok to read it out of order. But, if the next book takes up from the letter that was left for Drustan and Gwen, I'll have to read it next. Anyone want to take pity on me and and me their copy of the next book? ;)
November 3, 2022
5 “cherry picker” stars!! 🍒
This book is my fave of the series so far! So many moments that made me lol, swoon and squirm in my seat. Damn you Drustan MacKeltar! I’m a huge Fever series fan so it was neat meeting the og MacKeltars and learning about their backstory.
Man I love the time travel, the history, magic, the story and the heatttt🥵. Like the “s*x scenes were something else!
All the freaking Feels!!!
This book is my fave of the series so far! So many moments that made me lol, swoon and squirm in my seat. Damn you Drustan MacKeltar! I’m a huge Fever series fan so it was neat meeting the og MacKeltars and learning about their backstory.
Man I love the time travel, the history, magic, the story and the heatttt🥵. Like the “s*x scenes were something else!
All the freaking Feels!!!
February 3, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
Twenty-five year old Gwen Cassidy is on a mission: To find her cherry picker.
On an impulsive trip to Scotland to find said cherry picker, Gwen encounters a “cherry three chopper-downer” in the form a hulking Highlander who is stubborn as a mule and from the 14th century. Lovely.
After a little mishap retrieving her pack, Gwen takes a tumble and lands upon Drustan MacKeltar, straddling the slumbering Highland laird who has been enchanted by a powerful spell five centuries ago. With sunlight and her blood, Gwen awakens Drustan only to find that he still believes he is in his century. With a vow to help this confused man, Gwen follows Drustan to the place where his castle once stood...only to find it gone. Using Drustan’s Druid powers and stones, he goes back in time, taking Gwen along with him. But when he miscalculates, they find themselves in a time further back before he was enchanted.
While I liked the beginning of the book, it wasn’t until the dressing room scene that things started rolling for me. It was in this pivotal moment that I came to love Drustan and Gwen together:
“What have you stuffed in your pants, MacKelter?” she demanded.
“Nothing that wasn’t God-given,” he replied stiffly.
Gwen stared. “There’s no way that’s part of you. You must have gotten a sock or something stuck. Oh, my.”
Karen Marie Moning incorporates witty dialogue with a sensual miasma of words that any romance reader can appreciate. She may be popular with her urban fantasy books, but I don’t know if they could compare to the raw, erotic nature of her Highlander books. She does romance very, very well. And this book is no exception!
Countless times Moning pulls something that alters her characters lives so much that when you finally reach the end, their happy ending is definitely worth the wait. Gwen and Drustan fall in love twice in this book and each time was better than the last.
Twenty-five year old Gwen Cassidy is on a mission: To find her cherry picker.
On an impulsive trip to Scotland to find said cherry picker, Gwen encounters a “cherry three chopper-downer” in the form a hulking Highlander who is stubborn as a mule and from the 14th century. Lovely.
After a little mishap retrieving her pack, Gwen takes a tumble and lands upon Drustan MacKeltar, straddling the slumbering Highland laird who has been enchanted by a powerful spell five centuries ago. With sunlight and her blood, Gwen awakens Drustan only to find that he still believes he is in his century. With a vow to help this confused man, Gwen follows Drustan to the place where his castle once stood...only to find it gone. Using Drustan’s Druid powers and stones, he goes back in time, taking Gwen along with him. But when he miscalculates, they find themselves in a time further back before he was enchanted.
While I liked the beginning of the book, it wasn’t until the dressing room scene that things started rolling for me. It was in this pivotal moment that I came to love Drustan and Gwen together:
“What have you stuffed in your pants, MacKelter?” she demanded.
“Nothing that wasn’t God-given,” he replied stiffly.
Gwen stared. “There’s no way that’s part of you. You must have gotten a sock or something stuck. Oh, my.”
Karen Marie Moning incorporates witty dialogue with a sensual miasma of words that any romance reader can appreciate. She may be popular with her urban fantasy books, but I don’t know if they could compare to the raw, erotic nature of her Highlander books. She does romance very, very well. And this book is no exception!
Countless times Moning pulls something that alters her characters lives so much that when you finally reach the end, their happy ending is definitely worth the wait. Gwen and Drustan fall in love twice in this book and each time was better than the last.
October 1, 2017
No pensaba que llegaría decir esto de una novela de esta escritora pero ha sido redonda, me ha encantado la historia, los personajes, la trama, sus giros, la fantasía, sus viajes en el tiempo, todo.
Una novela muy divertida, con diálogos inteligentes, con momentos hilarantes sobre todo al principio de la novela, con ese momentazo en la tienda con los vaqueros y momentos muy románticos porque esta novela habla del AMOR en mayúsculas. Tiene momentos muy sexy con mucha tensión sexual, pero también habla del amor fraternal entre padre e hijos y hermanos, de no rendirse aunque te lo pongan muy difícil, de ser tú mismo. Y ese final… madre mía que final más bonito. Me ha gustado el ritmo de la trama, ágil, sin momentos que haya decaído y esos giros que te deja KO.
Y lo mejor son los personajes princípiales, Gwen esa mujer fuerte, que no se rinde, luchadora, ingeniosa, inteligente y Drustan, si podemos hablar de un hombre sexy este ha de ser su rey, un hombre sumamente inteligente, fuerte, guapo pero a la vez inseguro por lo que le ha pasado y que debe de esconder su verdadera naturaleza. Y todos los secundarios, de los que destacaría a Silvan, el padre, ese hombre visionario y adelantado a su tiempo con ese aire de genio loco, me han encantado.
"Alla donde vas tú voy yo, dos llamas encendidas por la misma ascua; el tiempo vuela hacia delante y el tiempo vuela hacia atrás, donde quiera que estés, recuerda"
Una novela que se puede leer independiente sin tener que leerse los 3 anteriores, aunque ese final me ha matado y mataría a la autora porque he de comenzar el Highlander Oscuro ya.
Muy recomendable a las amantes de la novela romántica de viajes en el tiempo
Una novela muy divertida, con diálogos inteligentes, con momentos hilarantes sobre todo al principio de la novela, con ese momentazo en la tienda con los vaqueros y momentos muy románticos porque esta novela habla del AMOR en mayúsculas. Tiene momentos muy sexy con mucha tensión sexual, pero también habla del amor fraternal entre padre e hijos y hermanos, de no rendirse aunque te lo pongan muy difícil, de ser tú mismo. Y ese final… madre mía que final más bonito. Me ha gustado el ritmo de la trama, ágil, sin momentos que haya decaído y esos giros que te deja KO.
Y lo mejor son los personajes princípiales, Gwen esa mujer fuerte, que no se rinde, luchadora, ingeniosa, inteligente y Drustan, si podemos hablar de un hombre sexy este ha de ser su rey, un hombre sumamente inteligente, fuerte, guapo pero a la vez inseguro por lo que le ha pasado y que debe de esconder su verdadera naturaleza. Y todos los secundarios, de los que destacaría a Silvan, el padre, ese hombre visionario y adelantado a su tiempo con ese aire de genio loco, me han encantado.
"Alla donde vas tú voy yo, dos llamas encendidas por la misma ascua; el tiempo vuela hacia delante y el tiempo vuela hacia atrás, donde quiera que estés, recuerda"
Una novela que se puede leer independiente sin tener que leerse los 3 anteriores, aunque ese final me ha matado y mataría a la autora porque he de comenzar el Highlander Oscuro ya.
Muy recomendable a las amantes de la novela romántica de viajes en el tiempo
August 4, 2012
Durstan, a hot higlander that's as alpha as they come and loves unconditionally, meets his match with his heroine Gwen. She's smart and pushes all his buttons, both good and bad.
The story is well paced and has a touch of pnr element and time travel which I enjoyed. I also adored the supporting characters in this and found that they played a major part in balancing this great little love story.
This is a romantic and "feel good" read, that had me laughing out loud. It's a winner!
The story is well paced and has a touch of pnr element and time travel which I enjoyed. I also adored the supporting characters in this and found that they played a major part in balancing this great little love story.
This is a romantic and "feel good" read, that had me laughing out loud. It's a winner!
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