Oh for a book
and a shady nook...
"Every person who loves the written word has known a firefly moment. It is the moment at which a single word ignites a sentence or a perfect phrase illuminates a page. The writer who can successfully cultivate the firefly gift eventually will make it to the top. How do the writers bring it off? They look intensely at the world around them and they file away images that may come in handy someday. Go, now, and make fireflies of your own."
~ James Kilpatrick
LYNN KURLAND
Stardust of Yesterday
Review from Amazon:
When Genevieve inherits a castle, she isn't expecting the incredibly sexy 13th century knight that accompanies it. Unfortunately, he's a ghost, so fantasy is all Genevieve and Kendrick de Paiget are able to share until Kendrick actually becomes corporeal, and Genevieve has to overcome her fear of the flesh. Hardly your normal problem with a ghost!
A Garden in the Rain
Review from Amazon:
A trip to Scotland was supposed to be her honeymoon, but Madelyn Phillips was dumped before the wedding. Considering how obnoxious her fiance, Bentley, is, that is most likely one of the better things to happen. Still, she decides to take the trip, only to find that Bentley has arrived ahead of her and hijacked her room. He has also come to "generously" offer to take her back, despite the weight she has gained since his rejection. Madelyn is less than enthusiastic and refuses. However, Bentley is determined. Her flight to escape him will bring lead her to meet handsome Scottish lord, Patrick MacLeod on a windswept moor. He rescues her from Bentley and carries her home.
Patrick is unlike anything Madelyn has ever met, as well he should be. Patrick has traveled forward in time from ancient Scotland. Madelyn appears to be the woman he was destined to love, at least in the opinion of his resident ghosts. There are some obstacles though. The father of Patricks' first wife is out for his blood, and Bentley is still hanging around making a nuisance of himself. For her own safety, Patrick decides to send Madelyn home. She makes a detour first, to medieval Scotland. It is up to Patrick to rescue her from his clan's sworn enemies.
A Dance Through Time
Review from Amazon:
Elizabeth Smith got her happiness from the world of fiction. Writing romances, Elizabeth enjoys her life. When she first dreams of a fierce Scotland warrior, she is convinced she needs a vacation. In an attempt to clear her head, she takes a walk to a park nearby her house...and wakes up in fourteenth century Scotland. Realizing that she is stuck in 1311, Elizabeth tries to make the best of her situation, and soon finds herself falling in love with the Laird of the clan McLeod. Jamie McLeod followed his father's tradition in not allowing women in his keep. That changes when Elizabeth is found in the forest surrounding the keep. Believing her as a witch, Jamie banishes her to the dungeon and makes plans to burn her at the stake. Too late he looks through Elizabeth's things and realizes that she is from another time and not the witch he has dubbed her. The days that follow will bring a smile to the readers face. Jamie is endearingly sweet and at the same time fiercly masculine. Elizabeth was not put off by Jamie's gruff manner which will endear her to the reader.
This Is All I Ask
Review from Amazon:
Gillian has been tortured and abused by her father for most of her life. Now she believes that she is going into an even worse fate than what she had to endure. Gillian's father has sold her to Christopher, the Dragon of Blackmour, as a bride. Gillian has heard gruesome stories of Christopher's ruthlessness; his dabble into the black arts and the unspeakable crimes he's committed. What Gillian eventually learns is that most of what she's heard is false and that Christopher is just another damaged individual like her. His first wife's treachery has robbed Nicholas of his sight and his trust in loving a woman. Nevertheless, Christopher and Gillian grow to love one another, but the battle isn't over. Gillian's father is a relentless and formidable foe. He has planned for years to rob Christopher of his life and lands and nothing, absolutely nothing will stand in the way of his goal.
There are absolutely few words to describe just how beautiful a read this is. I have to say it's one of the best books I've ever read. The storyline pulsates with life, enigmatic and memorable characters that try to survive in the harsh and bitter reality in which they live. I have to say that this is one of the best Lynn Kurland books I have ever read.
The Very Thought of You
Review from Amazon:
Wealthy beyond measure but disillusioned and unfulfilled by his years as a corporate raider, Alex Smith definitely needs a change of scene. What he gets, however, is a change of time when an old pirate map and a gate to the past suddenly land him in the forests of medieval England at the feet of a strangely lovely armor-clad knightAa knight who eventually not only abducts him but turns out to be a woman. Lively, often funny, but brutally realistic, this well-written story pairs a defiant woman determined to defend her lands at all costs with a reluctant out-of-time hero who rises to the occasion, then gives them a cause to fight for and a love to live for and lets their actions drive the plot. Memorable, complex characters and a clean, fast-paced, yet descriptive writing style recommend this story, which has links to Kurland's A Dance Through Time.
The More I See You
Review from Amazon:
Jessica Blakely appears to have it all as composer-in-residence at a prestigious university. But what she really wants is a husband and family. On a trip to England, Jessica walks in an estate garden and wishes on a star for a "fair and gallant knight... a man to love me at least as much as he loves himself." Within moments fog rolls in, and when it lifts the garden is gone and she's swept up by an armored knight, narrowly escaping being trampled by a mounted hunting party. Richard of Burwyck-on-the-Sea hates having to be chivalrous, but as leaving the lovely woman isn't an option, he carries her home with him.
The fact that Jessica is far, far from Manhattan takes only a little while to sink in, as does the realization that this bold, brash knight is the man for her. But for Richard, whose own dreams of happiness were beaten out of him as a child, it takes a little longer to accept that Jessica is the mate that fate and time have sent him. But even if Jessica wants to stay in 1260 England with her battle-hardened knight, will the forces that drew her to him across time allow her to remain? And if Richard gives his wary heart into Jessica's keeping, can he be sure she won't carry it away with her into the future and leave him alone?
Kurland has a talent for mixing the pageantry of medieval England and the romance of knightly chivalry with the gritty reality of everyday life. Add a brooding hero and a feisty heroine, a plot that avoids cliches, and a unique voice from Kurland that's downright charming, and you have The More I See You.
JUDE DEVERAUX
Remembrance
Review from Amazon:
Hayden Lane becomes so obsessed with her fictional hero, James Tavistock, that she loses her fiance, her editor's favor and, increasingly, her sense of reality. After a visit to a psychic convinces Hayden that her troubles are due to past-life tragedies, she consults a hypnotist who transports her back to Edwardian England, when Hayden was Catherine Tavistock, Lady de Grey, and married to Adam Tavistock (the embodiment of the fictional James). Adam is about to divorce Catherine for alleged rampant infidelity, but in fact Catherine is still a virgin, with Adam unable to consummate their marriage. To get to the bottom of this problem, Catherine, whose body now contains Hadley's consciousness as well as her own, allows herself to be hypnotized back to Elizabethan times, where the tale unfolds of how earlier incarnations of Catherine/Hayden and Adam/James loved one another but betrayed that love. It is the curse of lost love and dashed happiness ensuing from these 16th-century events that Hayden/Catherine must now break in Catherine's era, changing history and allowing Hayden to find happiness and her real hero. The novel gets off to a shaky start as the author has her alter ego rattle on about the virtues of romance writers and the vices of the reviewers who fail to praise them, but once Hayden discovers her past lives, this is standard Deveraux-that is, a smart and savvy swoon of a yarn.
A Knight in Shining Armor
Review from Amazon:
In 1988 Douglass Montgomery is on holiday with her live-in boyfriend in England. After a huge fight with him and his daughter Douglass is left behind with no money or passport. In grief she goes to the nearby church and cries out that she wishes she had a knight in shining armor. Low and behold Nicholas Stafford, the earl of Thornwyck appears out of sixteenth century England. At first Douglass doesn't believe him that he's from the sixteenth century. She finds his way of dress strange, his talk ridiculous and the fact that he doesn't know what a car is or how to use the bathroom is outrageous! Well, eventually Nicholas wins over Douglass and the two are set to finding out who tried to set Nicholas up for treason in Elizabethian times. After finding no answers, Nicholas finally resigns himself that he will stay in the 20th century and that Douglass is the love of his life. As soon as the two fall in love, poof! Nicholas is gone back in time. Douglass is at a loss, especially since history has altered and Nicholas was beheaded for crimes he did not commit. She is determined to find the answers to clear his name. But as soon as she finds her answers she is wisked back in time to 1560 and finds herself at Nicholas's home, before he was an earl and everybody was happy, although Nicholas does not remember her. Douglass must win over Nicholas's trust to change history again, knowing that once it is changed she will be dragged back to the twentieth century. This story was wonderful! I highly recommend it to anyone, especially time travel lovers. I loved the way that Nicholas was so excited over little things we all take forgranted, such as can openers and vacuum machines. I also loved the interesting information that the readers learns of Elizabethian times.
JULIE GARWOOD
The Bride
Review from Amazon:
In "The Bride" an English girl is wed to a Scotsman whom is rumored to have killed his first wife, or at least drove her to suicide. Alec is strong, handsome, but fierce in both looks and manners. Jamie is the youngest of the Baron's daughters and is the bride that Alec chooses per orders of King of Scotland, and King Henry of England. He does not plan on falling in love with Jamie but sometimes life does not go according to plan. Jamie on the other hand is not afraid of her new husband, in fact she is quite the opposite to the surprise of many. With her gentle ways and forth right nature she sways the opinion of the Scots and they all come to care for her including her stubborn husband. This book offers, laughter, tears, romance, and yes, suspense. Who killed Alec's first wife, and why does that person want Jamie dead? The character's are colorful and you find yourself liking all of them. If you want a taste of what Ms. Garwood has done in the past, this book is for you.
Saving Grace
Review from Amazon:
In most books the shy heroine turns into a courageous woman in a few pages. Not here. Her's and his transformation is very subtle. That's the point. It sort of catches you by surprise. You can't expect a woman who has been physically abused into submission to become a warrior overnight and you can't expect a man to soften his stance rightaway either, so it takes most of the book. Johanna bungles her way trying to find her place amoung the people with a bit of humor and Gabriel remains steadfast against any changes and violations against his orders. Then all of a sudden things turn one by one. You can see how Johanna is gaining the trust of her people, even though she's an english woman married to a highlander larid. The chemistry is fantastic, but again not in the usual way. There's no complements or declarations of love through most of the book, but its obvious they love each other.
Ransom
Review from Amazon:
This is Brodrick and Ramsey's story. In this story the characters are wonderfully developed. The women are strong and are not weak little push overs. This is evident when Gillian's arm is treated, as well as when Birgid and Gillian foil the soldiers who just want a "little kiss" from them. In this story Gillian helps to save a little boy (I won't spoil it for you) while trying to solve a very old mystery about "Adrianna's Box", find her sister and keep her Uncle safe as well as herself. Enter the highlanders - Alec, Brodrick and Ramsey who are uniquely drawn into the story. They are all lairds of their own land now and it is interesting how JG shows that they are all still good friends even though they are very different and their "ruling" style is very different. I don't want to say to much about this but there is romance, lots of laughter, courage, humor (if the little boy had said "You know what" once more I think everyone would have had to throttle him)and love woven in around the fierceness of the situation...
Castles
Review from Amazon:
Princess Alesandra's father and mother married for love. Her father gave up his title and position for her mother. Then he dies when Alesandra is really young. Alesandra and her mother go to live at a convent where her mother is taken ill and soon dies as well.
Alesandra grows up in the convent where she is looked at as a trouble maker. She means well. Things just tend to get a little out of hand when she is involved. Then her home country wants her to rule. There is a General after her to make her his wife so that he can gain power over her country.
A long ago friend of her fathers steps in to take guardianship of Alesandra and to help her find a husband. Her guardian soon falls ill, along with the rest of the family so she is sent to stay with his son, Colin until everyone is well.
Alesandra is a fun character who is dying to marry for love, but is being forced to marry for necessity. Colin is a man who doesn't want to marry until his 5 year plan of success is complete.Soon, they are married... :)
Colin is a man with some issues physically as well as mentally. Alesandra is someone who craves love.
I liked the characters very much. Thought they were well suited to each other and enjoyed Colin and the way he finds humor in his wifes antics. He is the typical 1800's male, he has definite ideas as to a womans place. But he is also very caring and tender with his wife.
The Butler in this book is great. He practically worships the Princess.
KATIE MACALISTER
Men in Kilts
Review from Amazon:
Mystery writer Kathie Williams firmly believes in rules when it comes to romance, and falling in love at first glance is not one of them. Yet somehow one look at Iain MacLaren and Kathie forgets the conference she's attending to dream up ways to seduce the dishy Scotsman. She accepts a surprise dinner invitation from Iain, which leads to a much more intimate kind of evening than she ever could have imagined. Throwing caution to the wind, Kathie agrees to spend the rest of her vacation with him on his sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands, but any hope of a long-term relationship with her laconic lover means dealing with his assorted relatives and neighbors, a scheming ex-paramour who is not about to let Iain slip through her clutches, and Iain's career, which involves letting adorable lambs become someone's entree. With its wickedly witty writing, wonderfully snappy dialogue, and uniquely amusing characters, MacAlister's latest is perfect for any reader seeking a deliciously sexy yet also subtly sweet contemporary romance.
KINLEY MACGREGOR
Born in Sin
Review from Amazon:
Typically, this author's stories are fast and funny, but this book is more bittersweet, sad and a bit slower paced. That's not to say that there is no humor here - Sin displays his trademark sarcasm and then there's Simon who's perpetually cheerful and mischievous. But this is a story of a man who has lead a tragic life bereft of love, companionship, compassion and exposed to cruelty, pain and death - and often death has occurred by his own hand. He is not proud of the things he's done, but he did them in order to survive. And until he met Caledonia MacNeely, he never really cared what anyone thought of him. But she's different. First, she's not afraid of him, but more importantly, she's not repelled by him and seems to almost like him as incredulous as that seems to Sin MacAllister. Which is a good thing since King Henry wants them to marry in order to bring her clan under his control. Though neither is thrilled about the marriage, both see no way out. Sin figures on bringing the rebels in her clan to justice then annulling the marriage - for surely she will not want to stay married to a man like him. Though he finds himself wishing he could be the kind of man she deserves. She's so warm and sweet and determined to look past his reputation and deeds and see him as no one else does. Too bad she won't accept that he has no heart, no soul. Meanwhile, Callie sees the marriage as her fate and the way to bring peace to her people. And staying married to him seems less of a sacrifice the more she gets to know him. Not only is he handsome (as, well . . . sin!) he is ever kind and considerate of her and he has a warm and playful side that no one else ever sees. She is aware of his plan to leave, but is determined to prove to him that he is capable and worthy of love. That she loves him and that maybe he could love her, too - if he would let himself. She's in for a frustrating fight, but she's more than up to the challenge!
Click below for more books:
The OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon
The HIGHLANDER series by Karen Marie Moning
Interviews of Karen Marie Moning
An interview with Dageus (Highlander series)
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
