price：$7.99
Berkley
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Do NOT compare to another author) 『OK. I just spent about an hour reading all of the reviews of this book. While I agree that it isn't the best Kurland has written, it is still a GREAT read.
For those complaints about not being like Diana Gabaldon, who is?!? She is one of the best authors out there. She is also a historian, unlike Lynn Kurland. It is Amazon or other sites that say you MAY (note they don't say you WILL) like this if you like that.
For those complaints about a lack of sex, go to the erotic selections and avoid Lynn Kurland. Her best asset is being able to tell a story without 3 consecutive chapters of sex. If she were a Virginia Henley and she had as little sex as she does, I could understand the complaint. At least I can borrow this to my 16 year old niece without having to worry that she will read something she may not need to know yet.
Lynn Kurland has never said her stories are historically accurate - I am pretty sure this is why it is classified as romance/fiction. While I realize Diana Gabaldon is classified this way also, she makes note that she purposely wrote a lot of historic detail.
I absolutely LOVE how Lynn takes family characters and gives them their own stories. You have met them in previous books and now they have their own stories. These books are FUN, not full of historical fact or sex.』
(Just as good as the first one...) 『A DANCE THROUGH TIME was as good as the first book in the series. I LOVED the story of James Macleod and Elizabeth Smith. I think the best part of the book for me was when Jamie came forward in time and his reaction to the Twentieth century. For me the book wasn't long enough. I would have loved to read MORE.
Kurland is fast becoming another of my favorite authors as I now want to read all her books in the series.』
(THIS BOOK IS NO "OUTLANDER"...) 『I highly enjoy time travel fantasy books and, having loved Diana Gabaldon's book, "Outlander", I naturally gravitated to this one. Unfortunately, this book is no "Outlander". It is just a pretty silly tale that is sorely lacking on many levels.
In this book, our silly, insipid heroine, Elizabeth Smith, goes back in time from the late twentieth century to early fourteenth century Scotland, where she meets James McLeod, an oafish, but handsome, Scottish laird who lives in filthy squalor with his men in a remote castle keep. After a few skirmishes, these two people from totally different worlds fall in love as expected and proceed to have a number of adventures in both his and her time.
Unfortunately, the characters are one dimensional, and the plot is so contrived as to be totally unbelievable. The writing is pedestrian at best, with dialogue that is hackneyed and trite. Notwithstanding its limitations, those readers who enjoy time travel romance books may get a modicum of enjoyment from this novel. I, however, did not.』
(Lynn Kurland Review) 『Lynn Kurland is an amazing author! I really enjoy reading her novels. I love the time travelling and all the family connections. If you're wanting to read romance, I definately recommend her. Jamie's story was so great to read :o) A Dance Through Time (Time Passages Romance)』
(great read!) 『just finished this book and have to say i loved it! i have read several of her time travel books and wish i had started with this one. loved the characters. good job lynn!』 『Romance writer Elizabeth Smith falls asleep in Central Park, New York City, in 1996, only to awaken in fourteenth-century Scotland, where she finds herself in the arms of her dream man, powerful Scottish laird James MacLeod.』 『"Come to me." The haunting voice of Scottish laird James McLeod summons writer Elizabeth Smith through time to 1311 Scotland. James forbids women at his keep. So he is rather surprised when Elizabeth is deposited in his care, though care isn't what he gives her when they first meet. Lynn Kurland excited readers with her memorable debut novel, Stardust of Yesterday, and her talents shine through again in this delightful time-travel tale of adventure and love.』
price：$6.99
Love Spell
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Humorous Romp Through Time) 『This is a very humorous time traveling romp from the very modern New York hair stylist's not so wonderful divorced life, to the sexy lair of a 1542 Scotsman. This is a historical time travel like none I have ever encountered. It is different because the author does not waste time trying to develop a good explanation for the time travel nor the fact that a working cell phone in 1542 plays a very humorous part in the story. The reader is simply asked to go along for the ride and if you can suspend your disbelief the author, Nina Bangs, does deliver a "bang" for your buck! (I apologize for the last statement, I couldn't resist).
This is the first book by Nina Bangs that I have read. This was an early book of hers, and almost all of her books appear to have paranormal aspects. This is why there is no attempt at a more "scientific" explanation for the time travel. Her later books, from what I have read, are more about vampires and ware wolfs with a twist, I am looking forward to trying them too.
I enjoyed this book and plan to read more of her work. I liked the sexual tension that the author builds skillfully, and the characters, though eccentric were endearing. Peter, a talking toy robot, the source of Kathy of Hair's time travel, is both humorous and not a little creepy. The cell phone exchanges between Kathy's hardened New York divorce attorney and the Neanderthal brother of the Pleasure master were laugh out loud (enabling me to forget the obvious problem I would normally have with a working cell phone in the highlands of Scotland, much less the 16th century).
I would have liked to see more description of Scotland and the political aspects of the time. More details on how a modern women would deal with the inconveniences during that time period would have been interesting, and yes slightly more sex (there is not as much as the cover would have you believe). Perhaps to add to the books many humorous movie quotes "a little less talk and a little more action".
Still I would recommend this book to a person wanting to spend a rainy afternoon with a good read. If you like Scotsman, sexual tension, and time travel, do what I did, lie back and let the Pleasure Master have its way with you. 』
(Cute, but...) 『Bought the book when I saw the cover...interesting. The story was OK and I enjoyed it once I got into it, but there were so many unbelievable things that wouldn't really happen in time travel, like Kathy's phone working in 1542. Kathy appeared a little ditsy in the first part of the book. Loved the way Peter would always use movie quotes throughout the story and Ian's cat was an interesting character. The biggest disappointment to me was the ending...felt like it was a cop-out. It left me hanging on what happened to Ian. The author should have gone into detail about what Ian experienced at the end.』
(i want my money back.....) 『this book is a complete waste of money, though not too much time, as i only read the first 60 pages when i finally dumped it. if you are not a teenager, save your money. the story is so stupid, it reminds me of reading a kid's short story. i love time travel, but there is a lot of garbage out there, and this tops the list. unbelievable characters with no depth, the cell phone works in the year 1542, and the hero is supposed to be a sex expert who's sole job is pleasing all women? gag me with a spoon. this should come with suggested reading ages.』
(Review Pleasure Master) 『It was an enjoyable book. I've liked some of Nina Bangs other books better. The time travel element was greatly entertaining and wouldn't you just know, Ganymeade has a part in it.』
(One of the funniest time travel romances!!!) 『It's been a while since I read this novel, but it has stuck in my mind. Loved the plot, loved the characters, and loved the fact that somehow Bangs made me believe in the fact that even though the heroine traveled back in time, she could still use her cell phone. If you love timetravel romances, this is one that you should not pass up.』 『A very special man is now available.
The Pleasure Master. A man who knows the secrets of a woman's body, who can bring her sensual joy and fulfill her deepest sexual fantasies. Is there a woman alive who wouldn't want to meet him?
Check New York hairdresser Kathy Bartlett off your list. She has enough problems with a rotten ex-husband and a car that's stranded her. Men and cars. Both overheat at the wrong time. She needs a vacation somewhere warm and peaceful, with only subservient males.
Whoever is in charge of wish fulfillment doesn't listen well, because Kathy is suddenly flung back to 1542 Scotland. It's cold, definitely not peaceful, with nary a subservient male in sight. There's only Ian Ross, the Pleasure Master.
Ian's brothers demand that he prove his sexual power by seducing a woman no other man can seduce. Who better than Kathy? She has nothing but contempt for Ian Ross, and as Ian's brothers have discovered, any attempt to woo the lass could put a man's most precious body parts in grievous danger.
Ian accepts the challenge, confident he can seduce any woman, then leave her with his emotions untouched. Kathy remains determined to resist the explosive attraction she feels for Ian. Love won't be denied, but time is an impatient enemy.』
price：$7.99
Pocket
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (The bad writing is the only thing that makes this worth anything at all) 『Why would that be? Because the book provides wonderfully terrible quotes for the blog my husband and I write. Otherwise, this book is little more than a waste of paper. Seriously, am I the *only* one who sees this for what it is: A TSTL (too stupid to live) heroine, a weepy hero, and some really bad "contemporary" references?
I bought this book used (thank goodness!) at a thrift store, and though it seemed familiar, I figured it was because it was a fairly common plot. Once I started reading it, however, I realized that I'd read it before, many years ago. It says a lot that I tried so desperately to put it from my mind. I had only picked it up this time because I heard so frequently that this was a great author and that I really must read her. Well, hoo-boy, I've given her a chance, and now I must suffer the consequences.
Phoebe Turlow is a woman from the very "advanced" and "technological" time of 1996. She's orphaned. She's divorced. Even her dog leaves her. She lost her job. Life is terrible (ie there's nothing "for her" in her own time). So what do you do then?? Naturally you'd take a "free" vacation to look at some condos, right? I know that's what I would do. On Paradise Island (which is part of the US, "rather like Puerto Rico", according to the book) she takes an elevator and for some reason is transported back in time. To 1780, the time of the legendary "pirate patriot" Duncan Roarke. Duncan is a wanted man, a traitor to the crown for fighting with the colonies against the British Monarchy. He's from a plantation (though they didn't own slaves, of course), but his family are Tories, so he is on the outs with them.
Duncan's the tough as nails pirate. Take no prisoners and all that. Except that Phoebe and her psychobabble are enough to bring him to tears. On *several* occasions. Look, I like a sensitive man as much as the next, but given how weepy Phoebe was it seems a darn shame that Duncan was not far behind her.
Naturally there's "Old Woman" who knows magic and knew Phoebe was coming and new to have clothes ready for her, and knows what Phoebe's first child will be named. But doesn't, of course, think to warn her about things that get people seriously hurt and/or killed. You're not supposed to say Old Woman's name (makes "big magic" happen) -- but naturally she tells Phoebe. The person who can't, for the life of her, keep her mouth shut, even when it means people might die because of it, including Duncan (and his family!).
I swear, Phoebe is THE worst heroine ever. She is weepy, obnoxious, whiny, and full of psychobabble and stupid "americanisms". She references Kathy Lee Gifford! Does the author really believe that things like that have enough lasting power to hold up? The Kathy Lee reference didn't make it 5 years, let alone 14 or more.
Aside from all of the problems with the characters, the writing leaves much to be desired. MUCH to be desired. Not just for the horrible quotes (in my blog, people -- check my profile page). Here are *some* I'll tell you, though...
"Then he bent to her, as though he were thirsty and she were a cool, pure spring." Okay, couldn't just say he bent to her? "Duncan rose, beaming as if he'd just plucked a thistle from the paw of a lioness, and perhaps he had." Couldn't just say that he was smiling? Have to give it some strange parallel? "You are so beautifl, like a statue carved to celebrate some sensuous deity." Do we have a lack of adjectives that everything must be some weird and random description? "I'm rotting, from the soul out, like a piece of fruit fallen from the branch." Fruit have souls? "But one small woman held his heart, his very being, in her hands, and had he power to crush him like a clod of dry dirt." or "Duncan was as uncommunicative as ever, gone all day and hammering at the harpsichord half the night, like Zeus flinging thrunderbolts from his fingertips." or "Duncan lowered his sword in time to turn and see the Francesca tumbling beneath the water's surface like a whale turning up its belly." These sentences would be *much* better without the desperate attempts at metaphors. And trust me when I say these are much less interesting than others -- but I'm saving the others.
Someone must teach this author restraint. To restrain her impulse to make everything into a metaphor. To resist the impulse to make every aspect of the story read like a soap opera. The strength to back away when she's getting ready to add one more "contemporary" reference. Restraint in almost everything, to be honest.
I am unable to comprehend how this could receive such high ratings. Were people REALLY reading the same book I was? Or were they reading something completely different and better? If so, can I get that book instead?』
(Fun story) 『It may be a little far fetched but it is a very enjoyable read and a lot of fun. I would love to see more stories like this one. You can't help but love Phoebe and Duncan. I highly recommend this book. Especially if you want an easy romance... you won't be able to put it down.』
(Imaginative and Original!) 『This is an imaginative tale that is masterfully written. The characters and lovable, and orginal as is the story itself. Ms. Miller managed to create an amazing bond between two people in a very short time.
Phoebe is mysteriously tranported back into a time of pirates through a magical elevator that servered as a gateway. On the other side she meats Duncan who for all his brashnes turns out to be the man of Phoebe's dreams. The story follows them through many twists and turns taking the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride.
Ms. Miller has made even the most unlikely of events seem to be real. This is a book that you will be glad you read.』
(Pirates) 『I read this book in one day. And I fell in love with Duncan. This was one of the best books I have ever read. I reccomend this to anyone who wants a break from everyday life to live in a fantasy. You'll love it, I promise.』
(I Couldn't Put It Down!) 『I really enjoy books on time-travel. This book was the best yet. I was really upset when I was done. Not because it was bad, but because I wanted more! I finished it in two day while telling my kids "uh huh" and "yeah" and having absolutely no idea what they were talking about. It was just an excellent book. I felt like I really knew the characters and I would love to see Linda write a sequel.』 『
Now Linda Lael Miller sweeps readers away -- and through times itself -- when a thoroughly modern woman encounters a dangerous, dashing eighteenth-century buccaneer is a sensuous, joyous, utterly hearwarming tale of love....
Phoebe Turlow needs to get out of Seattle and forget about the man she just divorced, her dwindling finances, and the lonely nights that stretch ahead of her. But she can't foresee what awaits her on Paradise lsland....
Duncan Rourke is known to historians as "the pirate patriot." He's been dead for two centuries -- or at least he's supposed to be, until Phoebe Turlow steps out of a van, into a run-down island hotel, and into his world.
Neither Phoebe nor her pirate can envision the glorious venture that is about to unfold. They understand only that they have found each other, and a grand passion across the chasm of time...and they fear only the moment when it may vanish. Passionate, emotional, and completely entrancing,Pirateswill steal your heart.』
price：$29.95
Thorndike Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Hot!) 『This was another great part of the Seals&Viking series by Sandra Hill. I can't wait for more.』
(Didn't care for this one.) 『This is a continuation of the Magnusson family series. The Magnusson's have time traveled to the 21st century from the 1100's. I mostly enjoyed the other books. A. This is getting old. Stay in one century already. B. The terms that are used both by the SEALS when trying to talk to the 12th century women and by the women when talking to the SEAL's. EX: Torolf to Tilda is talking about "sexual attraction" and she understands what he means. Another:" You invite me for a night of swiving." There were some definitions in the very back of the book but who wants to keep stopping to look them up? C. Hilda was a screechy, obnoxious person in both centuries much like Madrene in "Hot and Heavy". I was sick to death of her constant insults to Zorolf: "loathsome lout" (this one we heard so often I was ready to scream), "lackwit", "filthy, untrustworthy, uncaring maggot of a man." She was always telling Zorolf that there would be no more "tupping" then the next thing you know they were having sex. D. How attractive could these women be? They didn't bathe regularly, their clothes weren't particularly clean, they worked with sheep and I'm assuming they didn't shave their legs or their armpits. It's hard to believe not just one, but five 21st century men would want to be in very close quarters with them.
It looks like the next book will be more of the same so I'll pass.
』
(Fun and sexy) 『This is a good, fun read although could of done with better editing. This book would of got 5 stars except knowing what the characters think was too annoying, there was too much on thought and not enough dialogue. If you can overlook this, I thought the plot was very original with a few spicy sex scenes.』
(My new Sandra Hill favorite. Fantasy and naughty fun with heart, loved it!) 『I love Sandra Hill books as they are always funny, steamy and most often includes a romance that is surprisingly real despite the far-fetched plot of her books. Rough and Ready is a great example of her writing at its best. I described this book to my husband as if a mans fantasy sex story is written from a comedy point of view, and toss in a romance that melts the heart (as well as the bones!) This story was laugh-out-loud funny, very hot (OMG steaming fun scenes!), and it had a lot of heart. I was really ruiting for this couple, and felt they got a perfect story. If you can deal with the unbelievable, i.e. time-travel and other farces, and enjoy a good dose of naughty humor, Sandra Hill is your author to read.』
(Good, but her math is fuzzy) 『Her main character she says is 31. She says he came at 15 to through time the first time, and then she says later that he came back originally traveled in time ten years ago. My math says he should have traveled back 16 years ago....But other than the math, the story was good. Not her best. I agree with some of the others that the characters were a little weak. Hilda was not her strongest female character. She had potential that just wasn't as fully developed as some of her other females. But it was a good light read. Recommend for fans of Sandra Hill.』 『Lt. Torolf Magnusson and his team of Navy SEALs have gone back in time to eleventh-century Norselands on a search-and-destroy mission, but when they find they've landed in the middle of a sanctuary-filled with women-well, hoo-yah! Their plans are put on hold, much to the distress of Hilda, the head of the sanctuary. At first resistant to Torolf's pursuits, she soon succumbs to his passionate advances. But with victory in sight for Torolf, Hilda must face the fact that their love may not survive the test of time.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Overlong, but sure to entertain Heather Graham fans) 『At times, I suspect I'm the only guy who will pick up and read a Heather Graham novel. I'm an obsessive mystery fan, and her books loosely qualify as mysteries although she centers on the romantic relationship between leading characters.I try to be fair and rate her books through the eyes of her fans, so I overlook much of the predictability and formulaic writing. That said, I doubt that even her fans will be crazy over this one. It does seem way too long for the substance. And there are signs of hasty writing not usually that obvious in her books. One "red herring" scene that casts suspicion on a couple of characters is never explained. Other red herrings are rather lame.The author's fans won't likely find this a bad book, but it is one of her obviously lesser efforts.』
(Another great from Heather Graham) 『I read this as I have all her books. I found it to keep my attenion easy. Her early books, I still think are the best, but this author knows how to get your attention and keep you in suspense until the end.』
(Interesting but not quite enough.) 『Toni and her friends from the states, married couple Gina and Ryan, and partners Kevin and David, have visited Scotland a few times and love the land. When the opportunity arose, finding a listing for a run-down castle up for rent with option to buy, the 5, along with Toni's scottish cousin, Thayer, decided to pool their savings together, buy the castle, fix it up and run tourist tours, using local history, to reenact the scenes from the past - what Toni made up in her head.
Scary part of that: what Toni created from fiction is too close to the truth, for the owner of the castle, Laird Bruce MacNiall, last known descendent of the MacNiall's, has returned to find his castle overrun by Americans. Now both sides are angry; Bruce for finding people in his castle with legal documents that seem legit, and the group, having been duped. Feared they will be kicked to the curb, Bruce allays their fears in allowing them to stay, at least for six months, working their tours to recoup as much of their losses as possible.
Meanwhile, someone is murdering prostitutes and dumping them in Tillingham forest, which borders MacNaill Castle. Bruce had stumbled upon the first body. Eban, the hired man who sees to the horses and care of the grounds, had stumbled upon the second. When Toni stumbles upon a third body, the first thought is the remains belong to Annie O'Hara, the third girl that has gone missing. However, the body is too well preserved; mummified by the clay and muck the body had been buried in. With DNA testing, the body is confirmed that of Annalise MacNiall, wife of the late Laird. While Annalise had simply disappeared in the history of the castle, rumors ran amok that it had been the Laird that had murdered his wife, believing she had betrayed him. But the tattered cloth found around her neck bears the markings of Grayson Davis, the traitor to the highland people.
With one mystery solved, there are still two more; fraud and murder. But who committed the crimes? And why?
** SPOILER ALERT ** DO NOT CONTINUE READING IF YOU INTEND TO READ THE BOOK **
When Bruce first returns to the castle, the animosity between him and Toni is so thick you can feel it. Bruce believes that Toni's not telling the truth, Toni can't believe that Bruce is the Laird, the actual owner of the castle. What I wasn't happy with was the way Toni "jumped" him after seeing the ghost of the original Laird, standing at the foot of her bed, his sword dripping blood. She wants to feel alive and whole, and that's why she jumped him? And just about every time they fool around, it's for that same reason. Near the end of the story, he believes she's seeing things that aren't real, just dreams, all her imagination, when she admits to what she's seen. He can't believe in it, and yet, a decade before, as a cop, he'd been able to track down a murdering husband and wife team and solve a case, somehow by getting into the killer's mind. Not wanting to remember it, he doesn't want to believe Toni, which pressed on my nerves. How they can confess they love each other at the end of the story made me angry, for they had nothing to base that love on, as far as I was concerned. Attraction, yes. Love, no. The only real time they spent together was in bed and every discussion turned into a fight, one not believing the other. And they fell in love in there somewhere? I certainly didn't feel it.
I was surprised to find out that the killer murdering prostitutes was the same person who committed the fraud. I knew who the murderer was, but for the one who committed fraud, I was wrong. The why of it is the usual; jealousy, envy, the killer twisting his beliefs to fit his reasons for revenge.
I do believe, however, that there was too much going on in this story, too many different routes. The historical part of it, I loved. It was like a side benefit, and I loved how the author brought you into the past so that you could see what happened.
I was annoyed by one aspect, however. When Toni was nine, she was able to see things, murders, with details that no one knows but the police. After being badgered and interrogated, Toni had collapsed, shutting down her mind. When she awoke, she'd managed to supress the dreams, the visions, and although she's having visions of the past Laird, seeing his ghost in the castle, in the forest, she's having none of the current murders. And yet, it's believed she's a medium, specifically? She'd met Adam Harrison of Harrison Investigations when she was a child; he'd left his card and told her to call anytime she needed him. She did, only was unable to talk to him. Instead she gets Darcy, who, along with her husband Matt, make an appearance in Scotland, after being asked not to, and to me, I don't know why they were even brought into the story. A talk with Adam would have sufficed. No matter what was discussed between Darcy and Toni, or what Darcy said to Bruce, it really didn't have an impact on the story whatsoever, like a `filler' that didn't have to be added to the story - wasted space.
I liked the story, but no more than that. I felt disconnected from this one; too much going on, not enough context. If you haven't read Heather Graham before, don't start with this one.』
(Fantastic) 『Wanna spend the afternoon with a good mystery? If so, you gotta read THE PRESENCE. Toni Fraser and a group of friends have rented a Scottish Castle and are giving skitted tours, featuring the ancestral owner. Toni believes she has created the tale but when the descendant of her play arrives, she is made aware that her ghost story is factual on many levels.
This is my first experience with Heather Graham's writing and I loved her book. Her writing style is easy to follow, she paints the scene with a skilled hand, and her characters are fantastic. She also weaves subplots and red herrings throughout her story that will keep you guessing until the end.
Although it took me a while to keep all of the characters straight, I was drawn in immediately to the story and found it difficult to stop turning the pages. THE PRESENCE has made me a fan of Ms Graham's work, and I will look for more of her books.
CarolASpradling.com author』
(Interesting Concept) 『Heather Graham has embarked on a series that touch on the supernatural. In THE PRESENCE she continues with this subject and creates an interesting but somewhat predictable tale.
Toni Fraser and her friends rent a rundown castle to house their shows. They reenact the history of a local laird and Toni thinks she's created a story that turns out to be true. Seems the original laird was rumored to have strangled his wife in a fit of rage while his enemy was approaching the castle centuries ago. When the real life current laird shows up during one of their performances, life changes drastically for the group.
Toni and Laird Bruce McNaill hit it off after a stormy introduction and romance is soon a focal point of the story. Mixed in is the fact that Toni is a medium and sees the old laird who is determined to get her to understand something with which only she can help. Added to the history aspect of the story, a serial killer is on the loose and disposing of the bodies of young prostitutes in the forest surrounding the castle. If that weren't enough subplots, add to them the fact that Bruce McNaill did not rent out his castle, seems the American group was fraudulently leased his castle. A few too many subplots make it at times confusing as to the main theme of the story.
Character development is very good, although the sub-characters appear to be a bit less detailed which in the end leads the reader to wonder as to the identity of the villain. Actually if you're a mystery buff, you'll not be fooled with the red herrings and will only wonder if you're wrong for a very short time. The clues thrown in to mislead you are so obvious they are easily tossed out as not being feasible.
Toni and Bruce were both well developed and enjoyable. The others were a bit of a mystery. Gina and Ryan, husband and wife team, were given a scant description but not much else. David and Kevin, the gay couple of the book, were described in a bit more detail but also not well developed. Thayer, the Scottish cousin of Toni, was the least developed of all. Other characters who remained vague were Jonathan, the town constable, as well as Eban, a caretaker of the castle. It would have been so much more enjoyable if more information had been given on these characters.
One of the biggest disappointments in the story is the bouncing from subplot to subplot. Just when I was focused on the history of the castle and wanting to figure out what the old laird was trying to tell Toni, I was tossed back to the murders or the fraud aspect of the story. It was a bit disconcerting.
Overall the story was enjoyable even if Graham can't seem to shake her early romance foundation. The mystery portion was lacking but did keep you entertained. It was a better than average story with enough variety to keep most readers enthralled until the end. 』 『A New York Times Bestselling Author
Toni Fraser and her friends buy an ancient run-down Scottish castle with plans to turn it into a tourist destination. They want to create a reenactment that combines fact and fiction, complete with local history, murder and an imaginary laird named Bruce MacNiall. But when the actual owner - a tall, dark and formidable Scot who shares the fiction laird's name - comes charging in, the similarity between this actual being and the fictitious character created for the performance is shocking. Soon the group is drawn into a real-life murder mystery, and Toni begins to have sinister lifelike dreams in which she sees through the eyes of the killer - dreams that suggest a connection to Laird MacNiall. Bruce claims he wants to help catch the murderer. But can Toni trust him . . . especially when his ghostly double wanders the forest in the black of night?』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Disappointing Book from one of the Best in Romance) 『First off, I love Jude Deveraux. I've read about a dozen of her books. Most of them are wonderful; the characters are interesting and easy to identify with. I would recommend her books to anyone, especially the ones featuring the Montgomery family.
Secondly, I love time-travel romances. I've read several ones by many different authors; Lynn Kurland is by far the best at it.
Thirdly, I read the bad reviews of this book and the good reviews. I choose to ignore the bad ones. DON'T! I did and here I am writing a negative review. I've never written one before, but I felt compelled.
Deveraux's period pieces are wonderful. There is no doubt about it. But with her time-travel novels she seems to feel the urge to have the heroine meet and fall in love with a hero, usually from a different time, lose him, and then meet his reincarnation. It always lets me down. I want the heroine to end up with the man she falls in love with (and the man I grew to like). In A Knight in Shining Armor, I could deal with this. The reincarnation only appears in the last chapter, and the rest of the novel is full of the rich passion Deveraux is known for.
Remembrance is a train-wreck. The reader is first introduced to Hayden, who has potential. She's a little rough around the edges, but her wit made me give her a chance to love her. Except I was never given the chance. Less than 100 pages in she is transported into the body of Catherine, her former self. Catherine lives in Edwardian England, and is in love with her husband, Adam, who cannot consummate their marriage because of some curse that makes him impotent. Deveraux still had me here. I was anticipating Catherine and Adam's search for the cure for the curse. Except then Hayden/Catherine is abruptly taken to the time of her birth, centuries before, in Elizabethan times.
This is where the novel derails. Deveraux builds a complicated plot without likeable characters and with little direction. Callie (Hayden's Elizabethan self) is bland and boring, and Talis (Adam's past self) is obnoxious and unlikeable. Nothing about the book is compelling. Their romance is strange and oddly disturbing. Eventually the novel returns to Edwardian England, only to disappoint again. In the last few chapters Hayden meets her man, and then it ends. The reader is given no time to connect with Hayden or her soul-mate. The constant time jumping and personality jumping makes it impossible. Most of the book in spent with Callie and Talis, who are by far the least likable incarnations.
I kept I telling myself I would eventually find myself enchanted. I stuck it out for more than half the book. I even took a long bath so I HAD to keep on reading it. I gave up in the tub. I have read some particularly terrible romance novels in my time, but I usually managed to force myself to finish them because I felt like I had already put the time and effort in. This book was simply not worth slogging through anymore. If I did not know any better, I would have thought someone else wrote this. It does not read like Deveraux.
Don't spend the time with this book. Pick up the Montgomery Quartet (Velvet Promise, Highland Velvet, Velvet Song, and Velvet Angel). They are wonderful, especially the Velvet Promise. If you really want to read a time-travel romance, pick up Lynn Kurland. The heroines travel back in time, but end up with the man they fall in love with, not a modern version of him.』
(Great blend of stories) 『This is a fantastic read. The blending of tales is poignant and touching, making the reader really consider the prospect of how they treat others in life, and the reality in 'what comes full circle'. Ms. Deveraux provides a wonderful first person and third person read to this enchanting story, which reads more like a fairytale of old』
(Page turner) 『This is a fun romance novel that takes you thriugh time to meet a pair of soul mates. A good light hearted read!』
(Remember for all time) 『I loved this book. The beginning keeps you captured through the very end. You cant start it and expect to get anything done during the day. I was glued. A true love story. Love will find you. Wow, Jude Deveraux, you sure do know how to write a book. Thank you.』
(Excellent middle--Couldn't relate to the modern day protagonist) 『I agree with the reviewer who wrote "Broken Record". The "third" love story is truly the center of this novel, and is lovely and heartwrenching. For this alone, I would rate this novel a 5. Perhaps I prefer the writing in third person. However, I couldn't relate to the protagonist of the story in general--a self-oriented, not very romantic almost 40 yo who writes in first person. I should have ended the book at the end of the story about Talis and Callie. I had very little interest in whether the protagonist meets the love of her life. I think this novel may have been appealing to me if the hardened protagonist softened. She could have shown "indomitable will" but less selfish determination to "wait" for her man. And I just didn't find their finding each other that interesting either... If anyone could point out other Jude Devereux writing that is more similar to her writings of Callie and Talis, I would definitely read those. Her writing is lovely during that portion.』 『
Bestselling romance writer Hayden Lane has never been so obsessed with one of her heroes before -- so obsessed that she barely notices when her fiancé breaks off their engagement. Desperate to discover more abouthim,she visits a psychic, who tells her that in a past life in Edwardian England, Hayden was a woman named Lady de Grey. Hayden is intrigued. And when she learns that Lady de Grey was a promiscuous woman who mysteriously disappeared one night, and that her ghost is said to haunt her husband's home, Hayden is spellbound. Although the psychic warns her not to investigate further, Haydenmustknow more. When she meets a hypnotist at a dinner party, she can't resist volunteering. But his trick goes wrong, and instead of merely remembering her lifetime as Lady de Grey, Hayden is whisked back to Edwardian times. The moment she awakens, she faints, due to the unfamiliar sensation of Lady de Grey's extremely tight corset. But soon Hayden will awaken again, to discover quite a different story about a woman history considered a trollop, a spectacular, brooding man...and the rapturous love that would be hers if she dared open her heart to the most mysterious adventure of all....』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Wow-best romance I've read in a while!) 『I just recently discovered Ms. McNaught's books; I've been looking for an author that could create the kind of intensity, humor and intelligence between the main characters through well crafted dialogue. She really hit it out of the park with this book. I've read most of her contemporary books in a short span and not all of them captured me, in fact some I felt suffered from too much detail and dialogue that seemed unnatural and forced. So far, Someone to Watch Over Me has struck the righ balance of detail and character development and is by far the best crafted of the ones I've read. I really got into her characters, both main and secondary. The way she develops the relationship between Leigh and Michael is so moving, intense and well written...Yum! If only we could all find our own personal Michael Valente's in real life. I look forward to reading more of Ms. McNaught's books and hope to find others as well written as this one. Highly recommend!』
(Judith McNaught has talent) 『This was a wonderful, enjoyable book. Michael Valente was one of the most compelling "leading men" to come along in a long time. Leigh was a bit cardboard, except when her acting talent was mentioned. But Valente, Hilda, Courtney, O'Hara, McCord, and Littleton more than make up for it. A real page-turner. I could hardly put it down. The evil murderer wrap-up was a tad disappointing, as was the ridiculous baby-on-board. The pregnancy was silly and detracted from the overall story.』
(This is how you do it....) 『5 Stars...and most of you know I don't throw that out all to often...
This brilliant author just has it! She can write a book that reads like a movie and there are never any uncomfortable reading pauses... her style is flawless. "Someone to Watch Over Me" was filled with grand surprises, grand adventure and out of this world love. From page one you know you're in for a delicious ride.
"Michael watched her walk away. Did he mind waiting an hour for her? Not at all. He'd been waiting years for her."
The build up to one of the sexiest love scenes I've ever read is worth its wait in gold... My heart rate soared, I was on the edge of the couch and my mouth was embarrassingly hanging open.
Good Lord is was amazing.
My soul is filled with lead knowing that after reading this one there's only a couple of this fine ladies books I haven't read, and I'm already missing some of the best couples I've ever known.』
(A great hero) 『I was surprised, but I REALLY liked this book. Generally I'm not so keen on McNaught's contemporary ones, but after second reading, I'm sure this book is good. Yes, it has some weak moments and not everything is believable. For example I don't believe the police would investigate as they did, I mean trying to find evidences against a certain man who was for them already a culprit instead of collecting all evidences first and THEN finding a murderer (even if they had a hidden motive to make this certain man a culprit, just like in this book). I only wish there were more romantic moments with Michael and Leigh, their story is too short! And Michael is adorable, I think he's the best McNaught's contemporary hero, a real knight in shining armor...』
(Just a Good Read!) 『The previous reviewers have stated very well, the merits of this book! I could not put it down. It was reviting, it was suspenseful. Judith McNaught weaves a wonderful story.』 『
Once again Judith McNaught, author of the #1New York TimesbestsellerNight Whispers,crafts a thrilling tale filled with unrelenting suspense, unforgettable characters, and powerful undercurrents of greed, ambition, and desire.
Leigh Kendall reveled in her stellar Broadway acting career and in her marriage to Logan Manning, scion of an old New York family. When her husband finds an old country cottage, he decides to build their dream house and surprise Leigh with her first view of the mountain property. After a Sunday night performance, Leigh heads north to join him, and into a blinding blizzard. Lost and alone, she's run off the road. When she awakens in the local hospital, seriously injured, she asks for her husband. The police arrive to inform her that he has mysteriously disappeared, and Leigh, although distraught, becomes the focus of their suspicions.
The more she discovers about her husband and his business affairs, the less she realizes she knew about Logan Manning, and the more terrified she becomes. Now, with no one to help her, she is heading deeper and deeper into unknown territory...where friends and enemies are impossible to distinguish, and where the truth becomes the most terrifying weapon of all.』
price：$5.99
Avon
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Very good) 『I bought this book at a garage sale without reading the back to see what it was about. I am not into books about sorcery or other worlds, so I almost just threw it in the bag to donate to the library without reading it. But I decided to at least look to see what others had to say about it on Amazon before I did. I want to thank you all for the reviews that made me decide to read it. I am very glad I did, I liked Brogan and Sarah very much and I enjoyed the story too. About all I might have liked... to make it even better, was to read a little at the end of the book, about Sarah and Brogan's arrival and reception back in Coruain. But other than that it was a very enjoyable read.』
(If you love a touching intimate love story this one will move you) 『This is the book that made me a permanent fan of Margo Macquire. This book as an original and fascinating story line that goes full throttle from the first chapter on. What I love about this author is that she does not take time to explain the circumstances to a reader she goes straight for the plot and expects the reader to be intelligent enough to get what is going on. At the same time she develops the main characters well enough that you feel the emotions of their individual dilemmas.
With Sarah the heroine, can be described as a strong willed woman who had to endure the cruelity of her community due to the fact that she was orphaned and had to accept charity as a child for her survival. She knows her stationed in life is limited and her future is uncertain. She has struggle to create a future for herself and the children that is in her care. New circumstances will change her fate for the ultimate worst unless she recieves the help that she is not willing to admit she needs.
Brogan the warrior hero, from an area not known to most people on Earth and who is on an emergency quest of salvation. Who talents are many yet limited given the conditions of his quests. He can best be describe as strenght and honor personified with few vulnerabilies or so he thought until he met Sarah.
His quest is distracted due to Sarah circumstances and through helping her a trust is established and then a growning love that both try to initally deny.
The beauty of the story is the soul stirring intimacy created between Sarah and Brogan that will send them both on an adventure that is beyond the imagination. This book is well worth the read.』
(Great read for lovers of paranormal romance) 『I just finished reading 'A Warrior's Taking' and absolutely loved the refreshing original storyline intermingling magic, romance, and mystery with a bit of humor. Of course, a magic wielding Warrior who speaks with a Scottish brogue and mutters the occasional Gaelic word or phrase is a fantastic addition to the story. Needless to say, I'm anxious to get started on 'Temptation of the Warrior'.
The premise of the Druzai, Dragheens, sitheans, and the mystical, magical world of Coruain is a fantasy lover's delight. I'd love to read more about the home land of Brogan and the circumstances that lead up to the desperate quest to seek the brigha-stone. Just a suggestion, but perhaps a spin off series dedicated to the magical world of Coruain. I'd definitely be an instant fan!
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and felt it somewhat reminiscent of Moning's Druid Kelter line. After all, what girl can resist an alpha male Scotsman with a magical lineage who happens to be over six feet and speaks Gaelic with the resonance of a buttery burr? 』
(4.5 Klovers - Courtesy of CK2S Kwips&Kritiques) 『There is only one way Brogan's clan may defeat their enemy - they must find and retrieve the Blood Stones, which have been hidden in different times and places. Brogan's search takes him to England approximately 900 centuries into the future where he cannot use any of his sorcery lest he be discovered by his enemies before he has found the precious talisman.
But in his quest to find the magical stone, he finds something even more precious - Sarah Granger. She stirs him in ways no woman in his own time ever has. If he didn't know better, he would say she was his céile mate.
Sarah doesn't know quite what to think of the nearly naked stranger who washed up on their beach. She does know he isn't telling her everything, although she finds she trusts him in spite of that knowledge. And she can't deny the way her body responds to the mysterious man...
I absolutely loved A Warrior's Taking, the first book in Margo Maguire's The Sorcerer series! Although this is the first time I have read any of Maguire's work, I am captivated by both the story and her writing talent!
Sarah is an admirable heroine, persevering in the face of adversity time and again, and never losing her empathy for others even as she finds herself scorned by her peers and abandoned to an unfortunate fate after the death of her father. Having finally found a true home caring for her late cousin's family, she will do anything to protect and care for the children left in her care when they are orphaned, no matter the sacrifice or hardship for herself.
Brogan is the kind of hero women fantasize about - strong, mysterious, noble, and still a good bit roguish in all the ways that count! Fighting his intense attraction to Sarah, he is determined to do right by her. His plan? Knowing he can't be with her himself, he decides he must help her find a husband, or at least teach her the ways to attract a man. As with all good love stories, his plans soon backfire on him, as he finds himself hopelessly in love with the winsome Sarah.
Ms. Maguire does a magnificent job of blending a bit of paranormal fantasy with an old-fashioned historical, weaving a world that is wonderfully believable. The romance between our lead couple rings true, and the suspense is intriguing. As I came to the story's end, I found myself disappointed that it had finished, but quickly cheered myself with the knowledge that this is only the first in a series I am definitely going to be reading more of!
』
(Not my favorite by this author) 『I was not impressed by this book and I felt rather disappointed. I have read the author's other two books and I loved both of them very much. But unfortunately, I had a hard time getting through this one. I like to read stories that draw me in and make me feel for the characters. I felt the H/H were weak and I had trouble connecting with them or feeling any true depth of emotion. Too much time was spent on Brogan's search for the stone and Sarah's daily life. The story line felt like it was thrown together with not much planning to it and the threat to the H/H seemed contrived. No sense of real danger felt and the end just came together too neatly and quickly. I'm not saying it was altogether bad, it is just not one that I would bother reading again. If you are just looking for something to kill time then by all means, wait until it is available at a used book store and save yourself the full book price. Now Margo Maguire's other two books, The Perfect Seduction and The Bride Hunt I would highly recommend.』 『
A love that can transcend time . . .
981 A.D.: Brogan Mac Lochlainn has heard of a magical stone that bestows great powers. Now the slaying of his father, the chieftain, has placed the clan's protection in Brogan's hands—and he will brave any danger to possess the stone. But only the strongest sorcery will carry the fearless Scottish warrior to the talisman—for it is hidden in Ravenfield, an English estate . . .900 years in the future!
1813: Sarah Granger is wary . . . yet shamelessly intrigued by the near-naked stranger she discovers washed upon the beach. His tale is one the beautiful governess can scarcely fathom—yet never have her passions been so stirred by any man. Sarah knows in her heart and soul her destiny lies with this seductive barbarian.
But an unrelenting evil has followed Brogan from ancient times—and he must battle it to the death to save the breathtaking beauty who is becoming more precious to him than the magic he crossed centuries to claim.
price：$7.99
Love Spell
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Just Bad) 『I had a hard time getting through this book.
My biggest problem with this book is that there were too many different things in that didn't fit together well at all. Sex Superbowl, white stags, vampires, ghosts, crazy mistresses, etc.
This is the second book I've tried reading by this author and I can't imagine that I'll be picking up anymore.』
(great story !!!) 『great story !!! kept me in the book, couldn't put this one down, I read it straight through to the end in one sitting... another hit from nina bangs !!!』
(great for the male prostitution lovers out there...) 『there are millions of great books out there. Please do not waste your time on this horribly written book which would make "fluff" romances look like Hamlet.
Sex as a spectator sport-the guy's the MVP? His "team" is called-get this-The Testosterone Titans! Oh my goodness-so bad. If the lead were a woman, we women would consider this porn-and badly written porn at that. Please do yourself a favor and skip this mess.
no stars.』
(Should Have Been Better) 『This story is about a man named Brian Byrne who is an athlete from 500 years in the future. His sport, sex. Sex is now a spectator sport and Brian is the current MVP. To him sex is purely a physical act, there is nothing emotional about it. He takes half his earnings and supports orphaned boys, because he was an orphan. For vacation,he travels back in time to the year 2002 to Ireland the place of his ancestors and he buys the ruins of a supposedly haunted ancestoral keep. He meets a divorced author named Ally O'Neill who is there exploring with her Aunt Katy who wants to write a book about the ghosts of the keep. Ally is also a best selling author of a group of books on how to be the perfect wife, the problem is her husband left her for another woman anyway. Ally has sworn off men but her publisher wants her to write a sexy book about single life. When Brian meets and is intrigued by Ally, he knows she could be the one woman to give his sex life an emotional depth. The problem is his contract forbids him to have sex outside the arena. He agrees to help her with the sex scenes in her book and Ally finds herself wanting Brian, in spite of her distrust of men. When Brian's agent, team owner and trainer show up things take a different spin.
The problem with this book is it had so much potential but just failed to deliver and the characters were a little outlandish even for a book based on fantasy.』
(Sex a Spectator Sport in 2502? With an MVP?) 『Wow...is about what sums up my impression of this unique book. I was stunned and then almost speechless by the end, but very impressed. Kudos to Ms. Bangs for taking this type of plot and putting it on paper for all to enjoy. Lust a spectator sport? Play hard, play to win, play with a passion for the game, never for the woman. These are the main rules of the game. Follow them and you could be the next MVP of Monday Night's hottest game on tv, Sex. Or the winner of Sex Superbowl XXXVII.
Brian Byrne is the undisputed champion of the league. Known for his unbelievable game and mastery over a woman's body he has even taken four woman at once and brought them to fulfillment at the same time in less than two minutes. What he calls his 2 Minute Drill. Burnt out and tired from a tough season he decies to take a much needed vacation back to a simpler time and place for a few weeks to get his head in order. 2002 Ireland is his goal, his ancestral home. What he gets is alot more than he the champ can handle. In the dead of night, Ally O'Neill and her aunt take a trip to scout out a vicious vampire known to roam the area of the old castle, what they find is a incredibly tall man with a body to die for and an attitude. Definately not a vicious vampire... Things go from bad to worse when this weirdo tries to convince her that he is from the year 2502 and is the MVP of some sport involving sex and even makes up a team he plays for! The Testosterone Titans of all things! The man is nuts! Certifiably nuts! Well, maybe not. Ally starts to see things that she can't explain and her mind begins to comprehend that if her and her aunt can believe in vampires ans ghosts and even take a trip to Ireland to find them, then timetravel is also possible. Especially when some of his managers, etc., start showing up and make sure the women keep their hands off their most valuable player and that he keeps his contract's 'no sex clause'. But Ally figures that should be easy, he's packed full of testosterone and male dominance, she doesn't need another loser in her life after ridding herself of her husband. Things do not go as planned and Brian feels his heart engaged for the very first time when coming in contact with a woman and the vacation of rest and enjoyment just turned into a nightmare. Ghosts, banshees, merrows and the like are all out to play and his emotions are in overdrive. Not to mention someone seems to be trying to kill them or him? His manager will not leave him alone to save his life and the future isn't looking too exciting for him anymore, not with Ally in the past...
Funny and well worth the read. A mix of future sci/fi, paranormal, comedy and plain fun romance, a sure winner!
Tracy Talley~@』
『He is the MVP of the future's hottest sport.
In the year 2502, sex is a spectator sport, and Brian Byrne is its undisputed champion. He plays with a passion for the game, never for the woman. So why does he feel burned out, used up, and in need of a vacation? A few weeks in a simpler time where he doesn't have to think about sex sounds great.
She wants a perfect night of pleasure.
Ally O'Neill is having a career crisis. She is the best-selling author of a series on how to be the perfect wife. She is also recently divorced, so her perfect wife theory obviously needs fine-tuning. Her publisher now wants Ally to write about a night of sexual pleasure from a single woman's perspective. What does she know about sex and today's single woman? Nothing. Ally requires a consultant with sex-god credentials.
Ally and Brian meet in 2002 beside the ruins of an Irish castle. Ally believes she needs Brian for only one night, but soon realizes she wants him to be her forever-man. Brian thinks no woman can tempt him, but Ally quickly has him trying to renegotiate the no-sex clause in his contract.
In a world where no one has ever heard of the Testosterone Titans, Brian is about to discover that scoring is a lot less fun than falling in love.』
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