Under the Same Sky (The MacDonnells, #1) by Genevieve Graham

Jan 04, 2012 Jill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-historical-fiction, 2012-debuts

"I will find ye."

Maggie Johnson has the gift of the Sight. Born in 1730 in South Carolina, her dreams since childhood have been dominated by a young boy only a few years older than she is. He is her friend, her comfort. And as she grows from childhood, she knows they are destined for each other. His name is Andrew MacDonnell.

Born in the Highlands of Scotland, Andrew is the second of three sons. Like Maggie he has dreams. And like Maggie, Andrew knows that they are fated to be together. After the...more

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Dec 20, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, historical-romance

I almost feel as though I should do a jig because I have branched out from Outlander and read another romance with a highlander – Genevieve Graham’s debut novel Under The Same Sky. Under The Same Sky has similar elements to Outlander (paranormal elements, highlanders, Culloden) but Genevieve Graham’s book is NOT a doorstopper.

Read the rest of my review here

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Jan 05, 2012 LORI CASWELL rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was not what I expected. It is so much more than a historical romance!

I read this book last year and wanted to include it on my Best Books of 2011 but since technically is wasn’t available until January 3, 2012 it couldn’t be included, but it will be in the running for 2012. This book is amazing. To think because it is not classified as a genre I usually read, I may have missed out on this story. This is the type of book my whole blog is about, a book you can escape into, a perfect es...more

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Jan 23, 2012 Aislynn (Stitch Read Cook) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-s-to-review, hard-copy-from-publisher, historical-romance, read-in-2011, blog-book-tour, paranormal-fantasy

Young Maggie has always had the gift of 'sight', she has always been able to see future events and places she's never been. Since she was a child a young boy has always been present in her dreams and visions. When her her life is suddenly turned upside down after the death of her father she hopes that he'll be there to rescue her. Maggie goes through so much in this book, she is kidnapped by slavers and rescued by a Native American tribe.

Born thousands of miles apart, both Maggie and Andrew have...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Evie rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone who enjoyes adventure romance!

Shelves: review-copy, penguin-young-readers, historical-romance

*** originally posted to: Bookish as a part of the blog tour

Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham is a superb historical romance with a unique paranormal twist. From the outstandingly thorough development of characters and plot to the deliciously served historical details, it's a real treat to read. Fast paced, gracefully written and immensely enjoyable, it's a book to devour.

My dreams introduced me to people I had never seen, and took me places I could never have known existed.

Maggie Johns...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Lisarenee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Soulmates--some people go their whole lives without finding that special someone. Others are more fortunate...

'He has always been there....When I was little, I thought of him as just another child. One with a slow smile and gentle thoughts that soothed me, as if he held my hand. When he didn't fade with my childhood years, I began to wonder if he were a spirit, communicating through my dreams. In my heart I knew he was more...'

Maggie Johnson and Andrew MacDonnell have known each other their who...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Meg - A Bookish Affair rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, fiction, paranormal, historical-fiction

Oh, I really liked this book! It's a historical fiction mixed with some mystery and paranormal with some romance or in other words, a truly delicious combination and the type of book that you can get lost in. And lost I got. This book found me lazing on the couch for the entire afternoon because I couldn't bear to put it down. I really liked how the author wove the paranormal details with the historical details. It really made the book come to life for me!

This is also a tale of how you shouldn'...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Ellie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham
Grade: A

“Then he felt her, a presence that came from nowhere: a surge of warmth that stirred hope in his heart. He couldn’t see her, but that wasn’t strange. Often she came to him on the breeze. In a thought. A melody in the air.”

Maggie Johnson has the sight, just like her grandmother, but in colonial South Carolina it can be dangerous for a woman especially one with special gifts. Only Maggie’s immediate family know about her psychic dreams but no one knows...more Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham
Grade: A

“Then he felt her, a presence that came from nowhere: a surge of warmth that stirred hope in his heart. He couldn’t see her, but that wasn’t strange. Often she came to him on the breeze. In a thought. A melody in the air.”

Maggie Johnson has the sight, just like her grandmother, but in colonial South Carolina it can be dangerous for a woman especially one with special gifts. Only Maggie’s immediate family know about her psychic dreams but no one knows that she dreams of a young man who she calls Wolf. Maggie and the young boy grow up together and help each other get through some very traumatic events in both of their lives. After one such event Maggie and her sister are adopted by a tribe of Cherokee Indians where Maggie’s gift is finally seen as a blessing. As Maggie gets older the connection with Wolf gets stronger and she knows he is on his way to find her. She just has to survive until he does.

Andrew MacDonnell has always know the girl that he has dreamt about his entire life is the girl for him.He never spoke a word about her to anyone but she was always there especially when he needed help. After losing his entire family at Culloden, a battle that killed thousands of highlanders, Andrew meets very few lone survivors but they band together and set off for America. Through his dreams he knows this is where the girl is and he is determined to find her no matter what it takes.

What a amazing debut from Genevieve Graham. Under the Same Sky is one of the best books I’ve read all year and combines so many things that I love: paranormal, highlanders, colonials, Indians and a great love story. This book takes place in both America and in Scotland in the 1740’s and leads us through a famous battle and what it was life for women in the colonies. This book is heavy on the historical and a less on the romance but it’s so well written and so captivating that it worked perfectly.

Maggie is a very strong woman who has had a very hard life. Unlike a lot of heroines in historical romance novels Maggie has been brutally raped, beaten and watched her family murdered. I liked that Mrs. Graham gave a very honest and accurate portrayal of what life was life in America for women. There was no sugar coating of how great life was like and how easy and nice everyone was to each other. This is one of the few books that really shows how scary it was for women without men to protect them and how tough you had to be to survive.

I love highlanders and I loved Andrew. Andrew had also had a very hard life and the battle at Culloden changed him as a man.This book reminded me a little of Outlander but I think that’s just because of Culloden and the paranormal aspect. I loved the interaction in dreams between Maggie and Andrew and I especially loved how they to came to one another when they both were in need of saving. The bond between them is amazing and together, even though a part, they could and did survive anything.
When Maggie and her sister are rescued by the Cherokee Indians and join their tribe I really fell in love with this book. I love reading about Native Americans and how they lived and once again I feel that life was portrayed accurately. This tribe plays such a big role in saving Maggie and her sister and they really embrace the girls and make them a part of them. I really loved that Maggie found not only a safe place to have dreams but a place where she is considered wise and special.

This is a great book that is looking to be a great series. Usually when the hero and heroine don’t meet in a book until the very end I get very annoyed but that wasn’t the case here. I loved reading about the two separate worlds these characters were living in and seeing how their bond drew them together over time and distance. This a beautifully well written book and one of my favorites that I read all year. (less)

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Mar 31, 2012 Stephanie (Once Upon a Chapter) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: the-shelf-of-awesome, read-in-2012, ebook-read

Really a 4.5. An awesome historical. CANNOT wait to read the next one. :)

Why I Picked It Up: I read the book description when the author got in touch with me and I was hooked. I couldn’t wait to read it.

What I Lurved: Oh my goodness! It’s more like what’s not to love? Graham does such a wonderful job describing the settings and events in Under the Same Sky! I could vividly see everything Graham was describing. As soon as I started reading it, I could not put it down. Andrew and Maggie (our hero...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Michelle Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read, historical

Outstanding debut novel. Look out for Genevieve Graham.
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...

I was drawn to Under the Same Sky' s beautiful book cover. In fact once I received Under the Same Sky in the mail, I placed it above all the other books waiting patiently for my attention. I had thought that Under the Same Sky was going to be a about a Scottish lass, a castle and a pending romance. Well I was correct on one account; the pending romance. The lass is actually an American woman from Sout...more Outstanding debut novel. Look out for Genevieve Graham.
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...

I was drawn to Under the Same Sky' s beautiful book cover. In fact once I received Under the Same Sky in the mail, I placed it above all the other books waiting patiently for my attention. I had thought that Under the Same Sky was going to be a about a Scottish lass, a castle and a pending romance. Well I was correct on one account; the pending romance. The lass is actually an American woman from South Carolina and there's no castle.

The romance between Maggie and Andrew was magically unique. I don't think I've recalled a similar story before so I really appreciated the originality. As unconventional as Maggie and Andrew's romance may have been, it was the alluring written words that drew me in. I had to double check the author's website, Genevieve Graham, to verify that Under the Same Sky was indeed her debut novel. I was utterly captivated with the story and how it was being told. Simply beautiful. The words were richly descriptive and I literally ached in my heart many times during the course of the story.

If you follow historical books from the 1745 time period, you'd be very familiar with the abhorrent quality of life for unprotected women as well as the legendary historical Battle of Culloden in Scotland. I immediately associate the year 1745 with Culloden. Under the Same Sky takes the reader on a painstakingly thorough and emotional journey during the aftermath of two such dreadful events.

Through their dreams, Maggie and Andrew develop a moving relationship built solely on the knowledge of each other's existence and a longing to be together. They are soul mates and they are willing to seek out and wait for each other despite an ocean separating them. Without spoken words they encourage each other and bring hope to their darkest moments.

A truly riveting journey and I'm so glad I bumped Under the Same Sky to the top of my very tall stack of books waiting to be read. I would definitely recommend Under the Same Sky to fans of Diana Gabaldon. Being as I love Diana's Outlander series and she's one of my favourite authors, that's a big recommendation from me.

Teaser: brotherly love, sisterly love, Cherokee settlement, the legendary magical buzzing stones of Scotland(less)

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Apr 11, 2012 Cynthia Mcarthur rated it 3 of 5 stars

Maggie and her sisters are left to fend for themselves in Colonial South Carolina after her brutish father dies in a freak accident. Maggie sees the accident coming in her dreams, just as she sees most things before they happen, and just as she sees her Wolf, the boy she has always felt inside her soul and heard in her thoughts.

Andrew is a Scottish highlander, proud fierce and loyal to the fugitive Prince Charles, who looks to reclaim the English throne. With his mind full of the beautiful girl...more

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Jan 24, 2012 Nikki Brandyberry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Maggie isn’t your ordinary girl. The ability to see events before they happen and being visited by a young boy in her dreams since she was little. When her life get drastically changed forever she calls on the boy, now a man, for help as she never has in the past.
Andrew leads his own life with virtually the same abilities in Scotland, a world away from Maggie in South Carolina. Upon hearing her cry he knows he must reach her. He must sail a world away in order to find the woman he has always kno...more Maggie isn’t your ordinary girl. The ability to see events before they happen and being visited by a young boy in her dreams since she was little. When her life get drastically changed forever she calls on the boy, now a man, for help as she never has in the past.
Andrew leads his own life with virtually the same abilities in Scotland, a world away from Maggie in South Carolina. Upon hearing her cry he knows he must reach her. He must sail a world away in order to find the woman he has always known in his head.
Two people connected, thousands of miles apart, will have to overcome the biggest of obstacles in order to be together…Life.

Debut author Graham has spun a timeless tale of love that is miles apart and yet close to the heart. Maggie and Andrew have this connection between them that spans thousands of miles. They have always been together in their dreams. Not always knowing the other was real but always trusting in the serenity they felt when they were together. In times of great need they lend each other strength and fuel each others emotional reserves.
Maggie has been victimized and through enough for 100 people. I will admit that I was horrified by what she lived through. As any woman would be. Trying to heal from her injuries, both physical and emotional, she has been living with a local Cherokee tribe. Knowing one day Andrew would come for her. Andrew, living in Scotland, is trying to make his way. Using his gift to occasionally save some young children or avenge people he loves.
Both Maggie and Andrew are special beyond their ability to see each other in their dreams. Both can see accounts in the future, or as they happen.
The thing about this book that most stands out is the way in which it was written. Maggies account is written in 1st person while Andrews is in 3rd person. I found that slightly hard to follow and focus with all the bouncing back and forth. I think, for me, it made it harder to feel that connection between characters. Also, the characters spend the entire book trying to get to each other, so essentially this is two books loosely tied together by a romance. Each character leads their own life that have nothing to do with the romance between the two. They aren’t even on the same continent. For years they don’t even say a word to each other. While I appreciated the love from afar I think had they gotten together a lot sooner then they did and had some experiences together I would have been able to understand the love affair.
As it stands I liked both characters separately even if I didn’t feel the sizzle between them. Andrew, strong and tough with a tenacity to withstand the separation between himself and Maggie. Maggie was a extremely strong character to go through everything she had and be able to still function.
If you don’t mind some distance between characters, and can handle the writing structure, I think this historical romance will be a popular one. Even having issues I did enjoy it.

I give Under The Same Sky by Genevieve Graham 3.50 stars! (less)

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Jul 26, 2012 Larisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: rhfl-2012-period-diversity-challeng

Wow. Just wow.

Ok, let me see if I can explain why this book is a must-read that left me speechless about it for a couple weeks. It is 4.5 stars, leaving that last 1/2 star open because this is a debut, expecting the author's storytelling skills to improve and it is hard to improve over perfect.

Imagine being able to read a Diana Gabaldon book in a day. The historic vibrancy is just as lush while confined within a more subtle, sparing prose than Gabaldon. Devouring it cover to cover, unable to com...more

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Dec 22, 2012 Gaile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: colonial-america, emery-s-2012-challenge-gaile-kenne, rhfl-2012-challenge

A beautifully written book. Though an ocean apart, Maggie and Andrew both blessed with the gift of the sight are keenly aware of each other. In Scotland, Andrew fights for Prince Charlie on Culloden Field.
With his family killed, he finds friends to go with him to the colonies where he knows Maggie is.
in South Carolina, Maggie raised in poverty finds herself and her sisters in great danger. Able to take refuge with the Cherokee, she knows Andrew is coming for her but will he be in time?
When it ca...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book - I love highland stories and I loved the whole connection that the 2 main characters had. I had no idea about her story and was surprised constantly whilst reading. All in all a very good read and will keep my eye out for more books from this author.

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Jun 25, 2012 Betty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads-giveaway-wins

Awesome! I am so very pleased to have won a copy of this book. I expected it to be good, but was thrilled that it was one of those books that you really hate to put down. The book starts with... "He has always been there." I was hooked immediately.... What a wonderful opening line. "He" is Andrew, who along with Maggie has "the sight". This has allowed them to see each other over the years even though they are an ocean apart. The author has a comfortable writing style that allows you to enter he...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Kristine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, paranormal-adult, make-into-movie-please

An historical romance and Genevieve's debut novel.

I simply loved her way with words and how her 'lush' writing made everything come alive! Often hard to read: the heartache that both main characters had to endure was difficult at times-followed by elation at their triumphs.

Very enjoyable, and while I would never write an historical (period) book, I will definitely read the others that she's written!

Bravo, fellow East Coaster!

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Mar 10, 2013 Eggletina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

2.5 stars.

As some other reviewers mentioned, this was a hard book to rate. The author shows promise. There are some lovely passages, and the idea of having a hero and heroine connected through second sight was deeply romantic in theory but failed in its execution. It struck me as one of those books where the author came up with the idea, had a fairly solid vision for her hero and heroine, but floundered in coming up with a story to go with it. I felt the characterization, particularly with regar...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1700-s-historical-romance, romance-series, heroine-has-psychic-ability

I love Kaki Warner's historical romances and saw on her website that she recommended this book. This is Genevieve Graham's debut historical romance and she managed to write a nice twist with a slight paranormal edge. This is the first book in a romance series with SOUND OF THE HEART as a follow-up to Andrew MacDonnell's story.

Maggie Johnson had visions of the future as long as she could remember. While she was growing up in mid-1700's South Carolina she was aware of a male presence roughly the s...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Kimberly Rocha~ Book Obsessed Chicks rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romances-a-la-kimberly

The story begins with a young Maggie Johnson living in 1730's rural South Carolina with her Mother and two younger sisters. Ever since she can recall, Maggie has had "the Sight", she could see things before they happened, find things that were misplaced and her most interesting ability, an almost psychic link to a boy far away. Maggie sees him in her dreams as if she's right there with him. She gives him the moniker of "Wolf" and they continue to visit and provide comfort to each other in their...more

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Feb 05, 2012 Dana Burgess rated it 5 of 5 stars

It is totally unbelievable to me that this is a debut novel. Ms Graham writes like she has been publishing for years. Under the Same Sky is beautifully written over two settings: South Carolina, USA and Scotland - both in the year 1746. Both settings are brilliantly described and, therefore, easily 'seen' in the reader's imagination. Genevieve Graham's characters are well developed and complex. None are spared the challenges and calamities common to the era. The history comes across as well rese...more It is totally unbelievable to me that this is a debut novel. Ms Graham writes like she has been publishing for years. Under the Same Sky is beautifully written over two settings: South Carolina, USA and Scotland - both in the year 1746. Both settings are brilliantly described and, therefore, easily 'seen' in the reader's imagination. Genevieve Graham's characters are well developed and complex. None are spared the challenges and calamities common to the era. The history comes across as well researched. All of these points together give the novel good bones - a strong skeleton, so to speak.

The story that fills in the flesh of the skeleton is equally as good. For all of you magic lovers, the magic in this one is lovely. Andrew and Maggie have the connection we all dream about. Although they have never met and live half a world away from each other, they are connected; they know one another and have grown up always in contact with each other in their dreams. Neither questions the reality of the other. Neither questions that they will somehow be together someday.

It was refreshing to read a romance novel in which the characters go through trials, tragedy, horror, growth and maturation by drawing on their own strength as well as the strength of knowing their true love is out there supporting them. It's not one of those 'boy meets girl; events happen; boy and girl are separated/hate each other/fight with each other/overreact to misunderstandings; boy and girl finally get together' books. It is refreshing and heartening that each member of this couple is in the others corner from the get go. But will they ever meet? Will they overcome the one obstacle in their path: geographic distance? How? I know because I've read the book - but I'm not telling.

There was a moment while I was reading this beautiful story when I suddenly became very afraid that it was the first in a series. In almost the same moment, I was hoping it was the first in a series so that there would be more. Under the Same Sky is a stand alone book - and an extremely satisfying stand alone book. I can't wait to read more from Genevieve Graham.
(less)

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Aug 14, 2011 Genevieve Graham rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author)

Shelves: 18th-century, historical-adventure, paranormal, ebooks, paranormal-romance, historicalfiction, favorites, highlander, historical-fantasy, recommended, first-in-series, fiction-historical, epic, american-history, native-americans, adventure, scottish, series

This is my debut novel, so I hope it's not wrong of me to post on here about it, but I wanted to let potential readers know a bit about the book.

I began writing "Under the Same Sky" while I waited for Diana Gabaldon's next instalment, needing to fill those lonely places that opened up when I didn't have one of her books in front of me! So while "Under the Same Sky" is an adventure, and a historical romance, don't be fooled by the cover photo. There is nothing "Regency" or glamorous about my book...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Eli Yanti rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I start reading this book, hey, I love it, I like the story about person who had a six sense or a vision that can see what will happen in future (they also can help people around the world with their talent) although I’m bit disappointed when the heroine who has this talent but got a worse experience, how could, she has a vision, she can know what happen in future but why she can’t prevent it when it’s happen to her and her family?

But I admitted that this is my wrong opinion and then I real...more

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Jan 10, 2012 L.M. Ironside rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

3.5 stars

Genevieve Graham’s debut novel, set dually in Colonial America and Scotland, is a sweet, inspiring romance spiked with just enough action and mystery to keep the reader turning pages just as fast as she can.

Under the Same Sky follows the lives of two people destined to be lovers, though they are separated by a vast distance. Maggie is the eldest daughter of a poor farming family in the Carolinas, gifted with “the Sight,” the ability to dream the future, and sometimes the present as well...more 3.5 stars

Genevieve Graham’s debut novel, set dually in Colonial America and Scotland, is a sweet, inspiring romance spiked with just enough action and mystery to keep the reader turning pages just as fast as she can.

Under the Same Sky follows the lives of two people destined to be lovers, though they are separated by a vast distance. Maggie is the eldest daughter of a poor farming family in the Carolinas, gifted with “the Sight,” the ability to dream the future, and sometimes the present as well. She is also able to summon up images of a boy her age living in an unknown place, and she and the dream-boy grow up together, constant companions who never the less have not yet met.

The dream boy is Andrew, a Scottish lad of the MacDonnell clan. As Andrew and Maggie grow to adulthood, he, his brothers, and father are swept into the war with England; meanwhile, Maggie’s family is devastated by the murder of their mother and the girls’ capture and attempted sale into sexual slavery. Unthinkable tragedies befall Maggie’s family and Andrew’s, and the two set out to build new lives for themselves, still maintaining their mystical connection and the comfort that their strange friendship brings.

Maggie’s path leads her to take up with the local Cherokee village, where she is allowed to hone her skill with the Sight without fear of being burned as a witch. Andrew, meanwhile, feels compelled to leave Scotland and head for the New World – partly to seek out Maggie, whom he can feel calling to him.

Graham’s prose at the beginning of the novel is absolutely rapturous, full of lush imagery and a quietly confident voice that had me hooked immediately. My one quibble with the book is that after a few chapters that lovely prose settled into a plainer, more straightforward storytelling style – not an authorial crime by any means, but I did find myself wishing for more of that delicious prose as I read to the novel’s final scene. In spite of that one complaint, Under the Same Sky is a well-paced book, switching deftly between the two point-of-view characters at just the right moments and never lagging too long between scenes of tension or action.

Ultimately, this is a novel about redemption – either Maggie or Andrew could have turned sour after the tragedies they’ve faced, but both choose to turn to the promise of love instead, and both take comfort and find purpose in caring for people in need. They are inspiring characters, and it is a delight to watch their romance develop. Genevieve Graham is one to watch for historical romance readers.

Note: An advance reading copy was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.

This review was cross-posted at Historical Novel Review, my blog, and Amazon.(less)

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Jan 15, 2012 Sandy M rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, paranormal

This book poses a huge dilemma for a reader. It’s one you can’t put down. It’s that good. But it’s also one that you have to put down. Just to exhale that breath you’ve been holding, to then inhale and take on a calmness so you can continue on. It’s not that easy, however. The story is that heart-wrenching, so full of tragedy for these courageous, honorable, and so very likable characters.

Maggie Johnson has always had “the Sight.” Whatever she dreams come true. Whatever she sees will come to pas...more This book poses a huge dilemma for a reader. It’s one you can’t put down. It’s that good. But it’s also one that you have to put down. Just to exhale that breath you’ve been holding, to then inhale and take on a calmness so you can continue on. It’s not that easy, however. The story is that heart-wrenching, so full of tragedy for these courageous, honorable, and so very likable characters.

Maggie Johnson has always had “the Sight.” Whatever she dreams come true. Whatever she sees will come to pass. Among all the horrible dreams there’s been one constant, the boy whose smile and eyes are with her always. They’ve grown up together, seeing one another but never speaking or touching but understanding a look across the span of thousands of miles. As they grow older, Maggie calls this warrior her Wolf, bringing to mind those graceful predators. For Andrew, Maggie is the prettiest woman he’s ever seen and he knows they belong together, that some day they will find a way to each other. He also is able to see events before they occur, and his dreams are as full of Maggie as hers are of Andrew. The way the book is set up, several chapters are devoted to Maggie, written in first person, then several chapters are given to Andrew from his POV, and this continues throughout the book.

Tragedy strikes Maggie and her family after her father has died. She, her mother, and sisters have been surviving the best they can, without letting townsfolk know about the lack of a male presence on the homestead. But that only lasts for so long, and the day comes when men ride up with evil intentions on their minds. One shot is all it takes to leave the girls on their own, at the mercy of these men, their intent to sell them as slaves – after they deliver their own brand of evilness. These are such heart-breaking scenes, especially when it comes to Maggie’s youngest sister, ten-year-old Ruth. Though her scene is not described in detail as Maggie’s, you know what’s happening to the child in the woods, and that fear is confirmed when the men return without her. As man after man has his way with these girls, you want to reach through the pages and choke the ever-lovin’ life out of each of them. Maggie and Adelaide do their best to hold on, knowing the horror has to be over soon and escape is still a possibility.

War is the tragedy in Andrew’s life – he loses everything and everyone he loves as a result of the battle at Culloden in 1746, fighting with his father, brothers, and other Highland clans. Of course, we all know the outcome of this particular battle, the massacre that is a significant part of the downfall of the clans of Scotland. At first, surviving such an onslaught is not the gift it should be for Andrew. Then finding his home, along with his mother, destroyed, coming in contact with no other person – Highlander or Sassenach – for days on end, he’s more than tired enough to lie down and let this nightmare end, but he fights on. Finally he discovers the friends that will become his family as they all rebuild their lives. Feeling disconnected from everything to do with his country, wanting to get as far away as possible from the violence, Andrew decides to leave his homeland for good, along with others who feel the same.

Maggie and Adelaide are rescued by a tribe of Cherokee, who take them in and help them heal. The sisters learn the Indians are not the savages they’d always heard about, and they carve out a place for themselves, learning the language and way of life of these people who don’t frighten them as the white man now does. Eventually Maggie is allowed to accompany the men to the closest fort to trade furs and skins, and she does well for them, understanding how the tribe has always been cheated. But meeting Captain Quinn, a respected man about town, once again ends with Maggie bearing the brunt of men and their superior attitudes. She’s accused of and tried for – railroaded, actually – murder.

I kept thinking to myself throughout this book, “When are these two going to catch a break??” I was exhausted after reading these scenes and just had to put the book down to take a deep breath. But then I had to immediately pick it up again to see what happens to them, how they react, how they recover, how they move on. And, because of the era, they, of course, resolutely move on just because they have to, that’s how people of the time lived and died. I haven’t been this emotionally wiped out reading a romance in a long time.

Andrew finally makes landfall in America, receives land given to immigrants willing to work hard, and makes his way toward Maggie. Even that journey is fraught with danger and delays. But all along they’ve had each other in their dreams, and for a while now those dreams have been very real. They now touch, they feel, they talk, and they remember it all with clarity afterward. Though these scenes of them together are nice and frequent enough so that hero and heroine are together at various intervals throughout the book, I wish there’d been either more of those dreams or more of Andrew and Maggie together at the end of the book. After everything each of them have been through, have helped the other through with comfort and strength, even knowing that happily ever after would be upon them soon, I wanted to see more of that happiness instead of being told about it because it’s now time for the story to end. That’s my only nitpick. For me, there’s just not enough. We’re given just enough to let us know their life together is good and gets better as the years will go on, but I wanted to feel it more, to see it happening, to experience a bit more with them after such a harrowing time has been had to get them to this point.

I’m quite impressed with Ms. Graham’s debut novel. She takes a reader on an epic journey that thoroughly engages the heart and gives them characters who defy horrific odds and who never give up. I look forward to her future work.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Mar 05, 2012 Siobian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy

It is the 1700's and Maggie Johnson has grown up in the colony of South Carolina. Maggie has always had dreams that told her of the future. Her mother says that she has "The Sight" just as her grandmother did before she was burned as a witch. These dreams give Maggie glimpses of what is to come, but not always. Some of her dreams include a boy that is around her age and in these dreams they grow close to each other without speaking a word or sharing a touch. Maggie doesn't know his name, but she...more It is the 1700's and Maggie Johnson has grown up in the colony of South Carolina. Maggie has always had dreams that told her of the future. Her mother says that she has "The Sight" just as her grandmother did before she was burned as a witch. These dreams give Maggie glimpses of what is to come, but not always. Some of her dreams include a boy that is around her age and in these dreams they grow close to each other without speaking a word or sharing a touch. Maggie doesn't know his name, but she knows that one day they will find each other. On the other side of the ocean in Scotland, Andrew MacDonnell shares the same gift, the same dreams, and the same hope of finding the girl who has become a part of him. As Maggie and Andrew's lives are torn apart by greed, pride, and war, each step they take brings them closer together.

When I first saw the cover of the book, I wasn't quite sure about it. Under the Same Sky looked like a romance novel, and while I have nothing against them, they just aren't what I typically read. However, I put my worries aside and read the first chapter. And then the second. And before I knew it, half the day and half the book had passed without my moving. I was completely sucked in and literally could not force myself to put the book down. I loved Maggie's character. She was so likable and strong, but had her character flaws that made her believable. Andrew was just as fantastic and I truly enjoyed seeing where their paths would take them and what it would take for them to be together. Aside from the wonderful characters, the writing was really well done and I find it very hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The plot moves along quickly and is steeped in historical detail. Not only does it share tidbits about living in the colonies and life in Scotland after Culloden, readers also get a glimpse of life in a Cherokee settlement, which was one of my favorite parts of the book. My only complaint is that it ended too quickly because I didn't want it to end. However, I was really excited to see a chapter from Graham's next novel at the end of the book and cannot wait until it comes out. Overall, it was a fantastic debut novel that had me completely captivated.

*Please note, I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.(less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Asheley rated it 4 of 5 stars

(a similar version of this review can be found here at Into the Hall of Books: http://www.intothehallofbooks.com/201...)

I love to read books that are rich in characters and setting. I completely lucked out with UNDER THE SAME SKY. Not only are ALL of the characters absolutely amazing, but the setting - well, both of the settings - are lush and perfect. To top it off, half of the book is set in the Carolinas, and I'm a Carolina girl myself. When I heard about this one, I had to read it and you gu...more

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Mar 29, 2013 April is currently reading it

Still reading, but the story grabbed me immediately.

Update: about halfway through now, still enjoying it. Haven't had as much opportunity to read as I would like.

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Mar 01, 2012 Sheryl Dunn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Hey, I read the opening of this novel on YouWriteOn, and it left me so breathless, I contacted Genevieve and told her that I was going to take my time reading and commenting on her opening. I couldn't possibly do such excellent work justice without savoring it for awhile. Shortly thereafter, I heard that she'd garnered a publication contract with a major. Besides not being one bit surprised, my faith in the major publishers' ability to pick a winner and their willingness to take on a brilliant d...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-favorites, historical-reading-challenge, reading-romance-challenge, romance-reading-challenge, paranormal-reading-challenge, reviewed

Absolutely fantastic and best written historical romance book I have ever read. This stoy had my emotions up and down and I loved it! I cried within the first three chapters of the book. That’s how great this is. If any book could get my emotions just wrung out like this, it has to get the highest recommendation I have ever put forth to a book. I have read hundreds of books, but this might be the first, in my memory, that I have ever cried from. That’s how touching and descriptive scenes from th...more

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Under the Same Sky (The MacDonnells #1)

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