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Draycott Abbey #3
Bride of the Mist
AT ROSE-COVERED DRAYCOTT ABBEY... in a savage age of chivalry, a war-wear knight defends a mysterious lady from danger and swears himself her champion for all time. Centuries later, a startling psychic vision draws a gifted bridal writer to a rugged castle veiled in Highland mist and to its enigmatic laird, Duncan MacKinnon. From the moment they meet, Kara Fitzgerald can sense they share an ancient, secret destiny.
ON A STORMY SCOTTISH SHORE... they are swept up in breathtaking passion- even as a ghostly guardian warns of coming danger. For a callous enemy stalks the crags of Dunraven Castle a timeless menace the cynical Scotsman and beautiful American must confront together...armed only with the power of their eternal love.
AT ROSE-COVERED DRAYCOTT ABBEY... in a savage age of chivalry, a war-wear knight defends a mysterious lady from danger and swears himself her champion for all time.Centuries later, a startling psychic vision draws a gifted bridal writer to a rugged castle veiled in Highland mist and to its enigmatic laird, Duncan MacKinnon. From the moment they meet, Kara Fitzgerald can sense they share an ancient, secret destiny.
ON A STORMY SCOTTISH SHORE... they are swept up in breathtaking passion- even as a ghostly guardian warns of coming danger. For a callous enemy stalks the crags of Dunraven Castle a timeless menace the cynical Scotsman and beautiful American must confront together...armed only with the power of their eternal love.
ON A STORMY SCOTTISH SHORE... they are swept up in breathtaking passion- even as a ghostly guardian warns of coming danger. For a callous enemy stalks the crags of Dunraven Castle a timeless menace the cynical Scotsman and beautiful American must confront together...armed only with the power of their eternal love.
AT ROSE-COVERED DRAYCOTT ABBEY... in a savage age of chivalry, a war-wear knight defends a mysterious lady from danger and swears himself her champion for all time.Centuries later, a startling psychic vision draws a gifted bridal writer to a rugged castle veiled in Highland mist and to its enigmatic laird, Duncan MacKinnon. From the moment they meet, Kara Fitzgerald can sense they share an ancient, secret destiny.
ON A STORMY SCOTTISH SHORE... they are swept up in breathtaking passion- even as a ghostly guardian warns of coming danger. For a callous enemy stalks the crags of Dunraven Castle a timeless menace the cynical Scotsman and beautiful American must confront together...armed only with the power of their eternal love.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
107 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Christina Skye
61 books341 followersAKA Roberta Helmer
Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.
Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.
Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.
Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 2, 2016
Bride of the Mist took me by surprise!
Before starting this book, I thought it was a romantic one with the addition of some mystical elements. I didn't expect such an engaging and pleasant story, with breathtaking romance, psychic heroine, sexy Scotsman, past lives, evil villain, ghosts, secrets, hatred, betrayal, and so much more! Everything in one book!
Kara Fitzgerald, an American bridal magazine editor, had psychic abilities. She was able to sense things by touching. She tried to rent Dunraven Castle for the magazine’s honeymoon issue, but Lord Dunraven, Duncan MacKinnon, rejected her request. Stubbornly, she determined to convince him to allow her to use the place for the photo shoots. So she planned to go there, but first she would spend two days in London doing her consulting work. And that was where she accidentally met Duncan, a very hot Scottish laird.
Both of them were thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. Their past lives and unfinished debts came back to haunt them. While Duncan’s malicious twin brother tried to kill him and Kara, they grew more and more attracted to each other. As long as their lives were still in danger, how could they have a happy future together?
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster—happy, sad, light-hearted, excited, angry, scared, and anxious. There was so much more happening here than I ever imagined. I was almost breathless and I could hear the sound of my heart beating wildly inside my chest while Duncan and Kara were in extremely dangerous situations. The romance between them was so beautiful, passionate, and full of overwhelming love. And when I finished it, I felt so much joy bubbled up in my heart. I was extraordinarily pleased with the ending and a wonderful HEA.
Despite the fact that the story was pretty long, I still wanted more. Thank you, Vicki, for recommending this book to me. It was such an enjoyable read!
Before starting this book, I thought it was a romantic one with the addition of some mystical elements. I didn't expect such an engaging and pleasant story, with breathtaking romance, psychic heroine, sexy Scotsman, past lives, evil villain, ghosts, secrets, hatred, betrayal, and so much more! Everything in one book!
Kara Fitzgerald, an American bridal magazine editor, had psychic abilities. She was able to sense things by touching. She tried to rent Dunraven Castle for the magazine’s honeymoon issue, but Lord Dunraven, Duncan MacKinnon, rejected her request. Stubbornly, she determined to convince him to allow her to use the place for the photo shoots. So she planned to go there, but first she would spend two days in London doing her consulting work. And that was where she accidentally met Duncan, a very hot Scottish laird.
Both of them were thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. Their past lives and unfinished debts came back to haunt them. While Duncan’s malicious twin brother tried to kill him and Kara, they grew more and more attracted to each other. As long as their lives were still in danger, how could they have a happy future together?
"What matters is us. I want you in my life, Kara. You've touched places inside me that I'd forgotten even existed. There hasn't been much laughter in my life for a long time." His fingers tightened. "I'm counting on you to bring some laughter to Dunraven."
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster—happy, sad, light-hearted, excited, angry, scared, and anxious. There was so much more happening here than I ever imagined. I was almost breathless and I could hear the sound of my heart beating wildly inside my chest while Duncan and Kara were in extremely dangerous situations. The romance between them was so beautiful, passionate, and full of overwhelming love. And when I finished it, I felt so much joy bubbled up in my heart. I was extraordinarily pleased with the ending and a wonderful HEA.
"I want to please you. I want to make you forget any other man but me and any other touch but mine. I want to be the first and the best and the very last."
Despite the fact that the story was pretty long, I still wanted more. Thank you, Vicki, for recommending this book to me. It was such an enjoyable read!
March 13, 2016
I just finished reading Bride of the Mist and Wow, I loved it.
I was caught up in the drama from the first chapter. There was danger, mystery, ghosts, dreams of past lives and castles. Everything that is needed to make one outstanding romantic suspense book. It was exactly that. One outstanding read.
I was already reading this when I noticed that it was first published in 1995. There was no old school feel to this book.
Kara Fitzgerald has creative ideas for her bridal magazine and they include a castle in Scotland. She has an uncooperative castle owner to deal with, she also has had some visions about the safety of the man and his secrets.
Kara can't control the visions and feelings that she receives and all she wants to do is try to warn a man she has never met.
Duncan MacKinnon dislikes the press and once he hears she is with a magazine, he has no use for her or her warnings. This provides a great adversarial relationship which is also quite sexually charged. They are quite drawn to each other.
The way that Christina Skye writes about this mutual desire is extremely hot. Kara had been hurt in the past by a man that had defeated her self esteem so it was refreshing for Duncan to undo the damage that had been done to her.
This really is a book worth picking up. Although this is book 3 in a series about Draycott Abbey it certainly can be read as a standalone. The Abbey is said to be haunted and after reading this book, I would agree. Each book in the series deals with the Abbey's history and does not seem to involve recurring characters.
I was caught up in the drama from the first chapter. There was danger, mystery, ghosts, dreams of past lives and castles. Everything that is needed to make one outstanding romantic suspense book. It was exactly that. One outstanding read.
I was already reading this when I noticed that it was first published in 1995. There was no old school feel to this book.
Kara Fitzgerald has creative ideas for her bridal magazine and they include a castle in Scotland. She has an uncooperative castle owner to deal with, she also has had some visions about the safety of the man and his secrets.
Kara can't control the visions and feelings that she receives and all she wants to do is try to warn a man she has never met.
Duncan MacKinnon dislikes the press and once he hears she is with a magazine, he has no use for her or her warnings. This provides a great adversarial relationship which is also quite sexually charged. They are quite drawn to each other.
The way that Christina Skye writes about this mutual desire is extremely hot. Kara had been hurt in the past by a man that had defeated her self esteem so it was refreshing for Duncan to undo the damage that had been done to her.
This really is a book worth picking up. Although this is book 3 in a series about Draycott Abbey it certainly can be read as a standalone. The Abbey is said to be haunted and after reading this book, I would agree. Each book in the series deals with the Abbey's history and does not seem to involve recurring characters.
February 5, 2018
Χαίρομαι που το έπιασα αυτό το βιβλίο γιατί άξιζε το χρόνο που πέρασα για να το διαβάσω.
Η Κάρα Φιτζέραλντ είναι μια δημοσιογράφος σε περιοδικό γάμου που διαθέτει το χάρισμα της ενόρασης.Αν και βοηθούσε παλιά την αστυνομία να εξιχνιάσει εγκλήματα,το κόστος ήταν αρκετά μεγάλο και σταμάτησε να το κάνει.Τώρα πια οι υποχρεώσεις της αφορούν μόνο το πως θα δώσει ιδέες για τέλειους γάμους.Καθώς η Σκωτία είναι το θέμα του επόμενου τεύχους,έχει συγκεντρωθεί στο να μάθει όσα περισσότερα γίνεται γι'αυτή,και ιδιαίτερα για τον πύργο του Ντανρέιβεν που οι αισθήσεις της την προειδοποιούν πως τρέχει κάτι ζοφερό σχετικά με αυτόν,και ειδικά με τον ιδιοκτήτη του,τον Ντάνκαν ΜακΚίνον.
Η ηρωίδα μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ καθώς δεν φοβόταν να υποστηρίξει τις απόψεις της και δεν γινόταν υποχείριο του πρωταγωνιστή με το που εμφανίζοταν αυτός,κάτι που δυστυχώς δεν βλέπω συχνά.Μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα έβλεπα την σπιρτάδα της και το τσαγανό της και την ακεραιότητα του χαρακτήρα της,που με βοήθησε να πιστέψω στο happy ending τους.Έχοντας πληγωθεί στο παρελθόν ήταν πια διστακτική να εμπιστευτεί άλλον άντρα ρομαντικά,κάνοντας τον Ντάνκαν να προσπαθήσει πολύ για να την κατακτήσει.
Ο Ντάνκαν ΜακΚίνον είναι ο μοναχικός λόρδος του Ντάνρειβεν,έχοντας σαν νυχτερινή δουλειά να τεστάρει τα συστήματα ασφαλείας διαφόρων καταστημάτων και κτιρίων.Κάπως έτσι γνωρίζει την Κάρα και ξεκινάνε το πολυτάραχο ταξίδι τους.Θεωρώντας νεκρό τον αδερφό του και παλιό συνεργάτη του,Κάιλ,εκπλήσσεται δυσάρεστα όταν ανακαλύπτει τις δολοπλοκίες,θανάτους και καταστροφές που έχει σπέιρει στο πέραασμά του.Μαζί με την Κάρα,κατορθώνουν να προλάβουν ένα όλεθρο αλλά ο κίνδυνος δεν έχει περάσει ακόμα.
Ο Ντάνκαν στην αρχή μου φαίνονταν αντιπαθητικός,αλλά του έφυγε πολύ γρήγορα.Έγινε χαρακτήρας που μπορείς να βασιστείς πάνω του,και,παρ'όλο που θεωρούσε τις ευθύνες δικές του και προσπαθούσε να φτιάξει τα προβλήματα μόνος του,δεν έδινε την αίσθηση ότι είναι σεξιστής ή ότι υποτιμούσε τις δυνάμεις της Κάρα.Αντίθετα,έβλεπες την φροντίδα που ένιωθε για την Κάρα και το πόσο μακριά θα έφτανε για να την προστατεύσει.Το μόνο που με ενόχλησε πάνω του,οφείλω να πω,είναι το ότι η συγγραφέας δεν έδωσε σαφές λόγο και αιτία που ο Ντάνκαν πέρασε από ενόχληση σε έλξη για την Κάρα.Πέρα απ'αυτό ήταν τέλειος.
Άλλο ένα σημείο που με προβλημάτισε ήταν οι εναλλαγές σκηνών που μου φαίνονταν προσωπικά πολύ απότομες και μου έφερναν λίγο ζάλη.Και το τέλος που φάνηκε πολύ βιαστικό και σαν να ήθελε να τελειώσει γρήγορα.
Οι παράπλευροι χαρακτήρες,όπως τα φαντάσματα Άντριαν και ο γάτος του Γκίντεον(λατρεία!) ήταν τόσο όσο μέσα στην ιστορία και την εμπλούτιζαν αντί να αφαιρούν από αυτή.Έχουμε επίσης και την ιστορία ενός παλιού έρωτα,της Τάμσιν/Άρντουεν και του Ρόουαν,που βλέπουμε μέσα από τα οράματα της Κάρα και είναι οι πρόγονοι του Ντάνκαν.Τέλος,ο Κάιλ,ενώ αισθανόσουν τη μοχθηρότητα και απελπισία του,εμένα μου προκαλούσε πιο πολύ ενόχληση παρά φόβο.Τα κίνητρά του ήταν σαφή πάντως,αφού αισθανόταν αδικία από τη στέρηση του τίτλου του και των προνομίων του και ήθελε να ξεφύγει από ανθρώπους που είχε αδικήσει στο παρελθόν.Είχε και το τέλος που περίμενα.
Η Κάρα Φιτζέραλντ είναι μια δημοσιογράφος σε περιοδικό γάμου που διαθέτει το χάρισμα της ενόρασης.Αν και βοηθούσε παλιά την αστυνομία να εξιχνιάσει εγκλήματα,το κόστος ήταν αρκετά μεγάλο και σταμάτησε να το κάνει.Τώρα πια οι υποχρεώσεις της αφορούν μόνο το πως θα δώσει ιδέες για τέλειους γάμους.Καθώς η Σκωτία είναι το θέμα του επόμενου τεύχους,έχει συγκεντρωθεί στο να μάθει όσα περισσότερα γίνεται γι'αυτή,και ιδιαίτερα για τον πύργο του Ντανρέιβεν που οι αισθήσεις της την προειδοποιούν πως τρέχει κάτι ζοφερό σχετικά με αυτόν,και ειδικά με τον ιδιοκτήτη του,τον Ντάνκαν ΜακΚίνον.
Η ηρωίδα μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ καθώς δεν φοβόταν να υποστηρίξει τις απόψεις της και δεν γινόταν υποχείριο του πρωταγωνιστή με το που εμφανίζοταν αυτός,κάτι που δυστυχώς δεν βλέπω συχνά.Μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα έβλεπα την σπιρτάδα της και το τσαγανό της και την ακεραιότητα του χαρακτήρα της,που με βοήθησε να πιστέψω στο happy ending τους.Έχοντας πληγωθεί στο παρελθόν ήταν πια διστακτική να εμπιστευτεί άλλον άντρα ρομαντικά,κάνοντας τον Ντάνκαν να προσπαθήσει πολύ για να την κατακτήσει.
Ο Ντάνκαν ΜακΚίνον είναι ο μοναχικός λόρδος του Ντάνρειβεν,έχοντας σαν νυχτερινή δουλειά να τεστάρει τα συστήματα ασφαλείας διαφόρων καταστημάτων και κτιρίων.Κάπως έτσι γνωρίζει την Κάρα και ξεκινάνε το πολυτάραχο ταξίδι τους.Θεωρώντας νεκρό τον αδερφό του και παλιό συνεργάτη του,Κάιλ,εκπλήσσεται δυσάρεστα όταν ανακαλύπτει τις δολοπλοκίες,θανάτους και καταστροφές που έχει σπέιρει στο πέραασμά του.Μαζί με την Κάρα,κατορθώνουν να προλάβουν ένα όλεθρο αλλά ο κίνδυνος δεν έχει περάσει ακόμα.
Ο Ντάνκαν στην αρχή μου φαίνονταν αντιπαθητικός,αλλά του έφυγε πολύ γρήγορα.Έγινε χαρακτήρας που μπορείς να βασιστείς πάνω του,και,παρ'όλο που θεωρούσε τις ευθύνες δικές του και προσπαθούσε να φτιάξει τα προβλήματα μόνος του,δεν έδινε την αίσθηση ότι είναι σεξιστής ή ότι υποτιμούσε τις δυνάμεις της Κάρα.Αντίθετα,έβλεπες την φροντίδα που ένιωθε για την Κάρα και το πόσο μακριά θα έφτανε για να την προστατεύσει.Το μόνο που με ενόχλησε πάνω του,οφείλω να πω,είναι το ότι η συγγραφέας δεν έδωσε σαφές λόγο και αιτία που ο Ντάνκαν πέρασε από ενόχληση σε έλξη για την Κάρα.Πέρα απ'αυτό ήταν τέλειος.
Άλλο ένα σημείο που με προβλημάτισε ήταν οι εναλλαγές σκηνών που μου φαίνονταν προσωπικά πολύ απότομες και μου έφερναν λίγο ζάλη.Και το τέλος που φάνηκε πολύ βιαστικό και σαν να ήθελε να τελειώσει γρήγορα.
Οι παράπλευροι χαρακτήρες,όπως τα φαντάσματα Άντριαν και ο γάτος του Γκίντεον(λατρεία!) ήταν τόσο όσο μέσα στην ιστορία και την εμπλούτιζαν αντί να αφαιρούν από αυτή.Έχουμε επίσης και την ιστορία ενός παλιού έρωτα,της Τάμσιν/Άρντουεν και του Ρόουαν,που βλέπουμε μέσα από τα οράματα της Κάρα και είναι οι πρόγονοι του Ντάνκαν.Τέλος,ο Κάιλ,ενώ αισθανόσουν τη μοχθηρότητα και απελπισία του,εμένα μου προκαλούσε πιο πολύ ενόχληση παρά φόβο.Τα κίνητρά του ήταν σαφή πάντως,αφού αισθανόταν αδικία από τη στέρηση του τίτλου του και των προνομίων του και ήθελε να ξεφύγει από ανθρώπους που είχε αδικήσει στο παρελθόν.Είχε και το τέλος που περίμενα.
July 26, 2017
I liked the story, but it was way too long for me. The pace just dragged in a few spots. And the two lovers had some trouble getting their act together, which was distracting.
April 1, 2016
I loved this book. I have added ti to favorites because it just really struck a nerve with me. This book was so involved and there was history lovely history sad history and important history that left it's mark on the very grounds of the home. It took someone special to be able to hear their messages.
When I started this, I was not able to concentrate on anything else. It was a very pleasing read.
When I started this, I was not able to concentrate on anything else. It was a very pleasing read.
October 4, 2019
Kara Fitzgerald is a psychic who also works as a very successful editor for a brides magazine. She works for NYPD helping solve murders, kidnappings, etc. She also does free-lance work as a feng-shui expert - Oriental art of energy flow. She's trying to get permission to shoot a bridal issue at Dunraven Castle in Scotland, but the Lord refuses. She goes to London to do a feng-shui commission and interrupts what looks like a robbery. In fact, it's a security test being done the Lord of Dunrave, Duncan MacKinnon. She escapes but is reintroduced when they are thrown together the next day. Someone has other ideas and tries to murder them. The someone turns out to be Kyle, Duncan's evil twin brother who supposedly died 5 years earlier. Duncan and Kara work together to thwart Kyle's bobing attempts, she gets her shoot and they fall in love.
Skye's usual complicated plot with helps from the Draycott Abbey ghost, prvious characters, and flashbacks to Abbey history 600 years earlier.
Skye's usual complicated plot with helps from the Draycott Abbey ghost, prvious characters, and flashbacks to Abbey history 600 years earlier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2021
For a borrowed book from a hostel, not too terrible. The characters' were so hot and cold at times, it was whiplash inducing to the point where I didn't care about their specifics any longer. You know they will end up together in the end. The villain only showing up for the last few pages was anticlimactic after the entire book builds to that point. I DID enjoy the historic flashbacks, the Scottish countryside, and the 90's working girl trope.
January 10, 2021
As I love Christina Skye's novels, Bride of the Mist does not disappoint with Duncan and Kara's story. It has love, intrigue, and a sprinkling of highlander magic from your favorite ghost and cat of Draycott Abbey. I really loved the world-building that the author can portray in this little part of the world. There is always infinite rereading capability with Draycott Abbey series novels.
December 20, 2023
A very good romance.
I was engrossed in this book until the very end! This author is excellent! I always am eager to get her next book. Christina Skye keep on writing your stories.
I was engrossed in this book until the very end! This author is excellent! I always am eager to get her next book. Christina Skye keep on writing your stories.
July 4, 2018
Great story! Loved the romance and the mystery and the psychic element! I'll definitely read more!
July 10, 2023
It was ok, but it lost my interest half way through. I did finish it, but I could read a chapter and put it down easily. It was an ok story, just didn't keep my interest.
September 9, 2023
i have read the word scottsman so many times it doesnt feel like a word anymore
December 31, 2013
3.5-4 stars
2nd book in the series: If you love sexy alpha Highland men in kilts in steamy, suspenseful romances with a dash of paranormal, this book is for YOU!
We have our American heroine, Kara Fitzgerald, who has the ability to sense people, emotions, and energy patterns, so she knows when someone's lying. Really tough on relationships! In the past, Kara worked as a psychic for the NYPD, but she's been worn down by the emotional toll it takes to track criminals. She sometimes still takes cases from her friend at NYPD, and the latest one involving the kidnapping of 2 rich teens really wore her to a frazzle when it didn't end well.
Kara's day job is with the magazine New Bride, so she surrounds herself as much as possible with the joy of love and marriage. She's also a feng shui expert, who consults with businesses to help them manage and redirect the energy of their stores to increase profitability.
Duncan MacKinnon is a Scottish lord in his own right, current laird of Dunraven, and cousin of Nicholas Draycott of Draycott Abbey. Duncan is a security expert, breaking into his clients' businesses and then presenting his evaluation of the weaknesses and recommendations for how to improve the security. But he cannot be caught when breaking in, to keep his identity anonymous and to keep out of jail.
Kara bumps into Duncan, literally, while he's in the act of robbing a jewelry store that Kara has been hired to do a feng shui analysis on. Kara's the variable in Duncan's carefully prepared break-in, and she's not aware of who he is or what he's doing there... so Duncan escapes, but his B&E is "caught". And it just so happens that Kara wants to do her honeymoon spread in New Bride at Duncan's Dunraven Castle - only he continues to rebuff her offers.
When Kara uncovers Duncan's identity during a meeting with the jewelry store owner, the owner decides that Kara and Duncan need to work together for the next 2 days to provide him with a security solution, including energy patterns. Kara doesn't want to have anything more to do with Duncan, but he's concerned that she'll blow his cover. So to keep Kara from revealing his trade secrets, Duncan bribes her with an all access spread to photographing the never-before publicized interior of the castle, as well as the infamous rose-covered Honeymoon Cottage. Honeymooners who stay at the cottage are supposed to be guaranteed a long, happy marriage.
In the process, we discover that Duncan's evil twin Kyle is out to murder Duncan and cause as much collateral damage as possible along the way. That's the Evil that Adrian and Gideon are trying to prevent from affecting their beloved Draycott Abbey. Of course, Kara and Duncan are also caught up in the "magic" of the abbey, and discover they're star-crossed lovers from the middle-ages... a mute stray girl who doesn't remember her identity and a war-weary knight who thinks he's lost his honor.
------------
I enjoyed this book, but there was a lot more over-the-top about it than the 1st book. Duncan's evil twin is deliciously evil, but sometimes too much so. At times, the book felt a bit drawn out, as the author tries to build all the intricate details of both the past and present. A bit less of both would have served well.
I did enjoy the suspense and the twists of Kyle's reasons for who and what he is and does. And I loved Kara's and Duncan's chemistry and the delightful play of her feng shui, her "gift", and her bridal magazine job. Duncan has just the right balance of war weary Scottish lord with a fateful expectation. Always love Nicholas, and can never get enough of Adrian and Gideon!
2nd book in the series: If you love sexy alpha Highland men in kilts in steamy, suspenseful romances with a dash of paranormal, this book is for YOU!
We have our American heroine, Kara Fitzgerald, who has the ability to sense people, emotions, and energy patterns, so she knows when someone's lying. Really tough on relationships! In the past, Kara worked as a psychic for the NYPD, but she's been worn down by the emotional toll it takes to track criminals. She sometimes still takes cases from her friend at NYPD, and the latest one involving the kidnapping of 2 rich teens really wore her to a frazzle when it didn't end well.
Kara's day job is with the magazine New Bride, so she surrounds herself as much as possible with the joy of love and marriage. She's also a feng shui expert, who consults with businesses to help them manage and redirect the energy of their stores to increase profitability.
Duncan MacKinnon is a Scottish lord in his own right, current laird of Dunraven, and cousin of Nicholas Draycott of Draycott Abbey. Duncan is a security expert, breaking into his clients' businesses and then presenting his evaluation of the weaknesses and recommendations for how to improve the security. But he cannot be caught when breaking in, to keep his identity anonymous and to keep out of jail.
Kara bumps into Duncan, literally, while he's in the act of robbing a jewelry store that Kara has been hired to do a feng shui analysis on. Kara's the variable in Duncan's carefully prepared break-in, and she's not aware of who he is or what he's doing there... so Duncan escapes, but his B&E is "caught". And it just so happens that Kara wants to do her honeymoon spread in New Bride at Duncan's Dunraven Castle - only he continues to rebuff her offers.
When Kara uncovers Duncan's identity during a meeting with the jewelry store owner, the owner decides that Kara and Duncan need to work together for the next 2 days to provide him with a security solution, including energy patterns. Kara doesn't want to have anything more to do with Duncan, but he's concerned that she'll blow his cover. So to keep Kara from revealing his trade secrets, Duncan bribes her with an all access spread to photographing the never-before publicized interior of the castle, as well as the infamous rose-covered Honeymoon Cottage. Honeymooners who stay at the cottage are supposed to be guaranteed a long, happy marriage.
In the process, we discover that Duncan's evil twin Kyle is out to murder Duncan and cause as much collateral damage as possible along the way. That's the Evil that Adrian and Gideon are trying to prevent from affecting their beloved Draycott Abbey. Of course, Kara and Duncan are also caught up in the "magic" of the abbey, and discover they're star-crossed lovers from the middle-ages... a mute stray girl who doesn't remember her identity and a war-weary knight who thinks he's lost his honor.
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I enjoyed this book, but there was a lot more over-the-top about it than the 1st book. Duncan's evil twin is deliciously evil, but sometimes too much so. At times, the book felt a bit drawn out, as the author tries to build all the intricate details of both the past and present. A bit less of both would have served well.
I did enjoy the suspense and the twists of Kyle's reasons for who and what he is and does. And I loved Kara's and Duncan's chemistry and the delightful play of her feng shui, her "gift", and her bridal magazine job. Duncan has just the right balance of war weary Scottish lord with a fateful expectation. Always love Nicholas, and can never get enough of Adrian and Gideon!
March 1, 2014
Terrible. I only got through half of the book before I finally woke up and wondered why I continued to read something I really didn't like.
Here are the many reasons I feel this way: The characters were polar opposites and had no chemistry until the guy suddenly decided he wanted her. He was also a crass, one-dimensional character (and so was she). He ALWAYS spoke about his desire for her by saying he wants her in his bed. The action/thriller part was completely unbelievable and introduced and finished so abruptly. After they "saved the world!", the storyline was completely abandoned and the focus was shifted to their "budding romance" (ie. hornyness). The girl's "psychic" powers were so weird and wacky, I didn't know what was happening half the time. There was nothing historical about anything except for one short sequence in her "psychic dream" or whatever that was. Oh and there's also a mysterious ghost and his cat that keeps popping up throughout for no apparent reason. And many more reasons...
Can ya tell I didn't like this book?! I am completely confused by the great overall rating. It's not good!
Here are the many reasons I feel this way: The characters were polar opposites and had no chemistry until the guy suddenly decided he wanted her. He was also a crass, one-dimensional character (and so was she). He ALWAYS spoke about his desire for her by saying he wants her in his bed. The action/thriller part was completely unbelievable and introduced and finished so abruptly. After they "saved the world!", the storyline was completely abandoned and the focus was shifted to their "budding romance" (ie. hornyness). The girl's "psychic" powers were so weird and wacky, I didn't know what was happening half the time. There was nothing historical about anything except for one short sequence in her "psychic dream" or whatever that was. Oh and there's also a mysterious ghost and his cat that keeps popping up throughout for no apparent reason. And many more reasons...
Can ya tell I didn't like this book?! I am completely confused by the great overall rating. It's not good!
February 25, 2018
This is a pretty cool book! I like the suspense, the romance is intense and the paranormal/psychic angle makes it all even better. Kara works for a bridal magazine arranging photo shoots, but she's also a pretty powerful psychic who can sense things by touch. She seems to have linked to Dunraven and its lord for some reason and using the bridal magazine as a cover, seeks out the castle and its lord, Duncan MacKinnon. When she finally encounters him, the the link (as well as an attraction) and the visions get stronger as danger comes closer. At first, Duncan doesn't believe Kara's visions, but once she identifies his evil twin brother as the villain, he starts to trust. Then they have to work together to defeat the villain. It really is an exciting story with passion and romance... The past life aspect feels like it gets a bit in the way at times, and I'm not sure it's really necessary.
I did find it a bit strange that Duncan was so resistant to believing Kara about her ability, but then he later describes his mother and how she had the sight as well. So he'd grown up with it. So why did he struggle to believe Kara?
I did find it a bit strange that Duncan was so resistant to believing Kara about her ability, but then he later describes his mother and how she had the sight as well. So he'd grown up with it. So why did he struggle to believe Kara?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2014
Despite all the ridiculousness, the book was entertaining and well written, so I gave it 2.5/5 stars.
July 13, 2014
Christina Skye has never disappointed me with her ability to convey such depth of emotion, meaning and suspense into her written works. This book is no exception as it continues the Draycott Abbey series with phenomenally twisting plots.
I loved it! The book description adequately describes the story and anyone interested in the unusual, suspenseful, romantic or paranormal will be happily entertained by this book.
Easily fluid and with a depth of detail that allows the characters to leap from the page and into the imagination of the readers, this book is at the top of my ‘must keep forever’ list.
It isn’t everyday that you come across a reader that not only resides forever on my Kindle, but that I would then go any purchase the paperback/hardback for my shelves.
Keep them coming Christina Skye – I’m loving them!
I loved it! The book description adequately describes the story and anyone interested in the unusual, suspenseful, romantic or paranormal will be happily entertained by this book.
Easily fluid and with a depth of detail that allows the characters to leap from the page and into the imagination of the readers, this book is at the top of my ‘must keep forever’ list.
It isn’t everyday that you come across a reader that not only resides forever on my Kindle, but that I would then go any purchase the paperback/hardback for my shelves.
Keep them coming Christina Skye – I’m loving them!
November 7, 2015
If like me you adore anything about Ireland and Scotland, then this book seems right up our alley right? wrong. In the beginning it was a little hard to get into. The constant back and fourth between the past and present lives was a little hard to follow. The main H and h don't really click for me, I didn't really feel a connection to them. The past, the ghost, the tales of Scotland were what kept me reading. This book has magic, romance and mystery. What it doesn't have is fluid filled reading it was very choppy and at times difficult to understand what was going on. It just wasn't smooth reading if that makes since. I have read ALOT and I do me ALOT of books that have time travel, flashes of past and present lives that were easily read this just wasn't one of them. Sad to say this isn't a series I'll continue to read about. Such promise but fell very short.
July 31, 2013
One of Chistina Skye's better books, this addition to the Draycott Abbey series is full of intrigue and, well, very hot sex. Elements include: a sexy Scottish laird whose home is on the wild coastline; a heroine with a psychic gift for psychometry on overdrive; time travel via visions from the past; a vengeful twin brother; and plenty of action. What's not to love.
Generally fast pacing. Found only one area where the novel bogged down, a love scene that went on WAY too long and lost its rhythm (though the descriptions were exquisite at points). The story had few clunky spots where transitions could have been better, and the author worked the tying up of loose ends pretty hard, making the ending less than smooth. Overall, however, a page-turning read.
Generally fast pacing. Found only one area where the novel bogged down, a love scene that went on WAY too long and lost its rhythm (though the descriptions were exquisite at points). The story had few clunky spots where transitions could have been better, and the author worked the tying up of loose ends pretty hard, making the ending less than smooth. Overall, however, a page-turning read.
November 25, 2015
I bought this book. A long time ago (15 + years?) I read several of the Draycott Abbey books and loved them. Ms Skye has not disappointed me. This one really is a 6 star. Kara is a sensitive and has helped police when they hit the proverbial brick wall. It takes a lot out of her. So she decides to go to Scotland and try to convince the owner of the Dunraven Castle to allow a bride's magazine to do a photo shoot. That way she can hide from the police and do her job for the magazine. She has had reoccurring visions and words that didn't make sense. Will the visions keep her from doing her job? What about the words she hears that are linked with Dunraven Castle?
May 26, 2011
I thought I would read the series and then figure out which one I like the best. The problem is they are all so different. I am amazed how an Abbey can have so many different connections. I enjoy the time travel and how it come out in this series. I did enjoy this book so much I had a hard time putting it down. I liked the mystery and suspense and how the connection grew between them. A romance with a twist.
June 13, 2016
Η απόλυτη απόδειξη του "αν παίζει καλή παρέα και καλοκαιράκι τότε μπορείς να διαβάσεις το οτιναναι και να περάσεις τέλεια".
Διαβάστηκε το καλοκαίρι του 2012, δυνατά, μεταξύ 3 ανθρώπων (εναλλάξ), με διασκευή την φωνή του πρωταγωνιστή σε κυπριακή προφορά, όλων των μπάτσων με αμερικάνικη και διάφορα χορευτικά σκετς.
Για αυτό τον λόγο παίρνει 2 αστεράκια και πολύ θα θέλαμε και άλλα τέτοια στη ζωή μας.
Διαβάστηκε το καλοκαίρι του 2012, δυνατά, μεταξύ 3 ανθρώπων (εναλλάξ), με διασκευή την φωνή του πρωταγωνιστή σε κυπριακή προφορά, όλων των μπάτσων με αμερικάνικη και διάφορα χορευτικά σκετς.
Για αυτό τον λόγο παίρνει 2 αστεράκια και πολύ θα θέλαμε και άλλα τέτοια στη ζωή μας.
November 8, 2014
This book was LONG! The writing was professional (which I do appreciate). The characters just didn't engage me and I didn't love them. And the story was LONG! Lots going on and I felt like I was reading a lot of descriptions that just didn't add to the storyline. When it is easy to put a book down numerous times and it takes (me) days to finish, it indicates to me a book that I really didn't enjoy.
July 27, 2016
2.5 stars.
The writing skill is competent enough, but the storytelling is all over the place. I was a bit bored.
The author is supposed to be an expert on all things Asian and the heroine is a feng shui expert. In all the feng shui books that I've read, I've never, ever, seen anything suggesting placing mirrors that can be viewed from someone's bed - just the opposite in fact. I could be wrong, but details like this, which are for the purposes of creating sexual tension only, bug me.
The writing skill is competent enough, but the storytelling is all over the place. I was a bit bored.
The author is supposed to be an expert on all things Asian and the heroine is a feng shui expert. In all the feng shui books that I've read, I've never, ever, seen anything suggesting placing mirrors that can be viewed from someone's bed - just the opposite in fact. I could be wrong, but details like this, which are for the purposes of creating sexual tension only, bug me.
August 5, 2009
Only partially through it, but I'm a sucker for time-travel-type romances. It seems like everyone gets transported back to Scotland, but I guess if the land is populated with faeries, it makes sense! A very light, no-brainer read, but enjoyable.
February 24, 2011
Another great story in the Draycott Abboey Series. A bit of sex at the end but it blended in the story line nicely. The time travel line blends together so the reader is kept up to date. Enjoyed it.
July 16, 2012
Another Draycott book. I like historical books so I'll keep reading books like this, lol. The story is good as always. There's Rated R parts but as a sensible person I decided to not let it bother me. Really People? lol.
January 18, 2016
This book is definitely worth 5 stars. Thee characters were very likable. The story line was awesome. This paranormal romantic suspense has it all. This book was free but I would definitely buy more books by this author!
November 10, 2015
This was a lovely contemporary Scottish romance with glimpses of the past thanks to the heroine's visions. I was afraid it would be gruesome murder stories thanks to her talent, instead it was a murderous relative who seems to have been chasing them through time. Lovely story
October 10, 2016
Brilliant
This has a little bit of everything: action, adventure, mystery, contemporary, historical, paranormal, and, of course, romance. A thrilling story of good triumphant over evil and happily ever after.
This has a little bit of everything: action, adventure, mystery, contemporary, historical, paranormal, and, of course, romance. A thrilling story of good triumphant over evil and happily ever after.
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