Behind the Plaid

Highland Bound #1

by Eliza Knight

He dominated her mind. She possessed his soul.

Emma Gordon escapes from a troubling marriage in which she’s completely lost sight of who she is. Desperate for independence, she leaves her husband while on a trip in the Scottish Highlands. Only thing is, she ends up hurled back in time to the 16th Century Castle Gealach and headlong into the arms of the handsome, intimidating Laird Logan Grant. Thrust into a world filled with treachery, danger and intensity she must summon the courage to find her way.

Logan is tormented by a dark past and harbors a secret that could tear his country apart. He’s consumed with the need for control which wars with his longing for harmony. Unable to resist Emma’s beauty and spirit and the calm that she invokes, Logan confesses he desires her - but only on his terms. He promises erotic encounters that will change them both forever, and quench their overwhelming desire.

Despite her own reservations, Emma longs to get close to the mysterious laird, even while she is desperate to return to her own era. She agrees to Logan’s proposal to satisfy her curiosity, but in the end embarks on a daring, passionate affair that rocks her to the very core. Secrets are uncovered, souls bared, spirits transformed. Neither of them can hide behind the plaid.

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Time Travel Romance, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

ebook

First published March 12, 2013

About the author

Eliza Knight is an award winning, USA Today and international bestselling author. Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles and ran through the fields in Southern France. She can still remember standing before the great golden palace, and imagining what life must have been like. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, her weekends were filled with visits to museums, and historical reenactments. Escape into history for courageous heroines, irresistible heroes and daring escapades. Join Eliza (sometimes as E.) on riveting historical journeys that cross landscapes around the world. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society and Novelists, Inc., the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and a co-host on the History, Books and Wine podcast. Eliza also writes contemporary women's fiction as Michelle Brandon.

While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she tries to keep up with her three not-so-little children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses, two very naughty Newfies, and a turtle named Fish.

CONFESSIONS OF A GRAMMAR QUEEN out now! LOST IN THE SUMMER OF '69 out June 9, 2026!

For more information about book club visits, downloadable reader guides, upcoming author events, book news, newsletter and more, visit her website: www.elizaknight.com

If you love history and want to dive in for some fun, visit Eliza's popular, award-winning blog:
http://historyundressed.com or her history podcast: https://historybooksandwinepodcast.bu...

To connect on social media, visit/follow Eliza at the following:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elizaknightfi...
Instagram: @ElizaKnightFiction

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession]

DNF at 32% I'm just not feeling this book and I'm zoning out so I'm gonna move on to my next read. I'm not going to rate this book since I didn't even make it to 50%

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a weak Droughtlander moment, I took advantage of a free Kindle book... sometimes you really do get what you paid for!

Nearly non-existent storyline past the first few chapters and a heroine who miraculously changed from abused weakling to strong “woman hear me roar” toward Highlander Laird who is mesmerized by her Brazilian and bare underarms...

And although the spicy scenes were too many when compared to moving the story forward, that didn't bother me nearly as much as the lack of any emotional depth.

Ugh. Moving on!!

(Reviewed 10/13/15)

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story Rating 4.5 Stars
Character Rating 5 Stars
Romance Rating 5 Stars
Heat Level 4 Stars
Overall Rating 5 Stars

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, What a FANTASTIC read this was for me!! This was my first read by Eliza Knight and I can assure you it will NOT be my last. I have had a few of Eliza's books wish listed at Amazon for some time. When this book released and knowing it was book 1 of a new trilogy I decided to give it a try and BOY I sure am happy I did.

This is a time travel romance that grabbed me right away. The heroine Emma was living a bad life with a husband who treated her extremely bad, and constantly misused her, scared her and humiliated her. She was turning into a shell of a woman when one night with the help of someone who witness the treatment her husband gave her, helped her to escape. This is where the time travel comes in. She ends up near the ruins of an old castle during a thunder storm, only to wake up in the 16th century. This is where the story really takes place. She meets Logan, the Laird of Gealach. Right from the beginning these two were drawn to each other.

I loved reading how with the help from Logan, Emma came out of her shell and started to become the Emma she should have always been. Logan, SIGH, he was everything I want in an alpha warrior Highlander hero. I have to tell you that I actually fell in love with him while reading how strong yet gentle, caring, dominating and sexy he was for Emma, to me he was, PERFECTION!

Logan took his time with Emma and did not just jump under the covers with her right from the start. I liked knowing that he knew he should wait.There were MANY of sensual scenes that lead up to them hitting the sheets. Let me tell you once they did, the scenes were SCORCHING.

So, this story is set up nicely during this book. There are a few big secret that Logan is holding to himself and near the end we finally get to know exactly what one of them is. I loved finding out just what this secret was, even though none of the immediate characters in the book knows yet. I have a feeling that this secret is going to be a huge part of books two and three. Also Emma has not confessed to Logan that she is from the future either. I knew going into this book from reading a review that the story just kind of ends and that I will have to wait on the next book. Nevertheless, I thought Eliza ended the book at a perfect spot, leaving me with a happy feeling but also leaving me wanting MORE!! I know for a fact had this series been completed that I would just continue on and not stopped until it was concluded. Now the HUGE wait is on for me to get the many questions I was left with answered. I know for sure that when book two, Bared To The Highlander is released 8/15/13, that I will be purchasing it and reading it ASAP!

I'm really surprised that only a slight few of my Scottish Romance reading friends have read any of Eliza Knights books. I truly hope that after you read this review that you decide to read this book too and find out for yourself's just why I loved this read so much.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Warning: may cause minor headache due to eye-rolling

[Rumpusparable · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wrote a long and much more explanatory review and my Kindle App ate it, so I'll leave a short summary here:

I'm only 88% done with it and I believe I'm finished, I can't take how bad this book is. I grabbed it as I really enjoyed the Stolen Bride series and this is just god-awful. I hate giving such strong a phrasing but that's truly how I feel about it at this point... I've been just trudging through, putting up with it since a little earlier than half-way trying to make it to the end.

I'll have to check if this was maybe one of her first couple of novels to see if that explains the quality difference between this and the Stolen Bride books. Even the one of those I wasn't very keen on was amazing compared to this, it was a good series I enjoyed reading.

[Rhonda Stees-marcial · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummm, well I feel dirty and I'm going to take a shower. That being said I'll probably read the next one. Whew. This type of book isn't what I often read. Maybe I should start though. >fans herself<

[Latte · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read a time travel novel, I expect to read about the adaptation needed to survive in a different era. All I got here was the need to shave Emma's legs and, uh, wax. And despite the fact Emma has an "odd" accent and comes from a strange land Logan has never heard of, Washington, he never seems to wonder much more. Just disappointing from a time traveling aspect.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

This romance novel contains plenty of steamy sex scenes, but almost everything else about it is all wrong. The author bludgeons the reader over the head with the "Fifty Shades of Grey"-esque theme of a therapeutic dom-sub relationship. The writing is usually average and occasionally painfully bad. The story ends abruptly in an unsatisfying manner (one of many pacing issues). Not my cup of tea.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first I've read anything by Eliza Knight. As a big lover of the Highlander-type romances, I've read other authors that deal with both the time period and time-travel. I found the story took a back seat to the romantic encounters. The romance is a critical element of course but not to the degree that it weakens the rest of the story. There wasn't enough time spent allowing the main characters, Logan and Emma, to get to know each other. It just seemed rushed. There were other issues in the story but imagine they'll be dealt with later on?? The romantic moments were very well written/described albeit racy. This trilogy is dedicated to Logan and Emma's journey, so because there was enough to like... I'll be giving Bared to the Laird, Book 2 a listen.

The audio version was designed to be taken from the individual character's perspective and offered two voices/interpretations... namely, Antony Ferguson and Arika Rapson. Chapters were read/interpreted by each independently. Rapson does a great job capturing the majority of both female and male characters in her chapters whilst Ferguson only nails the male characters in his. Ferguson's interpretation of female voices was quite unpleasant. What would've been ideal is if Ferguson narrated the men and Rapson spoke for the women throughout the audio recording. That would've made for an outstanding listen. A girl can dream right?!

[Beth (^v^)/ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book!

Time travel to 16th century Scotland? Yes, please!



An emotionally abused wife of an a-hole, is suddenly transported 500 years in the past. She arrives right before a battle is to commence. She's saved by the Laird of the castle doorstep she arrives on. And things get pretty hot.



The story develops, and my only negative thoughts about the book are in regards to the ending. It kind of just abruptly ends. I can't wait to see where the author takes the next two books. I really really hope Logan travels to 2013 and beats up her a-hole husband. That would be awesome. That guy needs to have his ass kicked.

[Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The funny thing was, in my own time period, I was timid. Allowed people to walk all over me. But in Logan's era, I'd somehow developed a bit of confidence. I was changing. And I thought it was for the better. No, I KNEW it was for the better. I was becoming the real me. My new self was trying to escape through the cracks in the barrier of my old life, to be born again and bask in the light of freedom.

When I first started this book, I was basically just in the mood for some Scottish historical romance. But I got much more than I bargained for. I got an actual story. I got two flawed yet emotional character's whose romance felt real in me and had me believing in it and them. I got a protagonist who started out weak but eventually grew into something so much more. And of course I got lots of hot smexiness. ;)

This was a great book! I recommend it to anyone looking for a historical romance with a bit of substance. :)

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was awful . I couldn't stand the so called hero, all he ever thought about was sex. The heroine wasn't much better and both had no personality at all. I will definitely not buy any other books by this author.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first had the recommended to me I wasn't sure due to mixed reviews but liked the blurb so much I wanted to give it a go. All the reviews saying it's too erotic but story is really good.
The sexual tension is massive between Logan and Emma but they don't actually have sex later in book. The story is amazing and the relationship between Logan Emma is a complicated one but u can clearly see they are made for each other. The end of book has a huge open ended cliffhanger which I usually hate with a vengeance but I'm more desperate in starting next book.

[Desiree M ~*~*~ LiveReadCollect · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio. The narration is great, I just wanted to keep listening.

I love time-traveling romances, they tend to settle into a little corner of my heart and set up shop there. This one was no different.

Behind the Plaid was fun, with a little bit of dark stuff under the surface. I loved the relationship between Emma and Logan, can't wait to see what happens in the next couple books.

CW: Domestic violence, rape, verbal abuse (not done by the hero, Emma is married in her original timeline to a total douche-canoe). Also technically Emma is cheating on her husband but as mentioned he's a complete jerk so I don't care.

I will mention that I didn't realize that this was book 1 in a trilogy? but as the story continued and it felt like there was too much left unresolved and only a small amount of time till the end, I began to realize that there will be more with this couple, which I'm excited about. So this is more a HFN kind of ending, there's still things that need to be addressed between the characters so I'm looking forward to going on that journey once my hold comes in from the library.

[Clarice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Gordon is running away from a troubling marriage in which she has completely lost sight of who is she is. Leaving her husband while on a trip to the Scottish Highlands, only ended up being hurled back in time to the 16th Century Castle Cealach and headlong into the arms of the intimidating Laird Logan Grant. Now in a world of treachery, danger, and intensity, she must summon the courage to find her way. Logan is a tormented soul. He is consumed with the need for control, and stop the warring clan all around him. Unable to resist Emma's beauty and spirit and calm that she invokes within him. Logan confesses that he desires her, however, only on his terms. Logan promises an erotic encounter that will change them both. Can they both take the chance?

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This low rating has more to do with my dislike of time travel stories than anything else, I've found a few exceptions to that dislike but this didn't wind up being one of them.
Emma is fleeing her abusive husband in present day Scotland when she feels the need to approach a castle gate in the middle of a storm, it's struck by lightning and she is sent back in time 500 years. Logan almost runs over the oddly dressed young woman as he leaves the castle to join a battle, sending her inside he'll deal with her after the battle.
Emma is obviously confused and Logan is untrusting because she shows up at the same moment as the castle is attacked. Both MC's are wounded in different ways and they use sexual healing to get over it.

[Kelsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is just soft core porn.

No really. There's no plot, no conflict, no growth. Our MCs talk about how much they want each other (and nothing else) and then go at it. It was boring.

[Tt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a period romance in ages yet for some reason I picked this one up and glad I did. I have to be in the right frame of mind to read this type of romance , suspend belief and just enjoy the fantasy...not get too wrapped up in the reality of it all
Emma and Logan were great together. The book is a time travel so it keeps you wondering when if she’s going to disappear again, but this time Logan also had secrets to be revealed. I really liked this book and will read the others in the series.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Gordon is a young woman who has been in a bad marriage for almost a decade. When she's traveling in Scotland a kind woman gives her a chance to escape, and she runs with it. On the cab ride away from her abusive husband she is drawn to a castle they visited earlier. She jumps out of the cab in the midst of thunderstorms to run to the castle which she feels drawn to. Lightening strikes and she is hurled back through time to the 1500s where she meets a man that will change everything.

Laird Logan Grant is a strong, dominant defender of Scotland. He is independent and harbors deep secrets. He's also gained quite a reputation among the ladies. When a mysterious and dazzling redhead appears on his property he is not quite sure what to make of her, but he knows he wants her in his bed.

This story is mostly steamy encounters between Emma and Logan. The steaminess is off the charts and those scenes are well done. The story, however, lacks. There are lots of subplots which are grazed upon and then forgotten - hopefully to be picked up in later novels in the story. For example, Emma lost her family at a young age and it appears that some who are in this earlier time appear strangely similar to those she has lost- coincidence or did her family travel back through time too? I have no idea.

After a decade of abuse, Emma meets a handsome stranger and is intimate with him within 24 hours of leaving the husband she is still married too - that seems a little unrealistic and rushed.

Also, what of Logan's deep secrets? What is going on with the King? There are lots of things that are mentioned and unresolved and then the book ends suddenly.

It's a great read if you want a steamy fantasy, but I enjoy a good story with a great plot and those were incomplete.

The narration on this novel was excellent. Both Antony Ferguson and Arika Rapson did an outstanding job. Logan has a sexy scottish accent that is so enjoyable to listen to. Emma has a beautifully sweet voice that is also a pleasure to hear. The readers were outstanding and in some aspects made the story worthwhile and the characters likeable.

Overall, if you are looking for a clever dazzling plot, skip this one. If you want a sensual romantic read and are not overly concerned about the plot details or cliff hanger endings, then this is an enjoyable story.

[Jay W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lord this book was dumb as hell.
First of all... the author must not have had a note about her characters cause they kept changing. First Euwin is blond and light then he is red head later, first Emma says “if I hadn’t seen my brothers mangled body.....” then it changes to “their bodies were never found..” like sis which is it? The story was ok if you want no personality, no plot, but a lot of sex. Oh there is also a scene where he says he is her dom and she the sub, and then she says “stop” and he says “no”. Literally pissed me off so bad. Like ok soooooooo... is this not.... rape? Whole time they keep going back to this “oh whoa is me I was abused by my husband blah blah” but other than in the beginning w her leaving her husband, it doesn’t actually effect the story which is annoying. Like she tried to splash stuff like “Logan yelled at me so I look at him w fear and disappointment.. he’s just like my husband” but then IMMEDIATELY it turns into.. desire? There is also mention a few times about her lying and she says “I’ve never lied” which would be the obvious answer but literally 70% of what she says is a lie. Lies of omission and just flat out lies.
In complete honesty.... this book seems like it wasn’t actually meant to be published. It seems like it was just supposed to be practice writing sex scenes.

[Lani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was basically a bunch of sex scenes with storytelling in between. It’s a bit ridiculous that the h was even willing and eager for sex after being struck by lightning a few hours earlier. The H and h never had a meaningful conversation which made it hard to believe they fell in love. The H never even got a reasonable explanation as to how the h just showed up on his doorstep during a battle.

The actions of the h also did not seem realistic. The h doesn’t feel safe exploring the castle but has little problem going outside the gates with guards (6 of them) even though several people have told her it’s too dangerous and it’s been forbidden by the H. The h also comes from an 8 year marriage full of abuse but had little issue with a strong aggressive H.

I would have loved to see the main characters connect on more than just a sexual level but sadly that just didn’t happen.

[Taria Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok but not my cup of tea. It wasn't the story per se it was how it was written. It's written in the first person from both the Ella and Logan's point of view. Seriously why the hell!?!?

It ended very abruptly as if the author was toddling along in the story then looked at the page count and said "oh shit I gotta wrap this mother-fucker up" and she did in like 15mins.

And seriously they NEVER ONCE discussed the fact that she's from the fucking future? REALLY?!?! What was the point of having a time travel historical romance without that being an issue in the book?

Story - 1.25
narrators - the girl narrator was pure torture. Antony Ferguson could have done this whole book and i probably would have enjoyed it a touch more.

Highlander stories need to be narrated by men dammit!!!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this time travel romance. It was a bit overly erotic, but it has a good story at the base of it. I was really hoping that Emma, the main female character, would tell Logan, the hot Highland Laird, that she was from the future and that she would at least have had something to back up her claim. But this is one of three parts to this story. So hopefully there will be more to it than just sex. I enjoy erotic books, they are erotic for a reason, but I thought that this had a bit much. Although on a good note, the sex scenes were done very well and believable. It is definitely a HOT to the touch book!!!

[Kellie Kamryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book written by Ms. Knight and it won't be my last. I was intrigued by the label on the book "an erotic novel" that also featured time travel to an historic setting. Emma has obvious trust issues having run away from an abusive marriage. Logan has his own secrets, yet he finds himself drawn to Emma who holds secrets of her own. I felt the book came to a conclusion in its own way, and I cannot wait to read the rest in the trilogy to see how these characters develop as well as the rest of the story.

[Molly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so boring. I'm all for erotica, but that even bored me. This book had no plot at all. It felt like I was reading someone life hour by hour. The only repeating theme in this book was
-Her husband beating her
-Her family died.
-She afraid that Logan might be like her husband and then feeling guilt for even thinking it.
-If she goes or doesn't goes back to her time period.
I can't even believe that the author was so descriptive when Emma was waxing her private area. Come on really? Do I really need information like that?
Reading that book was a waste of time.

[Donna McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a book I would recommend to any one.

this book has very little plot. all it consists of is sex, so much sex it was boring and tiresome . plus the writer couldn't makeup her mind to write in first person or third. Not a good writing style at all. I was very disappointed in it.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an actually a pretty good read. This was a time-travel romance book that was actually pretty interested. I understand that it is part of a series but I probably will not read the next ones. I prefer to think of them as living a happily ever after from this moment.

[Annie Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two words...Holy Moly!

Can't wait to read the next in this delightfully sinful series!

[JC Mulligan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been in love with time travel romance books every since I read Outlander, but still looking for an even slightly close comparison.

[Amyalissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I couldn’t get past the Hero’s orgy at the beginning... Ick!
I prefer to not read at detailed description of the H’s sex or in this case, group sex life!