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Arch Through Time #1
Dreams of a Highlander
(Alternate cover edition of ASIN B01L9RAXKY.)
Darcy Greenway has no time for love. As a dedicated veterinarian her career and her patients come first. But since the death of her parents she’s been running, searching. She just doesn’t know what for.
On a much-needed vacation to Scotland she walks under a natural archway on the shore of a loch and finds herself catapulted into the sixteenth century...and right into the middle of a clan war.
Stranded in a world of danger and passion, Darcy finds herself drawn to Quinn MacFarlane, the brave Scottish warrior who swears to protect her. But Quinn has secrets of his own. Haunted by his failure to save his brother, his vow might be the very thing that keeps them apart. Because he’ll protect her from everyone - even himself.
With enemies closing in, Darcy must make a choice. Should she return home or should she risk her heart on her dream of a Highlander?
Darcy Greenway has no time for love. As a dedicated veterinarian her career and her patients come first. But since the death of her parents she’s been running, searching. She just doesn’t know what for.
On a much-needed vacation to Scotland she walks under a natural archway on the shore of a loch and finds herself catapulted into the sixteenth century...and right into the middle of a clan war.
Stranded in a world of danger and passion, Darcy finds herself drawn to Quinn MacFarlane, the brave Scottish warrior who swears to protect her. But Quinn has secrets of his own. Haunted by his failure to save his brother, his vow might be the very thing that keeps them apart. Because he’ll protect her from everyone - even himself.
With enemies closing in, Darcy must make a choice. Should she return home or should she risk her heart on her dream of a Highlander?
193 pages, ebook
Published August 29, 2016
1401 people are currently reading
1372 people want to read
About the author
Katy Baker
117 books199 followersKaty Baker was born in London to an English mother and an American father. She grew up a stone's throw from Hampstead Heath which remains one of her favourite places in the world. During her twenties she spent several years living in San Francisco where she developed an abiding love of bagels before returning to her beloved London. She lives in south London with her husband and a very grumpy bulldog.
Katy's books explore the intricacies of human relationships with plenty of spice thrown in. What would life be without a little spice?
Would you like to know more of Irene MacAskill’s story? Guardian of a Highlander, a short story is available as a free gift to all my newsletter subscribers. Sign up below to grab your copy and receive a regular email containing news, chat and more. https://www.subscribepage.com/w4s5u0
If you enjoy my books, come and join me over at Ream! This is my reader community where you can get early access to my books as I write them, chats with myself and other fans, artwork, research, updates and lots of other cool stuff. Come and immerse yourself in the world of Arch Through Time! Click here: https://reamstories.com/page/leianzfm2a
You can also find me at https://www.katybakerromance.com/
Katy's books explore the intricacies of human relationships with plenty of spice thrown in. What would life be without a little spice?
Would you like to know more of Irene MacAskill’s story? Guardian of a Highlander, a short story is available as a free gift to all my newsletter subscribers. Sign up below to grab your copy and receive a regular email containing news, chat and more. https://www.subscribepage.com/w4s5u0
If you enjoy my books, come and join me over at Ream! This is my reader community where you can get early access to my books as I write them, chats with myself and other fans, artwork, research, updates and lots of other cool stuff. Come and immerse yourself in the world of Arch Through Time! Click here: https://reamstories.com/page/leianzfm2a
You can also find me at https://www.katybakerromance.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
October 13, 2017
I'm frequently asked "What the hell is wrong with you"
and this is a valid question, because I make some pretty ill advised decisions. I can't really answer with the hell actually IS wrong with me, but I CAN tell you about my tendency to fall into really destructive reading patterns.
I have this problem that involves me finding a book/series that I like, and then like any other normal person, I will check out other books that might be similar to the one I liked. Except UNLIKE other people, I decide I have to read ALL the books that are similar to the one I liked to see if it's as good.
It rarely is.
So for much of last year I read almost exclusively historical highlander romance stories. I'm still reading them.
I can't stop.
I might sprinkle in something different every now and then, but I go right back. I read over 40 of them last year, and I have several more loaded and ready to go. That's not counting the historical romances in general, or the contemporary romances that are set in Scotland, nope, over 40 historical romances that are set in Scotland.
Just last year.
OKAY now that that's out of the way, this book specifically...
Not a lot about Dreams of a Highlander in particular stood-out other than the time travel aspect, which, don't even get me started on how many of those I have been sucked into also.
I liked that the time travel relied on fae magic as opposed to some pseudo-scientific made up shenanigans. I also remember thinking that if the main character has FREAKING ANTIBIOTICS then maybe she should save them for use on humans instead of the livestock.
(sorry at this point it would probably be good for me to mention that the h is a veterinarian)
The h (the veterinarian, yeah, her name is Darcy, but I totally had to look that up) has been going through some tough stuff and having trouble dating so while at an international vet medicine convention in Scotland she decides to extend her trip into a little vacation. She runs into a kinda creepy old lady that gives her oddly specific instructions about a place she should go visit...
well hey there fae creature of fate
... so she does, obviously. A stone arch along a beach sends her back in time and she ends up in the safe keeping of a Scottish warrior that I would go for a ride-along with too... for reasons.. shut up, he's swoony when he's not ignoring her for "her own good." Stuff happens, there's romance and action and fate....
Anywho... I know I didn't hate it because I downloaded the second one. But I also know I wasn't that into it because I didn't immediately read the second one.
Och, this is a shite review.
Sorry.
December 9, 2017
Good start
This was a well written book. There was a few times when I was holding my breath for the author to avoid the obvious annoying pitfalls in the plot but unfortunately she couldn't...the constant running away of the heroine got really annoying fast...and the hero...what he said in that last conversation which made the heroine pack her bags and leave was completely out of character for him and didn't really flow with the story. I think if that and some of the extra fluff in the end had been left out....this would've been a 5 stars.
This was a well written book. There was a few times when I was holding my breath for the author to avoid the obvious annoying pitfalls in the plot but unfortunately she couldn't...the constant running away of the heroine got really annoying fast...and the hero...what he said in that last conversation which made the heroine pack her bags and leave was completely out of character for him and didn't really flow with the story. I think if that and some of the extra fluff in the end had been left out....this would've been a 5 stars.
March 3, 2023
Having a bit of a soft spot for Scottish time-travel romances I decided to pick this up. It was ok though nothing amazing it did pass a pleasant couple of hours but it definitely falls on the side of forgettable. Our heroine Darcy a vet whilst visiting Scotland for a convention walks through an archway straight into the 1500’s. Here she meets Quinn Macfarlane who after saving her from brigands takes her under his protection and back to his home.
Everyone was very nice the romance itself is sweet but quite cheesy, throw in a meddling witch, some action and brief danger from a neighbouring clan and It was quite a typical predictable read with very few surprises.
Overall this was nice and easy but not terribly exciting and it felt quite simplistic, I was also rather bemused that nobody seemed to pick up on Darcy’s strange mannerisms language and clothes other than briefly. I mean come on her vague explanations were iffy at best. I also found myself skimming a whole lot as well. The writing itself was ok but I just wasn’t that invested in the unfolding story.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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January 22, 2020
Poorly written. It seems like someone liked Outlander and thought, “I could write something like this!” Unfortunately she failed. The premise is fine, but the execution is pretty terrible. It’s like the author didn’t put much thought into anything other than the basic plot outline. Darcy adapts way too quickly to a 500 year difference is ridiculous, she wastes modern medicine on animals rather that saving it for people, and nobody notices modern things like her stethoscope or the zipper on her jeans. This book was a very light, fairly boring read that was perfect to put me to sleep- flat characters, no major plot twists, cheesy dialogue, nothing to really make me want to stay up to read more.
October 19, 2016
A really lovely Highlander time travel. Good characters although I would have liked a little more fire in the hero but a very good story. Will definitely read more from this author if she does more Highlander time travels.
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January 11, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/11/2020)! 🎁
October 16, 2019
This is an OK time-travel romance, but I did have some issues with it.
First off, the h adapted to her unexpected time-travel way too easily to believe. I think she would have been a lot more freaked out by it then she was. Also, the highlanders would have been much more concerned with Darcy's strange clothes and talk than they were. They just kept thinking she must be "daft", and accepted her clothes as normal for someone from America. I think they also would have been more annoyed with her than they were, when she kept trying to leave. It seemed like they put up with a lot from her, with very little anger. I didn't buy it.
Some of the situations that Darcy got herself into were just stupid. All because she wouldn't listen when everyone told her she needed escorts to go anywhere. I wanted to knock some sense into her a few times.
I also didn't think the highlanders would have been willing to let her treat their animals without seeing what she was doing for them. Which means she would not have been able to hide her modern instruments and medicines from them as well as she did.
The story was mildly entertaining, and I did like Irene, so I will read the next in the series. But because of the issues I noted above, it gets 3 stars from me.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
First off, the h adapted to her unexpected time-travel way too easily to believe. I think she would have been a lot more freaked out by it then she was. Also, the highlanders would have been much more concerned with Darcy's strange clothes and talk than they were. They just kept thinking she must be "daft", and accepted her clothes as normal for someone from America. I think they also would have been more annoyed with her than they were, when she kept trying to leave. It seemed like they put up with a lot from her, with very little anger. I didn't buy it.
Some of the situations that Darcy got herself into were just stupid. All because she wouldn't listen when everyone told her she needed escorts to go anywhere. I wanted to knock some sense into her a few times.
I also didn't think the highlanders would have been willing to let her treat their animals without seeing what she was doing for them. Which means she would not have been able to hide her modern instruments and medicines from them as well as she did.
The story was mildly entertaining, and I did like Irene, so I will read the next in the series. But because of the issues I noted above, it gets 3 stars from me.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
March 21, 2020
Enjoyable book. No real surprises in it. Time travel back in time 500 years to Scotland. I don't think I have read one before. I am not sure if all would be as accepting of finding a woman dressed in jeans, with a modern attitude and a language with current slang.
October 1, 2017
This book was awkward as hell. I literally cringed so many times.
April 19, 2019
Darcy Greenway is a vet with no time for anything but work. When she goes to Scotland for a business trip, her best friend encourages her to take some time off and take a vacation. Having been given a guide book by a mysterious woman, Darcy is following it when a red deer appears on the road before her. She swerves to miss the animal and it runs off. Darcy is afraid she hit and injured the deer so she follows it through a stone arch and steps into a new world. Darcy sees three men who take her prisoner but is saved by Quinn MacFarlane who takes her to his home and tells her that she's in 16th century Scotland. When she's captured by an enemy, Darcy must make a decision, stay in Scotland with Quinn whom she loves or run away but to her time.
I found this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription and am so glad I did. Katy's writing draws you into the story and makes you fall in love with her characters. You laugh, cry, groan when they're being stubborn, and cheer them on. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
I found this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription and am so glad I did. Katy's writing draws you into the story and makes you fall in love with her characters. You laugh, cry, groan when they're being stubborn, and cheer them on. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
December 14, 2024
I wanted outlander vibes without re-reading Outlander, and that’s kind of what I got. Very similar concept, but it started out with beats that felt contrived and chaotic.
Also, there’s a lack of motivation for a lot of the characters’ choices, or they just act in ways contrary to their stated motives and personality. Also, weird dialogue moments like oh, he hasn’t told you about his dead older brother after only knowing you for one day? Like that’s weird or a surprise. And “Fight! Beat him! I’m here! I love you!” Cringe
It felt like it was jumping from action item to action item, without allowing the characters to live or believably feel (and so I didn’t feel anything for the characters, either)
Maybe I should’ve just re-read Outlander haha
Also, there’s a lack of motivation for a lot of the characters’ choices, or they just act in ways contrary to their stated motives and personality. Also, weird dialogue moments like oh, he hasn’t told you about his dead older brother after only knowing you for one day? Like that’s weird or a surprise. And “Fight! Beat him! I’m here! I love you!” Cringe
It felt like it was jumping from action item to action item, without allowing the characters to live or believably feel (and so I didn’t feel anything for the characters, either)
Maybe I should’ve just re-read Outlander haha
February 14, 2019
"Ye have a kind heart and the courage of a lion," he murmured. "Maybe that's why I love ye so much."
This was a short story of Darcy going back in time to the sixteenth century when visiting Scotland for well deserved holidays.
I don't know what but there is something in stories of heroes and heroines going back in time. There is this something special that captivates my attention and doesn't want to let go. I want more stories like that since I first read books of Karen Marie Moning so I am glad to get a hold of this new series.
Even though it was a short book it was beautifully written, taking me back in time alongside our heroine Darcy. The only thing I was wondering about was her bag of supplies and people not giving her the 'witch' label when she miraculously cured their animals, or even put them to sleep when doing a surgery on them, but except of that I have only positives to say.
Short story of timeless love and little faeries (maybe not so little here) that sometimes need to push the halves of the heart together.
I will read more in the series but not now, not yet- too much going in time and this will be the only thing I would like to do :)
This was a short story of Darcy going back in time to the sixteenth century when visiting Scotland for well deserved holidays.
I don't know what but there is something in stories of heroes and heroines going back in time. There is this something special that captivates my attention and doesn't want to let go. I want more stories like that since I first read books of Karen Marie Moning so I am glad to get a hold of this new series.
Even though it was a short book it was beautifully written, taking me back in time alongside our heroine Darcy. The only thing I was wondering about was her bag of supplies and people not giving her the 'witch' label when she miraculously cured their animals, or even put them to sleep when doing a surgery on them, but except of that I have only positives to say.
Short story of timeless love and little faeries (maybe not so little here) that sometimes need to push the halves of the heart together.
I will read more in the series but not now, not yet- too much going in time and this will be the only thing I would like to do :)
February 10, 2026
Magic realism? SciFi? I'm not sure which, because I'm usually not a huge fan, but I loved this love story spanning 500 years and requiring time travel.
September 29, 2016
Absolutely in love with this book! I think the idea of time travel is neat - especially to go back in time to meet your possible soulmate, so to speak. Everything about this had me so absorbed, I did little else. I even read while I was making dinner and doing the dishes. I enjoyed Darcy's character and loved that she was a vet and happened to take her medical bag with her when she stepped through the arch. She was chasing the deer, after all. Quinn is everything you think of when you think highlander. Protectively super alpha, but with a soft side like a teddy bear. I loved his relationships with the people of his clan and his immediate family. I also liked how he took care of Darcy, even though she fought him at every turn. The only thing that I don't like is that my reading of this book is over.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
ARC provided in exchange for honest review.
January 3, 2024
Predictable and full of anachronisms. I hate that this book had me looking up when words and phrases like “crazy”, “fan club”, “unconventional”, etc…were commonly used/invented. If you’re a fan of Outlander and looking to scratch that itch for more time-traveling love stories, this ain’t it.
January 26, 2026
Been a while since I delved into the historical romance genre but I have to say this novel wasn’t bad. Writing style was quite good and it’s an easy read that sweeps you away. But…
Yeah, there are some issues that irked me 😅
1. The reactions to the time traveller
• The concept of how the FMC (Darcy) ended up in 16th century Scotland is fine (walking through a mythical-looking archway✨) BUT when you go around repeatedly mentioning things like “phones” and “cars” and everyone there is like, “I have no idea what you’re talking about but okay 🤷♀️”. These people are either the most chilled out highlanders I’ve ever known or they’ve seen some stuff before. Either way, they were too nonchalant about Darcy and all her strange words. Shouldn’t they have been a bit more suspicious? The FMC is a foreigner in their lands, wouldn’t they want to question her? Scrutinise her story a bit (which by the way was completely insane and the reasoning behind it was that “she’s American”)? Just the ease in how they accepted her with virtually no questions asked was weird.
• Also, wouldn’t people be a bit weirded out and more likely disturbed by her medical arsenal filled with antiseptics, tranquillisers, antibiotics, and all the other veterinarian paraphernalia that she has in her medical bag (which must have been packed to the hills because she still had stuff even months after she went through the archway)? Don’t know about you, but back then people might have been thinking witchcraft or something to that effect upon seeing that stuff.
2. The FMC
• 😫 I hate to say it, but Darcy Greenway is not the brightest crayon in the pack. She doesn’t think anything through. For example, she ran away. Twice. Both times she neglected to bring provisions and conveniently forgot that she’s in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century. She already ran into brigands but did that thought stop her? No. Not even when she had a nightmare about it. And on top of that, she makes zero to no attempt to acclimate her vocabulary to at least blend into her new environment (she tried once at the beginning but it was abysmal). Wouldn’t that be a survival instinct? Blend in to guarantee protection? Especially in an unfamiliar time and place (which took her way too long to figure out too).
Anyway, those were the issues that stood out whilst reading. BUT there are some ✨positives✨
• The MMC is good, the type you would melt for (warrior on the outside, big softie on the inside 🥹) and who you can totally get behind.
• The involvement of the fae was a nice touch at the end too. Could that have been alluded to earlier? Yes. But I suppose that mystery would be unveiled a bit more in the subsequent books.
• The side characters were actually quite sweet (being nonchalant about the time traveller and her weird ways aside) and had their own personalities and didn’t merely fade into the background.
So, all in all, if you’re looking for an easy-to-read novel with romance on the agenda and Outlander vibes then this is a good starting point 👍
Yeah, there are some issues that irked me 😅
1. The reactions to the time traveller
• The concept of how the FMC (Darcy) ended up in 16th century Scotland is fine (walking through a mythical-looking archway✨) BUT when you go around repeatedly mentioning things like “phones” and “cars” and everyone there is like, “I have no idea what you’re talking about but okay 🤷♀️”. These people are either the most chilled out highlanders I’ve ever known or they’ve seen some stuff before. Either way, they were too nonchalant about Darcy and all her strange words. Shouldn’t they have been a bit more suspicious? The FMC is a foreigner in their lands, wouldn’t they want to question her? Scrutinise her story a bit (which by the way was completely insane and the reasoning behind it was that “she’s American”)? Just the ease in how they accepted her with virtually no questions asked was weird.
• Also, wouldn’t people be a bit weirded out and more likely disturbed by her medical arsenal filled with antiseptics, tranquillisers, antibiotics, and all the other veterinarian paraphernalia that she has in her medical bag (which must have been packed to the hills because she still had stuff even months after she went through the archway)? Don’t know about you, but back then people might have been thinking witchcraft or something to that effect upon seeing that stuff.
2. The FMC
• 😫 I hate to say it, but Darcy Greenway is not the brightest crayon in the pack. She doesn’t think anything through. For example, she ran away. Twice. Both times she neglected to bring provisions and conveniently forgot that she’s in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century. She already ran into brigands but did that thought stop her? No. Not even when she had a nightmare about it. And on top of that, she makes zero to no attempt to acclimate her vocabulary to at least blend into her new environment (she tried once at the beginning but it was abysmal). Wouldn’t that be a survival instinct? Blend in to guarantee protection? Especially in an unfamiliar time and place (which took her way too long to figure out too).
Anyway, those were the issues that stood out whilst reading. BUT there are some ✨positives✨
• The MMC is good, the type you would melt for (warrior on the outside, big softie on the inside 🥹) and who you can totally get behind.
• The involvement of the fae was a nice touch at the end too. Could that have been alluded to earlier? Yes. But I suppose that mystery would be unveiled a bit more in the subsequent books.
• The side characters were actually quite sweet (being nonchalant about the time traveller and her weird ways aside) and had their own personalities and didn’t merely fade into the background.
So, all in all, if you’re looking for an easy-to-read novel with romance on the agenda and Outlander vibes then this is a good starting point 👍
January 6, 2026
I’ve recently started feeling bad for how brutal I can be in these reviews cuz that’s kinda mean to the author, so I don’t want to skip over the fact that Katy wrote a book. A lot of books actually and they’ve been published which is more than I’ve ever done. So good job Katy!
Take this review with a grain of salt knowing that as a reader I personally want to find poetry in the words more than a flawless plot. For me, Dreams of a Highlander was neither. Sorry Katy.
This book automatically lost a star when the words “manhood” and “nub” were used in the honeymoon scene. “Manhood” is one of my least favorite ways to reference the male genitalia. I understand “penis” is not a sexy word, but if we’re willing to write about sex itself, why are we scared of the words related to it? “Length” is fine, I’ll accept that but call it his erection or his cock, idk. I understand not wanting to be vulgar but to me stupid words like “manhood” just tell me you fantasize about sex but are uncomfortable with the male body…And maybe have never actually had sex?? Also NUB?! There literally could not be a worse word. Just call it her clit. Or even “the apex of her thighs” I don’t care…but NUB?? That’s worse than manhood.
The second star was lost because to me this basically reads as “Outlander” fanfic. Girl exploring Scotland goes through some large stone formation and finds herself 200 years in the past where she is subsequently rescued from thugs by a roguish Highlander who she is somehow in love with just from his presence but also kind of hates him. Oh and she’s a medical professional. Way too many similarities for me not to assume this was inspired by “Outlander.” Now I have never been to Scotland or studied Scotland at any great length, but it also felt to me like maybe the only research done for this book, including the dialect, was just “Outlander.”
Anyway, Katy wrote a book so snaps for Katy, but I will not be reading any more of them.
Take this review with a grain of salt knowing that as a reader I personally want to find poetry in the words more than a flawless plot. For me, Dreams of a Highlander was neither. Sorry Katy.
This book automatically lost a star when the words “manhood” and “nub” were used in the honeymoon scene. “Manhood” is one of my least favorite ways to reference the male genitalia. I understand “penis” is not a sexy word, but if we’re willing to write about sex itself, why are we scared of the words related to it? “Length” is fine, I’ll accept that but call it his erection or his cock, idk. I understand not wanting to be vulgar but to me stupid words like “manhood” just tell me you fantasize about sex but are uncomfortable with the male body…And maybe have never actually had sex?? Also NUB?! There literally could not be a worse word. Just call it her clit. Or even “the apex of her thighs” I don’t care…but NUB?? That’s worse than manhood.
The second star was lost because to me this basically reads as “Outlander” fanfic. Girl exploring Scotland goes through some large stone formation and finds herself 200 years in the past where she is subsequently rescued from thugs by a roguish Highlander who she is somehow in love with just from his presence but also kind of hates him. Oh and she’s a medical professional. Way too many similarities for me not to assume this was inspired by “Outlander.” Now I have never been to Scotland or studied Scotland at any great length, but it also felt to me like maybe the only research done for this book, including the dialect, was just “Outlander.”
Anyway, Katy wrote a book so snaps for Katy, but I will not be reading any more of them.
January 30, 2019
I used to be an avid historical romance reader in my 20s and I have had a recent fascination with Scotland (hello, Outlander and Jamie Fraser! I’ve been binge watching since Christmas), I decided to go with Dreams of a Highlander in early January. It is part of a series and this is book 1. It’s about a young veterinarian from America visiting Scotland who suddenly finds herself catapulted back in time to Sixteenth century Scotland in the middle of a clan war.
First of all, as you can imagine, the ensuing events are at times comical as Darcy at first doesn’t realize what has happened and confuses and astounds those she meets with her funny way of talking, speaking of cell phones and cars and such. This definitely brought a chuckle. The slowly building tension and eventual romance with Quinn was lovely and I enjoyed the sparks between them. It was a cute little romance and I don’t have any complaints really.
I have to say though, I didn’t have the urge to keep turning the pages and it took me some time to finish. Maybe this is because I burned myself out on historical romances years ago and now all the plots look the same to me, but with different characters? I don’t know but I hope I’m wrong and I will be reading more of this genre for sure!
Overall, this one was definitely a pretty good read and I enjoyed it. I may pick up the second book in the series if I see it on sale but otherwise I’ll probably leave this one as is. If you love historical romance, time travel and Scotland, give this one a read!
First of all, as you can imagine, the ensuing events are at times comical as Darcy at first doesn’t realize what has happened and confuses and astounds those she meets with her funny way of talking, speaking of cell phones and cars and such. This definitely brought a chuckle. The slowly building tension and eventual romance with Quinn was lovely and I enjoyed the sparks between them. It was a cute little romance and I don’t have any complaints really.
I have to say though, I didn’t have the urge to keep turning the pages and it took me some time to finish. Maybe this is because I burned myself out on historical romances years ago and now all the plots look the same to me, but with different characters? I don’t know but I hope I’m wrong and I will be reading more of this genre for sure!
Overall, this one was definitely a pretty good read and I enjoyed it. I may pick up the second book in the series if I see it on sale but otherwise I’ll probably leave this one as is. If you love historical romance, time travel and Scotland, give this one a read!
January 13, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
video review: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdSAt5pf/
I did enjoy reading this book. However the similarities to Outlander were WAY TO MUCH for me. It felt like there was no originality in this book at all. Woman goes away to Scotland, goes back in time through magical stones, gets rescued by big handsome Scottish warrior, is taken in by his clan, falls in love with him, turns out he has an English arch nemesis who will do whatever it takes to hurt him (including kidnap her), they get married and she decides to stay in 1505 Scotland instead of return to modern times…remind you of anything?!
Also the cover on the book I had was designed with a pale woman with long blonde hair however in the first chapter of the book Darcy is described as having olive skin and dark hair? The blurb also stated she went back in time to the 17th century but she actually went back to the 16th century so those details really put a downer on the experience for me to be honest!
video review: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdSAt5pf/
I did enjoy reading this book. However the similarities to Outlander were WAY TO MUCH for me. It felt like there was no originality in this book at all. Woman goes away to Scotland, goes back in time through magical stones, gets rescued by big handsome Scottish warrior, is taken in by his clan, falls in love with him, turns out he has an English arch nemesis who will do whatever it takes to hurt him (including kidnap her), they get married and she decides to stay in 1505 Scotland instead of return to modern times…remind you of anything?!
Also the cover on the book I had was designed with a pale woman with long blonde hair however in the first chapter of the book Darcy is described as having olive skin and dark hair? The blurb also stated she went back in time to the 17th century but she actually went back to the 16th century so those details really put a downer on the experience for me to be honest!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
So-so. Predictable plot. Chemistry lacking. Some explicit scenes.
I really wanted to like this book....because I love the time travel genre and Highlander stories. But, ugh. I felt like I had read this story before. I read over 75% of the book before I finally gave up. The main female character wasn't very likable...she was okay. I just couldn't connect with her. She seemed very immature and frustrated me. The chemistry between her and the main male was also lacking. I understand the author is trying to show that a certain amount of time has gone by, but you don't actually feel true chemistry build over time. Then, cue the explicit scenes. I didn't even feel the chemistry then. If the story isn't interesting enough by 75%, then I am not going to waste time reading the remaining 25%.
I may give this author another try (with another series), but I am going to read some other authors first before considering going back to her books.
I really wanted to like this book....because I love the time travel genre and Highlander stories. But, ugh. I felt like I had read this story before. I read over 75% of the book before I finally gave up. The main female character wasn't very likable...she was okay. I just couldn't connect with her. She seemed very immature and frustrated me. The chemistry between her and the main male was also lacking. I understand the author is trying to show that a certain amount of time has gone by, but you don't actually feel true chemistry build over time. Then, cue the explicit scenes. I didn't even feel the chemistry then. If the story isn't interesting enough by 75%, then I am not going to waste time reading the remaining 25%.
I may give this author another try (with another series), but I am going to read some other authors first before considering going back to her books.
September 6, 2020
Oh what is next?
Dreams of a Highlander: Arch Through Time Book 1
By Katy Baker
Kindle unlimited purchase
Darcy is an overworked veterinarian. On her way to Scotland for a conference, her best friend Gretchen talked her into taking some time off to enjoy Scotland. When an elderly woman came up to her and gave her a map. Darcy took off in her rental looking for an adventure. Little does she know what is in store for her.
Quinn and his brother, Robert, never thought their eldest brother Duncan would lose his life. But their lives changed three years ago. Now Robert is Laird and Quinn us next in line at least until Robert's baby is born.
This is the first book in what looks like a great series. This book had it all: from action to romance to everything in between.
Book 2 here I come!
Dreams of a Highlander: Arch Through Time Book 1
By Katy Baker
Kindle unlimited purchase
Darcy is an overworked veterinarian. On her way to Scotland for a conference, her best friend Gretchen talked her into taking some time off to enjoy Scotland. When an elderly woman came up to her and gave her a map. Darcy took off in her rental looking for an adventure. Little does she know what is in store for her.
Quinn and his brother, Robert, never thought their eldest brother Duncan would lose his life. But their lives changed three years ago. Now Robert is Laird and Quinn us next in line at least until Robert's baby is born.
This is the first book in what looks like a great series. This book had it all: from action to romance to everything in between.
Book 2 here I come!
October 29, 2023
This was a very light time travel romance book. Yet I feel like so much happened. The main female ran away like 3 times. Quinn chased her and brought her back to the castle 3 times. There was war plus a captured/rescue scene. Lol. The book is only like 227 pages and it has everything.
Ok okay, this book is a very light version of Outlander. Or it has a bit of those vibes. I didn���t mind it a lot. It was annoying that Darcy kept running and running when she encountered difficulties in her life. And Quinn, was a dumb dumb for not being honest about his feelings and saying it was a duty to have her bc no one else would take Darcy. I didn’t like that at all.
I think this story I light and easy to read that I will read it here and there when there is a lull with my books. I did skim some stuff bc it just seemed so fluffy and not necessary. But still an entertaining book.
Ok okay, this book is a very light version of Outlander. Or it has a bit of those vibes. I didn���t mind it a lot. It was annoying that Darcy kept running and running when she encountered difficulties in her life. And Quinn, was a dumb dumb for not being honest about his feelings and saying it was a duty to have her bc no one else would take Darcy. I didn’t like that at all.
I think this story I light and easy to read that I will read it here and there when there is a lull with my books. I did skim some stuff bc it just seemed so fluffy and not necessary. But still an entertaining book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2020
This medieval Scottish time-travel adventure and romance was entertaining from beginning-to-end. Darcy, who purchases a special crystal from a strange old lady while visiting Scotland during a veterinarian convention, decides to go sightseeing. Following an accident, she becomes disoriented, passing through an arch, suddenly finding herself in medieval Scotland accosted by a brigand. Saved by another, Quinn, he takes her home to his brother's keep until she recovers. She continues to attempt to find a way back but Quinn hinders her from going until she must make a choice. Easy-to-read and enjoyable adventure, observing a very independent American lass from the future, adjust and come to accept Scotland and Quinn as her forever love.
January 28, 2022
Over all their is a decent read. The story is strong and fast paced in all the right places. The mc’s were believable and fir all those who love a time travel Scottish read, this is for you.
However, there are a few editing mistakes. These can be overlooked but get a bit too repetitive. I had to laugh when I read the word p**s, as I wasn’t sure they used that in the olden days. This would have been better if the author had looked into traditional Scottish swear words and built them into the story.
Thoughts were in italics but she still used thought as the dialogue tag.
I felt the overuse of passive words slowed the pace down in places and there appeared to be too many dialogue tags showing us and not telling the story.
However, I did enjoy the story and would read her books again.
However, there are a few editing mistakes. These can be overlooked but get a bit too repetitive. I had to laugh when I read the word p**s, as I wasn’t sure they used that in the olden days. This would have been better if the author had looked into traditional Scottish swear words and built them into the story.
Thoughts were in italics but she still used thought as the dialogue tag.
I felt the overuse of passive words slowed the pace down in places and there appeared to be too many dialogue tags showing us and not telling the story.
However, I did enjoy the story and would read her books again.
August 16, 2023
I didn't go in with high expectations but still there were a number of highly annoying things which requested too much suspension of disbelief.
She blends in society in 'I forgot already which' century Scotland without blinking, without having difficulty with the language and mores?
Vice versa: they accept her modern clothing without question, never mind her stethoscope and syringes?
Storyline and dialogues are pretty basic, the characters act very capriciously, fickle, so even the overheard dialogue on which the latter part of the book hinges, can't even be said to be out of character.
I needed some mindless lit, but apparently I couldn't shut down my brain enough to ignore the little voice telling me the author could have done much more with the story.
She blends in society in 'I forgot already which' century Scotland without blinking, without having difficulty with the language and mores?
Vice versa: they accept her modern clothing without question, never mind her stethoscope and syringes?
Storyline and dialogues are pretty basic, the characters act very capriciously, fickle, so even the overheard dialogue on which the latter part of the book hinges, can't even be said to be out of character.
I needed some mindless lit, but apparently I couldn't shut down my brain enough to ignore the little voice telling me the author could have done much more with the story.
October 20, 2019
Nevím, jak moc se autorka inspirovala sérii Cizinka, protože jsem jmenovanou sérii ještě nečetla. Ale z toho, co vím o ději série, tak jsou tady určitě podobnosti.
Tato kniha, ale není masterpiece, který vám změní svět. To určitě ne. Ale je to příjemná oddechová kniha, která určitě neurazí.
Nesedl mi bohužel hlavní hrdina Quinn, který mi přišel nevýrazný. V určitých chvílích jsem mu sice fandila, ale znám lepší hrdiny z historických románů.
Darcy byla naštěstí v pohodě. Jsem ale hodně zvědavá, jak bude její práce veterinářky pokračovat. Doufám, že bude nějaký lehký náznak v dalších dílech, na které se určitě chystám.
Tato kniha, ale není masterpiece, který vám změní svět. To určitě ne. Ale je to příjemná oddechová kniha, která určitě neurazí.
Nesedl mi bohužel hlavní hrdina Quinn, který mi přišel nevýrazný. V určitých chvílích jsem mu sice fandila, ale znám lepší hrdiny z historických románů.
Darcy byla naštěstí v pohodě. Jsem ale hodně zvědavá, jak bude její práce veterinářky pokračovat. Doufám, že bude nějaký lehký náznak v dalších dílech, na které se určitě chystám.
August 27, 2020
Good but not calling me to keep reading
I've read this book and the 2nd of the series trying to decide if I wanted to keep reading this series of books. I may read the 3rd one but if it's not improving then I'll pass. While I did enjoy the essence of the time travel and romance with the excitement of the clan trouble, I could stop reading and come back later. When I give a 5 star review it means I was trying to figure out what would happen next and couldn't stop reading. These books are entertaining but I can go on to bed and pick it up another time when I'm not busy. So for me they aren't compelling or a heart racing romance. But it was just good.
I've read this book and the 2nd of the series trying to decide if I wanted to keep reading this series of books. I may read the 3rd one but if it's not improving then I'll pass. While I did enjoy the essence of the time travel and romance with the excitement of the clan trouble, I could stop reading and come back later. When I give a 5 star review it means I was trying to figure out what would happen next and couldn't stop reading. These books are entertaining but I can go on to bed and pick it up another time when I'm not busy. So for me they aren't compelling or a heart racing romance. But it was just good.
October 15, 2022
Darcy is a veterinarian whose hectic life is filled only with her work. Promising a friend she would take a vacation, she follows a speaking engagement in Edinburgh with a few days off to visit Scotland. In the Scottish countryside she walks through an arch and is transported 500 years back in time. She’s rescued by a highlander and they strike up a friendship which blossoms into a romance. I enjoyed their story as well as the secondary characters.
Time travel has become a popular theme thanks to the Outlander series. This is a shorter book but the first in the series, An Arch Through Time. The characters are interesting and the story held my attention.
Time travel has become a popular theme thanks to the Outlander series. This is a shorter book but the first in the series, An Arch Through Time. The characters are interesting and the story held my attention.
February 20, 2023
Enjoyable highlander time travel story.
I really enjoyed Darcy and Quinn’s Arch Through Time, time travel story.
Darcy a sassy, knows her own mind, veterinarian from the future unknowingly travels 500 years back in time and on arriving is taken prisoner then rescued by Quinn from Clan MacFarlane.
Darcy learns to not only fall in love with Quinn but also the era she is living in.
Adapting herself to this time with ease.
There was also danger and action amongst the MacFarlanes and a rival clan to contend with.
I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I really enjoyed Darcy and Quinn’s Arch Through Time, time travel story.
Darcy a sassy, knows her own mind, veterinarian from the future unknowingly travels 500 years back in time and on arriving is taken prisoner then rescued by Quinn from Clan MacFarlane.
Darcy learns to not only fall in love with Quinn but also the era she is living in.
Adapting herself to this time with ease.
There was also danger and action amongst the MacFarlanes and a rival clan to contend with.
I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Read
May 15, 20193.5 Stars
It was a decent story, it had a good ending, but the whole time travel aspect could have been handled better. No one seemed concerned the MC kept wearing her 21st century jeans, and using 21st century tools and medicine. 500 years in the past she would have been killed as a witch, not "oh, I wondered why you talked funny". Well, I could go on and on, but let's just say no real research was done in the writing of this book as far as the time period goes. Ignoring that, it was a cute read, but it did take me forever to get through it.
It was a decent story, it had a good ending, but the whole time travel aspect could have been handled better. No one seemed concerned the MC kept wearing her 21st century jeans, and using 21st century tools and medicine. 500 years in the past she would have been killed as a witch, not "oh, I wondered why you talked funny". Well, I could go on and on, but let's just say no real research was done in the writing of this book as far as the time period goes. Ignoring that, it was a cute read, but it did take me forever to get through it.
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