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Draycott Abbey #7
The Perfect Gift
A woman of rare passion When Maggie Kincade arrives at Draycott Abbey, she is stunned to fell that the weathered stone walls offer a safe haven fron the dangers of her past. The tranquil English manor soothes her troubled soul'until her peace is shattered by the tall, sexy Scotsman who claims he's been sent to protect her. From the start, Maggie bristles under Jared MacNeill's piercing scrutiny'yet his very touch jolts her, heart and soul. A highland hero with a granite code of honor Jared arrives at the hauntingly beautiful abbey under protest vowing this assignment will be his very last. But he is enchanted by the breathtaking American assigned to his care, for beneath her bravado he senses a woman desperately in need of help. Despite all his honorable vows, Maggie's bravery intrigues him and her slightest touch enflames his deepest passions. When an old danger stalks Maggie to the high hills of Scotland, Jared swears to move heaven and earth to keep her safe.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1999
5 people are currently reading
375 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 21, 2013
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye
Scotland: Jared McNeil was coming home to die after being away for 6 years. He's seen the vision.
Maggie Kincaid's father is now dead and the gems are gone. She is a jewelry designer.
Jared's job is to find out if Maggie is a thief. He canvasses her shop and her cousin Tessa's fashion designer shop.
She has to pay her father's debts and wants to sell the necklace they had worked on.
Maggie had won the contest to show her work in London and Nicholas and Cassie are the benefactors. They will put her up at the Abbey and Jared will bring her there.
Others are watching her to see if she makes contact with her father, although he is dead. They had found some of his teeth and his ID in the airplane crash.
Ghosts, hot steamy sex, travel, fashion, secrets, jewelry, mysteries, romance, mystic magic all play a part in this book.
Scotland: Jared McNeil was coming home to die after being away for 6 years. He's seen the vision.
Maggie Kincaid's father is now dead and the gems are gone. She is a jewelry designer.
Jared's job is to find out if Maggie is a thief. He canvasses her shop and her cousin Tessa's fashion designer shop.
She has to pay her father's debts and wants to sell the necklace they had worked on.
Maggie had won the contest to show her work in London and Nicholas and Cassie are the benefactors. They will put her up at the Abbey and Jared will bring her there.
Others are watching her to see if she makes contact with her father, although he is dead. They had found some of his teeth and his ID in the airplane crash.
Ghosts, hot steamy sex, travel, fashion, secrets, jewelry, mysteries, romance, mystic magic all play a part in this book.
October 10, 2021
I’ve read this book at least twice, probably more. I loved our hero, Jared, and heroine, Maggie. Both have special gifts, one paranormal.
Jared is suffering the after effects of being tortured for 15 months.
Maggie is plagued by questions of the mysterious death of her father and the accusations against him.
The story has multiple aspects and I enjoyed the book. However, some characters from other books were inserted and I didn’t think that worked because their appearance was too brief and their backstories only alluded to their background.
The end was a little rushed.
Jared is suffering the after effects of being tortured for 15 months.
Maggie is plagued by questions of the mysterious death of her father and the accusations against him.
The story has multiple aspects and I enjoyed the book. However, some characters from other books were inserted and I didn’t think that worked because their appearance was too brief and their backstories only alluded to their background.
The end was a little rushed.
November 20, 2013
This was one of the first paranormal romantic suspense series I started reading. And as I usually want to read in order, this series was on hold for years as I am missing one book. But now I just grabbed one from the shelf, and started reading, and loved it.
Maggie Kincade is a jewellery designer, who learned the trade at her father’s knee. But 7 months ago, her father went missing with a load of important jewels, even some of England’s monarch. Maggie refuses to believe that her father is a thief, but when his passport was found in a plane crash in Northern Sumatra. The press has been hounding her every step, and her father left her nothing but bills. She doesn’t want to sell his last private collection of jewels, but she has no other choice. Her cousins help her as much as she allows them, but Maggie is proud. She wants to make it on her own.
Lord Nicholas Draycott wants to host an important jewellery exhibition on his ancient estate home, and start a school on his lands. And he wants Maggie as his primary designer, and to teach at his school. But for that, he needs her reputation above reprieve, or the crown will never allow their jewellery to be exhibited at his estate. Her father might have fallen in with the wrong crowd, but Maggie is innocent and of dire need of protection. This is why he has hired his friend and a former government agent Jared MacNeill to protect her. He will have to research her background, and keep her safe from those who believe she knows more about her fathers plans, and where he might be hiding. Jared really does not want the job, his year in a metal box in Thailand has changed him more than he can live with. He died there, and came back to live, changed, with powers that have been sleeping before. The sight runs in his family, but usually only the oldest son inherits it. Jared feels and reads emotions, and when he touches someone, he can read their deepest thoughts and secrets. It is overwhelming in a crowd, and he can’t control it yet. And Jared saw his own death, time and again, and he knows it is not far away.
But Nicholas saved Jared’s life, and Jared owes him. And of course, Lord Draycott just doesn’t take no for an answer. He doesn’t care that Jared quit his job, he needs his skills and Jared sure has not lost those. He just needs something to live for again.
Jared sure does not expect the instant attraction and sense of recognition when he meets Maggie. Of course he knows everything there is to know about her already, but meeting her in person is a shock to his system. And to see how she masterly sells her fathers unique and expensive jewelry to some of the city’s top jewellers is just great. And when he saves her from a nasty journalist, Maggie is very grateful. But not grateful enough to trust him, or want to go to dinner with him. Seeing him in her favourite Chinese restaurant while she is having dinner with her cousin can’t be a coincidence. Is he a reporter as well? It doesn’t matter that he beats up two others for her, she won’t trust him.
When Lord Draycott offers her the job at his estate, Maggie meets Jared again in London, and when he saves her from some tugs, he must be following her. When he finally explains that Lord Draycott has hired him to keep her safe, she has no choice but to travel with Jared to Draycott Abbey. But danger doesn’t let them leave in peace, it follows them, and tries to play games with her head. Draycott Abbey is very old and impressive, and has its own ghosts to protect it. But something else happens to Abbey there, like ancient memories are surfacing, and she was there before in a different time …
I really love this series, how the ancient past is interwoven into the present, and lives collide again. Adrian, the ghost, and his grey cat Gideon are great secondary characters as well, they protect their guests as much as they can. The butler, Marston, is also a fun character with his immaculate suits and eclectic collection of neon coloured running shoes.
The mystery was very exciting and surprising and I loved how it all came together, at the house of some of the previous characters.
I enjoyed Maggie, she is so good at what she does, and has so little self esteem. She doesn’t believe Jared for a second when he calls her beautiful. Her cousins are beautiful, not she. Her father sure did a job on her, leaving her alone half of the time to go on some quest or other (more other as we learn later on in the book).
When she decides she wants Jared, and explore the desire between them, she doesn’t meekly take no for an answer, she doesn’t give up on him, and on the chance there is something real between them. Not that she has had much experience with men or relationships.
Jared is one wounded hero, but when he reluctantly accepts Nicholas’ assignment, he goes for it 100%. He will protect Maggie whether she wants him to or not. But Jared knows he will die soon, he won’t have Maggie grieving over him, he is not worth it.
A great series, one I really do recommend to everyone who loves a little paranormal and a nice sprinkling of humor in her romantic suspense. Christina Skye writes this series in a lovely setting and with great and well fleshed out characters. Blending history into today. I will read more of her books soon.
9 stars.
Maggie Kincade is a jewellery designer, who learned the trade at her father’s knee. But 7 months ago, her father went missing with a load of important jewels, even some of England’s monarch. Maggie refuses to believe that her father is a thief, but when his passport was found in a plane crash in Northern Sumatra. The press has been hounding her every step, and her father left her nothing but bills. She doesn’t want to sell his last private collection of jewels, but she has no other choice. Her cousins help her as much as she allows them, but Maggie is proud. She wants to make it on her own.
Lord Nicholas Draycott wants to host an important jewellery exhibition on his ancient estate home, and start a school on his lands. And he wants Maggie as his primary designer, and to teach at his school. But for that, he needs her reputation above reprieve, or the crown will never allow their jewellery to be exhibited at his estate. Her father might have fallen in with the wrong crowd, but Maggie is innocent and of dire need of protection. This is why he has hired his friend and a former government agent Jared MacNeill to protect her. He will have to research her background, and keep her safe from those who believe she knows more about her fathers plans, and where he might be hiding. Jared really does not want the job, his year in a metal box in Thailand has changed him more than he can live with. He died there, and came back to live, changed, with powers that have been sleeping before. The sight runs in his family, but usually only the oldest son inherits it. Jared feels and reads emotions, and when he touches someone, he can read their deepest thoughts and secrets. It is overwhelming in a crowd, and he can’t control it yet. And Jared saw his own death, time and again, and he knows it is not far away.
But Nicholas saved Jared’s life, and Jared owes him. And of course, Lord Draycott just doesn’t take no for an answer. He doesn’t care that Jared quit his job, he needs his skills and Jared sure has not lost those. He just needs something to live for again.
Jared sure does not expect the instant attraction and sense of recognition when he meets Maggie. Of course he knows everything there is to know about her already, but meeting her in person is a shock to his system. And to see how she masterly sells her fathers unique and expensive jewelry to some of the city’s top jewellers is just great. And when he saves her from a nasty journalist, Maggie is very grateful. But not grateful enough to trust him, or want to go to dinner with him. Seeing him in her favourite Chinese restaurant while she is having dinner with her cousin can’t be a coincidence. Is he a reporter as well? It doesn’t matter that he beats up two others for her, she won’t trust him.
When Lord Draycott offers her the job at his estate, Maggie meets Jared again in London, and when he saves her from some tugs, he must be following her. When he finally explains that Lord Draycott has hired him to keep her safe, she has no choice but to travel with Jared to Draycott Abbey. But danger doesn’t let them leave in peace, it follows them, and tries to play games with her head. Draycott Abbey is very old and impressive, and has its own ghosts to protect it. But something else happens to Abbey there, like ancient memories are surfacing, and she was there before in a different time …
I really love this series, how the ancient past is interwoven into the present, and lives collide again. Adrian, the ghost, and his grey cat Gideon are great secondary characters as well, they protect their guests as much as they can. The butler, Marston, is also a fun character with his immaculate suits and eclectic collection of neon coloured running shoes.
The mystery was very exciting and surprising and I loved how it all came together, at the house of some of the previous characters.
I enjoyed Maggie, she is so good at what she does, and has so little self esteem. She doesn’t believe Jared for a second when he calls her beautiful. Her cousins are beautiful, not she. Her father sure did a job on her, leaving her alone half of the time to go on some quest or other (more other as we learn later on in the book).
When she decides she wants Jared, and explore the desire between them, she doesn’t meekly take no for an answer, she doesn’t give up on him, and on the chance there is something real between them. Not that she has had much experience with men or relationships.
Jared is one wounded hero, but when he reluctantly accepts Nicholas’ assignment, he goes for it 100%. He will protect Maggie whether she wants him to or not. But Jared knows he will die soon, he won’t have Maggie grieving over him, he is not worth it.
A great series, one I really do recommend to everyone who loves a little paranormal and a nice sprinkling of humor in her romantic suspense. Christina Skye writes this series in a lovely setting and with great and well fleshed out characters. Blending history into today. I will read more of her books soon.
9 stars.
© 2013 Reviews by Aurian
July 4, 2018
Another great book by this author. Mystery, intrigue, psychic stuff tied to historic events, and good romance!
September 23, 2021
christina skye just gets better and better fascinated by the ghost and his cat, eagerly awaiting the whole story.
March 20, 2016
There were so many elements to this novel and it promised a unique plot and a few twists, and actually I kind of enjoyed it for the first 40-50 pages. Unfortunately I found that I couldn’t warm to the leading couple and that many of the elements that had initially seemed exciting became under-developed and repetitive.
I am a bit of a sucker for paranormal elements in novels, and I think actually they can work quite well. I enjoyed Jared’s gift of being able to sense emotion because it was one that I hadn’t come across before. But how many times did we have to listen to him touch Maggie and then list her feelings? Ultimately I felt that these magical elements detracted from, rather than enhancing, the plot.
The role of Daniel Kincade and the missing jewels should have added tension to the plot. Maggie loved and idolised her father, so there was also an emotional aspect to this plot line. But I never felt like it came off. Chapters would go by where Daniel Kincade wasn’t mentioned, yet his disappearance was supposedly the catalyst for the whole novel. Every time he was mentioned it was all guessing and supposition. It never really developed enough to feel emotion or tension about, and I certainly didn’t get that level of emotion from Maggie.
I liked that the romance between Jared and Maggie was ages old. That they had a shared past that they both recognised but didn’t understand. It should have added a depth to the romance. But there was too much interference to this plot and I never felt like it was very well explained or developed. The dialogue between the characters was often clunky and it kept making me cringe. It was a prime example of how to write dialogue like dialogue but not as natural speech. There was also that to-and-fro dance that they kept doing, “I want you, we shouldn’t, oh, we have… well let’s not!”
Jared’s past kept being brought up, and as the reader we knew the full story, but then we had to keep reliving it and rereading it as bits were revealed to Maggie. It became so dull and I just kept asking myself, what is this really adding to the novel? Would it work without this aspect? Yes.
I think this opinion can be applied to the whole novel really. Quantity over quality. There were so many events and aspects that were added but none were ever developed to a satisfactory level. So many aspects diluted the impact and the interest. I felt that the writing style also didn’t help as I often felt that it lacked clarity and I had to reread many sections.
The part that I really began to lose interest was when Maggie nearly dies – again/b> – and Jared saves her – obviously - and then they find and save an abused dog –naturally. This is fine; I will accept this, even as I roll my eyes at it as another obvious page filler. I have written a dissertation, I know an author trying to up the word count when I read it. But then somehow in some crazy world a piece of string around the dog manages to get into Jared’s pants?!?!? And little ole’ Maggie has to put her hand into his trousers and untangle him…?! I mean EYEROLL
Certainly a book of quantity rather than quality and I wouldn’t read another by this author.
I am a bit of a sucker for paranormal elements in novels, and I think actually they can work quite well. I enjoyed Jared’s gift of being able to sense emotion because it was one that I hadn’t come across before. But how many times did we have to listen to him touch Maggie and then list her feelings? Ultimately I felt that these magical elements detracted from, rather than enhancing, the plot.
The role of Daniel Kincade and the missing jewels should have added tension to the plot. Maggie loved and idolised her father, so there was also an emotional aspect to this plot line. But I never felt like it came off. Chapters would go by where Daniel Kincade wasn’t mentioned, yet his disappearance was supposedly the catalyst for the whole novel. Every time he was mentioned it was all guessing and supposition. It never really developed enough to feel emotion or tension about, and I certainly didn’t get that level of emotion from Maggie.
I liked that the romance between Jared and Maggie was ages old. That they had a shared past that they both recognised but didn’t understand. It should have added a depth to the romance. But there was too much interference to this plot and I never felt like it was very well explained or developed. The dialogue between the characters was often clunky and it kept making me cringe. It was a prime example of how to write dialogue like dialogue but not as natural speech. There was also that to-and-fro dance that they kept doing, “I want you, we shouldn’t, oh, we have… well let’s not!”
Jared’s past kept being brought up, and as the reader we knew the full story, but then we had to keep reliving it and rereading it as bits were revealed to Maggie. It became so dull and I just kept asking myself, what is this really adding to the novel? Would it work without this aspect? Yes.
I think this opinion can be applied to the whole novel really. Quantity over quality. There were so many events and aspects that were added but none were ever developed to a satisfactory level. So many aspects diluted the impact and the interest. I felt that the writing style also didn’t help as I often felt that it lacked clarity and I had to reread many sections.
The part that I really began to lose interest was when Maggie nearly dies – again/b> – and Jared saves her – obviously - and then they find and save an abused dog –naturally. This is fine; I will accept this, even as I roll my eyes at it as another obvious page filler. I have written a dissertation, I know an author trying to up the word count when I read it. But then somehow in some crazy world a piece of string around the dog manages to get into Jared’s pants?!?!? And little ole’ Maggie has to put her hand into his trousers and untangle him…?! I mean EYEROLL
Certainly a book of quantity rather than quality and I wouldn’t read another by this author.
March 4, 2017
This is a good story - just about before the series books start getting very strange and going slightly downhill. Following the sort of formula (and it works), the hero, Jared, is a tortured soul with a tragic past and a psychic gift and he's bent on protecting Maggie, a jeweler and very stubborn woman. Someone is out to kill one or both of them and they're under close watch...and they're own quirks (mostly Jared's) keep getting in the way of their romance, but ultimately they work it out. There's plenty of suspense, some pretty hot romance scenes and the return of Adrian, Gideon and even the Wishwell Sisters and the MacLeods from Christmas Knight. Jared was a pretty wonderful hero, although not terribly articulate about the reasons that he and Maggie can't be together. It was pretty nice to finally get a hero from this author who is not the one bent on seduction, but who is actually trying to stop and delay it, much to the chagrin of the heroine. It's something of a role reversal. Jared is alpha, but he's not dominating and out to seduce and subdue the heroine. It's lovely. Oh, and there's the past life thing going on here too. These don't seem as integral to the romance as they once did...but they do serve to bring the couple closer. Kind of justifying insta-love (it's not really instant, but it is quick).
What I didn't like though is that Maggie kept getting angry that he'd slam on the brakes once things got physical...like if they started kissing and they didn't end up having sex she'd get mad. Not all kissing leads to sex...even in romance world. Maggie also was a hard character to pin down. At the beginning of the book she out right refuses to believe Jared when he tells her he found her sleepwalking. She keeps irrationally insisting that it's impossible and it couldn't have happened. Why would he lie about that? It's quite plausible really. And yet, later in the book when she learns about Jared's psychic gift, she just shrugs as though it's no big deal. That she'll believe? If not for Maggie's inconsistencies, this might have been 4 stars, but it actually bugged me a bit. Still a good book! A good series for that matter.
What I didn't like though is that Maggie kept getting angry that he'd slam on the brakes once things got physical...like if they started kissing and they didn't end up having sex she'd get mad. Not all kissing leads to sex...even in romance world. Maggie also was a hard character to pin down. At the beginning of the book she out right refuses to believe Jared when he tells her he found her sleepwalking. She keeps irrationally insisting that it's impossible and it couldn't have happened. Why would he lie about that? It's quite plausible really. And yet, later in the book when she learns about Jared's psychic gift, she just shrugs as though it's no big deal. That she'll believe? If not for Maggie's inconsistencies, this might have been 4 stars, but it actually bugged me a bit. Still a good book! A good series for that matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2013
Enjoyed this book. Not as much as some of the Draycott Abbey series but still a good enough read. A light touch of the paranormal. Although one of these days I would like to track down the volume which explains why Adrian haunts Draycott and how it is no one ever noticed that Gideon seems to have lived for hundreds of years. Maybe Marston knows more than he is telling.
I did have to say that the Draycott connection seemed forced to me. It just didn't seem to spring naturally from the story. Oh yes, Nicholas Draycott personally rescued our hero but that just seemed too pat, as if it was there solely to make this a Draycott Abbey book.
Also have to admit I am getting sick and tired of the storyline where sex with the heroine cures all wounds of the hero. Do some women have a magic hoo haw?
OTOH I have to say that Christina Skye's Draycott Abbey books are far more enjoyable to me than any of her historical novels where it seems that she seldom does any research. Her historical inaccuracies drive me nuts.
I very much enjoyed the 3 magical sisters and look forward to meeting them again. I have not read that many of the Draycotts so I have no idea where they fit in with Adrian and Gideon.
I received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review. It is now being called "A Highlander for Christmas."
I did have to say that the Draycott connection seemed forced to me. It just didn't seem to spring naturally from the story. Oh yes, Nicholas Draycott personally rescued our hero but that just seemed too pat, as if it was there solely to make this a Draycott Abbey book.
Also have to admit I am getting sick and tired of the storyline where sex with the heroine cures all wounds of the hero. Do some women have a magic hoo haw?
OTOH I have to say that Christina Skye's Draycott Abbey books are far more enjoyable to me than any of her historical novels where it seems that she seldom does any research. Her historical inaccuracies drive me nuts.
I very much enjoyed the 3 magical sisters and look forward to meeting them again. I have not read that many of the Draycotts so I have no idea where they fit in with Adrian and Gideon.
I received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review. It is now being called "A Highlander for Christmas."
December 21, 2013
Was a great book to take your. Ind off other things. The paranormal was a little weird as a student started telling. E that she was hearing voices. Really enjoyed this text though wouldn't mind reading other books written by the same author.
June 27, 2016
meh, I wouldn't want to try anything else from this author. The ending was really very childish. The book seemed drawn out, without any real content to be of any real value. This is definitely not a gift I would even re-gift.
January 2, 2023
Maggie is brilliant with gems and setting them. Her father had disappeared and cause an international hulabooloo. Enter Jared who is checking her out a this friend's request. They spark 💑. See what happens next!
September 25, 2009
Modern
August 21, 2011
Added to RS wishlist because I eventually want to buy the entire Draycott Abbey series (mine were lost), especially this one as it's my favorite.
August 12, 2011
Finished the book on a three hour ride back to my house. I miss the book. Been rereading this for quite a lot of time.
August 4, 2012
Love. This. Book.
November 12, 2016
love these stories. love this author. recommend this if you love a good love story with danger and intrigue. reread 11-12-2016...just as enjoyable as the first time.
January 22, 2014
pretty good modern romance with a hint of the supernatural thrown in
December 17, 2025
Fun Christmas romance.
August 13, 2017
I love Christina Skye
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews