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Midnight Bay #3
Mystical Warrior
An eleventh-century lass with a stubborn streak unleashes the red-hot hero inside her modern lover in bestselling author Janet Chapman’s irresistible new Midnight Bay adventure.
Trace Huntsman’s peaceful life has headed to hell in a hand-basket ever since stunningly beautiful Fiona Gregor moved into the vacant apartment above his house. Kidnapped centuries earlier and transformed into a red-tail hawk, Fiona is human once more and must learn how to be a modern woman. But damned if Trace is going to be the one to teach her. Not when her mere presence ignites a fiery passion deep within his cautious heart.
Fiona longs to overcome the painful memories of her tragic past—to let down her guard and become a mother again. But so far her handsome landlord is not exactly thrilled with the stray animals—and suitors—that keep following her home. When the wizard Maximilian Oceanus shows up, Trace reaches the end of his rope. Weird things happen when Mac is around—raging storms, snarling demons—but this time, Midnight Bay is at the center of a fierce battle, and Fiona is the primary target. Only Trace can save her, but first, the lovers must set aside their fears . . . and open up their hearts.
Trace Huntsman’s peaceful life has headed to hell in a hand-basket ever since stunningly beautiful Fiona Gregor moved into the vacant apartment above his house. Kidnapped centuries earlier and transformed into a red-tail hawk, Fiona is human once more and must learn how to be a modern woman. But damned if Trace is going to be the one to teach her. Not when her mere presence ignites a fiery passion deep within his cautious heart.
Fiona longs to overcome the painful memories of her tragic past—to let down her guard and become a mother again. But so far her handsome landlord is not exactly thrilled with the stray animals—and suitors—that keep following her home. When the wizard Maximilian Oceanus shows up, Trace reaches the end of his rope. Weird things happen when Mac is around—raging storms, snarling demons—but this time, Midnight Bay is at the center of a fierce battle, and Fiona is the primary target. Only Trace can save her, but first, the lovers must set aside their fears . . . and open up their hearts.
351 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 28, 2011
111 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Janet Chapman
28 books1,114 followersJanuary 22, 1956 – October 28, 2017
Hey guys its Jessica. Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I apologize for the long overdue wait for Janet’s next book. You’ve all been very patient and loyal fans that she loves. She has been working on this book over the last year and a half while dealing with her battle with cancer. It saddens me to say that she peacefully lost this battle this past weekend while her family was by her side. I apologize if this feels sudden, she was a very private person even to her family. And she truly thought of all of you as her family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Janet Chapman is the author of twenty-two contemporary and magical romance novels, all of which are set in her beautiful state of Maine. She lives in a cozy log home on a beautiful lake with her husband, surrounded by an eclectic assortment of wildlife that she finds both entertaining and inspiring. Probably best known for her Highlander Series (a saga of twelfth century warriors rebuilding their clans in modern-day Maine that now spans three generations), Janet also has two spin-off magical series (Midnight Bay & Spellbound Falls) and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. With over three million books printed in six languages, her stories regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller’s lists.
When she’s not writing (well, when she should to be writing but isn’t), Janet and her husband are traveling the state in their camper throughout all four seasons; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and generally rubbing elbows with Mother Nature while always keeping an eye out for colorful new characters—human and beast—to put in her stories.
author's obituary
Hey guys its Jessica. Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I apologize for the long overdue wait for Janet’s next book. You’ve all been very patient and loyal fans that she loves. She has been working on this book over the last year and a half while dealing with her battle with cancer. It saddens me to say that she peacefully lost this battle this past weekend while her family was by her side. I apologize if this feels sudden, she was a very private person even to her family. And she truly thought of all of you as her family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Janet Chapman is the author of twenty-two contemporary and magical romance novels, all of which are set in her beautiful state of Maine. She lives in a cozy log home on a beautiful lake with her husband, surrounded by an eclectic assortment of wildlife that she finds both entertaining and inspiring. Probably best known for her Highlander Series (a saga of twelfth century warriors rebuilding their clans in modern-day Maine that now spans three generations), Janet also has two spin-off magical series (Midnight Bay & Spellbound Falls) and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. With over three million books printed in six languages, her stories regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller’s lists.
When she’s not writing (well, when she should to be writing but isn’t), Janet and her husband are traveling the state in their camper throughout all four seasons; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and generally rubbing elbows with Mother Nature while always keeping an eye out for colorful new characters—human and beast—to put in her stories.
author's obituary
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
June 5, 2011
Trace is not a man looking for love. In fact, a woman in his life is the last thing he wants. But his friend Kenzie has somehow maneuvered his sister Fiona into Trace's garage apartment.
Fiona is from the 11th century. She was raped as a young woman and went on to spend time as a whore in the warrior-camps before she got pregnant. She died in childbirth and her baby died soon after. But with magic, she came back as a hawk. She's only recently regained her humanity, but is afraid of her own shadow. Kenzie thinks living away from the protection of her family will help her gain independence and self-reliance.
Fiona quickly learns that Trace is a good man. And they become friends over the course of the book. But a relationship is a long time coming, and I guess I can understand why with Fiona's history. But the story definitely lacked the sexual tension and steamy love scenes that were so great in the earlier books of the series. Also, while a big theme in the book was Fiona's eventual empowerment, it was hard to get terribly excited about her great victories of being allowed to cook for Trace and clean his house. For me, these time travel romances work better when the man is from the past.
Beyond the lack of sexual tension, there was a lack of, well, any tension. Other than Fiona's struggles to overcome her personal tragedies, the only other arc centered on the wizard Mac and the mysterious somebody who wants him dead. Our couple is never really a target and when everything seems to be coming to a head, the big fight scene doesn't even happen. We essentially just get a set up for Mac to have a book.
Don't get me wrong, Mystical Warrior wasn't bad. It was a sweet, easy, pleasant read. It just wasn't very exciting. 3 1/2 stars.
*ARC Provided by Simon & Schuster
Fiona is from the 11th century. She was raped as a young woman and went on to spend time as a whore in the warrior-camps before she got pregnant. She died in childbirth and her baby died soon after. But with magic, she came back as a hawk. She's only recently regained her humanity, but is afraid of her own shadow. Kenzie thinks living away from the protection of her family will help her gain independence and self-reliance.
Fiona quickly learns that Trace is a good man. And they become friends over the course of the book. But a relationship is a long time coming, and I guess I can understand why with Fiona's history. But the story definitely lacked the sexual tension and steamy love scenes that were so great in the earlier books of the series. Also, while a big theme in the book was Fiona's eventual empowerment, it was hard to get terribly excited about her great victories of being allowed to cook for Trace and clean his house. For me, these time travel romances work better when the man is from the past.
Beyond the lack of sexual tension, there was a lack of, well, any tension. Other than Fiona's struggles to overcome her personal tragedies, the only other arc centered on the wizard Mac and the mysterious somebody who wants him dead. Our couple is never really a target and when everything seems to be coming to a head, the big fight scene doesn't even happen. We essentially just get a set up for Mac to have a book.
Don't get me wrong, Mystical Warrior wasn't bad. It was a sweet, easy, pleasant read. It just wasn't very exciting. 3 1/2 stars.
*ARC Provided by Simon & Schuster
April 16, 2020
Man, this book has everything*! Highlanders, time travel, damaged retired soldiers, magic, shape shifting, seemingly innocent women with secret spines of steel, a tiny coastal village, cute animals, demons intent on destruction, rape as traumatic backstory
(*Everything does not include lesbians, brown people, or vampires.)
This book is RIDICULOUS. It's getting three stars because I enjoyed reading it, not because it's good. It was fun and silly and occasionally infuriating. It was published in 2011, and it is showing every one of it's 9 years; the dudes are all super machismo, and the women are all very feminine and partake in traditionally female tasks, and I don't think the heroine has a single conversation with any of her female friends about something that isn't a man.
I definitely would not have picked this up on my own, but I ordered a surprise care package from The Ripped Bodice bookstore for myself, and this was one of the used books they included.
(*Everything does not include lesbians, brown people, or vampires.)
This book is RIDICULOUS. It's getting three stars because I enjoyed reading it, not because it's good. It was fun and silly and occasionally infuriating. It was published in 2011, and it is showing every one of it's 9 years; the dudes are all super machismo, and the women are all very feminine and partake in traditionally female tasks, and I don't think the heroine has a single conversation with any of her female friends about something that isn't a man.
I definitely would not have picked this up on my own, but I ordered a surprise care package from The Ripped Bodice bookstore for myself, and this was one of the used books they included.
October 20, 2017
Mystical Warrior (Midnight Bay) by Janet Chapman
Although it is not all that important for you to read the 2 previous books in the Midnight Bay series since each one can be read as a stand- alone book, I would encourage you to do so. If you have never read a Janet Chapman novel, I would ask you to start with her very first book “Charming the Highlander” (all her books are still in print by the way), just so you can see how all the different characters were introduced, and how much Janet has developed as an author. Many of her characters and certain story lines discussed in later books and this will help you to visualize the goings on as bit easier. Again, it is NOT imperative, but her books are so warm and funny and so very well written, that I think you really would be missing something if you did not.
Mystical Warrior is a bit different from the perspective of Janet’s previous novels in that the Hero Trace is a 21st Century man instead of a warrior from the past as in Janet’s past novels. Fiona, the heroine comes from the 11th century.
Fiona Gregor had a horrible life in the past… eventually kidnapped, raped and then forced to become a “camp follower” and then losing her son shortly after his birth. She then becomes magically transformed into a Red-Tailed hawk and has stayed that way for centuries. Now she has been transformed back into a woman and is struggling with some of the details of 21st century life and her fear of men.
Trace, a war veteran, has been roped into renting Fiona an apartment and coerced into helping her learn how to cope. Taking responsibility for a woman is the very last thing he wants to do, since the last time he tried it ended up in the woman’s death. Nevertheless, there is something about the seemingly helpless Fiona that calls to Trace. Now, we have Fiona learning how to be ‘modern’ and Trace fighting an attraction to her; (and her to him) then we throw in a little extra magic in the form of a handsome and very powerful wizard, by the name of Maximilian Oceanus. Soon Midnight Bay is under attack from the unknown and Trace and Fiona and Mac (Maximilian) seem to be in the middle of it all.
This was an exciting, sometimes laugh aloud, wonderful read by Ms Chapman. It had moderate, sometimes leisurely pacing with plenty to engage you in the story and keep you there. It has thre inevitable “happily ever after “and an excellent secondary story that involves the Wizard and I assume (although I probably shouldn’t do so) that the next book will be about Maximilian and I can’t wait.
Although it is not all that important for you to read the 2 previous books in the Midnight Bay series since each one can be read as a stand- alone book, I would encourage you to do so. If you have never read a Janet Chapman novel, I would ask you to start with her very first book “Charming the Highlander” (all her books are still in print by the way), just so you can see how all the different characters were introduced, and how much Janet has developed as an author. Many of her characters and certain story lines discussed in later books and this will help you to visualize the goings on as bit easier. Again, it is NOT imperative, but her books are so warm and funny and so very well written, that I think you really would be missing something if you did not.
Mystical Warrior is a bit different from the perspective of Janet’s previous novels in that the Hero Trace is a 21st Century man instead of a warrior from the past as in Janet’s past novels. Fiona, the heroine comes from the 11th century.
Fiona Gregor had a horrible life in the past… eventually kidnapped, raped and then forced to become a “camp follower” and then losing her son shortly after his birth. She then becomes magically transformed into a Red-Tailed hawk and has stayed that way for centuries. Now she has been transformed back into a woman and is struggling with some of the details of 21st century life and her fear of men.
Trace, a war veteran, has been roped into renting Fiona an apartment and coerced into helping her learn how to cope. Taking responsibility for a woman is the very last thing he wants to do, since the last time he tried it ended up in the woman’s death. Nevertheless, there is something about the seemingly helpless Fiona that calls to Trace. Now, we have Fiona learning how to be ‘modern’ and Trace fighting an attraction to her; (and her to him) then we throw in a little extra magic in the form of a handsome and very powerful wizard, by the name of Maximilian Oceanus. Soon Midnight Bay is under attack from the unknown and Trace and Fiona and Mac (Maximilian) seem to be in the middle of it all.
This was an exciting, sometimes laugh aloud, wonderful read by Ms Chapman. It had moderate, sometimes leisurely pacing with plenty to engage you in the story and keep you there. It has thre inevitable “happily ever after “and an excellent secondary story that involves the Wizard and I assume (although I probably shouldn’t do so) that the next book will be about Maximilian and I can’t wait.
March 18, 2012
Mystical Warrior was a dud for me. I waffled between rating this a two star or a three star book. I ended up going with three, mainly because of the necessity of reading this book if you want to continue with the series.
Unfortunately I felt like this was really Mac's book, and Trace & Fiona were just secondary characters. Most of the storyline was about Mac - the demons chasing him, his issues with his father, etc. I find it hard to believe that two protective ancient Highland warriors like Matt and Kenzie would just pawn their sister off on someone else. You'd think someone with her issues and insecurities would be more comfortable if she were settled in with her family. So the whole making her live above Trace's house because they trust him thing didn't ring true to me. Also, I'm not quite sure where Janet Chapman wanted to go with Fiona. One minute she was a timid mouse sleeping in a cupboard and the next she's firing a gun to save Trace. She hates men but she tries to seduce him, then claims it wasn't because she wanted to get pregnant.
After reading Dragon Warrior and getting to know Trace, I was looking forward to his story - a hardened ex-Marine who comes back home to lick his wounds and wants nothing more than to work on his fishing boat. I even believed his "I don't want to get married" spiel, although it was definitely a case of someone protesting too much. He didn't emerge as the strong alpha white knight hero that I was hoping for, though. Instead he was a grumpy, sloppy, bossy tough guy who never knows what he wants.
To me, it seemed like there was no real connection between Trace and Fiona. I never believed them - there was never a moment where I could tell their feelings were true and for me, the romance just wasn't there.
Unfortunately I felt like this was really Mac's book, and Trace & Fiona were just secondary characters. Most of the storyline was about Mac - the demons chasing him, his issues with his father, etc. I find it hard to believe that two protective ancient Highland warriors like Matt and Kenzie would just pawn their sister off on someone else. You'd think someone with her issues and insecurities would be more comfortable if she were settled in with her family. So the whole making her live above Trace's house because they trust him thing didn't ring true to me. Also, I'm not quite sure where Janet Chapman wanted to go with Fiona. One minute she was a timid mouse sleeping in a cupboard and the next she's firing a gun to save Trace. She hates men but she tries to seduce him, then claims it wasn't because she wanted to get pregnant.
After reading Dragon Warrior and getting to know Trace, I was looking forward to his story - a hardened ex-Marine who comes back home to lick his wounds and wants nothing more than to work on his fishing boat. I even believed his "I don't want to get married" spiel, although it was definitely a case of someone protesting too much. He didn't emerge as the strong alpha white knight hero that I was hoping for, though. Instead he was a grumpy, sloppy, bossy tough guy who never knows what he wants.
To me, it seemed like there was no real connection between Trace and Fiona. I never believed them - there was never a moment where I could tell their feelings were true and for me, the romance just wasn't there.
October 25, 2022
Picked up this book to get Mac & Henry's backstory. Fiona is a great heroine who has to overcome having something utterly horrific that happened to her. Trace also has personal issues to overcome. It was a perfectly fine romantic story.
But I could have done without the subtle monogamous misogyny that kept cropping up. e.g. How everything in nature comes in pairs (nope), how women are not whole unless they have children, how going childless is a betrayal of your mother. Despite the magical setting, I was getting some Christian fundy vibes from the book, which ruined a lot of my enjoyment of it. The overbearing men of Fiona's family was enough to convince me I don't want to read the rest of the series this book is a part of.
But I could have done without the subtle monogamous misogyny that kept cropping up. e.g. How everything in nature comes in pairs (nope), how women are not whole unless they have children, how going childless is a betrayal of your mother. Despite the magical setting, I was getting some Christian fundy vibes from the book, which ruined a lot of my enjoyment of it. The overbearing men of Fiona's family was enough to convince me I don't want to read the rest of the series this book is a part of.
July 9, 2016
There are so many unique things about this book that make it joy to read. First the main character is a transformed red hawk. When Kinze talks his friend into letting his sister the former red hawk stay in his apartment he is willing. That she is a broken woman from many centuries past that died after a terrible short life is just one of the problems that Fiona has. She also has to adapt to living in the present.
This was a fantastic series. I loved all three books. This series was my first taste of Janet Chapman's work and now, I am hooked.
This was a fantastic series. I loved all three books. This series was my first taste of Janet Chapman's work and now, I am hooked.
September 7, 2022
Reread didn't much change my opinion about the relationship aspects but otherwise a good read.
good book overall though not on the same standards as the previous in the series as far as the relationship. lots of fun plot twists and weirdness, but the love formed between the H/H sort of under-explained... needing a little more building of the actual relationship to make it more powerful and sincere but ill definitely keep reading the series if there are more and would reread this one too.
good book overall though not on the same standards as the previous in the series as far as the relationship. lots of fun plot twists and weirdness, but the love formed between the H/H sort of under-explained... needing a little more building of the actual relationship to make it more powerful and sincere but ill definitely keep reading the series if there are more and would reread this one too.
November 20, 2023
Midnight Bay is part of the Highlanders series by JC. The premise for Highlanders, which carries over to Midnight Bay and also Spellbound Falls, is that a magic wielding Druidh from the 11th century, brings 2 lots of warriors through to present day Pine Creek, Maine.
Our heroine Fiona, dies back in the 11th century, is a red-tail hawk for centuries and is then made human again by wizard Mac (Maximilian Oceanus). Our hero, Trace, is a lobster fisherman in Maine after retiring from the military.
Both our MCs are a mess of fears and anxieties, and fight through them to reach the inevitable HEA.
Meanwhile Mac has brought raging storms & snarling demons to Midnight Bay, and has no clue who is behind it.
Whilst I feel this story isn't as good as previous books in the series, it is still certainly engaging and we do catch up with other MCs from previous books.
Our heroine Fiona, dies back in the 11th century, is a red-tail hawk for centuries and is then made human again by wizard Mac (Maximilian Oceanus). Our hero, Trace, is a lobster fisherman in Maine after retiring from the military.
Both our MCs are a mess of fears and anxieties, and fight through them to reach the inevitable HEA.
Meanwhile Mac has brought raging storms & snarling demons to Midnight Bay, and has no clue who is behind it.
Whilst I feel this story isn't as good as previous books in the series, it is still certainly engaging and we do catch up with other MCs from previous books.
December 5, 2023
I have enjoyed this series. Trace is so done with women. He wants nothing to do with any of them until Fiona comes into his life. Fiona was born a long time ago and has been a hawk for many years. Then a wizard comes along and makes her a person again and she is in a really strange century. She had been abused in her old time and is happy being a hawk. There are no men to tell her what to do and now her brothers are bossing her around again. She will not have it. When Fiona moves into the apartment above him, Trace is very happy, but he needs to rent out the apartment. Watching Fiona regain her confidence is great, but he is falling hard for her. He had a crappy father, and he just knows that he will probably be a bad father. Fiona sees his potential, but he isn't so sure. Will she give up on him?
April 8, 2018
The plots don't make a lot of sense, but I enjoy the way Chapman writes characters that are surprisingly normal, fairly nice, middle-American, and reassuringly level-headed for paranormals. I don't usually run across that in this genre.
BTW, I recommend strongly that you read these in order. I didn't, and it's no wonder I was confused. The characters continue but their back stories and past events are barely--if at all--glossed over in later books. You will miss out and flounder around in the plots if you skip around (like I did).
BTW, I recommend strongly that you read these in order. I didn't, and it's no wonder I was confused. The characters continue but their back stories and past events are barely--if at all--glossed over in later books. You will miss out and flounder around in the plots if you skip around (like I did).
July 22, 2021
I really couldn't decide between 2 or 3 stars. I love Janet Chapman's books but this one just irritated the heck out of me.
Why do all the men who come forward in time have a ton of money even when they didn't earn it, but when a woman comes forward in time she gets 6 months paid rent and $5oo? It's absolutely nuts.
Why do all the men who come forward in time have a ton of money even when they didn't earn it, but when a woman comes forward in time she gets 6 months paid rent and $5oo? It's absolutely nuts.
June 28, 2018
Forced myself to finish this one. Even though I loved the book before this one, Trace and Fiona's story just didn't excite me. The two didn't actually become a couple until the last few chapters, so there wasn't much romance throughout.
March 26, 2020
Great ending to a great series
An exciting, intuitive, magical story of love, courage and love 💘 with great plot twists.I couldn't put it down.Like all of Janet Chapman's books another highland hit!
An exciting, intuitive, magical story of love, courage and love 💘 with great plot twists.I couldn't put it down.Like all of Janet Chapman's books another highland hit!
March 27, 2020
This is such an emotional and interesting book. I loved it from cover to cover. I respect Janet Chapman's writing so much and this one continued with such amazing characters and laugh out loud moments that I could barely put it down.
September 29, 2017
I LOVED this book, Trace.....OMG! Fiona, What a strong and wonderful woman.
October 28, 2017
Cute series
I wish she’d extend it. Trace gets his comeuppance and Fiona her wings back. Who could ask for more? Except more in the series
I wish she’d extend it. Trace gets his comeuppance and Fiona her wings back. Who could ask for more? Except more in the series
August 29, 2018
Funny.
December 6, 2018
Good read nothing spectacular
January 15, 2019
Mystical Warrior
I enjoy reading books that bring characters from other stories into the current story I’m reading. They become friends you like to keep up with.
I enjoy reading books that bring characters from other stories into the current story I’m reading. They become friends you like to keep up with.
June 11, 2019
3+ stars
June 11, 2020
Re-read from paperback when first published. Wonderful book by a very talented author. I greatly enjoy all of these books, but I absolutely love how brave Fiona was, and how she and Trace fall in love despite their reservations. And Mac is amusing as always.
August 11, 2021
Wonderful series!
October 6, 2021
Another quick easy read with a predictable ending. Fun in the moment but almost instantly forgettable.
February 8, 2022
Good
Well written. Not my favorite. Touchy subject matter, but handled gently with respect.
Janet Chapman is a wonderful writer. Cannot recommend her enough.
Well written. Not my favorite. Touchy subject matter, but handled gently with respect.
Janet Chapman is a wonderful writer. Cannot recommend her enough.
July 24, 2022
Fun to read loved it.
September 11, 2023
This is part of a fun series. Characters are likeable and human(esque). Interesting plot.
December 17, 2024
Great story of freedom, protective shells, and love. Wonderful end of Midnight Falls series.
September 25, 2025
Fun read
Like how they added magic and time travel. It was a fun story. Kept my interest through out the story.
Like how they added magic and time travel. It was a fun story. Kept my interest through out the story.
August 6, 2011
My Book Pimp Bells asked me to review this for her. I am a long time fan of Chapman and wanted this book so bad! Glad to get my hands on it! I devoured it in two days ((Had to sleep)) and loved every minute of it!
Where do I start?
Trace and Fiona are a perfect fit. Chapman did not disappoint in this book at all. It was exactly what I expected and a little bit more. In the last book Maximilian Oceanus gifts Kenzie and William with the gift of their sisters return to them in Human form since they helped with his sister Carolina. Fiona use to be a Red Tail Hawk, she's the one that guided William to the future in order to get help from her brother Kenzie.
Fiona in Hawk form is strong willful, but ultimately sticks to herself. She didn't want to be human didn't ask for Mac to change her, but it happens anyway. Both Kenzie and his brother have no clue how to get Fiona out of her shell. Their solutions although seems a bit rough may just in fact solve everyone's problem... All accept for her new landlord. Trace who just happens to be William's Brother in Law.
Trace just back from the war in Afghanistan is trying to come to terms with a few different scenarios. First there is such a thing as magic. Kenzie can turn into a panther, and William use to be a dragon. Now he has to put up with an 11 century woman turned hawk, then turned woman living over his head. He is against it from the start, but gets sucked into Kenzie's plea of helping his younger sister find herself. Trace thinks she's beautiful, but clumsy and has to constantly remind himself to go easy around her.
The terms of Fiona are simple no one is to help her. Her rents paid for 6 months and Kenzie only gives her 500$ with the hopes that when she runs out she will have no choice but to go to town and find a job. I don't think men got the memo of "Don't push us women into a corner" LOL.
Fiona and Williams Sister Gabrielle do venture into town so that Gabrielle who is 17 can go and buy a magazine. What they end of getting is Fiona a dog that she names Courage. I think the name suited the dog just fine. The Dempster boys who sell it to her don't tell her that her dog is the runt of the litter and basically scams her. And who should come to the rescue? Trace!
By way of trying to get her to come out of her shell he agrees to let the dog stay even though Fiona bought the dog first. Then he gets her to help in putting up siding on the house...
This is the start of Fiona's transformation, she doesn't openly come out and start talking to him, but she does start to take over, cleaning his barn, re-arranging his tools, making him bread and grabbing eggs. She even moves in a couple of animals... She's turning Trace's house into a home and he doesn't like it one bit!
The sexual tension between the two of them is there but in small doses. Don't expect this to be some hot heavy steaming read. Chapman doesn't do that, this is a slow churning of emotions. Lessons are learned and people grow from the situation. The words exchanged between the two start of slow, but turn more meaningful as the book progresses. There store is one of courage from both parties and triumph. There are some secrets not just from Trace and Fiona but a very unlikely character who I know I wanted to know more about!
Mac is back folks! Yes Oceanus please a really huge role in the book and I can definitely tell you he is next in Chapman's work. I don't want to give all the deets away but trust me when I say the adventure is definitely there. I do want you to know if you have never read Chapman's writing its fun and flirty, there is some laugh out loud moments in all her writing and there are definitely happy endings all with a magical twist but the story offers love, kindness, it shows you the ends and out of a relationship that some may or may not be able to relate to. But its powerful and moving just the same..
This book was hands down a 5 for me. I knew what to expect going in and I wasn't disappointed at all. I have read all of Chapman's book and will continue to do so!
July 3, 2011
Favorite Lines: “You will all shut the fuck up, or I swear, I’ll find my gun and shoot every damned last one of you.” (p. 137)
Mystical Warrior is book three in Janet Chapman’s Midnight Bay series about time travelers finding love in the 21st century. It builds upon the stories told in books one and two, Moonlight Warrior and Dragon Warrior, but could possibly be read as a stand alone. I don’t recommend it, but it can be done.
In the first book of the series we learned that Kenzie Gregor’s little sister Fiona had been raped and died after giving birth to a child. The second book told us that Kenzie’s little sister had been reincarnated as a Guardian in the form of a hawk. Book three begins with Fiona being placed into her own apartment to learn how to live as a member of society. I’m not sure how much time has passed, but Fiona has already lived with and been put out of both of her brothers’ homes.
Fiona is a motherly woman who is adept at taking care of a household. She also still has the mentality of an 11th century woman. Fiona enters the story as a timid woman trying to learn how to be strong. She wants to be a mother more than anything, but realizes the importance of becoming whole first. Her interactions with men show her terror, but her need to please her landlord Trace becomes obvious rather quickly.
Trace, however, wants no part of anything which might bind him to his tenant. He is a protective natured man, but his upbringing and a bad experience in Afghanistan scarred him. He has no plans to marry, be a parent or take care of a friend’s damaged sister. He is stubborn, but noble.
As a couple, Trace and Fiona work. They both have issues and together they are able to find their own version of happily ever after, or the possibility of happily ever after. They don’t jump into bed together, as a matter of fact it isn’t until the end of the book that they knock boots. Don’t get me wrong, they are attracted to each other and kiss, but Chapman remains true to Fiona’s traumatic sexual history by not writing early sex scenes.
The action in Mystical Warrior is pretty laid back. It did nothing to energize me or the story.The book focuses on character growth. Not just with Fiona and Trace, but with several other characters previously introduced in the story. One of those characters is the mysterious wizard Maximilian aka Mac. His story is set up at the end of the book and unless I’m mistaken will be the first book of Chapman’s Spellbound Falls series which will be released in February 2012.
I do want to point out that the book’s blurb is somewhat misleading. There is only a tiny portion of the book in which any amount of danger is directed at Fiona. For the most part, Fiona is meant to be collateral damage. Also, we aren’t told who or what is chasing Mac or why. As a matter of fact, besides the initial introduction of Mac being chased by demons, there is very little of the fierce battle the blurb mentions. What does happen, occurs at the end of the book and is quickly laid to rest. There is no grand battle and the snarling demons are minimal.
Read it or Skip it? If you want a traditional romance pick it up. It is a neatly wrapped love story about two people overcoming personal battles to better themselves and finding love in the process. If anything, the would-be-lover is the person who eggs the other forward into embracing change.
Warning: If you are reading this book for action you will be disappointed.
Scooper Speaks
Mystical Warrior is book three in Janet Chapman’s Midnight Bay series about time travelers finding love in the 21st century. It builds upon the stories told in books one and two, Moonlight Warrior and Dragon Warrior, but could possibly be read as a stand alone. I don’t recommend it, but it can be done.
In the first book of the series we learned that Kenzie Gregor’s little sister Fiona had been raped and died after giving birth to a child. The second book told us that Kenzie’s little sister had been reincarnated as a Guardian in the form of a hawk. Book three begins with Fiona being placed into her own apartment to learn how to live as a member of society. I’m not sure how much time has passed, but Fiona has already lived with and been put out of both of her brothers’ homes.
Fiona is a motherly woman who is adept at taking care of a household. She also still has the mentality of an 11th century woman. Fiona enters the story as a timid woman trying to learn how to be strong. She wants to be a mother more than anything, but realizes the importance of becoming whole first. Her interactions with men show her terror, but her need to please her landlord Trace becomes obvious rather quickly.
Trace, however, wants no part of anything which might bind him to his tenant. He is a protective natured man, but his upbringing and a bad experience in Afghanistan scarred him. He has no plans to marry, be a parent or take care of a friend’s damaged sister. He is stubborn, but noble.
As a couple, Trace and Fiona work. They both have issues and together they are able to find their own version of happily ever after, or the possibility of happily ever after. They don’t jump into bed together, as a matter of fact it isn’t until the end of the book that they knock boots. Don’t get me wrong, they are attracted to each other and kiss, but Chapman remains true to Fiona’s traumatic sexual history by not writing early sex scenes.
The action in Mystical Warrior is pretty laid back. It did nothing to energize me or the story.The book focuses on character growth. Not just with Fiona and Trace, but with several other characters previously introduced in the story. One of those characters is the mysterious wizard Maximilian aka Mac. His story is set up at the end of the book and unless I’m mistaken will be the first book of Chapman’s Spellbound Falls series which will be released in February 2012.
I do want to point out that the book’s blurb is somewhat misleading. There is only a tiny portion of the book in which any amount of danger is directed at Fiona. For the most part, Fiona is meant to be collateral damage. Also, we aren’t told who or what is chasing Mac or why. As a matter of fact, besides the initial introduction of Mac being chased by demons, there is very little of the fierce battle the blurb mentions. What does happen, occurs at the end of the book and is quickly laid to rest. There is no grand battle and the snarling demons are minimal.
Read it or Skip it? If you want a traditional romance pick it up. It is a neatly wrapped love story about two people overcoming personal battles to better themselves and finding love in the process. If anything, the would-be-lover is the person who eggs the other forward into embracing change.
Warning: If you are reading this book for action you will be disappointed.
Scooper Speaks
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