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Magic of the Highlands #1
Highland Destiny
Mackenzie Stewart’s in Scotland for a much-needed vacation. During the castle tour, Mackenzie becomes completely enamored with a painting of one of the previous lairds. Two gentlemen come up behind her and, begging her pardon, they kidnap her, dragging her through time.
201 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2010
16 people are currently reading
2835 people want to read
About the author
Laura Hunsaker
15 books613 followersI write about Hunky Highlanders and Hottie Scotties.
Steamy Time Travel Romances that warm up the night, and leave you craving more.
I'm also the Highland Hussy over at www.gotfiction.com but please don't request reviews through goodreads.
Steamy Time Travel Romances that warm up the night, and leave you craving more.
I'm also the Highland Hussy over at www.gotfiction.com but please don't request reviews through goodreads.
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March 11, 2017I thought it might be tacky if I rated my own book, but I wanted to add it to my shelf :)
If you want the paperback, New Concepts Publishing has both the multi-format ebook and paperback.
For your Nook at Barnes and Noble
For Kobo click here
It's up on itunes at the apple bookstore
And Amazon has both the paperback and the kindle edition
Smashwords has it in multi format as well
If you want the paperback, New Concepts Publishing has both the multi-format ebook and paperback.
For your Nook at Barnes and Noble
For Kobo click here
It's up on itunes at the apple bookstore
And Amazon has both the paperback and the kindle edition
Smashwords has it in multi format as well
May 5, 2017
All Mackenzie Stewart wanted was to enjoy her month long Scottish vacation...
Mackenzie Stewart goes to Scotland with her best friend Jenna thinking that she'd just be appreciating the beauty of Scotland and the castle she was staying in. Little did she know that she was about to become part of a dangerous plot.
When touring the castle, Mackenzie sees a painting of one of the past MacRae Lairds. As she is sitting to draw the picture, she is accosted by two wizards who drag her back in time to the 1700s. Once there, they tell her of the role she will play: There is an evil Lord, John Campbell, employing the dark arts who plans to marry and then sacrifice her to further his power. The wizards want Mackenzie to distract the Campbell so that a Scottish Laird, Connor MacRae, can dispose of the man. While still dealing with the shock of being abducted into another time, their carriage is stopped and Mackenzie is abducted again! By Connor MacRae! He has come to take the Campbell's betrothed in order to incite the Campbell's wrath. Connor brings Mackenzie back to his castle and she is immediately met with hostility from his people.
During her time there, Connor starts to like Mackenzie despite himself. He enjoys her company and his desire for her grows with every passing day. When there are attempts on her life, Connor quickly comes to her rescue. He starts to care for her. But then, he is faced with almost undeniable evidence that it was Mackenzie and the Campbell's plan all along to make him like her and get him into bed, in order to distract him. But, in his rage, he manages to listen to Mackenzie when she explains and finally tells, and shows, him that she from another time.
Not long after, Connor takes it upon himself to arrange for him and Mackenzie to get married, a couple days after the return of his brother Liam. After being resistant for a while, Mackenzie finally gives in, believing that it would be worth it to have him for a short time even if he didn't love her the way she loved him. The night before the wedding, there is a big party in their honor and the whole clan comes. Later that night, after Connor confronts her about a conversation he overheard her having, Mackenzie defiantly admits that she loves him.
The next day is the wedding and it's all a blur until she is alone with Connor that night. Despite the fact that she believed that Connor didn't love her, Mackenzie feels it is the most beautiful night of her life. But, it is also tinged with fear when she wakes from another of her recurring nightmares. She has to leave Connor and go to the Campbell; she has to kill the Campbell to keep Connor and his family safe.
They spend the next day together, Connor admits that he loves her, and they have a lovely time. Until, of course, Mackenzie is shot with an arrow. Connor and Liam cauterize the wound and she's out for a couple of days. When she wakes, she persuades Connor to teach her how to use a sword. After a confrontation with Liam, though, she is able to come up with a plan to stage her escape: She asks Liam for help. He would take her out riding and show give her directions to the Campbell's and when Connor asked about her, Liam would say she slipped away from him and, under no circumstances was he to tell Connor that she was in fact pregnant. Their plan is successful. Until Connor figures it out when he can't find her the next morning. Liam tells him about the baby and eventually convinces Connor to wait a few days to go after her, during which time their allies would gather.
For days, Mackenzie is locked in a room at the Campbell's and it's not until then that the wizards come and tell her they need to charm a blade with her blood and only that will kill the Campbell. After they leave, she is shocked to see Connor stepping into her room. She is forced to be heartbreakingly cold to Connor, but her panic makes her force him to hide when the Campbell comes to retrieve her. He shows her that he has captured the MacRaes and their allies, shows off his power. Later that night she expects Connor to come back to her, little does she know he's been captured. But she finds out the next morning when she sneaks her food to a small kid in the dungeon; she also finds out that he thinks she betrayed him.
The next day is the ceremony before her "wedding" to the Campbell. He brings out Connor and she is forced to watch as he is beaten in front of her. But then, Liam and his allies come to help Connor, during which time the Campbell grabs Mackenzie by the throat and holds a knife to it. She manages to escape and draws him out of the room. When he follows, she attempts to kill him with the dagger but she is thwarted, and he then tries to rape her, only to be stopped when Connor pulls him off. After telling Connor to leave the Campbell alone, she manages to get in a few slices with the dagger. When the Campbell flees, she follows and kills him.
At this point, Connor still believes she betrayed him, and she realizes that she has to go back to her time. The wizards take her back and Connor realizes too late that he needs to go after her. He forces the wizards to find a way to bring him to Mackenzie in her time. After months of wasting away, and a particularly ominous dream, he forces them to send him to her right then and there.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie had been spending her time in a state of depression and was frequently by herself. Upon exploring the village, she finds a locket in a small shop with a picture of her inside. A locket that, apparently, Connor had made for her but never had a chance to give to her.
On her last day in Scotland, as she stands before Connor's portrait, she is confronted with the full brunt of her pain. She sits to draw it one last time and, through her tears, hears Connor's voice from behind her. She turns and sees the man standing right behind her and in her joy throws herself at him. Realizing they have no time to waste, they go up to her room. After a bout of lovemaking, Connor sees the locket and tells her about it, and they then discuss how they will stay together. Finally, they decide that Mackenzie would go back to the 1700s with him.
A few years later, Connor and Mackenzie have a gorgeous boy, a beautiful baby girl, and an adorable newborn baby. During that time, their love has never died and Connor and Mackenzie continue to love each other forever....
I knew just from the fact that this was a book about Highlanders that I was going to love it. I knew from the fact that the wonderful Laurie Hunsaker wrote this that I was going to love it. I knew from the book blurb that I was going to love it. However, none of those facts prepared me for just how much I was going to love it. I can honestly say that this is not only one of my absolute favorite Highlander romances, but it's one of my favorite Historical Romances.
I was immediately taken with Connor MacRae, from the moment he opened that carriage door intending to abduct Mackenzie. Throughout the novel, he just continued to grow on me more and more, my love growing with every page. Not only was he a sexy Scottish Highlander and warrior, but he was sweet and tender, caring and loving. He just called to me. I will admit, though, to being a little disappointed in him when he was in the Campbell's prison and he believed that Mackenzie would have betrayed him. Granted, she did leave him to go to the Campbell, but that was just to protect him! And he continued to believe that even after he watched her kill the man. However, this little spot of disappointment was forgotten when Connor redeemed himself and went after Mackenzie.
Mackenzie was a verra feisty lass, and I loved that about her, ye ken? Okay, now that my bit of attempting to speak like a Scot is over...I adored Mackenzie. Like with Connor, there were times when she frustrated me but ultimately I loved her. Her dedication to finding a way to keep Connor safe through it all endeared her to me even further.
Liam I had a tumultuous relationship with. When he first showed up, I immediately loved him, loved how he was a flirt and funny and cute. Then, even though Laurie warned me about this, I was shocked to see how hostile Liam became towards Mackenzie after Connor told him her secret. I hated-maybe hated is too strong a word-was very upset with him when he agreed to help Mackenzie leave and was insulting her. But, like Laurie told me I would, I loved him again in the end when he finally realized he was wrong about Mackenzie and admitted so to her and Connor. So, yes, I still adore Liam and I look forward to seeing more of him in the future. Keep writing Liam's story, Laurie!
Brilliant, my dear. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
Also, I just want to share the most beautiful line of the book with you:
“With love, lass anything is possible.”
**Note: The version I have read is a pre-publishing, Advanced Reader's Copy. A new review may or may not be posted when I get a copy of the published version in November. Depends on how much I want to add or change.**
Mackenzie Stewart goes to Scotland with her best friend Jenna thinking that she'd just be appreciating the beauty of Scotland and the castle she was staying in. Little did she know that she was about to become part of a dangerous plot.
When touring the castle, Mackenzie sees a painting of one of the past MacRae Lairds. As she is sitting to draw the picture, she is accosted by two wizards who drag her back in time to the 1700s. Once there, they tell her of the role she will play: There is an evil Lord, John Campbell, employing the dark arts who plans to marry and then sacrifice her to further his power. The wizards want Mackenzie to distract the Campbell so that a Scottish Laird, Connor MacRae, can dispose of the man. While still dealing with the shock of being abducted into another time, their carriage is stopped and Mackenzie is abducted again! By Connor MacRae! He has come to take the Campbell's betrothed in order to incite the Campbell's wrath. Connor brings Mackenzie back to his castle and she is immediately met with hostility from his people.
During her time there, Connor starts to like Mackenzie despite himself. He enjoys her company and his desire for her grows with every passing day. When there are attempts on her life, Connor quickly comes to her rescue. He starts to care for her. But then, he is faced with almost undeniable evidence that it was Mackenzie and the Campbell's plan all along to make him like her and get him into bed, in order to distract him. But, in his rage, he manages to listen to Mackenzie when she explains and finally tells, and shows, him that she from another time.
Not long after, Connor takes it upon himself to arrange for him and Mackenzie to get married, a couple days after the return of his brother Liam. After being resistant for a while, Mackenzie finally gives in, believing that it would be worth it to have him for a short time even if he didn't love her the way she loved him. The night before the wedding, there is a big party in their honor and the whole clan comes. Later that night, after Connor confronts her about a conversation he overheard her having, Mackenzie defiantly admits that she loves him.
The next day is the wedding and it's all a blur until she is alone with Connor that night. Despite the fact that she believed that Connor didn't love her, Mackenzie feels it is the most beautiful night of her life. But, it is also tinged with fear when she wakes from another of her recurring nightmares. She has to leave Connor and go to the Campbell; she has to kill the Campbell to keep Connor and his family safe.
They spend the next day together, Connor admits that he loves her, and they have a lovely time. Until, of course, Mackenzie is shot with an arrow. Connor and Liam cauterize the wound and she's out for a couple of days. When she wakes, she persuades Connor to teach her how to use a sword. After a confrontation with Liam, though, she is able to come up with a plan to stage her escape: She asks Liam for help. He would take her out riding and show give her directions to the Campbell's and when Connor asked about her, Liam would say she slipped away from him and, under no circumstances was he to tell Connor that she was in fact pregnant. Their plan is successful. Until Connor figures it out when he can't find her the next morning. Liam tells him about the baby and eventually convinces Connor to wait a few days to go after her, during which time their allies would gather.
For days, Mackenzie is locked in a room at the Campbell's and it's not until then that the wizards come and tell her they need to charm a blade with her blood and only that will kill the Campbell. After they leave, she is shocked to see Connor stepping into her room. She is forced to be heartbreakingly cold to Connor, but her panic makes her force him to hide when the Campbell comes to retrieve her. He shows her that he has captured the MacRaes and their allies, shows off his power. Later that night she expects Connor to come back to her, little does she know he's been captured. But she finds out the next morning when she sneaks her food to a small kid in the dungeon; she also finds out that he thinks she betrayed him.
The next day is the ceremony before her "wedding" to the Campbell. He brings out Connor and she is forced to watch as he is beaten in front of her. But then, Liam and his allies come to help Connor, during which time the Campbell grabs Mackenzie by the throat and holds a knife to it. She manages to escape and draws him out of the room. When he follows, she attempts to kill him with the dagger but she is thwarted, and he then tries to rape her, only to be stopped when Connor pulls him off. After telling Connor to leave the Campbell alone, she manages to get in a few slices with the dagger. When the Campbell flees, she follows and kills him.
At this point, Connor still believes she betrayed him, and she realizes that she has to go back to her time. The wizards take her back and Connor realizes too late that he needs to go after her. He forces the wizards to find a way to bring him to Mackenzie in her time. After months of wasting away, and a particularly ominous dream, he forces them to send him to her right then and there.
Meanwhile, Mackenzie had been spending her time in a state of depression and was frequently by herself. Upon exploring the village, she finds a locket in a small shop with a picture of her inside. A locket that, apparently, Connor had made for her but never had a chance to give to her.
On her last day in Scotland, as she stands before Connor's portrait, she is confronted with the full brunt of her pain. She sits to draw it one last time and, through her tears, hears Connor's voice from behind her. She turns and sees the man standing right behind her and in her joy throws herself at him. Realizing they have no time to waste, they go up to her room. After a bout of lovemaking, Connor sees the locket and tells her about it, and they then discuss how they will stay together. Finally, they decide that Mackenzie would go back to the 1700s with him.
A few years later, Connor and Mackenzie have a gorgeous boy, a beautiful baby girl, and an adorable newborn baby. During that time, their love has never died and Connor and Mackenzie continue to love each other forever....
I knew just from the fact that this was a book about Highlanders that I was going to love it. I knew from the fact that the wonderful Laurie Hunsaker wrote this that I was going to love it. I knew from the book blurb that I was going to love it. However, none of those facts prepared me for just how much I was going to love it. I can honestly say that this is not only one of my absolute favorite Highlander romances, but it's one of my favorite Historical Romances.
I was immediately taken with Connor MacRae, from the moment he opened that carriage door intending to abduct Mackenzie. Throughout the novel, he just continued to grow on me more and more, my love growing with every page. Not only was he a sexy Scottish Highlander and warrior, but he was sweet and tender, caring and loving. He just called to me. I will admit, though, to being a little disappointed in him when he was in the Campbell's prison and he believed that Mackenzie would have betrayed him. Granted, she did leave him to go to the Campbell, but that was just to protect him! And he continued to believe that even after he watched her kill the man. However, this little spot of disappointment was forgotten when Connor redeemed himself and went after Mackenzie.
Mackenzie was a verra feisty lass, and I loved that about her, ye ken? Okay, now that my bit of attempting to speak like a Scot is over...I adored Mackenzie. Like with Connor, there were times when she frustrated me but ultimately I loved her. Her dedication to finding a way to keep Connor safe through it all endeared her to me even further.
Liam I had a tumultuous relationship with. When he first showed up, I immediately loved him, loved how he was a flirt and funny and cute. Then, even though Laurie warned me about this, I was shocked to see how hostile Liam became towards Mackenzie after Connor told him her secret. I hated-maybe hated is too strong a word-was very upset with him when he agreed to help Mackenzie leave and was insulting her. But, like Laurie told me I would, I loved him again in the end when he finally realized he was wrong about Mackenzie and admitted so to her and Connor. So, yes, I still adore Liam and I look forward to seeing more of him in the future. Keep writing Liam's story, Laurie!
Brilliant, my dear. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
Also, I just want to share the most beautiful line of the book with you:
“With love, lass anything is possible.”
**Note: The version I have read is a pre-publishing, Advanced Reader's Copy. A new review may or may not be posted when I get a copy of the published version in November. Depends on how much I want to add or change.**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2011
In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit, a big part of me didn't want to read this book. I "met" Laura Hunsaker on Goodreads, having no idea she was an author. We're in some of the same groups; we chat about what we're reading. Then I won a contest where her book was the prize. I was intrigued, but a little worried. I mean, what if it sucks? I put all my reviews on Goodreads. How do you tell someone you like that their book isn't good? Thankfully, I knew this wasn't going to be a problem, just a few pages into my read.
Our story focuses on Mackenzie, a modern-day American who is visiting Scotland with her friend. She is approached by two wizards who whisk her back into the 1800s. They say she is fated to marry a Scotsman named Campbell and stop a war between two warring clans. But before she can make it to her intended, she is kidnapped by Campbell's enemy, Connor. Sparks fly instantly. Connor struggles to look at Mackenzie simply as a tool in his arsenal against Campbell. But he can't fight the urge to kiss her. Over time, those urges get stronger and their relationship grows more physical.
Mackenzie isn't sure how much of her reality she should share with Connor, as she begins to fall for him. And she is beginning to realize that the strange dreams she's had all of her life have been preparing her for this trip back in time. As the details slowly reveal themselves, the picture becomes clearer as to what her true destiny must be.
I really, truly enjoyed this book. Mackenzie is a virginal heroine, but she is feisty and bold. She deals with her trying circumstances with bravery and smarts. Conner is, in a word, hot. It's easy to see how he makes her melt. Their love scenes are great; and so is their romance. Granted, we're not breaking new ground with a time-traveling Highlander story. But this genre is popular for a reason. Because when the book works, the result is playful, entertaining, and sexy. This book works. 4 1/2 stars.
Our story focuses on Mackenzie, a modern-day American who is visiting Scotland with her friend. She is approached by two wizards who whisk her back into the 1800s. They say she is fated to marry a Scotsman named Campbell and stop a war between two warring clans. But before she can make it to her intended, she is kidnapped by Campbell's enemy, Connor. Sparks fly instantly. Connor struggles to look at Mackenzie simply as a tool in his arsenal against Campbell. But he can't fight the urge to kiss her. Over time, those urges get stronger and their relationship grows more physical.
Mackenzie isn't sure how much of her reality she should share with Connor, as she begins to fall for him. And she is beginning to realize that the strange dreams she's had all of her life have been preparing her for this trip back in time. As the details slowly reveal themselves, the picture becomes clearer as to what her true destiny must be.
I really, truly enjoyed this book. Mackenzie is a virginal heroine, but she is feisty and bold. She deals with her trying circumstances with bravery and smarts. Conner is, in a word, hot. It's easy to see how he makes her melt. Their love scenes are great; and so is their romance. Granted, we're not breaking new ground with a time-traveling Highlander story. But this genre is popular for a reason. Because when the book works, the result is playful, entertaining, and sexy. This book works. 4 1/2 stars.
October 4, 2011
Perhaps I've read too many Highlander romances... maybe I'm just cranky... but this book? It pushed me beyond limits.
The plot sounds great: A 21st century woman is whisked back in time by two mysterious men claiming to be sorcerers. They tell her that she's the only hope to stop the Campbell, an English lord who's taken over Scottish lands and follows the dark magic arts. Arriving in that time, she is almost immediately kidnapped by a Highland warrior and laird -- incidentally, the laird of the castle she was staying in (as a 5-star hotel with a 5-star restaurant and a shopping mall?), and supposedly the ghost laird that haunts the castle this day -- a man who lost his 1st wife and lived his days in sadness. Of course this Highland warrior (Connor) is huge, with a god-like body and wicked sense of humor. Of course, he doesn't believe her story of being from the future, but he falls in love with her almost instantly... despite knowing that she is the intended bride of the Campbell. Of course, she's a virgin, who gives it up to the irresistible Connor. Of course, she's had dreams all her life of this exact scenario -- the Campbell, Connor, and a show-down where she's got to be a blood sacrifice for the Campbell to take over the world.... But our heroine is pregnant, with Connor's child, of course. (Really? Does every heroine dream of meeting the man of her dreams, only to become pregnant shortly after days and hours of lustful adventures?) And of course, in the end, everyone's happy. The End.
EXCEPT... the story is badly written, the characters are ill-formed, and the history/details are just all wrong.
1. The time our heroine (Mackenzie) is whisked back to is 1792. Anyone who knows their Scottish history (or has read Highland romances before, especially Outlander) knows that after 1745 and the big battle at Culloden, the English not only trounced the Scots, but they crushed the Highland clans, almost into extinction. Tartans and kilts were outlawed, punishable by beating or death. The English ruled with an iron fist, and the soldiers were allowed to do whatever they wanted, including frequent raids, rape, pillaging, and arresting the Scots men to be tried and either hanged or transported to America.
But in this story, the clans are still strong and warring against one another. And while the Campbell is English, he's too whacked out a character to even count.
Had the setting been 1692, the story would have been more plausible, albeit the sorcery and black arts, that would be much more "believable" in medieval times.
2. Our heroine. Once again, she's a virgin. *sigh* But the interesting thing is that once she gives it up, Connor (the Highlander) doesn't even notice... no mention is made about the evidence of her maidenhood that he's just taken from her. In fact, it's only through conversation that Connor learns she was a virgin. Really? Didn't anyone pay attention to the blood that wasn't even mentioned? And she's not the least bit concerned about giving it up to this Highlander... she doesn't know if he trusts her, is using her, or anything, but because there's "heat" between them, she's more than willing. Now, if a gal's waited all her life and guarded her precious virginity, why is she suddenly so willing to give it up? Because this man is unlike any she's every known? C'mon!
Mackenzie's emotions range from high to low in minutes. Her face is completely readable, at least by Connor. His people allow him to marry her, even though she is associated with the Campbell - either his willing bride-to-be or the woman who will most likely kill most of Connor's clan in the war that will start when the Campbell attempts to take her back.
Mackenzie willingly goes with 2 unknown men, because they tell her she is urgently needed. How naive can one be? Even when they shove her through a secret passage? And then she accepts that they are sorcerers, and buys everything they tell her, including that she plays an important role in this story. But they forget to go into any detail about what that means, except they're using her to buy time to figure out how to destroy the "dark lord".
Mackenzie is beautiful, but she doesn't recognize her beauty. *gag* This one is also getting old.
Mackenzie is supposedly from Las Vegas, Nevada. She constantly thinks about the desert... et al. But she's from Vegas like Connor is from New York! No mention of what she does for a living, how she can afford this 5-star Scottish vacation, or much of anything about her life, except that her brother was recently killed in a car crash.
Mackenzie's speech. Yes, she's a 21st century gal, but virtually every word out of her mouth is some cliche of our time. And her "wow"s are too liberally sprinkled.
3. Time travel. Mackenzie is shoved through a secret passage, and when she comes out on the other side, she's *magically* in 1792. No mention of dizziness or lights or sounds or anything that would indicate she even knew she'd time traveled. OK, maybe this complaint is based on all the other time traveling stories, but *usually*, there's some affect or effect on the person who traveled. In this story, it's just all too easy... and very anti-climactic. The only nod is that this "gate" or portal can only be opened 4 times a year, coinciding with Samhein and the other "known" times when the veil is supposed to be thin.
4. The characters. Everyone is a cliche, and there's very little character development between the beginning and the end of the story. Except that everyone's learned their lesson. Yeah.... no. Part of the beauty of a romance like this is the journey and how everyone got there.
It almost seemed to me as if someone with a friend in publishing made a bet or a dare with said publisher that she/he could pen a Highlander romance in a few hours and, once published, the Highland romance readers would never know the difference. Ha!
So why did I finish the story? Because it's like a car wreck - I just couldn't pull my eyes away, regardless of the horror. I, stupidly, hoped that the story would flesh out and be worth reading.
I was wrong.
The plot sounds great: A 21st century woman is whisked back in time by two mysterious men claiming to be sorcerers. They tell her that she's the only hope to stop the Campbell, an English lord who's taken over Scottish lands and follows the dark magic arts. Arriving in that time, she is almost immediately kidnapped by a Highland warrior and laird -- incidentally, the laird of the castle she was staying in (as a 5-star hotel with a 5-star restaurant and a shopping mall?), and supposedly the ghost laird that haunts the castle this day -- a man who lost his 1st wife and lived his days in sadness. Of course this Highland warrior (Connor) is huge, with a god-like body and wicked sense of humor. Of course, he doesn't believe her story of being from the future, but he falls in love with her almost instantly... despite knowing that she is the intended bride of the Campbell. Of course, she's a virgin, who gives it up to the irresistible Connor. Of course, she's had dreams all her life of this exact scenario -- the Campbell, Connor, and a show-down where she's got to be a blood sacrifice for the Campbell to take over the world.... But our heroine is pregnant, with Connor's child, of course. (Really? Does every heroine dream of meeting the man of her dreams, only to become pregnant shortly after days and hours of lustful adventures?) And of course, in the end, everyone's happy. The End.
EXCEPT... the story is badly written, the characters are ill-formed, and the history/details are just all wrong.
1. The time our heroine (Mackenzie) is whisked back to is 1792. Anyone who knows their Scottish history (or has read Highland romances before, especially Outlander) knows that after 1745 and the big battle at Culloden, the English not only trounced the Scots, but they crushed the Highland clans, almost into extinction. Tartans and kilts were outlawed, punishable by beating or death. The English ruled with an iron fist, and the soldiers were allowed to do whatever they wanted, including frequent raids, rape, pillaging, and arresting the Scots men to be tried and either hanged or transported to America.
But in this story, the clans are still strong and warring against one another. And while the Campbell is English, he's too whacked out a character to even count.
Had the setting been 1692, the story would have been more plausible, albeit the sorcery and black arts, that would be much more "believable" in medieval times.
2. Our heroine. Once again, she's a virgin. *sigh* But the interesting thing is that once she gives it up, Connor (the Highlander) doesn't even notice... no mention is made about the evidence of her maidenhood that he's just taken from her. In fact, it's only through conversation that Connor learns she was a virgin. Really? Didn't anyone pay attention to the blood that wasn't even mentioned? And she's not the least bit concerned about giving it up to this Highlander... she doesn't know if he trusts her, is using her, or anything, but because there's "heat" between them, she's more than willing. Now, if a gal's waited all her life and guarded her precious virginity, why is she suddenly so willing to give it up? Because this man is unlike any she's every known? C'mon!
Mackenzie's emotions range from high to low in minutes. Her face is completely readable, at least by Connor. His people allow him to marry her, even though she is associated with the Campbell - either his willing bride-to-be or the woman who will most likely kill most of Connor's clan in the war that will start when the Campbell attempts to take her back.
Mackenzie willingly goes with 2 unknown men, because they tell her she is urgently needed. How naive can one be? Even when they shove her through a secret passage? And then she accepts that they are sorcerers, and buys everything they tell her, including that she plays an important role in this story. But they forget to go into any detail about what that means, except they're using her to buy time to figure out how to destroy the "dark lord".
Mackenzie is beautiful, but she doesn't recognize her beauty. *gag* This one is also getting old.
Mackenzie is supposedly from Las Vegas, Nevada. She constantly thinks about the desert... et al. But she's from Vegas like Connor is from New York! No mention of what she does for a living, how she can afford this 5-star Scottish vacation, or much of anything about her life, except that her brother was recently killed in a car crash.
Mackenzie's speech. Yes, she's a 21st century gal, but virtually every word out of her mouth is some cliche of our time. And her "wow"s are too liberally sprinkled.
3. Time travel. Mackenzie is shoved through a secret passage, and when she comes out on the other side, she's *magically* in 1792. No mention of dizziness or lights or sounds or anything that would indicate she even knew she'd time traveled. OK, maybe this complaint is based on all the other time traveling stories, but *usually*, there's some affect or effect on the person who traveled. In this story, it's just all too easy... and very anti-climactic. The only nod is that this "gate" or portal can only be opened 4 times a year, coinciding with Samhein and the other "known" times when the veil is supposed to be thin.
4. The characters. Everyone is a cliche, and there's very little character development between the beginning and the end of the story. Except that everyone's learned their lesson. Yeah.... no. Part of the beauty of a romance like this is the journey and how everyone got there.
It almost seemed to me as if someone with a friend in publishing made a bet or a dare with said publisher that she/he could pen a Highlander romance in a few hours and, once published, the Highland romance readers would never know the difference. Ha!
So why did I finish the story? Because it's like a car wreck - I just couldn't pull my eyes away, regardless of the horror. I, stupidly, hoped that the story would flesh out and be worth reading.
I was wrong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2011
Highland Destiny,was a wonderful novel to read! It was my very first time reading a "Time Traveling "novel.The best thing I loved about it was, it's an Historical Romance as well.
The plot was very dramatic and eventful which kept me reading it non-stop.There is love, romance, jealousy, suspense, action, thrill, adventure and mystery.I was connected throughout the novel with the plot of the story including the involvement of the characters, Mackenzie & Connor (H/H of the novel) both from different times Mackenzie is two-hundred years into the future and Connor is two-hundred years into the past. The whole Time travel plot in the story was very intriguing and it fascinated me,I had a little of both of their worlds when reading it. The emotional conflicts between this couple, was hot tensioned,strong,sexy,intriguing and all together just DELICIOUS!! Their relationship becomes stronger & stronger as the book progressed,only because they have their share on an Evil Villain in which they have to come across and defeat before they can be left alone,and actually have an Happily Ever After;But in the end they overcame all the obstacles that were thrown their way and no one could stop them from being a part.
This novel,reminded me of all the fairy tales I've read when I was younger,except it fits perfectly into my age group.LOL! Lot's of hot passion & enough smut to win me over! ahahahahaha.....
"Highland Destiny" is a fast paced adventure that was hard to put down. Readers of historical fiction, adventure stories, and travelogues will enjoy it. *Scouts Honor* LOLZ!
This was my first go,at reading a novel written by Laura Hunsaker. She put a lot of thought, determination and time to write this novel,so therefore by me giving it a 4star rating,it's a definite "HECK YES" I will read another wonderful well written novel by this author.
The plot was very dramatic and eventful which kept me reading it non-stop.There is love, romance, jealousy, suspense, action, thrill, adventure and mystery.I was connected throughout the novel with the plot of the story including the involvement of the characters, Mackenzie & Connor (H/H of the novel) both from different times Mackenzie is two-hundred years into the future and Connor is two-hundred years into the past. The whole Time travel plot in the story was very intriguing and it fascinated me,I had a little of both of their worlds when reading it. The emotional conflicts between this couple, was hot tensioned,strong,sexy,intriguing and all together just DELICIOUS!! Their relationship becomes stronger & stronger as the book progressed,only because they have their share on an Evil Villain in which they have to come across and defeat before they can be left alone,and actually have an Happily Ever After;But in the end they overcame all the obstacles that were thrown their way and no one could stop them from being a part.
This novel,reminded me of all the fairy tales I've read when I was younger,except it fits perfectly into my age group.LOL! Lot's of hot passion & enough smut to win me over! ahahahahaha.....
"Highland Destiny" is a fast paced adventure that was hard to put down. Readers of historical fiction, adventure stories, and travelogues will enjoy it. *Scouts Honor* LOLZ!
This was my first go,at reading a novel written by Laura Hunsaker. She put a lot of thought, determination and time to write this novel,so therefore by me giving it a 4star rating,it's a definite "HECK YES" I will read another wonderful well written novel by this author.
March 29, 2011
You can read my awesome review at
http://shamelessromancereviews.blogsp...
http://shamelessromancereviews.blogsp...
February 9, 2011
Oh you rock hard delicious broodys. How do I love you? Let me count the ways.
Your bodies are normally decorated in delicious battlefield scars
You have a nommy tendency to wear leather pants
You rock a kilt
You have an accent that makes me go squee
You have hair that I am able to sink my hands in
You always have a nice gruff of 5 o'clock shadow
You'll speak gaelic to me even if I don't know what you are whispering in my ear
You have piercing eyes that would melt an iceberg
Your broad shoulders and strong back make Mama want to go to bed early
Your abs are werewolf like and if you changed into a wolf I don't think I would mind ;)
And... you have a heart. Under that rough exterior you are a gentle, loving, caring broody that haunts my dreams.
O-M-G!! Listen up girlies... Are you looking for that book filled with time travel, the highlands, and has a scottish nom at the other side of wonderland? Welps! This is the book for you!!
Young and flirty Mackenzie Stewart is on vaca with her bestie Jenna in the highlands of 2010 Scotland. Having a little fun looking at a delicious portrait of a hunka hunka burning Braveheart that she's met in her dreams, Mackenzie finds herself being abducted by 2 Harry Potter type dudes. Harry Potter? Well, maybe a Gandalf and a Potter... wait... Is Gandalf from Lord of the Rings? Ummmms....
Anyways... Mackenzie is abducted by 2 wizardy dudes and taken back in time to DA DA DA..... Land before toilets (sometime in the 17th century) to defeat an evil baddy.
Now, you ask... how on earth is a buxom 20-something from Las Vegas going to beat an evil baddy? With her show girl experience? Wow them with her knowledge of Criss Angel?
Actually... I wasn't for sure either cuz I have no idea what her job was and that's why I liked this book. For one... Mackenzie was not a freaking brainiac chick that read uber stuffy boring novels written back before the land before toilets (don't hate.... you know it's true... every heroine in highlander broody novels is a freaking genius and this threatens my simple mind lol). She's a real girl that actually talks like a 23 year old and not an English Major would on her bliggity blog (oh yeah... I've noticed hahas). Very refreshing! It didn't leave me wanting to stangle her ;)
So, we have this girly kidnapped by two bibbidy bobbidy boos, on her way to defeat an evil dude, when all of the sudden she's swooped out of the hocus pocus clutches of Thing 1 and Thing 2 and into the arms of a chiseled nom in leather pants and fabio-esq hair. NOM!! ok ok... maybe not fabio-esq hair... OH!! Let's say he has Gavin Rossdale hair from "Razorblade Suitcase". NOMS!!
Better?
Ok....
Into his arms she is whisked away by a delicious highlander named Connor. Mackenzie learns that Connor has been having a feud with Lord Evil Campbell for a bit and he's going to play keep away with his new bride to be.
Oh... did I leave that part out? Yeah, in order to save the world it seems that mild mannered Mackenzie has to marry the evil dude as well as save the world. But why on earth would she want to do that when she's got this young, rippling, bulging, scarred up nom in leather pants to look at? I mean... I would probably be very tempted to forget what I promised to two wizzardy dudes if I had a nice hunk of man-meat like Connor to look at. Oh, let's face it... Lex Luthor would win but I'd be happy until I was enslaved (I assume evil back to the future dudes would try to enslave the world)
What ever will Mackenzie do? Will she follow her destiny or follow her heart?
Go grab this book and find out
Your bodies are normally decorated in delicious battlefield scars
You have a nommy tendency to wear leather pants
You rock a kilt
You have an accent that makes me go squee
You have hair that I am able to sink my hands in
You always have a nice gruff of 5 o'clock shadow
You'll speak gaelic to me even if I don't know what you are whispering in my ear
You have piercing eyes that would melt an iceberg
Your broad shoulders and strong back make Mama want to go to bed early
Your abs are werewolf like and if you changed into a wolf I don't think I would mind ;)
And... you have a heart. Under that rough exterior you are a gentle, loving, caring broody that haunts my dreams.
O-M-G!! Listen up girlies... Are you looking for that book filled with time travel, the highlands, and has a scottish nom at the other side of wonderland? Welps! This is the book for you!!
Young and flirty Mackenzie Stewart is on vaca with her bestie Jenna in the highlands of 2010 Scotland. Having a little fun looking at a delicious portrait of a hunka hunka burning Braveheart that she's met in her dreams, Mackenzie finds herself being abducted by 2 Harry Potter type dudes. Harry Potter? Well, maybe a Gandalf and a Potter... wait... Is Gandalf from Lord of the Rings? Ummmms....
Anyways... Mackenzie is abducted by 2 wizardy dudes and taken back in time to DA DA DA..... Land before toilets (sometime in the 17th century) to defeat an evil baddy.
Now, you ask... how on earth is a buxom 20-something from Las Vegas going to beat an evil baddy? With her show girl experience? Wow them with her knowledge of Criss Angel?
Actually... I wasn't for sure either cuz I have no idea what her job was and that's why I liked this book. For one... Mackenzie was not a freaking brainiac chick that read uber stuffy boring novels written back before the land before toilets (don't hate.... you know it's true... every heroine in highlander broody novels is a freaking genius and this threatens my simple mind lol). She's a real girl that actually talks like a 23 year old and not an English Major would on her bliggity blog (oh yeah... I've noticed hahas). Very refreshing! It didn't leave me wanting to stangle her ;)
So, we have this girly kidnapped by two bibbidy bobbidy boos, on her way to defeat an evil dude, when all of the sudden she's swooped out of the hocus pocus clutches of Thing 1 and Thing 2 and into the arms of a chiseled nom in leather pants and fabio-esq hair. NOM!! ok ok... maybe not fabio-esq hair... OH!! Let's say he has Gavin Rossdale hair from "Razorblade Suitcase". NOMS!!
Better?
Ok....
Into his arms she is whisked away by a delicious highlander named Connor. Mackenzie learns that Connor has been having a feud with Lord Evil Campbell for a bit and he's going to play keep away with his new bride to be.
Oh... did I leave that part out? Yeah, in order to save the world it seems that mild mannered Mackenzie has to marry the evil dude as well as save the world. But why on earth would she want to do that when she's got this young, rippling, bulging, scarred up nom in leather pants to look at? I mean... I would probably be very tempted to forget what I promised to two wizzardy dudes if I had a nice hunk of man-meat like Connor to look at. Oh, let's face it... Lex Luthor would win but I'd be happy until I was enslaved (I assume evil back to the future dudes would try to enslave the world)
What ever will Mackenzie do? Will she follow her destiny or follow her heart?
Go grab this book and find out
March 18, 2011
Wow, this book is packed full of action and has one hunky, smexy highlander, Conner MacRae. One minute Mackenzie Stewart is vacationing in 2010 Scotland and the next finds her back in time, 1792 Scotland, and living in Conner's world.
I confess I have a weakness for Highland Warriors and Laura Hunsaker has certainly produced a drop dead gorgeous specimen! I loved Conner..even his voice is sexy..LOL And I have to say here that I love the book cover...hunkaliscious!!
Mackenzie Stewart is one fiesty and brave woman. Not only does she find herself nearly 200 years back in time, but she is thrust in the middle of deception and danger and is engaged to the cruel and evil Campbell.
Kidnapped by Conner MacRae, laird of the most powerful of the clans, his one goal is to use Mackenzie to defeat his most hated enemy, the Campbell. But he is drawn to this strange woman and finds himself wanting her for far more than just a weapon of war.
Is she the key to solve and end the cruel vendetta against the neighboring clans? Is she the answer to the curse that has plagued their lands? Will she be able to convince Conner she is from another time and will she win his trust? Is she allowed to reveal her secret to him? And how can she protect her heart from this hot magnificent man? As I became more invested with these characters, perhaps the most important question I had was how can two people who live apart more than 200 years find a HEA? These questions, along with a fast paced adventure filled with sexy, hot love scenes kept me turning the pages.
I really liked how the author intertwined present day with the past. I also like that aspect of time travel where you compare past and present. .
This is Laura Hunsaker's debut novel and one that I enjoyed. I loved the epilogue. I definitely will read more by this author.
I confess I have a weakness for Highland Warriors and Laura Hunsaker has certainly produced a drop dead gorgeous specimen! I loved Conner..even his voice is sexy..LOL And I have to say here that I love the book cover...hunkaliscious!!
Mackenzie Stewart is one fiesty and brave woman. Not only does she find herself nearly 200 years back in time, but she is thrust in the middle of deception and danger and is engaged to the cruel and evil Campbell.
Kidnapped by Conner MacRae, laird of the most powerful of the clans, his one goal is to use Mackenzie to defeat his most hated enemy, the Campbell. But he is drawn to this strange woman and finds himself wanting her for far more than just a weapon of war.
Is she the key to solve and end the cruel vendetta against the neighboring clans? Is she the answer to the curse that has plagued their lands? Will she be able to convince Conner she is from another time and will she win his trust? Is she allowed to reveal her secret to him? And how can she protect her heart from this hot magnificent man? As I became more invested with these characters, perhaps the most important question I had was how can two people who live apart more than 200 years find a HEA? These questions, along with a fast paced adventure filled with sexy, hot love scenes kept me turning the pages.
I really liked how the author intertwined present day with the past. I also like that aspect of time travel where you compare past and present. .
This is Laura Hunsaker's debut novel and one that I enjoyed. I loved the epilogue. I definitely will read more by this author.
December 19, 2010
4.5 stars out of 5.
How can you not love this book? You have all the great elements that I love- gorgeous Scottish hero, a very feisty, and independent heroine, a great mystery, time travel and lots of steamy scenes that made me a bit breathless!
I really enjoyed the tale of two strong and somewhat stubborn characters fighting for the love they felt for each other without giving up their self in the process.
I hope we get to see more of the two main characters AND possible future stories involving the other characters in the book including Connor's brother!
How can you not love this book? You have all the great elements that I love- gorgeous Scottish hero, a very feisty, and independent heroine, a great mystery, time travel and lots of steamy scenes that made me a bit breathless!
I really enjoyed the tale of two strong and somewhat stubborn characters fighting for the love they felt for each other without giving up their self in the process.
I hope we get to see more of the two main characters AND possible future stories involving the other characters in the book including Connor's brother!
June 22, 2017
I love this book. The story flowed and kept my attention. I am quite suprise that I read it so quickly. However I wanted to know what was going to happen to Connor and McKenize. I hope there will be a sequel.
January 13, 2011
Talk about a hot highlander, head strong heroine, get me hot and flustered, frustrated, hold my breath, butterflies in my stomach, kind of book!
Connor and Mckenzie has an undenyable attraction for each other and thier journey to romance/love/HEA definitely had me in knots.
It was a roller coaster of emotions that kept me up late and lose sleep. I love this book. Did I mention Conner is super HOT!?!!!
Cannot wait for Laura Hunsaker's next book!!!
Fave quote: "he loved her deeply and irrevocably. His life would be forever changed and if she weren't in his life, well, it would be meaningless"
Downloaded Dec. 31st, 2010. Started reading: Jan. 8th, 2011
Connor and Mckenzie has an undenyable attraction for each other and thier journey to romance/love/HEA definitely had me in knots.
It was a roller coaster of emotions that kept me up late and lose sleep. I love this book. Did I mention Conner is super HOT!?!!!
Cannot wait for Laura Hunsaker's next book!!!
Fave quote: "he loved her deeply and irrevocably. His life would be forever changed and if she weren't in his life, well, it would be meaningless"
Downloaded Dec. 31st, 2010. Started reading: Jan. 8th, 2011
March 28, 2011
I have always had a soft spot for Highland Romance and this book was no exception.
Conner was the spunky, muscly, sex god of a Highlander that had me drooling continuously and Mackenzie was a sweet but strong willed woman that was lucky enough to get the wild thing on with above mentioned sex god.
For Laura's first novel I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable and realistic it was. The details of the Highlanders time was remarkable and you could tell that a lot of attention to detail was made to make it as realistic as possible.
I'm now highly anticipating how great the next novel will be as I already have a little crush on Liam.
Great job Laura!!
Conner was the spunky, muscly, sex god of a Highlander that had me drooling continuously and Mackenzie was a sweet but strong willed woman that was lucky enough to get the wild thing on with above mentioned sex god.
For Laura's first novel I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable and realistic it was. The details of the Highlanders time was remarkable and you could tell that a lot of attention to detail was made to make it as realistic as possible.
I'm now highly anticipating how great the next novel will be as I already have a little crush on Liam.
Great job Laura!!
June 29, 2011
Highland Destiny by Laura Hunsaker is an exciting tale of time travel, love, deception, and a bonny Highlander or two. The story emerges with Mackenzie Stewart and her best friend, Jenna, at the beginning of their vacation in Scotland. While the two are attending a tour through the castle, Mackenzie is abducted by two sorcerers who take her back in time to 1792 with them.
She has been kidnapped to thwart a curse, bring peace to the Highland clans, and end the life of the Campbell who is slowly becoming more mad by venturing into the manipulations of the dark arts to further his own political gain. To help the scheme along, Mackenzie needs to pretend to be the Campbell’s betrothed.
Low and behold, in the middle of the sorcerers explaining the game plan, Mackenzie is then abducted a second time by Connor MacRae. Mackenzie is astonished to be looking into a pair of stunning blue she has been dreaming about since she was a teenager. Destiny and fate play a big part in the joining of Mackenzie and Connor’s lives.
At first, the purpose of Connor’s abduction of Mackenzie is to best the Campbell who is his sworn enemy - and nothing more. As Conner gets to know this trying and intriguing wench, he was not prepared for the strength of feeling she elicits within his body and heart. In turn, she has feelings for him that run just as deep physically and emotionally. The love affair is hot and strong for them; but, trust comes more tentatively.
Laura Hunsaker leads the reader on a wonderful journey through her narrative by offering beautiful descriptions of the Scottish countryside, love, deceit, brutality, and the loyalty of family and clan. She uses the insights offered by Mackenzie’s and Connor’s point of view to enrapture her audience with these descriptions. Highland Destiny is a very satisfying read for Hunsaker’s debut novel into the romance genre.
Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!
She has been kidnapped to thwart a curse, bring peace to the Highland clans, and end the life of the Campbell who is slowly becoming more mad by venturing into the manipulations of the dark arts to further his own political gain. To help the scheme along, Mackenzie needs to pretend to be the Campbell’s betrothed.
Low and behold, in the middle of the sorcerers explaining the game plan, Mackenzie is then abducted a second time by Connor MacRae. Mackenzie is astonished to be looking into a pair of stunning blue she has been dreaming about since she was a teenager. Destiny and fate play a big part in the joining of Mackenzie and Connor’s lives.
At first, the purpose of Connor’s abduction of Mackenzie is to best the Campbell who is his sworn enemy - and nothing more. As Conner gets to know this trying and intriguing wench, he was not prepared for the strength of feeling she elicits within his body and heart. In turn, she has feelings for him that run just as deep physically and emotionally. The love affair is hot and strong for them; but, trust comes more tentatively.
Laura Hunsaker leads the reader on a wonderful journey through her narrative by offering beautiful descriptions of the Scottish countryside, love, deceit, brutality, and the loyalty of family and clan. She uses the insights offered by Mackenzie’s and Connor’s point of view to enrapture her audience with these descriptions. Highland Destiny is a very satisfying read for Hunsaker’s debut novel into the romance genre.
Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!
December 5, 2010
This is Laura Hunsaker first published book, its very entertaining, a fast pace read. I have to hand it to her she writes a very interesting and fresh adventure. I would suggest this book to anyone that loves historical time travel.
Mackenzie and her friend are visiting an old castle in Scotland. Never in her wildest dreams she’d ever thought that the turn of events to come would change her life forever as she knows it. As she is pulled back into time she embarks on an adventure that has danger and one Scottish hottie that she cant resist. You see Mackenzie has to help stop a curse, so she is the one to save the day so to speak. You just have to read to find out how these turn of events happens and how Mackenzie is to help with this curse.
Conner is going to hijack his enemies new bride, so he cant have her. In the turn of events to come, Conner finds this woman is a little different, she dresses half naked, talks too much and wont mind anything he says, so this tends to get on his last nerve. All he knows is she stirs things in him that hasn’t been stirred in a while.
Mackenzie and her friend are visiting an old castle in Scotland. Never in her wildest dreams she’d ever thought that the turn of events to come would change her life forever as she knows it. As she is pulled back into time she embarks on an adventure that has danger and one Scottish hottie that she cant resist. You see Mackenzie has to help stop a curse, so she is the one to save the day so to speak. You just have to read to find out how these turn of events happens and how Mackenzie is to help with this curse.
Conner is going to hijack his enemies new bride, so he cant have her. In the turn of events to come, Conner finds this woman is a little different, she dresses half naked, talks too much and wont mind anything he says, so this tends to get on his last nerve. All he knows is she stirs things in him that hasn’t been stirred in a while.
June 16, 2011
Love is in the air...hmhmhm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0kSpf...
I had this song in my head while reading...it's perfect... to describe my love for this book and to symbolize the grand love around which the book evolves.
Hmmmhmmm...
And I don't know if you're an illusion
Don't know if I see it true
But you're something that I must believe in
And you're there when I reach out for you
Love is in the air...hmhmhmmmm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0kSpf...
I had this song in my head while reading...it's perfect... to describe my love for this book and to symbolize the grand love around which the book evolves.
Hmmmhmmm...
And I don't know if you're an illusion
Don't know if I see it true
But you're something that I must believe in
And you're there when I reach out for you
Love is in the air...hmhmhmmmm
October 17, 2011
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
I dislike prescient dreams, but Hunsaker reviews and comments with such humor and verve, I accept the prologue and continue, knowing I'll have smiles and Mr. Tall, Dark, and built. I do prefer meaningful titles, so obviously pretty Mac, oops Kenzie, has a "Highland Destiny".
What's the billeting room?
http://www.sannabay.co.uk/castle/cast...
Author Hunsaker is most talented at building the tiny details of voice and touch that strengthen attraction to arousal. She maintains the Harlequin proven tradition, weak woman yields to strong man. Time-travel is a convenience to match 2010-slang female with so-hot Highlander. Sample ends at the crucial moment, our couple in bed. We know how the plot proceeds.
Heroine's defiance is "petulant", yes. Switching viewpoints is smooth, arguments and inner smirking (I know about laptops so I'm better) disappoints. I really don't like a heroine who freezes in danger. When piloting, I continually scan the sky and always know where I would crash land. I want girls to find a weapon, even a big hard dish or furniture, and quietly bash bad uns' noggins from behind, rather than cower, whimper or scream. I'm obviously not in the mood for this. With a warrior close, she's unlikely to tough up.
Since I'm from a generation of male bosses, I did a double-take when she recalled her cheating ex, who slept with his boss.
Tall 5'9" with unruly hair isn't beautiful? Ask the overlooked shorty with fine straight stays-same strands. Lots of emphasis on hero's 6'4"+ (The men in my family are that high, so I agree, they 'whelm.)
Snappy modern dialogue brings the two friends to life. Enter mysterious men, average height = mediocre inside? Tsk, such stereotyping.
Year 1792, famous for Cowper's lyrical heavenly odes. Heard real brogue? (the remoter, the unintelligibler), an old Newfoundlander, whose dialect approximates old English?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfound...
"preserved archaic English words no longer found in other English dialects (for example pook, a mound of hay), Irish language survivals like sleveen and angishore, compound words created from English words to describe things unique to Newfoundland (for example stun breeze, a wind of at least 20 knots (37 km/h)), English words which have undergone a semantic shift (for example rind, the bark of a tree), and unique words whose origins are unknown (for example diddies, a nightmare)."
No TARDIS translation, I will suspend my disbelief, I will suspend ... "doona" is not enough, and gives me giggles after repetition.
At least Kenzie screams and argues, dressed in plaid Bermuda shorts, gauzy white tank top, and Nikes. Picture-perfect replica kidnapper hero sounds more like the old Harlequin "No means Yes" standard at first, until he agrees astride is easier than sidesaddle. Suspend fails, suspend ... the saddles are different, one cannot use the same saddle for both positions. She's effectively in his lap anyway.
Ch.4 switch to Connor's point of view surprised and pleased me. Wouldn't he wrap his wound to stop bleeding, rather than review his costume, claidheamhmór or not? Don't try to pronounce. "If you're remotely near one you'll be dead"
http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Cla...
Claidheamh Mòr (sic - note opposing accents acute vs. grave) is a gamer's claymore, two-handed sword and teen Wikipedian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Cla...
Thusly, tell us about a claymore when he starts swinging; research impresses not. Or is this an in-joke for Renfesters (Renaissance Festival-ers), like S.M. Stirling annoyingly adds to Emberverse series?
Scenic Scotland deserves our admiration, "day-to-day troubles were rather insignificant when compared to the grandeur of this land". Castle glimpsed in fog repeats p30 ethereal magical and p32 mythical. I'm taken back to happier places.
typo 36 is correct on 41. Horses have reins, royalty reigns.
I dislike prescient dreams, but Hunsaker reviews and comments with such humor and verve, I accept the prologue and continue, knowing I'll have smiles and Mr. Tall, Dark, and built. I do prefer meaningful titles, so obviously pretty Mac, oops Kenzie, has a "Highland Destiny".
What's the billeting room?
http://www.sannabay.co.uk/castle/cast...
Author Hunsaker is most talented at building the tiny details of voice and touch that strengthen attraction to arousal. She maintains the Harlequin proven tradition, weak woman yields to strong man. Time-travel is a convenience to match 2010-slang female with so-hot Highlander. Sample ends at the crucial moment, our couple in bed. We know how the plot proceeds.
Heroine's defiance is "petulant", yes. Switching viewpoints is smooth, arguments and inner smirking (I know about laptops so I'm better) disappoints. I really don't like a heroine who freezes in danger. When piloting, I continually scan the sky and always know where I would crash land. I want girls to find a weapon, even a big hard dish or furniture, and quietly bash bad uns' noggins from behind, rather than cower, whimper or scream. I'm obviously not in the mood for this. With a warrior close, she's unlikely to tough up.
Since I'm from a generation of male bosses, I did a double-take when she recalled her cheating ex, who slept with his boss.
Tall 5'9" with unruly hair isn't beautiful? Ask the overlooked shorty with fine straight stays-same strands. Lots of emphasis on hero's 6'4"+ (The men in my family are that high, so I agree, they 'whelm.)
Snappy modern dialogue brings the two friends to life. Enter mysterious men, average height = mediocre inside? Tsk, such stereotyping.
Year 1792, famous for Cowper's lyrical heavenly odes. Heard real brogue? (the remoter, the unintelligibler), an old Newfoundlander, whose dialect approximates old English?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newfound...
"preserved archaic English words no longer found in other English dialects (for example pook, a mound of hay), Irish language survivals like sleveen and angishore, compound words created from English words to describe things unique to Newfoundland (for example stun breeze, a wind of at least 20 knots (37 km/h)), English words which have undergone a semantic shift (for example rind, the bark of a tree), and unique words whose origins are unknown (for example diddies, a nightmare)."
No TARDIS translation, I will suspend my disbelief, I will suspend ... "doona" is not enough, and gives me giggles after repetition.
At least Kenzie screams and argues, dressed in plaid Bermuda shorts, gauzy white tank top, and Nikes. Picture-perfect replica kidnapper hero sounds more like the old Harlequin "No means Yes" standard at first, until he agrees astride is easier than sidesaddle. Suspend fails, suspend ... the saddles are different, one cannot use the same saddle for both positions. She's effectively in his lap anyway.
Ch.4 switch to Connor's point of view surprised and pleased me. Wouldn't he wrap his wound to stop bleeding, rather than review his costume, claidheamhmór or not? Don't try to pronounce. "If you're remotely near one you'll be dead"
http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Cla...
Claidheamh Mòr (sic - note opposing accents acute vs. grave) is a gamer's claymore, two-handed sword and teen Wikipedian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Cla...
Thusly, tell us about a claymore when he starts swinging; research impresses not. Or is this an in-joke for Renfesters (Renaissance Festival-ers), like S.M. Stirling annoyingly adds to Emberverse series?
Scenic Scotland deserves our admiration, "day-to-day troubles were rather insignificant when compared to the grandeur of this land". Castle glimpsed in fog repeats p30 ethereal magical and p32 mythical. I'm taken back to happier places.
typo 36 is correct on 41. Horses have reins, royalty reigns.
May 11, 2011
Highland Destiny is a beautiful adventure about a devastating curse and a love that supersedes time.
Mackenzie Stewart is visiting Scotland with her best friend when she spies a portrait of a man that was once the Laird of the Castle Eilean Donan they are staying in. She instantly gets lost in his blue eyes, and when a duo of wizards drags her through a secret castle passage she is in a daze, but when she walks out into the 18th century her head spins even more. She is told that she is the only one that can save the Highlands from the evil John Campbell. Little did she realizes that in her plan to go along with a sham of a marriage to the Campbell, Destiny had a whole other plan in mind for her in the smoldering package of the Highland Laird Connor MacRae…
Lust, love, suspicions, misunderstandings, betrayal, sex, danger, suspense and action; Highland Destiny delivers it all!
In Laura Hunsaker's debut novel, I fell in love with the main characters, Mackenzie and Connor, right away. Mackenzie is feisty and determined 21st century woman who is amazingly invested in the lives of strangers just because it is the right thing to do, she agrees to a crazy plan from so-called wizards with little complaint and rolls with the punches that are thrown her way throughout the story.
Connor was just about the perfect Highland hero. His attitude was true to his time period but he quickly adjusted to Mackenzie’s quirks. Connor is strong, protective and hello- tall, broad, dark hair, blue eyes and sexy as hell. How can that get any better?
Both were strong characters and they butted heads often but it only added to the sizzling chemistry between them. But just when you think that Mackenzie and Connor’s relationship is cemented the author throws in a twist that leaves your heart wrenching in fear that there may not be a happily ever after for them.
Hunsaker has a refreshing writing style, the plot was straightforward and flowed well, and you could tell that she did her homework in regards to Scottish history. The story was rich and full, and seemed a lot longer then it’s mere 200 pages. There were one or two contradictions in Mackenzie and Connor’s dialogue during the beginning of the book that made me take a step-back from the story but it was a minor thing and in no way affected the entertainment of it all.
The author provides an intriguing plot of magic and fate, dark arts and time travel, with plenty of emotional conflict and smart, sexy and humorous characters in a captivating setting that smoothly transversed from past to present.
All the characters were descriptive and well fleshed out, even the nasty villain, whose cold eyes I could easily picture.
The ending was beautiful and one of the best I have read, I literally cried, and it was my favorite part of the entire novel. It even won out over smexy time, and ya’ know how I like the smexy time! (Which thankfully Laura provided plenty of! *wink*)
Highland Destiny is a must read to say the least!
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Mackenzie Stewart is visiting Scotland with her best friend when she spies a portrait of a man that was once the Laird of the Castle Eilean Donan they are staying in. She instantly gets lost in his blue eyes, and when a duo of wizards drags her through a secret castle passage she is in a daze, but when she walks out into the 18th century her head spins even more. She is told that she is the only one that can save the Highlands from the evil John Campbell. Little did she realizes that in her plan to go along with a sham of a marriage to the Campbell, Destiny had a whole other plan in mind for her in the smoldering package of the Highland Laird Connor MacRae…
Lust, love, suspicions, misunderstandings, betrayal, sex, danger, suspense and action; Highland Destiny delivers it all!
In Laura Hunsaker's debut novel, I fell in love with the main characters, Mackenzie and Connor, right away. Mackenzie is feisty and determined 21st century woman who is amazingly invested in the lives of strangers just because it is the right thing to do, she agrees to a crazy plan from so-called wizards with little complaint and rolls with the punches that are thrown her way throughout the story.
Connor was just about the perfect Highland hero. His attitude was true to his time period but he quickly adjusted to Mackenzie’s quirks. Connor is strong, protective and hello- tall, broad, dark hair, blue eyes and sexy as hell. How can that get any better?
Both were strong characters and they butted heads often but it only added to the sizzling chemistry between them. But just when you think that Mackenzie and Connor’s relationship is cemented the author throws in a twist that leaves your heart wrenching in fear that there may not be a happily ever after for them.
Hunsaker has a refreshing writing style, the plot was straightforward and flowed well, and you could tell that she did her homework in regards to Scottish history. The story was rich and full, and seemed a lot longer then it’s mere 200 pages. There were one or two contradictions in Mackenzie and Connor’s dialogue during the beginning of the book that made me take a step-back from the story but it was a minor thing and in no way affected the entertainment of it all.
The author provides an intriguing plot of magic and fate, dark arts and time travel, with plenty of emotional conflict and smart, sexy and humorous characters in a captivating setting that smoothly transversed from past to present.
All the characters were descriptive and well fleshed out, even the nasty villain, whose cold eyes I could easily picture.
The ending was beautiful and one of the best I have read, I literally cried, and it was my favorite part of the entire novel. It even won out over smexy time, and ya’ know how I like the smexy time! (Which thankfully Laura provided plenty of! *wink*)
Highland Destiny is a must read to say the least!
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
May 19, 2011
Although this book was not very original in it's time travel concept, it had a special charm. The story brought out the girl in me that used to love fairy tales and happy endings. It has been a very long time since I just enjoyed a love story for just being a love story. There is not a strong paranormal element and very little magic. There are no immortals. The bad guy does not appear in very much of the book and we don't get a look inside his head. His motivations are stated but we don't know why he is evil other than being twisted by 'dark magic'. The 'dark magic' that has infected his mind is not explained in great detail. We don't know if he has made a pack with the devil, has natural magical ability gone awry, or if he is drinking blood under a full moon. As a paranormal fan, I found that missing element to be troublesome but not a deal breaker. I can't believe I am even saying that.
Before I could get too upset about the weak magical element, I was already in love with Connor and Mackenzie. All I wanted was to have them in the same room. It did not start out as a love-fest for me. As a matter of fact, about 10% in, I was ready to call time of death. I thought I would never get into Mackenzie because I did not understand her actions and motivations. I didn't understand how she just followed two total strangers without any thought to her personal safety. The story starts with Mackenzie being 'tricked' into following two sorcerers into a wall which happens to be a time portal that took her back 200 years. So I quickly filed her under dumb and almost powered down the Kindle. I am glad I did not and exercised some patience. By 20% in, Mackenzie had wrapped me around her finger. After a couple of scenes with Conner, I got into the budding love story and forgot my initial disappointment. As the story moved forward, there are a few plot inconsistencies and some events that really required that I suspend rational thought. It happens sometimes when authors need to get to point C without stopping at B after starting at A. I can't elaborate without spoilers and it's not that serious.
Overall, the book was not perfect but it was quite good. I can’t count the number of times I internally went ‘ahhhh’ and ‘ooooh’. Some scenes were just toothache sweet. The sex was very well done, there are kilts, and the brogue was delightful. I recommend this book to those hopeless romantics out there. The four star rating is simply for the romance. I have not read a straightforward romance in a long time because I find them predictable, boring, and unimaginative. I am glad I did not know going in that this is pretty much a romance with ‘barely there’ paranormal elements. It would have been a shame to have missed this unexpected gem.
Before I could get too upset about the weak magical element, I was already in love with Connor and Mackenzie. All I wanted was to have them in the same room. It did not start out as a love-fest for me. As a matter of fact, about 10% in, I was ready to call time of death. I thought I would never get into Mackenzie because I did not understand her actions and motivations. I didn't understand how she just followed two total strangers without any thought to her personal safety. The story starts with Mackenzie being 'tricked' into following two sorcerers into a wall which happens to be a time portal that took her back 200 years. So I quickly filed her under dumb and almost powered down the Kindle. I am glad I did not and exercised some patience. By 20% in, Mackenzie had wrapped me around her finger. After a couple of scenes with Conner, I got into the budding love story and forgot my initial disappointment. As the story moved forward, there are a few plot inconsistencies and some events that really required that I suspend rational thought. It happens sometimes when authors need to get to point C without stopping at B after starting at A. I can't elaborate without spoilers and it's not that serious.
Overall, the book was not perfect but it was quite good. I can’t count the number of times I internally went ‘ahhhh’ and ‘ooooh’. Some scenes were just toothache sweet. The sex was very well done, there are kilts, and the brogue was delightful. I recommend this book to those hopeless romantics out there. The four star rating is simply for the romance. I have not read a straightforward romance in a long time because I find them predictable, boring, and unimaginative. I am glad I did not know going in that this is pretty much a romance with ‘barely there’ paranormal elements. It would have been a shame to have missed this unexpected gem.
August 27, 2011
Holy plot, Batman! This book was fantastic. I was completely useless for at least a whole day while I devoured this story. Playful, romantic, exciting... I'm actually a lil sad it's over.
I was wary going into this one, not being very fond of the genre ("You got time-travel in my Highlander Romance!" "You got Highlander Romance in my time-travel!") but this book changed my mind. I felt a lot of the interactions between the two characters where the future was concerned were well done, like when when Kenzie got momentarily excited when she found her cell phone in her purse (in the 1700s, mind you) or when she kept ditching restrictive articles of clothing or explaining to Conner how a digital camera worked - It didn't come off like an attempt to be relevant. It rang true.
And speaking of the lass, I appreciate that she didn't fake an accent and go out of her way to blend in. NOR did she display any superhuman Highlander talents, like a mastery of Gaelic or a basic understanding of Scottish history. And it helped that I found her neither whiny nor martyrtastic.
I also enjoyed how I wasn't just told about her recurring dreams, but had to actually read through them again and again. Made her plight easier to understand; that would get annoying!
One thing: What happened to the pissy auburn-haired chick from the beginning? I was expecting her to pop up at some point, Esmerelda-style, and whoop some ass (or at least be 'introduced'), but no, nothin'. Just some hobag, I guess.
I found the villain, "the Campbell", a lil too ludicrous to be taken seriously. I kept picturing Prince Humperdinck from The Princess Bride or Pierre Le Pieu from Ever After wringing their hands manically and twisting a convenient handlebar mustache. "NOW I've got you!" I lol now to think on it. But this coupled with the occasionally repetitive writing were not enough to dim my enjoyment of the story at all. The pacing and the characters were just that good.
The favorite quotes section:
"…I have stolen something of his. Were I in his place, I would retrieve what was rightfully mine, and seek justice against him."
"You mean vengeance."
He shrugged, "Whichever."
------
She was playing with fire, but she wanted to burn.
------
"I didn't mean to take you up against the wall like a common whore. You deserve better..."
"Oh," she grinned, […] "Don't worry about it; I liked it up against the wall like a common whore."
I was wary going into this one, not being very fond of the genre ("You got time-travel in my Highlander Romance!" "You got Highlander Romance in my time-travel!") but this book changed my mind. I felt a lot of the interactions between the two characters where the future was concerned were well done, like when when Kenzie got momentarily excited when she found her cell phone in her purse (in the 1700s, mind you) or when she kept ditching restrictive articles of clothing or explaining to Conner how a digital camera worked - It didn't come off like an attempt to be relevant. It rang true.
And speaking of the lass, I appreciate that she didn't fake an accent and go out of her way to blend in. NOR did she display any superhuman Highlander talents, like a mastery of Gaelic or a basic understanding of Scottish history. And it helped that I found her neither whiny nor martyrtastic.
I also enjoyed how I wasn't just told about her recurring dreams, but had to actually read through them again and again. Made her plight easier to understand; that would get annoying!
One thing: What happened to the pissy auburn-haired chick from the beginning? I was expecting her to pop up at some point, Esmerelda-style, and whoop some ass (or at least be 'introduced'), but no, nothin'. Just some hobag, I guess.
I found the villain, "the Campbell", a lil too ludicrous to be taken seriously. I kept picturing Prince Humperdinck from The Princess Bride or Pierre Le Pieu from Ever After wringing their hands manically and twisting a convenient handlebar mustache. "NOW I've got you!" I lol now to think on it. But this coupled with the occasionally repetitive writing were not enough to dim my enjoyment of the story at all. The pacing and the characters were just that good.
The favorite quotes section:
"…I have stolen something of his. Were I in his place, I would retrieve what was rightfully mine, and seek justice against him."
"You mean vengeance."
He shrugged, "Whichever."
------
She was playing with fire, but she wanted to burn.
------
"I didn't mean to take you up against the wall like a common whore. You deserve better..."
"Oh," she grinned, […] "Don't worry about it; I liked it up against the wall like a common whore."
May 20, 2011
HIGHLAND DESTINY is the impressive debut by Laura Hunsaker. Laura has woven a magical tale of romance and adventure with a hint of the paranormal. On vacation in Scotland, the heroine Mackenzie Stewart finds herself pulled back in time to 1792 by two mysterious sorcerers. They explain that she is destined to break a curse that her ancestors are responsible for. She is to distract the evil John Campbell by playing the role of his bethrothed, so his rival Connor MacRae can destroy him. However, the sorcerers' plan is upset when Connor kidnaps Mackenzie before she reaches Campbell. While he's guarding his keep against Campbell, Connor must guard his heart against his beautiful captive. Though she's meant to be a pawn to anger his enemy, this peculiar woman soon becomes so much more.
This is the first time travel romance I've read in a very long time, and I really enjoyed it. With this type of story, I'm concerned about a few things: Will it be realistic? Can characters from such different time periods make a genuine connection? And how is it possible for them to live happily ever after? Laura Hunsaker handled all of these issues beautifully in HIGHLAND DESTINY.
The time travel itself was very quick and smooth, so we get to the heart of the story right away. I enjoyed the premise that a modern-day woman, a descendent of a Scottish clan, becomes entangled in an ancient feud that only she can end, and she has to travel 200 years in the past to do it! There was plenty of action and suspense woven into the blossoming romance between Mackenzie and Conner, so the story moved along quickly.
Did Mackenzie and Connor make a genuine connection? Absolutely! From the beginning they had very strong chemistry. They were both solid, well rounded characters. Mackenzie was the feisty, strong, clever modern woman, and Connor was the classic historical Highlander we love - brave, protective, determined, and swoon-worthy, of course. And, the conclusion of their tale was fantastic!
I highly recommend this book if you've ever dreamed of stepping back in time to find your own hunky Highlander. I'm giving HIGHLAND DESTINY 4 out of 5 stars.
This is the first time travel romance I've read in a very long time, and I really enjoyed it. With this type of story, I'm concerned about a few things: Will it be realistic? Can characters from such different time periods make a genuine connection? And how is it possible for them to live happily ever after? Laura Hunsaker handled all of these issues beautifully in HIGHLAND DESTINY.
The time travel itself was very quick and smooth, so we get to the heart of the story right away. I enjoyed the premise that a modern-day woman, a descendent of a Scottish clan, becomes entangled in an ancient feud that only she can end, and she has to travel 200 years in the past to do it! There was plenty of action and suspense woven into the blossoming romance between Mackenzie and Conner, so the story moved along quickly.
Did Mackenzie and Connor make a genuine connection? Absolutely! From the beginning they had very strong chemistry. They were both solid, well rounded characters. Mackenzie was the feisty, strong, clever modern woman, and Connor was the classic historical Highlander we love - brave, protective, determined, and swoon-worthy, of course. And, the conclusion of their tale was fantastic!
I highly recommend this book if you've ever dreamed of stepping back in time to find your own hunky Highlander. I'm giving HIGHLAND DESTINY 4 out of 5 stars.
April 3, 2012
The MOST BEAUTIFUL love story I've every read. Did I tell you that this book is a wonderful time travel romance. A MUST READ for highlander fans.
ps : I'm a time travel romance sucker ♥♥ and I'm happy to pay a bit more to get this book.
ps : I'm a time travel romance sucker ♥♥ and I'm happy to pay a bit more to get this book.
March 30, 2011
Highland Destiny is a wonderfully vivid Historical Time Travel Romance that is the first published work for author Laura 'Highland Hussy' Hunsaker and after having read a copy provided to me by the author for review can tell you it will not be her last!
Mackenzie Stewart is the epitome of a 21st century woman, outspoken and strong minded... When she is visiting a castle in Scotland during a tour she becomes enamored of the portrait of Connor MacRae, who lived in 1800's Scotland... While her best friend and traveling companion explores the rest of the castle with the tour group Mackenzie stays behind to take digital pictures and sketch the magnificent male in the painting!
Hours later two men appear and ask Mackenzie to follow them, she does and begins an adventure the likes of which I would enjoy having very much myself!
Connor MacRae of the clan MacRae, every time I say that out loud I think of Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod from the Television show "The Highlander" starring Adrian Paul...
Dark hair, chiseled cheekbones, and a rugged physique so sculpted and manly that a woman cannot help but long for his embrace! Top all that off with someone who is gallant and caring and you have the ultimate hero package!
These two characters captured my interest in their story when I read the book blurb and the actual book was a delight from start to finish... Not only did I enjoy Mackenzie's rambunctious jaunt from 2010 to 1790's Scotland but the love story between her and Connor was very heartwarming and interesting to watch unfold!
I am hoping after reading this one and meeting Liam, Connor's younger brother, that he gets his own story and that Mackenzie and Connor cameo or figure prominently in it as well!
For a book of 200 pages it gives the reader all the romance, adventure, drama and thrills of a much longer novel! I particularly enjoyed the way that the story played out and have to say that if you do not read this one soon you are missing out on an emotionally fulfilling journey that you will never regret taking...
Well done Laura 'Highland Hussy' Hunsaker , you are now added to my list of authors to watch for books from in this particular genre!
Mackenzie Stewart is the epitome of a 21st century woman, outspoken and strong minded... When she is visiting a castle in Scotland during a tour she becomes enamored of the portrait of Connor MacRae, who lived in 1800's Scotland... While her best friend and traveling companion explores the rest of the castle with the tour group Mackenzie stays behind to take digital pictures and sketch the magnificent male in the painting!
Hours later two men appear and ask Mackenzie to follow them, she does and begins an adventure the likes of which I would enjoy having very much myself!
Connor MacRae of the clan MacRae, every time I say that out loud I think of Duncan MacLeod of the clan MacLeod from the Television show "The Highlander" starring Adrian Paul...
Dark hair, chiseled cheekbones, and a rugged physique so sculpted and manly that a woman cannot help but long for his embrace! Top all that off with someone who is gallant and caring and you have the ultimate hero package!
These two characters captured my interest in their story when I read the book blurb and the actual book was a delight from start to finish... Not only did I enjoy Mackenzie's rambunctious jaunt from 2010 to 1790's Scotland but the love story between her and Connor was very heartwarming and interesting to watch unfold!
I am hoping after reading this one and meeting Liam, Connor's younger brother, that he gets his own story and that Mackenzie and Connor cameo or figure prominently in it as well!
For a book of 200 pages it gives the reader all the romance, adventure, drama and thrills of a much longer novel! I particularly enjoyed the way that the story played out and have to say that if you do not read this one soon you are missing out on an emotionally fulfilling journey that you will never regret taking...
Well done Laura 'Highland Hussy' Hunsaker , you are now added to my list of authors to watch for books from in this particular genre!
July 28, 2011
Sometimes when reading books by new authors, I never know how well written and edited the book is going to be. When I picked up Highland Destiny, I was in the mood to read a highlander romance, and I am thrilled to report that I love this book. Mackenzie Stewart is thrust into the past in Scotland, only to be kidnapped by an attractive, possibly very dangerous highland warrior. Told few details of her purpose (distract the evil Lord Campbell with an engagement to end a curse), MacKenzie is confused and forced to trust Conner, her captor. Conner, thinking Mackenzie is the bride of his enemy, must keep Mackenzie away from Campbell at all costs. Neither Mackenzie or Connor could anticipate the depth of the chemistry and attraction between them. Could their attraction ruin the plans to defeat the enemy?
I love Mackenzie, she a realistic kind of girl/heroine. She rolls with the punches (sometimes literally), she stands up for herself, she thinks about consequences, and she still manages to live for the moment. When this modern woman hits historical Scotland, the story is fun, entertaining, and with Conner in the mix, down-right sexy. Conner is a powerful Highland Laird who cares deeply about his clan and those under his care. While trying to unravel the mystery behind how Mackenzie came to Scotland, Conner and Mackenzie get to know each other and their attraction builds and develops into something more.
Highland Destiny had me hooked from the get-go with the time travel, castles, wizards, and of course, the hot highland warrior.
The pacing was well done in Highland Destiny. There were no long tangents, or extra side stories to distract from the plot. The focus was on Mackenzie's journey and experiences, and held my attention through the whole book. I read this book in less than one day, and I never wanted to put it down. While thinking about this review and trying to decide what to say, and how to rate it, I found that I had no qualms or issues with the book at all. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and there is even room for possible future spin-off books for some of the side characters (my vote is for Connor's brother, Liam!). With that, I rate Highland Destiny as a 5 star read, I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romances, especially Highlanders. I am also very much looking forward to reading more from Laura Hunsaker in the future!
I love Mackenzie, she a realistic kind of girl/heroine. She rolls with the punches (sometimes literally), she stands up for herself, she thinks about consequences, and she still manages to live for the moment. When this modern woman hits historical Scotland, the story is fun, entertaining, and with Conner in the mix, down-right sexy. Conner is a powerful Highland Laird who cares deeply about his clan and those under his care. While trying to unravel the mystery behind how Mackenzie came to Scotland, Conner and Mackenzie get to know each other and their attraction builds and develops into something more.
Highland Destiny had me hooked from the get-go with the time travel, castles, wizards, and of course, the hot highland warrior.
The pacing was well done in Highland Destiny. There were no long tangents, or extra side stories to distract from the plot. The focus was on Mackenzie's journey and experiences, and held my attention through the whole book. I read this book in less than one day, and I never wanted to put it down. While thinking about this review and trying to decide what to say, and how to rate it, I found that I had no qualms or issues with the book at all. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and there is even room for possible future spin-off books for some of the side characters (my vote is for Connor's brother, Liam!). With that, I rate Highland Destiny as a 5 star read, I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romances, especially Highlanders. I am also very much looking forward to reading more from Laura Hunsaker in the future!
February 17, 2011
Ignore the fact that it took me a while to read this. Between the papers I needed to write and my eyes' tendecy to getting tired oh-so-easily, I really enjoyed this.
It tells the story of modern day girl Mackenzie Stewart and the not so modern day hero, Highland warrior Connor MacRae.
I have to say I was a bit worried whether I'd like Mackenzie or not cause I have this pet peeve when it comes to heroines thanks to past bad experience. But thankfully Mackenzie, with her modern day speech and attitude, was not at all annoying. She was actually quite a strong character considering the fact that she suddenly finds herself 200 years back in time, in the middle of a blood feud, where two fierce leaders fight over her. Of course the difference is that one of them is a ruthless psychotic tyrant who has a thing for black magic, and the other is our very own Scottish warrior who has a big, er, heart and an accent to die for.
I was surprised when the time travel started so suddenly but that didn't take much from the story's flow. All it did was to plunge us into the highland action quicker :) I liked how it got a fast pace especially towards the end, and I gotta say I really liked how the whole book has started with that dream sequence. I love it when a fantasy theme is introduced like that from the very beginning.
I liked the way Connor and Mackenzie interacted with each other, they were quite the adorable couple with their bickering and you know how I like my bickering. Not to mention the misunderstandings Mackenzie's modern speech had caused them, my personal favourite being, 'kickboxing' -"Why would you wanna kick boxes?". So kudos to Laurie for that extra enjoyment :)
** SPOILER **
Another part that I liked was after when Mackenzie went back to her time and came across this locket that Connor had it made for her. The whole story behind it and the fact that she knew it was Connor who waited and waited before he died from sorrow was..sad. I like that kind of heart breaking addition to the story.
** END OF SPOILER **
And of course the brother to our hero. I have to say I'm really looking forward to the story of that flirt machine ladies' man to fall for one woman. Especially after the hard time he gave to Connor for the way he felt for Mackenzie :) You'll get yours Liam, and I'll enjoy it :)
It tells the story of modern day girl Mackenzie Stewart and the not so modern day hero, Highland warrior Connor MacRae.
I have to say I was a bit worried whether I'd like Mackenzie or not cause I have this pet peeve when it comes to heroines thanks to past bad experience. But thankfully Mackenzie, with her modern day speech and attitude, was not at all annoying. She was actually quite a strong character considering the fact that she suddenly finds herself 200 years back in time, in the middle of a blood feud, where two fierce leaders fight over her. Of course the difference is that one of them is a ruthless psychotic tyrant who has a thing for black magic, and the other is our very own Scottish warrior who has a big, er, heart and an accent to die for.
I was surprised when the time travel started so suddenly but that didn't take much from the story's flow. All it did was to plunge us into the highland action quicker :) I liked how it got a fast pace especially towards the end, and I gotta say I really liked how the whole book has started with that dream sequence. I love it when a fantasy theme is introduced like that from the very beginning.
I liked the way Connor and Mackenzie interacted with each other, they were quite the adorable couple with their bickering and you know how I like my bickering. Not to mention the misunderstandings Mackenzie's modern speech had caused them, my personal favourite being, 'kickboxing' -"Why would you wanna kick boxes?". So kudos to Laurie for that extra enjoyment :)
** SPOILER **
Another part that I liked was after when Mackenzie went back to her time and came across this locket that Connor had it made for her. The whole story behind it and the fact that she knew it was Connor who waited and waited before he died from sorrow was..sad. I like that kind of heart breaking addition to the story.
** END OF SPOILER **
And of course the brother to our hero. I have to say I'm really looking forward to the story of that flirt machine ladies' man to fall for one woman. Especially after the hard time he gave to Connor for the way he felt for Mackenzie :) You'll get yours Liam, and I'll enjoy it :)
July 15, 2011
Well I finally managed to get my hands on an ebook version of this book. I have been wanting to read it for ages after reading all the fabulous reviews.
I don't own an e-reader and use a Kindle app on my Macbook. Its not my favourite way to read a book and it tends to take me longer to get through a novel. Mostly because I can't take it along with me wherever I go. If I sit too long at my laptop my eyes start to get a little sore and the words blur together.
I found that frustrating with this book because I was so into the story that I just didn't want to have a break in between.
This story has so many things going for it. Fabulous characters who experience love, romance, jealousy, humour, suspense, action, adventure and mystery. I've read a few time travel romances and something that stood out as different to me with Mackenzie is that she did not necessarily try to change who she was to fit into the time period she was living. I liked the fact that she had her purse with her and a few modern gadgets that she had to try and explain to Connor.
Definitely a book I'd like to eventually get a paper copy. I've got my fingers crossed its the first in a series, I'd love to read Connor's brother Liam's story.
I don't own an e-reader and use a Kindle app on my Macbook. Its not my favourite way to read a book and it tends to take me longer to get through a novel. Mostly because I can't take it along with me wherever I go. If I sit too long at my laptop my eyes start to get a little sore and the words blur together.
I found that frustrating with this book because I was so into the story that I just didn't want to have a break in between.
This story has so many things going for it. Fabulous characters who experience love, romance, jealousy, humour, suspense, action, adventure and mystery. I've read a few time travel romances and something that stood out as different to me with Mackenzie is that she did not necessarily try to change who she was to fit into the time period she was living. I liked the fact that she had her purse with her and a few modern gadgets that she had to try and explain to Connor.
Definitely a book I'd like to eventually get a paper copy. I've got my fingers crossed its the first in a series, I'd love to read Connor's brother Liam's story.
April 23, 2011
I love the idea of being able to step through a gate into a different place and time. To be able to take part in the history that has formed a place is a dream of mine, so this story hit very close to the center of my heart. Mackenzie carrying her twenty-first century attitude back to the eighteenth century added a lot of humor to the story for me, if only because of the aggravation it causes the handsome Connor. It did take me a bit to become involved in this book, but once I found myself absorbed in the pages, it was hard for me to take a break. Ms. Hunsaker has written a story that rivals some of the best Highlander stories in the world.
Kimberly
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
Kimberly
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Book...
October 2, 2012
I love it!!!
I've been on a highlander binge for quite some time, now. I have had this particular story on my TBR shelf for a long time and I'm so happy I took the time to read it! Highland Destiny was a delightfully charming love story mixed with just the right amount exciting Highland adventure and intrigue. Mackenzie is a such a good heroine!!! I am a sucker for time travel stories... And the way the heroine and hero meet was very clever.
Lots of hot highlander chemistry and romance and none of the melodramatic political plot nonsense to get in the way... This story rates at the top of my favorite highland books.
I follow the author's reviews in general because she is a highland expert... :) I'm humbled to read her work, and my next mission will be to convince her to have this book narrated into an audiobook!
Laura!! It's Audio time!!!! :)
December 12, 2010
This was my first crack at Historical Romance. And.......... I loved it! I immediately fell in love with the heroine, Mackenzie, because of her strong, independent personality. I also loved, Connor, the sexy man-in-kilt, who stole Mackenzie away from her evil betrothed. I could actually hear his Scottish accent as I read. The love scenes were very tasteful, but steamy. I can't wait for the sequel!
I enjoyed this novel very much and couldn't put it down. Just lovely!
I enjoyed this novel very much and couldn't put it down. Just lovely!
July 22, 2014
Excellent book. Enjoyable characters. Good story line. (My personal tastes are the ONLY reasons this is a 4 star and not higher: I personally like more action, and felt that the book had more character development, I personally do not want to spend alot of time on their developing feelings)
Definitely reccommend this book for others to give it a try.
Definitely reccommend this book for others to give it a try.
October 9, 2011
Won from Shameless Blog , and thanks for Laura "Laurie" Hunsaker to give me a chance to read her book =D
I admit I'm giddy and nervous to read it, since I'm afraid I will not enjoy it. But for her debut, you did a great job, Highland Hussy!! =D
Review coming soon, I promise!!
Just need to clear my head tomorrow, because this d*mn cold! >.<
I admit I'm giddy and nervous to read it, since I'm afraid I will not enjoy it. But for her debut, you did a great job, Highland Hussy!! =D
Review coming soon, I promise!!
Just need to clear my head tomorrow, because this d*mn cold! >.<
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