HISTORICAL
ROMANCE |
MEDIEVAL
ROMANCE |
TIME
TRAVEL
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PARANORMAL
ROMANCE
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SCOTTISH
ROMANCE
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Lightning
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Edward I,
Popularly known as Longshanks, Edward I was a Plantagenet King of England who achieved
historical fame by conquering large parts of Wales and almost succeeding in doing the
same to Scotland. However, his death led to his son
Edward II taking the throne and ultimately
failing in his attempt to subjugate Scotland. Longshanks reigned from
1272 to 1307.
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David, as a young man, playing pipe and bell as he watches his
sheep in the pasture.
Source from The Morgan Bible, Folio 25. Date: ca. 1240-1259
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Medieval Book Reviews
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A Highlander of Her Own
by Melissa Mayhue
Wonderful
Medieval Scottish Time Travel!
In
present day Prairieland, Texas, Ellie Denton's life has become more
than complicated. Ray Stanton, her mother's ex-husband, is back
in town trying to steal the family ranch out from under her.
Ellie's gift with animals takes on an unusual twist when the animals
start talking back to her. If that alone wasn't enough to upend
her world, a simple wish for true love and an escape turns all too real
when faerie magic transports her back to 14th century Scotland. Caden
MacAlister has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Responsible for his family as well as the welfare of the land, Caden
does not need a woman complicating his life, especially not one sent by
the Fae! He has already experienced the kind of complications
this kind of magic brings. Convinced she must be sent for one of
his brothers, he now must protect her while trying to rescue a brother
held for ransom. Ellie Denton, however, might just be exactly the
kind of complication he needs if only he can learn to trust her and
open his heart.
A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN
is a lot of light-hearted fun. A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN has a
contemporary tone set by the delightful modern personality of the
heroine now faced with a strange medieval setting. Told mostly
through the heroine's point of view, A
HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN is a wonderful mix of humor, fantasy and
emotion. In addition, Melissa Mayhue creates a rich depth of
character in her portrayal of Caden, allowing the reader to see the
inner conflicts of the medieval hero though his point of view.
She peers into his heart. Melissa Mayhue does an excellent
job of bridging the two different time periods, not only in the
description of the time travel itself but also in the hero and
heroine's interactions and in showing those things that men and women
of all ages have in common. The Texas backdrop and some comments
the heroine makes about cowboys as she is faced with a different world
(the medieval one) before her are priceless. Medieval enthusiasts
in particular will appreciate Melissa Mayhue's portrayal of the hero
and the contrast between the hero and heroine. Although
Melissa Mayhue brings together a modern woman and a medieval hero, she
does not use one as a foil for the other but rather treats each with a
vision that sees into the character of both. In many ways, the
medieval world view allows Ellie a certain freedom and opportunity to
grow as an individual through love and also within herself as an
individual. Ellie's ability to talk to dogs and animals adds
humor while also creating a soft spot for her sense of compassion and
boldness. Melissa Mayhue never uses the heroine's unusual
connection to animals or the faerie magic as a mere plot devise or
shortcut to make things just happen or make the hero and heroine do
things without developing as characters. Instead, she fully
integrates both aspects within the very fabric of her tale.
As Ellie and Caden are drawn together through a dangerous suspenseful
subplot, the light tone of the romance changes in one brutal scene
towards the end. In view of this, readers only wanting only light
moments in a romance should be forewarned. Nevertheless, this
moment is where Melissa Mayhue truly shows her skill. Here,
everything so carefully built up beforehand comes together emotionally
and in terms of plot and characterization. In my opinion,
removing this scene would be detrimental to the depth of the
romance. The ending is superb! The resolution adds several
new twists. When faerie magic, love and determination combine,
all things are possible!
Although fourth in the Daughters of the Glen series, A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN works as a
stand-alone romance. Melissa Mayhue gives just enough inkling to
let the reader know the history behind the other romances in the
series, but not so much that this book gets bogged down with past
books. A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN
leaves new readers feeling satisfied rather than as an outsider trying
to catch up with a series. Nevertheless, I certainly have a keen
interest in discovering more about the hero's past after having met him
in this book. Here in the fourth book, Melissa Mayhue handles the
series aspect exquisitely with a fine balance between revitalizing the
series itself with a new tale for lovers of series while also creating
a romance that feels complete in and of itself for new readers --- but
with just enough intrigue to make the past of the fictional world
intrigue.
Melissa Mayhue's A HIGHLANDER OF HER
OWN is a wonderful medieval time travel romance! A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN is a
romance that will appeal to a wide range of readers with its historical
setting, contemporary heroine and magical atmosphere. Medieval
enthusiasts will find a special delight in Melissa Mayhue's medieval
world. For medieval lovers, the humor is even richer as Melissa
Mayhue captures so perfectly the complications and delights of both the
modern woman and the fascination with the medieval world.
Publisher: Pocket (January 2009)
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Medieval Book Reviews
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