Wednesday, October 27, 2010

LIBRARY/USED BOOK FINDS: Kiss of the Highlander-Karen Marie Moning



I have never read Karen Marie Moning before. How is that possible considering my love of all things Highlander?

Well, the fact that I only came to romance about three years ago, and this book was released in 2001 is probably the reason.
I saw a dog-eared copy at our small library, and I figured anything with Highlander in the title must be alright.

I turned it over to read the blurb:

A laird trapped between centuries...


Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he'd ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side...

A woman changed forever in his arms...


Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern—to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she'd ever seen? Or that once he'd kissed her, he wouldn't let her go?

Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them ... and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves..~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



SOLD! I took it home, started reading it and could NOT put this down!
(the image on the right is the re-release in 2008, that is no other than Nathan Kamp and his glorious lips showcased)

Why isn't there more time travel romances? This was stunning on every level. Who hasn't dreamed of hiking in the Highlands, falling through a hole and landing on top of a slumbering, six and a half foot tall handsome highlander who looks like he was carved out of marble?

Drustan MacKeltar is inadvertently awakened by Gwen, and finding a woman astride him, is immediately aroused. And who hasn't dreamed of this? Drustan literally walks off the page, he is larger than life, in ALL ways. One amusing scene has him trying on blue jeans in a small clothing store, but the man is so huge, he can't get the zipper up. The female clerk almost passes out from lust. So does Gwen. So did I. Loved it.

Drustan's shock and awe at being in the 21st century was real, funny and heartbreaking. He soon realizes he has to get back to his own time, his family's future is in peril, and he wants to know, who enchanted him to sleep for 500 years?

Gwen is a wonderful heroine, yes, she is a virgin, but she certainly is affected by the big, braw lad MacKeltar. And no wonder, he is funny, charming, sexy and gorgeous. Honorable. Both characters have vulnerabilities, but it doesn't take away from the story at all. Trust is a big issue. Can Gwen accept Drustan's far out story?

Add a dash of magic, some sacred stones, and a tender, hot scene where Gwen finally succumbs to Drustan's charms, and Gwen finds herself tossed through time and separated from Drustan.
Gwen is in the 16 century. Alone. Now it is left to her to save Drustan's family.

Remember in 'Back to the Future' where Doc Bown explains that your present self cannot occupy the same space as your past/future self? That is why Drustan from the 21st century could not travel back.
Now, she is face to face with 16th century Drustan, and he does not remember the passion they shared, their words of love, he doesn't remember her at all.

The books keeps you moving on this roller coaster ride of time travel, magic, desire and adventure. I loved Drustan's family, and Gwen has quite a job on her hands trying to convince Drustan about her story, and the reason she is there.

Packed with humor and heartbreak, and yes, this book made me cry. CRY. Real, copious tears, I am not kidding. I have choked over with emotion with a few books, but never shed tears before. I loved this. So much, that I immediately ordered the next book about Drustan's brother Dageus.
DARK HIGHLANDER. And I read this is darker in tone, almost paranormal. Can't wait. Then, I thought, wait a minute, I brought home 2 books of used books this summer from my travels, isn't there a Moning book there? Success! I have a copy of 'Beyond the Highland Mist'. Her first book.

And good news for Canadians, Amazon.ca and Chapters have both lowered their free shipping to $25. from $39, about time, now if only publishers would lower the price of the books, I mean, come on, we are near or at par with the American dollar, have been for almost a year! There is no need for a 2-3 dollar difference.

I digress. Based on this book, I an anxious to check out the other 6 books in her Highlander series. Well written, and very entertaining, you will not be disappointed.

4 out of 4 stars for the book.

2 comments:

Suzanna said...

I've heard very good things about Karen Marie Moning. Her Fever series is also supposed to be very good. I actually have the first book in both these series in my TSR pile.

Anonymous said...

I really, really love the sounds of this, Thanks for bring it to my attention!

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