"Promises mystical entertainment!"
Dunnotar, Scotland 1314 Museum night-maid and part time waitress Lisa Stone works
long hours to cover the medical expenses incurred for her
ailing mother's treatment of cancer. To her way of
thinking, life couldn't possibly get worse. While cleaning
the Director's office late one night, Lisa is irresistibly
drawn to a new acquisition waiting to be catalogued.
Unaware of the curse on the ancient relic, she reaches out
to touch it and answer the call of it's magic. The earth
shifts and with the blink of an eye, Lisa is transported
seven hundred years into the past. If that alone wasn't
shocking enough, she finds herself standing in front of a
towering and gloriously handsome Scottish warrior, who just
happens to be totally naked! Immortal laird of Castle Brodie, Circenn places a curse on
one of the sacred icons of the clan he has sworn to
protect, just before it is lost during an ambush. His
curse makes sure the flask will be returned immediately to
him the minute it is touched by human hands. Adam Black,
deadly jester of the fairy Queen's court, insists on having
Circenn's vow that he will kill the bearer of the flask,
regardless of the person's guilt or innocence, lest the
secret and power of the icon is discovered. Now, years
later, Circenn is not pleased to find a beautiful lass
attired in strange clothing appear before him while he's in
the bath. Clutched in her hand is the very flask he laid a
curse on. A man known for his integrity and sense of
honor, Circenn finds himself wavering to fulfill his vow.
Confronted by this enchantress with mesmerizing green eyes,
he bends rules and lives with a troubled conscience. How
can he kill the woman who makes his blood pound and his
sense soar? Yet how can he even hope to have a future with
Lisa when all she wants, despite their attraction and
desire for each other, is to go back to her own world and
her dying mother? Karen Marie Moning creates vivid and warm characters in her
latest release, THE HIGHLANDER'S TOUCH. From the first
page the story pulled me in, enticing with a touch of
intrigue and a generous amount of magic. I was totally taken in by Circenn's charm and mystical
grace. Watching him continuously sparring with the sassy
wench he is duty bound to kill, there were plenty of
moments of laughter and certainly of sizzling passion too.
Lisa's character is beautifully drawn too. Ms. Moning has
done an excellent job of portraying the inner struggle of
this strong yet vulnerable woman. On one hand she is so
irresistibly drawn to Circenn and his sexy allure and on
the other, she cannot forget her ailing mother and the
responsibilities of her own world. The secondary characters were lovable too. I have to admit
I'm eagerly hoping Ms. Moning will write Duncan's story
soon. As one of Circenn's most trusted council, Duncan's
good looks and charming personality would be enough to make
any woman swoon. THE HIGHLANDER'S TOUCH promises mystical entertainment with
it's combination of faries, elves, fey and humans. Lovers
of time travel romance will really enjoy this spellbinding
and captivating novel.
Reviewed by Leena Hyat
Courtesy Heart Rate Reviews
Posted September 24, 2001
|
