"Dark magic and true love"

In the early days of human history the Tuatha de Danaan had defeated and exiled thirteen evil Druids who had nearly destroyed the earth. The Tuatha de Danaan had then made a compact with man, in which the secret of time travel through standing stone portals of Britain were guarded by the MacKeltar clan, who were not allowed to use the portals for personal reasons. But in the sixteenth century Dageus MacKeltar broke the pact when he traveled through time to save his twin, Drustan, from death. Drustan was alive now in the twenty-first century, but the thirteen evil Druids escaped their imprisonment and reside inside Dageus. They will eventually completely possess him, and will be regenerated to their full powers.

Dageus is in the twenty-first century himself trying to find a way to imprison the evil Druids before they can completely control him. He must occasionally make use of druid magic to get access to the ancient manuscripts that may hold the key to his survival. Each time he uses magic the Druids gain power, and the only way he can lessen their control over him is through sex. And Dageus is a master of the erotic. His darkly handsome looks and power attract any woman that he wants.

Chloe Zanders is a specialist in medieval Scottish artifacts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. She considers it her duty to protect and preserve all of the museum's treasures. So she is outraged when she is told to deliver a centuries old manuscript to a very wealthy patron. When she arrives at Dageus MacKeltar's penthouse he is not there and the door is open. She is astounded by the collection of antique Scottish treasures she finds. While she is still looking around she discovers manuscripts that had been recently stolen, as well as evidence that the man who owns the penthouse is a rake. Dageus returns and is not going to let Chloe leave when she has just discovered the borrowed treasures. But she is determined to defy and resist every sensual enticement he may lavish on her, even as she is learning more about Dageus' dark secret.

THE DARK HIGHLANDER is a compelling story that grabs from the very first page. I read it in one sitting. It is the sequel to KISS OF THE HIGHLANDER, which is Drustan MacKeltar's story, and sets the scene for this novel. Dageus is so sexy, and so alpha that it is hard to resist him in any century. Chloe is a little bit of a nerd, but brave and loyal all the way. This is one for the keeper shelf.

Reviewed by Cynthia Meidinger
Posted September 23, 2002

Summary

Set in Scotland and New York City, reader follow the life of Daegeus MadKelter, a sixteenth century Scot trapped in present-day Manhattan by the Druids that possess his soul. When antiquities student Chloe Zanders comes into his life, she is swept into the ancient prophecy with Daegeus. Sensuous and passionate, THE DARK HIGHLANDER is sure to please.