Master of the Highlands (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

I was excited to find a new voice in Time Travels but within the first 25 pages ( which should have been cut) it clearly wasn't this book. The author's excessive use of narrative is what slows the pace of an otherwise good premise for a story. She never lets the reader have a visual of the setting through the actions of the characters. Too much narrative and at places silly head hopping takes away from the pace of the story slowing it down to almost a crawl. One has to wonder where the editing was on this by the publisher. Way too much telling and not nearly enough showing by her characters. The story started at the wrong place with too much back story that could have been told in other places and been just as effective

The main protagonists were cardboard people who the reader spends more time in their heads than actual action of the story. Not sure if the author wants to write mass market fiction or literary work? Ewen was at least an interesting character who acted and sounded like a romance fiction Highlander but Lily came off as a witchy modern woman who through her supposed inner strength, was really kind of brash and bit of a pain in the arse and not a heroine that endears herself to readers. She was biting one moment to the hero and in love with him the next? There was no reason or event that would cause the reader to see this transformation so the supposed love between them fell very flat for this reader. There was absolutely no sexual tension; it was all in their head, which never seems to materialize in their actions until the consummation scene . This was the biggest disappointment in the book for this reader.

On the plus side she did incorporate Latin and Gaelic in the story without it being overdone. And this was clearly not a "canna/danna" Scots story, her dialogue was well done. She clearly knew the story of the Cameron clan and it shows in the story plot, I especially liked some of her foreshadowing that might allow for a future story from her. And her use of the song/poem did move the story forward and give the story some backbone to build on but even this seemed to be rushed over, just sitting on the edges of the story.

This author may need to look at the market and decide if romance is really what she wants to write, literary fiction may be more her forte in the future.

******On a side note to the Publisher/Berkley Presentations: Stop being so darn cheap and increase the size of the font of the words on the page. Forty lines to a page results in very small print and takes away from the enjoyment of this book because of the strain for eyes to read it. Sure you wanted to save some pages but your could have done that by better editing and at least provided the reader with a book that could be read more easily.

While hiking through the countryside of picturesque Scotland searching for another ideal drawing spot, Lily Hamlin discovers a stone maze. She enters and soon becomes lost walking through it's winding corridors. Then she feels the ground quake beneath her feet and everything goes black.

Ewen Cameron has just met with General Monk, the head of the English Army. Monk wants Ewen to swear loyalty to the English Parliament and cease fighting them. Ewen has no intention of ever giving in to the English. As he travels home he spots a woman, clearly wounded and strangely dressed. Ewen takes her home with him and tends her wounds. Lily awakens in the year 1654. As she and Ewen begin to piece together what happened to her, Ewen recalls the prediction told by a witch named Gormshuil. Gormshuil said that someone would be coming. Apparently, that someone is Lily. Lily wants to go home and Ewen promises to help her but as the days pass they grow closer and soon even with war eminent, Ewen wants Lily to stay. Surrounded by danger, Ewen and Lily fight for their new found love.

Time travel historical romances are fun to read. Master of the Highlands is no exception. It has action, sensuality, and many good characters. Ewen is a stoic warrior. Lily is sweet and funny. She brings out the best in Ewen. Master of the Highlands is a story filled with magic, romance, and danger.

Nannett
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This is one of the best Scottish time-travels or historicals I've read in a long while. I loved the whole concept of modern day Lily getting lost in a maze and traveling back in time to the 17th century Scottish Highlands. Ewen is a wonderful example of a Highland chief who leads his people with strength and intelligence. I fell in love with him. The secondary characters are also fantastic, including Ewen's son as well as his stepbrother, Robert. This story was a wonderful adventure!