The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning

Book Description:
A Warrior Of Immortal Powers
He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely accursed lass who stood before him. A terrible trick of fate had sent her 700 years back in time and into his private chamber to tempt him with her beauty--and seduce him with a desire he could never fulfill. For this woman he burned to possess was also the woman he had sworn to destroy.

A Woman Caught In The Mists Of Time

When Lisa felt the earth move under her feet, the fiercely independent 21st-century woman never dreamed she was falling...into another century. But the powerful, naked warrior who stood glaring down at her was only too real...and too dangerously arousing. Irresistibly handsome he might be, but Lisa had no intention of remaining in this savage land torn by treachery and war. How could she know that her seductive captor had other plans for her...plans that would save her from a tragic fate? Or that this man who had long ago forsaken love would defy time itself to claim her for his own....



***
What can I say? I loved this book! I hadn't expected to like it so much, since I was less than thrilled with the two previous Karen Marie Moning books that I've read, but this one was really entertaining, at times poignant in which I had tears in my eyes, and other times the sexual tension between them was hot and their ultimate connection was everything the reader has been hoping for.

Circenn, laird of the Brodie is an immortal Scottish highlander who is over 500 years old but looks like he's 30. Lisa Stone who inadvertently time travels to the Scottish highlands of the early 14th century has no idea. They meet because he has put a curse on this flask of fae elixir that she has touched in the 21st century. Due to various complications, he has vowed to kill any man that brings the flask back to him (I told you it was complicated.) Once Circenn meets the beautiful Lisa he can't bring himself to kill her, thus making him break this sacred vow he made - this gnaws at his honor. Of course, there is an instant attraction to each other. He is the ultimate alpha hero - 6 foot 7 inches, good looking, chiseled features, muscular, long silky dark hair and a huge -- ahem. Well, let's just say, he is certain to please any woman in the bedroom. How can Lisa resist such a man?

But, Lisa has to get back to her own time because she has numerous responsiblities! Her mother is dying of cancer and she has to take care of her. Working two jobs and paying off a mountain of medical debt she is worried her mother will die and she won't get to see her before that happens. Circenn doesn't have the ability to send her back, and the only one who can (a devilish fae from Beyond the Highland Mists), Adam Black, will kill her on sight - or this is what Circenn believes will happen if he asks for Adam's help.

The long and short of it is, Lisa falls for Circenn, but cannot cope with the fact that she has no way of getting back to her dying mother. She feels incredibly guilty and torn that she has brought this all on herself due to her own curiosity of touching the dratted flask while at her night job of cleaning at the museum. She is showered with love and affection from Circenn but can't really enjoy herself with this hanging over her head. Then she finds out he's immortal and that opens up a whole lot of other problems. Circenn loves her, but hates the idea of having to watch her grow old and die eventually and hopes that perhaps he can convince her to drink the fae elixir and become immortal like him. Will she do it, or forsake him once she finds out he's immortal and somehow go back to her dying mother?

I won't spoil the ending, but you'll recognize some familiar historical characters such as the Knights of the Templar and Robert the Bruce. And as mentioned earlier, the trouble making fae, Adam, from Moning's first book. There are revelations concerning Adam and Circenn and a magical, fantastical ending that is completely over the top, but makes it all end happily. Don't expect any realism in this book, it's a pure fantasy, paranormal romance which makes for a fun read!

4.5/5

P.S.

January, 2011 - Audiobook Review
I loved the audiobook, narrated by the incomparable Phil Gigante, but prefered the book in print.  Primarily, I think it was because as much as I love Gigante's voice for Circenn, his female voices leave much to be desired.  Lisa's voice sounded too high and not gritty enough for how I imagined her to be in print.  Someone that has gone through as much as she has should sound a bit older and wiser and not so "dumb!"  She came across better in print.  But, his voice for Circenn is wonderful - albeit it sounded like he was doing an imitation of Sean Connery!  But hey, I love Sean Connery, so I don't mind! *grin*  Gigante is the creme de la creme with his highlander voices - yumm!  His French accents are great too for the Templars.

Share