Maeve Greyson

I was bored half to tears with this book. There were so many interesting things - gods and spirits, demons, magic - and yet it was one of the most uninspiring books I've ever read.

Torin is a great warrior from the past and Emma is a modern doctor, who came to Scotland to create a new clinic for children. Their task is to defeat a horrible monster from the other world, a demon called Arach. Emma doesn't believe in magic and she is quite shocked when she finds out about her destiny, but she soon learns a lot about her own powers.

As I said, I found the book extremely boring - to the point that I had to make myself read the next chapter. Emma was stubborn, her reactions were strange and quite illogical for me. Torin was better, he didn't annoy me much - I felt quite sorry for him; I can imagine how scary and tiring it must be to live in the 21st century for a person from the past. I hated the Arach's parts, definitely too many descriptions of roasted human bodies for me there. I think the ending was too quick and abrupt.

I didn't enjoy this book and I'm not going to read any other books by this author.

From my blog: https://dominikasreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/03/stone-guardian-by-maeve-g...… (lisätietoja)

While it did take me a little while to get into the story as I felt some of the exposition dumps could have been done better I did enjoy the story. Personally I would have preferred a little more time to pass within the story, especially more banter between Elspet and Valan before the sparks really started flying. In essence I wish the book was longer as I enjoyed the characters enough to want to know more about them before the spice and hardships hit.
It felt like the author was rushing a bit to get these two together, but then the spicy scenes were a bit tame. Which is another reason I would have enjoyed more time with the characters over all.
I don't know if she plans having the daughters pov as a different story, but I would have enjoyed more from her as well as she was a strong character.

So I guess when it comes down to it I enjoyed the book, but it could use a little more meat to the story.

I'll give it a 4, but it is closer to 3.5.… (lisätietoja)

Highland time slip romance!

Falling off a cliff when her boyfriend Patrick asked for his engagement ring back (for someone else!) just as the aura borealis lights up the sky is not what Lorna Merriweather planned. Neither did falling into snow back in the seventeenth century. 1622 to be exact.
Flagging down a passing coach (really!) she journeys to Castle Thursa (wasn’t that a ruin?) with the occupants. Nothing jelled but Lorna’s still feeling woozy. This reenactment business was carrying things a bit far!
Mysteriously her cell phone didn’t work. Not so mysteriously when she realizes she was in the past, in the home of a Lord Gunn Sinclair, with a shrew of a woman who’s decided Lorna would do nicely as her nursemaid.
Dunn was determined to marry without love, hence the visit of Lady Murdina to get to know her better. But this strange woman who’d arrived with her, who was or wasn’t a nursemaid, set his blood afire.
A highland historical romance with the twist of time bringing changes.
A quick read, the story pushed my credulity to the edge. But on some level it obviously captured my attention because I kept reading, even though I’d foreseen where most of the plot would lead.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.… (lisätietoja)

THE REVIEW
Mila Carthson runs a tour company in Scotland with her godson Robbie. On one of their tours, they are swept away from 21st Scotland to the year 1722. Braced with her knowledge of Scotland and it’s history and Robbie’s incredible mind for math and science, they set out to survive in their new surroundings.

Chieftain Teague MacDonald stumbles upon Mila and Robbie as he is making his way back to his castle. He offers them safety and brings them back with him. While Teague tries to learn more about the strangers and unravel their stories, Mila remembers that Teague is killed for treason within the year! As they get to know each other, feelings develop and they find themselves in love and shortly married. Mila and Teague try to work out a way to save Teague from capture and imminent death.

Some time travel stories frustrate me because the ‘traveler’ spends so much time upset about their circumstances that it takes up most for the book! I appreciated that Robbie has a notion about what happened to them right off the bat and that Mila doesn’t dwell in her misfortune. When she tells Teague about his future, he doesn’t freak out and cast her aside, although he does clam up and leave, leading Mila to panic and run away. But, of course, he goes after her and all is well.

This was a sweet, quick read; just enough adventure and sexy steam to hold my attention. (Some felt a bit cheesy, but Teague was so romantic that I didn’t mind a bit!)

TROPES
Historical Romance, Stuart Era, Scotland, Gamma Hero, Highland Warrior Hero, Protective Hero, Jealous/Possessive Hero, Titled Hero, Experienced Heroine, Independent Heroine, Fling to Love, Hero Falls Hard, Suspense/Danger/Murder, Time Travel, Outdoor Steam, Bath/Shower Steam, The Garden Tryst, Wall Steam, Four Star, Two Flame… (lisätietoja)