Customer Reviews

Dark Victory (Masters of Time, Book 4)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Yes! It has happened, Brenda Joyce has written a book in her "Masters of Time" series that I actually wanted to finish. Being disappointed in the last two I balked at paying full price for it, but let me tell you-it was actually worth my time and reading effort.

The second in the Rose Trilogy of Masters of Time novels is about Tabitha Rose, the witch of the Rose family. After a painful divorce Tabby is left with anger and resentment towards strong willed men and vows to find herself a scholar and a gentleman for her next love. She sees visions of a powerful highland warrior, Guy MacCleod, who is the polar opposite of the man she sees herself falling in love with, but is drawn to him nevertheless; wanting to heal his pain and suffering. As a child the MacCleod has watched his family brutally killed by their neighboring enemy and it has made him a cold, heartless man that knows nothing but war and death. Somehow Tabby casts a spell that makes MacCleod travel in time to present day New York City. Tabby is also being hunted by an evil ghost that has set out to kill her and the MacCleod vows to protect her. They then travel back to his time to fight the evil witch in the flesh that haunts Tabby in the future. Each character is very strong-willed and they both have different ideas about how they should go about fighting the evil in the world and the difference between right and wrong.

I'll be the first to admit that I did not go into reading this book thinking I was going to like it. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters. If you didn't like the last few novels of this series it is worth giving this one a chance; the hero and heroine are a lot like the Brenda Joyce of old, not the whiny heroes she's been writing about lately. Tabby was a strong woman with strong convictions and didn't allow the medieval MacCleod to sway those views with a good body and iron will. Guy MacCleod was a strong character that was bitter and scarred, but not to the point where it was annoying or over the top. I wanted them to find their way together, and when they did it actually felt like they had earned it. The author didn't just make a quick and easy ending as many of my favorite romance writers have been doing lately. The only complaint I have is that there were a lot of confusing time travel moments where I didn't know what or who was fighting. Less time travel would have made it much easier to understand, but overall it didn't detract from the plot too much. I'm very excited to read Sam's story next.

The book had some good parts to it, but i just could not get past all the weird science fiction stuff.

If you have a hobby of colecting romantic paperbacks, this book needs to be in your library.It has all the ingredients that a romance book reader needs to enjoy a lazy afternoon.The perfect strong charactered, suffering hero.A heroine who is compassionate and needs to heal the pain.what more would i need in my novel.
Oh!!! a gripping story line.
Now i gave my 4 stars for the romance and not for the story.The story involves a lot of time travelling.At one time i was a little confused due to the characters doing a lot of time travel.i had to go back and get the dates right so that i could keep up with the story.Well in the end thankfully the writer did explain and make it easier to understand.
Since i love all of her books and kept reading this, and it was worth it in the end.
Sorry for giving such a contradicting review.
What i really want to say is that ---This book is only for Brenda Joyce fans.If you are new to her books then do not start with Dark Victory.Her De-Warenne series are the best bet.

I ordered this book on 8/14 from Avenue 22 books through the Amazon website.
Don't order from this company(Avenue 22). I still have not received my book.
It's paid for, but nowhere in sight. Amazon has been very helpful in trying to
resolve the problem.

Tabitha Rose is a witch though her day job is a NYC schoolteacher; her sister Sam is a warrior Slayer HCU agent. She and Sam go to an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art but she senses evil and an injured man in pain. Though frightened of his looks at her she sees in her vision, Tabby tries to heal him. She casts a spell to bring him to her.

Brooding and bloody the Black Macleod arrives in 2008 Manhattan from 1550 Scotland filled with anger. He is attracted to the healer and knows he will bed her, but has vengeance to take care of also. Macleod blames himself for the deaths of his family as he has failed to use the superpowers the Gods bestowed on him to help the innocent. Macleod soon must choose between the cold of revenge and his beloved Tabby as evil stalks her thanks to his vendetta.

The second Rose romantic urban fantasy (see DARK EMBRACE) is a terrific Masters of Time superb thriller (see for non Rose tales, DARK SEDUCTION and DARK RIVAL) is starring a wonderful wounded displaced warrior and a courageous modern day woman with a psychic gift. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Tabby in MOMA summons the dark brooding Scottish champion to her time and place to heal him; she just did not know the real healing comes from her heart. Fans will relish Brenda Joyce's strong dark thriller while waiting for kick butt Sam to complete this saga.

Harriet Klausner

Brenda Joyce's DARK VICTORY is aptly titled as it is the next victorious installment in her Master's Of Time(tm) series for HQN (March 2009). In present day New York City, classy old-fashioned school teacher, Tabitha Rose has gone to tour the special "Wisdom of the Celts" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her edgier, sexy sister, Samantha and their friend, Kit, who works with Sam. The two are agents in the Historical Crimes Unit at the Center for Demonic Activity and are currently trying to stop the Rampages going on in the city where innocent victims are burned at the stake medieval style. Tabby and Sam as Rose women each have a special gift to help them fight the war on evil. While waiting in line to view the relics, Tabby, a divorcee reflects on her bad marriage to a Wall Street investor, who cheated on her, but also senses as a good white witch that something BIG is about to happen. Tabby is immediately drawn to an unusual pendant in the shape of an open palm with a glittering pale stone in the center. The necklace was found in the 1930s in the ruins of the Scottish Melvaig Castle, whose central tower was supposedly destroyed in a fire in 1550 from a legendary battle between the Macleods and MacDougalls. While viewing the pendant Tabby feels faint from an evil presence but senses the amulet itself represents a good powerful magic. She also seems to be having flashbacks from the time of the fire and sees a 14-year-old boy, covered in blood, who is grieving. After Sam and Kit leave the exhibit, Tabby remains since she can't get rid of the imagines of the troubled boy and also a badly burned warrior in great anguish, who she feels drawn to help. As the amulet continues to glow the injured highlander appears to her in his plaid and then vanishes. Tabby goes home greatly shaken to the loft she shares with her sister and consults the ancient family Book of Roses but can't seem to find any answers. Meanwhile that night in the city, time traveling highlander, Guy, the Black Macleod is looking for the woman who has haunted him since he was a boy. He is determined to find the female, who has been summoning him. Tabby should be careful what she wishes for since it seems another Rose woman is about to meet her destiny. In the excellent time travel, DARK VICTORY, Brenda Joyce proves once again why she has remained such a beloved, bestselling romance author for over two decades giving her fans two unforgettable, passionate lovers and a unique love story that will stand the test of time.

Bought this book for my niece as a gift. I am her favorite aunt at the present. She could not find a copy of it anywhere. This is her favorite author and she is collecting this series.

Thanks for making me look good.

I admit it. I bought this book because of the cover! An unassuming schoolteacher by day, Tabby's witchery heritage mingles with her power to 'see' events. Destined to be a Master of Time, MacLeod has lived a century and is intent on revenge and not on taking his vows with the Gods. He saves her from a demon then kidnaps her to 13th century Scotland. Tabby is NOT amused. A ghost of a demon chases them through time. MacLeaod's friends, a young prisinor, and several other interesting characters keep the action flowing. Though second in the series, I got enough back story to follow the action. A good read!

Brena Joyce has outdone herself with this series. Excellent!!! Couldn't put
the book down.

I have never read Brenda Joyce till now. I enjoyed this series a great deal. I recomend this to every one who likes these types of romance.