The Legend Mackinnon [Mass Market Paperback]

Donna Kauffman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 1999

Three centuries ago in Scotland a curse was born of the long-standing feud between the Claren and the MacKinnon clans. Now, generations later, destiny has decreed that three women, the last of the Claren line, be granted one final chance to set things right.

Maggie, Cailean, and Delaney Claren are three cousins who grow up unaware of one another—until an inheritance brings them together. Now mysterious journals and the deed to an ancient Scottish castle will bring them face-to-face with the warriors at the heart of the MacKinnon family, three brothers sentenced to cruel fates by a terrible curse.

Duncan is trapped in the form of a ghost, Rory must live an immortal life alone, and Alexander has been wrenched by time from the past to the present, with no way back. Ferociously compelling, dangerously relentless, they are bound by no mortal laws—except desire for the three Claren women. The journals speak of one key that can break the powerful spell. And finding that key will plunge them all into a world of unforeseeable danger and tantalizing desire....

Editorial Reviews

Review

Donna Kauffman's The Legend MacKinnon is a fantasy novel that takes romance down three separate roads. Each road is it's own compelling and intriguing story, and each story is beautiful and passionate. The characters are captivating, and the love scenes are blistering. At its heart, however, this book is an imaginative testimony to the power of love. Three Claren cousins who have never met inherit their great-uncle's estate. Maggie receives a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. Cailean gets a trunk full of journals. Delaney takes possession of some old rock pile in the Highlands of Scotland. Each cousin has no idea the others exist, but as they begin looking for each other, the destiny that awaits them begins to take form. Three MacKinnon brothers, each cursed because of their arrogance, still walk this earth after three hundred years. Duncan haunts the cabin Maggie has inherited for one month each year, hoping every year that he will earn his final rest. Rory searches the world for three hundred years, never aging and always seeking his release from a Claren witch. Alexander has traveled through time, and as the eldest brother, his only desire is to return to his time and punish the clan Claren for their evil treachery. This time, when the fires ignite between Clarens and MacKinnons, it is love that grows instead of hatred and devilry. No fairy magic is necessary to spark these flames. No talisman is needed to begin the blood boiling. However, as the love pairs form, it is apparent to each that the time they have together may be short. The only hope of relieving the brothers from their individual curses is to find the key mentioned in the journals left to Cailean, but time is running out and tempers are short. The fiery tempest that builds throughout each love story is perfect in its passion. Donna Kauffman's book is one of terrific driving emotion. There is a balance between tears and laughter that makes The Legend MacKinnon a truly wonderful read for any time of the year, but it's springtime release seems most appropriate. Enchanting! A brilliant three-for-one romance! Gorgeous Highland warriors! Who could ask for more? A remarkable plot balanced by incredible characters! Donna Kauffman's fantastic! Ghosts, immortals, and time-travelers! The Legend MacKinnon is jam-packed and fun! Karen Ellington -- Copyright © 030199 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Praise for Donna Kauffman and her novels:

"Adventure, passion, magic and betrayal are the bright threads Donna Kauffman weaves together to create the legend of three bold warriors out of their time."
--Bestselling author Nora Roberts

"Donna Kauffman always knows how to set our heart afire with passion and romance."
--Rendezvous

"Hard-edged heroes possessing smoldering sensuality are fast making Donna Kauffman a name to watch for."
--Romantic Times

"Donna Kauffman is brilliant. She... delivers a captivating love story you'll want to read over and over again."
--Booklovers

"[Donna Kauffman's] strong plots are rivaled only by her strong and passionate characters. Readers are quickly brought into her stories and are held there captivated until the final pages."
--Affaire de Coeur

"Enticing and snapping with sexual tension, not to mention a plot pulsing with sinister overtones, Bayou Heat will definitely heat the blood. Ms. Kauffman gives her readers a hot, fiery tale of pure excitement."
--Rendezvous on Bayou Heat

"Donna Kauffman captures the reader on the first page and holds on tight until the book's end. Her descriptions propel the characters off the page to emotionally dramatize this story of mystery, adventure and romance."
--Gothic Journal on Surrender the Dark -- Review

From the Inside Flap

Three centuries ago in Scotland a curse was born of the long-standing feud between the Claren and the MacKinnon clans. Now, generations later, destiny has decreed that three women, the last of the Claren line, be granted one final chance to set things right.

Maggie, Cailean, and Delaney Claren are three cousins who grow up unaware of one another--until an inheritance brings them together. Now mysterious journals and the deed to an ancient Scottish castle will bring them face-to-face with the warriors at the heart of the MacKinnon family, three brothers sentenced to cruel fates by a terrible curse.

Duncan is trapped in the form of a ghost, Rory must live an immortal life alone, and Alexander has been wrenched by time from the past to the present, with no way back. Ferociously compelling, dangerously relentless, they are bound by no mortal laws--except desire for the three Claren women. The journals speak of one key that can break the powerful spell. And finding that key will plunge them all into a world of unforeseeable danger and tantalizing desire....

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Fanfare; Reprint edition (April 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553579231
• ISBN-13: 978-0553579239
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today bestselling and award winning author Donna Kauffman has published over fifty titles, most currently still in worldwide release, with many translated into more than a dozen languages. She has seen her books reviewed in venues ranging from Kirkus to Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and excerpted in magazines, including Cosmopolitan. A previous RITA finalist and DC native, she currently resides just outside the nation's capital in northern Virginia. You can contact her directly through her website at www.donnakauffman.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars So-so, November 16, 2000

By 

Sarah "sssspro" (North East, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Legend Mackinnon (Mass Market Paperback)

The reviews for this book have really pegged Legend MacKinnon dead on. It is a great paranormal book, with three very interesting premises for a combined story, but the actual execution of the book falls a little bit flat. Maggie, Cailean, and Delaney, are three remotely related cousins, who are brought together by time, fate, karma, kismet, and their great-uncle Lachlan. Unfortunately they seem to accept the fact that they are dealing with ghosts, immortals and time travelers WAY too easily.

The overall stage that is set up for the story is geared for a rushed story and conclusion. Our ghost (Duncan) only has 1 month a year to "be" and Maggie and Duncan are the first ones to meet. Consequentially, all of the other stories have to take place within this 1-month time frame. Couldn't our ghost have had 2 months on earth or an extension or something, so each couple does not have to fall in love within two days of meeting each other? Destiny, faerie love, whatever; I have a tough time with the "love at first site" theme, especially 3 times in one book. Alexander and Delaney's story gets cut REALLY short, and I am sorry to see that. This story should have been longer by a few chapters so Alex and Delaney can get to know one another, or it should have been three separate books. Each story truly could have been a full-length novel (not just a short book).

I am not sure how she could have ended it differently, but Ms. Kauffman makes the ending come off a bit contrived and rushed. The last little criticism I had with this book is the way everyone reads everyone else's expressions in their eyes. Used once or twice, this is a great literary devise, used all the time, I cannot believe it and it becomes distracting. Can people really "read" other people that easily - their fear, hurt, anxiousness, etc? Thus saying, and seeming to tear this book apart, I did love the thoughts and the ingenuity that Ms. Kauffman uses for the main idea of the plot. The characters are fairly well developed (considering there are 6 main characters) and each of the matches that are made, are perfect, allowing for a fun read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, July 10, 2000

By 

Brenda "MYSHELFDOTCOM" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Legend Mackinnon (Mass Market Paperback)

Donna Kauffman has the magic touch. She can weave a timeless story like no other. Known for writing category romances for Loveswept, she is now writing single titles.TLM was a book I could not put down. It's a magically story of 2 rival Scottish clans who's destinies are forever linked. 3 beautiful independent cousins, unknown to each other, are about to meet. And at the same time these Claren cousins, Maggie, Cailean, and Delaney Claren meet they also come face to face with 3 brothers from the rival MacKinnon clan. The catch is the Clearn cousins live in 1999 and the MacKinnon men lived 300 years ago.

You will be enchanted with Duncan the ghost, the immortal Rory, and Alexander who was sent thru time to the future. Together they search for the key to release a curse put on their clans three centuries ago. I can guarantee whoever picks up this passionate romance will not be disappointed. There is a little something for everyone in this multi-faceted romance, including contemporary, historical, time travel and paranormal. It's a great read! Pass it on!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an original idea!, June 23, 1999

By 

Stacey Timmins-Newman - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legend Mackinnon (Mass Market Paperback)

I have always enjoyed the paranormal and I have always enjoyed Scottish love stories. Reading the two together has been a favorite of mine since I started reading historical romance so long ago. BUT I have never had the pleasure to read a story involving six main characters including a Ghost, an Immortal and a Time Traveler, not to mention a seer thrown in for good measure! Each couple was as different as night and day but as strong as one another. This book has everything and the most important part is that it works! BRAVO!