Customer Reviews

A Man In A Kilt (Zebra Debut)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first thought I was in for a good paranormal/ghost story read, and I was until Ms. Blair went and blew me away by turning her fun story into an even better time travel book. Fans of both genre's will be in for a great treat that combines both witty characters, fast moving plot, and wonderful chemistry between two people that were destined to be with each other.

Beth Pudding is about to have a chance of a lifetime fall into her lap. She has just inherited an old run-down keep in Scotland. She has to live there for six months and then the place is hers to do with as she will. This is a chance that Beth has always wanted. Living in foster homes most of her life she has missed out on the one thing she really wants, a place to call home. What she doesn't know is that her historic keeps comes with it's very own ghost, and he's a peeping tom to boot!!! Well, that's okay, she's lonely, he's lonely and there is nothing else to do so she speaks with him.

Duncan can't believe that "the one" has finally come to release him from his centuries long curse. Problem is the wee lassie has a death wish and he has to rescue her from the loch and saves her from drowning. What's amazing about this is he is finally able to take human form once again. Not wanting to pass up the chance of ending the curse he binds his wee Beth to him while she in unconscience. She wakes up in a new century and one without indoor plumbing, and scarier yet, her ghost is very real. Can she serve historic Scotland and save her Highland Laird?

As I said this is a great read. Plenty of humor, as well as real emotion can be found within it's pages. Ms. Blair is an author that I look forward to reading in the future.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Hmm. Like Dakota, I am also a professional writer. But I'm an award-winning one. I had no difficulties with the very linear and logical plot or the focus on the finer points (but then I only have to be told something once).

When I opened up the cover of A Man in a Kilt while going up the stairs, I thought I'd just check out the opening to see if I wanted to read it before the other books I'd bought. By the time I got to the top of the stairs, I thought maybe I'd just sit down on the bed and see if the first chapter was as good as what I'd read so far. A few hours later (and several trips into the bathroom with book in hand) I reached the end. And I turned it over to the front and seriously considered starting in again from the beginning.

AMIAK is the first cover-to-cover-read-in-one-sitting book I've read in several years. I grabbed its sequel the minute it came out and can hardly wait for the third. No wonder this book is a RITA finalist!

Miss Katherine Elizabeth "Beth" MacDougall Pudding has found that she might finally have a home of her dreams. She has inherited a castle in Scotland. But, for her to claim it she has to live there for 6 months. So what does any orphaned, single event planner from New York do? She packs up and moves into the castle. One of the things that everyone forgot to tell her is that the Castle is haunted, and by a hunk of a man that she catches glimpses of in mirrors.

Duncan MacDougall the original Laird of Blackstone was cursed centuries ago to wander as a ghost within his own castle, only one woman can save him. His true love, who he doubts ever existed as he was married 3 times, and the last one stabbed him to escape.

One night Beth is coming back to the Castle and her skiff capsizes, Duncan takes human form and rescues her. Afraid he is going to loose her he performs a ceremony which transports her back in time, where he marries her before she realizes what is happening.

I thought she was s bit too quick to adapt to the ancient time she was transported back to but then again this is a story, so kick back and enjoy the tale. The author puts enough humor into the mix to keep the book on a light tone.

A Man in a Kilt was a wonderful read, a compelling story from start to finish. I loved every word. Sandy Blair managed to infuse her story with wit and humor without sacrificing emotion and drama. Beth is an appealing, resourceful heroine. There was one scene in the dining hall (I won't give it away) that made me just love her. Duncan is just as hunky and warm as you could want.
This book deserves every honor and award it has earned. A Man in a Kilt is a very impressive debut!

Sandy Blair creates a tale that makes you believe time travel is possible. Beth Pudding conquers time travel, two foreign language deficits and a ghost/Laird in medieval Scotland. Duncan McDougal is a man for the ages, fighting for his people and the love of a "wee bit daft" woman. Blair captures your imagination on the first page and doesn't let loose until the final page of the epilogue. If you love Scotish historicals, paranormals and witty dialogue, you'll love this book.

Elizabeth `Beth' Pudding - plain as pudding - was just an ordinary working girl until the day a Scottish solicitor arrived at her doorstep telling her that she was the very last descendant of Clan MacDougall and as such was inheriting a castle in Scotland with the only caveat being she had to live in it for six months. What the solicitor didn't tell her until after she arrived was that there was a resident ghost - this she would find out on her own. Rather than being afraid when she began to see him, she being on her own most of her life, thought he just might make for good company.

Duncan Angus MacDougall, had spent the last 600 years trapped in Blackstone Castle, having been cursed by the mother of his last wife. At first he was surprised she could see him, then he realized that she just might be the `one' he'd been waiting for to set him free. Watching for her on the parapets as she attempted to motor over during a storm he watched the boat engulfed by a wave. Realizing that IF she was the `one' he couldn't let her die, he materialized, saved her, then did something else (I can't tell you everything!) so that when she awoke she was being dragged out of a medieval carriage by Duncan MacDougall, in the flesh, AND obviously in another time! Now, she knows who she is and where she's from but, Duncan doesn't know her other than that he has come to rescue a woman he'd been ordered to wed as his fourth wife! Plain she may be, but for the love of this highland hunk, she just might be convinced to stay, even if she does finally figure out the way back.

I so totally enjoyed the ghost storyline - reminding me of a Draycott Abbey novel- in the beginning then was totally blown away when it became a time travel. Beth was such a darling - not your usual fabulously beautiful woman but one who worked on making the best of what the Lord had given her in the way of looks, and Duncan, well he was just a fabulously sexy and gorgeous Highlander that you just gotta love! The author grabs you right from the beginning weaving a tale that was packed with imagination and originality. I simply love the way time travel authors find these original and fun ways of whipping back and forth through time - oh, could I wish! Time travel aside the romance is absolutely enchanting, the writing sharp, fresh and action packed. This is most definitely a debut novel and author that one should keep their eye on! --- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

This book was an impulse buy for me, based on the word "Kilt" in the title. I was in a hurry and needed a book to read, and since I love stories set in Scotland, the title "A Man In A Kilt" really caught my eye. Usually I regret impulse buys, especially books by authors I haven't read before, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this story was! My favorite historical authors are Julie Garwood & Amanda Quick; and my favorite time-travel authors are Karen Marie Moning and Janet Chapman. So if you like these authors you will definitely like Sandy Blair's "A Man In A Kilt". The heroine "Miss Elizabeth Pudding" is a likeable character because though she is not beautiful, her intelligence and generousity of heart make everyone come to love her. The hero is definitely "macho", but with a good heart and more common sense than the average medieval man. I thought that this romance had it all: love, action, danger, and thoroughly likeable characters!

I don't review many books, but this one I had to make time for... It was excellent- I truly couldn't put it down. I'm afraid people may not buy it because the cover makes it look like fluff. It is a must read for anyone who likes a good romance book. Give it a try- you'll be sucked in fast!!

I picked up Man in a Kilt to try a new author. What a great book! It was engaging and hard to put down. I can't wait to read the next one!

A Man in a Kilt ranks as one of the best books I've read this year. Sandy Blair weaves a delightful tale of a dark Scottish hero and a transplanted New York heroine--transplanted back to a time she doesn't understand but rapidly adapts to. Duncan is a hero to die for, and Beth is the kind of heroine we'd all like to be.

I laughed out loud, shed tears, and hated to see the story end. And now I can't wait for A Rogue in a Kilt to hit the shelves. I'm not normally a fan of historicals, but Ms. Blair has me hooked for good.