Customer Reviews

A Season in the Highlands : Unfinished Business / Fall from Grace / Cold Feet / The Matchmaker / The Christmas Captive

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

 

 

These five novellas take readers on a journey to the Scottish Highlands - those who are not already in love with the heather-covered hills and strong Highlanders will certainly be when they finish this book. I am not usually a huge fan of anthologies but this book has changed my mind. These are great reads for the busy woman who doesn't have time to sit and read an entire book in an evening.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

by Jude Deveraux

Contemporary Romance

New York attorney Tyler Stevens has always looked after her young cousin Kristin Beaumont. When Kristin becomes ill and is unable to accompany her boss, tycoon businessman Joel Kingsley on a trip to Scotland, Tyler takes her place. There she helps solve a murder mystery hundreds of years old and finds the love that has eluded her all her life. While a few inaccuracies and improbabilities near the beginning of the novella might take the more discerning reader out of the story, this is a pleasant tale which should please devoted Deveraux fans. Those who are looking for her to return to her earlier brilliance will be disappointed. Despite the fact Deveraux's name on the cover will probably make this book a bestseller, her story is the weakest of the five.

FALL FROM GRACE

by Jill Barnett

(rewrite of "Saving Grace" from 1993's HIGHLAND FLING Anthology) Historical Romance (1600s)

When the branch of the tree Grace McNish is sitting in breaks landing her right on top of who she believes to be a dastardly McNab - sworn enemy of the McNish Clan - Grace believes it to be an act of God and hatches a plan to hold the unsuspecting (and unconscious) Highlander for ransom. Jill Barnett delights readers with her trademark humor in this novella set around the historic feud between the McNab and McNish clans. There's truly a laugh a minute in this charming tale complete with a female bagpiper who's partially deaf. I just love Barnett's heroines - strong but a bit awkward, smart and caring. Those of you who remember this story from the Highland Fling anthology should be aware this story is a COMPLETE rewrite. Although the basic plot is the same, many, many things are different. Warning: Don't read this in public unless you want to be victim of strange looks - you'll be laughing out loud for sure! There's rarely a better reading experience than a story by Jill Barnett.

COLD FEET

by Geralyn Dawson

Historical Romance (1886)

Texan Rand Jenkins travels to Scotland to deliver Sarah Ross to her husband, the Marquess of Weston, and becomes the "Pied Piper of Pussycats" after stopping at the cottage of Annie Munro to ask for directions. Is Annie really a witch or just the local herbalist? One really wonders - even Annie who appears to have cast a spell over Rand as well. Annie doesn't know why the cats are attracted to Rand and he is getting mighty irritated. Of course, it doesn't help matters when he finds he's allergic to them. Geralyn Dawson gives readers yet another Texan meets Highlander story to savor as she did with Simmer All Night and Sizzle All Day (the main characters of which make appearances in this novella). This is yet another winner from Ms. Dawson with a nice twist at the end.

THE MATCHMAKER

by Pam Binder

Time Travel Romance (Present Day to 1500s)

The contribution of talented newcomer Pam Binder (The Inscription, The Quest) has Edinburgh baker Kathleen Mackenzie and American computer whiz Duncan MacGreggor thrown back in time right into the middle of one of the more shocking events of Scottish history - the murder of Mary Queen of Scots' friend Riccio carried out at the direction of her husband, Lord Darnley. This is a not-too-often used concept as both hero and heroine and thrown back into time and together use their skills to adapt to the time period while there as well as to figure out how to return to the present. There's some nail-biting moments here as they try. I particularly enjoyed this story as I had spent time in Edinburgh and toured the Palace of Holyroodhouse last year. The historical details are well executed and the plot and characters so well done I was sorry it wasn't a complete book. And the sexual tension - ooh la la! This is such a wonderful story that I am quite certain readers who discover Pam Binder via this novella will be search for her other two books - and will look forward to her next The Enchantment in the summer of 2001. Simply outstanding!

THE CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE

by Patricia Cabot

Historical Romance (1827)

Cabot is the only author in this anthology whose books I hadn't read before. "Mairi" flees the estate where she's lived for the past ten years after the death of her parents as the ward of Alistair MacLean, Lord Sutherland. After caring for her, he has now become her fiancé as well. Apparently she has reasons not to wed him and escapes to the estate of the Duke of Camden only to discover the Duke as died and his eldest son Euan has taken over. Visiting his brother is Niall, recently having graduated from studies to become a physician. When Niall discovers "Mairi" has an injury needing immediate attention, he comes to her aid. The sparks soon fly but Niall does not know who Mairi really is and she isn't giving out any detailed information. While Ms. Cabot seems fond of run-on sentences (one leaving me out of breath as it went on for an entire paragraph) and left the secrets unrevealed for longer than was desirable for a novella, her storytelling and characterization were strong enough for me to look forward to her book Lady of Skye in 2001. The main ingredients are there and she needs just a bit more polish.

Reviewed by Maudeen Wachsmith for Romancing the Celtic Soul

I'll admit that as a big fan of Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER series I'm drawn to Scottish based romance. I bought the collection knowing nothing of anyone but Jude Deveraux, but if this is any example of their work I'll be hitting the search button after this review is finished. The book of 5 novellas was a wonderful escape from home and work.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS sneaks a ghost story into a sassy romance between 2 people who upon first glance couldn't be more wrong for each other.-- Tyler Stevens is convinced Joel Kingsley is completely wrong for her young cousin. Krissy is terribly infatuated with her older boss and despite Tyler's efforts to convince her otherwise, the girl thinks she's in love. Going to Scotland was Krissy's idea. If Tyler took her cousins place on the business trip she could keep an eye on Mr Kingsley for her while she recouperates from her terrible cold. What Tyler didn't count on was that "Old Mr. Kingsley" wouldn't be that old...in fact he was rather appealing. Having them thrown together to solve a centuries old mystery (complete with ghosts) only complicates an already tricky situation.

FALL FROM GRACE's humor really got to me. I felt so silly laughing out loud in the breakroom at work, but then that's what I needed the breakroom for....a break.---Grace McNish was fiercly protective of her clan after years of their being subjected to the McNab's theiving and raiding. When one of the McNab sons falls into her hands she and her rag-tag band of highland "merry-men" think they have it made. Ransom. One problem. He's not who they think he is.

COLD FEET who could resist a cowboy from Texas in the first place. This story had all of the things I love humor, romance and a bit of the supernatural.--Rand Jenkins is lost on the Scottish moors. He's supposed to be guiding his friends bride to the ancestral home, but as a Texan he's a fish out of water. Rand stumbles upon the cottage of a friendly local woman who takes them in out of the cold. She claims she's a witch and when strange things start happening to Rand he's convinced she has put a spell on him....and she has in more ways than one.

THE MATCHMAKER has modern business owner Kathleen MacKenzie fending off the efforts of the local matchmaker Harriet. She doesn't need a husband and even if she did she could find him all on her own. For example, the handsome American who stops by every morning for coffee and a scone. Harriet will not be thwarted. A little coaxing and (of course) a little magic will throw the hesitant couple into the past where they are not only fighting their feelings for each other they are fighting for their lives in the time of Mary, Queen of Scots.

THE CHRISTMAS CAPTIVE was read at the perfect time of the year...well Christmas of course. Mairi is on the run from her fiance. Niall is more than happy to keep her hidden after discovering the young runaway on his families lands cowering inside a hollowed out tree. She's full of secrets and a mysterious past that the logical physicain refuses to beleive. When her fiance comes looking for her, the Scottish lord has to deal with a murderous enemy when he admits that his soul mate will be staying right where she is... with him.

These 5 tales weave a pattern of magic, history and romance that really reel you in. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs to "get away". The shorter novellas let you finish one when you might not have the time to read a longer book. It's perfect for someone who really does need a vacation and a little romance but just doesn't have the time.

A Season in the Highlands" is one of the best compilations that I have ever read. Jude Deveraux tells the wildly romantic story of Tyler Stevens, a women who is too afraid to love, and Joel Kingsley, a man who has given up finding true love. When Tyler goes to Scotland to cover at work for her young cousin she and Joel clash and help a pair of seemingly hopeless Scottish lovers. I hated to see this story end. It was told in the best Deveraux tradition, with love and laughter.

Jill Barnetts' story "Fall From Grace" about a highland lass and her captive `chieftain' was a revamped re-release and was the weak link in this compilation as far as I am concerned. It was however, a decent story just not as good as the others in the book.

"Cold Feet" by Geralyn Dawson has a Texan escort an estranged noblewoman back to Scotland and while there they fall for a mesmerizing hereditary witch. This was a great story with a great hero and heroine but there was a back-story about the noblewoman who the Texan took home that was not told. Very annoying, but a good story overall.

In Pam Binders' "Matchmaker" A matchmaker throws a Scottish tea shop owner and her handsome American software mogul back in time to Queen Mary's Court. There they learn about the true worth of love vs. work. It was a great story and I would have loved it if it were longer.

In "The Christmas Captive" Patricia Cabot links a runaway maiden and her doctor lord in a tale that frees the maiden from a "curse" and a hateful guardian.

This compilation is worth the time to read and the money to buy. It is a great showcase for several fantastic authors.

I didn't finish the stories in this book. The stories were a bit cliche with the usual "I-hate-you-but-want-you-to-take-me-now" type romance with inexperienced virgins and big bad men. A bit silly and unbelievable with not much depth. Maybe the later stories in the book are a bit better.

This is a five story anthology by various authors all taking place in the Scottish Highlands. Some stories are much better than others. I will note a separate rating of each below, but the average of all five ended up being 3 stars, hence my overall score of the book.

In the first story, "Unfinished Business", by Jude Deveraux, Tyler Stevens agrees to fill in at work for her niece Krissy when she takes ill. Temporarily stepping into Krissy's secretarial position leads Tyler to travel to Scotland with Krissy's boss, Joel Kingsley. While in Scotland, Tyler and Joel unwittingly stumble into a ghostly murder mystery that piques their curiosity. Investigating together may lead them to find more than the answer to an old mystery. This story was pretty good, but not what I would consider excellent. It was a worthwhile read and deserves a rating of three stars.

The second story, "Fall From Grace", by Jill Barnett was the hands down winner of this lot. This was my very first Jill Barnett read, and since discovering her here, I've now read nearly all her work. The clans McNish and McNab have been at war for some time. Grace McNish and her band of merry misfits mistakenly ambush and capture the wrong man. Colin Campbell, Earl of Argyll, was on a diplomatic journey investigating the McNab/McNish clan war when Grace "captured" him. After catching a glimpse of the wild Scottish beauty, he decided to remain in her custody to be near her, and gather information for his investigation. This wonderful story is full of humor. From one clan member who is half deaf and misunderstands even simple instructions, to another who can't hit the side of a barn with the bow and arrow. I laughed out loud too many times to count. This story also contains the steamiest love scene of the entire book. After everything I've read by Ms. Barnett, this is still a favorite. Definitely a five star read.

"Cold Feet", penned by Geralyn Dawson, is the next entry. Texas cowboy, Rand Jenkins, gets lost in the snow-covered moors en route to a castle in the Highlands. Stopping off at a cottage for directions, he meets Annie Munro, a healer who is considered a witch by the locals. Rand ends up spending more time with the lovely Annie than he had planned. For some unknown reason, every cat in the surrounding area is attracted to Rand who subsequently develops an allergic reaction. Using her knowledge of herbs and potions, Annie attempts to ease his suffering. While Rand is fending off felines and trying to get rid of his itching, he begins to get an itch for Annie. This was my least favorite story. It just seemed too unrealistic and didn't hold my attention. I would give this one two stars.

"The Matchmaker" by Pam Binder is story number four. Kathleen MacKenzie owns a bakery in the Scottish town of Edinburgh. When American businessman Duncan MacGreggor leaves his wallet at her establishment, Kathleen sets out to return it. Catching up to him in the elevator of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, she hands him the wallet. Magically they are catapulted back in time to the sixteenth century where Mary, Queen of Scots still inhabited the castle. Now, together they must find their way back to their own time. I wasn't greatly impressed with this novella either. It seemed a little too far-fetched to be believable. I would rate it two stars as well.

Last, but not least, is "The Christmas Captive" by Patricia Cabot. Lady Mairi has fled her guardian's home to escape his rule, and his intent to marry her. Physician, Niall Donnegal, whose brother is the new Duke of Camden, finds Mairi who was injured during her flight. Not knowing she is related to his dreaded enemy, he takes her to his home to recuperate. Their relationship quickly grows. But they must deal with the curse she believes is real, and her guardian's wrath, in order to remain together. This story was quite enjoyable and an above average read. It earns a rating of four stars from me.

At the time I read this book, Jude Deveraux was the only author familiar to me. Her story here was better than the full-length novel I had already read. Overall, three of the stories were worth reading - Jude Deveraux, Jill Barnett, and Patricia Cabot. I would say three out of five would make this collection worth picking up. And with each entry being approximately 100 pages, no one story takes long to read.

Deveraux's story!!! Wow what a major disappointment. This anthology was a long awaited and should be read by those who want a bit of the season with a Scottish twist. But don't buy it for the Deveraux story, which was shallow, uninteresting and had no Scottish flavor at all. One almost felt sorry for the characters as they deserved a better plot from this master storyteller. Sure there was the usual great oneliners but they couldn't hold this plot together, which lacked any real sexual tension or depth nor was the premise believable. It was a rush job if there ever was one. My heavens she didn't even get the castle right, it is Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, the copy editors should hang their heads in shame on this opps!!!. Also DIY is a well known term in the UK but rarely used here, that too should have been caught be a good copy editor. There was no soul to this story, unlike some her other anthologies which number among some of the best but this one was so very off the mark. Why the secrecy from the reviewers makes one think it wasn't ready because it sure wasn't because it was the quality of a lead story.

But don't dispair the other four stories well make up for all that was lacking in the Deveraux one. If you want laughter then the Barnett and Dawson stories are the right ticket. Ms Barnett's tale is short, sweet and will leave a wonderful warm glow. Dawson's is a rare treat for fans of her past books and will sure to generate new sales for her last two books as she gains new ones with her nouvella. The Cabot and Binder tales are equally well written and will satisfy the most descerning reader, as they both have captured the Scottish soul beautifully.

If this Anthology were served as a wonderful holiday feast the reader would find the Cabot and Binder stories make great appetizers, the Barnett story a savory main course and the Dawson one a fun delicious dessert but the Deveraux one is best likened to that certain unfavorable vegetable one moves around their plate but just can't swallow.

The first story was fantastic, the second was very nice, and then I felt the others were kind of trite. . .

I'm sorry to say I was a bit disappointed after reading this. Every story is hum-drum, same-old same-old. Still wanna read it? Make a trip to the library. Don't waste your money.

This book is for all of us Scottish fans. They were all great and on my KEEPER shelf. Worth buying and reading.

This book is a good blend of modern stories and historical fiction. "A Season in the Highlands" delivered exactly what I want from a romance anthology, charming characters in unusual situations, and lots of happy endings.