Customer Reviews

Secrets of the Highwayman

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

 

 

Melanie Jones has been sent to oversee the appraisal and repair of an old property, the Ravenswood Estate. As she travels the road to its front door in the dark, a huge dog and a man on horseback appear from nowhere and begin racing her car.

Little does she know that the man is Nathaniel Raven, an ex-highwayman and the true Ravenswood heir, from whom the estate was stolen in his own time, and that he has been allowed to come back for a second chance to set things right.

I really loved this rollicking and sexy mix of the supernatural, faedom, gothic overtone and romance in the best highwayman tradition. The author takes an old theme and manages to incorporate enough new twists and turns to make it seem totally fresh.

The romantic aspect is hotter than hot, and the creepy villainous bad guy is spine-shiveringly evil. At first I wasn't quite sure where the author was taking us, but hanging on for the ride was well worth the time, as each new plot element incorporated made the story more and more hard to put down. None of the characters telegraph their actions, and you honestly aren't sure what will happen next.

Dramatic, sexy, spine-tingling and sweepingly romantic. Recommended.


Reviewed by Lee M



Copyright © 2006 CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved.

Newer author Sara MacKenzie serves up a truly original and innovative Fantasy/TimeTravel that should captivate you from the very first pages with her crisp well written story.

Melanie Jones thought that her latest assignment for the law firm of Foyle, Haddock and Williams would be the one that offered up a partnership, a goal she'd worked hard for. What could be so hard about cataloguing the 18th century estate of Ravenswood in Cornwall? From the very first night Melanie arrived, an incredibly handsome man galloped alongside her car winked and then abruptly disappeared. Melanie thought it was her imagination until he later appeared, in the flesh, and oh my, she felt emotions she'd never experienced before.

Nathaniel Raven was the infamous Raven, a notorious highwayman shot dead in the year 1814 and who now was given a second chance by a Sorceress to come back to right the wrongs that had been done to him. Murdered by a man he once called friend, he was offered this one chance to work with and convince the very irritating Melanie Jones, to help him defeat Pengorren. As they reluctantly worked together their passion would be all consuming when it soon appeared that Melanie's strange visions held part of the key to defeating the very evil immortal.

*** This was a highly original and fast moving read that contained all the elements needed to catapult it right to the top of anyones favorite 2006 books list. Describing scenes of scorching passion with a handsome rogue from the past, the leads are dynamite together as they combine forces to combat a truly evil being that wants to suck the energy out of and consume Melanie. While it took me a few chapters to warm up to the very prickly Melanie, it was an instant love fest for the character of Nathaniel and his hell-hound dog Teth. The author crafted explicit love scenes with Nathaniel which were pure bliss while oozing out feelings of creepiness with Pengorren that will send shivers up your spine. This is an author that shows tremendous talent and I plan to keep my eye on future offerings.


Marilyn Rondeau - RIO - Reviewers International Organization
Courtesy of: Kwips and Kritiques

Nearly two centuries ago, Raven was betrayed. He has been given the chance to make things right, but not in his own time..... He wakes to a modern society. The only woman who can help him is a very independent woman who doesn't feel she needs to be protected. Raven will protect her whether she likes it or not, but she will save him as well.

This story has everything. Mystery, magic, romance and of course, a happy ending.

Love all three of her 'Immortal Warrior' novels. Sara's style of writing keeps you interested from page one to the very end of the book. You will enjoy all three: Return of the Highlander, Secrets of the Highwayman, and Passions of the Ghost......Can't wait for warrior # 4....

He died in 1814 shot down while allegedly trying to rob a coach. Now almost two centuries later, the Sorceress decides Nathan Raven should return to life so that he has an opportunity to right the wrong that his ignoble murder caused to his family. The Sorceress instructs Raven to locate mortal Melanie Jones and persuade her to help him in his cause; no further instruction as to why this woman is provided.

Foyle, Hoddack, and Williams legal firm sends solicitor Melanie Jones to remote Ravenswood in Cornwell to inventory the estate once owned by a notorious highwayman. She arrives late at night because the ever pragmatic Melanie wants to begin first thing in the morning. However, a large hound reminiscent of Arthur Conan Doyle's canines greets her followed by a strange man who insists he was unfairly accused and murdered in 1814; finally Raven demands she help him. Though trying to initially figure out how to flee the lunatic, practical Mel soon works at Raven's side as she believes him, but the adversary may not just be inhuman but an immortal supervillain.

SECRETS OF THE HIGHWAYMAN is an exciting romantic fantasy with some time travel elements that grips fans from the opening prologue when the enigmatic Sorceress decides for no apparent reason to "awaken" the Raven and never slows down until the return to the tomb where others sleep awaiting their turn to change history. The action never slows down once Raven and the solicitor meet as they fall in love while battling a seemingly invincible opponent. Sub-genre readers will enjoy this thriller, want to obtain the previous Novel (RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDER) if not already read, and look forward to the next entry, PASSIONS OF THE GHOST.

Harriet Klausner

I picked up this book yesterday because I liked PASSIONS OF THE GHOST so well, and yes, this one is just as good or even better. The paranormal aspect is wonderful and the romance is lovely. I liked the historical part and very much enjoyed the swirling circumstances. Lots of action, romance, and adventure.

Melanie Jones is a lawyer who is sent to get an old castle and grounds ready for sale. The owner has passed and left everything to charity. She is very stoic and has worked her whole life to still the voices she has heard in her mind.

Nathaniel Raven once owned the estate, but he was shot while holding up a carriage as a highwayman. The circumstances surrounding his death are very sketchy and only his tombstone attests to his life and death.

Because of the injustice of his death he is granted a second chance by the Sorceress of the between-worlds. Not just for him but she also has an interest in the matter. He only has a short time to find out what really happened to him and set the facts of his life straight.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast paced, exciting, and different. Very much worth the time and money.

I enjoy the "time travelling" romances, and this one is ok, it has an evil faery and the faery queen of the underworld, the dead highwayman seeking to change his past. It was ok, not the greatest of its genre that I've read.

I absolutely love this author's books! It really works for me how she mingles a contemporary character with someone from the historical past. Usually Scotland or England, which I like. I end up rooting for the lovers to be together in the end.

now that i have the whole set, this book made everything perfect.

Didn't do it for me. Read more like a Young Adult book. Had a difficult time finishing it but did because I had nothing else to read at the time.