Tall, Dark, and Kilted (Signet Eclipse) [Paperback]

Allie Mackay (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Eclipse | Publication Date: November 4, 2008

Cilla Swanner came to Dunroamin Castle in Scotland to get away from heartache and headache. But what she finds there may be more than she can handle. Long ago, the roguish Scottish knight known as Hardwick was cursed to wander the world forever, pleasing a different woman each night with no hope of fulfillment or true love. Then he meets Cilla—who may be his only hope for salvation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Signet; Regular Print/Single Titl edition (November 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451225511
• ISBN-13: 978-0451225511
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Allie Mackay is the pseudonym for Sue-Ellen Welfonder, an ex-flight attendant who now writes Scottish medieval romances. She is a card-carrying Scotophile whose burning wish to make frequent (free) trips to the land of her dreams led her to a twenty year career with the airlines. Bi-lingual, she flew international all those years, working her flights as foreign language speaker. Her flying career allowed her to see the world, but it was always to Scotland that she returned. Now a full-time writer, she's quick to admit that she much prefers wielding a pen to pushing tea and coffee. She spent fifteen years living in Europe and used that time to explore as many castle ruins, medieval abbeys, and stone circles as possible. Anything ancient, crumbling, or lichened caught her eye. She makes annual visits to Scotland, insisting they are a necessity as each trip gives her inspiration for new books. Proud of her own Hebridean ancestry, she belongs to two clan societies and never misses a chance to attend Highland Games. In addition to Scotland, her greatest passions are medieval history, the paranormal, and dogs. She never watches television, loves haggis, and writes at a four-hundred-and-fifty year old desk that once stood in a Bavarian castle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner, November 18, 2008

By 

Patricia Bosko "bookaholic" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tall, Dark, and Kilted (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

Allie Mackay has another winner to her list of Paranormals! Scotland and paranormal go hand in hand. And Allie's love for the country is clearly described.
Cilla goes of to Scotland from Yardley, Pa (near where I live) and visits her Aunt's only to meet her ghost, Hardwick. (has a pun intended with the name) deStudley. It's interesting as to how Hardwick's curse ends. She captivates your attention throughout the story. I would actually like to see her write about the "Dark One". Maybe he can meet the woman he loved centuries ago...Something to consider, Allie!
A highly recommended read to all my Scotland/Paranormal followers!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tall Dark and Kilted man... need I say more?, November 15, 2008

By 

PA_Reader "PA_Reader" (Sellersville, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tall, Dark, and Kilted (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

Few authors can make me chuckle like Allie MacKay, and this book from her is no exception. Add a kilted man to the story and I'm reaching for my wallet faster than you can say 'bare knees on a highlander'.

I enjoyed this book slightly less than the others, but if you read Highlander in Her Bed and/or Highlander in Her Dreams you will probably be okay with Tall Dark and Kilted. Hardwick, Bran of Barra, and Wee Hughie were introduced previously, and reading Highlander in Her Bed will add some depth to this story for you. Over all, it's a good read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Wild on Books!, December 10, 2008

By 

Natalie S "ns65" (Nashville) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tall, Dark, and Kilted (Signet Eclipse) (Paperback)

Seven hundred years ago, Sir Hardwin de Studley of Seagrave refused to allow a traveling band inside his home while he was entertaining. This lack of hospitality cost him - he has been cursed for eternity for his rudeness. His curse? Hardwin has been consigned to spend his immortality pleasing a different woman every single night. After years of enduring the infinite supply of women who want nothing more than the pleasure he can give them, Hardwin has had enough. He asks the Dark One to intercede and rid him of his curse. The Dark One is more than happy to allow Hardwin some respite; all he has to do is go one year and a day without becoming sexually aroused. Not a problem for Hardwin, or so he thinks. He has yet to see Cilla Swanner, a guest in Dunroamin Castle.

Cilla Swanner has traveled Scotland to visit her aunt and uncle who live in Dunroamin Castle. Cilla makes elaborate jewelry out of broken china but ever since her boyfriend broke up with her, she has not been able to get anyone to commission any pieces. Faced with not being able to pay her bills, Cilla comes to Scotland hoping to relax and rethink her business plan. Her first day there, she is astonished and almost faints when she sees a huge Scottish man move in a poster. Not believing her eyes, she thinks she is going crazy, especially when the voices start. Cilla refuses to give in to her thoughts that ghosts exist except for one thing. This ghost in particular is breathtakingly handsome and Cilla is attracted to him in ways she shouldn't be.

Cilla and Hardwin fall in love, despite his promise to the Dark One. He does everything he can think of to not give in and I smiled more than once at his dilemma. If there was one thing Hardwin knew, it was that Cilla was his and he wanted her badly. Never believing that he would ever find a woman, Hardwin almost let her pass him by. Working together to get to the bottom of forces rising to demonic proportions, Cilla and her man continue to fall in love all the while trying to figure out why they are seeing hellish demons and hags.

Witty to the point that I laughed out loud more than once, I have to admit that Hardwin's nickname made me giggle in hilarity. His predicament, while serious, was almost comical, especially with the only item he used to hide his arousal - a round shield. More than one ghost teased Hardwin but the laugh was on them because by the end of TALL, DARK AND KILTED, he was one happy Scottish warrior.

TALL, DARK AND KILTED is outlandishly funny one minute and seductively sensual the next. Never expecting to find true love, both the heroine and her hero had to adjust to the feelings each invoked in the other. Allie MacKay has written TALL, DARK AND KILTED in such a way that makes the reader truly believe in the idea of happily ever after. Grab a plaid and your favorite kilt - readers won't want to miss this amusing and romantic time travel romance.

***Natalie S. for Wild on Books***