Customer Reviews

Kiss of the Highlander

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had such high hopes for this book. I am a huge Diana Gabaldon fan, and am not above a trashy romance either. I thoroughly enjoyed Julie Garwood's The Bride along with several Judith McNaught novels, but this one was so bad I couldn't get past the third chapter. What prose "..her Jennifer Aniston bangs", "He looked like he'd just walked out of a Gold's Gym" BLECH!! Not to mention vulgar. If I had to listen to her describe her ultimate man as a "cherry-picker" one more time I thought I'd puke. How anyone could describe her as intelligent is beyond me. All I could think of was if she was so hot to lose her virginity, it really couldn't have been that hard to do back home in the USA. Give me a break! I bought this at our local used book store and was so impressed that it looked brand new, like it had never been read. Likely the previous owner couldn't tolerate the poor writing anymore than I could. I'm only glad I only wasted 2.99 on it instead of the full cover price plus shipping! If you want to read a REALLY good time-travel to Scotland book, pick up the Outlander series. If you already have read Outlander, you won't be able to stomach this book.

No, this isn't Gabaldon, but as pure romance novels go this has something most don't - the reader's ability to imagine the heroine could be you. What would you do if that happened to you? That's what's so entertaining about it. I also love that the heroes are all members of the same family with the same backstory. If such a thing is possible, it's heavy fluff. The writing isn't bad either - not like some purely historical romance novels which are so abysmally badly written I don't know how they get published. This was one of my favourites of the series and you can really beleive that the hero IS that handsome and wonderful. I wolfed down this novel in a couple of days.

This is the first of the Highlander series I've read, though I've already read Darkfever by the same author. I'm planning on reading the rest of the Highlanders asap. No, really, 'tis this good. It's paranormal historical romance at its very best.

At first I also thought the Highlander books would be eight carbon copies of Outlander, but after reading Kiss and the synopses from the other books I can safely say 'tis not so! Och, ye canna help but fall in lust.

Gwen Cassidy's life was bland, no doubt about it. The daughter of two famous scientists, it was only natural that she follow in their footsteps. Only to end up dated for three reasons: to try to win her parents' good graces, to see if she had any theories worth stealing, and for the prestige of dating the "prodigy". She'd been frighteningly cynical by twenty-one. Dropped out of the doctorate program at twenty-three. Lonely as hell by twenty-five. The trip to Scotland was supposed to be it. She was going to get someone to finally pop her cherry. Only to find THE cherry tree topper downer. Uh, whoa, that's... great... but, whoa!

Highlander laird Drustan MacKeltar has been asleep for five centuries, enchanted by a powerful spell. Awakening to find a woman sprawled on top of him, he can't help but get... ideas. But he quickly sobers as reality hits him. Five hundred years... and crumbled ruins where he used to dwell. He must return to his own century to change history and save his people from a terrible fate. But he needs Gwen, for she could surely be the one to save him. Passion stronger than time will defy the laws of the universe.

I love everything she writes, but Kiss of the Highlander has been my favorite! Her humor spills out in this awsome romance as never before. It's a wonderful and refreshing twist. There are not enough words for the praise I give her on this one. And as always...she gives new meaning to the word "paranormal". But for myself...hum...Adam Black and Deagus are my favorite characters. She must have pulled those two right out of the shadows of my own mind. "Delicious I tell you"

Drustan and Gwendolyn. From a vacation from hell to pure loving bliss, this books stopped me in my tracks and truly made me want to take a bus tour in Scotland. Maybe I'd get lucky too? This book grabbed my soul because I've always been fascinated by the likes of Drustan and his craft. I've learned much from this reading. Learned lots about myself too. Gosh t'would seem life was so much more simple then.

Gwen Cassidy was just trying to add a dash of spice to her ho-hum way of life. At twenty-five she has no family left to speak of, she's sick of her job, and there's no man in her life. So she embarks on a group tour of Scotland, but little does she know her trip will lead to the adventure of a lifetime, and then some. While out exploring alone, she stumbles and falls into a cave, directly on top of the sexiest man she's ever laid eyes on. A Highland warrior, who awakens from a nap that has lasted centuries.

Drustan MacKeltar is determined to keep Gwen by his side, especially once he discovers he has been enchanted for five hundred years, and only ruins remain where his castle once stood. He knows he must return to his own time by using the closely guarded power and knowledge of his Druid heritage. Drustan has the ability to travel through time, and he'll not leave Gwen behind. She has no idea she will accompany him, until she finds herself whisked back to sixteenth century Scotland. It is then that Gwen realizes the life of the man she loves, along with the fate of Drustan's entire clan, rests solely with her. For there is an enemy plot which will eventually cause the death of Drustan's people, unless she can successfully alter the course of time. But can this diverse couple, each from a different century, find a way to remain in one place together for all time?

I believe my first thought after finishing this book was, "Wow!" This was my first novel to read by Ms. Moning, and I was definitely impressed. I've previously read a couple of time travel books by other authors, and found them too unbelievable and just lacking something. Now I do realize that any way you look at it, time travel is unrealistic. But the difference here is Ms. Moning makes it realistic, and very possible. This story was a non-stop, sit on the edge of your seat, quick, turn that page, nail-biting adventure! In fact the pace reminded me of watching an Indiana Jones movie. This book has it all: well-developed main characters, interesting secondary characters which add to the plot, fast-paced adventure, humor, romance, and some sizzling love scenes. A definite five star keeper, and I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

but then I read the whole book. When I read the highlander time-travel theme I thought it would be a retelling of Gabaldon's wonderful novels. When I began reading and Gwen went back in time and had to reconvince him all over again, I thought it was a rip-off of Jude Devereaux. Then I finished the book, and hail Karen Marie Moning! You have definitely written your own novel here! A lovely tale. Much better than "The Time Traveler's Wife" which I also read last week.

Gwen Cassidy is a walking scientist cliché. Her parents were cold scientists and so she got sort of cold or something and then rebelled or something and then I guess her parents died while she was working for an insurance company. Anyway, let's just skip her unnecessary back story and say that she's 25 and in Scotland to lose her virginity when she falls down a hole/cave right onto McRip VanWinkle.

The last thing Drustan MacKeltar knew he was in sixteenth century Scotland mourning the death of his brother and the fiancé he'd never actually met. Now, he wakes up with Gwen on top of him in the twentieth century.

"Kiss of the Highlander" is a lot of fun. Not fun in a corny "rompy" sense, but just sort of escapist fun.

Apparently Drustan was put into a cursed sleep and was accidentally awakened by Gwen. Our pair of lovebirds wander around Scotland for a few days in the twentieth century trying to come to terms with each other before Drustan sends them back in time with some mystical druid magic his clan was entrusted with. Things go wrong, Gwen sort of ends up fending for herself in sixteenth century Scotland, Drustan can't remember her, etc. I don't really know how to describe the story without spoiling some of the more major points so I guess I'll just avoid it. There are some frustrating misunderstanding type situations and no one seems to act terribly intelligently, despite what we're constantly told about them.

Gwen is not the greatest heroine, in fact I find her pretty irritating a lot of the time. Drustan fares a little better, but I'm never quite sure why he fell so quickly for Gwen. I dunno, I guess for me there's more sexual chemistry than romantic chemistry between them.

"Kiss of the Highlander" is very readable, and great for a poolside read, but it's not exactly setting the world on fire. On the other hand if you're a fan of Ms. Moning, or just a fan of a well written time-travel you'll probably enjoy this one. Also check out Ms. Moning's "The Dark Highlander" or "To Tame a Highland Warrior".

After reading hundreds of romance novels by countless authors, I can honestly say it doesn't get any better than this, folks! There are not enough words to express the perfection of this story. After my second readthrough, I am just as enchanted as I was initially. Karen Marie Moning has found the optimim blend of adventure, humor, love and passion that will captivate you from cover to cover, and have you thinking about it long after you're done. You cannot help but fall in love with the characters created in this book...main and supporting alike. Ms. Moning has shown her true genius in this genre by developing a tale that will have you eagerly turning the pages, revelling in it's creativity, giggling at it's humor, sighing at the romance, and panting at the passion! I have read all the books in this series, and whereas they all have their own specific charms, this is the book I will keep on the shelf for easy access and future reads. Can't wait for her long overdue next installment "The Immortal Highlander" scheduled to be out Summer 2004. Well done!

First to the review who so cowardly remained anonymous and ripped into Ms Moning for stealing from Galbadon... you couldn't be further from the truth. Did you read either book? I have.

Galbadon's books are fabulous, but much darker than Moning's. Kiss of the Highlander riveted me with its fully drawn characters, humorous situations, and intense romance.

I look forward to reading more of Ms. Moning's work.