Pine Creek Highlander Series by Janet Chapman ~ Series Review

Title: Highlander Series

Author: Janet Chapman

Length: Novels

Reviewed by: Laurie

I started this series for my reading enjoyment, not to review them, but as I tore through the series I found a very talented author that I wanted to share with our readers.

  

This series features every sub-genre in romance, so this means there is something for every romance reader out there today. I especially loved the paranormal aspects of the story-line.

Highlander series offers readers:

• Time travel- Past and future time travel.
• Hot demanding highlanders that are still stuck in the 1200’s.
• Magic- the poor old wizard that brings them there is constantly making a mess out of things.  Some of the heroines and heroes also have magic that will be revealed in each book.
• Older heroines - yeah, not your typical twenty something heroines.
• Humor- A few books are really funny and cute.

What I liked most was these characters are not all perfect, as in the sexiest heroes and heroines out there, some have some serious flaws.

Overall the characters are believable and enjoyable. There are just a couple I didn’t really care for.

The sex level is a 3 in each book, there is not a whole lot of it and what is there is very tastefully done.

Things I didn’t care for much

Now, not all of these books are going to grab you. I had two books I didn’t enjoy. One was boring and the other was totally unrealistic, but if you figure the rest were a 4 or 5 star average, then that’s not bad.

The first couple of books brought a lot of settings details and then all the sudden they were gone, replaced with more dialogue. Not that I mind dialogue, but I love seeing what is happening around the characters too. So that was another disappointment to me.  

Series order and each rating

Charming the Highlander - 4

Loving the Highlander - 5

Wedding the Highlander - 3

Tempting the Highlander - 4

Only with a Highlander - 5

Secrets of the Highlander - 2

Highlander for the Holidays - 5

Only with a Highlander is my favorites, the hero is holding a secret from everyone and once it was revealed it totally shocks Winter. Heck, I didn’t even see it coming, had no clue.

Highlander for the Holidays is my next favorite, I loved the heroine Jessie, spite the horror she went though she wasn’t about to let it get the best of her.

I know some of these are older books, but you can still find them on eBay, Goodwill and other swap book stores. Amazon has them at full price. I bought all but the last two at my used book store. This series is totally worth reading if you love magic, humor and hot highlanders that will anything to protect what is theirs.

The first few books can be read as standalone, but the last few books have future characters that time travel so they can be a bit confusing to new readers. 


I know this is not a full extensive review for this series, I just wanted to encourage anyone that has these books to go ahead and read them. I've had this whole set just sitting on my bookshelf for over two years and really wished I would have read them sooner.

I love the author's writing style so much I just ordered the whole set of her spin off sries, Spellboud Falls, and I do suggest you read Hilanders before Spellbound Falls.I'm also collecting her other spin off, Midnaight Bay series.

ARC Review: Kiss the Earl (Geek Girls #3) by Gina Lamm

Title: Kiss the Earl (Geek Girls #3)
Author: Gina Lamm
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Time Travel Romance, Historical Romance - Regency
Length: Novel
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 3

On the eve of her first comic book release, Ella Briley has a problem: no date to the
launch party. Things go from bad to worse when she stumbles into the past . . . and straight into the arms of her very own Mr. Darcy.

Patrick St. John, Earl of Meadowfair, is too noble for his own good. To save his friend from what is sure to be a loveless marriage, he's agreed to whisk the girl off to wed the man she truly loves. But all goes awry when Patrick mistakes Ella for the would-be bride . . . and finds this modern girl far too tempting for even the noblest of men to resist.

This was a fun time-travel romance.  It really didn't look at what happens to the time line when you go back, it just assumes that it all works out somehow.  I think what I liked most about the time-travel aspect was Ella's reaction to the living conditions.  She has to use a chamber pot - super embarassing.  I loved seeing the reaction of a modern woman to Regency times.

Ella was not at all happy to find herself stuck in the past with Patrick, but she'll have to work with him in order to get back to London and find her way home.  Patrick was quite a gentleman, and seemed to be truly worried about the strange crazy girl he accidently kidnapped.  I loved his thoughfulness and he really was just about everything I would hope to see in a romantic hero.

Of course, they do find themselves in all sorts of trouble a few times.  But it really gave the story a light-hearted feeling between more serious scenes.  The ending was a bit of a surprise, but I really love it - espcially the part about the toilet.  You'll just to read to find out what I mean!

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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ARC Review: My Highland Lover (Highland Hearts #1) by Maeve Greyson

Title: My Highland Lover (Highland Hearts #1)
Author: Maeve Greyson
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Time Travel Romance - Scottish Highlands
Length: Novel
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 3
Sexual - 3

Maeve Greyson unleashes a thrilling tale of magic and desire as a feisty Southern gal falls into the arms of a rough-hewn Highland chieftain.

As the proprietor of a homeopathic store in rural Kentucky, Trulie Sinclair knows that her neighbors think she’s strange—but they have no idea how strange she really is. Trulie was born in Scotland in the thirteenth century to a line of time-traveling Highlanders. When Trulie’s grandmother convinces her to return to their homeland,Trulie jumps back in time, right onto the powerful chest of Gray MacKenna. Just as his steely good looks send ripples through her body, their fierce attraction will send ripples through the ages.

After his parents murdered, Gray is consumed by thoughts of revenge. As the new chieftain of the MacKenna clan, he has reason to believe that there’s a traitor in his midst, and nothing—not even the bonny lass who suddenly drops from the sky—can distract him from his single-minded pursuit of the culprit. But when Gray learns that this sassy beauty possesses gifts beyond the sparkle in her eye, he allows his gaze, and his heart, to linger. While he hunts for the murderer, Gray finds in Trulie a precious companion—and a timeless love.

This was a really fun time travel romance.  I really enjoyed Granny's role in the whole thing and that portion just really stood out to me for some reason.  When Granny takes Trulie back in time - for several reasons - Trulie isn't too happy about it.  She swears she is going back to the present day and nothing Granny can do will stop her.  The part I really didn't quite understand, was the complete acceptance that Gray has of the fact that Trulie is a time traveler.  It just didn't ring very true to me.

So moving past that, Gray and Trulie's romance was fun and sweet and alpha male meets alpha female.  At one point I think he basically orders her to marry him and I just laughed - right along with Trulie.  You really can't order that girl to do anything. He realizes that he needs to treat her a bit different than he's used to treating women.

There is also a bit of a murder/mystery hovering over the clan and really adding a bit of excitement to the plot. It really helped tie Trulie to the time and the people as she tried to help them find out what had happened in the past.  The topic of messing with time lines is also addressed, and while I don't think there will ever be an explanation that completely satisfies me, Maeve Greyson handles it very well.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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ARC Review: A Stolen Season by Tamara Gill

Title: A Stolen Season
Author: Tamara Gill
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: February 23, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 3

One small mistake in the past will change everything about her future...
Archaeologist Sarah Baxter just broke one of the biggest rules of time travel: leaving a piece of 21st¬century equipment in 19th century Regency England. Unfortunately, when she goes back to retrieve it, she makes an even bigger mess of things—resulting in the death of an English Earl. Now his brother is not only out for revenge, but he also has Sarah's device. Which means an entirely different approach is needed. It doesn't occur to the new Earl of Earnston that his charming acquaintance is responsible for his brother's death. He is merely swept away by a passion that threatens his very reputation. Yet he gets the distinct impression that Miss Baxter is hiding something from him. Now Sarah must find a way to steal back her device, hide the truth about the earl's brother and—most importantly— not fall in love...

Time-travel can be hard to write.  Especially when the time-travel changes present day situations.  Tamara Gill did an amazing job with the small details on this one.  While most of the story does take place in the past - one of the most moving scenes is actually in the present between Sarah and her father.  It was written beautifully and really helped make the story what it is.

Sarah has really managed to make a mess of things - and she continues to do so.  Even though she really only has the best intentions, she seems to have a gift of messing up the past.  When she finds herself falling in love with Eric instead of just trying to retrieve a modern day artifact from him, she knows that she's in trouble.  But they just can't seem to stay away from each other!  Events seemed to just spiral out of their control and it just reminded me so much of real life.

The past was brought to life beautifully.  I loved the people and even Sarah's small mistakes and how the ton reacted to them.  She seemed to make quite a few minor mistakes every day - but Eric just found them endearing (a trait I loved about him).  They were a very fun couple to watch and complimented each other amazingly.  This is the way a time-travel romance is supposed to be.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Cover Reveal: One Last Time by Denise Daisy

Title: One Last Time
Author: Denise Daisy
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Release Date: August 4, 2015

When it comes to love, time is all they need…

Averie is terrified of anything remotely scary, but when she finds herself short of cash, she has no choice but to work on the catering staff at the creepy historic Faulkner mansion. The Faulkner Plantation was the site of a bloody massacre in the 1800s, and the event is an attempt to change its reputation. There’s just one catch: the host has more in store than dinner. Soon Avery, along with a handsome guest named Quillan, is transported—back in time…

It’s one month before the massacre and Averie and Quillan must find the courage to do more than survive. Together, they must uncover the truth about the Faulkner family and try and stop the murders. But as Averie and Quillan grow closer, the stakes are higher than they expected. Will they be able to put their feelings aside to change the past—and find life, and love, in the place Averie fears the most?

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About the Author:

Denise Daisy is described as one of the purest storytellers of all time; pulling of romance, suspense and a touch of the supernatural, all in the same piece. Born and raised in Tennessee, Denise Daisy sets her stories in the Deep South and her natural southern style charms all her work.

In addition to writing, Denise enjoys directing for the theater, and has brought to the stage many wonderful stories, from The legend of Pocahontas to Great American Tall Tales. To Denise, there is nothing more thrilling than bringing characters to life, whether on stage, behind the camera or in the pages of her books.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her four daughters, watching fireflies in the evenings, dreaming up her next story and inspiring others.

With the debut of her new adult thriller, One Last Time, Denise gives you a nail biting, page turner that will have you on the edge of your seat.

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ARC Review: Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands #1) by Gwyn Cready

Title: Just in Time for a Highlander (Sirens of the Scottish Borderlands #1)
Author: Gwyn Cready
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Historical Romance, Time Travel Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 3

It's tough being a woman in a man's profession, especially for Abby Kerr, the
unexpected chieftess of Clan Kerr. Loathe to marry but in need of a strong arm, Abby wishes for a Scots warrior and gets . . . Duncan, the historical reenactment hobbyist.

Wall Street Impresario Duncan MacHarg isn't bad with a fencing foil, but he's no Highlander. When a misdirected spell plucks him from the 21st century, he lands in 1705 Scotland at the feet of the fiercest woman he's ever laid eyes on...

Just in Time for a Highlander has a bit of an Outlander in reverse feel to it.  Instead of the woman falling back in time, the man is drawn back through a spell - and he can't get back until his purpose has been served.  But Duncan isn't exactly what Abby was looking for.  His arrival is quite funny and he is totally unprepared for life in the highlands, and he doesn't adjust all that quickly.

Abby is a unique character.  As a female chief she has a lot of challenges in addition to running the clan and avoiding a war with the English.  But she has quite a few surprises up her sleeves, and down her boots, and under her bed.  She'd do anything to keep her clan together and successful.

There was a lot going on in this one for a romance.  I'm not complaining, but it does make it harder to describe exactly what I liked and didn't.  Trying to figure out who was the bad guy was difficult - and I don't know that I quite buy who it ended up being.  Oh, there is reason in the story, but I just didn't like how that part all worked out.  I think it was just too unexpected for me.

Now, the romance.  That part was fantastic.  They were such a good match in such an unconventional way.  With another suitor in the mix, Duncan finds his jealousy running high a few times, and it's unsure where Abby will find herself.  A good dose of healthy drama and action really keeps the pair on their feet and fighting to be with each other.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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