FIVE STARS
I liked this book a lot. It had great characters that clicked right from the start, an interesting story, and some mild love scenes. I liked the time travel element. It’s got modern day things that happen combined with historical things and in this book, they were pulled together in a good way.
Rhys McCaim and his three brothers are concerned about their father’s mental well-being. Their mother, Shona, disappeared without a trace five years ago and their father hasn’t been the same. He’s now in a coma and the doctor recommended that their father have his loved ones talk to him in an effort to bring him around. They know he loved no one more than their mother and thought he was demented for believing their mother came from another time, but anything is worth a shot and that sends the four of them on a mission to get their mother back.
The scene where Rhys was sent back in time was done really well. It’s a good thing, not to mention done by design, that Rhys had taken college courses in Scottish history. He knew Gaelic and he knew how to ride a horse. His mother had insisted on some of this while he was growing up. I’m not sure she did the same with his brothers, but I guess I’ll find out as the series unfolds. Rhys didn’t know anything about how to wield weapons of that time, but he was a boxer and that helped him while he was in the past.
The first person Rhys encounters is Maggie Irvine and it’s moments after he emerges from the water. She’s swimming alone at night when he surfaces. He’s dressed strangely, doesn’t have the proper Scottish brogue, and is just different all around. He scared her and rightfully so, but she goes to great lengths to save him when he is declared the “Devil’s Hand”.
Okay, as much as I enjoyed this book, a couple of things jumped into my head while I was reading it. I understand that Rhys needed Maggie to believe that he was from the future, but he held the future of Scotland in his hands because he already knew what was going to happen. That’s some pretty awesome power. He could change history.
*He knew things, but did he have to tell her everything? Did he have to take that far?
*Did he not miss the conveniences of running water, having a car, or a telephone?
*He was wealthy in his time, too. Did he not miss all the comforts that brought?
*Could he, or anyone for that matter, really give it all up for love?
These are just a few questions that I thought of while I read this, but this is the first book of a series and there’s a lot to be revealed in the books that follow. This ain’t over yet.
I love books that make me think outside the box and this book definitely did this. I loved everything about it and am excited to read the next book in the series.
*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
Purchase at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dtpBfR
Hanging out with Kristi 