MASTER OF THE HIGHLANDS
Veronica Wolff
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0-425-21899-0
February 2008
Paranormal

In this author’s first novel readers are transported to 1600’s Scotland, a time fraught with conflict with English redcoats, clan wars, and the dangers of everyday living. In the middle of this is Ewen, Chief of the Clan Cameron, a handsome young widower, raising his young son, leading his people with compassion and sensitivity and a fierce ability to fight.

He is shocked one day to come across Lily Hamlin, wearing denim blue jeans, crumpled in the road in front of his men. Lily has made a pilgrimage to Scotland, from contemporary California, to trace her late grandmother’s roots. She has memories of a song detailing a story about the clan. Once in Scotland she sets out for a walk one day and wanders into a portal to a large maze. When she awakens, she is on the ground looking at the wild and wooly, kilted Ewen and his men.

I simply could not put this book down. Readers are taken step by step through Lily’s gradual understanding that she has time-traveled back to the Scotland of her ancestors. Ewen is predictably entranced and fascinated by her language and actions. Their romance is hot, hot, hot!

Secondary storylines involve Ewen’s foster brother, who also traveled in time and figures into the song Lily remembers. Monk, the English redcoat leader who bedevils the Scottish people is particularly eager to do away with Ewen.

Readers of historical fiction who like a little time travel will love this book. Well-written, carefully plotted, it combines just the right amount of historical with paranormal. It is such a pleasure to read a good book, especially when you know more are likely to be written by the talented author.

Reviewed by Jeri Neal
Rating: 4 ½