Review: Tangled in Time (The McCarthy Sisters #1)

Tangled in Time (The McCarthy Sisters #1)

by Barbara Longley 

Blurb:

To set him free from an ancient curse, she must travel to a time of myth and legend…

Regan MacCarthy’s ability to see ghosts is a gift inherited from her Irish ancestors, but it’s one she’d dearly like to give back. In an attempt to return her powers to their source, she travels to Ireland to harness the ancient magic that still permeates the mystical site of Newgrange. Instead, something far more unexpected awaits her: a strapping, gorgeous stranger who insists he’s a centuries-old Celtic warrior.

Fáelán was one of Fionn MacCumhaill’s elite soldiers before being cursed by a resentful fae princess. The only way to free himself is to fall so deeply in love that he’d sacrifice his life. Not an easy matter when he’s invisible to most. Yet Regan sees him—not just the proud, handsome warrior on the surface, but the complex man beneath. Only when it’s too late does Fáelán realize that drawing this beautiful mortal into his world has endangered them both, and may destroy the happiness he’s waited an eternity to claim…

Themes:  Paranormal, Magick, Time Travel

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Okay, so I have said this before and will again—I don’t generally enjoy time travel themed romances, mainly because they are generally not written very well.  But when I saw this one was written by a favorite author I figured I would give it a shot, then I realized it was much more than a simple time travel romance.  Ms. Longley begins her all new series with a serious new view of the world around us and I really liked getting to know these characters and learning about their lives. The themes shown here and there is the story instead of detracting from the romance only added to the heart, passion, and drama of the love story.  If you are a fan of any type of paranormal romance, enjoy a good ghost story, like a sexy smartass, or simply want to try something  just a little bit out there you will find something to enjoy in this story.  Regan has traveled to Ireland in the hopes of learning more about and hopefully getting rid of here “gift” of being able to see and communicate with ghosts.  Pulled to a mystical site of great power she stumbles across a ghost that like so many claims he isn’t a ghost, but this time he has an all new angle. Fáelán claims to be a cursed warrior that is centuries old, caught between worlds and only free to escape a few days each year, but according to him the fact that she can see him means she just might be the woman to free him.  No pressure, though.  As Fáelán appoints himself her tour guide, spending the time  he has on her plane each day to get to know her and woo her, Regan finds herself enjoying his company more and more and begins to question if he really is a ghost or might be telling the truth.  At least until he shows up on her doorstep,  sweeps her into his arms,  and shows her just how not dead he is.  But now they are faced with the even bigger challenge of breaking his curse and finding a way to be together, because not only has Regan accepted the truth of Fáelán’s existence, she’s fallen in love with him too.   This story was beyond interesting and I loved the world building, but the love between Fáelán and Regan truly was the focus as they learned about one another and fell in love despite everything and everyone conspiring against them.  Regan was the kind of woman I would want to be, selfless in her love and willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the man she loves, no matter the pain it leaves her in.  I also loved seeing her come to accept her gift the more she is able to use it to connect with Fáelán, showing that sometimes the hand of fate is not to be questioned, not matter how uncomfortable or annoying it can be to us.  Fáelán was a bit of an ass at times, but then again what alpha warrior from the past wasn’t, but his sweetness, intelligence and willingness to support Regan made up for his stubbornness.  His determination to find a way to defeat his captors and get back to his love, no matter how long it took showed that once he truly gave his heart away there was no taking it back.  I cannot wait for the next two stories in this series and look forward to seeing Fáelán and Regan in the next stories about her sisters as they too find their matches.  Another masterful series in the making, Ms. Longley!

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.