Review: Loving Her Highland Thief (Time to Love a Highlander #1)

Loving Her Highland Thief (Time to Love a Highlander #1) 

by Maeve Greyson 

Blurb:

Stay? Lose all she’s ever known. Go? Lose the love of a lifetime.

As a struggling, 21st century farmer, Kenzie MacMartin knows if she doesn’t recover that registered ram that cost her a bundle, her dog won’t be the only one howling in the Highlands. And to make matters worse, when she chases that fool sheep through a cave, she discovers a troupe of trespassing re-enactors mucking up her land with some kind of clan skirmish complete with realistic weapons, monstrous warhorses, and a restless herd of Highland cows. The only upside is their strikingly handsome leader—until he kidnaps her.

Mathias Stronach questions his sanity in laying claim to the strangely dressed woman and her vicious wee dog. Perhaps he should have let the MacPhersons take her prisoner. Then, she would’ve distracted them instead of him. Such daring and fire in this feisty lass. He’d bet his best dagger; her passions burn just as fiercely. And that fine round backside of hers nestled between his thighs as they ride. Makes a man think twice about choices he’s made. Like promising to marry a woman he’s never loved so he can be the next chieftain of Clan Stronach.

When Kenzie realizes she’s barged into the thirteenth century, her priority is getting back to that cave and hoping if she retraces her steps, she’ll find her way back home. But vengeful clans, a medieval sociopath, and the mesmerizing warrior who draws her in like a bee to sweet clover thwarts that priority at every turn. Her head knows better. Her heart refuses to listen.

Themes:  Historical, Time-travel

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 So we all are familiar with the hugely successful story of Outlander, and know that there have been many other time travel romance set in Scotland written both before and since that success, but I can honestly say that of all of them I have read I haven’t enjoyed any as much as I did this new first-in-a-series.  I was thrilled to have the chance to jump into a new series by one of my favorite historical romance authors after the ending of the Highlander heroes series by Maeve Greyson and this first story makes me think I will be roped in for a while as she takes us on a journey with their women out of time and the sexy men that capture their hearts.  Kenzie MacMartin just wanted to get back the ornery ram that escaped his pen again, but when she ventures into a cave system she’s never seen before and finds herself in unknown territory she, her beloved border collie, and the crazy ram are in for a terrifying adventure.  Mathias Stronach never imagined when he and his men were returning to their keep with reeved cattle they would stumble across a confused and oddly-dressed lass wandering the land with her faithful dog and strangely protective ram.  When he determines to take her back to his keep, for her own safety, the fight she puts up only makes her more desirable, which he definitely doesn’t need as he is promised to another.  The fire between these two only continues to grow as Kenzie fight for a way to return to her time even as she develops emotional ties to Mathias and his people, but can a woman out of time really find happiness in medieval Scotland? Kenzie was a wonderful character to get to know and watch grow as she found her footing in her new world, though it was obvious she fought her circumstances every step of the way.  She doesn’t quite know how to deal with the fact that while she wants to return home, she is falling in love with this crazy and somewhat terrifying medieval warrior that can  be sweet at the most unexpected of times.  I loved seeing her deal with those dichotomies and embrace her new circumstances.  Of course her interactions with her dog, the ram, and Matthias’s men were a laugh riot and brought me to tears laughing several times.  Mathias is a man of his time to be sure, but at the same time he understands that women are to be treasured and he gives himself to the women in his life in a way many men of his time never would have.  I enjoyed watching him interacting with his men, his friends and family, and of course with Kenzie as he found a way to untangle himself from his betrothal and give his heart to Kenzie without losing the respect of his clan or his place as their protector.  The best times of the story was the quiet moments between Kenzie and Mathias when they were finding a way to share their hearts and bodies, that passion and sweetness was wonderful to experience.  I am loving this series already and cannot wait for more; the wit, passion, and intelligence of the characters and the plot line will be keeping me coming back for many more installments for sure, Ms. Greyson. 

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