Karen Marie Moning
The Highlander's Touch (2000)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Romance (Paranormal)
Plot Summary:
Lisa Stone had her youth abruptly cut short when her father died in a car crash and her mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She didn't go to college, instead getting two jobs to help pay for the medical bills. One of these jobs is as a night maid at the local museum. During the course of her duties one night she happens upon an as-yet-uncatalogued relic from 14th Century Scotland. When she opens the chest and removes it, she is instantly transported back in time into the castle of Circenn Brodie, a nobleman. The object had been cursed by Circenn to transport any person who touched it directly to him. He had sworn to kill whoever found this item, but finds himself oddly unable to fulfill his manly duty when the victim is such an attractive woman. However, the sudden appearance of a beautiful stranger in his household must be explained, so an elaborate farce is constructed. SPOILER: The two fall in love, and eventually Circenn's deepest secret is revealed: he is immortal, and for this reason he has sworn never to become intimate with another human being. He cannot stand to watch another wife die. This problem is eventually solved with the assistance of Circenn's fairy father.
Geographical Setting: Scotland
Time Period: 14th Century
Series: Highlander Series
Appeal Characteristics:
The brisk pace keeps the plot moving without feeling hurried. The author injects some history into the plot without letting it overrun the narrative. The supernatural elements add individuality to a work in a genre whose works tend to resemble each other.
Read-alikes: The similar but unique setting of Nell by Jeanette Baker will entice lovers of midieval Scotland and Ireland; Donna Lee Simpson's Awaiting the Moon tells a similar story of a working-class woman who suddenly finds herself in upper-class surroundings; the imaginative Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon will entice fans of paranormal romance; The Midnight Work by Kassandra Sims deals with issues raised with immortals fall in love with mortals; and Kinley MacGregor's Claiming the Highlander is an extremely similar story of a woman who attempts to tame a rough Scottish man.
Red Flags: Fairly graphic sexual scenes as well as one out-of-scene execution.
To Tame a Highland Warrior (1999)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre (and subgenre): Romance (Historical)/Fantasy
Plot Summary:
One morning, Gavrael sees his father holding a dagger over his dead mother and assumes the worst. His day gets really bad when the rival McKane clan attack. He calls on Odin to make him a Berserker and kills 50 men. Thinking his father mad and fearing his new power, Gavrael wanders the woods until Jillian, the Laird of Caithness’ daughter, finds him. The Laird fosters him and he changes his name to Grimm. To protect his beloved Jillian, Grimm leaves Caithness after the anti-Berserker McKane locate him. Time passes; Jillian at 21 is unwilling to wed. Her impatient parents bring three men, including Grimm, to the castle and make her choose. Despite Grimm being torn between love for Jillian and fear that his power will put her in danger and/or scare her, they spend a few exciting evenings together; then he leaves again, returns to rescue Jillian from marrying another, and travels with her to his father’s castle. Expecting to find despair, they instead discover a thriving village, Grimm’s sane and innocent father, and a patriarchal line of Berserkers. Jillian accepts (and enjoys!) Grimm’s family trait. The McKane are defeated. Wedding bells, triplets.
Geographical Setting: Scottish Highlands
Time Period: 1499-1515
Series: Highlander series (secondary characters repeat in other novels)
Appeal characteristics:
Jillian is strong-willed and independent, loves children, and wants a lifelong mate. Grimm values fidelity and family. The plot moves along quickly but unevenly with much sexual tension and several explicit sex scenes. The focus is on romantic relationships, family relationships, and friendship. Grimm and Jillian are central but there are many secondary characters. The tone is fairly serious with much levity and semi-witty repartee. Brief descriptions of the Highlands and medieval villages/castles are included.
Red Flags: numerous explicit sex scenes; brief descriptions of violence
|top|
|
