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The Ravenscraig Legacy #5
Must Love Kilts
This book is not connected to an Allie Mackay series. Must Love Kilts is a stand-alone single title. The publisher has erroneously labeled this title as "Highlander Book Five." Allie Mackay never wrote and does not have a "Highlander series" with Penguin/NAL. Must Love Kilts is the only Allie Mackay title published by Penguin Group Signet.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2011
50 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Allie Mackay
52 books163 followersSue-Ellen MacDuffie Welfonder
aka
Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Allie Mackay
Allie Mackay is the alter ego of USA Today bestselling author, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, who writes Scottish medieval romances www.welfonder.com. A former flight attendant of Scottish descent, she spent fifteen years living in Europe and still makes annual visits to Scotland. Most inspired by the wild places of Scotland’s far north, she is also fascinated by the paranormal, Scottish folklore and Highland tradition. In addition to her great love of Scotland, her other main interests are medieval history, hill walking, and dogs. Proud of her own Scottish ancestry, she belongs to two clan societies: The MacFie Clan Society and the Clan MacAlpine Society. She currently resides in Florida with her husband, Manfred, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Em. Allergic to flash and brass, she enjoys living quietly and spends her time writing her books and counting the minutes until she can board that next Glasgow-bound plane.
aka
Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Allie Mackay
Allie Mackay is the alter ego of USA Today bestselling author, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, who writes Scottish medieval romances www.welfonder.com. A former flight attendant of Scottish descent, she spent fifteen years living in Europe and still makes annual visits to Scotland. Most inspired by the wild places of Scotland’s far north, she is also fascinated by the paranormal, Scottish folklore and Highland tradition. In addition to her great love of Scotland, her other main interests are medieval history, hill walking, and dogs. Proud of her own Scottish ancestry, she belongs to two clan societies: The MacFie Clan Society and the Clan MacAlpine Society. She currently resides in Florida with her husband, Manfred, and her Jack Russell Terrier, Em. Allergic to flash and brass, she enjoys living quietly and spends her time writing her books and counting the minutes until she can board that next Glasgow-bound plane.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 1, 2011
I don’t know why I keep torturning myself with these Allie MacKay books. This is my third one. The first two were dismal failures for me, so I skipped
however many were next for a while. Then I received this book for review, felt obligated to read it, and though it’s a slight improvement over those first couple, there’s still something about this author’s writing that just leaves me uninspired and disconnected. Time to end the torture.
The prologue in this book at first gave me hope that what I would encounter in this story would be very different from what I’d read before. It’s serious and intense, and knowing time travel would be part of it, I let my hopes rise. I like the hero, Magnus, a lot. He finds his betrothed’s village in ruins, still burning, dead everywhere. He believes against hope he’ll find his love alive, but it’s not to be. He vows on the spot to exact revenge against the bastard Vikings who cut his lady down and and ended his life as it had been. Instead of myself, I prefer my heroes tortured, and Magnus wrings that word to its roots at the beginning of this book.
The heroine, Margo, is also quite likable when we first meet her. She’s loved Scotland all her life, collects anything and everything to do with the country. Her only wish is to some day visit the land of the Highlands. A woman after my own heart. I’m a Scotophile just like she is. And all of this works just fine for a time. The first thing that irritates, though, me is the silly names of some of the secondary characters, i.e., Patience Peasgood and Ardelle Goodnight. To me, those names just don’t go with the tone, the intensity of the story so far. I let the heroine’s last name, Menlove, go when I first read it, but more than that is just too much. Yes, those are perfectly good names, but they just aren’t in keeping with the way this story is told.
The next irritation comes when it takes nine chapters before the hero and heroine are finally face to face and the action should begin, but it begins and ends too quickly. Before Margo actually makes her time-traveling trek, we get only a couple of abnormalities where Margo appears to Magnus in his time, enough for them to want each other. That’s all well and good, but in between that all we get is a lot of boring story that I really didn’t care about. All of that could have been done in much shorter scenes and then used the extra time with Magnus and Margo together. Instead, we learn about Dina Greed - another name I don’t care for because it seems to be used to give me a hint at that woman’s character, which I don’t need. I’m intelligent enough to figure it out - and her obsession of Scotland, including her planned trip that she has to dangle in front of Margo. Also, we have to go through the hulabaloo of Margo winning a trip to Scotland, how she finds out about it, how her friends help out, and a lot more that just takes much too long. And it’s boring.
Once Margo does travel back in time, there is some action but not a heck of a lot. First we have to get through Magnus’ suspicions of Margo, though he’s lusted after her since the two visions he’d had of her. Then comes Margo’s aversion to violence that causes a few waves. I’ve never liked this looking at historical times with a modern eye bit in any book and it’s especially irritating here. Margo’s been obsessed with Magnus, loves that he’s a fine specimen of a man of his times and envisoins what it would be like to be with the man in the Scotland of her dreams. But she wants it her way in a time and place that aren’t hers. If you want something that badly, you obsess over it and then you get your wish, well, as they say, when in Rome. Don’t cry foul when it doesn’t work out just the way you want it, and Margo does that way too often for me.
During all of this, Magnus suddenly loses his appeal for me. A lot of it is the dialogue that just doesn’t seem to work any longer. He sounds like a different person than he did in the first half of the book. The way he speaks to Margo when her independence makes a showing doesn’t ring true to his character. He’s not the sexy alpha male he started out as; his revenge means too much to him when he now has something more important to live for. The ending is also a little too pat, everything working out just right, the person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time is now in the right place at the right time for Magnus to do his marvelous sword wielding. All that being said, I do like the eerie similarities between past and present characters; that’s done very nicely.
However, that isn’t enough to save the entire story. For a book that starts out in the vein this one does, it just doesn’t follow through with enough consistency to keep it from being a little too boring and eventually off-kilter. This may well truly be my last Allie Mackay book.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
however many were next for a while. Then I received this book for review, felt obligated to read it, and though it’s a slight improvement over those first couple, there’s still something about this author’s writing that just leaves me uninspired and disconnected. Time to end the torture.
The prologue in this book at first gave me hope that what I would encounter in this story would be very different from what I’d read before. It’s serious and intense, and knowing time travel would be part of it, I let my hopes rise. I like the hero, Magnus, a lot. He finds his betrothed’s village in ruins, still burning, dead everywhere. He believes against hope he’ll find his love alive, but it’s not to be. He vows on the spot to exact revenge against the bastard Vikings who cut his lady down and and ended his life as it had been. Instead of myself, I prefer my heroes tortured, and Magnus wrings that word to its roots at the beginning of this book.
The heroine, Margo, is also quite likable when we first meet her. She’s loved Scotland all her life, collects anything and everything to do with the country. Her only wish is to some day visit the land of the Highlands. A woman after my own heart. I’m a Scotophile just like she is. And all of this works just fine for a time. The first thing that irritates, though, me is the silly names of some of the secondary characters, i.e., Patience Peasgood and Ardelle Goodnight. To me, those names just don’t go with the tone, the intensity of the story so far. I let the heroine’s last name, Menlove, go when I first read it, but more than that is just too much. Yes, those are perfectly good names, but they just aren’t in keeping with the way this story is told.
The next irritation comes when it takes nine chapters before the hero and heroine are finally face to face and the action should begin, but it begins and ends too quickly. Before Margo actually makes her time-traveling trek, we get only a couple of abnormalities where Margo appears to Magnus in his time, enough for them to want each other. That’s all well and good, but in between that all we get is a lot of boring story that I really didn’t care about. All of that could have been done in much shorter scenes and then used the extra time with Magnus and Margo together. Instead, we learn about Dina Greed - another name I don’t care for because it seems to be used to give me a hint at that woman’s character, which I don’t need. I’m intelligent enough to figure it out - and her obsession of Scotland, including her planned trip that she has to dangle in front of Margo. Also, we have to go through the hulabaloo of Margo winning a trip to Scotland, how she finds out about it, how her friends help out, and a lot more that just takes much too long. And it’s boring.
Once Margo does travel back in time, there is some action but not a heck of a lot. First we have to get through Magnus’ suspicions of Margo, though he’s lusted after her since the two visions he’d had of her. Then comes Margo’s aversion to violence that causes a few waves. I’ve never liked this looking at historical times with a modern eye bit in any book and it’s especially irritating here. Margo’s been obsessed with Magnus, loves that he’s a fine specimen of a man of his times and envisoins what it would be like to be with the man in the Scotland of her dreams. But she wants it her way in a time and place that aren’t hers. If you want something that badly, you obsess over it and then you get your wish, well, as they say, when in Rome. Don’t cry foul when it doesn’t work out just the way you want it, and Margo does that way too often for me.
During all of this, Magnus suddenly loses his appeal for me. A lot of it is the dialogue that just doesn’t seem to work any longer. He sounds like a different person than he did in the first half of the book. The way he speaks to Margo when her independence makes a showing doesn’t ring true to his character. He’s not the sexy alpha male he started out as; his revenge means too much to him when he now has something more important to live for. The ending is also a little too pat, everything working out just right, the person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time is now in the right place at the right time for Magnus to do his marvelous sword wielding. All that being said, I do like the eerie similarities between past and present characters; that’s done very nicely.
However, that isn’t enough to save the entire story. For a book that starts out in the vein this one does, it just doesn’t follow through with enough consistency to keep it from being a little too boring and eventually off-kilter. This may well truly be my last Allie Mackay book.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
January 25, 2011
Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/01/rev...
Margo Menlove lives for everything Scottish. When she happens upon a book detailing the life of Magnus MacBride she is determined to find out everything she can about this highland hero. A chance winning of a trip to Scotland is a dream come true but the trip proves to be disappointing as Margo is fast tracked through the tour. When a walk through town transports Margo back in time she awakens to find herself in the middle of Magnus fighting for his life.
Magus MacBride has vowed vengeance against the viking who stole the life of his soon to be bride. As he travels the coast striking down all those involved, Magnus dreams of a woman who inspires the greatest of passions in him. But Magnus has vowed no woman will turn him from his commitment. But when Margo appears to him, he loses himself in her beauty and soon finds that love can conquer all.
I have to be honest and say I did not care for this story. Must Love Kilts has a fantastic premise-Scottish obsessed heroine travels back in time to meet her very own smexy highlander. But the build up to the premise bogs the story down and by the time Margo actually gets to Magnus I was ready to close the book.
The first half of the book is spent building up Margo’s character which I found to be insipid and boring. All she talks about is Scotland and gives us an oral thesis on each piece of furniture and or item of clothing she owns that is Scottish. Including where she bought it from. Once she arrives in Scotland, her disappointment over the tour becomes 20 pages of repetitious monochromatic dialogue. Some scenes have a faint humorous undertone but they don’t flesh out and fall flat.
Magnus comes across a bit more developed and I found his character to be more reflective of the synopsis. The visual descriptions are plentiful; he is a smexy highlander without a doubt.
Once our hero and heroine meet the story picks up in speed as the romance begins to develop. I truly feel if the hero and heroine had met earlier the book would have been more impacting. As it is, they meet late and the story rushes to wrap everything up. I don’t feel the chemistry between our characters. They act as though they have known each other for years. Plus, these two characters that are suppose to be passionate and full of life but they lack intensity in this matter.
The secondary characters are interesting and personable but their scenes are inserted randomly; at times I had to reread to see whom was speaking. One character who I felt was underutilized was Margo’s enemy from her time that corresponds to an enemy in the past. So much of the plot based on them and yet they are more annoying them anything.
All in all a very light highlander romance that only skims the surface of it’s potential.
Rating: D
Margo Menlove lives for everything Scottish. When she happens upon a book detailing the life of Magnus MacBride she is determined to find out everything she can about this highland hero. A chance winning of a trip to Scotland is a dream come true but the trip proves to be disappointing as Margo is fast tracked through the tour. When a walk through town transports Margo back in time she awakens to find herself in the middle of Magnus fighting for his life.
Magus MacBride has vowed vengeance against the viking who stole the life of his soon to be bride. As he travels the coast striking down all those involved, Magnus dreams of a woman who inspires the greatest of passions in him. But Magnus has vowed no woman will turn him from his commitment. But when Margo appears to him, he loses himself in her beauty and soon finds that love can conquer all.
I have to be honest and say I did not care for this story. Must Love Kilts has a fantastic premise-Scottish obsessed heroine travels back in time to meet her very own smexy highlander. But the build up to the premise bogs the story down and by the time Margo actually gets to Magnus I was ready to close the book.
The first half of the book is spent building up Margo’s character which I found to be insipid and boring. All she talks about is Scotland and gives us an oral thesis on each piece of furniture and or item of clothing she owns that is Scottish. Including where she bought it from. Once she arrives in Scotland, her disappointment over the tour becomes 20 pages of repetitious monochromatic dialogue. Some scenes have a faint humorous undertone but they don’t flesh out and fall flat.
Magnus comes across a bit more developed and I found his character to be more reflective of the synopsis. The visual descriptions are plentiful; he is a smexy highlander without a doubt.
Once our hero and heroine meet the story picks up in speed as the romance begins to develop. I truly feel if the hero and heroine had met earlier the book would have been more impacting. As it is, they meet late and the story rushes to wrap everything up. I don’t feel the chemistry between our characters. They act as though they have known each other for years. Plus, these two characters that are suppose to be passionate and full of life but they lack intensity in this matter.
The secondary characters are interesting and personable but their scenes are inserted randomly; at times I had to reread to see whom was speaking. One character who I felt was underutilized was Margo’s enemy from her time that corresponds to an enemy in the past. So much of the plot based on them and yet they are more annoying them anything.
All in all a very light highlander romance that only skims the surface of it’s potential.
Rating: D
September 7, 2017
Must Love Kilts (The Ravenscraig Legacy Book 5) by Allie Mackay is an amazing Time Travel/Scottish Romance. It can be read as a stand alone. "From a dream to reality".
Steady paced with genuine, engaging and realistic characters. The plot is unpredictable, intriguing and most captivating. With Scotland's brawny HIghlanders, the Scottish scenery, a fiesty lady from the future, romance, passion, mystery and so much more, readers will be turning pages well into the night.
I was drawn into MUST LOVE KILTS from the beginning and held captivated throughout. It has some set on the edge of your seat moments, as well as some intense emotional moments. I enjoyed the way the H/H worked together for the good of the clan, their chemistry was palpable and their love undeniable. What a fierce story, full of excitement and intrigue! Another must read by Allie Mackay! Bravo, Ms. Mackay!!
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
Steady paced with genuine, engaging and realistic characters. The plot is unpredictable, intriguing and most captivating. With Scotland's brawny HIghlanders, the Scottish scenery, a fiesty lady from the future, romance, passion, mystery and so much more, readers will be turning pages well into the night.
I was drawn into MUST LOVE KILTS from the beginning and held captivated throughout. It has some set on the edge of your seat moments, as well as some intense emotional moments. I enjoyed the way the H/H worked together for the good of the clan, their chemistry was palpable and their love undeniable. What a fierce story, full of excitement and intrigue! Another must read by Allie Mackay! Bravo, Ms. Mackay!!
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
May 26, 2011
Truthfully, I was rather disappointed with this book. I've read and enjoyed the other books in this series, which, while not the best time travel romances I've ever read, were at least light and fun. Like the others, "Must Love Kilts" had a great premise, but in my opinion it fell flat in its execution. The hero, Magnus, and heroine, Margo, don't even meet for the first time until about halfway through the book, although they do have dreams/fantasies about each other before that. The first half of the book drags in a lot of places, with the author spending too much time on Margo's obsession with all things Scottish, her desperation to win the trip, and her disappointment with the tour's fast-paced itinerary when she arrives.
After Magnus and Margo finally meet, they rush into a relationship. Magnus thinks she's a witch for about five seconds after she appears on the beach, but he quickly comes to believe that she is an innocent victim of Donata's curse and can't wait to get her into bed. Margo obviously reciprocates his feelings because she becomes practically incoherent with lust if he so much as stands too close to her. Basically, the only thing she can say is "O-o-oh," which became incredibly annoying as the book progressed. (By the way, is that supposed to be an "oo" as in "moo" or an "oh" as in "Joe"? Either way, if I never see an "o-o-oh" in another book again, it will be too soon.) Their relationship turns steamy very quickly, and Margo falls in love with Magnus and worries about whether or not she'll be able to stay with him in his time. I really had a hard time believing that Margo could fall in love with Magnus so quickly because they barely even talked to each other. How could she possibly know enough about him to be in love? All they seem to think about is getting each other into bed. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if Magnus and Margo's relationship had been better developed. It would have been nice to see them spend some time together without tearing their clothes off.
While I found Margo to be somewhat annoying, I did like Magnus as a hero. His character's history was well developed, and his motivation for turning into the "Viking Slayer" was clear. Some of the secondary characters were entertaining as well, especially Orosius, Ewan, and Margo's group of friends in the present.
Overall, I would not recommend reading this book unless you have read the others in the series and really want to find out what happens to Margo. She is the sister of Mindy Menlove, who was the heroine of the fourth book, "Some Like It Kilted." I think Mindy's book was a lot better than Margo's.
After Magnus and Margo finally meet, they rush into a relationship. Magnus thinks she's a witch for about five seconds after she appears on the beach, but he quickly comes to believe that she is an innocent victim of Donata's curse and can't wait to get her into bed. Margo obviously reciprocates his feelings because she becomes practically incoherent with lust if he so much as stands too close to her. Basically, the only thing she can say is "O-o-oh," which became incredibly annoying as the book progressed. (By the way, is that supposed to be an "oo" as in "moo" or an "oh" as in "Joe"? Either way, if I never see an "o-o-oh" in another book again, it will be too soon.) Their relationship turns steamy very quickly, and Margo falls in love with Magnus and worries about whether or not she'll be able to stay with him in his time. I really had a hard time believing that Margo could fall in love with Magnus so quickly because they barely even talked to each other. How could she possibly know enough about him to be in love? All they seem to think about is getting each other into bed. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if Magnus and Margo's relationship had been better developed. It would have been nice to see them spend some time together without tearing their clothes off.
While I found Margo to be somewhat annoying, I did like Magnus as a hero. His character's history was well developed, and his motivation for turning into the "Viking Slayer" was clear. Some of the secondary characters were entertaining as well, especially Orosius, Ewan, and Margo's group of friends in the present.
Overall, I would not recommend reading this book unless you have read the others in the series and really want to find out what happens to Margo. She is the sister of Mindy Menlove, who was the heroine of the fourth book, "Some Like It Kilted." I think Mindy's book was a lot better than Margo's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2011
Must Love Kilts by Allie MacKay
Paranormal Romance – Jan 4th, 2010
4 stars
The author really loves Scotland and this shines in her romance. The hero is brawny and super sexy.
Magnus MacBride is on his way to his fiancée when he discovers the entire village has been ransacked and everyone is dead, including his sweet, innocent fiancée. He vows revenge. When he murders one of the men involved, the man’s sister curses him with a longing for a woman he can never have. Magnus begins to have visions of a beautiful woman that haunt him and slowly drive him insane.
Margo Menlove has always loved Scotland but never had the money to visit. At her work she finds a book that tells of the legendary Magnus MacBride and she doesn’t know why but she becomes obsessed with him. When she wins a contest and a vacation to Scotland, she is drawn to the area Magnus MacBride once ruled and suddenly finds herself transported back in time!
This book has all the elements: a noble warrior whose fiancée is murdered viciously, revenge, a curse, and a longing for a mysterious woman from the future. I just wish the pace of the book was faster and the 2 main characters spent more time together. The heroine Margo is nice but a rather bland character. I did feel for her because she seems to be the perpetual underdog, but I kept hoping she would have a bit more spirit. Magnus is the Scottish hero that anyone who enjoys highlander romance will adore. He is strong, noble and a man’s man. I often felt that he was larger than life.
My main gripe with this story is that although the main characters long for each other it seems to take them forever to actually meet. It would have been nice if they had spent more time together. Margo seems to trod along a lot. It takes her a while to get to Scotland and then a while to travel back in time. When they finally do meet, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them because the story seemed a bit rushed and their meeting by that point actually felt a little anti-climatic.
The story is a light and fun read, if slow moving. If you enjoy highlander romances you will love the hero!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance – Jan 4th, 2010
4 stars
The author really loves Scotland and this shines in her romance. The hero is brawny and super sexy.
Magnus MacBride is on his way to his fiancée when he discovers the entire village has been ransacked and everyone is dead, including his sweet, innocent fiancée. He vows revenge. When he murders one of the men involved, the man’s sister curses him with a longing for a woman he can never have. Magnus begins to have visions of a beautiful woman that haunt him and slowly drive him insane.
Margo Menlove has always loved Scotland but never had the money to visit. At her work she finds a book that tells of the legendary Magnus MacBride and she doesn’t know why but she becomes obsessed with him. When she wins a contest and a vacation to Scotland, she is drawn to the area Magnus MacBride once ruled and suddenly finds herself transported back in time!
This book has all the elements: a noble warrior whose fiancée is murdered viciously, revenge, a curse, and a longing for a mysterious woman from the future. I just wish the pace of the book was faster and the 2 main characters spent more time together. The heroine Margo is nice but a rather bland character. I did feel for her because she seems to be the perpetual underdog, but I kept hoping she would have a bit more spirit. Magnus is the Scottish hero that anyone who enjoys highlander romance will adore. He is strong, noble and a man’s man. I often felt that he was larger than life.
My main gripe with this story is that although the main characters long for each other it seems to take them forever to actually meet. It would have been nice if they had spent more time together. Margo seems to trod along a lot. It takes her a while to get to Scotland and then a while to travel back in time. When they finally do meet, I didn’t feel the chemistry between them because the story seemed a bit rushed and their meeting by that point actually felt a little anti-climatic.
The story is a light and fun read, if slow moving. If you enjoy highlander romances you will love the hero!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
May 17, 2011
Margo Menlove loves all things Scottish. She specializes in knowing the most about Scotland and is entering a contest to win a trip to the land of her dreams. She longs to meet a man like Magnus McBride, a warrior from 1250 who was perfect in her mind. But she has to win the trip first. When she does and gets magically transported to the time of Magnus, the real fun begins.
Warrior Magnus McBride lives in olden Scotland. He is shocked when he sees a naked woman walking out of the surf toward him. He finds himself attracted to her, but he has sworn to avenge the death of his first love. Will it cost him a love he could have now...and in the future?
Must Love Kilts by Allie Mackay has humor, drama and a sweet love story that spans thousands of years. I love the idea of finding a true love. Born in modern day, Margo is a true lover of all things Scottish, one of the things making her the perfect person to travel back in time to old Scotland. Magnus is strong, loving, and very loyal. He is still suffering from losing his first love and needs his heart mended in a way only Margo can accomplish, that is, if he lets her. I found this book to be really well done.
If you are a kilt-loving fan of hunky Scots, like me, you will adore Must Love Kilts. I know I could stand to read a lot more memorable stories just like this one. I love it when a book is sweet enough to make me smile.
Warrior Magnus McBride lives in olden Scotland. He is shocked when he sees a naked woman walking out of the surf toward him. He finds himself attracted to her, but he has sworn to avenge the death of his first love. Will it cost him a love he could have now...and in the future?
Must Love Kilts by Allie Mackay has humor, drama and a sweet love story that spans thousands of years. I love the idea of finding a true love. Born in modern day, Margo is a true lover of all things Scottish, one of the things making her the perfect person to travel back in time to old Scotland. Magnus is strong, loving, and very loyal. He is still suffering from losing his first love and needs his heart mended in a way only Margo can accomplish, that is, if he lets her. I found this book to be really well done.
If you are a kilt-loving fan of hunky Scots, like me, you will adore Must Love Kilts. I know I could stand to read a lot more memorable stories just like this one. I love it when a book is sweet enough to make me smile.
January 7, 2016
Margo lives and breaths Scotland. Magnus has lost his love to the Vikings. Or so he thought. When a drawing for a prize gives Margo a ticket to Scotland, thanks to her friends, she is so happy. But the tour is done so fast that Margo has no time to get pictures so she picks up stones. Magnus feels like he is cursed which he is thanks to Donata Greer. Magnus has seen Margo a couple times and feels like he needs her so much. A witch and a cursing stone later has Margo in Scotland naked and in Magnus' s care. Even as Magnus and Margo think they are going to get ripped apart, they go for their love anyway. Dangerous tides have been roused and enemies take what Magnus values most his heart. Vikings have Margo. How will Magnus find Margo in time? And will their love be torn from them along with Margo?
February 17, 2013
For those of you who believe you were born in the wrong moment, that you are connected to another time and place, that a part of your soul aches from memories just out of your mind's reach, this book is for you. It's a story of hope and trust and belief. A heroine who knows who and what she wants and a hero who learns to deal with a past fraught with anger and revenge, so there is room for trust and love. Not only will Margo and Magnus steal your heart, the secondary characters will weave themselves into your soul also! I was taken from the first chapter and as I read the last page, felt this book settle like an old friend into it's own little place inside where all my favorites dwell.
May 1, 2011
I love Scotland but this is not the book to read if you want to learn more about it. I borrowed this book from the library and I loved the cover and the idea of the title so I started out really optimistic... unfortunately I almost gave up half way. I couldn't get into the mind of Margo and I doubt that she could have understood the language of the time, but I generally avoid realism in my romance novels, even so, it threw me off too many times to care to finish the story. So I couldn't even give this 2 stars.
April 1, 2011
Okay, so this is probably THE BEST cover I've seen since my latest one -- seriously, he's delicious and I keep turning back to oogle him instead of reading.
Seriously, this book starts out with a highly emotional scene that just grabs you from the first word.
********
This book just got better and better. It is the best of this series!
Seriously, this book starts out with a highly emotional scene that just grabs you from the first word.
********
This book just got better and better. It is the best of this series!
January 30, 2012
I Loved this read!! This is just what I want in a good Highland Time Travel Romance! I will be sure to read the others in this series.
January 13, 2013
I love this book Margo and Magnus that man is sexy Alfa male ghosts!!! Her books just hit home with me, every word I read I feel just like I there.
July 29, 2013
I really loved this book. I didn't expect it to pull me in the way it did. I had a very hard time putting it down. I will be checking out some of Allie Mackay's other books as well.
October 8, 2017
This is a re-release and has some minor changes... more of Sue-Ellen's true writing voice and not so much NY editors so to me, it reads so much smoother now. I was taken back to a story I love so very much. The love between these two can move mountains and I remembered a saying about if you've never felt your soul being torn apart, you've never loved anyone with your whole heart. Magnus reaches a moment when his entire world is turned apart and I truly feel it was at that moment he realized just how deeply he loves Margo. Again, I love how Sue-Ellen takes you into the moments, especially the battle scenes. I'm a sucker for a great battle. I feel I cannot do this review better justice than I did the first time around so I'm adding it here...
For those of you who believe you were born in the wrong moment, that you are connected to another time and place, that a part of your soul aches from memories just out of your mind's reach, this book is for you. It's a story of hope and trust and belief. A heroine who knows who and what she wants and a hero who learns to deal with a past fraught with anger and revenge, so there is room for trust and love. Not only will Margo and Magnus steal your heart, the secondary characters will weave themselves into your soul also! I was taken from the first chapter and as I read the last page, felt this book settle like an old friend into it's own little place inside where all my favorites dwell.
For those of you who believe you were born in the wrong moment, that you are connected to another time and place, that a part of your soul aches from memories just out of your mind's reach, this book is for you. It's a story of hope and trust and belief. A heroine who knows who and what she wants and a hero who learns to deal with a past fraught with anger and revenge, so there is room for trust and love. Not only will Margo and Magnus steal your heart, the secondary characters will weave themselves into your soul also! I was taken from the first chapter and as I read the last page, felt this book settle like an old friend into it's own little place inside where all my favorites dwell.
June 16, 2019
Book Review- Must Love Kilts by Allie MacKay
Margo is obsessed with Scotland; except she lives in Pennsylvania. She has never been there, but she is an expert. Her friends pull together to help her win a trip to her dream destination.
Magnus MacBride is known as the Viking Slayer. He is a legend that in Modern times is to be believed as a myth. Margo finds him in a history book and the picture comes to life for her. Magnus gets cursed by a witch who claims he will fall for a woman he can not find. It set the stage for a time traveling storyline. The author really presents Margo as a strong, compassionate woman who is unable to follow her dreams. It seems the fates are giving her a hand.
I like how the interactions between Margo and Magnus start out as dream-like. Margo believes she is dreaming and Magnus believes he is haunted. It was fascinating to watch as the folklore of old met the ideas of modern time. Poor Margo ends up being a pawn in a game of revenge when she travels back to Magnus’ time. Her shock is pretty evident when she comes face to face with Magnus. It was entertaining to read as Magnus comes to terms with Margo and how she got there. His men are also interesting to watch as they struggle with her presence.
The battles with the Vikings are awesome. The Scottish warriors are fierce fighters which is front and center as Margo and the reader negotiate throughout the storyline. It was a great read. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Margo is obsessed with Scotland; except she lives in Pennsylvania. She has never been there, but she is an expert. Her friends pull together to help her win a trip to her dream destination.
Magnus MacBride is known as the Viking Slayer. He is a legend that in Modern times is to be believed as a myth. Margo finds him in a history book and the picture comes to life for her. Magnus gets cursed by a witch who claims he will fall for a woman he can not find. It set the stage for a time traveling storyline. The author really presents Margo as a strong, compassionate woman who is unable to follow her dreams. It seems the fates are giving her a hand.
I like how the interactions between Margo and Magnus start out as dream-like. Margo believes she is dreaming and Magnus believes he is haunted. It was fascinating to watch as the folklore of old met the ideas of modern time. Poor Margo ends up being a pawn in a game of revenge when she travels back to Magnus’ time. Her shock is pretty evident when she comes face to face with Magnus. It was entertaining to read as Magnus comes to terms with Margo and how she got there. His men are also interesting to watch as they struggle with her presence.
The battles with the Vikings are awesome. The Scottish warriors are fierce fighters which is front and center as Margo and the reader negotiate throughout the storyline. It was a great read. I give it a 4 out of 5.
November 2, 2017
In this updated edition, the story remains essentially the same but is lighter in tone. Margo loves Scotland with every fiber of her being so when she wins and all-expenses paid trip to Scotland she was thrilled! Margo believed in the magic of Scotland too and had been having visions of a brawl, tall Highland chief named Mangus, extremely vivid visions. As her coach tour rolled past the ruined castles and battlefields Margo despaired of ever seeing the real Scotland until she took a chance to walk alone one evening along the shore of the loch where they were staying. When she picked up a brightly colored stone to add to her collection, the world started to spin out of control and Margo suddenly was naked and in the midst of a battle between her Highland hero and the Vikings! Her call warning Mangus that a Viking was sneaking up on him saved his life and brought Margo to his attention. They recognized each other! Margo became Mangus' woman. She now was a part of the Middle Ages and was living her dream with her Highlander.
I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review. I hope I've done that. I've read both versions of the book now. This one is lighter, not so much doom and gloom. The sea bartless are
I was given this book by the author in return for an honest review. I hope I've done that. I've read both versions of the book now. This one is lighter, not so much doom and gloom. The sea bartless are
September 25, 2017
I have been waiting on this book for awhile!!!!! Been waiting on Margo's story!!!! I knew it had to be told!!! What a story it was!!! Wow!! Loved it more than the others!!! Margo's story is wonderful!!! Magic, time travel, love, and some fighting!!!! Love scenes were spot on!!! Fight scenes were written so you felt you were actually there!!! You could feel the air with it chills and mist!!! I stayed transfixed with this story!!!
It was written so well you were holding your breathe as to when not if she was going to be sent back all the while hoping that she would stay!!! You knew this was the place she was destined to be but you had a shaky feeling it was not meant to be!!! I loved seeing my sweet faced black shoed with plaid laces friend again too!!!
Magnus was a magnificent man!!! He brought the courage out of Margo!!! She brought with her peace for him!!!
If you love Scottish, highlander stories you will fall deeply in love with is one!!!
It was written so well you were holding your breathe as to when not if she was going to be sent back all the while hoping that she would stay!!! You knew this was the place she was destined to be but you had a shaky feeling it was not meant to be!!! I loved seeing my sweet faced black shoed with plaid laces friend again too!!!
Magnus was a magnificent man!!! He brought the courage out of Margo!!! She brought with her peace for him!!!
If you love Scottish, highlander stories you will fall deeply in love with is one!!!
September 28, 2017
Magical
Margo has always wanted to go to Scotland , looking in an book she saw a handsome man known as the Viking Slayer. Since then he appears to her constantly. Even in her trio she won to Scotland. To the tour guide her viking slayer is just a legend. Wishing to find a connection to her dream highlander she remembers that her sister had came and vanished to be with her soul mate in medieval Scotland. Then her world spins and find her self face to face with the man of legend her highlander!
I really enjoy this series ! I love how the author keeps characters popping up from prior books in the series . The series is full of myths and legends. Highly recommended
Margo has always wanted to go to Scotland , looking in an book she saw a handsome man known as the Viking Slayer. Since then he appears to her constantly. Even in her trio she won to Scotland. To the tour guide her viking slayer is just a legend. Wishing to find a connection to her dream highlander she remembers that her sister had came and vanished to be with her soul mate in medieval Scotland. Then her world spins and find her self face to face with the man of legend her highlander!
I really enjoy this series ! I love how the author keeps characters popping up from prior books in the series . The series is full of myths and legends. Highly recommended
October 15, 2017
I was drawn into MUST LOVE KILTS from the beginning and held captivated throughout. It has some set on the edge of your seat moments, as well as some intense emotional moments. I enjoyed the way the H/H worked together for the good of the clan, their chemistry was palpable and their love undeniable. What a fierce story, full of excitement and intrigue!
March 12, 2022
Loved Loved Loved This Story!!
This was just the best story. Haha to me when I said the next story should be with Margo, Mindy’s sister. I just didn’t see it being the Magnus The Viking Slayer. Off to read the final story. Haunted Warrior. Great stories, all off them!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
This was just the best story. Haha to me when I said the next story should be with Margo, Mindy’s sister. I just didn’t see it being the Magnus The Viking Slayer. Off to read the final story. Haunted Warrior. Great stories, all off them!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
August 21, 2017
Didn't think it was possible to find an author who loves Highlanders this much. You are transported right into the hearts and minds of Magnus and Margo. Set aside some time as you won't be able to put it down until you finish.
September 2, 2017
OMG I have read the original and have to say I like this version better. It was great to re-read a favorite author revision. To have the darker elements turned lighter.
When a powerful attraction between two people who have nothing in common happens it is all you can do but be swept away. There two, Margo and Magnus, have only one common thing, love of Scotland.
Margo, a shop girl from modern to as dreams of Scotland of old. Magnus, a Warrior Scot, just wants peace good his people.
Together with the aide of Dragorzilla, these two battle Norsemen and a curse. The curse by Donata, makes the attraction seem like dreams, however, Dragozilla, has other things in mind.
Enjoy this wild Scottish ride into the past with great characters, story plots, and twists aplenty.
When a powerful attraction between two people who have nothing in common happens it is all you can do but be swept away. There two, Margo and Magnus, have only one common thing, love of Scotland.
Margo, a shop girl from modern to as dreams of Scotland of old. Magnus, a Warrior Scot, just wants peace good his people.
Together with the aide of Dragorzilla, these two battle Norsemen and a curse. The curse by Donata, makes the attraction seem like dreams, however, Dragozilla, has other things in mind.
Enjoy this wild Scottish ride into the past with great characters, story plots, and twists aplenty.
October 22, 2023
Everything about this book is a mess. And i don't mean this in an especially mean way, but it's kind of impressive how bland the end result is, considering the various ingredients that went into this story.
October 15, 2017
a great historical romance!
June 13, 2019
Love her books
Very good read. Keeps you interested through out the story. Now I know I really want to visit the High lands.
Very good read. Keeps you interested through out the story. Now I know I really want to visit the High lands.
February 29, 2020
Good story.
January 20, 2024
Didn't care for the writing style. Also introduced new characters in chapter 19! Although it was intriguing enough I had to finish.
July 22, 2025
The heroine’s life revolves around Scotland. To say she’s obsessed is a sever understatement. She has tartan socks, shirts, bedcovers, drapes, you name it. The only one who even comes close to being a bigger fan of Scotland is her arch enemy who is determined to do something the heroine has never been able to do. She’s going to Scotland. The heroine is devastated and heart broken. But when she enters a contest at the local club to win a trip to Scotland, she spends every single penny on tickets and is over the moon when her prays are answered with the win. She arrives in Scotland with wings on her shoes but soon the dream becomes a dull reality when the magic begins to lose its shine. She’s stifled by the rigorous tour guard and road trips that don’t allow her to see the sights or take in the experience as she wants to.
At the same time the hero is tortured by the death of his love and vows to never love again. He dedicates his life to killing everything Viking he can get his hands on and becomes a Scottish legend. He’s cursed to lose any woman he loves so he turns celibate and bitter.
It’s almost 9 chapters in before the hero and heroine actually meet and it the process of seeing the woman in the lake, the hero instantly forgets about his dead wife and falls at the heroine feet. He completely makes a 360 regarding all of his vows and I didn’t like or trust the quick turnaround. I doubt the author meant for this book to be amusing or funny but that’s how I found it. None of the problems or hurdles was a factor after the characters meet each other. Not the dead wife or the curse or the fact that the heroine is kidnapped because she’s returned almost instantly. Don’t get me wrong it was a nice love story but don’t build it u to have all these issues when you’re just going to ignore them.
At the same time the hero is tortured by the death of his love and vows to never love again. He dedicates his life to killing everything Viking he can get his hands on and becomes a Scottish legend. He’s cursed to lose any woman he loves so he turns celibate and bitter.
It’s almost 9 chapters in before the hero and heroine actually meet and it the process of seeing the woman in the lake, the hero instantly forgets about his dead wife and falls at the heroine feet. He completely makes a 360 regarding all of his vows and I didn’t like or trust the quick turnaround. I doubt the author meant for this book to be amusing or funny but that’s how I found it. None of the problems or hurdles was a factor after the characters meet each other. Not the dead wife or the curse or the fact that the heroine is kidnapped because she’s returned almost instantly. Don’t get me wrong it was a nice love story but don’t build it u to have all these issues when you’re just going to ignore them.
February 18, 2012
First, let me say this; Ms. Mackay you are a talented writer. I thought that you crafted a well-thought idea into a novel. The flow of your story was extremely easy to read and it was consistent.
Now, to the heart of this review; even though this was a thought out book it was very boring. First, I really did like the idea of the main character in this book being an avid lover of all things Scottish. She lived and breathed Scotland. This was the only thing that I liked about her. I found it very hard to believe that this person was described as being "strong and courageous". The other thing was that she loved all things Scottish but, she never ventured there. She acted like she was scared of her own shadow. The hero in the book was very non-descript and just faded into the background. I found it hard to believe that either one of these people could have a love that would transcend through the ages. There were a lot of things in this book that I found hard to swallow:
1. A scaredy cat time-traveling to medieval Scotland and being brave.
2. A completely ridiculous rival between someone else (what are we in grade school and exactly how old are you?)
3. An unbelieveable stupid curse that is placed on the Highland (that's all you had for him)
All in all, this book was a sad disappointment for me. I am very glad that I read other highlander novels before this one. This one left me cold.
Now, to the heart of this review; even though this was a thought out book it was very boring. First, I really did like the idea of the main character in this book being an avid lover of all things Scottish. She lived and breathed Scotland. This was the only thing that I liked about her. I found it very hard to believe that this person was described as being "strong and courageous". The other thing was that she loved all things Scottish but, she never ventured there. She acted like she was scared of her own shadow. The hero in the book was very non-descript and just faded into the background. I found it hard to believe that either one of these people could have a love that would transcend through the ages. There were a lot of things in this book that I found hard to swallow:
1. A scaredy cat time-traveling to medieval Scotland and being brave.
2. A completely ridiculous rival between someone else (what are we in grade school and exactly how old are you?)
3. An unbelieveable stupid curse that is placed on the Highland (that's all you had for him)
All in all, this book was a sad disappointment for me. I am very glad that I read other highlander novels before this one. This one left me cold.
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