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Catriona
When Kate Sutherland visits her ancestral home in the Shetland Islands, she becomes torn between her present life, and her visions of a 15th-century woman of royal English blood, Catriona Wells, who is betrothed to a powerful Scottish border lord against her will.
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About the author
Jeanette Baker
22 books83 followersI love all things Irish, the language, a good cup of tea, soda bread, stew, smoked salmon, banoffee pie, green hills, happy cows, chedder cheese,... and all things Southern, sweet iced tea, southern hospitality, everything written by Anne Rivers Siddons and Johanna Trollope, blazing sunsets, driving through hot desert nights with the windows open, coffee and conversation with good friends, Katherine Hepburn movies, dessert, intimate gatherings and bright breezy days.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
I live in Southern California during the winter months where I teach school to remarkably well-behaved 6th graders. During the summer months I live in County Kerry, Ireland where I take long walks, listen to traditional music, sigh over gray skies and write, write, write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 2, 2012
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Can the future change the past? If not, that future will suffer. In this book, the two are linked, and it goes in both directions. Interesting, magical, supernatural concepts are touched upon here. with breathtaking descriptions of setting, Catriona is set mostly in Scotland, the Shetland Islands.
The author has a wonderful grasp of the culture, bringing it to refreshing life. The entrancing atmosphere and feel of the story comes across as well as in Ms. Baker¹s other books. However, the style of writing differs from the last book of hers I read. Having readLegacy last I was quite impressed with the author¹s gift for words, elegance of phrasing etc. so chose this book (Catriona) to read. However, in this book, the technical execution was not as brilliant, not as graceful. Still, Catriona is fast-paced and attention holding.
Fascinating concepts are addressed such as (from the book) "Sometimes the windows of time open for a later self to step inside and provide help."
Kate Sutherland, Scottish born and American raised, is a great character. She goes back to Scotland filled with questions after discovering that she was adopted. A woman from the past, from the 15th century, is calling to her in the future for help. Will Kate be able to aid this woman? The suspense is strong enough to keep one turning pages. Kate's dreams disturb her. What can she possibly do? How can she help someone who's been dead for hundreds of years? Is there anything people can do to stop fate?
Cat, Kate's counterpart in the past is a good character too, strong yet vulnerable. She has to learn to rely on someone other than herself. When reading about her time, the 15th century, the reader is treated to rich historical details.
The men in this book, Kate's Niall, and Cat's Patrick, are strong men who assertively look out for their women. The story going on in the past is a great parallel for what Kate is going through in the present with her family and romantic interest.
There are confusing parts in this book but not enough to interfere with the enjoyment of the story. The ending did not disappoint. Jeanette Baker is an author to check out for readers who love Scotland and that beautiful
culture. She connects the past and present wonderfully.
Can the future change the past? If not, that future will suffer. In this book, the two are linked, and it goes in both directions. Interesting, magical, supernatural concepts are touched upon here. with breathtaking descriptions of setting, Catriona is set mostly in Scotland, the Shetland Islands.
The author has a wonderful grasp of the culture, bringing it to refreshing life. The entrancing atmosphere and feel of the story comes across as well as in Ms. Baker¹s other books. However, the style of writing differs from the last book of hers I read. Having readLegacy last I was quite impressed with the author¹s gift for words, elegance of phrasing etc. so chose this book (Catriona) to read. However, in this book, the technical execution was not as brilliant, not as graceful. Still, Catriona is fast-paced and attention holding.
Fascinating concepts are addressed such as (from the book) "Sometimes the windows of time open for a later self to step inside and provide help."
Kate Sutherland, Scottish born and American raised, is a great character. She goes back to Scotland filled with questions after discovering that she was adopted. A woman from the past, from the 15th century, is calling to her in the future for help. Will Kate be able to aid this woman? The suspense is strong enough to keep one turning pages. Kate's dreams disturb her. What can she possibly do? How can she help someone who's been dead for hundreds of years? Is there anything people can do to stop fate?
Cat, Kate's counterpart in the past is a good character too, strong yet vulnerable. She has to learn to rely on someone other than herself. When reading about her time, the 15th century, the reader is treated to rich historical details.
The men in this book, Kate's Niall, and Cat's Patrick, are strong men who assertively look out for their women. The story going on in the past is a great parallel for what Kate is going through in the present with her family and romantic interest.
There are confusing parts in this book but not enough to interfere with the enjoyment of the story. The ending did not disappoint. Jeanette Baker is an author to check out for readers who love Scotland and that beautiful
culture. She connects the past and present wonderfully.
August 1, 2017
Library Kindle e-book
August 31, 2011
Reviewed by RBtWBC reviewer, Lexy.
Lexy’s Review
This is a tale of courage. This is a tale of reaching deep within yourself to find the missing pieces of your soul.
Kate is so much more than a young woman searching for truth. Through her ancient bloodlines she has inherited the Sight, which enables her to read others thoughts. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with she also begins to realize she has experienced life before as a young woman names Catriona.
Catriona has the fortitude and poise of a queen. That coupled with her stunning beauty made her a mark for abuse from a man in possession of herself and her brother. Forced to endure mental torture and rape you would expect her to become a broken shell. Instead she manages to get away, right into the strong protective arms of border lord Patrick.
Kate experiences Cat’s life through memory while at the same time finding lost family and slowly succumbing to the love of a handsome Scott. If Kate has the strength to confront the monster that is the antithesis to Cat’s goodness she will finally feel whole. Going back in time as Cat gives her a second chance to heal, only when she has done that can she finally let go and give her heart to her Scott.
Yes this is a historical romance but do not just label it as that. The main character Kate truly has to overcome and relive something that is life altering. To have the ability to willingly walk into that is a test of character I hope to never have to face.
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Lexy’s Review
This is a tale of courage. This is a tale of reaching deep within yourself to find the missing pieces of your soul.
Kate is so much more than a young woman searching for truth. Through her ancient bloodlines she has inherited the Sight, which enables her to read others thoughts. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with she also begins to realize she has experienced life before as a young woman names Catriona.
Catriona has the fortitude and poise of a queen. That coupled with her stunning beauty made her a mark for abuse from a man in possession of herself and her brother. Forced to endure mental torture and rape you would expect her to become a broken shell. Instead she manages to get away, right into the strong protective arms of border lord Patrick.
Kate experiences Cat’s life through memory while at the same time finding lost family and slowly succumbing to the love of a handsome Scott. If Kate has the strength to confront the monster that is the antithesis to Cat’s goodness she will finally feel whole. Going back in time as Cat gives her a second chance to heal, only when she has done that can she finally let go and give her heart to her Scott.
Yes this is a historical romance but do not just label it as that. The main character Kate truly has to overcome and relive something that is life altering. To have the ability to willingly walk into that is a test of character I hope to never have to face.
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
July 27, 2011
Catriona is the story of Kate Sutherland, a young woman who is having 'visions' of a woman from five centuries earlier, a woman named Catriona. When Kate's mother dies, she travels to Scotland to spread her ashes, only to come face to face with the past – literally.
Catriona was a decent enough historical romance novel, but unfortunately, it never grabbed me. I felt that certain parts moved way too fast for me. So fast that the scene was over before I really grasped what happened. The modern romance between Kate and a man name Niall also moved wicked fast to the point where I wasn't buying it.
One thing happened at the beginning of the story that bugged me, and I never let it go through to the end. I won't give it away, but at the beginning of the story Kate received some rather life altering news, the kind of news that would send anyone's life into a tailspin. The way Kate received it was like she went to the grocery store and someone told her they were out of bagels!
The historical part of the story was filled with a lot of Scottish history, set around the time of the James IV of Scotland. And that's really all I got out of this novel – I learned some stuff about Scotland I didn't know before.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this or what, but I wish I enjoyed it more. Folks who like historic romances set in Scotland will most likely dig this.
Catriona was a decent enough historical romance novel, but unfortunately, it never grabbed me. I felt that certain parts moved way too fast for me. So fast that the scene was over before I really grasped what happened. The modern romance between Kate and a man name Niall also moved wicked fast to the point where I wasn't buying it.
One thing happened at the beginning of the story that bugged me, and I never let it go through to the end. I won't give it away, but at the beginning of the story Kate received some rather life altering news, the kind of news that would send anyone's life into a tailspin. The way Kate received it was like she went to the grocery store and someone told her they were out of bagels!
The historical part of the story was filled with a lot of Scottish history, set around the time of the James IV of Scotland. And that's really all I got out of this novel – I learned some stuff about Scotland I didn't know before.
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this or what, but I wish I enjoyed it more. Folks who like historic romances set in Scotland will most likely dig this.
August 31, 2011
Adopted as a baby from Cait Ness, Scotland and raised in Southern California, Kate Sutherland brings her mother's ashes back to the Shetlands in hopes of also finding her natural parents.
Here she opens a window in time to issues unfinished in the life of Catriona Wells, a woman living during the reigns of Henry VII Of England and James IV Of Scotland. Catriona lives in dangerous times but refuses to be a whim of political intrigue. She meets Patrick MacKendrick while in modern times she meets Niall MacCormack.
The woman on the cover of this book looks like Catherine Zeta Jones and the description of Catriona/Kate is not far off so all I had to do is mentally imagine the movie star as the appearance of the heroine in this book.
This book encompasses the mythic of the old religion of the Shetland Islands, our modern life and the history of both the Stuart and Tudor regimes. Catriona seeks to save her younger brother without realizing she herself needs a rescuer. Only Kate, her look alike contemporary can reach in with a keek stane and rid her of her fear.
As for Kate, with the memory of Patrick in her mind and a life carry over in her subconsciousness, can she love Niall?
This is the first book authored by Jeanette Baker I have ever read. This edition was first published in 1997. I missed it then. I have also missed her other books which I now need to read!
Here she opens a window in time to issues unfinished in the life of Catriona Wells, a woman living during the reigns of Henry VII Of England and James IV Of Scotland. Catriona lives in dangerous times but refuses to be a whim of political intrigue. She meets Patrick MacKendrick while in modern times she meets Niall MacCormack.
The woman on the cover of this book looks like Catherine Zeta Jones and the description of Catriona/Kate is not far off so all I had to do is mentally imagine the movie star as the appearance of the heroine in this book.
This book encompasses the mythic of the old religion of the Shetland Islands, our modern life and the history of both the Stuart and Tudor regimes. Catriona seeks to save her younger brother without realizing she herself needs a rescuer. Only Kate, her look alike contemporary can reach in with a keek stane and rid her of her fear.
As for Kate, with the memory of Patrick in her mind and a life carry over in her subconsciousness, can she love Niall?
This is the first book authored by Jeanette Baker I have ever read. This edition was first published in 1997. I missed it then. I have also missed her other books which I now need to read!
August 30, 2011
Kate Sutherland has never quite felt right in her world. She feels further disoriented when her mother dies and she finds out she was adopted. She goes back to her mother's place of birth to scatter her ashes and learn more about where she was born. While there she starts having strange "dreams" about a woman - a cousin to James IV, Catriona Wells.
She also meets the very handsome Niall MacCormack, a Scottish historian who falls in love with her but something is holding her back. And that something is Catriona. Kate is shocked to learn that she is the spitting image of her. She is drawn more deeply into her life and wonders if she prefers it to her own.
I have often expressed my love of time travel novels and while this book is not exactly a time TRAVEL novel it was a delightful, engrossing read that I really had a hard time putting down. In fact I didn't! I read it in one sitting. The two love stories - Catriona/Patrick and Kate/Niall were both good but the Catriona one was my favorite. She was a strong woman, ahead of her time for the most part. This book is really two in one which is what made it so much fun.
She also meets the very handsome Niall MacCormack, a Scottish historian who falls in love with her but something is holding her back. And that something is Catriona. Kate is shocked to learn that she is the spitting image of her. She is drawn more deeply into her life and wonders if she prefers it to her own.
I have often expressed my love of time travel novels and while this book is not exactly a time TRAVEL novel it was a delightful, engrossing read that I really had a hard time putting down. In fact I didn't! I read it in one sitting. The two love stories - Catriona/Patrick and Kate/Niall were both good but the Catriona one was my favorite. She was a strong woman, ahead of her time for the most part. This book is really two in one which is what made it so much fun.
April 19, 2014
Wow, I've had this book sitting on my nook for quite a while and if I'd known how good it was I would have read it much sooner. I'm such a sucker for a good travel back in time/druidic religion/scottish history story. And this one was good. It had it's problems, but the writing was so engaging, and the characters, especially the historical ones, so gripping, that it kept me engaged. The only downside was the main character. Kate is removed from life because she is caught in something from the past. That sense of removal affects how she is presented in the book as well. It's hard to get connected to her character and so it's hard to believe the modern day romance. Everything is handled beautifully. I will definitely be looking for other books by Jeanette Baker now that I know what to expect.
May 21, 2012
Loved this book back in 1999
September 8, 2021
3.5/5
I am absolutely sure that this more classic style of romance/historical fantasy has its devoted fanbase, but given that my personal tastes are a bit more contemporary, this was not a totally perfect match for me. Objectively, Baker is a good writer and is targeting a specific type of reader with her lush descriptions. This worked for me in the rolling Scottish highlands and blustery islands, but not as much in the somewhat repetitive descriptions of everyone's striking beauty. For me, it came down to the characters being described as beautiful and tantalizing, but not seeing as much real chemistry between them as characters despite all this. The condensed timeline of the contemporary romance also feels slightly dated now, and I do wish there was more time to build up a genuine connection between Niall and Kate that would have made their ending all the most satisfying.
I have to give Baker credit for essentially marrying two entire novels in this book and doing both quite well. The contemporary and the historical could have both been books unto themselves and she does a good job of making the reader feel Kate Sutherland's placelessness and how she is jerked in and out of her visions. As a reader, it felt disorienting at times, but upon reflection, this is a deliberate choice that aligns us more with Kate's confusion. It takes some getting used to but it does eventually settle in after a while. Both timelines touch a lot on the agency of women to control their destinies, and Baker does immerse the reader into choices both benign and perilous.
History buffs will likely enjoy the merging of fact and fantasy, and it's clear Baker did a good amount of research of the time period and the relationships between all the players. (I ended up doing a few deep dives into all the real-life monarchs as a refresher). I do wish the stakes of all the historical warring were made clearer early on. The reader is all but thrust into Scottish/English conflicts without much context, and it wasn't always easy to keep track of everyone's loyalties and allegiances, and what the desired outcome was at the end of the day. This may have been because of the quick shifts between characters in the third person omniscient, which I'm admittedly not a huge fan of. It sometimes muddles the moment by giving us exactly what each player is thinking at any given moment, and doing more of the heavy lifting. This is more of a personal preference than anything, as I don't come across it too often.
This was a pick for my online book club. While I don't think I would have picked it up on my own, I'm glad I got the chance to read outside of my comfort zone and try something new. While I'm not sure I'd rush out to buy more Jeanette Baker novels right away, I think I'd definitely give this kind of historical/fantasy romance a try again. (And start planning an imaginary trip back to Scotland...the Shetlands are going on my list of strange vacation spots!)
I am absolutely sure that this more classic style of romance/historical fantasy has its devoted fanbase, but given that my personal tastes are a bit more contemporary, this was not a totally perfect match for me. Objectively, Baker is a good writer and is targeting a specific type of reader with her lush descriptions. This worked for me in the rolling Scottish highlands and blustery islands, but not as much in the somewhat repetitive descriptions of everyone's striking beauty. For me, it came down to the characters being described as beautiful and tantalizing, but not seeing as much real chemistry between them as characters despite all this. The condensed timeline of the contemporary romance also feels slightly dated now, and I do wish there was more time to build up a genuine connection between Niall and Kate that would have made their ending all the most satisfying.
I have to give Baker credit for essentially marrying two entire novels in this book and doing both quite well. The contemporary and the historical could have both been books unto themselves and she does a good job of making the reader feel Kate Sutherland's placelessness and how she is jerked in and out of her visions. As a reader, it felt disorienting at times, but upon reflection, this is a deliberate choice that aligns us more with Kate's confusion. It takes some getting used to but it does eventually settle in after a while. Both timelines touch a lot on the agency of women to control their destinies, and Baker does immerse the reader into choices both benign and perilous.
History buffs will likely enjoy the merging of fact and fantasy, and it's clear Baker did a good amount of research of the time period and the relationships between all the players. (I ended up doing a few deep dives into all the real-life monarchs as a refresher). I do wish the stakes of all the historical warring were made clearer early on. The reader is all but thrust into Scottish/English conflicts without much context, and it wasn't always easy to keep track of everyone's loyalties and allegiances, and what the desired outcome was at the end of the day. This may have been because of the quick shifts between characters in the third person omniscient, which I'm admittedly not a huge fan of. It sometimes muddles the moment by giving us exactly what each player is thinking at any given moment, and doing more of the heavy lifting. This is more of a personal preference than anything, as I don't come across it too often.
This was a pick for my online book club. While I don't think I would have picked it up on my own, I'm glad I got the chance to read outside of my comfort zone and try something new. While I'm not sure I'd rush out to buy more Jeanette Baker novels right away, I think I'd definitely give this kind of historical/fantasy romance a try again. (And start planning an imaginary trip back to Scotland...the Shetlands are going on my list of strange vacation spots!)
July 15, 2011
Catriona is a novel by Jeanette Baker and a Romance from SourceBooks Casablanca.
Book Blurb:
Kate Sutherland’s arrival in the misty moors of her ancestral home in the Shetland Islands was supposed to cure her visions of danger, intrigue...and a sexy powerful Scottish border lord. Instead, she discovers that she’s been living the tormented memories of Catriona Wells, a beautiful young woman of royal blood who lived five centuries before.
Shielding a dark secret from her past, Catriona was willing to do anything to save her young brother from the deadly politics of her royal family - even agree to an arranged marriage with the formidable Patrick MacKendrick. But would daring to love the hardened warrior who desired her so fiercely destroy her family...or finally allow her to heal?
Meanwhile, Kate is battling her own attraction to Niall MacCormack, an alluring Scottish historian. As the pull of history beckons, Kate has her own decision to make: choose the live and love of her present, or risk everything in Catriona’s world of passion and peril.
My thoughts:
Kate Sutherland is a tax attorney in California. When a legal consultation takes her to Massachusetts, Kate makes the acquaintance of a practicing Wicca who remarks upon Kate’s eyes - saying she has only ever seen eyes like them on one other person.
That night, Kate has a dream - a dream about another time and place.
Upon the sudden death of her mother, Kate finds out that she was adopted, and her birth parents are from Scotland. Encouraged to learn more about her ancestral home, Kate books a trip to Scotland.
Now her ‘dreams’ are coming more frequently, and not just when she is asleep. What seems to her to have been only minutes is in fact, hours. Kate seems to be slipping into another time, another person - her ancestor, Catriona.
Kate is determined to see these dreams to their conclusion - but she has dreams of her own. Dreams that involve an arresting Scottish historian.
Catriona is the first book I have read by Jeanette Baker and it was an enjoyable read. If you are a fan of historical romance and time-travel, Catriona is the perfect escape.
I give Catriona 3 out of 5 stars.
Product Details
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca(8-1-11)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402255861
ISBN-13: 978-1402255861
Book Blurb:
Kate Sutherland’s arrival in the misty moors of her ancestral home in the Shetland Islands was supposed to cure her visions of danger, intrigue...and a sexy powerful Scottish border lord. Instead, she discovers that she’s been living the tormented memories of Catriona Wells, a beautiful young woman of royal blood who lived five centuries before.
Shielding a dark secret from her past, Catriona was willing to do anything to save her young brother from the deadly politics of her royal family - even agree to an arranged marriage with the formidable Patrick MacKendrick. But would daring to love the hardened warrior who desired her so fiercely destroy her family...or finally allow her to heal?
Meanwhile, Kate is battling her own attraction to Niall MacCormack, an alluring Scottish historian. As the pull of history beckons, Kate has her own decision to make: choose the live and love of her present, or risk everything in Catriona’s world of passion and peril.
My thoughts:
Kate Sutherland is a tax attorney in California. When a legal consultation takes her to Massachusetts, Kate makes the acquaintance of a practicing Wicca who remarks upon Kate’s eyes - saying she has only ever seen eyes like them on one other person.
That night, Kate has a dream - a dream about another time and place.
Upon the sudden death of her mother, Kate finds out that she was adopted, and her birth parents are from Scotland. Encouraged to learn more about her ancestral home, Kate books a trip to Scotland.
Now her ‘dreams’ are coming more frequently, and not just when she is asleep. What seems to her to have been only minutes is in fact, hours. Kate seems to be slipping into another time, another person - her ancestor, Catriona.
Kate is determined to see these dreams to their conclusion - but she has dreams of her own. Dreams that involve an arresting Scottish historian.
Catriona is the first book I have read by Jeanette Baker and it was an enjoyable read. If you are a fan of historical romance and time-travel, Catriona is the perfect escape.
I give Catriona 3 out of 5 stars.
Product Details
Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca(8-1-11)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402255861
ISBN-13: 978-1402255861
September 28, 2011
My Rating: 3.75/5 stars!
Catriona started a bit rocky for me. I had a bit of a rough time staying focused and getting used to the jumps between Catriona Wells and Kate Sutherland. I didn't mind the different perspectives or even the different time periods...there were just moments where I felt things were moving too quickly. But when I finally found my comfy little niche I was captivated by the story and plot! I loved the historical parts of the story. This is my first time delving into Scottish history so it was a real treat! As soon as I was done I wanted to know more about James IV's story and more about Scotland. Jeanette Baker brought a lot of the characters to life and I really became interested in them.
The modern story involving Kate was more of a backdrop for me. I liked seeing how Kate's life was unfolding after she found out she was adopted and traveled to Scotland for answers. I got a bit lost when she met Maura though...The paranormal aspect of the story was also a bit iffy for me. I definitely felt the magic at times, but other times I was left a little perplexed. But don't let these observations deter you from checking this out... Catriona is a beautiful story that will appeal to a lot of readers. There are two romantic arcs to follow in the plot and like I mentioned earlier I leaned more towards the historical one involving Catriona and Patrick. Kate and Niall's relationship moved a bit too fast for me...but I still enjoyed reading it. I think I'm just in more of a historical fiction niche at the moment...
I can't express enough how strong and developed the characters were. Characters are so important to me and many other readers I'm sure. I loved the latter part of the story when the secondary characters really start to get involved with the plot. The Scotland setting, both historical and modern, was detailed and so easy to picture. Reading Catriona has definitely gotten me more interested in Scotland and I love that about good stories. I'm excited to read more of Jeanette Baker's work and I recommend Catriona to romance lovers of all kinds!
Catriona started a bit rocky for me. I had a bit of a rough time staying focused and getting used to the jumps between Catriona Wells and Kate Sutherland. I didn't mind the different perspectives or even the different time periods...there were just moments where I felt things were moving too quickly. But when I finally found my comfy little niche I was captivated by the story and plot! I loved the historical parts of the story. This is my first time delving into Scottish history so it was a real treat! As soon as I was done I wanted to know more about James IV's story and more about Scotland. Jeanette Baker brought a lot of the characters to life and I really became interested in them.
The modern story involving Kate was more of a backdrop for me. I liked seeing how Kate's life was unfolding after she found out she was adopted and traveled to Scotland for answers. I got a bit lost when she met Maura though...The paranormal aspect of the story was also a bit iffy for me. I definitely felt the magic at times, but other times I was left a little perplexed. But don't let these observations deter you from checking this out... Catriona is a beautiful story that will appeal to a lot of readers. There are two romantic arcs to follow in the plot and like I mentioned earlier I leaned more towards the historical one involving Catriona and Patrick. Kate and Niall's relationship moved a bit too fast for me...but I still enjoyed reading it. I think I'm just in more of a historical fiction niche at the moment...
I can't express enough how strong and developed the characters were. Characters are so important to me and many other readers I'm sure. I loved the latter part of the story when the secondary characters really start to get involved with the plot. The Scotland setting, both historical and modern, was detailed and so easy to picture. Reading Catriona has definitely gotten me more interested in Scotland and I love that about good stories. I'm excited to read more of Jeanette Baker's work and I recommend Catriona to romance lovers of all kinds!
August 20, 2011
This is a tale of courage. This is a tale of reaching deep within yourself to find the missing pieces of your soul.
Kate is so much more than a young woman searching for truth. Through her ancient bloodlines she has inherited the Sight, which enables her to read others thoughts. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with she also begins to realize she has experienced life before as a young woman names Catriona.
Catriona has the fortitude and poise of a queen. That coupled with her stunning beauty made her a mark for abuse from a man in possession of herself and her brother. Forced to endure mental torture and rape you would expect her to become a broken shell. Instead she manages to get away, right into the strong protective arms of border lord Patrick.
Kate experiences Cat’s life through memory while at the same time finding lost family and slowly succumbing to the love of a handsome Scott. If Kate has the strength to confront the monster that is the antithesis to Cat’s goodness she will finally feel whole. Going back in time as Cat gives her a second chance to heal, only when she has done that can she finally let go and give her heart to her Scott.
Yes this is a historical romance but do not just label it as that. The main character Kate truly has to overcome and relive something that is life altering. To have the ability to willingly walk into that is a test of character anyone would hope to never have to face.
See the review at Reading Between the Wines blog:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Kate is so much more than a young woman searching for truth. Through her ancient bloodlines she has inherited the Sight, which enables her to read others thoughts. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with she also begins to realize she has experienced life before as a young woman names Catriona.
Catriona has the fortitude and poise of a queen. That coupled with her stunning beauty made her a mark for abuse from a man in possession of herself and her brother. Forced to endure mental torture and rape you would expect her to become a broken shell. Instead she manages to get away, right into the strong protective arms of border lord Patrick.
Kate experiences Cat’s life through memory while at the same time finding lost family and slowly succumbing to the love of a handsome Scott. If Kate has the strength to confront the monster that is the antithesis to Cat’s goodness she will finally feel whole. Going back in time as Cat gives her a second chance to heal, only when she has done that can she finally let go and give her heart to her Scott.
Yes this is a historical romance but do not just label it as that. The main character Kate truly has to overcome and relive something that is life altering. To have the ability to willingly walk into that is a test of character anyone would hope to never have to face.
See the review at Reading Between the Wines blog:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
August 25, 2011
Kate was, at best, skeptical. At least she was willing to go to Scotland to scatter her mother’s ashes. She’s been having dreams her entire life, but lately they’d stepped up a bit. A gorgeous man, a medieval court, words of love and lust, and Kate was in them as well. Stupefying.
Scotland is beautiful and terrifying. Her mother is still remembered in the village and, her mother still lives in the village (you’ll see!). Kate meets a very nice man name Niall McCormack who tightens all her muscles and seems willing to do more, but Kate has always been “guy-shy” and won’t change willingly. Niall is a scholar of history and takes Kate to The MacKendrick’s home to view his ancestral documents and pictures. A great opportunity for Kate until she finds herself in a huge portrait hanging in his hall!
Catriona – the MacKendrick’s wife. Kate? It seems a possibility that all of Kate’s dreams will culminate in Scotland on the Shetland Islands. Right where Catriona’s did. Catriona’s main mission was to save her younger brother, not fall in love with Patrick MacKendrick. Did she? Either of those??
In a skillfully written historical jaunt we are flipped back and forth between Catriona’s history and Kate’s modern day puzzles without a hitch. The pipes play in the background as clothes all hither and thither and we learn much about Scotland’s history as well as that of the ladies. Well done!
Scotland is beautiful and terrifying. Her mother is still remembered in the village and, her mother still lives in the village (you’ll see!). Kate meets a very nice man name Niall McCormack who tightens all her muscles and seems willing to do more, but Kate has always been “guy-shy” and won’t change willingly. Niall is a scholar of history and takes Kate to The MacKendrick’s home to view his ancestral documents and pictures. A great opportunity for Kate until she finds herself in a huge portrait hanging in his hall!
Catriona – the MacKendrick’s wife. Kate? It seems a possibility that all of Kate’s dreams will culminate in Scotland on the Shetland Islands. Right where Catriona’s did. Catriona’s main mission was to save her younger brother, not fall in love with Patrick MacKendrick. Did she? Either of those??
In a skillfully written historical jaunt we are flipped back and forth between Catriona’s history and Kate’s modern day puzzles without a hitch. The pipes play in the background as clothes all hither and thither and we learn much about Scotland’s history as well as that of the ladies. Well done!
September 6, 2011
Jumping between centuries and different people's perspectives can be confusing and distracting if not written carefully. Jeanette Baker has done a masterful job of blending the stories of two women connected by blood and separated by time.
Strong characters are always a draw for me. I like women leads who use their brains instead of simpering and whimpering around waiting for a man to solve their problems for them. Both Kate and Catriona are dealing with issues of family, love and danger. Neither of them want to depend upon the men who have their hearts. Trusting someone else to make things right for them is not an easy thing for either of them to do.
The men in this story are remarkable and quite memorable. You have two hunky Scotsmen in the present who are both vying for Kate's attention ~ for two very different reasons. Niall is a Scottish historian and Hunter is the Laird of the Sutherlands. Catriona is married to Patrick MacKendrick for reasons that turn out to be much more than the politics intended.
I highly recommend Catriona to anyone who enjoys good historical fiction filled with romance and intrigue. A lovely romp through the ages with some fascinating characters.
Strong characters are always a draw for me. I like women leads who use their brains instead of simpering and whimpering around waiting for a man to solve their problems for them. Both Kate and Catriona are dealing with issues of family, love and danger. Neither of them want to depend upon the men who have their hearts. Trusting someone else to make things right for them is not an easy thing for either of them to do.
The men in this story are remarkable and quite memorable. You have two hunky Scotsmen in the present who are both vying for Kate's attention ~ for two very different reasons. Niall is a Scottish historian and Hunter is the Laird of the Sutherlands. Catriona is married to Patrick MacKendrick for reasons that turn out to be much more than the politics intended.
I highly recommend Catriona to anyone who enjoys good historical fiction filled with romance and intrigue. A lovely romp through the ages with some fascinating characters.
March 18, 2012
I loved this historically rich romance. Set in 17th century Scotland, Catriona, an English noble woman and cousin of King James Stuart of Scotland, runs to her monarch-cousin for help following the death of her mother. She seeks refuge for herself from abuse from her stepfather, as well as, aide for her 12-year-old brother who is under the mercy of this stepfather and the ruthless King Henry Tudor. Upon her arrival to the court of King James, she meets his devilishly handsome Scottish border lord, Patrick MacKendrick. Of course, romance ensues amidst, the danger of court and political intrigue where Catriona becomes a political tool for all sides. She finds a hero in all ways in Patrick MacKendrick, a man who can challenge Kings. The interesting twist of this romance is that all of this is "relived" through the eyes and thoughts of a 20th century woman who plays a vital role in righting a centuries-old wrong. This woman, Kate Sutherland, learns of her own mysterious heritage while witnessing the unfolding of events that happened 300 years in the past and finds her own romance waiting. Highly recommend this intricately woven, historically detailed romance!
August 21, 2011
First thoughts after finishing: "Is there anywhere on the internet that I could order a sexy powerful Scottish border lord????"
I love books that blend the present day with the past and this author did an exceptional job of making that work. I felt that I was able to get to know all of the characters and make a connection with some. I am a sucker for historical fiction with a dash of romance thrown in and this one has both of those elements. I now feel the need to do a little bit of brushing up on James Stewart IV (King of Scotland) and Margaret Tudor (Daughter of King Henry of England). I love it when history becomes alive and captures my imagination!
Recommend? I would recommend this one to my friends that enjoy historical romance. Especially stories that place in Scotland. I'm really thrilled that Sourcebooks reprinted Jeanette Baker's book because I would probably have never found this author on my own. I will definitely be adding her other works to my list of book that are worth reading. Overall, a very pleasant way to spend a few days!!
Rating: 8/10
I love books that blend the present day with the past and this author did an exceptional job of making that work. I felt that I was able to get to know all of the characters and make a connection with some. I am a sucker for historical fiction with a dash of romance thrown in and this one has both of those elements. I now feel the need to do a little bit of brushing up on James Stewart IV (King of Scotland) and Margaret Tudor (Daughter of King Henry of England). I love it when history becomes alive and captures my imagination!
Recommend? I would recommend this one to my friends that enjoy historical romance. Especially stories that place in Scotland. I'm really thrilled that Sourcebooks reprinted Jeanette Baker's book because I would probably have never found this author on my own. I will definitely be adding her other works to my list of book that are worth reading. Overall, a very pleasant way to spend a few days!!
Rating: 8/10
December 24, 2012
I still measure all time-travel romance by the standard set by Diana Gabaldon. Catriona and Patrick are no Jamie and Clare Fraser, but I have ever been a sucker for the the court of James IV of Scotland and the crazy Earls of Bothwell. I by far preferred the historical narrative to the "modern" narrative. I'd have liked to see more Celtic mythology and Wiccan magic instead of just a wise woman and a keek stane. And let's face it, Kate was kind of boring.
Although, I did keep trying to remember the plot to the Kadin and Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small. That's where my love affair with the Scots court began some 30 years ago and of course, it is the MOST historically accurate...right? Right? *crickets*
Although, I did keep trying to remember the plot to the Kadin and Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small. That's where my love affair with the Scots court began some 30 years ago and of course, it is the MOST historically accurate...right? Right? *crickets*
August 18, 2011
I love Jeanette Baker's stories! They blend history, mystery, love and danger, plus traveling back and forth in time. The heroine's of the story are Kate Sutherland/ Catriona Wells. It appears that the reason Kate is going back and forth in time is that there is unfinished business that Kate needs to attend to in the past before she can be at peace from the disturbing visions she has of Catriona Wells, an ancestor. A wonderful story of Scottish history and full of passion and intrigue and what story would not be complete without a few handsome men? A fast paced and hard to put down book. This is an awesome story and I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction.
September 29, 2011
This book blends history, mystery, love and danger. It's like you have 2 books but they are so finely written they just blend together. Kate needs to attend to her past before she can be at peace from the disturbing visions she has of Catriona Wells, an ancestor. I loved reading this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Romance, dashing knight, and some mystery thrown in. What's not to like? If you like Historical fiction you should pick this book up. It's really good! Does Kate get the mystery solved and her life back? You'll have to read the book to find out.
May 19, 2013
An excellent book, this follow-up to "Kidnapped" also by Robert Louis Stevenson, follows further adventures of young David Balfour. Catriona is his first love and he goes away to school to prepare to become a lawyer, but the most galvanizing aspect of this book and also of Kidnapped, for me at least, is the Scottish history surrounding the characters and plot, and the intrigue that is Scottish politics. Some great lines in this book reveal to the reader that we haven't come such a long way in 200 years or so as we might believe.
May 23, 2013
I love historical fiction, especially Scottish history. This is the first book I've read by Jeanette Baker. I felt like the story jumped around a little at first, but once i got hold of the characters and their place in the story, it got better for me. Although it ended up being a great story, I didn't feel connected to this story as I have from writers such as Susanna Kearsley or Ciji Ware. I will, however, read more from this author, as I do like her writing style.
December 18, 2012
Great read. It follows a modern woman who goes to Scotland and begins to have dreams about a woman in historical times. She also finds a man in the pressent who resembles one of the men in her dreams. Great read. Very enjoyable and recommended.
August 31, 2011
Enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would.
A little steamy in places and it felt a little unbalanced between past and present, but it was compelling.
I like this cover a lot more than the cover of the uncorrected proof I have.
A little steamy in places and it felt a little unbalanced between past and present, but it was compelling.
I like this cover a lot more than the cover of the uncorrected proof I have.
April 29, 2018
As a dreamer to travel back at least a century I love time travel romance. This one is not really travel back in times but more like reincarnation. However storyline is interesting and characters are strong and enchanting in their own way.
July 7, 2009
A fascinating time travel yarn.
December 21, 2009
Super excellent!!!
More meat than a typical romance- if you like Scottish history based fiction, it is a great book for you.
More meat than a typical romance- if you like Scottish history based fiction, it is a great book for you.
July 15, 2014
3.5/5 stars.
May 21, 2012
Loved the weaving of present and past, really enjoyed the historical love interest.
January 8, 2013
An excellent read..hard to put down..loved the interplay between the historical and current day aspects..enjoyed the setting of the isles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2013
This is a Scots time travel story. The characters were not is well formed and complex as they became in later books, but it was a fun light read.
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