A Highlander for Christmas

by Sandy Blair

WELCOME TO MY WORLD

`Tis the season to be jolly - but Boston antiques dealer Claire MacGregor isn't looking forward to a solo Christmas, or cocoa for one, or trimming the tree by herself. But company's coming. Claire is fooling around with an old puzzle box and when it opens, a gorgeous, studly laird appears. Thumbs down: Sir Cameron MacLeod is centuries old. Thumbs up: he doesn't look it. And Cameron is tall, dark, and lusty-very lusty.

COME AWAY TO MINE

Who is this lovely lass? And where is he? Before awakening in the 21st century in Claire's bedroom, the last thing Sir Cameron MacLeod remembers was readying for war with a rival clan. Despite her strange clothes and odd ways, Claire is bonny and brave. He's about to find out that love is a many-splendored thing indeed...

Genres: Romance, Time Travel, Christmas, Historical Romance, Historical, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy

350 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Award winning author Sandy Blair has slept in castles, knelt in cathedrals where kings and queens have been crowned, dined with peerage, floated along Venetian canals, explored the great pyramids, misplaced her husband in an Egyptian ruin (she continues to deny being the one lost,) and fallen (gracefully) off a cruise ship.

Winner of Romance Writers of America© Golden Heart for Best Paranormal Romance, Sandy’s debut release A MAN IN A KILT also won the 2004 National Readers Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance and was a 2005 RITA finalist.

Sandy loves writing about the past. "I find it easier to suspend my own disbelief when thoroughly immersed in a time when nobody worried about political correctness; when men were wonderfully alpha and had no idea they even had a feminine side, much less worried about getting in touch with it." She often adds a touch of the paranormal to her tales believing the very possibility expands the imagination, which in turn gives her latitude with humor.

Her second release, A ROGUE IN A KILT, received Romantic Times Magazine’s 4 ½ star Top Pick rating and was a National Readers Choice Awards finalist. Her third, The Accidental Duchess in the anthology HOW TO MARRY A DUKE, won the 2006 Golden Quill Award for Best Novella. Her books are now available in four languages and can be found in a dozen countries.

When not writing, Sandy dabbles with watercolors, is a charity fundraiser, and loves to entertain family and friends at home. She claims the secret to hosting a successful dinner party is setting a pretty table and serving lots of wine before the meal.

She currently resides in Texas with her husband.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Highlander for Christmas is by Sandy Blair. This is my first book by Sandy and I chose it to add something new and different to my Christmas reading line up and I definitely got what I asked for. I haven’t read many Highlander books but this one was well worth picking up. It is sweet, funny, and even sad at times with the added magic of Christmas.

Claire MacGregor is thirty-one years old and lives alone over her antique shop, The Velvet Pumpkin. Well, she isn’t completely alone. She rents out a room to a wonderful elderly woman who has become her surrogate grandmother. It’s just after Thanksgiving and Claire is wondering how she will make ends meet. Business is slow to say the least. Not to mention the trouble she is having with some local hoodlums that have cost her a pretty penny in window replacements.

Now, on top of everything else, she gets word a dear friend has passed away and has willed her all his worldly belongings, including a beautiful puzzle box. Claire deciphers the puzzle and with a flash, suddenly she’s not alone anymore. There is a very tall, very naked man suddenly standing in her bedroom.



The last thing Sir Cameron MacLeod remembers, it was December 1745 and he was preparing for battle in Scotland. So how did he come to be in this woman’s bedroom? And where are his clothes?



Once Claire and Cameron accept the circumstances of his appearance, Claire finds herself responsible for a man who knows nothing of today’s conveniences, as well as the rules of today’s society. Such as not being allowed to carry his broadsword around without getting arrested. And not being allowed to punch the policeman who tried to take his sword away. And the fact that when one refers to “bucks” they are in fact using a term that means money, not actually referring to using a deer for payment.



With the knowledge Cam now has of how the war turned out, he is determined to find his way back to his own time to warn his people. He and Claire try everything to find a way to get him home. But, along the way, their affection grows for one another.



This was such a sweet book. I loved the way that Cam found ways to make Claire’s life better. He was such an honorable man and wanted so badly to repay Claire for all she did for him. The ending was so cute. So if you want a fun, feel good Christmas book, with a sexy Highlander to keep you entertained, this one should be just right.

[Sandy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Sandy Blair’s. I love her books in her Castle Blackstone series and am anxiously awaiting the fourth book when it’s released sometime next year. In the meantime, Sandy has given us A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS, a heart-warming tale between two of the most unlikely people to ever fall in love, a book that will make you laugh out loud and then make you misty-eyed the very next second. A story that will make you believe.

It’s the Christmas season and Claire MacGregor’s love life and antique shop, the Velvet Pumpkin, has a serious lack of customers and the bills are piling up. Her one bright spot of the season, her annual holiday luncheon with friend, Tavish MacLean. Claire learns that Tavish died just before their appointed date and that she is his heir. Christmastime is not one of Claire’s favorite things.

As she is going through Tavish’s belongings, she finds a puzzle box that she manages to open. The next thing Claire knows is she’s being manhandled by the largest — naked! — man she’s ever seen. She doesn’t know it yet, but her life is never going to be the same.

Sir Cameron MacLeon of Rubha, Scotland has been asleep for 700 years because of an ancient spell. Cameron is in awe of all he sees and experiences in this future world, but as amazing as it all is, he must find a way to get back home. With all he has learned in 2007, he should be able to keep his clan from decimation at this Culloden that Claire has told him about. Nothing is more important than saving his people and his heritage.

These two characters can’t be any more different from each other, and it is delightful to watch them grow on one another and eventually fall in love. Sandy Blair has a way of pulling you into her characters’ lives to experience their feelings and hopes and dreams. The emotions Cam experiences when finding out his family doesn’t survive one of the bloodiest times in Scottish history is heart-wrenching. I felt Claire’s grief as she spent herself in wracking sobs of loss. I felt Cameron’s disbelief and humiliation at the hands of police officers.

If you, as a romance reader, want love, emotion, fun, laughs, grief, and the always sought-after ‘happily ever after’ in your books, you have to read Sandy Blair. A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS is a great place to start, and it will give you everything you desire, including a miracle or two.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com

[Katy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 58%

Dear god. I can't take any more. I'm sorry, I know people seem to love this book, but I just can't. CAN'T.

So. Damn. Awful.

Nothing about this book makes sense. I couldn't care less about the hero or heroine. The plot is ridiculous. The MCs have zero chemistry. The romance is nonexistent. And on top of all that, I have no idea where the "Christmas" part of A Highlander for Christmas is. Maybe I just haven't gotten there yet. Don't know. Don't particularly care.

I give up.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading Christmas romances during the Holiday season...
Nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit like curling up with a good Christmas romance and a cup of eggnog!
It's traditional in my home to have books everywhere and during the Holidays almost every one has Christmas in the title! This one was a wonderful start to my Holiday season.

I enjoyed seeing modern day Boston through Cam's eyes.
His thoughts on the "empty-ay", the "teevee" and other things we take for granted were enough to have me laughing out loud. And, of course, the perfect ending always makes me teary-eyed!

I haven't read Sandy Blair's other Highlander books yet, but you can bet they are on my Christmas wishlist now.
Who can pass up a hunky Scot... or two?

Got this autographed copy in the mail along with the cutest little Santa Highlander!
What a wonderful start to my Christmas Season!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this story.

The only irritants that kept popping up?

"Ya" instead of "Yeah" and
"Ack" instead of "Och"

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected surpirse!! It is a really delightful book. I enjoyed the hero's funny reasoning very, very much. I even laughed aloud!! Very recommended!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A HIGHLANDER FOR CHIRSTMAS, Sandy Blair takes her readers on another time-travel. This time she brings her Scottish hero, Sir Cameron MacLeod, out of the 18th century Scotland on the eve of the Battle of Culloden, to modern day Boston.

Antique-store owner, Claire MacGregor's world changes the night she opens a puzzle box. She awakens later to find a very handsome, naked and rather angry man in her room. Once she realizes he's neither from this country or this century, she promises to find a way to send him home.

From one adventure to another, some of which involve bailing Cam out of the local jails, Claire falls further and further in love with the big Scot. Cam, whose own heart is falling for Claire, refuses to act upon his desires since he plans to find some way to return to his own time and home.

The ending is such a satisfying happily ever after for the brawny Cam and the tender-hearted Claire that old and new fans of Ms. Blair's work will sigh with contentment.

This is a MUST read for any Scot-o-phile. Filled with Ms. Blair's humor and witty prose, you will NOT be disappointed.

[Kazen]

I was looking for a fun romp, but the hero gets picked up by police soon after he arrives in the present day. He's brutalized by the cops and the heroine has to spend thousands of dollars she doesn't have to bail him out... a bit too real for my current state of mind, so I put this one back on the virtual shelf.

[Fony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baca buku ini membuat aku ketawa-ketawa krn byk kejadian yg lucu...

Sir Cameron MacLeod putra ketiga seorg Laird highlander dari abad 18. Pd mlm seblm pergi berperang, bibinya minta diperbolehkan melakukan ritual perberkatan kepadanya. [image error]

Claire seorg pedagang brg antik di Boston. Dia punya sahabat Tavis MacLean. Suatu hari di bulan Desember, Tavis meninggal dan mewariskan seluruh barang2nya kpd Claire. Di antara brg2 peninggalan Tavis ada beberapa barang yg aneh spt box kecil, pedang, belati, dll, disertai surat dari Tavish mengenai asal usul brg2 tsb. Box kecil itu semacam puzzle box yg setelah diotak atik Claire berhasil terbuka. Kmdn tiba2 di kamarnya muncul seorg pria naked... [image error]

Ternyata pria itu Cameron yg cuma ingat kejadian terakhir yg dia lakukan adl mempersiapkan diri utk pergi berperang. Byk kejadian lucu krn kesalahpahaman Cameron antara jaman abad 18 dan abad 21. Sampai2 Claire dan pengacaranya harus membail out Cameron beberapa kali dari penjara. [image error]

Ketika tau bahwa ayah dan saudara2nya tewas pd pertempuran di abad 18 itu. Termasuk bibinya dan seluruh anggota klannya juga tewas, Cameron berniat utk kembali ke masanya. Claire membantu Cameron mencari cara spy dia bisa balik ke masanya.

Apakah Cameron berhasil kembali ke masanya dan menyelamatkan keluarganya? Bagaimana dengan Claire yg diam2 jatuh cinta kpd Cameron ?

Suka banget sama Cameron. Benar2 hero idaman. [image error]
Bagaimana ketika dia tau apa yg diinginkan Claire dan berusaha utk mewujudkannya sampai2 hrs berurusan dng polisi.
Juga pengorbanan Claire untuk membantu Cameron kembali ke asalnya.
Benar2 mengharukan. [image error]

Untuk endingnya juga mengharukan dan makin cinta ma Cameron deh [image error]

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a friend of hers dies, she's given a sword in the man's will. One night, the heroine finds a hidden compartment and some sand inside than suddenly there's a very large very naked man in her bedroom. She's genially terrified and insists his leave. He takes the sword and his plaid and does as she asks but the cold and the fact he has no shoes bring him back.

The heroine, a softy towards those in need, take him in. When she realizes that he's not from her time, she's shocked but it doesn't seem to marvel her as much as one would expect. The hero thinks she's a witch who's brought him forward in time and demands that she use her powers to send him back but when she makes it clear she has zero powers, they embark on a journey to find a way to send him home. But as they grow to know each other they fight the sense of loss when it comes time to part ways.

The hero, obviously ignorant of current rules and customs has a tendency of being arrested. In fact, the poor man comes into contact with the police at least 3 times during the span of the novel. First for carrying a concealed weapon and fight the officer after being tazed. Second for illegally fishing for clams to make the heroine happy. And lastly for stealing 2 reindeer from the local zoo because he things to repay the heroine's kindness with 'bucks'. It was certainly comical and the hero had such an innocent childlike demeanor during even encounter with the law. I didn't particular find this book to be anything special or unique in any way.

It's your typical time travel romance novel but it had little to no conflict other than the hero's struggle to get home and dealing with the history of the scots as we know it. It was a contemporary romance which means the hero and heroine mainly go shopping, or go to restaurants, stuff like that. The chemistry between the two character was tame and it was never an all-consuming passion. They started out as friends and then sort of just sort of melted into a comfortable courtship. I was a little confused about the sword, as it's hinted In the beginning as needing a guardian but almost instantly the weapon is confiscated by the police and is never heard from again. The whole story felt like one of those horrible b movies on the lifetime channel. No substance to it, just some good old fashion holiday fun.... barf.

[Aki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich hatte einfach mal Lust auf eine kleine, süße Weihnachtsgeschichte und da ich dem Cover ebenso wenig wie der Kurzbeschreibung widerstehen konnte, ist es bei der letzten Rebuy - Bestellung einfach in den Warenkorb gewandert.. ganz von selbst.

Claire ist Antiquitätenhändlerin, wenn auch momentan nicht sonderlich erfolgreich. Sie hat einen Haufen Schulden, einen Vater, der sich einen Dreck um sie schert und ihre Mutter hat vor etlichen Jahren Selbstmord begangen.

Als sie durch einen Freund an eine unerwartete Erdschaft kommt, weiss sie erst gar nicht, was genau sie damit anfangen soll, erst recht nicht mit all den Einrichtungsgegenständen und Kisten, die ihr vermacht worden sind.

In einer der alten Eichentruhen findet sie eine kleine Dose und ein altes Amulett. Beim Öffnen dieser Dose setzt sie eine Art Magie frei, durch welche plötzlich Cameron McLeod for ihr steht: Ein Krieger aus dem schottischen Highland des 17. Jahrhunderts.

Cameron, welcher gar nicht weiss, wo er überhaupt ist oder wie er sich in dieser Welt verhalten soll, will so schnell wie möglich zurück und Claire, welche den ersten Schock langsam versaut hat, will ihm dabei helfen.. bis.. ja, bis sie sich in ihn verliebt.

Der Schreibstil der Autorin hat mich von Anfang an zum Schmunzeln gebracht. Ich konnte mich gut in Claire und ihre Verwirrung zu Anfang hineinversetzen, ich meine wer rechnet schon damit, dass urplötzlich ein halbnackter Mann in seinem Schlafzimmer steht.

Sie war mir von Anfang an sympatisch und auch Cameron war ein Charakter, den man einfach gerne haben muss. Seine Art, sich in der für ihn vollkommen neuen Welt zurecht zu finden, hat es Claire so manches Mal nicht einfach gemacht und mich als Leserin oft genug zum Schmunzeln gebracht.

Seine Versuche, wieder in seine Welt zu kommen, schlagen zwar alle fehl, aber das hindert ihn nicht daran, aufzugeben. Obwohl er es sich nicht eingestehen will, obwohl er weiss, dass er sie früher oder später verlassen muss, lässt er sich auf sie ein.

Das obligatorische Ende gab es natürlich auch hier, auch wenn ich sagen muss, dass es mich schon ein wenig überrascht hat, welchen Weg Cameron vor dem Happy End noch eingeschlagen hat, wie er sich Claire gegenüber verhalten hat oder sie sich ihm.

Dennoch hat mir das Buch ein paar schöne Lesestunden beschert und bekommt 4/5 Herbstblätter von mir.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir Cameron MacLeod is so excited to be going off to war! He has been taught the ways of his people: honor and glory.

He knows standing with his fellow kinsmen to protect his land will grant him both. When his aunt has a vision of his slaughter, she begs him not to go, but to no avail. Desperate, she bespells him to keep him trapped until a time arrives that he is safe.

Claire has an average life. She has a small business and a few close friends. When one of her dear elderly friends passes away and bequeaths her all of his belongings, her average life becomes anything but. After opening one of the boxes, a very large naked man appears in her bedroom.

Poor Cameron! Trapped in a future he does not understand with a past he cannot come to terms with. All he wants to do is go home.

And poor Claire! Saddled with a huge man who is bossy, demanding and rude, not to mention constantly being arrested. All she wants is to send him home.

In time, both Cameron and Claire come to follow an internal journey to understanding. Cameron learns the hard way that there is far more to life than womanizing, drinking, and slaughtering. He learns nothing is as important as loving someone, no matter the cost. Claire learns that people are human. Sometimes they make mistakes, but forgiveness can help relieve some of the hurt.

This is the first book by Sandy Blair I have ever read. I am impressed. The characters are alive and realistic. I could picture them in my mind and feel as if I know them personally. Though both main characters are from completely different worlds with different thought processes, its easy to understand their motivation and have empathy for both. The story is fast paced and easy to read, keeping the reader entranced though-out. Some of the comedic sequences, such as the clam digging, are absolutely delightful.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. It's definitely in the "Wouldn't normally Read" category for me, as I don't think I've ever finished a Romance of the "Harlequin" type before. But I needed something silly after a lot of hard-edged sci-fi lately, and when I read the blurb about an 18th-century highlander who gets a curse put on him, disappears and wakes up in 2007 Manhattan only to be thrown into the clutches of a sarcastic Romantic heroine ("You're a Highlander? Yeah, right."), I thought I'd give it a try. It isn't great...the premise being so stupid. But it's totally funny. (I just have to wonder if I'm laughing at parts that are supposed to be "serious" -- but then I can't imagine any of this ridiculous story being serious.)

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this last year, but wanted to add a couple of thoughts. I liked this one - 3.5-4 star read. It's very cute, and the H is a brawny Highlander from the past. He's a sweetheart and falls hard for the h. He gets into a lot of hilarious situations as he tries to adapt to the modern world. The main drawback for me is that there was a separation period that comes up around 2/3 or 3/4 into the book while the H/h were resolving certain inequalities in their relationship. Otherwise, cute and enjoyable, and I'd love to find a Cam for myself.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, this novel is a great read for those who enjoy a mix of modern and historical romance involving a Highlander. The novel starts off well and progresses nicely until the last 70 pages or so where it becomes too rushed. There's lots of questions that were left unanswered. To a normal reader, these unanswered questions are easily overlooked. But to a critical reader, it throws off the ending. If you can get past that, then this novel is a nice read during a quiet evening.

[DragonAthtor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I wanted a light Christmas-themed read. It really was that. I couldn't even finish it. I'm sure someone else would have loved it. It was readable, even as semi-believable as these stories can be, but it was far more sugar (predictable cliche) than I had an appetite for. I considered not even putting it on my reading list, but I am trying to make as complete a reading list as I can and I'm intrigued by my reading patterns. If you like Harlequin, I'm sure you'll love this too.

[Ladiibbug · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Christmastime, and Boston antiques dealer Claire MacGregor is fooling around with an old puzzle box when it opens ... and a gorgeous, studly laird appears!

Sir Cameron MacLeod is centuries old. He doesn't look it, though -- he is tall, dark, and sexy.

Nice book, a light romance. My first Sandy Blair read.

[Melanie♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This enjoyable read had some really funny and sweet moments.

Cam, our hero from the late 1700's, who found himself in present day Boston (and frequently in trouble with the law) was a very likeable hero. It was laugh-out-loud funny when he misunderstood the meaning of "bucks". Not realizing it referred to paper money, he stole two deer from a zoo to repay our heroine.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I loved how Cam so innocently lands into so many messes. It made me laugh which was something I desperately needed with two feet of snow falling outside while read this book. I recommend this to those of you that have not read a highlander / time travel book. I can't wait to get my hands on another of Sandy's books.

[Bookcrazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netter Zeitreiseliebesroman in der der Protagonist, ein Highlander aus dem Jahr 17xx allerhand Schwierigkeiten mit der heutigen Gegenwart hat, da er einige Dinge einfach zu wörtlich versteht. Das sorgt für kurzweilige, aber sehr unterhaltsame und lustige Lesestunden. Leider lässt der Roman im letzten Drittel ein wenig nach, deshalb gibt's "nur" 4 Sterne!

[Fatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute, sexy, funny, emotional, hot ..it was a lot of things. It was a great read. Cam was so amazing I wish he was real. but then dont we all? Claire was an amazing character and the things they did for eachother..esp the christmas presents and the end ..I was a lil teary .. all in all it was great!

[Shawn Koca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun time book. Not sure if I have read any other books by her, but this was worth the time to read!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt the ending was a bit unrealistic for the time frame of the ending but otherwise I enjoyed the book.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading time travel romances where the story takes place in present day. This one had a Highlander, and it was really well written. I like Sandy Blair's books. :)

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh This book is just fantastic! I love the Scottish brogue (I am part Scotch), this book has everything, romance, humor, strong character, and the story keeps you reading. Love it!!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. It's a fun, quick read that I found at the Goodwill shop. A brawny, 18th century Scottish hero brought forward in time makes for a good night's reading.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. However, I did not like that Cam went off for a year other than that the story was well written. The story just pulls you in I read it in a few hours! Enjoy!

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars rounded to 4, as it has some truly laugh-out-loud moments.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read. It was interesting enough for me to want to see exactly where it was headed but it felt lacking in some ways - the chemistry between them seemed a bit off, especially near the end. She loves him so much she'll send him away (why can't she go with him?). He loves her so much he tries to leave on his own (ostensibly to save her from the mayhem he causes; I guess they were supposed to be funny but while they were plausible they just started to get annoying). Mrs. Grouse was the best side character. Mr Brindle wasn't bad either but then he basically disappears from the story. Her supposed best friends - Victor you hear of more than you see him until near the end and Tracy wasn't a friend to her at all, coming on to Cam (which is not ok).

And what was really irritating was the continuous use of "ya" (not yea) and "ack" -- totally unnecessary and just got old very quickly.

Christmas was barely mentioned and then suddenly we're smacked with it for several pages - and then we kind of skip over parts of the following year to come back to Christmas. I don't think the Christmas title really does much and with some parts dragging, I think this could have been a better novella.

Also kind of weird how quickly some of the characters just accepted he was from the past. Didn't really seem plausible but I guess if you don't look too closely at things like this it is still an enjoyable read.

SPOILER
I did like when she was sick and his reaction to that. That's when you really felt he cared about her, maybe even loved her. But then the book went sideways for a while again.

He is gone for A YEAR!!! And hasn't spoken to her in the last few months of that year. Just seems like a long time for him to be gone and come back and everything is fine and let's wrap it up with a happy ending.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot I liked about this one and a lot that drove me crazy.
-Time travel romance. YES please.
-A displaced hero out of his element. Yes!
-A bonkers plot line that leads our sexy hero into modeling?...Sure? I guess.
-A hero who does ridiculous things even though he knows it will negatively affect the woman he relies upon and who he's developing feelings for? No. Just stop it, you foolish sexy man, you have no idea what you're doing.

The stress this woman went through. Sweet baby Jesus. Thank goodness for the magic of romance novels, because there was no way this man was staying out of trouble with the law! He was so sweet, and meant so well, but damn was he a magnet for trouble.

✨️Time travel romance (Contemporary)
🎄Holiday/Christmas themed
✨️Highlander hero (forward in time)
🎄Antiquity shop owner heroine
✨️Sweet old neighbor lady