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Celtic Brooch #1
The Ruby Brooch
Can a 21st century paramedic find her true identity on the other side of the heather-scented mist?
From the white-plank fenced pastures of Lexington, Kentucky, to the beautiful Bay of San Francisco, The Ruby Brooch, a saga rich in detail and mystery, follows a young woman’s physical and emotional journey as she searches for the truth she believes will heal her wounds, restore her sense of self, and allow her to move on with her life.
As the lone survivor of a car crash that killed her parents, paramedic Kit MacKlenna makes a startling discovery that further alters her life. A faded letter and a well-worn journal reveal that she was abandoned on her father’s doorstep as a baby. The only clues to her identity are a blood-splattered shawl, a locket that bears a portrait of a nineteenth-century man, and a Celtic brooch with mystical powers. Following notes in her late father’s journal, Kit sets out on a quest to solve the murders of her birth parents and discover her true identity. Under the guise of the Widow MacKlenna, Kit calls on the power of the ruby brooch and is swept back in time to Independence, Missouri, in the year 1852.
Upon arriving in the past, she meets Cullen Montgomery, an egotistical Scotsman with a penchant for seducing widows. The San Francisco-bound lawyer happens to resemble the ghost who has haunted Kit since childhood. She quickly finds the Bach-humming, Shakespeare-quoting man to be over-bearing and his intolerance for liars threatens her quest.
If she can survive his accusations and resist his tempting and passionate embrace, she might be able to find the answers she seeks and return home to a new life without changing history or leaving her heart on the other side of time
From the white-plank fenced pastures of Lexington, Kentucky, to the beautiful Bay of San Francisco, The Ruby Brooch, a saga rich in detail and mystery, follows a young woman’s physical and emotional journey as she searches for the truth she believes will heal her wounds, restore her sense of self, and allow her to move on with her life.
As the lone survivor of a car crash that killed her parents, paramedic Kit MacKlenna makes a startling discovery that further alters her life. A faded letter and a well-worn journal reveal that she was abandoned on her father’s doorstep as a baby. The only clues to her identity are a blood-splattered shawl, a locket that bears a portrait of a nineteenth-century man, and a Celtic brooch with mystical powers. Following notes in her late father’s journal, Kit sets out on a quest to solve the murders of her birth parents and discover her true identity. Under the guise of the Widow MacKlenna, Kit calls on the power of the ruby brooch and is swept back in time to Independence, Missouri, in the year 1852.
Upon arriving in the past, she meets Cullen Montgomery, an egotistical Scotsman with a penchant for seducing widows. The San Francisco-bound lawyer happens to resemble the ghost who has haunted Kit since childhood. She quickly finds the Bach-humming, Shakespeare-quoting man to be over-bearing and his intolerance for liars threatens her quest.
If she can survive his accusations and resist his tempting and passionate embrace, she might be able to find the answers she seeks and return home to a new life without changing history or leaving her heart on the other side of time
414 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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4979 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Lowry Logan
15 books4,109 followersKatherine grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and attended college in New Jersey, where she earned a BA in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. After attending the Philadelphia Institute for Paralegal Training, she returned to Central Kentucky and worked as a real estate and tax paralegal. Katherine is a marathoner and lives in Lexington, Kentucky where she writes full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 480 reviews
March 9, 2015
Weak and silly... *minor spoilers*
If I I make it to the 65% mark in a book I usually finish it. The Ruby Brooch will be the exception.
My very first time travel romance was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I won't say that ruined me for all others but it did set a bit of a standard for setting up the time travel premise and having the time traveler cope with and adapt to the time to which he or she has traveled. DG does it quite well by having her heroine Claire Randall flung backward to the mid-18th century and having to rely on her wits and common sense to navigate and make a life in the alien and often hostile environment of the Scottish Highlands at a time of great upheaval. DG does a creditable job of taking a fantastic premise and making it believable and absorbing.
Unfortunately, Ms. Logan and the Ruby Brooch cannot claim the same. Instead of her wits, our heroine relies on the trappings of the 21st century: flashlights, multi clip repeating rifles and handguns, modern medicines including IVs and Tylenol, her iPhone, iPod and the straw that broke this readers back: a modern pregnancy test. Her efforts to hide her "other worldliness" was perfunctory at best.
As far a characterization is concerned, I found it to be uneven and often contradictory. Both Kitherina and Cullen, our main protagonists cycle through emotions with alarming unpredictability and often without real explanation or provocation. Some of the secondary characterizations are quite good especially that of Sarah Barrett. I really like her more than Kitherina. As far as Cullen is concerned, he is supposed to be a Highlander (seems to be requisite in time travel novels), but speaks English with very little Scottish influence showing in his speech except when he is engaged sexually with Kitherina. It was infrequent enough to feel affected rather than illustrative of his character.
The great western migration was a fascinating period in American history but very little of the history of that time is incorporated into the story. While DG may occasionally be criticized for her massive research and how it shows up in her book as very detailed description, Ms. Logan might be criticized for not enough. This reader got only the barest sense of what life on the trail was like. My knowledge of U.S. History reminds me that it was a grueling, monotonous, dangerous journey and not enough of that figures into the story.
Bottom line: Given the setting this could have been a terrifically engaging read but is instead, shallow and silly. Give this one a pass.
If I I make it to the 65% mark in a book I usually finish it. The Ruby Brooch will be the exception.
My very first time travel romance was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I won't say that ruined me for all others but it did set a bit of a standard for setting up the time travel premise and having the time traveler cope with and adapt to the time to which he or she has traveled. DG does it quite well by having her heroine Claire Randall flung backward to the mid-18th century and having to rely on her wits and common sense to navigate and make a life in the alien and often hostile environment of the Scottish Highlands at a time of great upheaval. DG does a creditable job of taking a fantastic premise and making it believable and absorbing.
Unfortunately, Ms. Logan and the Ruby Brooch cannot claim the same. Instead of her wits, our heroine relies on the trappings of the 21st century: flashlights, multi clip repeating rifles and handguns, modern medicines including IVs and Tylenol, her iPhone, iPod and the straw that broke this readers back: a modern pregnancy test. Her efforts to hide her "other worldliness" was perfunctory at best.
As far a characterization is concerned, I found it to be uneven and often contradictory. Both Kitherina and Cullen, our main protagonists cycle through emotions with alarming unpredictability and often without real explanation or provocation. Some of the secondary characterizations are quite good especially that of Sarah Barrett. I really like her more than Kitherina. As far as Cullen is concerned, he is supposed to be a Highlander (seems to be requisite in time travel novels), but speaks English with very little Scottish influence showing in his speech except when he is engaged sexually with Kitherina. It was infrequent enough to feel affected rather than illustrative of his character.
The great western migration was a fascinating period in American history but very little of the history of that time is incorporated into the story. While DG may occasionally be criticized for her massive research and how it shows up in her book as very detailed description, Ms. Logan might be criticized for not enough. This reader got only the barest sense of what life on the trail was like. My knowledge of U.S. History reminds me that it was a grueling, monotonous, dangerous journey and not enough of that figures into the story.
Bottom line: Given the setting this could have been a terrifically engaging read but is instead, shallow and silly. Give this one a pass.
January 24, 2013
I finished this book last night. WOW! Just wow! I absolutely loved it. I love the author's voice, love the development of the characters, loved the plot and story. All of it was SO good! I've been reading a lot of books lately, now that I've been opened up to a bunch of new authors, and some are ok, some are bad and only a couple have been outstanding. Katherine was outstanding! She now has a life-long fan.
Ok, let's talk characters. Kit was just adorable, sensitive yet strong, determined yet loving... I felt for her, I wanted to be her, I wept for her. Excellent job! Cullen - LOVED him!! He's smart, poetic, deep, thoughtful, strong, husky, sexy.... he's the perfect hero.
All the secondary characters were wonderful too. I felt like I was friends with them just like Kit was. I hope in the next story she'll bring back the Barrett family.
I know I'm gushing, but I can't help it. I truly enjoyed your book from the first page to the last. I was so sad to finish it last night. I want it to be a movie!
I read ahead to some of the other comments on this site and I can't believe there are 1-star reviews. They really must not have been reading the same book I did, because I am darn picky about the books I read and only dive into the ones that I can actually feel inside my soul. I felt this one... it took hold and I know I will carry it with me for a long time.
Ok, let's talk characters. Kit was just adorable, sensitive yet strong, determined yet loving... I felt for her, I wanted to be her, I wept for her. Excellent job! Cullen - LOVED him!! He's smart, poetic, deep, thoughtful, strong, husky, sexy.... he's the perfect hero.
All the secondary characters were wonderful too. I felt like I was friends with them just like Kit was. I hope in the next story she'll bring back the Barrett family.
I know I'm gushing, but I can't help it. I truly enjoyed your book from the first page to the last. I was so sad to finish it last night. I want it to be a movie!
I read ahead to some of the other comments on this site and I can't believe there are 1-star reviews. They really must not have been reading the same book I did, because I am darn picky about the books I read and only dive into the ones that I can actually feel inside my soul. I felt this one... it took hold and I know I will carry it with me for a long time.
March 2, 2013
This book is not great. There is no depth to it at all. I was able to finish it because the heroine was like able, but I was happy it was over. Outlander puts this book to shame.
July 27, 2013
I am a total sucker for time travel all around, and this book started out strong.
There was a plausible reason why the protagonist should be perfectly prepared to survive in the pioneer days, one that didn't even make me think it was an excuse.
The descriptions of pioneer times was really interesting, especially all the detail on the Oregon trail headed west. The author did a great job at detailing the precariousness of life on the trail and how easily simple things could lead to death.
There was some confusing time mechanics, especially at the end, and the heroine was way too perfect - she could shoot, sing, paint, draw, and ride a horse like a jockey. Plus she was beautiful and had crap-tons of money, so I kind of found it hard to sympathize with her. Poor perfect rich girl.
All the men in the story treated her like a daughter - the main exception being the love interest. It was kind of unrealistic, to say the least and all the male characters started to blend together personality-wise.
The last three chapters of the book could have been summed up in a paragraph and were kind of hard to get through because the conflict had already been resolved.
Overall, it was a fun book and I enjoyed it.
There was a plausible reason why the protagonist should be perfectly prepared to survive in the pioneer days, one that didn't even make me think it was an excuse.
The descriptions of pioneer times was really interesting, especially all the detail on the Oregon trail headed west. The author did a great job at detailing the precariousness of life on the trail and how easily simple things could lead to death.
There was some confusing time mechanics, especially at the end, and the heroine was way too perfect - she could shoot, sing, paint, draw, and ride a horse like a jockey. Plus she was beautiful and had crap-tons of money, so I kind of found it hard to sympathize with her. Poor perfect rich girl.
All the men in the story treated her like a daughter - the main exception being the love interest. It was kind of unrealistic, to say the least and all the male characters started to blend together personality-wise.
The last three chapters of the book could have been summed up in a paragraph and were kind of hard to get through because the conflict had already been resolved.
Overall, it was a fun book and I enjoyed it.
July 20, 2015
I really wanted to like Katherine Lowry Logan's book The Ruby Brooch, I really did, since I had heard so much good about it ... but I couldn't.
For me there where several things that prevented me to like the story. First, for me this story was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series fan-fiction. I will not make here a list of all the things that where the same, it's sufficient to say, that a girl with a medical training travels to past and meet a highlander, who has shown himself as a ghost in her time, she falls in love with him and marries him in haste ... and so on.
The other thing that really got to my nerves was how everything bad that could happen happened in this story - car crash, almost rape, rattlesnakes, buffalo stampede, almost flash flood, mortal deceases, robbers .... And how Kit brings things from twenty-first century to nineteenth century with such an ease and uses them without scare that she could change things in future with her modern day knickknacks. And how everything important happens on just the right moment and how at the end the story is wrapped up with too much convenient coincidences. I know I'm reading a fiction but even the fiction could be believable if its well written.
And the main thing that spoiled my reading was the love story. Or to be precise the lack of the romance and passion and heat in this love story. Besides their thinking or saying that they loved each other or could not live with out each other, I got no other impression that there was love in the air. They fought, they misunderstood each other, they wanted each other's bodies, but I had hard time believing that there was something between these two ... I actually sensed more feelings between Kit and her cousin, than between Kit and Cullen.
The story has a good idea, it just was not very well executed.
For me there where several things that prevented me to like the story. First, for me this story was Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series fan-fiction. I will not make here a list of all the things that where the same, it's sufficient to say, that a girl with a medical training travels to past and meet a highlander, who has shown himself as a ghost in her time, she falls in love with him and marries him in haste ... and so on.
The other thing that really got to my nerves was how everything bad that could happen happened in this story - car crash, almost rape, rattlesnakes, buffalo stampede, almost flash flood, mortal deceases, robbers .... And how Kit brings things from twenty-first century to nineteenth century with such an ease and uses them without scare that she could change things in future with her modern day knickknacks. And how everything important happens on just the right moment and how at the end the story is wrapped up with too much convenient coincidences. I know I'm reading a fiction but even the fiction could be believable if its well written.
And the main thing that spoiled my reading was the love story. Or to be precise the lack of the romance and passion and heat in this love story. Besides their thinking or saying that they loved each other or could not live with out each other, I got no other impression that there was love in the air. They fought, they misunderstood each other, they wanted each other's bodies, but I had hard time believing that there was something between these two ... I actually sensed more feelings between Kit and her cousin, than between Kit and Cullen.
The story has a good idea, it just was not very well executed.
June 13, 2016
A very modern, tough girl learns upon her fathers death that she is able to time travel and chooses to go back to 1861 to find her roots. While she is on a treck through the Midwest in route to Oregon she learns how difficult and fragile life was then and against all her defenses falls in love. I enjoyed the main characters story and the history. The author did a good job showing how brutal and rugged trail travel could be back in that day.
April 30, 2015
I quit reading this book as soon as I realized the actual story was just a vehicle to write a lot of sex scenes. I'm only writing this review ro warn others,like me, who don't appreciate that much graphic description. Don't get me wrong, I love a good historical romance. This did not fit that category for me.
February 11, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. It is a wonderful combination of historical fiction and paranormal time-travel. And how could you not love a book that has a Golden Retriever and a cat in it! The voice of the main character, Kit, it fantastic. I was rooting for her the whole time, although she did act dumb a couple of times. The historical fiction part of the story involves traveling the Oregon Trail in 1852. The author did a lot of research on this and did a great job of making us feel like we were traveling along with the wagon train. It also reminded me of the old computer game Oregon Trail which I used to play with our grandkids, lots of fun. I'll be starting on the next book soon and I hope we meet some of these same characters is the next books. There are still lots of things we don't know about them and their lives.
June 17, 2018
3 The Ruby Brooch Stars
This is why I like book club, this is NOT a book I would have picked up on my own because time-travel is not my thing. And I am not a big fan of historical anything because sometimes the words confuse me and I am woman enough to say that.
That being said there were a lot of things I like about this book and there were a lot of things I am still clueless about.
I would say it took a few chapters for me to identify with which character was which. I think because you kind of get thrown into the book and not really introduces.
I like Kit and how she was in this century then we were off to the 1800’s and I was completely lost took me a bit to get used to all the characters. But once I did I like the story of this group going together. You really get to see the connection they all make and Kit and Cullen coming together.
Thought I will say I wasn’t a fan of insta-love and then it said 10 weeks so I am still confused it felt like days not weeks. But overall I really liked where they were going.
I loved the narration, not only does Teri Schnaubelt do great with accents but she made it easy to follow along. I think if she had been any other narrator I wouldn’t have continued because for me it was a book I really had to concentrate to follow.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
This is why I like book club, this is NOT a book I would have picked up on my own because time-travel is not my thing. And I am not a big fan of historical anything because sometimes the words confuse me and I am woman enough to say that.
That being said there were a lot of things I like about this book and there were a lot of things I am still clueless about.
I would say it took a few chapters for me to identify with which character was which. I think because you kind of get thrown into the book and not really introduces.
I like Kit and how she was in this century then we were off to the 1800’s and I was completely lost took me a bit to get used to all the characters. But once I did I like the story of this group going together. You really get to see the connection they all make and Kit and Cullen coming together.
Thought I will say I wasn’t a fan of insta-love and then it said 10 weeks so I am still confused it felt like days not weeks. But overall I really liked where they were going.
I loved the narration, not only does Teri Schnaubelt do great with accents but she made it easy to follow along. I think if she had been any other narrator I wouldn’t have continued because for me it was a book I really had to concentrate to follow.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
April 9, 2015
I liked the concept of this book however, the execution left a lot to be desired. As you know by now, the plot involves the heroine traveling back in time. What kept me from getting truly involved in the story is that she travels back in time with a 19th century wagon full of 21st century items: a CVS worth of drugs and first aid supplies, an iPod and headphones, a digital camera, liquor, guns, and so on. And she really doesn't make a huge effort to hide this from the 19th century characters nor are there timeline consequences for them finding out about these things.
Second of all was the sheer number of talents the heroine had. One line of the book mentioned a picture of her riding in the World Equestrian Games. Being involved in the horse world, I can tell you that the amount of time needed to train, prepare and ride successfully in the WEG pretty much precludes you from doing or learning all the other things the heroine could do: a brown belt in karate, being an EMT, and expert artist, historical reenactments - all very much time consuming hobbies/careers in and of themselves.
I think good time travel fantasy characters and stories need to feel as if they could really happen - and these sorts of issues just kick me right out of the story and unsuspend, if you will, my disbelief.
Second of all was the sheer number of talents the heroine had. One line of the book mentioned a picture of her riding in the World Equestrian Games. Being involved in the horse world, I can tell you that the amount of time needed to train, prepare and ride successfully in the WEG pretty much precludes you from doing or learning all the other things the heroine could do: a brown belt in karate, being an EMT, and expert artist, historical reenactments - all very much time consuming hobbies/careers in and of themselves.
I think good time travel fantasy characters and stories need to feel as if they could really happen - and these sorts of issues just kick me right out of the story and unsuspend, if you will, my disbelief.
July 19, 2019
🎧 Audio Review 🎧
This book is a little hard for me to give a rating because there was so much I loved about it and a few things I didn't. This is only my second time-travel story and I wasn't sure if I was going to love this one when it started because honestly I don't know a lot about this era or the Oregon Trail.
In the very beginning I found myself a little lost with who is who and the Scottish accent was throwing me off because for some reason I was having a hard time tying in the Scottish characters with the wagon trail. But once I got past that I really enjoyed the story, I love the idea that a women from now can baffle them with modern things, things that make her exciting to them and a bit of a hero. Then I went back to being lost about who was who in Missouri 1800's. Maybe it was the amount of characters, I don't really know but I had to pay very close attention to this audiobook or I felt a little confused. That being said, I loved Kit & Cullen's relationship from the beginning but I could have done without feeling like it was quick, a bit of insta-love. I also loved that in the end of this book I didn't feel like I didn't get the whole story. I know there are more books but this doesn't leave off with a cliffhanger and I was only left with a few questions. I can see this series getting better and better for sure!
The narration was fabulous! Teri Schnaubelt did an excellent job with the accents and switching back and forth between the characters.
This book is a little hard for me to give a rating because there was so much I loved about it and a few things I didn't. This is only my second time-travel story and I wasn't sure if I was going to love this one when it started because honestly I don't know a lot about this era or the Oregon Trail.
In the very beginning I found myself a little lost with who is who and the Scottish accent was throwing me off because for some reason I was having a hard time tying in the Scottish characters with the wagon trail. But once I got past that I really enjoyed the story, I love the idea that a women from now can baffle them with modern things, things that make her exciting to them and a bit of a hero. Then I went back to being lost about who was who in Missouri 1800's. Maybe it was the amount of characters, I don't really know but I had to pay very close attention to this audiobook or I felt a little confused. That being said, I loved Kit & Cullen's relationship from the beginning but I could have done without feeling like it was quick, a bit of insta-love. I also loved that in the end of this book I didn't feel like I didn't get the whole story. I know there are more books but this doesn't leave off with a cliffhanger and I was only left with a few questions. I can see this series getting better and better for sure!
The narration was fabulous! Teri Schnaubelt did an excellent job with the accents and switching back and forth between the characters.
September 3, 2014
The book started out interesting, the story line was intriguing and the characters held promise. Then... Then it fell into the same old routine rut of all romances - the scarred, broken girl meets the rough, unapproachable man and they break each other and fall in love. The romance seemed rushed and forced, the intimate scenes overly descriptive - I like when authors use the idea of an action or the senses rather than graphic detail of certain acts. I feel like the author wanted to write a romance and also write a historical novel, and in the end decided she would mash them together, with not the best results. The dialogue was very sophomoric and forced in some scenes as well. I wanted to like the book, but overall it disappointed me.
March 16, 2018
I got hooked into the words....highlander and time travel with a magical ruby thingamabob.
I thought it would be
but I got
I thought it would be
but I got
April 8, 2019
Love time travel books!! I enjoyed the story and will have to read more
September 19, 2021
Westward Ho! With A Twist (Audiobook)
The Ruby Brooch is the first book of the Celtic Brooch Trilogy (plus) written by Katherine Lowry Logan and narrated by Teri Schnaubelt. A modern, self-assured, accomplished and sadden woman, Kitherina (Kit) MacKlenna has her world blown apart with the death of her parents and love interest, discovery that she is probably not a MacKlenna by birth, and the possibility that her actual origins might lie back in 1842 and a trek along the Oregon Trail. So begins the wonderful historical hop.
Many might remember playing or watching their children playing the Oregon Trail computer game as it was, and may still be, a computer lab staple in the 80s and 90s. In the game you are a pioneer wending your way along the 2,170 mile route, encountering major landmarks, and enduring the rigors and mishaps common at the time. The Ruby Brooch covers all this and much more including a little magic, daily life of a pioneer, action, discovery of self and finding love.
The book is beautifully written with entertaining and endearing characters. Both Kit and Cullen Montgomery are headstrong, sure of themselves, dedicated, passionate and neither are looking for love. Enter stage right: the Ruby Brooch.
Teri Schnaubelt is again outstanding. She gives each character a unique sound and personality and is exceptional at the men’s voices and inflections. Her narration made me feel like a participant in the journey.
I actually read this book twice in a week. The first time I read the first four books in order and then re-read The Ruby Brooch. It was enlightening to see the foreshadowing Ms Logan has embedded in this and the others in the series. I eagerly await the next books in the series.
This audiobook was provided in exchange for an unbiased review. It was truly a delight to review this series.
The Ruby Brooch is the first book of the Celtic Brooch Trilogy (plus) written by Katherine Lowry Logan and narrated by Teri Schnaubelt. A modern, self-assured, accomplished and sadden woman, Kitherina (Kit) MacKlenna has her world blown apart with the death of her parents and love interest, discovery that she is probably not a MacKlenna by birth, and the possibility that her actual origins might lie back in 1842 and a trek along the Oregon Trail. So begins the wonderful historical hop.
Many might remember playing or watching their children playing the Oregon Trail computer game as it was, and may still be, a computer lab staple in the 80s and 90s. In the game you are a pioneer wending your way along the 2,170 mile route, encountering major landmarks, and enduring the rigors and mishaps common at the time. The Ruby Brooch covers all this and much more including a little magic, daily life of a pioneer, action, discovery of self and finding love.
The book is beautifully written with entertaining and endearing characters. Both Kit and Cullen Montgomery are headstrong, sure of themselves, dedicated, passionate and neither are looking for love. Enter stage right: the Ruby Brooch.
Teri Schnaubelt is again outstanding. She gives each character a unique sound and personality and is exceptional at the men’s voices and inflections. Her narration made me feel like a participant in the journey.
I actually read this book twice in a week. The first time I read the first four books in order and then re-read The Ruby Brooch. It was enlightening to see the foreshadowing Ms Logan has embedded in this and the others in the series. I eagerly await the next books in the series.
This audiobook was provided in exchange for an unbiased review. It was truly a delight to review this series.
June 16, 2012
THE RUBY BROOCH is Historical Romance that starts off in modern day but quickly go back to the Pioneer days in Independence Missouri. Kit MacKlenna makes a life changing discovery after her parents are killed in a crash that has her using an old Celtic Brooch to continue her father's journey into the past to figure out where she came from. Kit is a strong women with twenty-first century mentality that she carrier over into the nineteenth century. She obviously stands out from the normal subdued and complaint Pioneer Wife. Which quickly catches the attention of Cullen Montgomery, who throws out Shakespeare quotes and can hum any Bach song.
The plot is a little slow to get going, there are a lot of hidden secret that don't really unfold until the last hundred pages or so, that sometimes had me wishing that there was a bit MORE to go on. It seems like it's very easy for Kit to loose track of what purpose she has in the nineteenth century. She has a goal but as soon as she hits it she's almost lost in a love stage with Cullen. Kit often uses twentieth and twenty-first century ideals and technology, which seemed like an easy way out every time she would use them. The historical aspects of the story don't play that much of a part in the book, save for what it was like on the Oregon Trail and the hardships. It's mostly the future history that Kit touches upon, often misusing a title, for someone's future one.
While I seem to have some qualms about the book, it was an enjoyable read. The characters of Kit and Cullen are wonderfully written and both come alive together. They have a natural chemistry that allows them to grow with each other, and be able to use each other. Their romance is sweet, though Kit often reacts boldly for the virgin she is.
The plot is a little slow to get going, there are a lot of hidden secret that don't really unfold until the last hundred pages or so, that sometimes had me wishing that there was a bit MORE to go on. It seems like it's very easy for Kit to loose track of what purpose she has in the nineteenth century. She has a goal but as soon as she hits it she's almost lost in a love stage with Cullen. Kit often uses twentieth and twenty-first century ideals and technology, which seemed like an easy way out every time she would use them. The historical aspects of the story don't play that much of a part in the book, save for what it was like on the Oregon Trail and the hardships. It's mostly the future history that Kit touches upon, often misusing a title, for someone's future one.
While I seem to have some qualms about the book, it was an enjoyable read. The characters of Kit and Cullen are wonderfully written and both come alive together. They have a natural chemistry that allows them to grow with each other, and be able to use each other. Their romance is sweet, though Kit often reacts boldly for the virgin she is.
August 6, 2021
Oh my goodness ... I have discovered another new favorite series!! Katherine Lowry Logan has written a sweeping saga that combines history, romance, fantasy, love, and family. The novel's strong and smart heroine Kitherina MacKlenna finds herself in a dilemma after her parents' death and sets out to fill in the blanks of her genealogical charts (a heroine after my own heart). Her adventure takes her from her beloved Kentucky farm, through a perilous journey along the rough Oregon Trail, to the Highlander hills of Scotland, and finally to the west coast of California in San Francisco. As our gutsy heroine stubbornly continues on her seemingly impossible quest, the more puzzle pieces she finds, and as the story continues, we begin to see the picture she has constructed ... and what a beautiful masterpiece it is! I was totally enchanted by it all!! The day after I finished this book, I read several more of the first chapters over again, to see what clues I had missed (oh, there were clues!!) ... and then I read several of the last chapters again (and I cried as much as the first time I read it). That night I dreamed all night of the perfectly balanced tale and today I read more of the middle of the book, to reintroduce myself to another character that played a bigger part than I first expected! I cannot say enough about this book and I am SUPER EXCITED to begin the next story in the series! Thank you, Ms. Logan for your writing talents!
September 11, 2016
This book was given to me at no cost, by a generous acquaintance.
Let me start with the narrator for a change:
I've listened to Teri Schnaubelt before, so I was quite excited to find out that she narrated a series of historical fiction I'd been sneaking around for a while now, and I spontaneously decided that now was the time to read/listen to the series.
I wasn't disappointed. Once again, Teri does an excellent job with the narration: characters, dialects, moods -- all perfectly delivered, making it possible to immerse myself in the story.
And the story is great! True, in parts it reminds me of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, but it is very different.
The story is set in North America of today, and North America of the 1850s, and we trek along the Oregon trail. Not being American, I have little knowledge of that time period, or of the geography.
However, this book inspired me to look it up, to search for photos of the described landmarks, etc.
So, not only was I being entertained by an adorably well narrated and thought-out story, but I learned something new into the bargain. It's probably one of the reasons why I love historical fiction, and I can't wait to listen to the second book.
Let me start with the narrator for a change:
I've listened to Teri Schnaubelt before, so I was quite excited to find out that she narrated a series of historical fiction I'd been sneaking around for a while now, and I spontaneously decided that now was the time to read/listen to the series.
I wasn't disappointed. Once again, Teri does an excellent job with the narration: characters, dialects, moods -- all perfectly delivered, making it possible to immerse myself in the story.
And the story is great! True, in parts it reminds me of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, but it is very different.
The story is set in North America of today, and North America of the 1850s, and we trek along the Oregon trail. Not being American, I have little knowledge of that time period, or of the geography.
However, this book inspired me to look it up, to search for photos of the described landmarks, etc.
So, not only was I being entertained by an adorably well narrated and thought-out story, but I learned something new into the bargain. It's probably one of the reasons why I love historical fiction, and I can't wait to listen to the second book.
May 8, 2016
The Ruby Brooch was hard to put down, and definitely rates five stars. The main characters, Kit MacKlenna (from the 21st century) and Cullen Montgomery (from the 19th century) were both portrayed deeply and realistically, with hopes, dreams and flaws. I liked the way the story began at a quick pace and was nicely paced throughout with twists and events that kept me turning the pages and reading late into the night.
The story is told partly in the current time and partly in the mid 19th century, and I especially liked the historical parts, relating the story of a wagon train trek across America, which Kit goes back in time to join, so she can try to find answers to the questions she has about her own identity and her real parents. This showed the trials and dangers of such a journey really well. The author also showed she knows a lot about and has an affinity with horses.
This was the first of a trilogy, and I'd definitely like to read the others. Overall, it's a very pleasing, engaging, intriguing and at times heart-wrenching story.
The story is told partly in the current time and partly in the mid 19th century, and I especially liked the historical parts, relating the story of a wagon train trek across America, which Kit goes back in time to join, so she can try to find answers to the questions she has about her own identity and her real parents. This showed the trials and dangers of such a journey really well. The author also showed she knows a lot about and has an affinity with horses.
This was the first of a trilogy, and I'd definitely like to read the others. Overall, it's a very pleasing, engaging, intriguing and at times heart-wrenching story.
March 3, 2019
Re-reading the entire series again. Okay, here goes the FOURTH read! Bliss!
Okay, the fourth time is just as wonderful as the first time! This is a series that is a must read for me every couple of years. This is the book that began the "Celtic Brooch" series and it is definitely one of the best time travel romance series out there. This book was simply AWESOME! I highly encourage anyone who loves time travel, romance, page-turning adventures, heart stopping mysteries with a delightful Celtic flavor to pick up this book. Even if you don't hanker for these types of books, pick it up anyway. It is a fantastic story that you won't be able to put down. Make sure you have some tissues handy and time on your hands because you will be enthralled. The two characters in this book, and the other characters that support the story, all play key, significant roles in the following books and are the basis for the entire series. It is a FABULOUS series! I just love it! Yep, sheer bliss!
Okay, the fourth time is just as wonderful as the first time! This is a series that is a must read for me every couple of years. This is the book that began the "Celtic Brooch" series and it is definitely one of the best time travel romance series out there. This book was simply AWESOME! I highly encourage anyone who loves time travel, romance, page-turning adventures, heart stopping mysteries with a delightful Celtic flavor to pick up this book. Even if you don't hanker for these types of books, pick it up anyway. It is a fantastic story that you won't be able to put down. Make sure you have some tissues handy and time on your hands because you will be enthralled. The two characters in this book, and the other characters that support the story, all play key, significant roles in the following books and are the basis for the entire series. It is a FABULOUS series! I just love it! Yep, sheer bliss!
July 24, 2017
I loved this book! Typically I do not listen to time travel romances, but I am so glad that I listened to this one. The narrator did a fantastic job with the various voices and accents and characters. I found this story totally captivated me and it is a complete listen. I am hooked on the story of Katerina and the Ruby Brooch. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Some aspects of the story were a little unbelievable, but remember it's fiction. I loved the fact that Kat was such a strong and smart character. She was resourceful and wanted to find her family. I will listen to this book again and thought it was worth a credit. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
June 21, 2013
It's like twilight but with time-travel. Take out your notes, ladies, your mission in life is to marry and breed and if by chance you travel to the 18th century and meet a hot guy forget hot showers for the rest of your life.
I think I could have liked this. It had potential. It had a few good scenes which together justify the two stars, but then? It just went downhill. The plot was not interesting in the least and some characters disappear entirely to be dealt with, conveniently, in the sequel. And, FFS there is no way I'm reading the sequels.
And what the hell?? Why does it have such a high rating? It makes no sense. This book could lead me to distrust my fellow goodreads readers.
I think I could have liked this. It had potential. It had a few good scenes which together justify the two stars, but then? It just went downhill. The plot was not interesting in the least and some characters disappear entirely to be dealt with, conveniently, in the sequel. And, FFS there is no way I'm reading the sequels.
And what the hell?? Why does it have such a high rating? It makes no sense. This book could lead me to distrust my fellow goodreads readers.
May 19, 2012
Wow! What a book! I thought at the first it might be just a regular story, was I ever wrong. This story took off and didn't stop till the very last word. It is full of growing excitement, twist turns, surprises and full of romance and love. It will make you laugh, cry and tug at your heart. Great writing great read.
I am looking forward to reading more of this authors books in the future.
I am looking forward to reading more of this authors books in the future.
November 9, 2013
A reviewer compared the writing in this book to Susanna Kearsley. Don't be fooled. The time travel premise was believable but the plot was not. The author relied on sex scenes to convey romance. I found Kit to be cheap and annoying! She was too perfect and I couldn't identify with any of her emotions or traits. I would not recommend this book and won't read the others in the trilogy.
November 17, 2020
I may revisit this book someday, but I'm not even 30 minutes into the audiobook and there is cussing and ghosts. Not my bag.
March 2, 2021
This book was recommended to me because I was looking for historical fiction similar to Michelle Moran's.
Let me start with this. I *technically* finished it. But only because I skimmed the last half of the book (about 150 pages). Could I have left it unread and been fine? Absolutely. I missed out on literally nothing.
Simply put, the book was a letdown.
1) I was sincerely excited to read this book because it takes place on the Oregon Trail and includes places like Independence, Missouri, Ft Laramie, and Ft Kearney. All places that I have particular interest in and know somewhat about. I was greatly disappointed in that capacity. The descriptions of these locations were few, if existing, and didn't really mean anything for the plot. It probably could have taken place in modern day and not have made any difference in the plot.
2) The protagonist's response to time travel. When she's told that it's possible, she just accepts it like, "Oh yeah, duh!" And then goes and does it like it's as easy as tying your shoe. It was very unrealistic. Her response to these INCREDIBLE feats are so bland. So meh. Like, HELLO, YOU'RE TIME TRAVELLING!? I feel like you would be a little more excited or at least surprised that you could actually do that.
3) Dialogue. Barf. It was very immature and honestly very cringy. I felt like I was reading dialogue written by an 8th grader attempting to write romance (I would know because I definitely attempted to do this in 8th grade and the results were similar).
4) So much sex and allusions to erections. Like, it kinda took me by surprise because the writing in general wasn't that amazing - and then all of a sudden it's like someone copy and pasted from an erotica novel and put it in this one. It was very disorienting and very unnecessary.
5) To go with that, the romantic relationship between the main characters was worse than subpar. Right from the beginning, the female protagonist notes that the man she's attracted to is actually kind of a player and scumbag. But then later on decides that he's actually her one true love. And that's after he basically stalks her and tells her that she can't do things on her own and can't take care of herself. Lots of romantic and plot conflict was forced and instead of leaving the female protagonist looking like a "strong, independent woman" left her looking more like just a nuisance/annoyance. Meanwhile, Mr. Protagonist just can't seem to keep his junk under control literally any time he's with her and resolves that he "must bed her".
6) The rest of the story. I was hoping things would pick up after she time travels to the 1800s, but conflict after conflict - that feels forced and not very interesting or high-stakes - I just lost interest and after skimming the last half of the book, realized that indeed, nothing interesting really happened anyways, so I didn't have to waste all that time reading each and every word.
7) Also, from the beginning, the author makes allusions to other things that have happened in Kit's past that seem important but then are not mentioned again or are very VERY poorly explained later on. At times, it was often very confusing what the timeline was in the story. When the author does use flashbacks or Kit mentions the things she has alluded to before, it's done poorly and left me more confused than before. So basically, I was very confused about Kit's background.
So. That's why I gave it one star. I had heard before that this was a very cheap or "fan-fic" version of Outlander, a series that I have partly read. I could definitely agree with this. Female protagonist has experience in medicine and nursing, male love interest is from the Highlands, some steamy romance, time travel, etc.
If you're into all that sort of thing, skip this read and just go for Outlander. The writing is way better, the conflict way more interesting and the romance, while still very erotic in some places, isn't based on very, very superficial (and might I add UNHEALTHY) relationships.
Let me start with this. I *technically* finished it. But only because I skimmed the last half of the book (about 150 pages). Could I have left it unread and been fine? Absolutely. I missed out on literally nothing.
Simply put, the book was a letdown.
1) I was sincerely excited to read this book because it takes place on the Oregon Trail and includes places like Independence, Missouri, Ft Laramie, and Ft Kearney. All places that I have particular interest in and know somewhat about. I was greatly disappointed in that capacity. The descriptions of these locations were few, if existing, and didn't really mean anything for the plot. It probably could have taken place in modern day and not have made any difference in the plot.
2) The protagonist's response to time travel. When she's told that it's possible, she just accepts it like, "Oh yeah, duh!" And then goes and does it like it's as easy as tying your shoe. It was very unrealistic. Her response to these INCREDIBLE feats are so bland. So meh. Like, HELLO, YOU'RE TIME TRAVELLING!? I feel like you would be a little more excited or at least surprised that you could actually do that.
3) Dialogue. Barf. It was very immature and honestly very cringy. I felt like I was reading dialogue written by an 8th grader attempting to write romance (I would know because I definitely attempted to do this in 8th grade and the results were similar).
4) So much sex and allusions to erections. Like, it kinda took me by surprise because the writing in general wasn't that amazing - and then all of a sudden it's like someone copy and pasted from an erotica novel and put it in this one. It was very disorienting and very unnecessary.
5) To go with that, the romantic relationship between the main characters was worse than subpar. Right from the beginning, the female protagonist notes that the man she's attracted to is actually kind of a player and scumbag. But then later on decides that he's actually her one true love. And that's after he basically stalks her and tells her that she can't do things on her own and can't take care of herself. Lots of romantic and plot conflict was forced and instead of leaving the female protagonist looking like a "strong, independent woman" left her looking more like just a nuisance/annoyance. Meanwhile, Mr. Protagonist just can't seem to keep his junk under control literally any time he's with her and resolves that he "must bed her".
6) The rest of the story. I was hoping things would pick up after she time travels to the 1800s, but conflict after conflict - that feels forced and not very interesting or high-stakes - I just lost interest and after skimming the last half of the book, realized that indeed, nothing interesting really happened anyways, so I didn't have to waste all that time reading each and every word.
7) Also, from the beginning, the author makes allusions to other things that have happened in Kit's past that seem important but then are not mentioned again or are very VERY poorly explained later on. At times, it was often very confusing what the timeline was in the story. When the author does use flashbacks or Kit mentions the things she has alluded to before, it's done poorly and left me more confused than before. So basically, I was very confused about Kit's background.
So. That's why I gave it one star. I had heard before that this was a very cheap or "fan-fic" version of Outlander, a series that I have partly read. I could definitely agree with this. Female protagonist has experience in medicine and nursing, male love interest is from the Highlands, some steamy romance, time travel, etc.
If you're into all that sort of thing, skip this read and just go for Outlander. The writing is way better, the conflict way more interesting and the romance, while still very erotic in some places, isn't based on very, very superficial (and might I add UNHEALTHY) relationships.
September 11, 2017
First if you clicked this to see why I don't like it to see if you'll like it: if you liked Outlander and that series and the Highlander Series by Karen Marie Moning I seriously doubt you'd like this, but just a fair warning.
Kitheryna MacKlenna...
Things that would be fine if it was just two or three of them:
-Knowing Karate
-Knowing a lot about Classical music
-Being able to do caricatures as well as drawing accurately
-Apparently painting too
-Square dancing
-Being an EMT
-Apparently winning some horse-racing award (I understand this takes a lot of time and practice, for one thing)
-Plays guitar and improvs child-safety lyrics to the tune of Yankee Doodle off-the-cuff
-Is an heiress
-had a fiance in the 21st century, was still a virgin for Cullen (at 25)
It’s apparent it’s KLL who didn’t do much historical research. “Don’t get your bloomers in a bunch” …seriously? The most common error for historical fiction (time travel included) seems to be mistakes about underwear and idiomatic changes, both of which are really easily researched. Another example is her removing her dog’s flea collar. She’ll show off her modern medicine and devices but thinks that the 1850s people cannot comprehend putting a collar around a dog’s neck? (They wouldn’t have to know it’s a flea collar, and the notion of a flea collar doesn’t seem that far fetched.) I mean I think KLL googled whenever flea collars were invented and went with that instead of figuring out how people treated dogs back in the 1850s. Kit on the other hand, well, she’s inconsistent and un-relateable. Her only flaw seems to be that she that she is fool hardy and also broken up about the Scott guy who died before the story starts.
You need disadvantages to have tension. You need tension to have stakes in the story. Sure I’ll go into something like a romance thinking the main couple might/probably will end up HEA, but a good one will keep you wondering. KLL kind of threw some obstacles out half-heartedly. Some reviewers say it’s a vehicle for sex, and yeah I see that, and that seems like what it is. I’ve honestly read fanfiction that seemed more relateable and worthy of reading.
Though I’m spoiled by Diana Gabaldon. It’s apparent she at least tries and does plenty of research. It’s not fair to compare KLL to DG, not really, but anyone who has read Outlander (and the rest of the books) can’t help but do it, given it’s time travel historical romance. I’ve read others in the genre and this is the only one that just has me going, ‘is this author really doing this?’
The problem isn’t entirely the history either. It’s that it’s not that enticing because the main character is overpowered and falls into the old romance novel trope of having some cringey unique name which is something that can be looked over if the story was worthwhile or the character was likeable.
With the wagon-load of stuff from the twenty-first century it never feels like the stakes are raised and it seems like KLL didn’t really bother to sit down and think about what a modern woman would bring to the 19th century knowing ahead of time she was only going to be there for a few weeks/months with the intention of finding her birth parents, like Kit is trying to do. Bringing a pregnancy kit only serves the plot, and it does not serve the plot in any sensible way. It takes you out of it and judging by the reviews it’s the breaking point for a bunch of readers.
Wet wipes kind of take me out of it. What is she going to do? It’s not like there’s a trashcan and trash service, and she can’t really just throw them into a river or something. Let’s not ignore the fact that washing oneself with a wet wipe is kind of gross to begin with – forgoing the anachronistic wet wipes in favor of figuring out how to boil water to clean herself would have been more believable (and possibly problem-causing as everyone would wonder why the hell she wastes so much water on it as they are pre-Germ theory.)
There should have been some consequence to balance out all of the things he brought, and frankly to balance out all of her unlikely combination of skills.
Time travel historical romances are supposed to be a fish out of water story and the hero or heroine (whoever’s put at the disadvantage, usually the one travelling in time) surviving by their wits. Kit barely tries to hide anything from the 19th century people. She’ll curse, drink, and frankly show off without much regard for what might happen. She doesn’t even seem real in the 21st century setting because of the fact that she’s 25 and is an expert at all of these things that make her so useful in the 19th century. I read one (not Outlander) that was a Scottish time travel romance and the heroine was an expert in EMT type of stuff and she had some kind of military-ish job, but it fit together because she didn't have like five other things she was good at too.
It would have probably been better if KLL didn’t try to give us Cullen’s point of view. Doing that would require more research about 19th century life and it’s apparently KLL has a cursory understanding of it, and doesn’t follow through with that much danger. There are a number of times that KLL could have balanced things out by taking some power away from Kit, but it comes off like Kit’s some precious Mary Sue that has the deck stacked in her favor, with some cards, metaphorically speaking, removed in order to give the illusion of a problem.
The simple fact is that Kit is ridiculous. (E.g. If she was just an EMT with karate skills, or maybe just an artist who knew how to play the guitar, or just really good at raising/riding horses and one of the other skills she’d be more believable.) Hell, Kit doesn’t even have to give up her beloved pet cat or dog on this mission of hers either.
The heroine Is problematic, but we can’t forget our hero. Cullen is more believable as a 19th century man, but it’s a little weird because he’s Highlander enough to kind of have an accent sometimes but he also comes from a rich family and is a Harvard-educated lawyer with family and/or prospects in San Francisco. I would question it a lot less if he was a child of Scottish immigrants (i.e. American.) It’s not completely unbelievable that he’s from Scotland and everything but the why of it seems weird with everything else involved. Can there be a historical romance time travel novel that doesn’t involve Highlanders?
I think I’m spoiled by books like Outlander. If this were in the slightest more realistic something bad would have happened to one or more of her pets and/or she would’ve been robbed of her 21st century luxuries.
If you can make it past the 64% pregnancy test reveal the ending isn’t so bad. I now actually kind of want to know what happens with the other brooches, but I will not buy them. So if I ever see them at the library I might subject myself to the others and see if the author improves. I mean seriously she has to have realized how unbalanced this one was.
Oh and who was Heather Marie Murray? Besides the most 1970s/80s-ish named 1850s missing baby, I guess she was just a handy MacGuffin
It was an interesting contrast to the other time travel romances I've read, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Kitheryna MacKlenna...
Things that would be fine if it was just two or three of them:
-Knowing Karate
-Knowing a lot about Classical music
-Being able to do caricatures as well as drawing accurately
-Apparently painting too
-Square dancing
-Being an EMT
-Apparently winning some horse-racing award (I understand this takes a lot of time and practice, for one thing)
-Plays guitar and improvs child-safety lyrics to the tune of Yankee Doodle off-the-cuff
-Is an heiress
-had a fiance in the 21st century, was still a virgin for Cullen (at 25)
It’s apparent it’s KLL who didn’t do much historical research. “Don’t get your bloomers in a bunch” …seriously? The most common error for historical fiction (time travel included) seems to be mistakes about underwear and idiomatic changes, both of which are really easily researched. Another example is her removing her dog’s flea collar. She’ll show off her modern medicine and devices but thinks that the 1850s people cannot comprehend putting a collar around a dog’s neck? (They wouldn’t have to know it’s a flea collar, and the notion of a flea collar doesn’t seem that far fetched.) I mean I think KLL googled whenever flea collars were invented and went with that instead of figuring out how people treated dogs back in the 1850s. Kit on the other hand, well, she’s inconsistent and un-relateable. Her only flaw seems to be that she that she is fool hardy and also broken up about the Scott guy who died before the story starts.
You need disadvantages to have tension. You need tension to have stakes in the story. Sure I’ll go into something like a romance thinking the main couple might/probably will end up HEA, but a good one will keep you wondering. KLL kind of threw some obstacles out half-heartedly. Some reviewers say it’s a vehicle for sex, and yeah I see that, and that seems like what it is. I’ve honestly read fanfiction that seemed more relateable and worthy of reading.
Though I’m spoiled by Diana Gabaldon. It’s apparent she at least tries and does plenty of research. It’s not fair to compare KLL to DG, not really, but anyone who has read Outlander (and the rest of the books) can’t help but do it, given it’s time travel historical romance. I’ve read others in the genre and this is the only one that just has me going, ‘is this author really doing this?’
The problem isn’t entirely the history either. It’s that it’s not that enticing because the main character is overpowered and falls into the old romance novel trope of having some cringey unique name which is something that can be looked over if the story was worthwhile or the character was likeable.
With the wagon-load of stuff from the twenty-first century it never feels like the stakes are raised and it seems like KLL didn’t really bother to sit down and think about what a modern woman would bring to the 19th century knowing ahead of time she was only going to be there for a few weeks/months with the intention of finding her birth parents, like Kit is trying to do. Bringing a pregnancy kit only serves the plot, and it does not serve the plot in any sensible way. It takes you out of it and judging by the reviews it’s the breaking point for a bunch of readers.
Wet wipes kind of take me out of it. What is she going to do? It’s not like there’s a trashcan and trash service, and she can’t really just throw them into a river or something. Let’s not ignore the fact that washing oneself with a wet wipe is kind of gross to begin with – forgoing the anachronistic wet wipes in favor of figuring out how to boil water to clean herself would have been more believable (and possibly problem-causing as everyone would wonder why the hell she wastes so much water on it as they are pre-Germ theory.)
There should have been some consequence to balance out all of the things he brought, and frankly to balance out all of her unlikely combination of skills.
Time travel historical romances are supposed to be a fish out of water story and the hero or heroine (whoever’s put at the disadvantage, usually the one travelling in time) surviving by their wits. Kit barely tries to hide anything from the 19th century people. She’ll curse, drink, and frankly show off without much regard for what might happen. She doesn’t even seem real in the 21st century setting because of the fact that she’s 25 and is an expert at all of these things that make her so useful in the 19th century. I read one (not Outlander) that was a Scottish time travel romance and the heroine was an expert in EMT type of stuff and she had some kind of military-ish job, but it fit together because she didn't have like five other things she was good at too.
It would have probably been better if KLL didn’t try to give us Cullen’s point of view. Doing that would require more research about 19th century life and it’s apparently KLL has a cursory understanding of it, and doesn’t follow through with that much danger. There are a number of times that KLL could have balanced things out by taking some power away from Kit, but it comes off like Kit’s some precious Mary Sue that has the deck stacked in her favor, with some cards, metaphorically speaking, removed in order to give the illusion of a problem.
The simple fact is that Kit is ridiculous. (E.g. If she was just an EMT with karate skills, or maybe just an artist who knew how to play the guitar, or just really good at raising/riding horses and one of the other skills she’d be more believable.) Hell, Kit doesn’t even have to give up her beloved pet cat or dog on this mission of hers either.
The heroine Is problematic, but we can’t forget our hero. Cullen is more believable as a 19th century man, but it’s a little weird because he’s Highlander enough to kind of have an accent sometimes but he also comes from a rich family and is a Harvard-educated lawyer with family and/or prospects in San Francisco. I would question it a lot less if he was a child of Scottish immigrants (i.e. American.) It’s not completely unbelievable that he’s from Scotland and everything but the why of it seems weird with everything else involved. Can there be a historical romance time travel novel that doesn’t involve Highlanders?
I think I’m spoiled by books like Outlander. If this were in the slightest more realistic something bad would have happened to one or more of her pets and/or she would’ve been robbed of her 21st century luxuries.
If you can make it past the 64% pregnancy test reveal the ending isn’t so bad. I now actually kind of want to know what happens with the other brooches, but I will not buy them. So if I ever see them at the library I might subject myself to the others and see if the author improves. I mean seriously she has to have realized how unbalanced this one was.
Oh and who was Heather Marie Murray? Besides the most 1970s/80s-ish named 1850s missing baby, I guess she was just a handy MacGuffin
It was an interesting contrast to the other time travel romances I've read, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2019
I listened to the audio version of this book. I really thought the premise of the book was pretty cool--a current day paramedic going back in time to try to find out who her parents were. Some of the particulars of the book would be a little hard to swallow if you wanted to pick it apart (she time travels with a wagon full of present day supplies plus her cat, dog and horse), but I chose to just go with the flow and enjoy the story. The one thing I found really hard to ignore, however, was the time difference. Kit grandfather dies in 1852. How can she be of child bearing age in 2012? The highlight was the faith and belief Cullen had in Kit and the love they had for each other that crossed the ages.
Something that really enhanced the story was the narration by Teri Schnaubelt. Her natural voice is very pleasant to listen to and the brogue was great!
Something that really enhanced the story was the narration by Teri Schnaubelt. Her natural voice is very pleasant to listen to and the brogue was great!
April 26, 2020
I read a couple of these books in the series out of order. Possibly because of that, I am very glad that I didn’t start at book one. These are strong women as the series moves forward. That is NOT conveyed in a way I could identify with at all. Who hasn’t fantasized about going back in time? In the same vein, it’s like someone forgot to give this intelligent woman the time traveler’s manual. Her reliance on modern technology way too often left me disappointed and wanting better.
Just so you know—other books do showcase the women (and men) in a much better light. I’m very ambivalent about this book kicking off an otherwise interesting series. I’d check the reviews and maybe read every other book.
Just so you know—other books do showcase the women (and men) in a much better light. I’m very ambivalent about this book kicking off an otherwise interesting series. I’d check the reviews and maybe read every other book.
January 1, 2021
This was the first time I’ve read a story by Katherine. I love time travel books and this one didn’t disappoint. My only regret is that I finished it to quickly. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Even though it’s not a time travel I know I will enjoy it just as much as the first book. Katherine you are a truly gifted writer.
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