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Interloper at Glencoe
Time travel to a Historical Romance novel set in 17th century Scotland.
Nick Mouline is a rational, thinking man, who one day acquires a fascinating old book that brings him a dream of a beautiful woman and an adventure of long ago.
Nick Mouline is a rational, thinking man, who one day acquires a fascinating old book that brings him a dream of a beautiful woman and an adventure of long ago.
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About the author
Julianne Lee
12 books40 followersIn the words of Bill Cosby, "I started out as a child." I was born in California, at the age of about zero, on the United States Naval Base at Point Mugu. Dad was a pilot and Mom a former WAVE. For about a year I was an only child, but then my brother was born, and over the years I collected siblings like they were beanie babies. A brother, two sisters, later on a half sister, and we'll not get into the scads of stepbrothers and former stepbrothers.
At twelve I began to write for fun, which I think is the only real reason to write fiction. I figured it beat reality any old day, and I liked sitting at the desk in my room, pretending to be doing something worthwhile. Daydreaming with a purpose, and gradually I realized I could gain approval for the very thing teachers used to criticize me for in class. I wanted to be an actor, and by the age of sixteen my dream - pipe dream - was to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts . But I knew it would never happen. The Academy was in New York, and that was too far away to even contemplate seriously. So I started college as an art major. I was a terrible artist. I did a good job of fooling myself and everyone around me, but eventually I gave up the charade and left home for Los Angeles at twenty.
What, ho! When I got there I found the American Academy had recently opened
up a campus in Pasadena. By the kindness of some people I met in L.A., I was recommended to the school and accepted. The following two years was a turning point, that changed my life in ways that are still unfolding. Though an education in theatre bestows skills that are not terribly marketable in ordinary life, the things I learned at that school have benefited me every day since. Stage fright has not since held the terror it once did. At the school, I discovered I could be funny, a fact that might have saved me a lot of grief had I known it in grammar school. I could have been a fabulous class clown. In addition to this self-discovery, while I was at the Academy I wrote my first novel. In longhand. I still had no idea I wanted to be a writer; all I knew was that there could be peace in living inside a story about someone else.
Almost immediately after graduating from the Academy, I met and married Dale Lee. We left Los Angeles, but I was kicking and screaming the whole way. Twenty-odd years later, I still miss the place. We had two kids right away, so I now had three children, one of each: a boy, a girl, and a husband. There were a couple of acting jobs, most notably two days on "At Close Range," a feature film starring Christopher Walken and Sean Penn, and a TV movie starring Ann-Margaret. But in trying to be an actor in Nashville, I realized most of the other actors in town were looking forward to their big chance to leave for Los Angeles, and I knew that would never be a possibility for me. At thirty I decided I was getting old faster than I was getting famous, so I looked for something to do besides acting and changing diapers. Throughout this time I'd kept writing, though sporadically, and about then I began a second novel. Gradually an inkling came there might be a possibility of becoming published. I sure wasn't any good at anything else I might have done locally. On January 27, 1987 I bought my first copy of Writers Digest. Another turning point in my life. For the next several years I wrote manuscripts, sent the work out, joined writers groups, and workshopped my novels with the Green River Writers in Louisville, KY. After seven years I sold my first short story, Culture Control, to the now defunct Cosmic Unicorn. Immediately afterward I was hired by the local newspaper. From there I went to writing actor interviews for Starlog Magazine , a job for which I was singularly qualified.
I also wrote some video sleeve copy for Fox Home Video. That stands as the most highly paid time per hour I've ever spent, and I loved it even if it did attract sympathy from misguided folks who thought it less
At twelve I began to write for fun, which I think is the only real reason to write fiction. I figured it beat reality any old day, and I liked sitting at the desk in my room, pretending to be doing something worthwhile. Daydreaming with a purpose, and gradually I realized I could gain approval for the very thing teachers used to criticize me for in class. I wanted to be an actor, and by the age of sixteen my dream - pipe dream - was to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts . But I knew it would never happen. The Academy was in New York, and that was too far away to even contemplate seriously. So I started college as an art major. I was a terrible artist. I did a good job of fooling myself and everyone around me, but eventually I gave up the charade and left home for Los Angeles at twenty.
What, ho! When I got there I found the American Academy had recently opened
up a campus in Pasadena. By the kindness of some people I met in L.A., I was recommended to the school and accepted. The following two years was a turning point, that changed my life in ways that are still unfolding. Though an education in theatre bestows skills that are not terribly marketable in ordinary life, the things I learned at that school have benefited me every day since. Stage fright has not since held the terror it once did. At the school, I discovered I could be funny, a fact that might have saved me a lot of grief had I known it in grammar school. I could have been a fabulous class clown. In addition to this self-discovery, while I was at the Academy I wrote my first novel. In longhand. I still had no idea I wanted to be a writer; all I knew was that there could be peace in living inside a story about someone else.
Almost immediately after graduating from the Academy, I met and married Dale Lee. We left Los Angeles, but I was kicking and screaming the whole way. Twenty-odd years later, I still miss the place. We had two kids right away, so I now had three children, one of each: a boy, a girl, and a husband. There were a couple of acting jobs, most notably two days on "At Close Range," a feature film starring Christopher Walken and Sean Penn, and a TV movie starring Ann-Margaret. But in trying to be an actor in Nashville, I realized most of the other actors in town were looking forward to their big chance to leave for Los Angeles, and I knew that would never be a possibility for me. At thirty I decided I was getting old faster than I was getting famous, so I looked for something to do besides acting and changing diapers. Throughout this time I'd kept writing, though sporadically, and about then I began a second novel. Gradually an inkling came there might be a possibility of becoming published. I sure wasn't any good at anything else I might have done locally. On January 27, 1987 I bought my first copy of Writers Digest. Another turning point in my life. For the next several years I wrote manuscripts, sent the work out, joined writers groups, and workshopped my novels with the Green River Writers in Louisville, KY. After seven years I sold my first short story, Culture Control, to the now defunct Cosmic Unicorn. Immediately afterward I was hired by the local newspaper. From there I went to writing actor interviews for Starlog Magazine , a job for which I was singularly qualified.
I also wrote some video sleeve copy for Fox Home Video. That stands as the most highly paid time per hour I've ever spent, and I loved it even if it did attract sympathy from misguided folks who thought it less
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 11, 2020
This book started so slowly. It did eventually gain some momentum, but then halfway through the book there is a 5 chapter stretch of tedious boredom that could have been left out entirely without changing the outcome at all. Eventually it ended decently but was very predictable. The main character was a decent guy, but I could not comprehend any reason why he was so infatuated with his love interest, Beth. She was written as more obstinate and difficult than lovable or interesting. There was very little depth to any character in the book.
January 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Kept me interested the whole time. Finished in 2 days. Good story, wasn't slow, had some humor, made me smile. I liked the ending. I seen some complaints about the narrator in the reviews, but I didn't think he was bad. I know if I would've read this book I would have made plenty of mistakes with the language, and since I don't know the language, I didn't notice his mistakes. I thought it was very enjoyable. Definitely recommend. Language, and some graphic sex warning.
July 20, 2019
Huh! Most ratings for this novel are low. Probably not enough sex or smut. It was hard for me to even pause. And after a long work week, eyes burning and headache are being felt now that it's finished. I guess I will have to edit my review. Good night
September 1, 2017
Time travel, pretty good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2021
Didnt finish.
January 2, 2013
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Where to start with reviewing this book... I picked it up (and requested it in part) because it looked a bit like Eireland, which I enjoyed so much earlier in the year. I wasn't feeling all too excited about my other reading options, so this was it.
The beginning is a little slow, but once things get started there's lots of action. The characters are endearing, and I could really feel where things were going with Beth and feel Nick's frustration and worry.
The ending was brilliant. Loved it. The only thing I would have liked to see more of would have been if I could see the life as an epilogue.
The Gaelic and lack of translations (which would have been nice at the end of the book) would have been good to have. I don't know enough about it to comment on the accuracy.
Romance, fantasy, a bit of history - things I'm really enjoying at the moment and want more of and they're all here in this nice book. Tick from me.
I'd say it was suitable for adults and teens alike. There are some references to sex, and some other adult themes (such as the deaths of the clan members), but I feel that those are quite minor points that don't detract from the readability of the novel.
I've given this novel 4 stars, simply because despite being interested in the story, I did pick it up to read, and then put it back down again due to the slow beginning. Other than that, it's really good and warms up to the task of entertaining. I would even consider purchasing a hard copy of it.
I received this free from Librarything in return for a review, but this has in no way influenced my review.
Where to start with reviewing this book... I picked it up (and requested it in part) because it looked a bit like Eireland, which I enjoyed so much earlier in the year. I wasn't feeling all too excited about my other reading options, so this was it.
The beginning is a little slow, but once things get started there's lots of action. The characters are endearing, and I could really feel where things were going with Beth and feel Nick's frustration and worry.
The ending was brilliant. Loved it. The only thing I would have liked to see more of would have been if I could see the life as an epilogue.
The Gaelic and lack of translations (which would have been nice at the end of the book) would have been good to have. I don't know enough about it to comment on the accuracy.
Romance, fantasy, a bit of history - things I'm really enjoying at the moment and want more of and they're all here in this nice book. Tick from me.
I'd say it was suitable for adults and teens alike. There are some references to sex, and some other adult themes (such as the deaths of the clan members), but I feel that those are quite minor points that don't detract from the readability of the novel.
I've given this novel 4 stars, simply because despite being interested in the story, I did pick it up to read, and then put it back down again due to the slow beginning. Other than that, it's really good and warms up to the task of entertaining. I would even consider purchasing a hard copy of it.
I received this free from Librarything in return for a review, but this has in no way influenced my review.
November 4, 2012
Received as part of the October 2012 Librarything's Early Reviewer, from Book View Cafe.
From the publishers: Nick Moulin is a rational, thinking man, who one day acquires a fascinating old book that brings him a dream of a beautiful woman and an adventure of long ago.
This is similar (but not the same) to "Kindred Spirits" by the same author (modern character goes back in time) and "The Last Sunset" by Bob Atkinson, the latter being time travel back to the same area/period of time (redcoat massacres in the glens of Scotland). The main differences with this book is that the main characters get to go forward and backwards in time and (spoiler alert!) manage to change history.
The main thing that bugged me in the book: Nick was in a small apartment, having moved out of his parents' house (his mother was truly dreadful!) and seemed to be of limited income, living on junk food. However, when he went to go shopping with Beth, he managed to get her a whole new wardrobe (dress, tops, underwear, trousers, shoes) with no worries, as a savings account from his time at a dotcom had mysteriously appeared. Beth's discomfort in the new world was dealt with well, and stopped before becoming too tedious.
Not sure I was entirely convinced with Fionn and his take with Beth - he said he was in love with her but seemed to watch from afar and do a little meddling with the men in her life. There was nothing to convince me what he was going to do to make her his - there seemed no plan to kidnap her away to the faery land or otherwise make her his (or did I miss something?). He didnt seem wise or barmy enough for me.
Otherwise, I thought the story was good, interesting, and new-ish take on a fantasy staple.
From the publishers: Nick Moulin is a rational, thinking man, who one day acquires a fascinating old book that brings him a dream of a beautiful woman and an adventure of long ago.
This is similar (but not the same) to "Kindred Spirits" by the same author (modern character goes back in time) and "The Last Sunset" by Bob Atkinson, the latter being time travel back to the same area/period of time (redcoat massacres in the glens of Scotland). The main differences with this book is that the main characters get to go forward and backwards in time and (spoiler alert!) manage to change history.
The main thing that bugged me in the book: Nick was in a small apartment, having moved out of his parents' house (his mother was truly dreadful!) and seemed to be of limited income, living on junk food. However, when he went to go shopping with Beth, he managed to get her a whole new wardrobe (dress, tops, underwear, trousers, shoes) with no worries, as a savings account from his time at a dotcom had mysteriously appeared. Beth's discomfort in the new world was dealt with well, and stopped before becoming too tedious.
Not sure I was entirely convinced with Fionn and his take with Beth - he said he was in love with her but seemed to watch from afar and do a little meddling with the men in her life. There was nothing to convince me what he was going to do to make her his - there seemed no plan to kidnap her away to the faery land or otherwise make her his (or did I miss something?). He didnt seem wise or barmy enough for me.
Otherwise, I thought the story was good, interesting, and new-ish take on a fantasy staple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2012
This book is a romantic fantasy that was quick to read, hard to put down, and unique in its way of balancing past and present. It is very similar to Kindred Spirits, another book by the same author, and having read that story, I felt that I could somewhat easily predict what was going to happen in this one, which took some of the mystery away for me.
What I found most interesting here was the aspect of having the faerie be in multiple time periods, shifting things to his favor and doing all of the usual tricky things wherever he was. Unfortunately I can’t really say more than that without giving away plot, but that was unique to anything I had read before.
Overall, I enjoyed the story very much, even if there were times I wish things had been explained a little more or had hoped that more time had been put into explaining certain relationships.
Note: Though this book was a free gift from the author, the content of my review was in no way influenced by the gifting. The book speaks for itself and my review would have been worded just this way even if I'd gone out and bought it. I also give bonus points for Text To Speech enabling on Kindle format.... but that also wasn't a factor in the above review.
What I found most interesting here was the aspect of having the faerie be in multiple time periods, shifting things to his favor and doing all of the usual tricky things wherever he was. Unfortunately I can’t really say more than that without giving away plot, but that was unique to anything I had read before.
Overall, I enjoyed the story very much, even if there were times I wish things had been explained a little more or had hoped that more time had been put into explaining certain relationships.
Note: Though this book was a free gift from the author, the content of my review was in no way influenced by the gifting. The book speaks for itself and my review would have been worded just this way even if I'd gone out and bought it. I also give bonus points for Text To Speech enabling on Kindle format.... but that also wasn't a factor in the above review.
November 17, 2012
This book was a fun twist on the time travel romance, sending the man back in time rather than the woman. There is your basic formula for romance, along with some unusual twists and turns. And of course being set in current-day California and historic Scotland you have all kinds of entertaining misunderstandings between language and changes in cultural mores. Then of course there are the faeries, because "the little people" are well believed in the history of Scotland.
The story was fun, with some interestings hooks and twists. For the cons I can only really come up with a few - mostly the dialogue and for me, the excessive use of "Och" by Beth, the leading lady. It seemed as if the author wanted to get a sense of Gaelic in the language/dialogue, but only knew about five words and depended upon "Och" to impart that sense of authenticity.
The story was fun, with some interestings hooks and twists. For the cons I can only really come up with a few - mostly the dialogue and for me, the excessive use of "Och" by Beth, the leading lady. It seemed as if the author wanted to get a sense of Gaelic in the language/dialogue, but only knew about five words and depended upon "Och" to impart that sense of authenticity.
August 26, 2016
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I believe this may be the first time travel story I've read where the man is sent back in time and brings back the woman rather than vice versa. Like another reviewer, I enjoyed the part in Scotland much more than that in modern California. Ms. Lee has researched her history quite well, obviously. But... the modern man figures out how to manage without all of his modern conveniences, but the woman can't handle those same conveniences without having a meltdown? I mean, yes, all of our technology would be quite shocking, but it seemed a bit overdone, not to mention sexist. Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.
I believe this may be the first time travel story I've read where the man is sent back in time and brings back the woman rather than vice versa. Like another reviewer, I enjoyed the part in Scotland much more than that in modern California. Ms. Lee has researched her history quite well, obviously. But... the modern man figures out how to manage without all of his modern conveniences, but the woman can't handle those same conveniences without having a meltdown? I mean, yes, all of our technology would be quite shocking, but it seemed a bit overdone, not to mention sexist. Other than that, I quite enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.
January 21, 2021
I received this book for free to review on Librarything.
Miss Lee has a nice writing style, and a good concept for the story.
I appreciated the first half of the story more than the second half.
When Nick gets tranported back in time to Glencoe, he adapts well. But when Beth comes forward in time, she is like a child. I understand that things would be confusing and different. But for Nick to have to teach her to read and use money or credit cards, it just made me feel as if the woman was now infantile and unable to care for herself.
I gave the book 3 stars for that reason. It seemed to me that it was abit degrading to women.
Miss Lee has a nice writing style, and a good concept for the story.
I appreciated the first half of the story more than the second half.
When Nick gets tranported back in time to Glencoe, he adapts well. But when Beth comes forward in time, she is like a child. I understand that things would be confusing and different. But for Nick to have to teach her to read and use money or credit cards, it just made me feel as if the woman was now infantile and unable to care for herself.
I gave the book 3 stars for that reason. It seemed to me that it was abit degrading to women.
March 8, 2015
This book was received as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This was an interesting premise and it held my attention throughout, but I felt the writing lacked something. I'm not sure what! I was annoyed by the modern-day idioms and language used by Nick, even though he IS a modern-day character.
It is a fun, short read, but not destined to become a classic, by any means.
This was an interesting premise and it held my attention throughout, but I felt the writing lacked something. I'm not sure what! I was annoyed by the modern-day idioms and language used by Nick, even though he IS a modern-day character.
It is a fun, short read, but not destined to become a classic, by any means.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews