"Nic, my friend, you think Fate's a bitch? Just wait until you meet her sister Destiny."--Connor Holden, Earl of Featherstone
Every story has a beginning often driven by Fate. With The McKinnon Legends that beginning starts with Nic McKinnon and his unconventional bride, Morgan Pembridge, Seventh Duchess of Seabridge.
Not your typical Knight in Shining Armor - Damsel In Distress story, The Beginning starts the reader on a journey of deep love, treachery, and mystery of the way time and space collide with characters that are believable. Staged initially in the late fifteenth century this love affair sets the foundation for an amazingly strong and solid family legacy spanning centuries in an eight volume series.
Join them on their journey of growth and change to ultimately evolve into the McKinnon Legends.
This book had so much potential and I was excited to read a historical romance story set in medieval times with a time travel theme but the content did not live up to the synopsis of this book. I found myself skimming through parts of the story and I couldn't wait to reach the end.
Here are some of the issues I've found:
Plot/language
I was looking forward to the the time travel theme but it turned out to be a small aspect of the story that was thrown in at the end of the book as a plot device for the next book in this series. so I'm a little disappointed about that.
The language used here was too modern for a 15th century setting.
Some of the actions of the characters/context did not fit in with the time period.
There was too much angst based on too many ridiculous misunderstandings between Nic and Morgan making it difficult to feel sympathy or connect with the characters. It felt like I was reading a Mills & Boon romance or one of those annoying angsty YA books. The plot device was too formulaic making The main characters go through the same scenarios in a never ending cycle which made the story mind numbingly boring after a few chapters.
The main characters
Nic McKinnon is described as being a hot alpha hero, at least physically, but I didn't feel it because he was unbelievably thick. And being stupid is not sexy. Everyone knew he was making serious mistakes and doing things that were contrary to his upbringing/culture that could lead to potential disaster, but again he was the last to know this! He was supposed to be the right hand man of the king of England and a legendary knight for crying out loud! How can someone with so much responsibility and political negotiation skills be so dim-witted!
Nic started out as a cool guy but by the end of the book he'd turned into a weakling with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde split personality. I found him annoying and at times overbearing and clueless.
likewise, Morgan Pembridge, the Seventh Duchess of Seabridge started out as an intelligent, strong, courageous and daring woman with and interesting background. She was a firecracker but, somewhere along the way, she turned into another weak and indecisive medieval damsel in distress. I found Morgan's character to be very contradictory, sometimes she can decisive, fearless and even bloodthirsty while the rest of the time she is as timid as a kitten. I wanted her to stand up for herself, demand/earn some respect, face the facts with courage, just like she did in the beginning.
As for her appeal...I can't even fathom why the other knights are infatuated with her because there is nothing special about this girl except her status and hight. She is a tall girl, at least 6ft.
The romance
There was a lack of chemistry and emotional connection between h/h. I did not feel the love here. I'm not convinced at all. I can't for the life of me remember a passionate scene or even a satisfying kiss between h/h. The bedroom action is non-existent as everything fades to black before it even got started making me puzzled and unsatisfied with the whole 'romance' of it.
I really wanted to like this book, I mean it had all the right ingredients: a Tortured, emotionally scared damsel in distress escaping an evil greedy uncle who imprisoned her for seven years, a hot and powerful alpha knight coming to her rescue, an inescapable decree by the the king which complicates things. And lets not forget, both destiny and fate stirring up trouble. With all this drama taking place in a medieval setting with a bit of time travel thrown in...it should have been both exciting and entertaining story but alas that was not the case.
Although I didn't enjoy reading this book, I'm thinking of give this series a second chance and reserve judgement until after I've read the second book, since this is the first book and they sometimes get off to a shaky start.
This book was not what the synopsis led me to believe or I probably would not have bothered. A knight in the 15th century does not say "Wow!" As he is not a time traveler and has known no other time, nor met any other time travelers, he should not have that word in his vocabulary. I could not connect with the characters, as they were not believable for there time period with their modern speech. Everyone had modern speech, not just the main characters.
The whole thing was just too drawn out & I could not wait for it to end. The book could have been wrapped up in 250 pages or less, not the agonizing 400+.
Additionally, it was a romance, but it read like a painfully young adult romance. This was so tame for a romance, it was like reading something out of Nancy Drew. No my cup of tea. This author could not even describe a kiss! What kind of romance is that...?
The main characters kept going through the same scenarios again and again. How many times can an author use the same plot device in the same manuscript? More than once and you have lost your audience.
The story is excellently written and I really enjoyed it. Strong characters and such a good plot. I hope it continues this good throughout this series.
I liked the story but found the writing lacking (grammar, wrong words, missing scene parts,...). At this point, I'm not sure whether I would read the next book to find out how the story of Morgan and Nic continues.
Very rarely do I not finish a book once I've started, but I just can't continue reading this one. The characters are flat, cookie-cutter stereotypes. The plot is predictable. The bad guys are 100% bad and the good guys are 100% good. Predictable romance conflicts caused by lack of honesty and communication. Characters falling in love in the space of a paragraph (but taking a few hundred to admit it to themselves or each other). "Sex scenes" that go from starting to untie a bodice to waking up the next morning. If the characters are going to be this flat, at least give me a heaving bosom! And phrases such as "He was frequently always right." Which is it? Frequently or always? It reads like an Outlander wanna be, right down to a time-traveling female healer. If marketed as a YA novel, I might be able to forgive it, but even then, I would hope teenagers would want more depth to their stories.
I know this book has had mixed reviews but very much enjoyed it. The story is a good one, the characters the ones you like you like and the ones you hate you hate. Nic is a knight in the truest form. Morgan is an abused woman who has run away . She meets Nic and there is a lot of misunderstandings and firey tempers but a love story unfolds. I really liked this little couple Nic and Morgan.
Time travel really isn't a big factor in this book. It does take someone away. I think that the mention of it is for what is to come later in the series. There are some grammatical errors and also some word phrasing that doesn't really fit with the time period. However, those things didn't bother me at all. I thought the plot was worth it. Enjoy! I know I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Disappointing on all levels. Most of the men were pigheaded and stubborn, so much so that they would almost let a loved one expire while they insisted on knowing all the facts leading up to the problem FIRST! The main female character acted like she was from the 21st Century most of the time, demanding on being in charge of every decision relating to her. I realize she was a Duchess and that she spent 7 years imprisoned, but she didn't act anything like the women in her century. When I got to the last half of the book, I was able to guess what was going to happen in every situation. A good writer wouldn't allow this to happen. It was advertised as a "Time Travel" book, but it didn't happen until the last part of the last chapter. The author had the whole book to "hook" me enough to want to read the rest of the series. She failed miserably.
Very well rounded, believable characters. Though the speech patterns weren't always totally authentic to the time period, It was written in a way we could understand. I could feel Morgan's fear, sorrow and strength. I also loved the beautiful love story without the need for gratuitous sexual play by play (not that i mind that). A book I can share with my mother or daughter. Loved it!
This book was given bad reviews on Amazon due to typographical errors, but this must have been fixed as I only found 1. Some of the context was off for the 15th century, but it was well worth reading. It has been a long time since I have not wanted to put a book down and this was the one I was waiting for. Excellent read. I'm looking forward to book 2.
I really enjoyed this book. At first I was surprised at the modern language that was used, but soon realized that it was actually part of the plot. Keep reading until the end and you'll understand. I have already downloaded the next book. I can't wait to read Connor and Reagan's story.
Awesome free ebook! I loved it and can not wait til the others come along, I've been all over google and amazon trying to find when the next ones will come!
The intriguing book synopsis and classy cover lured me in, folks. This “new to me” author kept me engaged, but I can’t help but wonder why it wasn’t wrapped up in one book. To me, it seems that could have easily been accomplished, since the paced slowed dramatically, and there was only one underlying main theme. The good news is you can now purchase one book with both parts included. The advanced reader copy I was gifted via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review only had Part I. So my version ended in an unwelcome cliffhanger. Be sure to take notice, if purchasing, you buy the version with both parts.
Nic, the loyal/alpha protective knight sent by the King Henry to marry Morgan, the heroine, was everything a true hero should be. Kind, brave, fearless, and no fool. He quickly saw right through Morgan’s disguise. Well, it’s a good thing he puts up with it, because I always have a credibility issue when a “dresses like a lad” beautiful heroine somehow tricks everyone into thinking she’s a guy, especially when she lops off her gorgeous locks. Yeah, I can’t see that as actually believable, folks. Good news for them, everyone else they came across wasn’t as bright.
Though this knight definitely had some knucklehead moments of his own, mainly later in the book. Not surprisingly, a huge rift develops between the main couple because of him keeping a secret from her everyone else knew and a last minute set-up deliberately done to create a jealous misunderstanding, as well. Yeah, nothing is more confusing that saying “I do” when you didn’t, folks. Are you confused? Well, good, that means I haven’t given away a pretty big spoiler.
There is sure to be loads of drama, danger, payback, and and villainous abuse in book 2. I’m just not sure I’m up for it, because, again, I wanted to wrap this up in one read. Based on this author’s published book list, it seems this may be her trend though. So love it or leave, it’s what you get when you sign up to read The McKinnon series. Again, at least she makes available versions with both parts included. I honestly don’t know why she would bother publishing both types.
Also, I’m not sure exactly how but it appears her McKinnon Legends series morphs into a time travel series. So you likely want to read the book synopsis of future sequels very closely to make sure that concept appeals to you.
Title: The McKinnon: The Beginning (Part 1), Author: Ranay James, Pages: 203, knight hero, tough/feisty damsel in distress heroine, some violence, fade to black/implied smexy time, evil relative, heroine is beaten/injured, no cheating, no love triangle, no OM, OW drama setup, misunderstandings, hesitant to reveal the truth, touch of paranormal.
Book 1 - The McKinnon: The Beginning (Part 1), Pages: 203 Book 2 - The McKinnon: The Beginning (Part 2), Pages: 215 The McKinnon: The Beginning, (Parts I & II), Pages: 361
(This review is based on an advanced reader copy distributed via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley.)
oh this is gonna be another great series to follow...apparently there will be a total of 8 books, 3 still to be published!
it has it all.....love, love lost, love found, love lost agaon and found again. pain, joy, treachery, devotion. a bitter and twisted....no wait TWO bitter and twisted uncles out for all they can get. an unrequited, inappropriate, love for his sister in law. violence, although graphic in places, its very much in keeping with the story. sex...although its not described at all, in any detail, and for me, this makes a refreshing change. (i have, in other reviews, made a comment that the sex isnt described enough, but this book doesnt need it!)
one last thing...the series is called A Time Travel Series. it didnt occur to me, at all, that there wasnt any reference to this....except in the very last pages....and we are left with a 15century nurse and knight, flung straight into a 20century hospital!
The heck? Ok chapters 1 thru 20 were OK, but then it went down hill with the clichéd "misunderstandings" etc etc. The writing and dialogue left the century it was supposed to be in. She had knights speaking like normal dudes. It was weird. And the time travel? Laughable. Toward the end the mc meets a girl that we can guess is from the future but only because no one else in the story is and there has to be one, but it is not revealed until the very last chapter (almost last page). Lame.
I still liked the idea and the original layout of the story and the future books have me intrigued but the writing is not good enough to make me want to read the other books. I do not like the huge over blown break up and never want to see you again because you did this or that when really nothing happened plot. You know?!
This book was awesome and the characters are very well rounded. I fell in love with all of the characters and places in the book. When I finished this book, I went immediately to purchase the second in the series and I am anxiously awaiting the third book. The only drawback to these books are the editing. I noticed many grammar and spelling issues in the books. This author needs a good editor and proofreader.
I really liked the story line and never would have guessed the ending, but I really did not like the modern day language. It's suppose to be a period peace. It takes away from the "Magic" of the time period when the language doesn't fit the time period. I was very disappointed with that fact.
Enjoyable story. I did see some editing issues, however they were easily overlooked. I felt it was a little rushed in some spots. I am certainly going to continue this series.
Not a bad book, but how many misunderstandings can two people have? At one point I wanted to whack both the main characters on the side of their heads.
I liked this book, it was a really good read and I absolutely loved Nic. He was sweet, charming, and very protective. I liked that he figured out Morgan's ruse, but still let her be her own person. I liked that he was determined to protect her and break her out of her shell, especially when he didn't have to.
What ruined this book for me, was Morgan. I get that she has trust issues and I get that the only man she knows was evil, abusive, and as vile as they come, but he wasn't her only example of a man. She also knew her father and while he wasn't the norm, he was proof that good men existed. Nic never gave her a reason to fear him. He took care of her, literally went above and beyond to do so, and yet she always thought the worst of him. She was a hypocrite for her anger at him not telling her who he was and what happened between them. Didn't she do the same thing? And why didn't Nic demand her respect? Sure, he's honorable and he's a good man, but I expected more dominate for a man of his stature when his wife treated him so poorly - especially in that time frame.
The ending completely pissed me off, it was so obvious. He risked his life repeatedly for her, isn't he at least worth a conversation? I finished this book quite a while ago and I have yet to read the next one. I'm sure it gets better (and I'll get to it because I want to read Connor's story, lol), because the author's writing was very good and the story kept me entertained; I just have to prepare myself for the childish reactions of this grown woman.
**I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed.**
Hallmark of a book I loved? Wondering when I can get my hands on the next book in the series!
This was a fun read with the period details to make it a historical romance story. I have a soft spot for tales in long ago England and this one was wonderful. Beyond the love story which is woven for you, there's plenty of tension with a villain as well.
This was a fun read for me as I love time travel stories. I do admit to being greatly annoyed by Morgan. She jumps to conclusions a lot and ends up in huge messes because then. That said, that certainly mives thw plot where it needs to go. Have already begun the next book and purchase up to the 5th book.
have read this previously but listened to it from Audible this time around! Found initially that the narrator was irritating but she grew on me! The story itself is very good and a traditional type romance set in the 1400's. I enjoyed the tale very much and this is a great start to a fabulous series Get it in book or audio form, but get it!
I'm reviewing the series as a whole as I found them a really good read. The story flowed at an amazing pace, the characters realistic and each book although a story on their own referred to characters from the other books. Although the series is classed as a time travel story it is only at the end of the first book that we see any time travel.