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Duncan: The Highland Chronicles, Book 1
Standalone Book—Duncan, a 500-year-old Highland warrior blessed by the gods, is cursed to endlessly relive the tragic death of the love of his life. Each cycle ends with her demise, leaving Duncan in despair before he’s sent back to the beginning. But when a surprising change occurs, Duncan is left wondering if this time he can finally break the cycle and save her once and for all.
Audible Audio
Published October 7, 2024
5 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Toni Goode
27 books20 followersDo you have a soft spot for old-school soaps, vampires, wolves, witches, and hybrids? Then you're in the right place! Inspired by all the great vampire/wolf shows and movies. I craft tales that are a perfect blend of romance and supernatural intrigue. Whether it’s dark, contemporary, or fantastically supernatural, I write them all with a passion that’s evident on every page.
When I'm not weaving stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, you can find me making TikToks about my favorite shows and movies. (Skarsgard or Somerhalder anyone??) Follow me for a fun mix of behind-the-scenes writing insights and fandom love. Dive into my world—you won’t regret it!
When I'm not weaving stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, you can find me making TikToks about my favorite shows and movies. (Skarsgard or Somerhalder anyone??) Follow me for a fun mix of behind-the-scenes writing insights and fandom love. Dive into my world—you won’t regret it!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 17, 2024
All Kinds of Wrong
I was not wild about all aspects of this book, unfortunately. As a Scottish-American who has visited Scotland twice, I have a soft spot for any story with Scottish characters or that takes place in Scotland. So when I see a book with such elements at a book review site, I have to snatch it up!
This is the first book in the series, and while I do not like info-dumping, I also dislike being confused when a book first starts—at least not confused for as long as the story unfolds. This book didn't set up or explain its complex magical/paranormal world at the beginning, and it was too long before I understood that and the contentiousness between the hero and another character who constantly wreaked havoc. That alone was enough to make me want to give up listening.
I also found it incredibly crude. The hero and heroine were attracted nearly instantly—as it often happens in romance—but everything related to intimacy was just described too crudely for my taste. I'm all for a steamy read, but I prefer my romances spicy-sweet rather than crude—and this one was crude! And honestly, I did not understand the heroine’s initial attraction to him other than he was good-looking. She is an ER physician dealing with an apparently mentally unbalanced person. I've been a nurse in a hospital; I've never been attracted to a patient who appeared to be struggling with sanity—yeah, not remotely! I'd be wondering when I needed to call a code gray (which was the code in my hospital that signaled danger and a request for security! I can't imagine a doctor reacting like that.
I also wasn't wild about the narrator. I actually didn't realize he is Scottish himself; when I went back to give my review at the book review site, the author had a note about her Scottish narrator. Listening to the book, what I did notice about the changing ethnic accents he used throughout the book is that nearly all of them sounded wrong to my ear! The story starts in New York, and most of the characters’ accents just didn't sound right. Sometimes, he used a New York accent, but most of the time, that slipped, even within the same sentence for the same character. The characters' accents themselves changed as dialogue shifted, making it hard to distinguish by accent alone who the character was meant to be. He also attempted various regional, national, and ethnic accents, but again, he couldn't keep them consistent with the characters or any ethnicity or nation. Frankly, the attempts at various accents were just a hot mess and confusing jumble. Honestly, as this narrator doesn't have the acting chops—no judgment, as it isn’t easy—required to DO accents, this book would have been better narrated if he had just used his own natural Scottish accent. I listen to many audiobooks, and I've liked well-narrated books done in a single accent, even if it doesn’t fit all the characters. I'd much prefer that than multiple characters with really poor accents that don't reflect reality at all. For all these reasons, I do not feel like I can recommend this audiobook.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
I was not wild about all aspects of this book, unfortunately. As a Scottish-American who has visited Scotland twice, I have a soft spot for any story with Scottish characters or that takes place in Scotland. So when I see a book with such elements at a book review site, I have to snatch it up!
This is the first book in the series, and while I do not like info-dumping, I also dislike being confused when a book first starts—at least not confused for as long as the story unfolds. This book didn't set up or explain its complex magical/paranormal world at the beginning, and it was too long before I understood that and the contentiousness between the hero and another character who constantly wreaked havoc. That alone was enough to make me want to give up listening.
I also found it incredibly crude. The hero and heroine were attracted nearly instantly—as it often happens in romance—but everything related to intimacy was just described too crudely for my taste. I'm all for a steamy read, but I prefer my romances spicy-sweet rather than crude—and this one was crude! And honestly, I did not understand the heroine’s initial attraction to him other than he was good-looking. She is an ER physician dealing with an apparently mentally unbalanced person. I've been a nurse in a hospital; I've never been attracted to a patient who appeared to be struggling with sanity—yeah, not remotely! I'd be wondering when I needed to call a code gray (which was the code in my hospital that signaled danger and a request for security! I can't imagine a doctor reacting like that.
I also wasn't wild about the narrator. I actually didn't realize he is Scottish himself; when I went back to give my review at the book review site, the author had a note about her Scottish narrator. Listening to the book, what I did notice about the changing ethnic accents he used throughout the book is that nearly all of them sounded wrong to my ear! The story starts in New York, and most of the characters’ accents just didn't sound right. Sometimes, he used a New York accent, but most of the time, that slipped, even within the same sentence for the same character. The characters' accents themselves changed as dialogue shifted, making it hard to distinguish by accent alone who the character was meant to be. He also attempted various regional, national, and ethnic accents, but again, he couldn't keep them consistent with the characters or any ethnicity or nation. Frankly, the attempts at various accents were just a hot mess and confusing jumble. Honestly, as this narrator doesn't have the acting chops—no judgment, as it isn’t easy—required to DO accents, this book would have been better narrated if he had just used his own natural Scottish accent. I listen to many audiobooks, and I've liked well-narrated books done in a single accent, even if it doesn’t fit all the characters. I'd much prefer that than multiple characters with really poor accents that don't reflect reality at all. For all these reasons, I do not feel like I can recommend this audiobook.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
September 19, 2024
4.5 ☆s if we're being honest.
Duncan is a great historical time loop story that pulls you in and makes you feel for both Duncan and Julia. It has warriors anointed by the Gods, witches, curses, vampires, and giant wolves. By the end of the book, you are routing that fate will be kind and not cruel and that Duncan and Julia get the happily ever after that they truely deserve. The book also makes you fall in love with Scotland. I've had the privilege of visiting Scotland, and this book had great details that made me miss the beautiful country. I can't wait to see where this series takes me next!
The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the dialog written in a heavy scottish accent. I wish the accent was implied and talked about instead of actually written. It makes the character sound uneducated instead of sexy.
Duncan is a great historical time loop story that pulls you in and makes you feel for both Duncan and Julia. It has warriors anointed by the Gods, witches, curses, vampires, and giant wolves. By the end of the book, you are routing that fate will be kind and not cruel and that Duncan and Julia get the happily ever after that they truely deserve. The book also makes you fall in love with Scotland. I've had the privilege of visiting Scotland, and this book had great details that made me miss the beautiful country. I can't wait to see where this series takes me next!
The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the dialog written in a heavy scottish accent. I wish the accent was implied and talked about instead of actually written. It makes the character sound uneducated instead of sexy.
October 14, 2024
Loved the narration of George Ellington who brings the characters, drama and heat all to your ears.
This is one steamy, keep you on your toes, time traveling Highlander story. Duncan is Highlander who has been stuck in a time loop. He’s is a 500-year-old Scottish warrior, who has been cursed to relive the tragic death of his love Julia over and over again.
We have Gods, witches, curses, vampires, and giant wolves. You will be routing and hoping the fates will be kind and let Duncan and Julia get the happily.
Brilliant characters, chemistry, action angst and steam.
This is one steamy, keep you on your toes, time traveling Highlander story. Duncan is Highlander who has been stuck in a time loop. He’s is a 500-year-old Scottish warrior, who has been cursed to relive the tragic death of his love Julia over and over again.
We have Gods, witches, curses, vampires, and giant wolves. You will be routing and hoping the fates will be kind and let Duncan and Julia get the happily.
Brilliant characters, chemistry, action angst and steam.
September 19, 2024
This is a new author for me, and one I really enjoyed. Will be reading more.
Duncan is a great first work and the premise for the series is great. Could be a little confusing but I feel like this will resolve itself as the series moves along (hope so at last).
Not the imagined HEA that I was anticipating but still an excellent story.
Duncan is a great first work and the premise for the series is great. Could be a little confusing but I feel like this will resolve itself as the series moves along (hope so at last).
Not the imagined HEA that I was anticipating but still an excellent story.
October 8, 2024
This is such a great read and has you totally hooked from the start! Duncan is our mmc, locked in a time loop, destined to try and save his true love as she dies over and over and over again. Our Scottish highlanders story is gripping and has you enthralled, the world building is descriptive and so beautiful and I have to say I am intrigued for the next book!
October 13, 2024
Toni Goode is a new author for me, and one I am looking forward to more stories from. I really like paranormal and time travel type stories. Toni did an excellent job with this one. I loved the narration! I think it enhanced the story. Duncan is stuck in a time loop, finding and then losing his love. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.
November 4, 2024
a time travel love triangle!
leave it to Toni Goode to incorporate all the elements of great storytelling into one tome! and if I wasn’t already in love with how Duncan pretty much elbows Mason aside to get to Julia AND Ms. Goode’s technique with writing in Scottish brogue, Dr. Chen drops in from you know where! A masterpiece!
leave it to Toni Goode to incorporate all the elements of great storytelling into one tome! and if I wasn’t already in love with how Duncan pretty much elbows Mason aside to get to Julia AND Ms. Goode’s technique with writing in Scottish brogue, Dr. Chen drops in from you know where! A masterpiece!
August 10, 2024
Ok so I read this in a day and I can’t think the last time I did that. I was excited for the premise and enjoyed most of the book. I did get a little confused and it wasn’t a full HEA but I think it’s a great first book!
I received this book for free and voluntarily leave this review.
I received this book for free and voluntarily leave this review.
February 9, 2025
I found the plot intriguing although not something I would normally really the story kept me engaged.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews