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The McKinnon Legends #1A
The Beginning, Part 1: The McKinnon Legends: A Time Travel Series, Book 1
"Nic, my friend, you think Fate's a witch? Just wait until you meet her sister Destiny." (Connor Holden, Earl of Featherstone)
Every story has a beginning often driven by fate.
It is the year of our Lord 1493, and King Henry VII has been seated on the English throne for eight years. He did not get there by chance alone. Nor has he stayed there with ease. He has his favorites, generously rewarding those who serve him well. Sir Nic McKinnon is at the top of that list.
For his faithful devotion, Nic finds himself graciously rewarded. That reward is the hand in marriage to the seventh Duchess of Seabridge. The only issue is Nic isn't interested in the bounty, and taking a wife is certainly not in his plans. However, he understands that seeming ungrateful to Henry for his gift or disobeying a king's command is never wise. Nic reluctantly agrees to marry. Living with his duchess was not one of Henry's stipulations.
To that end, Nic's plan is to marry the young duchess, and then leave her to her own designs. That is until he finds that she is in danger, so much so that she is fleeing for her very life. Nic is sworn to protect the king's subjects who cannot protect themselves, but more than that, no one threatens what belongs to a McKinnon. She belongs to him by the king's decree. The question now is not whether he marry her and leave her behind - the question is much Can he keep her alive?
Every story has a beginning often driven by fate.
It is the year of our Lord 1493, and King Henry VII has been seated on the English throne for eight years. He did not get there by chance alone. Nor has he stayed there with ease. He has his favorites, generously rewarding those who serve him well. Sir Nic McKinnon is at the top of that list.
For his faithful devotion, Nic finds himself graciously rewarded. That reward is the hand in marriage to the seventh Duchess of Seabridge. The only issue is Nic isn't interested in the bounty, and taking a wife is certainly not in his plans. However, he understands that seeming ungrateful to Henry for his gift or disobeying a king's command is never wise. Nic reluctantly agrees to marry. Living with his duchess was not one of Henry's stipulations.
To that end, Nic's plan is to marry the young duchess, and then leave her to her own designs. That is until he finds that she is in danger, so much so that she is fleeing for her very life. Nic is sworn to protect the king's subjects who cannot protect themselves, but more than that, no one threatens what belongs to a McKinnon. She belongs to him by the king's decree. The question now is not whether he marry her and leave her behind - the question is much Can he keep her alive?
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First published November 5, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 31, 2019
The Beginning, Book 1, Part 1 of the McKinnon Legends, by Ranay James tells the story of a duchess named Morgan Pembridge who escapes her abusive uncle. Disguised as a boy, she encounters a night named Nick McKinnon, and together they flee her uncle.
It is hard to give much more of a synopsis without giving away the plot, but I’m sure if I tell you that this feels more like a romance story than a time-travel story (which is what it claims to be), you can figure it out.
Honestly, I think this is one of the hardest reviews I’ve written. It’s very easy to write reviews when you obviously love something or obviously hate it. This book was sort of in the middle. The story was not strong, but was promising. I didn’t want to put it down . . . until the last 1.5 hours (I listened to the audio book). In that last 1.5 hours, I found myself rolling my eyes and saying “Oh, come on! We are really going to do this again?!” (Imagine a tone of sarcasm and exasperation as you read that sentence.)
It is hard to justify why I believe events in the story were unrealistic and drawn out without actually giving away spoilers. So, you will either have to trust me, or read the book yourself. 🙂
Also, I will say this book is probably PG-15 for some sexual references. Not enough to warrant my “sensitive reader alert” but enough to caution parents about letting their teens read it.
P.S. And no, if you are wondering, I will not continue to read this series.
Visit my blog to see what other books I've read: rpbooklist.wordpress.com
It is hard to give much more of a synopsis without giving away the plot, but I’m sure if I tell you that this feels more like a romance story than a time-travel story (which is what it claims to be), you can figure it out.
Honestly, I think this is one of the hardest reviews I’ve written. It’s very easy to write reviews when you obviously love something or obviously hate it. This book was sort of in the middle. The story was not strong, but was promising. I didn’t want to put it down . . . until the last 1.5 hours (I listened to the audio book). In that last 1.5 hours, I found myself rolling my eyes and saying “Oh, come on! We are really going to do this again?!” (Imagine a tone of sarcasm and exasperation as you read that sentence.)
It is hard to justify why I believe events in the story were unrealistic and drawn out without actually giving away spoilers. So, you will either have to trust me, or read the book yourself. 🙂
Also, I will say this book is probably PG-15 for some sexual references. Not enough to warrant my “sensitive reader alert” but enough to caution parents about letting their teens read it.
P.S. And no, if you are wondering, I will not continue to read this series.
Visit my blog to see what other books I've read: rpbooklist.wordpress.com
April 19, 2017
Nik is rewarded a bride from the King that he doesn't necessarily want. He finds the Duchess of Seabridge is in trouble and now must quest to keep her alive and his bride. This is part 1 of 2 part book. Enjoyed the setting and want to read the second book.
Ebook from Net Galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own
Ebook from Net Galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own
May 5, 2018
Abrupt ending
I enjoyed reading this book. It’s a tale of a young woman who is very resilient. It does end abruptly with the story unfinished. I’m sure there’s a second book and I shall look for it.
I enjoyed reading this book. It’s a tale of a young woman who is very resilient. It does end abruptly with the story unfinished. I’m sure there’s a second book and I shall look for it.
March 13, 2017
I don't know how I missed this by Ranay James, it's fabulous. I've just acquired the next in the series and put the rest on my wish list. Brilliant., deception, greed, jealousy, wow
I voluntarily received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and all views are my own
I voluntarily received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and all views are my own
February 25, 2017
**copy received from NetGalley**
Having not read part 2...I will say that this volume should not be split.
There is a way to end a book and leave a reader craving more story. This just leaves off in the middle of the plot, forcing you to acquire the other half to finish the main storyline.
I enjoyed the story & the majority of the characters. Lady Adele annoyed me the most, and she was never actually present! I will say that I'm looking forward to Ami's story if that ever happens.
The language and actions did not match up with the time period, but it is a time travel series, so maybe that comes into play?
Having not read part 2...I will say that this volume should not be split.
There is a way to end a book and leave a reader craving more story. This just leaves off in the middle of the plot, forcing you to acquire the other half to finish the main storyline.
I enjoyed the story & the majority of the characters. Lady Adele annoyed me the most, and she was never actually present! I will say that I'm looking forward to Ami's story if that ever happens.
The language and actions did not match up with the time period, but it is a time travel series, so maybe that comes into play?
January 30, 2016
My Impression: Wow! Good read. The book has a medieval setting with knights, kings, political angling, intrigue and the like. Arranged marriages abound. Loyalties change with the wind, assassination is an acceptable means of improving one’s social position. And there is some of all of that in this book…good plot. The beginning hook was good! (no spoilers)…I knew immediately that I would read the rest of this book.
The Hero: Nic is a knight of the highest order, honorable, feared, and most importantly…loyal to his king. So loyal in fact that he is will to marry against his own wishes to placate King Henry (the Reigning Monarch through the course of the novel). The King wants him married to the Duchess….But eh…
The Heroine: The Duchess has problems of her own….running from a madman bent on possessing or killing her…which ever is the most convenient. So, as you can see, romance is the last thing on her mind…and a husband just spells trouble for her.
The Love Story: Littered with ridiculous misunderstandings…Male pride…distrust, yadda, yadda yadda. Soap opera silliness, honestly. The love story and chemistry of the two characters is good (there’s even a bit of comic interplay between the two that’s pretty cute)…but the constant “misunderstandings”, contrived secrets, and “overheard conversations” taken the wrong way were annoying to me. These are mature, intelligent adults…it undermines their characters to have them making major life decisions based solely on an overheard convo…WTF? What rational person would do that? That being said…I still enjoyed the book, the love story, and the overall plot. There was another gimmicky plot point (but I can’t really discuss it because I feel it gives away too much)…It was clever and believable, at first, but runs on too long and becomes a bit tedious (after a while I was like, “Please figure it out already!”). The good thing…the hero and heroine are well-developed and multi-layered enough to remain love-able despite these over-obvious plot devices.
Minor Beef: The constantly shifting POV was distracting, at times.
Extra Touch: I liked the fact that the injuries in the book were given a touch of realism. They leave scars and take real time to heal. In some books…a character is morbidly wounded, and recover in minutes, with no lingering aches, pains…and no scars. Annoying.
The Verdict: Two Thumbs up! I’ve already downloaded part 2.
The Hero: Nic is a knight of the highest order, honorable, feared, and most importantly…loyal to his king. So loyal in fact that he is will to marry against his own wishes to placate King Henry (the Reigning Monarch through the course of the novel). The King wants him married to the Duchess….But eh…
The Heroine: The Duchess has problems of her own….running from a madman bent on possessing or killing her…which ever is the most convenient. So, as you can see, romance is the last thing on her mind…and a husband just spells trouble for her.
The Love Story: Littered with ridiculous misunderstandings…Male pride…distrust, yadda, yadda yadda. Soap opera silliness, honestly. The love story and chemistry of the two characters is good (there’s even a bit of comic interplay between the two that’s pretty cute)…but the constant “misunderstandings”, contrived secrets, and “overheard conversations” taken the wrong way were annoying to me. These are mature, intelligent adults…it undermines their characters to have them making major life decisions based solely on an overheard convo…WTF? What rational person would do that? That being said…I still enjoyed the book, the love story, and the overall plot. There was another gimmicky plot point (but I can’t really discuss it because I feel it gives away too much)…It was clever and believable, at first, but runs on too long and becomes a bit tedious (after a while I was like, “Please figure it out already!”). The good thing…the hero and heroine are well-developed and multi-layered enough to remain love-able despite these over-obvious plot devices.
Minor Beef: The constantly shifting POV was distracting, at times.
Extra Touch: I liked the fact that the injuries in the book were given a touch of realism. They leave scars and take real time to heal. In some books…a character is morbidly wounded, and recover in minutes, with no lingering aches, pains…and no scars. Annoying.
The Verdict: Two Thumbs up! I’ve already downloaded part 2.
November 19, 2016
An arrangement that works, sort of
This is the beginning of a romantic saga that will at some point contain time travel.
This story grabbed me and kept me reading on. Nic the knight doesn't want a wife but the King picks one for him. Morgan wants freedom and not necessarily a husband.
Morgan is an outstanding character. A duchess, held prisoner by her wicked uncle for 7 years, with a backbone made of steel and a powerful desire for freedom.
You will want to read part 2.
This is the beginning of a romantic saga that will at some point contain time travel.
This story grabbed me and kept me reading on. Nic the knight doesn't want a wife but the King picks one for him. Morgan wants freedom and not necessarily a husband.
Morgan is an outstanding character. A duchess, held prisoner by her wicked uncle for 7 years, with a backbone made of steel and a powerful desire for freedom.
You will want to read part 2.
October 14, 2016
Sales marketing
I liked the story line but when an authur sets up the story where you ave to buy another and another book just to finish the story, either the author is desperate for money and or has no idea how to finish the book. It's a pretty sad thing. Not all of us can afford to buy a lot of books
I liked the story line but when an authur sets up the story where you ave to buy another and another book just to finish the story, either the author is desperate for money and or has no idea how to finish the book. It's a pretty sad thing. Not all of us can afford to buy a lot of books
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews