Taken

A Laird for All Time #3

by Angeline Fortin

Second chances are only helpful if you recognize them for what they are. Celebrated actress Scarlett Thomas never wanted fame -- that was her parent’s dream. Now she’s ready to make big changes, but she could never have imagined how big those changes might turn out to be. Returning to the medieval Dunskirk Castle, where she filmed The Puppet War trilogy, she encounters an old Scotsman named Donell who directs her to an ancient claymore that sends Scarlett slipping back 500 years to a time when her modern struggles are dwarfed by a far more dangerous conflict brewing between Scotland and England. Scottish Border lord, James Hepburn, Laird of Achenmeade, is a man at loose ends. The illegitimate son of the auld King's illegitimate daughter, he has no place in his father’s home and no freedom to forge a future of his own. When war with England is again looming on Scotland’s horizon, James must not only fight for his country but do so while trying to battle his growing attraction for a slender, sassy lass who tempts him to defy his sire and his King. As the days pass, bringing them closer to war and to each other, Scarlett and James discover that their differences are not so profound as their similarities and that the 16th century and the 21st century do not diverge so much in what truly matters most. They try to fight against their growing attraction, but when they are confronted with the opportunity to live their lives freely, as they choose, will they seize their second chance before the Battle of Flodden separates them forever? Before it’s too late, will Scarlett realize how lucky she was to be taken by a Laird?

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Historical, Time Travel Romance, Historical Fiction

428 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2014

About the author

Angeline Fortin is an award-winning author of historical and time-travel romance, offering readers fun, sexy, and often touching tales of love across time.

With a degree in U.S. History from UNLV and experience as a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, she brings authenticity and rich historical detail to every page. Her passion for the past—particularly the charm of Victorian London and the mystique of Edinburgh—shines through in her vividly crafted settings.

A former military wife, Angeline has lived coast to coast and everywhere in between, having visited 49 of the 50 U.S. states (Alaska, you’re next!). Her overseas travels—especially to beloved destinations like Scotland and England—provide endless inspiration for the time-travel adventures and heartfelt romances she crafts.

A native Minnesotan, Angeline currently resides in Rochester, Minnesota, with her husband and three beloved dogs: active Aussies, Blue and Pippi—who are extremely smart but have no idea what personal space is—and her sweet senior rescue mutt, Oliver. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her lost in a good book or film, tackling home design projects, or cheering for her beloved Minnesota Vikings with the endless faith that they will win the Superbowl… someday.

Above all, she loves what she does every single day: telling unforgettable stories.

Follow her adventures on social media—she’s just about everywhere!

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good but preferred a Laird for all time. The heroine was a little immature and modern things she said were very quickly believable.

[Duchess Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook was great. Male narrator, legit accents.

[Taria Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh my goodness. let me premise this review by saying i've had some unsatisfying stories over the past few weeks so where as this book was actually a 3.25 I bumped it up to a 4 for sheer enjoyment.

I always enjoy time traveling historicals. While I'm still confused regarding the how and why but with that aside the story was nice. I really enjoyed the sass of the heroine and the sexiness of the hero. I'll definitely look for another story from this author.

story 3.25
narrator 4 i LOVE Antony Ferguson. His highland brogue is awesomely sexy. His american accent is laughable and always sounds southern, but someone did him a solid and gave him a southern american character....lol. TOO FUNNY AND AWESOME!!

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Hot amazing highlander Batman!!!
Angeline Fortin's Taken reminded me the reason why I love highlanders and time-travel stories.
Loves scenes that make my toes curl. Just the right amount of heat, bringing romance back! And that Scottish Brogue....swoon....


If you love Karen Marie Moning highlander books, Outlander, or even the old Maya banks highlander love stories, or any highlander love story - you will fall in love with this book. I sure as hell did.
Scarlett, a well-known actress, travels back 500 years and runs into Laird, a highlander on the brink of war. Laird takes her prisoner, believing her a possible spy. I won't spoil the rest. I enjoyed Scarlett's spirit, spunk and absolutely adored her sense of humor.

Laird made me weak at the knees...tall, dark, brooding..(thud).


aaaaaaahhh yeaaaah. But with a kilt. Pictured it? Good...
I also adored Laird's brother, Rhys. By far, next to the main characters, I loved the connection that Rhys and Scarlett developed, and I look forward to Rhys story-- yes, I love him so!!
I cannot wait to hear more from Donnell, which surprised me at the end. Yes!! I can't wait! This one? A must READ ;).
Angeline Fortin, you outdid yourself with this one! Please, keep them coming!!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved A Laird For All Time so I was very excited to read this similar story plot. But, I couldn't really get too interested in the character. The girl was annoying & there was too much reference to modern stuff that was too quickly accepted. The fan girl references etc made it feel like a high schooler wrote this. I'm a fan of many movies too but this was not written in a way with mature overtones. The romance was completely lacking. Each sex scene was identical & not very sensual at all. I was so bored reading the same thing over & over again. There wasn't a real flowing or captivating storyline in this book. A Laird for All Time did but this book didn't. I am still a fan of this author. Just not a fan of this particular book.

[Levie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, just not for me.

I couldn't handle Scarlett. How does someone who spent nine years filming in Scotland not know what a Laird is? Especially a self-proclaimed nerd who graduated Magna cum laude from Vanderbilt? By the fifth time she called him the "laird guy" I knew I wouldn't be able to finish. Scarlett reminded me of a Kristin Ashley Fantasyland heroine with all of their "totally awesomes" and "Sooooo coooools." I can't stand waiting for them to grasp the situation they are in, and their inability to act appropriately. Come on ladies be smart about it. I couldn't finish those books either. All in all, time travel not for me. Can't stand the dense as stale bread heroines.

[Twarla Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Scarlett Thomas is a big Hollywood movie star back in her time, but as she toured the medieval Dunskirk Castle on location for her upcoming movie premier, she'd been prepared to fight off the press, the fans, and even her ego inflated co-star with dreams of an off-set affair. Yet, she would never have imagined she'd be able to take down a full-blooded savage Scot with her meager self defense moves. However, as a dozen more of the savages slowly approaches, grinning ear to ear, she knew..... (shit just got real). Reese could not believe his eyes. His laird, his older brother to boot, was spread eagle on the ground bleeding from him nose, with a slip of a lass atop him bending his arm back. The laird of Achenmeade, James Hepburn could not find any humor in his predicament, all he knew was if his brother didn't TAKE the hellcat off him he would.....I lovers loved loved this story. Author Angeline Fortin nailed it.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 3.5, Narration 4. Male voices were excellent, the southern of our time traveler got on my nerves after a while. (Try a sample before deciding).

Time travel novel, not outlander but definitely entertaining. Longer than the first in this series, but not necessarily in a good way. It was bogged down with the logistics of the time, it reminded me of my frustration with Dragonfly in Amber my least favorite of the outlander series. Traveling by horse, moving families right along with the army but without Claire's nursing abilities to be in the thick of things. But when push comes to shove it ended in a very satisfying way even adding a teaser for the next book.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

oh my gods kill me now! I did not finish this book cause the main female character is an idiot. So disappointed in this book!

Every few sentences out of this woman's mouth I found myself rolling my eyes. It's torture! It's as if she's never in her life watched a tv show / movie with characters from the 1500's, even though she says she goes to ren fairs and watches doctor who!

And to top it off she's constantly talking about modern day stuff as if these people understand what the hell she's saying because obviously they have this tech. What's worse is that they just accept it. She also states constantly that she's never heard of the places they are traveling through. Well no fucking duh! Why is it needed for her to report this? She's 500 years in the past!!!!

UGH!!!! so frustrated!

[Catherine Skoog · Rating 1 out of 5]

My least favorite. Narration was horrible. Didn’t match with any of the other books except that Donald was in it at the beginning and end.

[AZsenorita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laird & Scarlett

This book was great. It was interesting romantic action packed funny story. The H was a strong incredibly handsome Scottish warrior in the past. The h was a beautiful slender bold ass brass famous celebrity in the present (being 2013) She is transported back 500 years to H castle. It’s funny because when they meet the H tries to subdue her and she turns it around and pins him down to his knees by pulling back his thumbs (she knew self defense). H thinks she’s a spy from a rival clan and takes her to meet his stepmother to find out from where she comes. During their 3 day journey on horseback (which she has never been on a horse 🐴 ) she gets to know Rhys the Laird’s brother. The H watches her and starts to get jealous of the attention she’s giving his brother. The following time they are strongly attracted to each other and begins their dance. She knows their clan will be involved in a war that they will not win a battle where H dies. h tries to convince him to retreat and just not go to the fight but because of his sense of duty and honor he rejects the idea. Since h knows this will happen she goes to the battle to try and save H and she does when she is able to use a hand gun she always carries in her purse. They begin to care deeply about each other and then she is transported back to the present. She is heartbroken and wants to go back to H so after a month after rejecting everything in the present including her fame and fortune she travels back to Scotland and is transported back to H. And they get their HEA. It was a great read I recommend it.

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the Shirtless Kilted Men series I've been enjoying (officially known as a Laird for All Time series), and I liked this one a lot, too! It's not great literature, but it is great fun.
This one sees an American actress (who was thrust into her career by fame-seeking parents, and not by her own true wishes) suddenly thrust back in time 500 years for 1500s Scotland.
She definitely assimilates better than the fmc in the first book (I like her less the more I think of her), and finds herself as the captive of a (you guessed it) burly, gorgeous Highlander.
I really like Scarlet, the fmc. She's geeky and there are Dr Who references galore. I approve.
More spicy scenes than previous books in the series. Not a complaint, just a note.
There is a little of this book that ties into the first book, but loosely.
One note - the narrator in this book is different than the rest of the series. This narrator is male, and his approximation of Scarlet's light Tennesee accent is absolutely horrible. His Scottish accent is ok, but I definitely prefer the female narrator.

[Livey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actress Scarlett Thomas never wanted fame -- returning to the medieval Dunskirk Castle, where she filmed The Puppet War trilogy, she encounters an old Scotsman named Donell who directs her to an ancient claymore that sends Scarlett slipping back 500 years to a time when her modern conveniences haven’t been thought of yet. When she is “taken” prisoner by Scottish Border lord, James Hepburn, Laird of Achenmeade, the illegitimate son of the auld King's illegitimate daughter, he has no place in his father’s home and no freedom to live his life as he pleases. Then he falls under Scarlett’s pixie hair, wild stories and Southern drawling. I am really enjoying this series - war and loneliness brings Scottish Highlander’s to modern Americans across time and space.

[Heidi (MinxyD14) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking for a light & fluffy read after weeks of heavy historical fiction and this series has been mildly enjoyable. The first 2 books were both a pretty solid 2.5*, so my expectations weren't really high. This book is pitiful! Made it to the 1/2 way point - skipped to the Epilogue. Normally I can tolerate Antony Ferguson as a narrator (Audible); however, this experience was dreadful. The southern belle heroine/nerd-girl/Harry Potter fan-girl thing just didn't work ... the author tries to pummel your brain to death with this fact and the combination was annoying. There is really nothing redeeming about either main character or their story. meh!

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible Membership)
She was a movie star, a celebrity who was tired of the Ritz and glamour, but more than that, the constant throng of people who wanted her for what she, or her name, could do for them.
So, to be whisked away to the eighteenth century, Scotland was a shock to the system. Her personal defence skills had brought the burly guy, who had tried to manhandled her, to his knees. Another half a dozen of his size was a bit beyond her expertise, but the slinging her over her former adversery's shoulder made her wonder what lay ahead of her.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bit of a tear jerker, so have the Kleenex ready. I love this story of Scarlett and James! We meet the family and follow James to battle and in the last few minutes tragedy strikes! There is plenty of action, a bit of humor, lots of love and then there is Rhys! The characters are excellent but there is something about Rhys which carries important parts of the story! I look forward to the next book!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart and clever - You'll love the impossible romance of it all.

It's a never-ending thrill ride through time that will keep you on the edge of suspense as Scarlett and Laird fight for a timeless love that could so easily slip through their fingers. Leave it to Donall and this author, Angeline Fortin, for bringing us another wonderfully romantic tale of love through time.

[Inna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for time travel romance books and overall, this was an enjoyable read. Maybe I’m hormonal, but this book made me tear up at the end. I’m not quite sure why... considering all of these books have a HEA. I’m glad that I’ve decided to keep reading this series because so far each book has been better than the last. Hoping that the trend continues!

[Kim Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another super installment.

It’s ruckus, not raucous.

Realized, not released.

And he loosens her corset, then two paragraphs later her clothes drop off because she wore no corset. Which is it?

Other than the obvious editing errors (someone should a actually read the book prior to publication!), is really outstanding. Best so far.

[Marcia Hillegeist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett enjoyed the slower pace and less publicity of this time. I liked her friendship with Rhys (love that name!). Laird didn't know what to make of her, but she got to his heart. Interesting bit of history with the Battle of Flodden.

[Simara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried hard to finish this book. With one hour left I no longer care if they stay together or if she goes back to her Hollywood life. Couldn’t hold my interest and the narrator was barely ok. It’s a pass for me.

[Mrs A.E. Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

A page turned. I enjoyed this book .☺. It was a joy to read and I did read ad it in one go.i

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Izzie d · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time travel.
Highland.
Enemies to lovers, they think she's a spy.
No cheating.
He speaks of being a ladies man and there are plans for his betrothal but no scenes with another woman.
HEA.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this audiobook, the narrator was amazing!

[Bonnie Chiarillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent read. The only downfall is it didn't end like I would have liked. Needed more of an ending.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audiobook version is TERRIBLE. The narrator changed and the new narrator doesn't know how to do a southern accent! I wanted to skip this book, but you can't if you want to finish the series.

[Lynn Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed the humour in this story. I haven't laughed so much especially in the first half of the story. Highly recommend.

[Heartfulart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although not as much as the others in the series, mostly because of the male narration’s voice with female characters. Still, the time travel in this series is fun.