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Thistle & Hive #2
A Thistle Beyond Time
A Thistle Beyond Time Cormac MacBayne wants a wife and the witch, Edna Campbell, has the perfect woman in mind. The only problem is they’re separated by five hundred years and thousands of miles. Fresh from a bad marriage, Jenna Sinclair has sworn off men – that is until a handsome highlander comes out of the fog and into her life. He’s a mystery and possibly part of an elaborate practical joke concocted by her cousin. Jenna’s had enough deception in her life. Can she risk everything to be with a man who is so obviously lying to her?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2015
178 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 17, 2016
I made it 3/4 of the way through this book and I just could not go on. It is rare that, no matter what I think, I try to get all the way through a book because I know how hard an author works and how much they put into their work. However, I just couldn't do it. I really tried.
I know that the heroine's previous relationship was a bad one, so there was baggage there. However, the hot and cold way she was constantly treating our hero (one second a sweet, caring and loving woman and the next second a screeching shrew) made me think she had a split personality. The abuse and the apologies just got to be too much. I don't know of a man (unless he has some serious mental issues himself) who would stand for it. Nope. It just didn't fly and it was tiresome. Enough already. My TBR pile is large and I have better ways to spend my valuable reading time.
I know that the heroine's previous relationship was a bad one, so there was baggage there. However, the hot and cold way she was constantly treating our hero (one second a sweet, caring and loving woman and the next second a screeching shrew) made me think she had a split personality. The abuse and the apologies just got to be too much. I don't know of a man (unless he has some serious mental issues himself) who would stand for it. Nope. It just didn't fly and it was tiresome. Enough already. My TBR pile is large and I have better ways to spend my valuable reading time.
January 29, 2018
Heroine ruined this book!
I really enjoyed the first book and all the secondary characters/family in 1544 Scotland. Time travel, good storyline and likeable characters, romance and good descriptive scenes made the first book a winner. In this second time travel romance book the male lead Cormac along with the other characters from the first book was amazing, Edna and Angus still great but the main female lead, Jenna a total bipolar bi$$h!! She flip flipped from mean, cruel, verbally abusive to Cormac one day and apologize each morning, like saying I'm sorry constantly makes the nasty treatment of another human being ok! It doesn't!! Verbal mistreatment and hatred is still abuse and Jenna was the queen of verbally abusing Cormac! Cormac was a saint in my eyes to put up with her. Here he is in the future unsure of anything and the women who is supposed to be the love of your life is a nasty viper! Jennas abuse is not just placed on Cormac but everyone close to her gets a taste of her wicked tongue! How anyone is able to get close to her is a mystery! Jenna tried to blame her wicked tongue based on her mistrust of men because of her ex husband's betrayal but in the book it's stated even as a young child she is told " Jenna you'll catch more bees with honey than vinegar ". Because of the main female lead I gave this book it's low rating. I hated her which made me really dislike the book. 2 stars are actually for the other characters Jenn a deserves 0!
I really enjoyed the first book and all the secondary characters/family in 1544 Scotland. Time travel, good storyline and likeable characters, romance and good descriptive scenes made the first book a winner. In this second time travel romance book the male lead Cormac along with the other characters from the first book was amazing, Edna and Angus still great but the main female lead, Jenna a total bipolar bi$$h!! She flip flipped from mean, cruel, verbally abusive to Cormac one day and apologize each morning, like saying I'm sorry constantly makes the nasty treatment of another human being ok! It doesn't!! Verbal mistreatment and hatred is still abuse and Jenna was the queen of verbally abusing Cormac! Cormac was a saint in my eyes to put up with her. Here he is in the future unsure of anything and the women who is supposed to be the love of your life is a nasty viper! Jennas abuse is not just placed on Cormac but everyone close to her gets a taste of her wicked tongue! How anyone is able to get close to her is a mystery! Jenna tried to blame her wicked tongue based on her mistrust of men because of her ex husband's betrayal but in the book it's stated even as a young child she is told " Jenna you'll catch more bees with honey than vinegar ". Because of the main female lead I gave this book it's low rating. I hated her which made me really dislike the book. 2 stars are actually for the other characters Jenn a deserves 0!
February 13, 2019
I honestly cannot read any more of these books. They're just horribly written. The characters are so one dimensional. Jenna is supposed to be this independent strong woman but makes choices that seem TSTL.
I need to stop reading books with so few goodreads reviews.
I need to stop reading books with so few goodreads reviews.
March 31, 2015
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In A Thistle Beyond Time, main character Jenna just said goodbye to her jerk of an ex-husband, and went through a horrible divorce. Just when she thinks things can’t any worse, a mysterious fog appears, revealing a handsome highlander who comes from an era five centuries ago. He introduces himself as Cormac, and he’s convinced Jenna is the perfect wife for him. But Jenna has other ideas. She worries Cormac’s appearance might be part of a practical joke by her cousin, and she doesn’t want anymore deception. His story sounds too ridiculous to be true, and Jenna has trouble trusting him.
I liked Jenna. I didn’t mind she was wary of Cormac at first – it fit with her personality, and with the bad things she went through. Jenna is an engaging character, and she has a strong personailty, which sometimes clashes with Cormac’s beliefs and how he thinks women should act. Nevertheless, I liked Cormac too, though. For a sixteenth-century highlander, he was surprisingly modern.
The story is enjoyable, and there’s plenty of romance, so romance fans will love it.
In A Thistle Beyond Time, main character Jenna just said goodbye to her jerk of an ex-husband, and went through a horrible divorce. Just when she thinks things can’t any worse, a mysterious fog appears, revealing a handsome highlander who comes from an era five centuries ago. He introduces himself as Cormac, and he’s convinced Jenna is the perfect wife for him. But Jenna has other ideas. She worries Cormac’s appearance might be part of a practical joke by her cousin, and she doesn’t want anymore deception. His story sounds too ridiculous to be true, and Jenna has trouble trusting him.
I liked Jenna. I didn’t mind she was wary of Cormac at first – it fit with her personality, and with the bad things she went through. Jenna is an engaging character, and she has a strong personailty, which sometimes clashes with Cormac’s beliefs and how he thinks women should act. Nevertheless, I liked Cormac too, though. For a sixteenth-century highlander, he was surprisingly modern.
The story is enjoyable, and there’s plenty of romance, so romance fans will love it.
September 6, 2016
This is...
Actually worst than the first book. The female MC was extremely annoying and very childish, it completely Ruined the book for me. I skipped so much, because it repetitive and boring. I will not be continuing this series.
Actually worst than the first book. The female MC was extremely annoying and very childish, it completely Ruined the book for me. I skipped so much, because it repetitive and boring. I will not be continuing this series.
May 10, 2024
I just have so many problems with this book and I've got 10 chapters to go but not sure whether I will finish because it has just gotten worse the more I've read.
Roughly the first half of the book we have Cormac trying to adjust to being in modern times. He's there a week and there are a lot of details of food and outings but nothing really happens. There are a few scenes with Jenna's ex (I presume to build some kind of suspense) but again -- nothing actually happens.
Jenna's character is completely unlikeable. She has two completely different personalities with Cormac - she is nice and sweet or she's a petulant, childish b**ch (complete with stomping away from conversations, snarling comments and the silent treatment). This just gets WORSE when she goes to his time at about Chapter 20 (there are 32 chapters).
And Cormac is a mystery. Why the heck is he putting up with her crap? Even he once or twice wonders if Edna got it wrong but doesn't do anything about Jenna's awful behavior. She treats him like crap and he just meekly takes it. This is a guy who seems smart, is apparently hot as hell (not one woman can stop fawning all over him) but he sticks with Jenna. Why? She's pretty and sometimes nice to him and apparently that's enough. And when she eventually apologizes after each shrewish episode, he always accepts her apology, never once calling her out for her appalling behavior -- so I kind of lost all respect for him as well. The only truly likable character is Dylan, Jenna's cousin.
So now I'm more than halfway done and had thought maybe once they go back to his time things will improve. They got so much worse!! Jenna actually thinks Cormac kidnapped her (makes absolutely no sense considering the scene and Cormac's actions - except as a contrivance to keep Jenna from connecting with Cormac in the story. But the side effect is it made me pretty much hate her character at this point). And she's suddenly in the 16th Century, doesn't know anything about where she is and she....walks off by herself. What???!!!!
And that's when I seriously was going to stop. But I wanted to see if she was going to get eaten by a wolf and maybe Cormac would find a girl in his time who wasn't so awful.
But she didn't and I kept reading a bit more and it's just not getting better. So I'm trying to decide if I even want to bother because I know it should be an HEA but I just don't care about either character at this point (unless Cormac decides she's just not worth the trouble and ends up with someone else lol).
I really don't see in this story why Cormac had to go to modern times to find a wife and why Jenna is supposed to be his match. I understand she has some emotional baggage from a bad relationship (don't we all?) but her actions and behavior are just too extreme and frankly just accepted by all the characters (Dylan advises Cormac at one point to leave her alone for a bit and she'll be back to normal; so basically she's a toddler who had a meltdown and needed a timeout). But why is she his match? No clue.
Beyond Jenna being a completely awful character (who's also whiny when she's not being a b**ch), it's also the awkwardness of some of the scenes and dialogue. And the repetition of Jenna's wishy-washy thoughts on why she should keep Cormac at arm's length or just go with it. And with nothing actually happening action-wise, it's just become a tedious read.
Even if I decide to finish, I highly doubt it will change my overall opinion of this book and don't think I'll be reading any others in this series.
Roughly the first half of the book we have Cormac trying to adjust to being in modern times. He's there a week and there are a lot of details of food and outings but nothing really happens. There are a few scenes with Jenna's ex (I presume to build some kind of suspense) but again -- nothing actually happens.
Jenna's character is completely unlikeable. She has two completely different personalities with Cormac - she is nice and sweet or she's a petulant, childish b**ch (complete with stomping away from conversations, snarling comments and the silent treatment). This just gets WORSE when she goes to his time at about Chapter 20 (there are 32 chapters).
And Cormac is a mystery. Why the heck is he putting up with her crap? Even he once or twice wonders if Edna got it wrong but doesn't do anything about Jenna's awful behavior. She treats him like crap and he just meekly takes it. This is a guy who seems smart, is apparently hot as hell (not one woman can stop fawning all over him) but he sticks with Jenna. Why? She's pretty and sometimes nice to him and apparently that's enough. And when she eventually apologizes after each shrewish episode, he always accepts her apology, never once calling her out for her appalling behavior -- so I kind of lost all respect for him as well. The only truly likable character is Dylan, Jenna's cousin.
So now I'm more than halfway done and had thought maybe once they go back to his time things will improve. They got so much worse!! Jenna actually thinks Cormac kidnapped her (makes absolutely no sense considering the scene and Cormac's actions - except as a contrivance to keep Jenna from connecting with Cormac in the story. But the side effect is it made me pretty much hate her character at this point). And she's suddenly in the 16th Century, doesn't know anything about where she is and she....walks off by herself. What???!!!!
And that's when I seriously was going to stop. But I wanted to see if she was going to get eaten by a wolf and maybe Cormac would find a girl in his time who wasn't so awful.
But she didn't and I kept reading a bit more and it's just not getting better. So I'm trying to decide if I even want to bother because I know it should be an HEA but I just don't care about either character at this point (unless Cormac decides she's just not worth the trouble and ends up with someone else lol).
I really don't see in this story why Cormac had to go to modern times to find a wife and why Jenna is supposed to be his match. I understand she has some emotional baggage from a bad relationship (don't we all?) but her actions and behavior are just too extreme and frankly just accepted by all the characters (Dylan advises Cormac at one point to leave her alone for a bit and she'll be back to normal; so basically she's a toddler who had a meltdown and needed a timeout). But why is she his match? No clue.
Beyond Jenna being a completely awful character (who's also whiny when she's not being a b**ch), it's also the awkwardness of some of the scenes and dialogue. And the repetition of Jenna's wishy-washy thoughts on why she should keep Cormac at arm's length or just go with it. And with nothing actually happening action-wise, it's just become a tedious read.
Even if I decide to finish, I highly doubt it will change my overall opinion of this book and don't think I'll be reading any others in this series.
March 19, 2020
Spanish version???
Hi. I loved your books. I've I read the first in Spanish (my first language) and the second in English, since I didn't found the Spanish version. I saw that there are a lot of books in this collection. Even when I can write, talk and understand English, I love my language and prefer to read my books in my language. I do not discard reading more of these books in English if there is no option, but please try to publish the Spanish version soon. I want to read them all. Again, I loved reading the books. That all thing about time traveling was really good. I just would like to know what finally happened to Jonathan and Sir Richard. Just curiosity.
Hi. I loved your books. I've I read the first in Spanish (my first language) and the second in English, since I didn't found the Spanish version. I saw that there are a lot of books in this collection. Even when I can write, talk and understand English, I love my language and prefer to read my books in my language. I do not discard reading more of these books in English if there is no option, but please try to publish the Spanish version soon. I want to read them all. Again, I loved reading the books. That all thing about time traveling was really good. I just would like to know what finally happened to Jonathan and Sir Richard. Just curiosity.
January 5, 2021
I enjoyed the Delight series and book one of this series. This story was very disappointing. Jenna was a spoiled, immature, moody, and emotionally abusive rich party girl. I made it through the book and did not find anything likable about her. Cormac was a wonderful character and deserved better. Everything about San Francisco was over the top and ridiculous. I’m sorry to say that the writing was sophomoric. The author has produced better.
March 1, 2018
I didn’t like or care for the heroine. Her attitude was appalling.
To start with, the beginning of the book was, meh. Cormac landing in the future and stating that Jenna is to be his wife. Even I would run the other way of that would happen to me.
To continue, the weird unfolding of the events in the future, no character development, story, romance.
Nothing. I am moving on to other authors.
To start with, the beginning of the book was, meh. Cormac landing in the future and stating that Jenna is to be his wife. Even I would run the other way of that would happen to me.
To continue, the weird unfolding of the events in the future, no character development, story, romance.
Nothing. I am moving on to other authors.
March 30, 2023
This book is really like another book series I’ve read.
The innkeepers name was Morna written by Bethany Clair and she transported people from present day to 500 yrs ago and vice versa.
She is the one from the past and her husband is from present day.
The thistle series have the husband from the past and the wife is from present times.
It’s odd how 2 series can be so similar.
The innkeepers name was Morna written by Bethany Clair and she transported people from present day to 500 yrs ago and vice versa.
She is the one from the past and her husband is from present day.
The thistle series have the husband from the past and the wife is from present times.
It’s odd how 2 series can be so similar.
November 24, 2018
Awesome
Mrs. Vale, You write incredible time - travel stories. I have truly fallen in love with your characters as I know you have. Thank you for your imaginative stories. Consider me a huge fan now.
Christine Stacy
Mrs. Vale, You write incredible time - travel stories. I have truly fallen in love with your characters as I know you have. Thank you for your imaginative stories. Consider me a huge fan now.
Christine Stacy
January 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this story so very much. It's everything a time travel book should be and more. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the first book as well.
I received this from the Lending Library
I received this from the Lending Library
February 1, 2021
Love through the mists of time.
I'm so amazed at Jennae Vale's time travel books. I couldn't put them down., Ladies these are a must read! Intrigue and all that you could ever want in a relationship.
I'm so amazed at Jennae Vale's time travel books. I couldn't put them down., Ladies these are a must read! Intrigue and all that you could ever want in a relationship.
April 7, 2021
I barely made it through this book because of the constant apologies by the MC's angry behavior. it felt as if she was having a tantrum every other chapter poor Cormac. Apparently, she's been a difficult person since childhood, poor little rich girl. I only held on bc of the Scottish characters.
May 30, 2017
Some were in Time!
This was a fun book to read. I love reading about the history of the Scotland and the magic of time travel.
This was a fun book to read. I love reading about the history of the Scotland and the magic of time travel.
July 2, 2018
I love these kind of books because they are really romantic and you can just escape back in time with these wonderful characters!
January 21, 2020
The Choice
What a great book two different lands two different times two different type of people but in the long run a special kind of love
What a great book two different lands two different times two different type of people but in the long run a special kind of love
March 13, 2020
Fairly predictable, but a nice escape from the daily grind
September 13, 2025
it was ok but the main female character Jenna was really annoying and i found it very hard to like her
October 15, 2016
I liked this second book in the series. Nice to revisit characters from book 1. Although this had a different heroine and hero it felt just liked the same plot, etc.
April 22, 2021
Ha habido trozos que se me ha hecho pesada, la protagonista es tan testaruda que me daban ganas de mandarla a paseo. El principio es muy directo y me costó conectar con la historia. Lo mejor el highlander y su amor
March 8, 2017
I loved this story and couldn't put it down. So far all of the books in this series have been wonderfully entertaining to me. I read them out of order, but it doesn't matter. I didn't like Jenna much until close to the end . . . she was a little too bitchy for me. Cormac was a complete hunk and I was rooting for him the whole time. I was happy with the ending.
March 5, 2017
Loved the characters Jenna and Cormac. This was a very easy read. Hard to put down. Can't wait to read the next book.
August 22, 2015
Okay, maybe I’m biased because I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, but this book had me from page one. A hunky Scotsman from the sixteenth century steps through a magical mist on the Golden Gate Bridge into twenty-first-century life and meets Jenna Sinclair, a smart-mouthed young woman recently divorced and still stinging from the betrayal of her first husband. But Cormac MacBayne is certain she is just the woman for him and sets about wooing her in hopes that she will return with him and fulfill a witch’s prophecy that she will become his bride. Those who read the first book in Jennae Vale’s “Thistle and Hive” series will recognize some of the characters and fall under the same romantic allure of Breaghacraig Castle, clan MacKenzie, and the irrepressible force of love that can defy even a barrier of time to find fulfillment.
May 10, 2016
Witty, original series
I picked up the first book in this series and I was hooked. Book 2 was as wonderful as the first. It is creative, original romantic story with characters you can't get enough of. What I love about this series is that they are and can be a stand alone books. Individually they are good read, together they are exceptional reads with colorful, delightfully charming characters. You enjoy reading Highlander or time travel romances this is the series for you.
I picked up the first book in this series and I was hooked. Book 2 was as wonderful as the first. It is creative, original romantic story with characters you can't get enough of. What I love about this series is that they are and can be a stand alone books. Individually they are good read, together they are exceptional reads with colorful, delightfully charming characters. You enjoy reading Highlander or time travel romances this is the series for you.
August 30, 2016
Great novel
Jenna had a bad marriage everyone tried to warn her even her best friend who disappeared , upon walking her dog she finds a man whom claims he came for her to go back with him and be his wife. Cormac claims he time traveled for her and she is his mate who!e she doesn't believe him she grows feeling for him and is sent back to medieval Scotland and sees someone she missed. While she has feeling for him she doesn't wish to leave modern times. Will she let her fears go and be happy or not.
Well written and looking forward to next book in series
Jenna had a bad marriage everyone tried to warn her even her best friend who disappeared , upon walking her dog she finds a man whom claims he came for her to go back with him and be his wife. Cormac claims he time traveled for her and she is his mate who!e she doesn't believe him she grows feeling for him and is sent back to medieval Scotland and sees someone she missed. While she has feeling for him she doesn't wish to leave modern times. Will she let her fears go and be happy or not.
Well written and looking forward to next book in series
May 31, 2015
Loved it!!!
The thought of traveling through time has always intrigued me so it is no wonder I love this series! This book was different from the first, yet had some similarities. I am in love with the MacKenzie clan men and the strong women they fall in love with. I am anxious to read Dylan's story. These books are sweet, sexy, and full of romance, but always with a twist or two. Please read these books. You will be glad you did!
The thought of traveling through time has always intrigued me so it is no wonder I love this series! This book was different from the first, yet had some similarities. I am in love with the MacKenzie clan men and the strong women they fall in love with. I am anxious to read Dylan's story. These books are sweet, sexy, and full of romance, but always with a twist or two. Please read these books. You will be glad you did!
March 1, 2016
Loved it
This probably one of the best time travel books I've read. This is second book of the series and have both 1 and 2 in one night. Am a an avid reader and read faster than most. I like that the way the stories move..they do not ramble on and on so that you end up skimming over pages to get to something interesting or story related. I would recommend this series highly and hope there will be more books soon. Just download book 3 and 4 .
This probably one of the best time travel books I've read. This is second book of the series and have both 1 and 2 in one night. Am a an avid reader and read faster than most. I like that the way the stories move..they do not ramble on and on so that you end up skimming over pages to get to something interesting or story related. I would recommend this series highly and hope there will be more books soon. Just download book 3 and 4 .
June 11, 2019
Another awesome escape from reality. I loved getting to know Jenna and Carmac better. Jenna is stubborn and has been burned by her awful ex husband. She's given up on love. Cormac is charming and sweet not to mention willing to travel through time to find love. Will Jenna leave the past where it belongs and let herself love again?
I also loved the added bonus of meeting Dylan and I look forward to reading his story. Until then...
I also loved the added bonus of meeting Dylan and I look forward to reading his story. Until then...
March 15, 2015
No spoilers but I really enjoyed this story, though Jenna did really frustrate me at times, I loved Cormac and Dylan.
There were one or two misspellings and one instance when Cormac was called Callin (his brother) but they weren't so bad as to take away from the story. Looking forward to the third installment.
There were one or two misspellings and one instance when Cormac was called Callin (his brother) but they weren't so bad as to take away from the story. Looking forward to the third installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews