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The Blackthorn Trilogy #1
Always Mine
When she is transported back in time and into the arms of the formidable Lord Damron, a legendary Scottish soldier, Lydia Hunter, now Lady Brianna, refuses to be claimed as his bride, unless he plays by her rules. Original.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
14 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Johnson
49 books37 followersAfter our daughters were married and moved away, my husband and I retired. It didn't take long for the "empty nest" syndrome to strike. It took much longer before we did something about it, though. Fifteen years! We bought a little long-coat Chihuahua who became the terror of the neighborhood - even on a leash. When he was three years old and not even attmpting to be friendly with anyone other than my husband and me, we got him a companion. A tri-colored Papillon named Konner. He's a sweetheart and kisses everyone.
One day, our youngest grandson whispered in my ear, "Does Pop-Pop really think Jammie (the Chihuahua) is his baby?" I had to explain about us missing someone to take care of, so we cuddled the dogs when our grandchildren weren't around. After a big hug and kiss, he understood we needed someone or something to cuddle.
I love writing. One night, I dreamt that I couldn't anymore. You know what came to mind when I opened my eyes? I wouldn't be able to breathe life into the characters demanding their stories.
I think that's a little nutty, don't you? My characters become real to me, and when I'm writing, they tell me what they want to do, how they want to feel, what they will and will not allow. Cheez! Talk about bossy!
One day, our youngest grandson whispered in my ear, "Does Pop-Pop really think Jammie (the Chihuahua) is his baby?" I had to explain about us missing someone to take care of, so we cuddled the dogs when our grandchildren weren't around. After a big hug and kiss, he understood we needed someone or something to cuddle.
I love writing. One night, I dreamt that I couldn't anymore. You know what came to mind when I opened my eyes? I wouldn't be able to breathe life into the characters demanding their stories.
I think that's a little nutty, don't you? My characters become real to me, and when I'm writing, they tell me what they want to do, how they want to feel, what they will and will not allow. Cheez! Talk about bossy!
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 9, 2019
The Hero was less than desirable SPOILERS
I really didn't like this book. But I finished it. I didn't like the leman at all of course. I didn't like him keeping her in the same house as his wife. I didn't like him getting excited by her and I definitely its it didn't like her being pregnant with his baby and the ending just squicked me out big time.
I don't like time travel and this book has the heroine going back in time but it wasn't overkill or anything. But she goes back in time and is to be married to the hero. He was betrayed by his first wife and he is very leery of marriage. He ends up falling in love with his wife but There are a lot of misunderstandings and angst throughout. The mistress/leman is Living in the room above them and when they first got back he was aroused by her outside his wife's door and sitting next to his wife at dinner. It was just not right. I don't think he slept with her but I couldn't tell. The wife gets pregnant And so does the mistress and the wife's baby does and the mistresses baby lives and the heroine accepts the baby and nurses it and keeps it because the mistress leaves. The wife almost dies and he loves her and won't let her go. The end. Just not a great book. I would not recommend.
I really didn't like this book. But I finished it. I didn't like the leman at all of course. I didn't like him keeping her in the same house as his wife. I didn't like him getting excited by her and I definitely its it didn't like her being pregnant with his baby and the ending just squicked me out big time.
I don't like time travel and this book has the heroine going back in time but it wasn't overkill or anything. But she goes back in time and is to be married to the hero. He was betrayed by his first wife and he is very leery of marriage. He ends up falling in love with his wife but There are a lot of misunderstandings and angst throughout. The mistress/leman is Living in the room above them and when they first got back he was aroused by her outside his wife's door and sitting next to his wife at dinner. It was just not right. I don't think he slept with her but I couldn't tell. The wife gets pregnant And so does the mistress and the wife's baby does and the mistresses baby lives and the heroine accepts the baby and nurses it and keeps it because the mistress leaves. The wife almost dies and he loves her and won't let her go. The end. Just not a great book. I would not recommend.
June 26, 2012
I loved Sophia Johnson's Raptor Castle Series so I figured I'd give the Blackthorn Trilogy a try. I'm not big of time travel books, but Sophia blends the past and present times into this book flawlessly. The only reason I gave this book 2 stars is because of the heroine, Brianna/Lydia. I couldn't stand her attitude, her defiance and her unwillingness to even give a little to her husband, Damron. I understand she was a modern day woman whisked away to the 11th century, however she has the opportunity to make her dreams come true and fulfill her love of Damron, yet she fights him at every turn. I began to wonder if she would ever come around and love him and feel for him what he felt for her all along. I also felt the ending was really rushed and I didn't particularly like the way that Damron always had to fight for Brianna,especially towards the end. Throughout the whole book Damron was fighting for her love, her soul, her heart and I don't think she ever truly gave it to him.
I enjoyed all the secondary characters as well as the story as a whole, but the hero really made this book for me.
I'm going to give the second book in the series a try because it sounds much better than this one. I'll say it again that I don't think this series can hold a candle to her Raptor Castle Series and I would definitely recommend each of those books.
I enjoyed all the secondary characters as well as the story as a whole, but the hero really made this book for me.
I'm going to give the second book in the series a try because it sounds much better than this one. I'll say it again that I don't think this series can hold a candle to her Raptor Castle Series and I would definitely recommend each of those books.
February 20, 2013
I read this book a while back - and regularly dip back into its electronic pages. My most recent foray was sparked off when I read a review, here on Goodreads, that said something along the lines of: Historical romances are either very romantic but fudge the historical details OR true to the period but not that satisfying as a romance.
I would argue that THIS book comes the closest of any I've read to delivering both romance and a strong dose of reality.
The premise is a modern woman drawn back through time to the wild Scottish Highlands, where men were all powerful and women were... well, chattel. They were traded between families if they came with wealth, heir production units and expected to obey their husbands over everything. Can you imagine what a 21st Century woman would think of all that? EXACTLY... let the fireworks commence! ;)
This is a story filled with romance, some extremely interesting historical details, strong characters, tragedy and more than a touch of magic.
I LOVED it - enough to go on to buy the rest of the trilogy and then wait impatiently for the next series by this author.
I would argue that THIS book comes the closest of any I've read to delivering both romance and a strong dose of reality.
The premise is a modern woman drawn back through time to the wild Scottish Highlands, where men were all powerful and women were... well, chattel. They were traded between families if they came with wealth, heir production units and expected to obey their husbands over everything. Can you imagine what a 21st Century woman would think of all that? EXACTLY... let the fireworks commence! ;)
This is a story filled with romance, some extremely interesting historical details, strong characters, tragedy and more than a touch of magic.
I LOVED it - enough to go on to buy the rest of the trilogy and then wait impatiently for the next series by this author.
July 2, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Historical time travel books are so much fun. Though I myself would have a hard time adjusting to the more docile personality required to fit a women are property and men rule existence! Watching someone else struggle with that situation, however, is highly entertaining...especially if the man is worth making such a change.
Lord Damron is a gorgeous, strong-willed alpha determined to break his new wife's strange manner and unladylike expressions. Lydia Hunter finds herself in the arms of the man she's dreamed about her entire life...unfortunately he-and now she-is in a different century. Should she find a way back to her own time or is he worth staying for?
Lord Damron is a gorgeous, strong-willed alpha determined to break his new wife's strange manner and unladylike expressions. Lydia Hunter finds herself in the arms of the man she's dreamed about her entire life...unfortunately he-and now she-is in a different century. Should she find a way back to her own time or is he worth staying for?
January 15, 2026
Time travel. Heroine's baby dies and lemans baby lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2010
I LOVE Sophia Johnson's way of making my chest ache! I love her stories and I loved this book.
February 22, 2012
I love the Blackthorn trilogy!!! I originally read Midnight's Bride first. Loved getting to read the story that started it all!
May 5, 2012
In spite of the fact that I am not a great fan of time-travel, I enjoyed this book. A good read.
June 11, 2012
Loved it. Had my doubts at first. Didn't know how I would like characters going between the past and future. But the author handled it well. I was in tears at the end, but all is well now :)
January 22, 2013
Really like that, story was excellent, sad and annoying in places but overall very enjoyable.
September 26, 2011
4.5 Stars
March 20, 2018
La historia me encanto desde que empezó pero a la mitad siento que se perdieron Muchas cosas y aunque lo disfrute, el final me dejo desconcertada.
No se que pensar.
No se que pensar.
December 11, 2018
The heroine was a brat read few chapters jus couid not get in to it
January 23, 2023
Comenzó bastante interesante, pero pasaron muchas cosas incoherentes y el final fue muy apresurado y absurdo
December 8, 2015
Oh dear. I've had this on my TBR list for a while, and I just got around to reading it. I apologize ahead of time if there is anything that might be considered a spoiler in my review. I feel like a reader goes into a time travel romance knowing that certain things will probably happen, though.
I think Goodreads recommended it to me because I like time travel. It did remind me of Johanna Lindsay time travel romances I've read. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood or what, but there was a lot that kept me from liking this too much. The old-timey narration drove me crazy throughout the novel and sometimes put me to sleep. Also, Lydia/Brianna goes back almost 1,000 years. That's a BIG jump for a modern woman to make. It drove me nuts that Lydia was conveniently brought up by historians and was fluent in Middle English and Norman French...but then a few pages later, she'd have no clue what the reading of the bans was. The explanation for the time travel - her soul returning to a former life - didn't really make sense to me. I didn't understand why she had to go back, and with the possibility of reuniting with Damron's modern soul, I didn't understand why she'd stay there, although her modern life with Gordon sounded like a hot mess. Maybe I'd stay back in time, too. The side plot with her kidnapper and the leman was the closest thing to exciting/intriguing, but the way that wrapped up made me feel like it could have been edited out entirely. My last complaint is Nathaniel aka Lord Bleddyn. I was so friggin' confused by him. I wanted to like him, so I think that was part of my disappointment. They kept saying he was Welsh, but he was speaking Gaelic the whole time. And why did all the Welsh guys have magic? I've lived in Wales, and it was very nice and I made friends, but I can tell you first hand that the country is not full of mind readers who can communicate with animals. They said in the book Nathaniel didn't age, so I was so confused about his childhood relationship with Alana and I was hoping he'd make an appearance in modern times. The phrase that would best sum up my reading experience is "I literally can't even." I moved on immediately to another book, and I'm not looking back.
I think Goodreads recommended it to me because I like time travel. It did remind me of Johanna Lindsay time travel romances I've read. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood or what, but there was a lot that kept me from liking this too much. The old-timey narration drove me crazy throughout the novel and sometimes put me to sleep. Also, Lydia/Brianna goes back almost 1,000 years. That's a BIG jump for a modern woman to make. It drove me nuts that Lydia was conveniently brought up by historians and was fluent in Middle English and Norman French...but then a few pages later, she'd have no clue what the reading of the bans was. The explanation for the time travel - her soul returning to a former life - didn't really make sense to me. I didn't understand why she had to go back, and with the possibility of reuniting with Damron's modern soul, I didn't understand why she'd stay there, although her modern life with Gordon sounded like a hot mess. Maybe I'd stay back in time, too. The side plot with her kidnapper and the leman was the closest thing to exciting/intriguing, but the way that wrapped up made me feel like it could have been edited out entirely. My last complaint is Nathaniel aka Lord Bleddyn. I was so friggin' confused by him. I wanted to like him, so I think that was part of my disappointment. They kept saying he was Welsh, but he was speaking Gaelic the whole time. And why did all the Welsh guys have magic? I've lived in Wales, and it was very nice and I made friends, but I can tell you first hand that the country is not full of mind readers who can communicate with animals. They said in the book Nathaniel didn't age, so I was so confused about his childhood relationship with Alana and I was hoping he'd make an appearance in modern times. The phrase that would best sum up my reading experience is "I literally can't even." I moved on immediately to another book, and I'm not looking back.
August 7, 2013
Stars: 2.5
Overall: Confused! That is how i felt during the whole book. At first I didn't understand what was going on because you are thrust into the story without any "real" background information on Lydia. Than all of a sudden your in Brianna's head and than they are conjoined and "her Nathaniel" is the only one besides herself that truly knows about it. Also the pace of the story really bothered me because one second your reading about them doing something and than it will just switch to the next day. Also Rollo's character confused me because why did he want Brianna so bad? There is no real mention from Brianna that she knew if from the past, so why is the way abducting her and seems to be "in love/lust" with her? Overall i really enjoyed the plot and i think with a little reworking this could be an incredible story. My favorite part of the story had to be when Brianna and Meghan decided the give the man "baths" their own way. I couldn't stop laughing and trying to picture the scene in my head.
Characters: Damron & Brianna (Lydia)
Page Turner: yes and no
Series Cont: Yes
Recommend: If you like time-travel romance books, than you might like this.
Overall: Confused! That is how i felt during the whole book. At first I didn't understand what was going on because you are thrust into the story without any "real" background information on Lydia. Than all of a sudden your in Brianna's head and than they are conjoined and "her Nathaniel" is the only one besides herself that truly knows about it. Also the pace of the story really bothered me because one second your reading about them doing something and than it will just switch to the next day. Also Rollo's character confused me because why did he want Brianna so bad? There is no real mention from Brianna that she knew if from the past, so why is the way abducting her and seems to be "in love/lust" with her? Overall i really enjoyed the plot and i think with a little reworking this could be an incredible story. My favorite part of the story had to be when Brianna and Meghan decided the give the man "baths" their own way. I couldn't stop laughing and trying to picture the scene in my head.
Characters: Damron & Brianna (Lydia)
Page Turner: yes and no
Series Cont: Yes
Recommend: If you like time-travel romance books, than you might like this.
June 15, 2011
I agree with a previous review that the heroine was TSTL. In the beginning, I was very annoyed with her!
She was drawn to a photo of her soul mate at the age of five, and visited the castle/picture every year. When she purchased and pinned on an antique broach she went up to the top of the castle walls and was transported back to a previous life. Not a bad start..
But after arriving in the 16th century, she does act like a child. She is educated in the 21st century as a geneticist, and has also studied the 16th century. She knows what life is like there, but she rebels against everything.
The story does manage to redeem itself to a certain extent. There is a love triangle with Lord Duncan's mistress. Overall not a bad read. 3.5?
She was drawn to a photo of her soul mate at the age of five, and visited the castle/picture every year. When she purchased and pinned on an antique broach she went up to the top of the castle walls and was transported back to a previous life. Not a bad start..
But after arriving in the 16th century, she does act like a child. She is educated in the 21st century as a geneticist, and has also studied the 16th century. She knows what life is like there, but she rebels against everything.
The story does manage to redeem itself to a certain extent. There is a love triangle with Lord Duncan's mistress. Overall not a bad read. 3.5?
December 31, 2007
It seemed like two different people wrote this book. It started out one way then went completely in another (baffling) direction.
Lydia felt inexplicably drawn to the portraits and history of Lord Dammon since she was a little girl. She felt drawn to the museum and would stare at the picture, etc. She falls through time and meets Lord Dammon. The book is fine up until this point.
Lydia then becomes a spoiled child who argues about everything. Good grief. She has several TSTL moments, throws tantrums to get her way and never redeemed herself for my taste.
The author wrote Lydia's character as a geneticist and she acted like a 6th grader! This was awful.
Lydia felt inexplicably drawn to the portraits and history of Lord Dammon since she was a little girl. She felt drawn to the museum and would stare at the picture, etc. She falls through time and meets Lord Dammon. The book is fine up until this point.
Lydia then becomes a spoiled child who argues about everything. Good grief. She has several TSTL moments, throws tantrums to get her way and never redeemed herself for my taste.
The author wrote Lydia's character as a geneticist and she acted like a 6th grader! This was awful.
November 16, 2017
Well, this book was my second from this author.
i enjoyed risk everything quite a lot a few years back.
I must say that I read Outlander recently so I had in my mind when I started reading this on.
I'm not a fan of time travel. However, I did enjoy the character to some point. Others were not very well developed, the main character could have been better built and her fears and hopes better explain and explored.
It was an outline interesting that didn't develop to its potential.
The passion between the main characters is palpable and intense in a way that makes you want to say to see how it's going to explode.
i enjoyed risk everything quite a lot a few years back.
I must say that I read Outlander recently so I had in my mind when I started reading this on.
I'm not a fan of time travel. However, I did enjoy the character to some point. Others were not very well developed, the main character could have been better built and her fears and hopes better explain and explored.
It was an outline interesting that didn't develop to its potential.
The passion between the main characters is palpable and intense in a way that makes you want to say to see how it's going to explode.
August 5, 2011
I hardly ever give a two star. It started out fine but, wow, did this heroine get on my nerves. I don't think I've ever read a more mean, pissed off heroine in my life. Where's the love? The H/h fight so much I couldn't even begin to like them. It was like watching two dogs fight over a bone for a hundred pages. The writing was hard to follow and so many characters jumping around I felt frustrated to have to re-read scences to get it right and then it was just hate and vengence. Ugh...what a horrible book.
June 3, 2011
I enjoyed this, the second book in the series. I liked the characters and the plot, and I'm glad it held up on its own. I'm not familiar with this author, but I liked the first book, so took a chance on this one and was not disappointed
November 1, 2014
i love this book! i've read it several times and i always come back to it when i miss home. i love the feistiness of the heroine, not afraid to stand up on what she believes. i love how the hero loves her. this got me into time travel. i have so many favorite scenes from here! check it out!
July 8, 2012
Ce livre est très irrégulier.
Il y a des moments très intense et puis d'autres où on s'ennuie comme un rat mort :-(
Dommage l'idée était intéressante
Il y a des moments très intense et puis d'autres où on s'ennuie comme un rat mort :-(
Dommage l'idée était intéressante
May 17, 2015
I thought the heroine was completely disrespectful to the hero. Lets not confuse independence & strong character with rudeness.
January 22, 2016
This would have been a five star book for me if the story hadn't dithered for so long. It got very tedious & frustrating before it got really good. Don't give up.
August 2, 2012
This book was really going well for me until the last few chapters and then it tanked...
September 26, 2015
Tienen cosas que no me convencen tanto pero ahí tiene su encanto.
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