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MacLeod #8
Till There Was You
Zachary Smith is finished with high-maintenance women, impossible clients, and paranormal adventures. He wants an ordinary life and a happily-ever-after with a fresh-faced girl next door. But when he walks through a doorway into a different century, he knows his life isn't going to turn out quite the way he planned.
Mary de Piaget is passionate about two things: training her father's horses and avoiding wedded bliss. But when she finds herself facing marriage to the most perfect knight in England, she fears for more than her freedom, because only she can see the malice behind the perfection. And then a chance encounter with a strangely dressed traveler kindles her hope for a different fate.
But to change Mary's life is to change Zachary's future --- with disastrous results. Yet how can either of them face the alternative ...
Mary de Piaget is passionate about two things: training her father's horses and avoiding wedded bliss. But when she finds herself facing marriage to the most perfect knight in England, she fears for more than her freedom, because only she can see the malice behind the perfection. And then a chance encounter with a strangely dressed traveler kindles her hope for a different fate.
But to change Mary's life is to change Zachary's future --- with disastrous results. Yet how can either of them face the alternative ...
364 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 30, 2009
57 people are currently reading
876 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Kurland
69 books1,568 followersLynn began her writing career at the tender age of five with a series of illustrated novellas entitled Clinton’s Troubles in which the compelling hero found himself in all sorts of . . . well, trouble. She was living in Hawaii at the time and the scope for her imagination (poisoned fish, tropical cliffs, large spiders) was great and poor Clinton bore the brunt of it. After returning to the mainland, her writing gave way to training in classical music and Clinton, who had been felled with arrows, eaten by fish and sent tumbling off cars, was put aside for operatic heroes in tights.
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!
Somehow during high school, in between bouts of Verdi and Rossini, she managed to find time to submerge herself in equal parts Tolkien, Barbara Cartland and Mad Magazine. During college, a chance encounter with a large library stack of romances left her hooked, gave her the courage to put pen to paper herself, and finally satisfied that need for a little bit of fantasy with a whole lot of romance!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
May 3, 2009
Yummy time traveling Scots! Do you really need any other reason to buy Lynn Kurland's books? I don't. Finding her latest, "Till There Was You" in the bookstore early was my favorite kind of serendipity.
Zachary needs to change his life. He's going to quit time-traveling with Jamie, find a nice woman and settle down...hopefully in a castle he can lovingly refurbish. So when the family ghosts turn their match-making eyes' towards him, he runs--and winds up in 13th century Scotland. Good thing he already knows the time-traveler's mantra "Leave no mar in the fabric of time". He can't change fate. No matter how much he comes to love the daughter of Robin of Artane. If he stays in her time, he has no riches and no title. If she disappears it will change the fabric of time. But when he remembers her fate, he can't NOT do anything.
Mary is the 13th version of a tomboy. She lives for training her father's horses and has no intention of marrying, and certainly not Sir Geoffrey. He's too slick, too pretty, and there's just something 'evil' about him. So when he returns to her father's keep and succeeds in gaining a betrothal, she's pretty sure she won't live long after the wedding. Then from out of nowhere a strangely-dressed man appears in her father's keep. He puts himself in danger to protect her, offers her all the courtesies she though she didn't want, and makes her feel beautiful...but he's not a lord and he says he must go home, wherever that is. But his eyes, oh his eyes say something else entirely.
Sappy smile accompanied by a happy sigh. Lynn Kurland has outdone herself this time with a Gamma hero who steps up even when he knows it's useless. Zachary is funny, sweet, protective, helpful, and pretty darn good with a sword too. He talks to himself and is a bit of a nerd in a manly kind of way. He's a man you want to take home, take care of, and do wicked things with! And Mary...what a lucky girl, for someone whose betrothed wants a dead bride anyway. They both know nothing can come of their friendship, but they can't seem to stay away from each other. Shades of the 'star crossed lovers' theme with the Lynn Kurland twist.
"Till There Was You" is a timeless story that confirms the power of love. Lynn Kurland keeps her plot tight and the story rolls out smoothly, even with the time jumps. Zachary and Mary are people I would want as friends. I loved reading their story and this book is already sitting on my keeper shelf with the rest of Kurland's time-traveler series. Care to take any bets on how long I can resist before reading it again?
Zachary needs to change his life. He's going to quit time-traveling with Jamie, find a nice woman and settle down...hopefully in a castle he can lovingly refurbish. So when the family ghosts turn their match-making eyes' towards him, he runs--and winds up in 13th century Scotland. Good thing he already knows the time-traveler's mantra "Leave no mar in the fabric of time". He can't change fate. No matter how much he comes to love the daughter of Robin of Artane. If he stays in her time, he has no riches and no title. If she disappears it will change the fabric of time. But when he remembers her fate, he can't NOT do anything.
Mary is the 13th version of a tomboy. She lives for training her father's horses and has no intention of marrying, and certainly not Sir Geoffrey. He's too slick, too pretty, and there's just something 'evil' about him. So when he returns to her father's keep and succeeds in gaining a betrothal, she's pretty sure she won't live long after the wedding. Then from out of nowhere a strangely-dressed man appears in her father's keep. He puts himself in danger to protect her, offers her all the courtesies she though she didn't want, and makes her feel beautiful...but he's not a lord and he says he must go home, wherever that is. But his eyes, oh his eyes say something else entirely.
Sappy smile accompanied by a happy sigh. Lynn Kurland has outdone herself this time with a Gamma hero who steps up even when he knows it's useless. Zachary is funny, sweet, protective, helpful, and pretty darn good with a sword too. He talks to himself and is a bit of a nerd in a manly kind of way. He's a man you want to take home, take care of, and do wicked things with! And Mary...what a lucky girl, for someone whose betrothed wants a dead bride anyway. They both know nothing can come of their friendship, but they can't seem to stay away from each other. Shades of the 'star crossed lovers' theme with the Lynn Kurland twist.
"Till There Was You" is a timeless story that confirms the power of love. Lynn Kurland keeps her plot tight and the story rolls out smoothly, even with the time jumps. Zachary and Mary are people I would want as friends. I loved reading their story and this book is already sitting on my keeper shelf with the rest of Kurland's time-traveler series. Care to take any bets on how long I can resist before reading it again?
April 30, 2009
Zachary Smith is an architect who lives a rather interesting life. His weekends are spent visiting different time zones. And I don't mean Eastern or Central time, I mean, in this particular instance, 2006 and 1258. He also talks to ghosts. One day he is at Artane, a castle owned by a good friend. He's doing his usual thing, exploring and looking at the architectual wonders of the place. He happens to stumble into a room filled with medieval goodies and bam!! he is thrown back to the year 1258, right in the middle of the Lady of Artane's solar. Screams erupt.
Mary de Piaget is the daughter of Robin, the Lord of Artane. Her father has been denying suitors for her for years. She truly doesn't mind the situation as she'd rather tend to her horses and spend time having fun with her cousins. Robin decides that the time has come for her to marry Geoffrey of Styrr who is handsome, but a real idiot. Top that off with the fact that Mary thinks he is up to no good. While her intended betrothed is on his way to her castle, Mary decides to hide.
Zachary is running from the screams in the solar and Mary is running to hide from her suitor. They both meet, in of all places, the garderobe. This is where the story begins and Kurland, as usual, does it very well. She keeps things interesting and suspenseful while at the same time bringing laughter and fun to the tale. The banter between Mary and Zachary is consistently amusing and they are truly a good match for each other, even if there is a several hundred year difference in their age.
Till There Was You is an excellent read. I recommend it.
Mary de Piaget is the daughter of Robin, the Lord of Artane. Her father has been denying suitors for her for years. She truly doesn't mind the situation as she'd rather tend to her horses and spend time having fun with her cousins. Robin decides that the time has come for her to marry Geoffrey of Styrr who is handsome, but a real idiot. Top that off with the fact that Mary thinks he is up to no good. While her intended betrothed is on his way to her castle, Mary decides to hide.
Zachary is running from the screams in the solar and Mary is running to hide from her suitor. They both meet, in of all places, the garderobe. This is where the story begins and Kurland, as usual, does it very well. She keeps things interesting and suspenseful while at the same time bringing laughter and fun to the tale. The banter between Mary and Zachary is consistently amusing and they are truly a good match for each other, even if there is a several hundred year difference in their age.
Till There Was You is an excellent read. I recommend it.
September 28, 2023
Zachary Smith and Mary de Piaget. This is one of my favorites of the entire series. Still fabulous the fifth time around and another sigh worthy read. Bliss!
July 27, 2011
I’m one of those Lynn Kurland fans who doesn’t care what she writes. Her writing has a flow, a feeling, a fluidness to it that just calls to me. No matter what century she takes me to in her time travels, I feel like I’m there right in the middle of the story. And though we always get at least one new character to add to our time traveling family, part of the fun of reading these books is getting to see the previous characters being woven together in a fairly complex way, now that there are so many books in the series.
After all that, I do have to confess one small thing. The beginning of this book didn’t hook me like her others have. Looking back, however, I’m blaming that on my mood at the time, because after laying the book after one chapter, I picked it up again several days later and it hit the spot with me like all of Ms. Kurland’s books usually do.
This time around the story is about Zachary Smith, the youngest of the Smith siblings and the one who has century-hopped with Jamie for years since Jamie made his home permanently in the future. They know where a good portion of these time portals are, but when they find a new one, they’re off to investigate it. Zachary, though, is tired of all the time traveling. Tired of fighting for his life when a journey here and there doesn’t go as expected. On top of that, he’s also dissatisfied with his job, so he’s quit. Walked away wanting happily ever after with the right woman.
Having car trouble on his way to that better future, he stops in at Artane, home of the de Piaget family for generations. While there he stumbles into one of those heretofore unknown portals and finds himself still at Artane, only it’s now 1258.
Finding himself thrown into the castle dungeon after trying to rescue a servant girl from a number of bloodthirsty warriors, he’s surprised when the same girl tries to free him from his prison. What he doesn’t know yet is this is Mary de Piaget, only daughter of Robin of Artane, a man he comes to respect and admire while having to take advantage of his patience and hospitality during his sojourn in Robin’s time.
Mary, it seems, is running from her current suitor, one who doesn’t give up easily, much to Mary’s dismay. So she needs this new stranger to help her flee to a relative’s abode far enough away until said suitor leaves her home to try again another day to win her favor. Though she truly hopes not.
Thus begins the fight of Mary to keep her life independent from a money-hungry husband combined with the fight of Zachary to keep her alive without letting on who he is and where he’s from and without changing history. Tossed into the mix, besides Robin’s ever-increasing irritation with Zachary’s comings and goings in and out of his home, are Mary’s numerous cousins who love her dearly and will protect her no matter the cost. They even make it difficult for the couple after they’ve declared their love for one another; terrific comic relief at times.
Zachary hopes to keep Mary alive past the date of her death and still return home, leaving her behind because there really isn’t a future for them because of the time distance between them. He knows that will be difficult, but sometimes you have to make difficult decisions in life. But when fate proves to him you can’t change what was meant to be, his choices aren’t many to choose from. Leave her in his time to die or try to take her to his time where she may have a chance at life after all, even though there’s no guarantee he’ll get her there before it’s too late.
We also get a good look at the intricacies of all the different players who have time traveled and settled down in the 21st century, all very interesting and intriguing the way Ms. Kurland has woven everything together. There’s also hints of future travelers, which will give us fans many more books to come. I, for one, am very glad of that!
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
After all that, I do have to confess one small thing. The beginning of this book didn’t hook me like her others have. Looking back, however, I’m blaming that on my mood at the time, because after laying the book after one chapter, I picked it up again several days later and it hit the spot with me like all of Ms. Kurland’s books usually do.
This time around the story is about Zachary Smith, the youngest of the Smith siblings and the one who has century-hopped with Jamie for years since Jamie made his home permanently in the future. They know where a good portion of these time portals are, but when they find a new one, they’re off to investigate it. Zachary, though, is tired of all the time traveling. Tired of fighting for his life when a journey here and there doesn’t go as expected. On top of that, he’s also dissatisfied with his job, so he’s quit. Walked away wanting happily ever after with the right woman.
Having car trouble on his way to that better future, he stops in at Artane, home of the de Piaget family for generations. While there he stumbles into one of those heretofore unknown portals and finds himself still at Artane, only it’s now 1258.
Finding himself thrown into the castle dungeon after trying to rescue a servant girl from a number of bloodthirsty warriors, he’s surprised when the same girl tries to free him from his prison. What he doesn’t know yet is this is Mary de Piaget, only daughter of Robin of Artane, a man he comes to respect and admire while having to take advantage of his patience and hospitality during his sojourn in Robin’s time.
Mary, it seems, is running from her current suitor, one who doesn’t give up easily, much to Mary’s dismay. So she needs this new stranger to help her flee to a relative’s abode far enough away until said suitor leaves her home to try again another day to win her favor. Though she truly hopes not.
Thus begins the fight of Mary to keep her life independent from a money-hungry husband combined with the fight of Zachary to keep her alive without letting on who he is and where he’s from and without changing history. Tossed into the mix, besides Robin’s ever-increasing irritation with Zachary’s comings and goings in and out of his home, are Mary’s numerous cousins who love her dearly and will protect her no matter the cost. They even make it difficult for the couple after they’ve declared their love for one another; terrific comic relief at times.
Zachary hopes to keep Mary alive past the date of her death and still return home, leaving her behind because there really isn’t a future for them because of the time distance between them. He knows that will be difficult, but sometimes you have to make difficult decisions in life. But when fate proves to him you can’t change what was meant to be, his choices aren’t many to choose from. Leave her in his time to die or try to take her to his time where she may have a chance at life after all, even though there’s no guarantee he’ll get her there before it’s too late.
We also get a good look at the intricacies of all the different players who have time traveled and settled down in the 21st century, all very interesting and intriguing the way Ms. Kurland has woven everything together. There’s also hints of future travelers, which will give us fans many more books to come. I, for one, am very glad of that!
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
April 9, 2025
This was another in her series of medieval time travel love stories. I loved both the main characters, Zachary and Mary. The love and longing between the two and the sweet words spoken (and unspoken) were both endearing and heartbreaking. What a chivalrous man Zachary was, to give all he had for Mary even though he knew he couldn’t have her. Mary was so sweet but still feisty. I loved her relationship with all her cousins. This is the 3rd book I’ve read by Lynn Kurland, and I will continue to look for and enjoy her writing. Clean romance.
April 7, 2012
What happens when you take the youngest brother in a group of heartbreakingly handsome medieval lairds and pair him up with the beautiful only daughter of a chivalrous and legendary medieval English knight? Well, when it is Till There Was You, you get pure magic!
When I first read Stardust of Yesterday, many, many years ago, before Kurland's books were a series, I had wished that Kendrick's sister had not died young and that there would actually be a book written about her. As the series grew, we saw a snippet or two of Mary de Piaget elsewhere, but it was a given fact from the beginning that Mary died young of consumption. But that was before time travel was a part of the de Piaget world.....
For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...
When I first read Stardust of Yesterday, many, many years ago, before Kurland's books were a series, I had wished that Kendrick's sister had not died young and that there would actually be a book written about her. As the series grew, we saw a snippet or two of Mary de Piaget elsewhere, but it was a given fact from the beginning that Mary died young of consumption. But that was before time travel was a part of the de Piaget world.....
For the full review, please go to http://thewindowseat13.blogspot.com/2...
December 8, 2011
I hate that I feel this way about anything written by Lynn Kurland. In an industry where a lot of writers are pushing the limits of what's readable and what's just outright smut (I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong!), she really turned the tables and published, with much success, romance without the sex. Just goes to show that not all romance has to be explicit. No more manhoods for me, thank you very much.
With that said, I couldn't finish this book. I tried, I really did. But let's be frank, there's a whole bunch of books that are waiting to be read, and I can't afford to waste time on something I feel absolutely nothing for. Time is precious and even though I love most of Ms. Kurland's novels, I couldn't invest time into continuing reading something I had little interest in.
Your mileage may vary.
With that said, I couldn't finish this book. I tried, I really did. But let's be frank, there's a whole bunch of books that are waiting to be read, and I can't afford to waste time on something I feel absolutely nothing for. Time is precious and even though I love most of Ms. Kurland's novels, I couldn't invest time into continuing reading something I had little interest in.
Your mileage may vary.
January 17, 2011
The is pure Lynn Kurland. As with One Enchanted Evening, things can get a little wordy, but, the way the hero and heroine react to time travel is very believable. And I like the hero and heroine and have a vested interest in them. I suppose if I was from the 14th century and saw my reflection in a mirror I would scream and faint,too. It makes me wonder just what marvelous inventions are in store for our great grandchildren. But even the villain is more beautiful than the rest of us that, unfortunately, have warts. But then again, I suppose that is why we read romance; the same reason our grandmothers sat in a darkened movie theater and watched the very rich cavort on the big screen while the country was starving and more people than not were displaced.
July 16, 2010
Lately all I want to read are nice clean romances. I am not really into books that have a great story with a little romance in the back. This book was cute, but just not enough for me. I have really enjoyed a few of this authors books, but my big complaint is TOO WORDY!! I got to the point where I was skimming pages because it just got kind of boring.
The story itself was very clean and sweet. It just took way too long to get to the point for me. I just have a hard time with books where the characters are so un-sure of the others love that they have no confidence. Again it was a nice clean read.
The story itself was very clean and sweet. It just took way too long to get to the point for me. I just have a hard time with books where the characters are so un-sure of the others love that they have no confidence. Again it was a nice clean read.
February 23, 2017
Another book that has it all; evil, romance, laughter, and tears. I love the Hero in this one. It took me a while to get there with the Heroine. It struck me as out of character for Robin to not see through the bad guy, especially since it was his daughter at stake. Kurland has a gift and I'm really glad I found her.
April 23, 2011
I really enjoyed this story. Since picking up my first Jude Deveraux book, I’ve been a fan of historical romance and time travel stories. The year 1258 brings us to Lord Robin Artane’s castle and into his family fold. When a stranger appears in strange clothing Lord Robin doesn’t know what to make of him. Setting him to cleaning out the lists and sleeping in the stables, he begins to gauge his character. Zachary will do whatever he can to stay in his Lord’s good graces long enough to leave Artane castle and find a doorway back to his own time. But as many times as he leaves, he is drawn back by the lovely Mary de Piaget.
I love Zachary because he’s humble, and protective, and kind. But even in all of that he’s no pushover, and he’s willing to do the most menial of jobs for the most basic accomodations. He’s also very talented in architecture, and proves it by designing Robin of Artane’s dog kennels, and restoring old castles. I also love Mary because she has her own mind, despite the times, and she’s very skilled with horses. She delicate, yet fierce and passionate all at the same time. Her and Zachary seem to just fit.
This book was also sprinkled with a whole host of characters that kept me thoroughly entertained. Mary de Piaget’s cousins were especially lovely in particular. The twins Theo and Sam, kept up mischeif, while Connor and Thad just wanted to make sure Mary was protected. And Jackson was unrelenting when it came to her safety, especially when it came to Zachary. But Zachary is charming enough to win them all over one by one.
My only complaints about this book is that it was too long. It could have been tied up sooner than it actually was. I kept thinking, damn there’s more!? Also, there were too many character’s whose significant other was from a different time and I was starting to get confused. Sometimes it just mentioned too many people with odd situations to keep up. Other than that it was a sweet story about time travel and love, with enough surprises to keep it interesting. A must read.
I love Zachary because he’s humble, and protective, and kind. But even in all of that he’s no pushover, and he’s willing to do the most menial of jobs for the most basic accomodations. He’s also very talented in architecture, and proves it by designing Robin of Artane’s dog kennels, and restoring old castles. I also love Mary because she has her own mind, despite the times, and she’s very skilled with horses. She delicate, yet fierce and passionate all at the same time. Her and Zachary seem to just fit.
This book was also sprinkled with a whole host of characters that kept me thoroughly entertained. Mary de Piaget’s cousins were especially lovely in particular. The twins Theo and Sam, kept up mischeif, while Connor and Thad just wanted to make sure Mary was protected. And Jackson was unrelenting when it came to her safety, especially when it came to Zachary. But Zachary is charming enough to win them all over one by one.
My only complaints about this book is that it was too long. It could have been tied up sooner than it actually was. I kept thinking, damn there’s more!? Also, there were too many character’s whose significant other was from a different time and I was starting to get confused. Sometimes it just mentioned too many people with odd situations to keep up. Other than that it was a sweet story about time travel and love, with enough surprises to keep it interesting. A must read.
April 23, 2010
Overall with Lynn Kurland's books, at least the ones in the De Piaget, MacLeod series, they all get to be the same more or less. Girl meets boy, girl and boy fall in love, someone (often an ex or admirer of either girl or boy) tries to break the two apart, something dramatic happens where girl and boy are separated, boy whips out sword and resolves dramatic episode, girl and boy get married, book ends happily ever after.
That pretty much sums up all of her books, but they're fun reads anyways. If you love romance and a bit of time travel and the whole love-conquers-all sort of thing, you'll enjoy these books.
This particular book was one of my more favorite of these series. Her male characters are someone you could easily see yourself falling in love with and are always very chivalrous and there's just something about a man whipping out a huge sword to defend you that's very appealing...
That pretty much sums up all of her books, but they're fun reads anyways. If you love romance and a bit of time travel and the whole love-conquers-all sort of thing, you'll enjoy these books.
This particular book was one of my more favorite of these series. Her male characters are someone you could easily see yourself falling in love with and are always very chivalrous and there's just something about a man whipping out a huge sword to defend you that's very appealing...
September 26, 2011
I find that you can't go wrong with Lynn Kurland's books. They make you wish you could transport yourself back in time just as the characters in her books do. After finishing Every Breath You Take, which I found, held everything in a book that kept me glued not wanting to put it down and then just sigh when I finished reading it. It was absolutely a wonderful book. Till There Was You was a good read but it didn't grab me the same way. The character Zachery in the book seemed to not have the charming, sophisticated ruggedness as the other male heroes which was somewhat disappointing. So far, I have read all of the McLeod's and a couple of the De Piaget's and really haven't been disappointed in any of the books. This book along with all the others are a must read if you like time transport and clean romance, no heavy sex scenes.
May 22, 2009
I am not sure what has been up, though this was better than her last couple of novels. I think the recipe just needs a bit of an update. I still hold out hope, and will keep reading.
February 19, 2024
This is Zachary Smith’s story, whom we first met in “A Dance Through Time”, and other novels. He has always been a bit of a “brat” (always moaning about having work etc.) but he is now a serious and well respected architect, based in London. Mary de Piaget is our heroine and like all de Piaget women, she is independent, stubborn, cares for her horses and family and is unsettled by the prospect of marriage to Geoffrey of Styrr. She sees him as the murderous, lying, nasty man that he is.
I enjoyed the way that Zachary fitted into 13thC life at Artane by: cleaning out Robin de Piaget (Mary’s father) stables; working as a smithy (based on his surname); and treating the de Piaget cousins with courtesy and affection. I enjoyed Mary’s transition into 21stC life as if this was her proper place where: her views were respected; she could speak her mind without fear of reprisals; and she could wear modern more comfortable clothing. I loved how Kendrick de Piaget turned into his father when Zachary brought Mary to Seakirk.
The plot was straight forward, with no unnecessary subplots. We saw the exxte4nded families of both the de Piagets and MacLeods and I loved the fact that this included everyone who had a connection to the MacLeods, no matter how tenuous. Jamie MacLeod took the concept of clan and family very seriously. The ghosts were fun this time, they are now joined by a fourth John Drummond, and their involvement had a light touch and it was more subtle, something that Lynn Kurland hasn’t managed to do in her other novels, The ending was perfect, with everything fitting into place and Mary well settled into 21stC live.
Another good book in the de Piaget/MacLeod series.
I enjoyed the way that Zachary fitted into 13thC life at Artane by: cleaning out Robin de Piaget (Mary’s father) stables; working as a smithy (based on his surname); and treating the de Piaget cousins with courtesy and affection. I enjoyed Mary’s transition into 21stC life as if this was her proper place where: her views were respected; she could speak her mind without fear of reprisals; and she could wear modern more comfortable clothing. I loved how Kendrick de Piaget turned into his father when Zachary brought Mary to Seakirk.
The plot was straight forward, with no unnecessary subplots. We saw the exxte4nded families of both the de Piagets and MacLeods and I loved the fact that this included everyone who had a connection to the MacLeods, no matter how tenuous. Jamie MacLeod took the concept of clan and family very seriously. The ghosts were fun this time, they are now joined by a fourth John Drummond, and their involvement had a light touch and it was more subtle, something that Lynn Kurland hasn’t managed to do in her other novels, The ending was perfect, with everything fitting into place and Mary well settled into 21stC live.
Another good book in the de Piaget/MacLeod series.
September 17, 2017
2.25 Stars.The relationship here sprung up pretty much from no time spent together, and could be quantified as poorly captured insta-lust (like if you're going that route... You really gotta work it.) Aside from that the whole thing was very 'meh' for me. The ghost intro put me to sleep and is left dangling out there in the end.
And really... I have one last Kurland book that's been recommended to me but I'm not sure I'll be reading it anytime soon.
And really... I have one last Kurland book that's been recommended to me but I'm not sure I'll be reading it anytime soon.
November 14, 2024
Truly exceptional!
This book is a joy to read. It spans two different time periods and you get to see more of Robin of Artane and the progeny of Rhys and Gwen’s children, namely the sons of Nicholas and Amanda.
The storyline is good with many plot twists and supporting characters such as twins Theo and Sam, who are as endearing as the Fitzgerald twins from the very first book in the de Piaget series.
Many characters from previous books make appearances. Both Zachary and Mary are likeable and well developed.
There are poignant moments that almost bring tears to the eyes whilst reading.
This book is a joy to read. It spans two different time periods and you get to see more of Robin of Artane and the progeny of Rhys and Gwen’s children, namely the sons of Nicholas and Amanda.
The storyline is good with many plot twists and supporting characters such as twins Theo and Sam, who are as endearing as the Fitzgerald twins from the very first book in the de Piaget series.
Many characters from previous books make appearances. Both Zachary and Mary are likeable and well developed.
There are poignant moments that almost bring tears to the eyes whilst reading.
August 19, 2024
This has to be one of my favorites, though admittedly that's because I adore Zach. He's just adorable and I was happy he finally got a story. I was delightfully surprised to read he was paired with Mary Di Piaget. She'd been such a mysterious character to me, since her mention by her brother Kendrick in his own book "Stardust of Yesterday," and Zach sort of the sidekick little brother through the series to this point. I actually have a list of characters I really hope to see get a story, that I'll put at the end of this raving.
Anyway, you can see Zach has matured wonderfully into a thoughtful, compassionate, & honorable man and we get to see Maryanne holding her own within her own family environs. Both have a mulish stubborn streak to boot. It's one of the books definitely in my continual re-read book pile. I actually started with Ms. Kurland's books when "A Dance Through Time" and "Stardust of Yesterday" both originally came out and I've been a constant fan of her writings.
To that end, here's my list of characters I hope someday get stories:
Joshua (formerly of Sedgwick)Macleod - I wonder if he's met the current Di Piaget relatives. *lol* I bet he'd love Kendrick and his family. :D He's another of my favorites
Theo & Sam Di Piaget - I mean, come on! Those two are in desperate need of a good romance. :D
Sadly, I don't think this one will ever happen, but I'd love to see Ambrose Macleod's romance story (if ever had one) when he was alive.
Jake IV's younger brother - He seems like he's actually a decent person after all.
Nathaniel's sister and brother (whose names currently slip my mind; sorry)
Amery Smith as an adult. :)
There are more, but those are the current crop that come to mind. I'm also wondering if the ones in the Past with future spouses ever make it to the future to visit? They could have their own little tour club. *lol* Well, if what Kendrick told Jake of his memory is altered a bit, perhaps they all visit his ghost in the past at some point before time traveling? Eh, who knows, but it's fun to speculate.
Anyway, you can see Zach has matured wonderfully into a thoughtful, compassionate, & honorable man and we get to see Maryanne holding her own within her own family environs. Both have a mulish stubborn streak to boot. It's one of the books definitely in my continual re-read book pile. I actually started with Ms. Kurland's books when "A Dance Through Time" and "Stardust of Yesterday" both originally came out and I've been a constant fan of her writings.
To that end, here's my list of characters I hope someday get stories:
Joshua (formerly of Sedgwick)Macleod - I wonder if he's met the current Di Piaget relatives. *lol* I bet he'd love Kendrick and his family. :D He's another of my favorites
Theo & Sam Di Piaget - I mean, come on! Those two are in desperate need of a good romance. :D
Sadly, I don't think this one will ever happen, but I'd love to see Ambrose Macleod's romance story (if ever had one) when he was alive.
Jake IV's younger brother - He seems like he's actually a decent person after all.
Nathaniel's sister and brother (whose names currently slip my mind; sorry)
Amery Smith as an adult. :)
There are more, but those are the current crop that come to mind. I'm also wondering if the ones in the Past with future spouses ever make it to the future to visit? They could have their own little tour club. *lol* Well, if what Kendrick told Jake of his memory is altered a bit, perhaps they all visit his ghost in the past at some point before time traveling? Eh, who knows, but it's fun to speculate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 27, 2019The entire series of the MacLeod's and DePiaget's are my favorite series. I read them every 6 months and feel like I have traveled back in time with the characters. The romance in this series is by far the best I have ever read. I would like Lynn Kurland to continue to write about the generations of these 2 families including Jaime MacLeod. 10/25/2019
July 15, 2017
Very confusing for me because I read this as a stand alone. It was a little too dragged out for me, but overall it was good.
February 22, 2018
A fun read and a new series of escape find!
September 14, 2021
Was a 5 star read until the last 100 pages, they lacked heavily. Read up until there and then skim read!
June 7, 2023
***Wistful sigh*** I loved this story and all the characters. Getting to see some of the old MCs was very nice. Will definitely reread.
March 5, 2017
Story of Mary de Piaget (Robin's daughter) and modern-day Zachary Smith, who travel back and forth to find a time that will allow for them to be together. Gotta love the medieval tomboy that is Mary.
September 12, 2012
Oh! Zach and Mary! This book was so sweet. I love the ones in this series where a modern day guy goes back and falls in love with a medieval De Piaget girl. So wonderful. There is something really sexy about the mindset of a modern guy being such that he would prefer a woman from that time. And that he could be someone that would measure up to her father/uncles/brothers/cousins/etc. makes it great too.
I love that Zach was already very familiar with time travel and that he traveled extensively with Jamie MacLeod! Very cool since this is the first I had heard of Zach (except for a brief scene in one or two other books). I'm assuming that I'm going to get to see much more of him as I finish the De Piaget series and get into the MacLeod series. I hope so!
I liked the tie-ins with architecture, like Kurland did with Richard and Jessica's book as well. That's always fun and interesting for me.
And I also liked Mary's personality. She seemed more like Amanda, which I loved. I've been getting annoyed with how similar all the "future girls" seem to each other. I find it interesting that the medieval girls are the ones that seem to have stronger personalities, while the modern women end up wanting to be more fainting maidens in distress who are saved by their knights on white horses. Nothing wrong with that....just interesting. Maybe that says something about modern men and what they are perhaps lacking...
Very cute how Zach had to keep returning to Artane and I loved that Robin knew what Zach was from the very beginning. As soon as he burned his clothes, I knew that he knew. It was then endearing to watch how Robin kept helping Zach and sort of resigning himself to what he knew was going to be his daughter's destiny.
The twist with the poison was very nice - unexpected. I like that it gave some bigger reasoning to the time travel.
Overall I liked this story very much! :)
I love that Zach was already very familiar with time travel and that he traveled extensively with Jamie MacLeod! Very cool since this is the first I had heard of Zach (except for a brief scene in one or two other books). I'm assuming that I'm going to get to see much more of him as I finish the De Piaget series and get into the MacLeod series. I hope so!
I liked the tie-ins with architecture, like Kurland did with Richard and Jessica's book as well. That's always fun and interesting for me.
And I also liked Mary's personality. She seemed more like Amanda, which I loved. I've been getting annoyed with how similar all the "future girls" seem to each other. I find it interesting that the medieval girls are the ones that seem to have stronger personalities, while the modern women end up wanting to be more fainting maidens in distress who are saved by their knights on white horses. Nothing wrong with that....just interesting. Maybe that says something about modern men and what they are perhaps lacking...
Very cute how Zach had to keep returning to Artane and I loved that Robin knew what Zach was from the very beginning. As soon as he burned his clothes, I knew that he knew. It was then endearing to watch how Robin kept helping Zach and sort of resigning himself to what he knew was going to be his daughter's destiny.
The twist with the poison was very nice - unexpected. I like that it gave some bigger reasoning to the time travel.
Overall I liked this story very much! :)
December 14, 2009
Romance wise, it's first rate but I found it less excellent than the previous books. One thing that bothers me is Anne in this book. Well, the main character, Mary, is the only daughter of Robin and Anne from I f I Had You. Anne is one of the loved Kurland's character and she actually appeared several times in other books. However, considering even the important connection between Mary and Anne, Anne does not appear often in this book. Ha, I only remembered she only spoke once. I even thought may be Anne had already died here that's why she never appear or may be she went to visit other families. Somehow Anne is only decribes as this perfect mother, who cried a lot when Mary's dying, etc. She never speak to either of the main character. I didn't even see any conversation between Robin and Anne. Another thing, I remembered Anne as this intelligent, look-soft-but-rather-stubborn kind of woman. She usually is the voice of reason to Robin. I didn't see any of Anne 's influence in Robin's idiotic behaviour here.
Ms Kurland also add lots of new characters here which at first I found confusing.( this book is their first appearance) but it's still ok.
I wish that Ms Kurland would make more of her historical romance than the time travelling romance though. It's just too weird that most of the medieval matches'half are actually from the future. I rememebred May mentioned this thing:" Are all of my aunt and uncels actually come from the future?" Really, it's started to get weird.
Ms Kurland also add lots of new characters here which at first I found confusing.( this book is their first appearance) but it's still ok.
I wish that Ms Kurland would make more of her historical romance than the time travelling romance though. It's just too weird that most of the medieval matches'half are actually from the future. I rememebred May mentioned this thing:" Are all of my aunt and uncels actually come from the future?" Really, it's started to get weird.
February 7, 2016
Zachary Smith is tired of dealing with cantankerous clients and high-maintenance women, and has decided he is done with paranormal adventures after his narrow brushes with death in one century or another following at the heels of his brother in law. Unfortunately his family's ghostly ancestors have other plans for him, and he walks through a doorway into medieval England in the 13th century, where he promptly falls in love with Mary de Piaget. Mary is betrothed to a man she is afraid is planning to kill her, and asks Zachary to help her escape him. Zachary is determined not to do anything to alter the future he hopes to return to, but he finds it very difficult to resist his attraction, especially when he realizes that in the family's genealogy in the future, he has read that Mary is to die within a few weeks. Kurland once again weaves a touching and fun romantic adventure, full of cameos of characters from her previous books that her fans have come to love, and this is another excellent addition to the collection.
September 8, 2009
This was another excellent novel from Lynn Kurland. I just love her sweet, yet exciting style of righting romance. This particular book kept me interested better then some of her other recent books have. I liked the two main characters a lot. The leading lady may have been very unrealistic for her place in history, but really, time travel is very unrealistic too, and I still love reading about it! Zachary is a character that has popped up in a lot of her books, but this is the first time we really get to know him. I like how the conflict they ran into was very believable. It seems like some of Kurland's books are filled with an unbelievable amount or kind of trouble. This couple had believable "villains" to face, and they over-came quite nicely. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sweet, yet adventurous romances, but I would recommend reading some of Kurland's previous books first.
January 18, 2012
Zachary Smith is finished with high-maintenance women, impossible clients, and paranormal adventures. But when he walks through a doorway into a different century— and meets Mary de Piaget—he knows his life isn’t going to turn out quite the way he planned.
My Thoughts.....
Lynn never ceases to amaze me with her books. Enjoyed this story very much. Her series has been amazing really. Like the fact that all the character intertwine in all her books. The best parts for me were at every turn Zach kept being amazed himself as to all those people who were time travelers weather from the past or the present and not even realizing it made me laugh with the shock he got from meeting people from the future living in the past and vice- versa.Loved Zach and Mary's story, laugh's at every turn.
My Thoughts.....
Lynn never ceases to amaze me with her books. Enjoyed this story very much. Her series has been amazing really. Like the fact that all the character intertwine in all her books. The best parts for me were at every turn Zach kept being amazed himself as to all those people who were time travelers weather from the past or the present and not even realizing it made me laugh with the shock he got from meeting people from the future living in the past and vice- versa.Loved Zach and Mary's story, laugh's at every turn.
December 21, 2015
Men like Zachary Smith are rare in real life. Perhaps, it might aid him since he had been with Jamie for a long time. I'm mostly amused by how protective the cousins of Mary de Piaget are of her. The twins have this knack for sneaking up on people and scare them silly.
The pace of this book is comfortable and it shows the camaraderie of the siblings and family members. This gave me a lot of confusion since I had no prior knowledge even if the book is entirely readable by its own. There were other characters from previous books and I took a bit of time digesting their relationship.
Time travelling themes are confusing to me. I'm just glad that there wasn't too much on travelling to and fro between the centuries.
The pace of this book is comfortable and it shows the camaraderie of the siblings and family members. This gave me a lot of confusion since I had no prior knowledge even if the book is entirely readable by its own. There were other characters from previous books and I took a bit of time digesting their relationship.
Time travelling themes are confusing to me. I'm just glad that there wasn't too much on travelling to and fro between the centuries.
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