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Challenge #1
Highlander's Challenge
Amelia Tucker, or Tuck as she prefers to be called, latest personal bodyguard assignment turns into one she'll never forget, thanks to a crazed kidnapper, one enchanted fountain, and a sixteenth century Highland Warrior determined to keep her under lock and key. Who will win this battle of wills?
317 pages, Nook
First published August 3, 2007
88 people are currently reading
1737 people want to read
About the author
Jo Barrett
53 books75 followersJo currently resides in North Carolina with her patient and supportive family while she juggles her writing career and her position as a programmer analyst.
She has won numerous awards and continues to write whenever she can.
Someday, she hopes to take off her programming hat and write full time.
So many of her dreams have already come true. What's one more?
For a list of Jo's books, visit The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Email: jobarrett@jobarrett.net
She has won numerous awards and continues to write whenever she can.
Someday, she hopes to take off her programming hat and write full time.
So many of her dreams have already come true. What's one more?
For a list of Jo's books, visit The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Email: jobarrett@jobarrett.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 18, 2017
An enjoyable time travel highlander romp. If you've read one of these you've kind of read them all. Whether they get sent through time via a circle of druid stones, a stone henge, or, as in this case, a magical fountain, as long as the modern day girl gets thrown back in time a few centuries, often landing in the lap of a hot knight or highlander, you can usually be sure that an amusing and entertaining tale is about to unfold.
Quite frankly I'm not really bothered about how the heroine ends up back in time. If I know it's coming then I much prefer the author to just get on with it (as Barrett thankfully does). I don't like to mess around with an elaborate lead up to the "shocking" event. I've already got my suspension of disbelief hat firmly atop my head and I'm ready to rock and roll.
For the most part I enjoyed this story. The main draw for me was the fact that the heroine, Amelia Tucker or "Tuck", was ex-army and currently a bodyguard. This aspect actually ended up bringing as much annoyance as entertainment though I have to say. Although I really enjoyed her using her fighting abilities- including martial arts, wrestling, etc, on these medieval warriors that only know how to fight using superior strength and a head on attack- And I also enjoyed the resulting dumbfounded looks on all their faces. I, unfortunately, found her accompanying brash, argumentative attitude slightly grating.
She had some great lines, don't get me wrong, but she didn't even try to fit in: refusing to wear anything but her jeans, using her modern vernacular (she kept calling people Hot Shot and using slang terms they had no chance of understanding), and just basically doing the exact opposite of what anyone told her to do, no matter how small the request. It just got a bit too much.
The hero, Colin, I quite liked. He was as stubborn as you'd expect in the beginning, but I appreciated his ability to accept her for how she was later on in the book.
For those looking for a book filled with lots of sex scenes you will be disappointed in that area as they are a long time coming and even then they are short and sparse.
All together, I enjoyed it, it entertained me, I found myself grinning from time to time at some of the altercations, but I would have liked a bit more growth in the lead characters.
Quite frankly I'm not really bothered about how the heroine ends up back in time. If I know it's coming then I much prefer the author to just get on with it (as Barrett thankfully does). I don't like to mess around with an elaborate lead up to the "shocking" event. I've already got my suspension of disbelief hat firmly atop my head and I'm ready to rock and roll.
For the most part I enjoyed this story. The main draw for me was the fact that the heroine, Amelia Tucker or "Tuck", was ex-army and currently a bodyguard. This aspect actually ended up bringing as much annoyance as entertainment though I have to say. Although I really enjoyed her using her fighting abilities- including martial arts, wrestling, etc, on these medieval warriors that only know how to fight using superior strength and a head on attack- And I also enjoyed the resulting dumbfounded looks on all their faces. I, unfortunately, found her accompanying brash, argumentative attitude slightly grating.
She had some great lines, don't get me wrong, but she didn't even try to fit in: refusing to wear anything but her jeans, using her modern vernacular (she kept calling people Hot Shot and using slang terms they had no chance of understanding), and just basically doing the exact opposite of what anyone told her to do, no matter how small the request. It just got a bit too much.
The hero, Colin, I quite liked. He was as stubborn as you'd expect in the beginning, but I appreciated his ability to accept her for how she was later on in the book.
For those looking for a book filled with lots of sex scenes you will be disappointed in that area as they are a long time coming and even then they are short and sparse.
All together, I enjoyed it, it entertained me, I found myself grinning from time to time at some of the altercations, but I would have liked a bit more growth in the lead characters.
February 8, 2015
There once was a time when I took a holy wow never to read a book that has this kind of cover....LOL
But then, I got tired and burned out with 'real' books, so I took a chance with something different.
...And loved it very much:)
So there you have it, never say never!
Best thing about this book is a good believable story with lots of action and good characterization.
I really loved the way the characters are done. Their temperament, actions and motivations are well described and explained. Not each and every one of their body parts as being perfect.
She is not a incompetent damsel in distress and he is not described as neither beautiful nor gorgeous but striking.
But then, I got tired and burned out with 'real' books, so I took a chance with something different.
...And loved it very much:)
So there you have it, never say never!
Best thing about this book is a good believable story with lots of action and good characterization.
I really loved the way the characters are done. Their temperament, actions and motivations are well described and explained. Not each and every one of their body parts as being perfect.
She is not a incompetent damsel in distress and he is not described as neither beautiful nor gorgeous but striking.
December 5, 2011
Rated 3.5/5
Summary: Amelia "Tuck" Tucker is a bodyguard for hire in the 21st century. Her background is in the military, and she prides herself on her soldier/warrior skills. She is very tall, full of muscle, and has been generally treated more like a man than a woman throughout her life. Her current job is guarding a brilliant scientist, named Jenny, who believes she is more in need of a friend than a bodyguard.
While touring Scottish castles with Jenny, Tuck and Jenny are attacked. Tuck tries to fend off the attacker, but when Jenny interferes, Tuck is tossed into a fountain and hits her head. The next thing she knows, she is laying in a field with no fountain or Jenny anywhere in sight. She also can't see the castle they were touring, so she assumes she has passed out and been dropped somewhere nearby.
Eventually Tuck discovers that she has traveled back in time to the sixteenth century, and she arrived in the middle of a clan dispute. She is welcomed into the keep of Colin MacLean after saving his and his best friend's lives during an ambush. Although Tuck is not used to attention from men, Colin finds her beautiful and is constantly drawn to her. The feelings are mutual, but the pair seem to do nothing but fight with each other.
Unfortunately, Colin has been promised in marriage to the daughter of a nearby clan in order to ensure peace on the island. And Tuck is determined to find her way back to the 21st century to save Jenny's life from the attacker. With everything stacked against them, it seems unlikely that they will find happiness. But, anything is possible.
Review: The most notable quality about this particular Highlander series is the unique background of the female characters. Tuck is the first female soldier I've seen in a romance novel of any kind. Her training and abilities allow her to adapt quickly to her new Medieval life in the Scottish Highlands. I really liked how this part of her character was developed, especially since she actually fought like a warrior in this book and didn't just talk about it. I also really appreciated that Colin was intensely attracted to her strength and found her to be feminine and beautiful. How refreshing.
I'm not a big fan of bickering and argumentative dialog in general, so I would have been happier with less of that between Tuck and Colin. However, it surprisingly didn't bother me as much in this book as it usually does. I'm contributing my unexplained tolerance of their fighting to the fact that neither of them sounded whiney. Tuck does a lot of threatening though, and this wore out quickly.
Something that did bother me (like nails on a chalkboard) was Tuck's constant use of the word "Sasquatch". Who uses that word in conversation? Anybody? It sounded ridiculous and out of place. Have you ever gotten frustrated by an author who overused a particular word or phrase so much that you wanted to black out the word with a marker so you could skip it? 'Nuff said.
I'd say that the characters are stronger than the plot in this book. It was entertaining, but there was nothing gripping about it. I'll read the second book in the series for the characters, and hope that the storyline gains some intensity.
Summary: Amelia "Tuck" Tucker is a bodyguard for hire in the 21st century. Her background is in the military, and she prides herself on her soldier/warrior skills. She is very tall, full of muscle, and has been generally treated more like a man than a woman throughout her life. Her current job is guarding a brilliant scientist, named Jenny, who believes she is more in need of a friend than a bodyguard.
While touring Scottish castles with Jenny, Tuck and Jenny are attacked. Tuck tries to fend off the attacker, but when Jenny interferes, Tuck is tossed into a fountain and hits her head. The next thing she knows, she is laying in a field with no fountain or Jenny anywhere in sight. She also can't see the castle they were touring, so she assumes she has passed out and been dropped somewhere nearby.
Eventually Tuck discovers that she has traveled back in time to the sixteenth century, and she arrived in the middle of a clan dispute. She is welcomed into the keep of Colin MacLean after saving his and his best friend's lives during an ambush. Although Tuck is not used to attention from men, Colin finds her beautiful and is constantly drawn to her. The feelings are mutual, but the pair seem to do nothing but fight with each other.
Unfortunately, Colin has been promised in marriage to the daughter of a nearby clan in order to ensure peace on the island. And Tuck is determined to find her way back to the 21st century to save Jenny's life from the attacker. With everything stacked against them, it seems unlikely that they will find happiness. But, anything is possible.
Review: The most notable quality about this particular Highlander series is the unique background of the female characters. Tuck is the first female soldier I've seen in a romance novel of any kind. Her training and abilities allow her to adapt quickly to her new Medieval life in the Scottish Highlands. I really liked how this part of her character was developed, especially since she actually fought like a warrior in this book and didn't just talk about it. I also really appreciated that Colin was intensely attracted to her strength and found her to be feminine and beautiful. How refreshing.
I'm not a big fan of bickering and argumentative dialog in general, so I would have been happier with less of that between Tuck and Colin. However, it surprisingly didn't bother me as much in this book as it usually does. I'm contributing my unexplained tolerance of their fighting to the fact that neither of them sounded whiney. Tuck does a lot of threatening though, and this wore out quickly.
Something that did bother me (like nails on a chalkboard) was Tuck's constant use of the word "Sasquatch". Who uses that word in conversation? Anybody? It sounded ridiculous and out of place. Have you ever gotten frustrated by an author who overused a particular word or phrase so much that you wanted to black out the word with a marker so you could skip it? 'Nuff said.
I'd say that the characters are stronger than the plot in this book. It was entertaining, but there was nothing gripping about it. I'll read the second book in the series for the characters, and hope that the storyline gains some intensity.
October 24, 2014
The story is ok but I listened to it on audio book which was the must unprofessional recording I have ever listened to! The editing was god-awful and at one point, the narrator burped between sentences. Hilarious, ridiculous, and highly unprofessional. I'm glad I didn't pay any money to listen to this story.
January 21, 2013
I absolutely loved the details of Scotland and descriptions of the castles and surrounding areas. Scotland is one of the few places I'd really like to go but probably never will. So I have to live vicariously through Scots romances. I'm terrible trying to decipher accented speech but i do love to listen to them speak with that brogue. Ooh la la!
I loved when Amelia called Colin Sassquatch and ogre. Too funny! Especially since he had no idea what she meant. The fact that she was a big (tall not fat) woman and out of place (a misfit) in her own time, prepared her for Scotland in 1584. She didn't give any quarter to Colin (or anyone else for that matter). I loved her strong personality even if it was derived from a retched childhood. I like this combination (tough Scot and hard-as-nails time traveling woman) better than the simpering female who usually goes back in time. This is much more exciting and interesting. I can't wait to dive into romeo Ian's story.
I loved when Amelia called Colin Sassquatch and ogre. Too funny! Especially since he had no idea what she meant. The fact that she was a big (tall not fat) woman and out of place (a misfit) in her own time, prepared her for Scotland in 1584. She didn't give any quarter to Colin (or anyone else for that matter). I loved her strong personality even if it was derived from a retched childhood. I like this combination (tough Scot and hard-as-nails time traveling woman) better than the simpering female who usually goes back in time. This is much more exciting and interesting. I can't wait to dive into romeo Ian's story.
December 19, 2024
2.25
Honestly, it was below average book and Outlander rip-off at the same time. The more you read, the more you dislike Amelia and overall plot-wise.
BUT at the same time - Scottish man in a kilt? I am kinda sold…
There must be a better romance book that is happening in Scotland and doesn’t suck like this one? Right?
Honestly, it was below average book and Outlander rip-off at the same time. The more you read, the more you dislike Amelia and overall plot-wise.
BUT at the same time - Scottish man in a kilt? I am kinda sold…
There must be a better romance book that is happening in Scotland and doesn’t suck like this one? Right?
May 7, 2017
2.5 stars. Tuck was so BA but too much inner dialogue and not enough action. The narrator also ruined it with her monotone voice, although the best part was when she burped in the middle of a sentence! I had to pause it I was laughing so hard!
July 18, 2018
For some reason, I really loved this one!! Nothing all that special, but very enjoyable.
March 10, 2017
Time travel, Scotland, Highland warrior, and a kick-ass heroine, what's not to love.
February 19, 2018
I abandoned ship about 7/8 through the book when it was apparent a sex scene was on it's way. The rest of the book was not overly amazing, so I was ok with being done a little early. The rest was also a little sexy because of a few weird innuendos and references. Maybe it's a highlander thing. Just for the record, the version of the book I was reading did not have this cover- or I probably would have guessed at it's steamy-ness. :)
February 16, 2014
Former military member Amelia Tucker isn't girly. She hasn't felt like a girl in quite a while, she's tall, small chested, and is well a bodyguard. She doesn't necessarily feel she needs to be girly in her line of work. Her current assignment is to guard an heiress cum medical genius who has a knack for history. They are touring Scotland and while at a castle, Tuck (as she likes to be called) finds a pull with it. She gets a suspicious feeling when a man is lurking about eyeing her charge. When he attacks, she falls into a wishing fountain and hits her head. When she wakes up, she's in a field. Thinking she was left in an isolated place by her attackers, she's wary when she sees two men on horseback. When they are all attacked all in historical garb, her thoughts that they are a reenactment group start to subside.
For someone who hasn't gotten the butterflies around the male sex for quite a while, she's attracted to Colin of the clan MacLean, heir apparent. He's engaged to be married to the daughter of the rival clan, but their feelings get in the way, they face an uncertain future.
I liked the fact that Tuck isn't your average heroine. When she's thrown back into the past, she doesn't whimper at her unknown surroundings, she takes it full own. Her instincts to fight to survive kick in and she does what it takes do that. She a brash, no nonsense kind of girl. Colin, he's this big and burly soon to be laird, so he needs to have an air of authority which Tuck is quick to tear down.
I think my biggest complaint was the lack of POV transition. You'll be reading about Tuck and what she's thinking, then suddenly the next line is in Colin's POV. There weren't asterisks, paragraph spaces to differentiate the change. And usually you can tell when it's going to change, but these switches were sudden, so I usually had to reread a section to figure out whose POV I was in.
I was also waiting for the hook to draw me in. I think it was missing the wittiness I've found in other time travel stories. I liked the characters, but I didn't feel the tension as much as I would have liked. After a while, the bantering gets a bit dry and it gets a little repetitive. And when plot lines have to wrap up, they wrap up to quickly and too tidy and it seems that it was done just to move on to other things.
But it was enjoyable read for what is was and I'm looking forward to Ian's story. I think Ian had a bit more personality than Colin, so it'll be interesting to see him paired up with Jenny.
For someone who hasn't gotten the butterflies around the male sex for quite a while, she's attracted to Colin of the clan MacLean, heir apparent. He's engaged to be married to the daughter of the rival clan, but their feelings get in the way, they face an uncertain future.
I liked the fact that Tuck isn't your average heroine. When she's thrown back into the past, she doesn't whimper at her unknown surroundings, she takes it full own. Her instincts to fight to survive kick in and she does what it takes do that. She a brash, no nonsense kind of girl. Colin, he's this big and burly soon to be laird, so he needs to have an air of authority which Tuck is quick to tear down.
I think my biggest complaint was the lack of POV transition. You'll be reading about Tuck and what she's thinking, then suddenly the next line is in Colin's POV. There weren't asterisks, paragraph spaces to differentiate the change. And usually you can tell when it's going to change, but these switches were sudden, so I usually had to reread a section to figure out whose POV I was in.
I was also waiting for the hook to draw me in. I think it was missing the wittiness I've found in other time travel stories. I liked the characters, but I didn't feel the tension as much as I would have liked. After a while, the bantering gets a bit dry and it gets a little repetitive. And when plot lines have to wrap up, they wrap up to quickly and too tidy and it seems that it was done just to move on to other things.
But it was enjoyable read for what is was and I'm looking forward to Ian's story. I think Ian had a bit more personality than Colin, so it'll be interesting to see him paired up with Jenny.
March 26, 2015
I love highlander stories, but I can't lie, I really didn't enjoy this one. I think a part of it though was that I listened to it on audio book which normally I don't. The monotone story telling just didn't give me a great visual for it and ended up me just waiting for it to get over.
But I also really wasn't a fan of "Tuck". Amelia, aka Tuck is this big ol'security guard type female solider. I just have a visual of Brienne from Game of Thrones as Amelia and that really isn't the most romantic type female lead I enjoy reading about. She had a very bad and annoying attitude and I just had a hard time connecting her and Colin.
But I also really wasn't a fan of "Tuck". Amelia, aka Tuck is this big ol'security guard type female solider. I just have a visual of Brienne from Game of Thrones as Amelia and that really isn't the most romantic type female lead I enjoy reading about. She had a very bad and annoying attitude and I just had a hard time connecting her and Colin.
September 17, 2010
Rather dull characters, some nice fighting action, some awful editing errors....I skipped about 200 pages and read the end. Couldn't really force myself to read more than that.
January 26, 2018
THIS STORY HELD A PRETTY INTERESTING THEME OF A MODERN DAY BODYGUARD TRAVELLING BACK IN TIME TO 1500 SCOTLAND. NORMALLY I AM NOT A FAN OF TIME-TRAVEL STORIES BUT THIS ONE DID CATCH MY ATTENTION.
OUR HERO is a stand in laird for his ailing father, and he is doing everything he can to prevent a war between his clan and the enemy clan. To do so, he has to marry the enemy's daughter (sorry I forgotten the clan name). During one of his patrols with his mate Ian, they encounter an odd looking boy who fights like a man. Suspicious of the boy's identity, he brings the lad back to the keep to interrogate the brat. Who knew that the boy turned out to be a lass. Colin and Amelia were going at each other's throats like a pair of savage dogs and it was humorous, though nothing intense or sexual about it. Colin is the kind of responsible hero with a little uptight attitude, so you can imagine how riled he is when this slip of a woman starts challenging his authority and spoils for a fight everytime - and that I mean combat fight. Soon he is torn between his duty and abrupt love for Amelia.
OUR HEROINE is a bodyguard with trust issues, and has been alone ever since her father nearly killed her. Instead of acting like a woman, she dresses and cusses like a man. And she's also good at what she does. When fate leads her back to the ancient highlands, she is annoyed and perplexed beyond words about why she is there and tries to find her way back to modern day, year 2007. While that priority takes the back seat in this story, Amelia's life starts weaving into the history of the highlanders and she starts forming relationships with the people there, especially with the vexing Colin. Amelia is everything you can imagine for a bodyguard - cool, badass and self-reliant.
OVERALL I will say that this was a rather safe historical time-travel story that didn't give me high hopes. It was entertaining but, holds none of the qualities I like in my romances. It doesn't have the highly-charged with sexual tension or smoldering, panty dropping banters between the characters. Extra Safe but not clean story, kiddos.
OUR HERO is a stand in laird for his ailing father, and he is doing everything he can to prevent a war between his clan and the enemy clan. To do so, he has to marry the enemy's daughter (sorry I forgotten the clan name). During one of his patrols with his mate Ian, they encounter an odd looking boy who fights like a man. Suspicious of the boy's identity, he brings the lad back to the keep to interrogate the brat. Who knew that the boy turned out to be a lass. Colin and Amelia were going at each other's throats like a pair of savage dogs and it was humorous, though nothing intense or sexual about it. Colin is the kind of responsible hero with a little uptight attitude, so you can imagine how riled he is when this slip of a woman starts challenging his authority and spoils for a fight everytime - and that I mean combat fight. Soon he is torn between his duty and abrupt love for Amelia.
OUR HEROINE is a bodyguard with trust issues, and has been alone ever since her father nearly killed her. Instead of acting like a woman, she dresses and cusses like a man. And she's also good at what she does. When fate leads her back to the ancient highlands, she is annoyed and perplexed beyond words about why she is there and tries to find her way back to modern day, year 2007. While that priority takes the back seat in this story, Amelia's life starts weaving into the history of the highlanders and she starts forming relationships with the people there, especially with the vexing Colin. Amelia is everything you can imagine for a bodyguard - cool, badass and self-reliant.
OVERALL I will say that this was a rather safe historical time-travel story that didn't give me high hopes. It was entertaining but, holds none of the qualities I like in my romances. It doesn't have the highly-charged with sexual tension or smoldering, panty dropping banters between the characters. Extra Safe but not clean story, kiddos.
July 21, 2019
I wanted to like this book - I really did. But it just doesn't work. The writing is a bit juvenile, and the story has so many plot issues and parts that made me roll my eyes, that I just couldn't really enjoy it.
So, we have Tuck - the stereotypical "I'm not like other girls" girl. She's so tough and strong and yada yada yada. I'm not sure if the author was trying to get us to like her or not. She just came across as incredibly annoying and condescending.
And the plot problems, jeez what wasn't a plot problem. First of all, we have the cliche "I've gone back in time and think I'm in some kind of reinactment" thing (seriously writers, can this stop?!). Anyway, after our heroine realizes she's in the 1500s, she just... continues to act like a bitchy woman from the 21st century. Complains about everything, refuses to blend in, insults everyone. A real winner /s. Occasionally, the author drops lines that Tuck is worried about being burned as a witch for being so different, but then she doesn't do anything to protect herself from that happening. She just keeps using her stupid slang and doing things women in that time period never would. It just makes no sense. And oh my god the fighting skills. We get it! She used to be in the military! She's so strong! You don't need to constantly bombard us with her physical prowess. Every other page she's beating up some guy or teaching someone tai chi. She's so ridiculously one-dimensional that it hurts.
Ugh! And I hate how the beginning of the book goes on and on about how Tuck doesn't listen to Jenny and doesn't care about history, and then the second she's in the past, she suddenly remembers all these details, like when certain castles were built.
Oh and the gummy bear thing? Not quirky. I know that was probably put in there so readers would be like "Oh my god, she's so different and quirky. She needs gummy bears", but it doesn't work. It's a stupid, unnecessary detail that does nothing to endear Tuck to the reader.
And finally, the ending? Gimmie a break. She's totally in love with this "perfect man" and they get married, and she's convinced herself that Jenny likely doesn't need her help, but she goes back anyway? Seriously, did anyone bother to proof-read this. It makes NO SENSE. Of course, she miraculously makes it back to Colin (right when he's visiting the river, no less *eyeroll*), but it was still stupid drama just for drama sake for no reason.
Ugh. I don't know what else to say. This is just bad Outlander fanfic.
So, we have Tuck - the stereotypical "I'm not like other girls" girl. She's so tough and strong and yada yada yada. I'm not sure if the author was trying to get us to like her or not. She just came across as incredibly annoying and condescending.
And the plot problems, jeez what wasn't a plot problem. First of all, we have the cliche "I've gone back in time and think I'm in some kind of reinactment" thing (seriously writers, can this stop?!). Anyway, after our heroine realizes she's in the 1500s, she just... continues to act like a bitchy woman from the 21st century. Complains about everything, refuses to blend in, insults everyone. A real winner /s. Occasionally, the author drops lines that Tuck is worried about being burned as a witch for being so different, but then she doesn't do anything to protect herself from that happening. She just keeps using her stupid slang and doing things women in that time period never would. It just makes no sense. And oh my god the fighting skills. We get it! She used to be in the military! She's so strong! You don't need to constantly bombard us with her physical prowess. Every other page she's beating up some guy or teaching someone tai chi. She's so ridiculously one-dimensional that it hurts.
Ugh! And I hate how the beginning of the book goes on and on about how Tuck doesn't listen to Jenny and doesn't care about history, and then the second she's in the past, she suddenly remembers all these details, like when certain castles were built.
Oh and the gummy bear thing? Not quirky. I know that was probably put in there so readers would be like "Oh my god, she's so different and quirky. She needs gummy bears", but it doesn't work. It's a stupid, unnecessary detail that does nothing to endear Tuck to the reader.
And finally, the ending? Gimmie a break. She's totally in love with this "perfect man" and they get married, and she's convinced herself that Jenny likely doesn't need her help, but she goes back anyway? Seriously, did anyone bother to proof-read this. It makes NO SENSE. Of course, she miraculously makes it back to Colin (right when he's visiting the river, no less *eyeroll*), but it was still stupid drama just for drama sake for no reason.
Ugh. I don't know what else to say. This is just bad Outlander fanfic.
May 9, 2017
I really enjoyed reading Highlander's Challenge. I realize that some parts may not be entirely realistic - but then, we are talking about time travel anyway.
Amelia is a very likeable character and her interactions with Colin are just unforgettable. The whole 21st-century-woman (and an ex-soldier to boot) sent back to medieval Scotland makes for some really funny scenes. I just wished she had not been trying to run off so many times. I do get the point, but after the first couple of times of Amelia escaping and Colin running after her, it became a bit repetitive, and that's the main reason I'm not rating Highlander's Challenge with more than four stars.
Still, if you love historical romance, handsome Highlanders and the added bonus of time travel, then Highlander's Challenge is perfect for you.
Highlander's Challenge is book one in the Challenger Series and right at the end we get a hint of what book two, Rogue's Challenge, is about: Ian (Colin's English friend) is requested to travel forward in time to fetch Jenny (Amelia's friend and client) from the 21st century. I confess I'm curious about it, so I've downloaded it too and expect to start reading it soon.
Amelia is a very likeable character and her interactions with Colin are just unforgettable. The whole 21st-century-woman (and an ex-soldier to boot) sent back to medieval Scotland makes for some really funny scenes. I just wished she had not been trying to run off so many times. I do get the point, but after the first couple of times of Amelia escaping and Colin running after her, it became a bit repetitive, and that's the main reason I'm not rating Highlander's Challenge with more than four stars.
Still, if you love historical romance, handsome Highlanders and the added bonus of time travel, then Highlander's Challenge is perfect for you.
Highlander's Challenge is book one in the Challenger Series and right at the end we get a hint of what book two, Rogue's Challenge, is about: Ian (Colin's English friend) is requested to travel forward in time to fetch Jenny (Amelia's friend and client) from the 21st century. I confess I'm curious about it, so I've downloaded it too and expect to start reading it soon.
November 26, 2021
I absolutely love this book! I have read this book so many times now I have lines memorized! The story is interesting and detailed and the characters have more depth than your typical historical romance. The time travel aspect is not unique in this genre but I believe it was quite tastefully done. I really love all the characters, Tuck and Colin stand out from your typical heroes and heroines. Their flaws make them all the more human. Tuck is by far my favorite character. She has had a difficult past but has grown stronger from her experiences and is well versed in military arts...not your typical simpering hapless damsel in distress that some romance writers tend to favor. The scene and side character also add to the well-roundedness of the story. There is no way you can go wrong with this book. If you are bored with your typical romance novels or even if you don't normally read this genre, Highlander's Challenge is just an all-around good book.
July 3, 2018
3.5 stars
Tuck is a bodyguard who has lived through hard times. Colin is the son of the MacLean Laird. Tuck travels through time to Colin's world and basically turns his world upside down. He's not used to strong independent warrior women. He's not used to opinionated women. But he ends up loving all of her traits.
There were some grammatical errors and some moments of "well, that just doesn't make any sense" but overall it was a fun read. Truly enjoyed the banter between Tuck and Colin and Ian. I felt she was a bit too pushy to prove just how strong she was and how she could take on all these men only when the opportunities to prove herself against an enemy she failed every time.
Tuck is a bodyguard who has lived through hard times. Colin is the son of the MacLean Laird. Tuck travels through time to Colin's world and basically turns his world upside down. He's not used to strong independent warrior women. He's not used to opinionated women. But he ends up loving all of her traits.
There were some grammatical errors and some moments of "well, that just doesn't make any sense" but overall it was a fun read. Truly enjoyed the banter between Tuck and Colin and Ian. I felt she was a bit too pushy to prove just how strong she was and how she could take on all these men only when the opportunities to prove herself against an enemy she failed every time.
July 18, 2018
This was way to similar to another popular book-made-tv-show. Little things were changed, and it was less detailed, but the story-line could be a play by play of this other book: Heroine who had been in the military accidentally goes back in time, saves a man, goes back to his home, there's some other lady interested in this man who causes trouble for the H by spreading rumors she's a witch etc, H ends up marring the man, finds a way to get back to her time and does so, but then has to come back to his time because she loves him.....I'm totally cool with books that share the same themes - no problems there - but this, nope.
September 15, 2025
Periodically I want to move away from some of the "heavier" books - be they fiction or nonfiction - and look for something a bit outlandish and simple, easy plot. From reading reviews of this book, I took a chance and borrowed an audio recording from our county library. I so wish I had found a paperback or ebook instead. The narration (except for some decent Scottish accents) was so drab and uninspired I nearly gave up. I did finish. So due to the narration, what might have been a 3-star review or maybe a 4-star, I generously gave a 2-star review instead of a 1-star. Sorry Ms. Barrett as you probably had no say in the narrator.
June 3, 2017
A wonderful story! Can't wait to move onto the next in the series. I listened to the audiobook and would have given this a 5-star rating if it hadn't been for the narrator. She did well with accents and I liked the way she did the male parts (not so gruff as some other narrators). But the recording sounded like it was done in an empty room and there was an echo. Sounded for the most part like she was just reading a book when it could have had more emotion or "acting". Exceptional narrators make you believe they are the character(s). Not so much with this one.
March 11, 2019
I love a book about Highlanders and adventure, time travel and strong women!!!! Jo Barrett did not disappoint!
While there was a modicum of sexual tension and strong language it was ...expected! I love the character development and thought the overlyng premise of love found and lost within self and others was wonderfully told.
The female protagonist as with so many love stories got in her way just enough to make things interesting.
Thanks and I will be looking for more from this author
While there was a modicum of sexual tension and strong language it was ...expected! I love the character development and thought the overlyng premise of love found and lost within self and others was wonderfully told.
The female protagonist as with so many love stories got in her way just enough to make things interesting.
Thanks and I will be looking for more from this author
August 20, 2019
2.5 stars - The premise of this book was interesting but I struggled to get through it. Basically, I couldn't relate to either of the MCs, and oh boy so much unnecessary drama!! Tuck was supposedly this tall butch woman, who thinks herself ugly and unattractive. Is she really ugly? No idea. All we learn is that she has curly red hair and green eyes, and oh yeah she's tall! The daddy issues and low self-esteem were just tiresome and dragged on. Colin's character had no more depth. They were just flat characters and their romance boring more than sizzling.
November 12, 2025
I read this book years ago and a vaguely remember liking it. In this re read, it’s kind of good. But also kind of missing some stuff.
The characters fall in love for no reason, they just kind of randomly decide they love each other without really building a relationship.
She goes back in time and kind of just accepts it. There is no freaking out at all, which strikes me as ridiculously unrealistic.
The characters fall in love for no reason, they just kind of randomly decide they love each other without really building a relationship.
She goes back in time and kind of just accepts it. There is no freaking out at all, which strikes me as ridiculously unrealistic.
July 22, 2018
Beautiful
Loved this time travel romance. It is so well done the world development is excellent. The characters are lovable, hateful, devious and sweet....see it’s got a good mix of characters and it’s well written. A love story to be enjoyed over and over. The only thing that would make it better would be an audible version!
Loved this time travel romance. It is so well done the world development is excellent. The characters are lovable, hateful, devious and sweet....see it’s got a good mix of characters and it’s well written. A love story to be enjoyed over and over. The only thing that would make it better would be an audible version!
September 5, 2018
3.5 stars
It was a nice read. A bit unbelievable--not counting the whole time travel part. I find it hard to believe that Amelia is so isolated in the present but she is received so differently in the past. Maybe she's pushed people away as a defense mechanism? Anyways, I digress. The book was interesting but it wasn't interesting enough so I'm not sure if I will continue with the series.
It was a nice read. A bit unbelievable--not counting the whole time travel part. I find it hard to believe that Amelia is so isolated in the present but she is received so differently in the past. Maybe she's pushed people away as a defense mechanism? Anyways, I digress. The book was interesting but it wasn't interesting enough so I'm not sure if I will continue with the series.
August 17, 2020
It was fairly good, as a “bodice ripper” However, the characters are shallowly developed, the scenes and scenery are only skin deep, and there is a lot of repetition in the description of fight scenes, and the use of modern slang. Also, there are quite a few repeated phrases in the reading, where the narrator started over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2021
Good read to sit back and relax. Had a couple places that one may need to skip due to scenes of a sensual nature. Also, Tuck got on my nerves a little with her head strong nature and unwillingness to trust, although I understand her character has her reasons. Otherwise, a pretty decent time travel novel.
January 12, 2022
Good
Amelia aka Tuck was a body guard doing a job for a rich man protecting his daughter while doing a trip in Scotland. While fighting off an attacker to her ward Jenny a slip in the fountain makes a slip in time and she find her self arguing with Colin and healing Ian.
Good book
Amelia aka Tuck was a body guard doing a job for a rich man protecting his daughter while doing a trip in Scotland. While fighting off an attacker to her ward Jenny a slip in the fountain makes a slip in time and she find her self arguing with Colin and healing Ian.
Good book
July 30, 2017
Time travel, warrior woman, wealthy heiress, handsome Scottish Laird, cheeky handsome sassanach and a jealous woman. Ok, what more do you need to make a fun easy to read story. Of course a few gummy bears help the story along.
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