Mary Morgan (4)

In book five of the Order of the Dragon Knights, Adam MacFhearguis returns home to Scotland after experiencing the horrors of the Crusades. He’s broken, scarred, and still devastated over the loss of Meggie, his beloved. He wants nothing more than to move on and find some semblance of peace in his life, so he goes to the sacred standing stones where Meggie died to say goodbye. The Fae, however, answers his prayers and sends him to his heart’s desire.
Margaret “Meggie” MacKay has no show more memory of her former life in 13th century Scotland. She resides with her MacKay cousins in the present day, and she loves her son, Jamie, fiercely. Then a strange, handsome man happens upon her home, claiming to know her and promising to help her regain her memories. But can she trust him?
OMG! This book is my favorite in the series. Adam and Meggie have been through a terrible time without each other, especially Adam. He’s never stopped loving her, and she fell in love with him all over again. They are truly soul mates and destined for each other.
I teared up when Meggie finally remembers the past and who she is, and her and Adam’s true reunion with her memories intact was very passionate. I cried a bit again when she and Adam were reunited with her brothers and with his. This big family reunion is what I’ve been waiting for, and it didn’t disappoint.
I’m so relieved the series-wide villain, Lachlan, finally got what he deserved. He was a nasty piece of work.
My favorite thing about this story is that the hero travels from the past to the present to find the one he loves. In all the other books, the heroines did the traveling, so this change was refreshing. Adam’s fear of Meggie’s jeep (which he called the beast) and airplanes (silver dragons) were hilarious, and I loved his excitement over running water in the bathroom. I just bet someone from centuries past would kill for a modern convenience like that.
Grab some tissues before you read Dragon Knight’s Ring. It pulls on your heartstrings and is the perfect conclusion to this entertaining paranormal romance series.
5 Stars show less

In book three of the Order of the Dragon Knights, Fiona O’Quinlan is obsessed with translating an old Irish stone tablet. She doesn’t have any friends and feels disconnected with her world. Then she passes out in a grove of trees only to awaken a captive in the 13th century.
Alastair MacKay is drawn to the unusual woman he sees at a slave market. Though he abhors slavery, he buys the woman to free her. Once he learns Fiona’s surname, he takes her to her kinfolk only to realize she show more isn’t what she seems. She’s from the future, but she was born in his time and has a Fenian warrior as a guardian. Alastair has shunned his fae heritage after the death of his beloved sister, but now he has no choice but to take a quest in order to fulfill his and Fiona’s destiny.
I love these characters! Fiona was levelheaded despite her predicament, and Alastair…wow. I adored him! He was so cold and angry at first, but Fiona chipped away at his defenses bit by bit, bringing him back from the darkness within his own soul. He was a completely different man by the end of the story, and I think he experienced the most character development of all the series heroes thus far. I especially liked that the H/h’s meeting with the Great Dragon was different from how the meetings were played out in the previous books.
Duncan, Stephen, and their wives returned, and I enjoyed all their scenes. I wish there would’ve been more scenes with Patrick and Alex MacFhearguis, though. Rory MacGregor was Fiona’s yummy protector, and I hope to see more of him and his fellow Fenian warriors in the later books.
Though I enjoyed this story, I felt that the climax (the battle with Michael) happened too fast, especially since it took place in the middle of the book. The pacing slowed a bit after that, but Alastair’s anger and pain over what had happened, and later Fiona’s sense of betrayal, kept my attention on the page.
Dragon Knight’s Axe is another wonderful addition to Ms. Morgan’s fascinating fantasy romance series.
Angus’s story is next, so stay tuned for the review.
4 Stars show less

I just love starting one of Mary Morgan’s stories. Curling up into a chair, I’m prepared to love her hero and heroine and get a booster shot of time travel. I hated to let this series go when I finished Dragon Knight’s Ring. But she thrust me in the midst of a kitchen battle, and again I was enjoying the best of Mary Morgan!
From the cover to the last page, this novella had all the components of why I delight in her stories.

Let the festivities begin for the Yule Tide!

Where and when? show more Scotland, 1207.

The delightful tone of this novella is set by Ranald and Bran, lads who’ve turned the kitchens topsy-turvy. Cormac Murray, laird of Creag Castle is facing dire circumstances. Cook and assistant have been injured and must be moved from kitchen duties. But what about preparation for Yule Tide? Duly punished by the laird, we learn the kind of man he is – firm with the lads—they take their punishment.

Excerpt:
Cormac pinched the bridge of this nose to word off the impending pain creeping in behind his eyes. “Enough!” he roared. “I can tell by your arguing in front of me—your laird—that neither of ye has any remorse from this mishap.”

Both lads immediately went quiet and bowed their heads.

“’Tis shameful!”

Both nodded silently in agreement.

“Ye should not be allowed to step foot inside the castle. Mayhap I shall banish ye to the stables for the rest of the month.”

“And miss the Yule feasting?” both protested in unison.

Cormac crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at them. In his heart, he would never banish anyone to the cold, foremost a child, but he would not let the lads ken this yet. “Pray tell, what would ye have me do? Surely, ye dinnae believe ye can be forgiven so easily?”

Ranald narrowed his eyes in thought, and Bran started to tap his foot, which told Cormac they were fully prepared to come to some sort of deal.

Bran raised his hand. “If I may be allowed to speak my laird?”

“Granted,” stated Cormac.

The lad stole a glance at Ranald. “First, we will clean both kitchens. From hearth and stone.” He paused and scratched at his chin.

“Continue.”

“Then we will see to the kitchen duties and tend to Moira.”
Ranald gave Bran a scathing look.

“Do ye deem it wise to be in the verra place that would tempt ye to snatch foot?” Cormac held up his hand when the lad started to utter a protest. “I agree to the first part of your terms. But for the second, ye will clean all muck from every place inside and outside the castle. From the stables, to the urinal pots. Since ye have mentioned Yule, this is a time of preparation and we need all hands to help.” Watching as their races grimaced and then went to wretched horror, he fought the smile forming on his own face. “Are we in agreement?”

“Aye,” muttered Bran.

“Are ye saying we have to do this for one day, or for the entire month?” asked Ranald.

The truth revealed itself with the lad’s question. Cormac knew him to be the leader in this devious plan. “For as long as I deem necessary. What say ye?”

“Aye,” both mumbled in unison.

“Off with ye.”

Cormac watched their slow retreat from the Great Hall. Placing both his hands on the table, he whispered, “What am I going to do now?” with no cook, he would have to rely on one of the young lasses.


********
While the Fae guardians were busy setting the scene in 1207, in preparation for their chosen, Eve Brannigan, she had her own set of circumstances. She had entered a baking contest at The Blushing Rose Bakery. Her prize was $5,000. She sure could use the money, but her friend, who also entered the contest, needed it more. With this scene, Eve, shows her compassion, understanding and loyalty of a good friend. The guardians set her up for a trip to Scotland, to work in the kitchens of Castle Creag, in preparation for the Yule. Eve was delighted. She’d always wanted to visit Scotland. Fae do what they do so verra well—make things happen to give love a chance. Once off the flight her trip poses difficulties. From one snow bank to another, Eve’s life changes. She expects changes, after all she was in Scotland. But these people were taking things a wee bit too far, living in medieval times! Cormac happens upon Eve. If Eve is confused, so, too, is Cormac. What sort of lass did he find? And why out here alone in the brush? Feisty thing, she was.

If you haven’t read any of Mary Morgan’s work, Christmas time is a great time to start. Although this story is connected to the above referenced series, you needn’t read them in order. Maybe Mary will write Melinda (Eve's best friend) into a continuation of this series. That would be totally awesome! If I were you, I’d get out there and purchase book one, or ask for the set as a Christmas gift. You will fall in love with this writer! show less

"No matter what, Brigid O'Neill, do not forget ye are now mine. I will protect ye, always. Ye have my heart, leannan. What ye do with it is up to ye." - Duncan Alexander Mackay

Yes, I do love me some hot Highlander action. No, I'm not ashamed to admit it! And if any of you people know how to appreciate hot sex, with wonderful legends and fast-paced action, then you can understand why I found myself loving this book!

Duncan Mackay commited a terrible crime - on sacred ground, no less! So he and show more his brothers are stripped of their honor as Knights of the Dragon Order, and the relics they once protected are scattered across time and space. To get them back, they must solve the riddle the Guardian gave them, and cleanse their hearts from the dark hatred that caused all this. Brigid O'Neill is an antique store owner, and all is well with her life, until a sword is mysteriously delivered to her door. She doesn't know who sent it, or what the enigmatic note that accompanies it means, but she's determind to find out. Even if that means she has to travel back in time, and heal a stubborn Knight that believes he has lost all rights of redemption.

I believe the rating speaks for itself, but then again, I AM known for my obsession to state my opinion on almost everything, so let's take a closer look to the things that made this book pretty much awesome!

As I said above, the book is full of action and legends - and whenever we talk legends, there's bound to be some magic! Dragon Knight's Sword played expertly with some of the most loved myths of Scotland - where it takes place. Like the Tuatha de Danann, or good ol' Nessie. It also had the all-too-loved time travel trip as a plot point. While it can be considered cliché, it's also a trick that never disappoints, as long as the writer knows what they're doing - and oh, does Mary Morgan know what she's doing.... Modern clothing driving a medieval man insane with hot desire, knightly and brute manners making a modern lass melt, well, it's no wonder this was one recipe destined to succeed. Morgan took all the postitive aspects of each timeline, and put them together in a magnificent cocktail!

Of course, that's also because of the carefully planned plot. The story leaves nothing out or behind, which explains its length, and it follows the basic romance formula perfectly. The conflict the main characters had to go through, the decision to be together, only for the villain to pull them apart... It was perfectly orchestrated, without seeming forced, and it goes to show how good the next books will be, if the level of storytelling is already this high from the first book! Not to mention Duncan and Brigid, who were not just freaking amazing people as individuals, they were also a great duo - when these two came together, as a team, there was nothing to fear. They argued most of the time, but this only added to the sexual tension, so all's good.

Speaking of sexual tension, the love scenes were hot hot HOT! Duncan was such a sensual being, he could make even a single glance or kiss seem like what magazines like COSMOPOLITAN consider ultimate seduction. And I think the fact that Brigid was such a strong, independent woman worked really well with that. If she was any weaker in will, and surrendered so easily, she wouldn't be an equal match for Duncan.

My only problem was the fact that Morgan went a bit overboard with the use of Scottish words. Once in a while is always nice, but in most sentences spoken by a Scottish person in the book? That was too much even for me... Other than that, it almost reached perfection.

That being said, I can't wait to read Stephen's story. Something tells me that will be my favorite brother, haha! I always went for the weirdest ones anyway~

"I love you, Duncan. It was simple. I could not choose and existence in my time without you." - Brigid Moira O'Neill

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.*** show less