Review: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

BEYOND THE HIGHLAND MIST

By Karen Marie Moning

Bantam Dell Books / Random House, Inc. / New York, NY 10020

First Printing: March 1999

ISBN: 078-0-440-23480-7

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Concept: “An Alluring Laird: He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart – until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm’s length – but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A Prisoner in Time: She had a perfect “no” on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from the promptings of her own passionate heart. Adrienne’s reservations were no match for Hawk’s determination to keep her by his side…”

Review: This is the first book in the Highlander series of books from Karen Marie Moning. Fairies and gods messing in our lives. That’s the story behind the story here. We are introduced to Adrienne and Hawk. They get things a little confused on the ladder. They marry before they meet (through proxy) and then fall in lust before love as often happens in romance books. There’s also Gypsies involved to help guide the mortals as well as to offer up sacrificial gals. There’s also a small story about “adult” love between Hawk’s mother and a castle keeper (I’m not sure exactly what his title is). In the beginning, Adrienne swears off the good looking guys which is why a naughty god decides to use her for his vendetta with Hawk. He stays involved throughout the story which adds a nice twist to this Highland romp. There is a nice story going on amongst all this and the reader will be held in suspense to the very end.

What I liked: I liked the “god” and fairy part of the story much more than the story of Adrienne and Hawk. I really wanted more of the story between Hawk’s mother Lydia and Travis (a castle worker). There was some interesting moments in the story. Some. For some reason, there was enough going on with this book to make me want to read more. I’ve been told they pick up later on so I am holding on to hope.

What I disliked: Unfortunately, I disliked a lot In this story. I went into this book after reading Darkfever and maybe I was anticipating too much. I found the story old. I didn’t think there was enough character build up because I didn’t really like the people I should have been liking. I have only read one other Highlander story, Outlander, but in that story, the author kept the reader in the story with the use of reading brogue. There was none of that in this story but, when describing a Cuban woman, there was some Cuban brogue. The sex wasn’t hot either. Okay, it was from 1999 and sex has gotten a lot hotter throughout the years, but really, it just wasn’t all that. The story was pretty predictable too except for the part with the gods and fairies. That was the only saving grace to this book. There are many, many other paranormal romance books out there that I would recommend before I ever think of recommending this one.

My rating: 2 stars.

Kelly

Review for Book Lover's Hideaway