Jessica was grateful. Lauren had arranged this business trip to Scotland. But Lauren's friend Kelsey was beyond weird. Why did they need to be in costume to tour the castle ruins? What did Lauren need that dagger for? And Lauren kept zoning out on the tour bus, mumbling to herself and making Jessica and Katherine exchange worried glances. Leif had assumed Father's duties as Laird of Cresh Manor four months ago, when the fever took both his parents. Druids had sent the fever to his town, so the people said. Druids from the mysterious Druid castle to the North. They also said Druids sent the three beautiful women who had wandered into town, but Leif didn't believe a word of that. **

Review

Jane Stain's well researched stories give you the feel of actually being in the Time portrayed in each story. Her heroines are smart and able to bring skills with them into the past. The love stories grow slowly, over time, into loving, respectful and passionate relationships. The bad-guy druids are written well and it is fun to see them thwarted. It's hard to know which Druids to trust. While Galdus did help Diedre growing up & helped the Picts win some battles, in the end... I have read every book Ms. Stain has written. Each story gets better and better, able to carry you away. I loved the love angle of Jessica and Leif. I found myself identifying with Jessica. I really liked the HEA. I would recommend this book to both Romance Readers and Fantasy Time Travel Fans.

From the Author

The historical event behind the Leif - Taran - Luag trilogy is the Battle of Harlaw. This was a Scottish clan battle fought on July 24, 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland (Gaels and Viklings) against those from the west coast (Picts and Vikings). The battle was fought to resolve competing claims to the Earldom of Ross, a large region of northern Scotland. Robert Stewart, Regent of Scotland, had taken control of the earldom as guardian of his niece Euphemia Leslie. This claim was contested by Donald MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, who had married Euphemia's aunt Mariota. Donald invaded Ross with the intention of seizing the earldom by force. He advanced on Aberdeen with 10,000 clansmen. Near Inverurie, he was met by 1,000-2,000 of the local gentry, many in armour, hastily assembled by Alexander Stewart, who was Earl of Mar, nephew of the Regent of Scotland, and son of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan and called the Wolf of Badenoch (1343 - 20 June 1405). After a day of fierce fighting, there was no clear victor. Donald had lost 900 men before retreating back to the Western Isles, and Mar had lost 600. The latter could claim a strategic victory in that Aberdeen was saved. Within a year, the Regent of Scotland had recaptured Ross and forced Donald to surrender. However, Mariota was later awarded the earldom of Ross in 1424. The Lordship of the Isles would keep the title for much of the 15th century. The ferocity of the battle gave it the nickname "Red Harlaw". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Harlaw