HIGHLAND ROGUE

Author: Tess Mallory ISBN: 9780425220429 5/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: BERKLEY
Time Period: Time travel, 1711 and Present Day

1711. They call him the Piper. A masked bandit seeking vengeance for his people, and Rob Roy MacGregor's clan, Quinn MacIntyre leaves his victims with empty pockets, and a haunting tune played on the pipes that once gave him great joy. But when a flame-haired minx stumbles across his path, she awakens a new song in his heart. Now the outlaw faces a challenge more daunting than the Duke's patrols: Let go of the past and embrace the future... Present day. On her dream vacation in the Scottish Highlands, aspiring archaeologist Maggie Graham discovers a tri-spiral carving in the floor of an ancient cairn, and unwittingly sets its dormant magic in motion. Sent tumbling back in time 300 years, Maggie uncovers the most amazing find of all—a Scottish hero straight out of her wildest fantasies. There are just two tiny problems with this grand adventure: She's trapped in 18th century Scotland, and the man she's fallen for is an outlaw, a thief, a daring...Highland Rogue.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

HIGHLAND ROGUE by Tess Mallory is a well-written, entertaining tale about a woman who has given up a great deal of her own life to care for others, but who is finally getting a chance to fulfill her own dreams and explore her hidden desires. Maggie's younger sisters, who she's cared for since they lost their parents, and her close friend set up an archaeological vacation for her as a birthday surprise. She goes to the Scottish dig, and finds she's more interested in the work than the dreamy instructor. But when she reads some ancient words and is transported back in time, she meets a man who makes her heart beat double time. Out of time, will Maggie find love in the past?

There's not a lot more to say about this tale without giving a lot of it away. There really are few surprises in this, but the story, although a familiar one, is told with great attention to detail and fun, often amusing, dialogue. I very much enjoyed reading this. It was a complete escape from ordinary life and isn't that one of the greatest joys of reading?

Kay James