4.5 Wine Glass #Review of A Magical Highland Solstice by Mary Morgan

Title: A Magical Highland Solstice
Author: Mary Morgan
Format: Kindle, 145 pages
Published: December 2, 2016 (The Wild Rose Press, Inc.)
ISBN: ASIN: B01LYR7LJ3
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Laird Cormac Murray has witnessed how love destroyed his own father after the death of his mother, and he vows to never take a wife. Yet, when he comes upon a bewildered lass traveling alone, he finds his heart will no longer listen to his mind. In the end, Cormac risks everything to claim the love of a woman not of his time.

Eve Brannigan loves helping others and baking. After winning a contest, she is stunned to learn that the Clan Murray has requested her assistance to cater to their guests during the holiday season. When a lost path in Scotland leads her to a handsome but gruff Highlander, Eve fights the temptation to allow love to enter her heart for the first time.

Can the Fae and the magic of the Yule season bring together two souls who have forsaken love? Or will tragedies from the past separate the lovers forever?

Linda's Thoughts:
Once every hundred years, two souls are brought together through the veil of time. They are deemed the chosen ones by the Fae. Through their acts of kindness, generosity, and love to others, they often neglect to find their one true love. Their devotion to aiding others blinds them to their own happiness, leaving them alone.
Time is fleeting and only the strongest and purest of heart will be able to capture the spark of love. If the ember ceases to grow, then on the stroke of midnight on the Winter Solstice the two lovers will be returned to their own time. The doors of past and present to be closed forever.
In this year, 2016, the Fae have chosen Cormac Blaine Murray and Eve Catherine Brannigan to receive this special blessing – a chance of love – everlasting.
When the light of true love whispers in their hearts, Cormac and Eve must trust and believe in the magic that brought them together before the sands of time vanish into the mists of the Highlands.

A Magical Highland Solstice by Mary Morgan is a lovely, relatively short, time-travel romance set at Christmastime in the Highlands with an abundance of magical elements. I’m so glad I picked it up when I saw it and only regret not reading it sooner! The cover first drew my attention… then Mary’s storytelling kept me engrossed throughout.

This novella ties in with the author’s Order of the Dragon Knights series, but I can attest that it works very well as a standalone read. I had absolutely no trouble immersing into this story from the beginning even though I’ve never read any of her Order of the Dragon Knights to which this one relates – an omission that I hope to rectify soon!

Cormac Blaine Murray, the swoon-worthy laird who lives in 1207 Scotland, has vowed to never take a wife. But, when Eve Catherine Brannigan, our baker heroine from 2016, abruptly and opportunely enters his life, his heart tells him not to let her go! Will he listen? The characters are genuinely likable and, even though this is a fantasy, they come across as utterly realistic in a tale that is both sweet and passionate.

Following please find a couple of my favorite quotes from A Magical Highland Solstice:

Taking Eve’s face in her hands, she said, “Enjoy your trip to Scotland, my friend. I love you. Who knows, you may fall in love with a Highlander.”
Eve burst out laughing. “You’ve been reading too many romance novels.”
“They’re good for the soul and heart.”
---

Pluck the petals from the flower, mix with a drop of honey, add a splash of tears, and give to your lover on Yule.”

Mary’s writing is beautiful. It flows and pulls at your heartstrings. This delightful read is exactly what the doctor ordered for a quick escape. The epilogue is absolutely wonderful leaving me with a happy, contented feeling. I can see myself reading this again just for the happy glow it leaves. If you enjoy Yuletide romances with fairy tale feels, A Magical Highland Solstice would be a charming gift to yourself. I honestly can’t wait to check out more books by Mary Morgan!



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