Wishing for a Highlander

Highland Wishes, Volume 1

By: Jessi Gage

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Single-and-pregnant museum worker Melanie voices an idle wish while examining a Scottish artifact, that a Highland warrior would sweep her off her feet and help her forget her cheating ex. The last thing she expects is for her wish to be granted. Magically transported to the middle of a clan skirmish in the 16th-century Highlands, she comes face to face with her kilted fantasy man.

Tall, handsome, and heir to his uncle's lairdship, Darcy Keith should be the most eligible bachelor in Ackergill. Instead, thanks to a prank played on him in his teenage years, he is known for being too large under his kilt to ever make a proper husband. "Big Darcy" runs his deceased father's windmills and lives alone at his family manor, believing he will never marry.

But a strangely dressed woman he rescues from a clan skirmish makes him long for more. When the woman's claims of coming to Ackergill by magic reach the laird's ears, she is accused of witchcraft. Darcy determines to protect her any way he can, even if it means binding her to him forever.

©2014 Jessi Gage (P)2014 Jessi Gage

as a man, romance novels are a new interest to me.

sci-fi fantasy and a true romance novel. looking forward to many more volumes. as a man who loves scifi, fantasy, action types of books, the romance kind of suprised me. the first half of the first chapter sort of had me thinking it was going to be something that I wouldn't finnish, then a corner was turned and I was into it. I found it to be a fun, fast and a well done story. left me wanting more. loved it.

Time Travel...with a neat twist!

Would you listen to Wishing for a Highlander again? Why?

Yes. The story is pretty engaging, if I listen to it again it would be on a road trip, or while doing housework.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I really liked Melina's feisty spirit. She brought just the right amount of innocence (more from being such an earnest character than actual virtue). And she was bound and determined to get her way, one way or another.

What does Marian Hussey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The portrayal of the characters. She does an excellent job with her Scottish brogue and defines the characters with individual voices. Her performance made a pretty good story a pretty great story. Her Voice acting really brought the characters and the experience to life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Never under estimate the tenacity of a girl from Charleston.

Any additional comments?

I am assuming this is Jessi Gage's premier novel as I cannot locate any additional works under her name. I hope she continues with this series, maybe give some backstory on some of the other supporting characters. Although I wish the sexual tension between Melina and Darcy had lasted a bit longer and was perhaps a touch more complicated, one of the aspects of this romance which appealed to me were the love scenes. They were tasteful, not overdone, not overly graphic and ...well...they were really sweet! They were actual honest-to-goodness love scenes - complete with unique euphemisms and tender lovemaking moments. They were not graphic nor "in-your-face" sex scenes. I would have preferred Darcy to have a little bit of a stronger backbone, considering he is the romantic lead and a highland warrior to boot. But he has his own story of past pain which Melina slowly draws out of him and help him to overcome. The time travel aspect is very unique, and the twist was not anything I was expecting. I look forward to reading more of Jessi Gage's work in the future and recommend listeners to give this book a go. I think it's worth it.

Definitely no Gabaldon.

this book was ok, but since I have been spoiled by Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, I couldn't help but be disappointed by the lack of depth.

Definitely entertaining

Oh my god, this book is HILARIOUS. Anyone who goes into this comparing it to Outlander will be grossly and hilariously disappointed. Instead of trying to find the right words to describe it, I’ll let the story speak for itself. Within the first half hour ALONE here’s what happens: Heroine Melanie finds a magic wooden box. Gets hurtled through time. Lands in the middle of a crazy battle. Stabs a guy. Saved by a Highlander who’s conveniently attractive, gallant, and available. Accused of being an English spy. Somehow no one cares about her southern accent, the fact she’s wearing a mini skirt, or that she’s pregnant out of wedlock. Becomes betrothed.

I’m not even kidding. Sometimes it was just too much and I couldn’t stop laughing. Some other stuff that happens in the book worth mentioning? Everyone constantly screaming over a cursed magic box. An albino with magic blood. Poisonous snake bites. Cars falling from the sky. The male love interest being named “Big Darcy” (Jane Austen is TOTALLY offended). The Snow White witch randomly making an appearance.

FINAL WORD
It was so hard to figure out what to rate this because it was terrible, but I was also completely entertained??? And the ending is cute. If anything, it was a great way to pass the time and the narrator was excellent.

Wonderful

This was just the ticket for a long road trip. Engaging but not so thought provoking as to distract from the driving, but enough to want to take the long route.

Fun Time Travel read\listen.

This was a fun read\listen. I enjoyed both the hero and the heroine. They had some good chemistry and a couple of nicely written sex scenes. Since she was from the future and thrown back into the 1500's highland times so she was the sex ed teacher. Some funny moments there.

The story line and plot were fun. There was a lot of dialogue throughout the book.

As for the narration it was good, I do like Marian Hussey's narrations. The men sound like men and everyone gets their own distinct voice, and she includes some emotion in her reading. Very enjoyable to listen to her. She is actually what drew me to listen to this book.

A charming medieval romance laced with magic...

What made the experience of listening to Wishing for a Highlander the most enjoyable?

I have been in a historical romance slump so the fact that I was able to start this + become so engrossed made it more enjoyable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wishing for a Highlander?

When Melanie and Darcy were reunited after a two day separation.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene outside of the shop in Inverness.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Modern meets Medieval with a magical punch"

Any additional comments?

So..... I've been on another romance hiatus. I tried listening to a new book from one of my favorite regency authors but just couldn't get into it. This is becoming an all to frequent occurrence. Then this little series appeared to fall into my lap! Medieval Romance was my absolute favorite and the only genre I would read up until a couple of years ago. I slowly branched out to other genres including medieval-themed time-travel and some paranormal so needless to say I was excited to get back in the mix of romance via my gateway genre. I had not heard of this author but based off the synopsis/reviews, I was eager to get started. She did not disappoint!!!

Characters:
Melanie, a modern day fellow romance reader and a museum worker is on the brink of becoming a single mother. She teasingly wished for a highlander while holding an artifact... well you get what you wish for and in her case, it was in the form of Big Darcy. Darcy, a strapping warrior/highlander from 1517 is the heir apparent as laird of Clan Keith. He's good looking, braw and has a heart of gold. Unfortunately a vicious rumor about him being 'too big under the kilt' has ruined any romantic prospects for him (Obviously times have changed as he’d be worshiped in our day and time lol). However, when he stumbled upon Melanie and discovers her box he knows that he must wed her to keep her safe from his paranoid and vicious uncle. These two were great together. Despite Darcy’s best efforts, danger does fall upon Melanie. Will they form a bond that will withstand previous desires, promises and evil?

I was impressed with the leads from the start but what I didn't expect was the host of secondary characters who helped keep things interesting—to say the least. Aidan, a war chief and commander of Clan Keith is a gruff man but one who wants to see Darcy happy. He develops along nicely throughout the book. I absolutely loved The Murray's, Wilhelm and Constance whom we'll get to see more of later in the series. The most surprising of characters were those who we meet in Inverness. The two who stood out for me were an Albino boy + a Gypsy man with a French accent—both appear to have mystery and magic surrounding them. However, there are many more characters good and bad who we get a hefty dose of.

Plot:
As with most time travel romance, a huge part of the story is focused on how did Melanie get there and how can she get back to modern time. As her speech and mannerisms are 100% modern American woman, she sticks out like a sore thumb. The threat of being taken for an English spy or witch is pretty much a given but when you add a paranoid laird to the mix, it’s even more dangerous.

Darcy who has always been loyal to his uncle and clan is in a position where his loyalty might be called into question if he honors his vow to protect/help Melanie. Someone has been stirring a pot of mischief for many years now and when Melanie arrives the pot boils over. From the beginning I kept wondering how the h/h would get their HEA. There was so much going against the couple but Ms. Gage does a nice job tying up loose ends and weaving a HEA that is very believable.

Narration:
I’ve enjoyed Marian Hussey before and this was no exception. She did a great job with the Scottish and American accent. I must admit that the American accent annoyed me mostly because she did such a good job of mimicking a southern SC accent (those accents wear on my nerves in real life lol). The narration flowed. She’s a great pick for medieval romance.

Steam Factor:
Mild – I was happy with this. So many times in romance books sex is used as either a filler for a weak plot or in a vain attempt to prolong a story. As the plot was pretty solid there was no need to bombard us over the head with long, drawn out sex scenes. There was sexual tension, steamy scenes and innuendos but nothing too dramatic, I felt that it was just right.

Overall:
This book was a delightful surprise. Characters were FANTASTIC and the plot was engaging and made better by the animated narration. I enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery and laughed out loud on many occasions… you know highlanders being superstitious and all. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I was so engrossed that I listened in about a day. I started it late Friday, I got about 1 hour in and listened to all but 30 minutes on Saturday which I finished this morning.

When interrupted by my boyfriend, cats or the phone ringing, I became irritable as I was eager to get to the end of the story. Ms. Gage has some tricks up her sleeve considering who the heroine of the next book is. I am jumping head first into the second book as soon as I hit submit on this review. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and hope to see more medieval romance from this author.

P.S. Apologies if I misspelled any of the character names but I listened so didn't have the benefit of seeing the exact spelling of character names.

Story – 5
Narration – 5

Outlander much?

Shorter, funnier version of the epic Outlander by Diana G. Only a few chapters in, and enjoying it just the same.

Love it

This was a really great listen. Kept me listening almost nonstop. I love time travel pieces and this was just that with a wonderful plot. The magic characters were really inventive and would have love more of them in the story.

Time Travel, Highlanders, and Babies, Oh my!

First off, I have to say that Marian Hussey does THE MOST excellent job narrating this. She has such an amazing array of accents and every character has their own distinction. It was fun listening to her have fun with the characters!

Secondly, this story was a fun and interesting ride. I genuinely enjoyed it and the various characters brought into it.

I can understand that there are other reviewers who are looking for the next Outlander and were disappointed with this possibly, but this story is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. A fluffy light read romance between a modern women and a 17th century scotsman mixed with bits of angst and drama and magic. It's fun, but it's not someone's personal historical romance epic.

And if I were to be blunt, I'd say the romance develops too quickly but it's what I'd kind of expect from such a novel. Doesn't mean it's not good or worth a listen. I just mean not to make your expectations too high of a standard that you can't enjoy something for what it is.

Typical Storyline and Overly Dramatic Presentation

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I wouldn’t recommend this book as the main character Melanie is enough to make most women cringe, and the reader is awful.

If you’ve listened to books by Jessi Gage before, how does this one compare?

I’ve not listened to any of this authors books before.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Marian Hussey?

Someone capable of a proper highland accent; hers was abysmal and veered between Glasgow, Edinburgh with hints of welsh to offset the cadences; an interesting mix but very annoying to listen to. Also someone less dramatic, often I had the impression she was performing for a group of 5 year olds, not reading for adults.

Was Wishing for a Highlander worth the listening time?

No

Any additional comments?

Avoid this book if you can, the reader is awful and completely ruins what already is a pretty borderline book.

Fluffy holiday read/ listen

Unluckily anyone writing any time travel/ highlander story is going to be compared to the Outlander series of books.
To me this felt like Fan fiction but this author just hasn’t got the ability to make a scene come to life.
I was expecting to be able to envisage this Scottish scene but I was sadly disappointed.
As a light weight read and if you’re not a die hard Outlander fan this would be an ideal holiday read.
I have to admit I got this book free with my audible subscription but won’t be looking for any more.
A tip if you’re going to cover a period in time , knowing what herbs are available is vital ie quinine ( a no no).
Immerse us in the costumes and customs, I want to feel being squeezed into my stays, no underwear, privvy usage . The smells and tastes of the era- he smelt of leather and manly odour needs some work to ring true.
A lot more research and the best of luck.

Highland Wishes

I have read this book and listened to audio. I completely fell in love with Jessi Gage's writing not only in this story that is a definite must that draws you into the story in the carn't put the book away way but within the whole series of this collection.

Hilarious

Firstly, most definitely a play on Outlander, like all the books into one with a few variations. So many clichés, and sex scenes too graphic, some things better left to imagination. But if taken as a tongue in cheek Outlander copy it is amusing and Marian always a pleasure to listen to.

very enjoyable

got me hooked on the first chapter. Scotland, men in kilts and time travel : fascinating

Not good at all

Throughout this book I felt myself cringing at the characters and how the author made a strapping highlander a virgin scared of sex, and the heroine a sex mad teacher. The narrator made some of the sentences sound like chandler bing, from friends. The whole premise was silly, and unbelievable . Don’t waste your credits.

what came first

Very like Outlander at the start, hence what came first the chicken or the egg

Underwhelming story

Plots to thin and no guts needed more suspense and twists in the story line. The gypsy family story with the car was just plain silly. How many people could just time travel into Scotland or objects and no one seems suspicious. If you like Outlander then you’ll find this a disappointment. The narrator Scottish accent was ok but Melanie voice was too high pitch. Not one for me I won’t be purchasing any more

Reel Good

enjoyed this book looking. forward to the next in the series it was different to other story's and that is what I like