On the surface, this book incorporates all the appropriate elements of a story: family relationships, plot centered around a mysterious object, romance and a dusty old Victorian house.

Unfortunately, the premise is not compelling, the characters flat and the dialogue weak. Alternating chapters told from the perspective of two different characters only added to the difficulty in hearing the author's voice. i would not recommend this one.

One word sums up this book: Saga.

In this love story/action-adventure/historical fantasy, Claire Beauchamp is transported from the 1940’s to the 1740’s Scottish highlands where she begins a new life with her husband’s ancestors.

The author has clearly done her homework. All of the elements of Scottish life are vibrantly depicted from the natural landscape right down to the Gaelic dialect and told in a smooth and fluid style. Unfortunately, there is way too much of these detailed descriptions and not enough plot.

The characters are one-dimensional and fell enter either the good or evil category. I struggled to care at all about their fates. This novel tries to be everything ends up being not much at all.

This heartbreaking memoir takes the reader on a roller coaster of fairy tales and devastating truths that never lets up until the end. So taken by the complexities of Sally and Upton’s relationship, I could not put this book down.

Sally Ryder Brady has a surprising way of stepping outside of her marriage enough to paint an honest and compelling portrait of her marriage and family life. Yet, Sally’s love for her husband is expressed in a pure form that resonated with me in a powerful way. This is a treasure.