Highlander for the Holidays by Janet Chapman – a review 

(New Spellbound Falls Update follows review)

I find it difficult to put into words what exactly it is about this novel that endeared it so greatly to my heart, and left such a profound, satisfied glow upon completion. I have found much to appreciate in each of Janet Chapman’s novels; the Midnight Bay trilogy resides amongst my favorites of her work–yet this is only the second of the Highlander series I would rate at 5 stars. Aside from my emotional connection to this emotionally charged journey, the plot was finely crafted. The lead characters were both ripe with substance, and fleshed out with their inward and outward imperfections. Being a lover of the classic style in the fantasy genre, I am rarely so impressed with the contemporary side. Nor am I typically so taken with this much realism mixed amongst my fiction…however, this novel had me since the very first page.

Not since Michael MacBain have I adored the male lead of this series as much as I did Ian MaKeage. Reliable in the honor so deeply ingrained within him, infallibly compassionate, utterly selfless, and as solid as Tarstone Mountain. He somehow manages to walk that fine, complex line between the civility of the modern time to which he was born, and the intense, alpha code of his ancient Highlander heritage. There is quite the intriguing twist I was not expecting with Ian, one that comes with a choice he must make towards the end of the book. Ms. Chapman kept this happenstance painfully vague, and I look forward to what it means for the future of this story arc.

Jessica Pringle was equally wonderful in her role as female lead. She was everything I look for in my heroine’s. Despite her terrifying past, and the horror she has suffered, she holds a loving, and compassionate nature. This character was so real, believable, and inspiring to anyone who has led a similar life. Jessie has been repeatedly knocked down, yet just as many of us are required to do in our lives; she simply rises to her feet, brushes herself off and continues to put one foot in front of the other. Instead of holding on to her bitterness, and allowing herself to be untrusting of any man who should come into her life–Jessie bravely accepts what she cannot change about yesterday, and focuses on what may be in store for tomorrow.

In addition to this superb couple, and the unfolding of their tender, and sweetly romantic relationship–it was enjoyable meeting great side characters in Merrissa, and Roger, as well as many of the next generation MacKeage’s and MacBain’s. I wondered if the eccentric “justice of peace” was simply a cheap replacement for “father” Daar, (who moved to Midnight Bay with Kenzie Gregor) but I quickly found myself MORE enamored and attached to Roger. What a fabulous, humorous, whimsical character. I look so forward to reading more about him with the (hopefully) next installment in the Highlander series.

I would recommend Janet Chapman’s; Highlander for the Holidays, to anyone looking for a fun, marvelously written escape into the magical and charming Highlands.……..of Pine Creek Maine that is! 

*Spellbound Falls Series Update*

Janet Chapman has a new release today.  Spellbound Falls is the first book in her new series…The Spellbound Falls.  As noted above, this series is spin off–from the Midnight bay trilogy (which was a spin off of the original Highlander series.) 

Spellbound Falls

A newcomer to Spellbound Falls, Maine, Maximilian Oceanus is trying to get a handle on fatherhood. But his newly discovered six-year-old son wants to find his father a wife. Too bad Olivia Baldwin wants nothing to do with the dangerously seductive Mac–especially with all the weird stuff happening all around him.…

The second book of this series, Charmed by His Love is scheduled for May 29, 2012, and the third book of the series Courting Carolina is scheduled for September, 2012.

This is straight from Chapman herself:
Duncan MacKeage who is Callum and Charlotte’s son (from the Highlander series)–is my hero in my June release coming up; Charmed By His Love (A Spellbound Falls Novel). And Alec MacKeage, whom you met in Highlander for the Holidays, is the hero in my September release, Courting Carolina. (Yup, I’ve brought some of my highlanders to Spellbound Falls!)

Review and Update by Miranda