A Magical Highland Solstice

This book was a good and quick read. It was a delightful holiday novella. Laird Cormac Murray needs to find a cook to prepare the Yule feast. His previous cook was severely burned and he travels to find another. Eve Brannigan lives in present day San Francisco and is a baker. She wins a baking competition and then an offer to cook for the Clan Murray in Scotland. While in Scotland, a "portal" is opened and she lands in the 13 century. Eve is a kind and giving person, but feels like no man would ever want her. Cormac finds Eve and eventually realizes she is from another time. He hides this from her, but eventually Eve learns the truth. While at the castle, Eve works in the kitchens and Cormac finds himself seeking her out constantly. The two begin to fall in love with each other. In the end Eve must make a choice, to stay and be with Cormac or to return to her own time. If you enjoy a time traveling holiday romance, this a novella you will enjoy.

A Magical Highland Solstice is a charming time travel book centering around medieval time period Laird Cormac Murray and present time Eve Brannigan. He finds her sort of wondering the countryside headed to his castle in 1207. She thinks she is going to a castle to due to winning a baking contest, and therefore, invited to help prepare food for Yuletide. She gets right into helping in the kitchen even though some of their practices seem odd, such as locking up spices and not using salt.

Cormac had decided not to ever marry, but he seems to be bowled over by Eve. As he gets to know her, he realizes she is from another time period. He knows this due to others of his period being in love with and married to women who have traveled the time vale. He kind of wants to keep her in the dark about the actual date until he can figure out how to tell her what has happened.

This is my first Mary Morgan book. Although 'Solstice' appears to be part of a series, the explanations were good in explaining the situation well enough to make this a stand-alone book. With any series, it might have made this book more enjoyable to have been read in the series.

Eve becomes a bit more alarmed as time goes by and she realizes the people around her are not 'dressing up' for guests, they live this medieval life. Eve is an amazing cook and wins over the people of the castle. They youngsters in the castle add to the story by their mischievousness in their pranks in the kitchen which wound both of their cooks. Cormac and his clan are desperate for a cook. And, Eve is a cook who just won a contest in the current day.

Eve asks a lot of questions that go unanswered. The clan do not seem to understand what she is even asking. Although a really good read, Eve did not seem to be as alarmed as you might imagine with the change in the date, just kind of accepting. Now to the sex, it seemed a bit contrived and awkward. Maybe because this is a shorter novel they had to rush things. I do believe Mary Morgan is a great writer and I will look for her other books to determine her worth as an author when writing a longer book. But, this is a good afternoon read. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars. Fun read without being too over-the-top. Great bit of escapism for the holidays.

"A Magical Highland Solstice" is a delightful time-travel romance. Eve Brannigan wins a baking contest and is invited to a holiday trip to Scotland. She's more than excited to go, but has no idea what was about to befall her. Believing that everyone was "acting" in this medieval castle, she makes the best of the situation. When she meets Laird Cormac Murray, she's instantly smitten with the hunky Highlander.

Cormac Murray had sworn off looking for a wife and falling in love. His reasoned his love for the people would be enough, that is, until Eve appears on the road to the castle. I loved the banter between Eve and Cormac and watching their feelings grow for each other.

This story makes you believe in the magic of the Fae and the Christmas season. Fans of Scottish romances will definitely enjoy this short read. Recommended.

I was poking around on netgalley looking for something to read that was Christmas themed and the title and cover for this book caught my eye. The blurb sounded even better - I love a good time travel romance! After receiving an ARC in exchange for a fair review, and reading it (obviously) I can honestly say that I liked it.

And, yes, there is a big BUT there. I liked it, but...

First off, this book is not listed as being part of a series, but the hero, Cormac, mentions the Dragon Knights frequently and has apparently popped up in that series. So, this is more of a spin-off. Considering that the heroines in that series are also time travelers, I felt like I was missing out on some jokes and background knowledge. Does this work as an independent book? Yes, but it would be better to have read the other series first.

The next big BUT is that the heroine travels from 2016 to 1207 and it literally takes her days to figure it out. She’s a baker, but she accepts the Medieval nature of the kitchen without too many questions. What about the lack of packaged yeast or white sugar? No running water or modern baking pans? Wouldn’t the language have been a big clue? Everyone seemed to speak the same language, though they often didn’t understand her words with more than one syllable. And, while we’re talking about language, the phrasing in the love scenes was fairly cringe worthy – soaring among the stars and references to taking a release. While love scenes can be sweet without being too graphic, the euphemisms used are just tired.

My last big but is that this one fell into the classic problem of a novella. I didn’t get enough background information or personality of the hero and heroine to really care if they found their happily ever after or not. I understand that it is short and you don’t have a lot of time for details, but even the broad strokes were kind of boring. She’s a do-gooder that doesn’t want to put anyone out and he’s an honorable leader, trying to make his people happy. That’s it, though. I didn’t really feel there was much spark or passion between them. Which, is ironic since the kitchen ladies and the gentlemen of the guards were funny and multi-dimensional.

That isn’t to say it is all bad. I liked the kitchen ladies, watching the heroine adapt to her surroundings, and idea of the Fae playing with people’s fates. The Christmas setting is charming and endearing, particularly how they blend the old and new religions. If those are elements that you are looking for in a sweet novella, then you should absolutely give this time-travel romance a read.

A festive time travel romance, with plenty of heart, and a touch of humor. A really lovely series from Mary Morgan.

I really liked this story. It was interesting and well-written.

A Magical Highland Solstice was a cute little holiday novella. It ties in with the Order of the Dragon Knights series. Laird Cormac Murray was the friend of the Dragon Knights and he loyally helped them fight evil in the MacKay brother's books. I was so happy that Cormac got his HEA. I was even more happy that his love was from the year 2016. Cormac was sweet, charming, and caring in all the other books and I really wanted his story. Eve was a modern day baker. The fae intervened sending Eve back in time to Cormac giving both a chance of soul deep love. Eve was sweet, kind of shy, but she could hold her own. Cormac and Eve's story was sweet and had plenty of passion. It was a cute, easygoing, quick holiday read and I really enjoyed it. I really hope Mary Morgan continues with the Dragon Knights. I know all the Knights stories are told so maybe the children could get books!

A sweet and passionate tale of love that spans the ages, Morgan delivered yet again with her present day lasses falling for their 12th century Highlanders. The plot isn't difficult yet kept me interested and wondering what would happen next. Eve and Cormac's story is one of intrigue, romance and a hint of fantasy, which weaves itself into a tale of love and longing. Well done.

Laird Cormac Murray has a problem, he needs a cook and Eve wins a contest to supply the clan Murray for the holiday with meals. Only the Fae have a great sense of humor and sweep her to another time to fulfill her prize. Such an awesome Tale of these two as they find a common path of healing and love. Just enjoy this author's books so much with the characters and their tales. Definitely a keeper to revisit again.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

A definite buy book. A uplifting and warming story. I loved the characters as well as the plot. I enjoyed the way the story just flowed and kept me engaged. I had 2 problems with it. One.... it was too short! 2. Some background information could of been useful to make it a complete stand alone. Other than that... A definite buy book. Witty, wonderful, passionate, funny and just plain enjoyable! This writer is absolutely one to buy. She has a terrific way of writing and keeping your attention. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna

This was a quick and fun read! I really enjoyed the characters and their love story. I didn't realize that this was part of a series and I wish I had know that, but for the most part it I was still able to follow everything that was going on and I think it is possible to read this as a standalone and still really enjoy it.

Really good book. I enjoyed it . I definitely would recommend it to a friend.

This was a quick, cute holiday read. I enjoyed all the various characters and would definitely pick up another book by Mary Morgan.

A quick and beautifully written romance with lovely characters that make you want to swoon I do love a magical read such as this book.

Eve was a modern day baker that the fae intervened and sent her back in time to Cormac. Eve was shy and sweet but didn’t let anyone walk all over her. If Eve could win the Sweet and Savory contest- before she was sent back in time- at the Blushing Rose Bakery she would be able to fix her car and repair the broken heater of her elderly neighbor. Eve then receives an invitation to travel to Scotland and prepare the desserts for Castle Creag’s annual Winter Solstice Festival. Eve jumps at the chance, The Laird Cormac meets Eve on a lonely stretch of road and Eve will be the answer since the castle cook had an accident and can’t cook for the festival. There was no modern things at the Castle Creag and the kitchen is basically medieval. Eve was asked to cook a festive feast. Eve falls for Cormac. Eve always thinks of other people before herself. Eve is hardworking and loyal. The Laird and Eve feel a relationship is per-conceived with objections in their capacity to find love ( self doubt and skepticism).
I liked this story a lot. For two so different people from different times to end up caring for each other was very entertaining to read about. I like how Eve but everyone else before herself always willing to help if she could. I don’t usually like time travel stories but this was a good story. This was a quick read. It was a very enjoyable story with a very good plot. There was a lot to this novella: time travel, a feast to prepare in a mid-evil time by a modern baker, different times. Magic, romance, a highland Laird, and so much more. I was pull into the story from the first page and the pull didn’t let go until I read the last page and I didn’t have a problem with my interest lagging at all. The only thing in being a novella is a common issue I felt this story was too short. I would have liked some background information on Eve and Cormac. This was an easy read and I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this story and I recommend.

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?

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!