This book drove me batty! It took me forever to finish it because I kept getting so frustrated with it that I would stop reading it and go do something else for a while.

It started out okay. It even had some humorous events that made me laugh. Isobel MacInnes is an archeologist student who loves all things Scottish. She goes to Scotland to say goodbye to her dying grandfather. While there, she falls down an embankment and finds an ancient looking box. Thinking she has just made her career discovery, she sneaks it into the U.S. and calls her Scottish friend, Iain Brodie, because she notices the box has the same symbols as his clan broach.

They end up kissing while touching the box and are transported into 13th century Scotland. Iain had been living two separate lives, one in the 21st century and one in the 13th century where he is the chief of his clan. Neither side knew about the other but when they land in Scotland, both halves merge. He knows about the box but tells Isobel very little about it except that it has belonged to his tribe for generations and it brings the lairds of the castle their soul mates when it is time. He tells her that she is his soul mate and the festival of Beltane is upon them and she has three days to decide if she wants him.

They fall in love and marry along with other couples. It was heartfelt and I was so happy for them but it I knew something bad must happen because the book was only 1/3rd of the way through.

For some reason, Isobel thinks the box is connected to her somehow and she touches it again. This time she is transported to around 85 AD with the ancient Picts. She meets the tribal leader and what does the hussy do? Yeah, she sleeps with him on the second or third night that she is there. I couldn’t believe it! She had some dumb reasoning about living for the moment and who knows if she’ll ever return to Iain but at the same time she kept thinking that she had to return to him. She falls in love with the tribal leader, Velloc. She believes since the box brought them together, they are also soul mates. I kept asking, “How can she have two soul mates? Does she have two souls?” It didn’t make sense to me.

She stays with Velloc for a little over a month. I really liked Velloc. He was so kind and patient with Isobel who at this point, I’m not liking at all. I think she is a selfish little twit who just makes up excuses for why she has to do things. She keeps saying how she needs to uncover the mysteries of the box and what happened in history. She believes the box revolves around her which I thought was rather arrogant since the box had been around for centuries.
She keeps going back and forth in time to each man who she has told about the other and both have agreed to share her. All this chick does is have lots of sex with each of them.

Iain’s castle has a map wall similar to the box that has magical powers but Iain won’t tell Isobel much about it.

One of the cool things about this book was the history in it. The Romans have landed in Scotland and the Picts are facing war. Isobel can use her knowledge of history to help the Picts defeat the Romans.

Spoiler
I really wanted to slap Isobel many times in this book but where I felt the urge the most is when she insisted on fighting with the Picts because Valloc had taught her how to fight. What, she trained for a month so now she is ready to beat a large Roman man who has trained all his life to fight? He tells her that if she fights, he will be too worried about her and could put himself in danger but she gets her way like she always does which ends up exactly as Valloc had predicted. He dies because he takes an arrow meant for her. She cries for a day and then zings back to Iain where she basically forgets about Valloc.




At the beginning of the book we meet Iain’s sister, Brigid, who is in love with one of Iain’s guardsmen named Fingall. He leaves to settle a dispute and never comes back. The book never said what happened to him so I assume it will be answered in the 2nd book. I know there is a novella in between book 1 and 2 but I read the blurb about it and it was about two other people. Thank Goodness! I was worried that the books would follow Isobel and that would have made me stop reading them.

There is also two angels or some beings with wings similar to angels; one has white wings and the other has black wings. I’m kind of digging the dark one. He’s sarcastic just the way I like ‘em.

The 2nd book isn’t out yet so I may go ahead and read 1.5. I haven’t decided yet. I have a few other that I’m going to look at first.

www.paranormalromanceslut.com

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Forged in Dreams and Magick is the first book in the new Highland Legends by Kat Bastion.

After discovering an ancient artifact Isobel MacInnes is taking back in time to the XIII century. After accepting time traveling is not only a possibility but a reality Isobel decides that living in the highlands is a dream come true for an archeology student. Soon after Isobel realizes that this new century not only brings new experiences but also hosts her soul mate, Iain Brodie.
Coming to terms with her new reality Isobel gives all of herself to make the best of her new life, but destiny hasn’t stop playing with her; days later Isobel encounters the ancient artifact again and is taken back once more into the past, this time to the Late Iron Age, to The Picts’ time, where Isobel encounters again a different man (Velloc) and an altogether different soul mate.
Isobel’s brain can’t assimilate the idea of two different soul mates, but her heart knows it as truth. After trying and failing to return to Iain Isobel decides to do her best and survive in this new era, but destiny still has plans for her and brings her back and forth between her two men and the different times. She knows there must be a reason for this, but finding it may cost her more than just her heart.

I have to be honest, on the beginning I had some trouble getting into the story, there were some too farfetched situations that made it hard for me to connect with the characters and some of the situations, but after I decided to take this book as what it is, Fiction, and stopped trying to see the logical side of the story I started to enjoy it tremendously.

Sometimes I say that a character is strong and determined, but nothing compares to Isobel, she is thrown in the past not once but twice and both times she made the best of her situation. She does whatever necessary to survive without compromising her integrity. She’s who she is in the XXI Century, XIII Century and in the Iron Age, she just adapts to her circumstances like a chameleon to survive.
Loving two men is not easy; her heart was never whole because some part of it was always missing. Iain and Velloc are both swoon worthy but I wouldn’t want to be in Isobel’s shoes.

It was hard for me to like one man more than the other, they are both strong warriors that care for their people, they are both protectors at heart, and they love Isobel with all their beings.
One page I was Team Iain, the next I was Team Velloc. Page after page I could only wonder how would all be developed at the end. Mrs. Bastion kept me wondering and wishing for an outcome to just shake things up, leaving me with heartache and wanting to know more.

One thing I really loved about Forged in Dreams and Magick was the way Mrs. Bastion masterfully intermingled historical facts with the story. I love when this happens in a book and I can only admire when an author can pull it off without feeling like getting a history lesson. Kudos to Mrs. Bastion and her brilliant storytelling for achieving this.

I can say I was sold after reading the blurb for Forged in Dreams and Magick. Time travel, highlanders and romance, yes, please, count me in. What I didn’t know was that I would also find in Forged in Dreams and Magick a fluid prose, a strong story, very likeable characters and very sensual and well-written moments. Here I also have to applaud Mrs. Bastion, she writes very tasteful sex scenes that enhance the story while adding to the character and relationships development.

If you like time travel, highlanders and strong romance I recommend you to read Forged in Dreams and Magick by Kat Bastion.
I’m looking forward to read the next book in this series, Bound by Wish and Mistletoe, a sequel novella to be release this November. ( )

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Kat Bastion for granting me the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Though I received the e-book for free that has in no way influenced this review.

The award-winning debut in the Highland Legend Series:

Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten days’ end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .

Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .

Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .

Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.

Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.

She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.

*** PLEASE NOTE ***

Scorching (explicit) sex scenes.

Fire extinguisher highly recommended.

Isobel, an archeologist struggling for recognition in the male dominated field, is making a name for herself at a remarkably young age. At the request of her beloved Grandfather Isobel leaves his bedside shortly before he passes away. Given her emotional state it isn't much of a surprise her attention isn't fully on the rural Scottish back road she's driving along when she almost plows into a bunch of sheep meandering across the lane. Her abrupt stop leaves her ancient car in the ditch, which she promptly falls into as she clambers out of the car in a fit of pique. But her mood changes as swiftly as it arrived when she spots what appears to be the corner of a metal box embedded in the side of the ditch. Upon the safe retrieval of the box from the ditch Isobel's heart starts hammering in excitement, for she recognizes that she has stumbled upon a truly magnificent mystery. Though the mystery might end up being far more than she bargained for.

It seems the box found her, transporting her back in time to the 13th century and straight into the arms of Ian, the leader of clan Brodie. In an interesting twist it seems that the box connects soul mates. Isobel settles into life with clan Brodie and its chieftain, falling deeply in love with him. So then, why is it that the next time she touches the box she is ripped away from Ian and clan Brodie and transported back to the time of the Picts, only to end up finding love with the leader of the group of Picts she "lands" in?

Isobel is a strong woman, with amazing mental fortitude. Instead of suffering a mental breakdown or two, she revels in her experiences and having the chance to learn first-hand about what had always been ancient history to her. She is an incredibly adaptable and resourceful woman, which is so nice to see in the heroine of the tale. Although she relies upon the men to learn about her new lives and roles in those lives, she also learns from the women. She struggles with the issue of being loyal to both men as she travels back and forth between them. Nor does she keep one secret from the other, instead she demands that each understand that she was clearly sent to both men for a specific reason, and they therefore must share her, for she loves them both.

Even though both men know of the magical properties of the box, I found it a challenge to believe that either man would willingly share the love of his life, his soul mate, with another man - regardless of circumstances. Just as it was difficult to suspend my disbelief that these powerful leaders would listen to, and follow orders from any woman, regardless of their feelings for her. That simply wasn't done during their times, yet for Isobel no one batted an eye. So as much as I enjoyed the story, and was drawn in by the characters, it was hard to set aside my historical understanding of the different eras and accept how much equality the women shared with the men. It might not have been 100%, but it certainly was far more equitable than I've ever been taught life for women was in the 13th century and earlier.

The other major experiences she undergoes are rather odd, fitting with the story and yet not. It could be that she has cracked under the strain of time travel, or they could be real. In the end I guess it is up to the reader to decide if they believe her other experiences are real or just a figment of her imagination. If they do chose to believe, then the book has a clear opening for a sequel, which already exists thanks to secondary story lines that are not resolved in this book. Such as what happened to Fingall, the man Brigid loves and is hand-fasted to? It could be interesting to see where things go once the dust has settled, and to see how that final bit of news is dealt with. ( )

Time travel has always been an interesting concept for a book, and with Forged in Dreams and Magick by Kat Bastion, you get time travel via an ancient magic box. Okay the practical girl who has a degree in history and a minor in anthropology, was aghast as the main heroine removed an archaeological find from the peat moss of Scotland. Did she not know how many laws she was breaking? Even if she had found the archaeological find of a lifetime it would be suspect, because she did not follow proper procedures. Okay, stepping off my soapbox. No wonder I am so short, it is so I can get on my soapbox without hitting my head in the clouds.

Okay back to the book. Isobel MacInnis finds a box. She has a desire to share that said box with highlander and movie actor Iain Brodie, because his family chest resembles markings on the box. Guess what? The box is magic and they are propelled back to thirteenth century Scotland.

Holy Crap, my mind goes straight to the disease that Isobel can die from. Aren’t I just a bowl of sunshine? Hopefully her Daddy was like mine and in the military, so she has been inoculated for all the non-common US disease. Here we come, Yellow Fever and Small Pox! No I am not a world traveler or a time traveler but my shot record has me prepared just in case, thanks to the USAF. Okay I digress, again, but please don’t die Isobel, viruses are nasty buggers. Mortality rate in the thirteenth century, YIKES! Start growing mold for penicillin and don’t forget Willow bark is aspirin. Yes these are the things I think of when I read a time travel novel; it is the Girl Scout in me, because I need to prepare my heroines.

Did I tell you that Isobel is a fabulous heroine? She really is, and Bastion had me hooked with this book from the first page! It usually takes at least a chapter to hook me, but when Isobel’s Seanair/Grandpap bid her farewell , the scene was so poignant. Isobel is feisty, smart and all around plucky. Yes plucky is a word, which I actually use. No I am not above making up a word. Okay where was I? Oh yes Isobel, the archaeologist, lands on her ass in thirteenth century Scotland. As a historian I would be thrilled for about a day. I would miss my smartphone, MacBook, reader, deodorant, and indoor PLUMBING. But Isobel has something that could distract even me, a very handsome Scotsman, has come along for the time traveling ride.

Iain lands on his ass back in the thirteenth century too, but all is not as obvious as it seems. See Iain has a wee bit of a secret.

Do you want to know?

Guess what? I’m not going to tell. Just let’s say Iain used to whip up at the California highland games because OLD Iain had an edge over his competition. Hmmm, Iain… Oh sorry my mind wandered there for a minute. Iain is every girl’s highland fantasy.

Holy Hotness! Iain puts the Alpha in Alpha Male. He is stubborn, controlling and not a twenty first century guy when it comes to the ladies, but not a barbarian either. He just knows what he wants and come hell or high water he is going to get it. Guess what Iain wants. A certain twenty first century fiery gal.

Okay you are all thinking girl meets medieval boy, they fall in love THE END. WRONG. Hmm you think this is the Happily Ever After stage, Wrong, Bastian throws a curve ball as the thirteenth century is not the only stop on Isobel time travel trip. Nor is Iain her only soul mate.

Enter the Pict chieftain Velloc. Okay honestly I am a one woman girl, but Bastion writes both these dudes so you fall for them, and so does Isobel . I am more team Iain. I am really a one woman gal, sorry. The boys willing to share the girl even though they were centuries apart. I wasn’t thrilled with. (personal bias didn’t affect rating)

But not everything in this tale is as it seems. This book is so much more than a highland fling. The tapestry of the plot threads are explored, as it delves into the Brigadoon quality of the tale. Then others threads are tied in that explore the supernatural aspects of the book. Bastion, weaves a romance, paranormal, fantasy, mystery, adventure, and time travel tale into so much; that the ride was breathtaking, and hit on all cylinders of the genres. I devoured the middle 50% of the book in two hours, I was riveted to my chair, and flung back and forth in time with Isobel. Bastion has written a fun, adventuresome, paranormal fantasy read that I highly recommend. ( )

Isobel MacInnes travels to Scotland to visit her ill grandfather, but realizes he’s on his deathbed. Shortly afterwards, she decides to explore the area and begins to experience car trouble. Frustrated she gets out of the vehicle, begins to walk and is lost in her thoughts. She trips and finds herself in a creek where she stumbles upon a strange looking box and as an archeology student she’s intrigued. Taking the box back to the US, she hopes her mentor can help her find its origin and what it means. What she doesn’t count on is a visit from her friend who happens to be movie star hunk Iain Brodie. Iain can have any woman he wants and the moment he steps into her office he’s instantly attracted to her. Isobel fights the attraction and suddenly both are compelled to touch the box. A few moments later she finds herself in Medieval Scotland where Iain is the head of Clan Brodie. Isobel believes she’s dreaming until Iain explains he’s her soul mate. Making the best of the situation, Isobel finds her groove among the people of Clan Brodie until she disappears. Will Isobel find her way back to Iain or will she find herself stuck in another period with no means to return home?

Kat Bastion’s Forged in Dreams and Magick is a delightful and engaging read. She has a keen eye for history and writing detailed imagery. Narrative is first person via Isobel and it makes sense since this is her story. She’s the one who finds the box that transports her. It’s rare for an author to capture the Scottish accent in print and most of the time I can’t hear it, but Bastion does a great job with it! I kept grinning every time Iain opened his mouth. I’m pretty sure picturing Gerard Butler as Iain had nothing to do with the ability to actually hear the accent as I read. ;)

We have good character development. Isobel is no weakling and doesn’t wait for things to happen. She definitely takes things into her own hands and even though it can lead her into trouble, she still can hold her own. Iain is a very sexy Highlander and no doubt you’ll be swooning over him. He’s protective and kind. He’s quick to realize that Isobel needs to make her own decisions. We have a wide cast of secondary characters including Brigid who helps Isobel ease into the life of medieval Scotland. Then we have Velloc, the man Isobel meets when she time travels a second time to ancient Scotland when the Picts were around. He’s a bit of a beta hero and most might disagree with me, but when you put him next to Iain, Iain trumps him. That being said, he too is caring and all he wants is a loving a wife after losing his own.

While I did enjoy Forged, the love triangle put me off a bit. I kept wondering how it would be resolved and the way it is, it’s a little too nicely wrapped up. In the end, one of them was going to come out the winner. And as much as I want to judge Isobel for quickly shacking up with Velloc, I remind myself that she was trying to survive. There’s one thing that annoyed me and that was at no point does Isobel question the possibility of pregnancy. I kept wondering when it would occur to her especially since she was with both Iain and Velloc, who would be the father? When it finally dawns on her, it’s a bit too late and I’m not going to go into details because it would be a spoiler

I debated with the rating between a three and four and in the end, decided on a four. There were a few factors that kept me leaning towards a three. The first has to do with how quickly Isobel and Velloc were able to communicate with each other. Isobel teaches him English and she’s able to learn the Pict language by observing them. Also both Iain and Velloc’s people quickly accepted Isobel. People back then were wary of strangers and I felt a bit of “stranger danger” awareness would have been used and it’s not. Additionally, Isobel has no problems helping rewrite history and this is evident when the Picts come face to face with the Romans. As a historian, I kept yelling, “no!” She’s an archeology student and I would have expected her to treat history a little better than she does. Then again Indiana Jones has no qualms about destroying ruins and archaeological records. In the end, I gave it a four because Isobel does question the timeline and if it’s been preordained. If so, then in theory her changes or her influence have already been written into history. Bastion made me think about this and it’s quite a fascinating subject to delve into it. Furthermore, Isobel does raise the all important fact that most historians will agree upon: history is written by the victors. Combined with the possibility of her meddling, then it makes no difference if she changes the course of history. It’s also very apparent that Bastion did extensive research and this is one of the reasons I ended up giving it a four.

My favorite quote:
“Our story’s written, but ye know in yer heart; history has our great Highlands wrong. Ye’ve told me so a thousand times. Find our secrets. Discover the whispers on the wind that the years faded long ago.”

Fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series or of time travel romances will enjoy Bastion’s Forged. While it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, there are some questions that still need to be addressed and I can’t wait to read the rest in the series.

If you’re looking for a time travel romance or are in a reading rut, I highly recommend Kat Bastion’s Forged in Dreams and Magick.

This review & more are posted to Literary, etc. ( )