Though his body is healed, a modern-day vet in medieval Scotland must find a way to mend his heart.Though Gavin McShane is happy for his sister and her new life, his own has foundered. As he tries to recover from his lover’s betrayal, he finds solace in the work of being a fisherman in the Orkneys. On his tiny island he finds relief in seclusion—until he meets the ghostly Blue Lady of Marr.Young … ghostly Blue Lady of Marr.
Young druidess Catriona Haral is no phantom. But her hidden existence has made her seem so, even to herself. When Gavin wanders into her secret glen, she wonders if she’s found a reason to want to live again.
But Catriona wasn’t hiding on a whim. When her reasons are revealed, the might of the McDonnel clan and the judgement of the druids land at her doorstep.
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I read this book when it first came out and loved it (as I have all the books in the series) but I forgot to review it until I left my audio review so I thought I’d post here too.
I didn’t finish listening to this until 3:30 AM because I kept listening to just one more chapter. My recommendation is to start earlier and I will the next time I listen to a Hazel Hunter book. I loved the story of course (I read the book when it first came out) but hearing it come to life, yummy. Gavin is the fifth book in the series and I think it needs at least the previous book to understand this story. In any event, all the other books are worth reading and we meet all the characters again at the end of this so we see how things are going. Gavin was introduced as a secondary character in Book 4 and this is his story.
Gavin was dying in the present and when he falls through time with his sister, he is immediately healed and he’s extremely grateful to be restored. The overall story arc is closed in this story and ties up all the threads nicely.
William Macleod really brings the story to life. Smooth, easy to understand and the accent was just right. Immerse yourself in the story–it’s well worth the time, just start earlier than I did because you’ll become engrossed and not want to miss any or stop it. Highly recommended.
Wow, what an awesome ending to this series! I am really sorry to see them go. Gavin has managed to survive in the past without too much difficulty and decides to build himself a house. Catriona is still struggling to come to terms with the murder of her Druid tribe. When these two vulnerable people find each other, the attraction is strong. Many twists and turn later, we find out what will become of the Roman Ninth Legion. I loved the final scenes and was glad to see all my favourite characters come together again. Hazel has such a great way with words that you feel you are right there with the clan. I couldn’t put this book down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
More 4.5/5. Great finish to the series. Although, there may be a door open for more in the future. Well edited.
Gavin is trying to move on with his life after thinking his twin has abandoned him for dead. He is building a home on a deserted island that is said to be haunted. In reality, it is occasionally visited by a former resident, Catriona. Cat’s entire village was wiped out by her uncle and the undead when she was a child. Gavin and Cat meet and begin a friendship. She helps him learn about what is safe to eat, how to build items needed for his home, and new places on the island. Slowly their feelings turn more amorous. Meanwhile, Lachlan and Kinley become aware that Gavin is not dead and that he is hanging out with an unknown druidess. Cat’s uncle is done with his misdeeds and the undead play a role in his plans. Will everyone survive the confrontation? Will Gavin get to reunite with Jema? Will everyone get their HEA?
This was more of a sweet building of romance between Gavin and Cat. Evander’s story evoked much more emotion and Tormod’s story more intense action and sacrifice. I definitely liked Gavin, but felt like maybe this one ran out of a little steam. Still a few loose ends – especially as the undead are not totally wiped out. All in all though, a satisfying read. Enjoy.
The last book in the series wraps up all the loose ends and leaves our clan with a positive look for the future. Its really great to see how this tale weaves it’s way to the end. The character interaction is wonderful, we have humor, love and the bad guys get their due.
I received an ARC of this story and have voluntarily chosen to review it here.
I loved the characters and the people around them. The vampire thing was different, but after all it was a travel in time book, so anything is possible.
SPELLBINDING CONCLUSION TO THE SERIES & MY NEW FAVORITE !!!
Title: Gavin
Series: Immortal Highlander
Author: Hazel Hunter
Designation: Book Five of Series, Full-Length, Can Be Read As Standalone(But so much better when read in sequential order), No Cliffhanger, Medieval Historical/Time Travel/Fantasy Romance
Reading Platform: Kindle Edition
My Rating: Five ‘OMG-I-Can’t-Believe-How-Good-This-Book-Was’ Stars*****
**Disclaimer: Although there is an underlying interconnected storyline running throughout the series, each release focuses primarily on one couple finding love and their happy ending. I believe each of the books can still be read as standalones. The author does a fabulous job of giving the reader sufficient backstory, but I highly recommend reading the books in order of their release. It’s one decision I’m sure you’ll rever regret.
OMG! I loved, loved, loved this book! I know I’ve said the same thing about every single book in this series but oh my goodness, this one was absolute perfection! I’m fascinated by stories featuring mythology, folklore, and fantasy, adore Time Travel Romance, infatuated with Medieval Historical Fiction, addicted to steamy romance, obsessed with strong, sassy heroines, completely smitten with sexy Scottish Highlanders from any century, and when I can find it all in one great read, I’m in heaven! And that’s exactly what Hazel Hunter delivered – AGAIN! Hunter picked up the pace-again, kicked up the heat-again, and doubled the stakes-again in Gavin, the fifth (and I believe final) riveting release in her mega-popular, can’t-put-down Immortal Highlander Series! I truly loved this book, now let me tell you why!
Gavin is a captivating, imaginative, unique, fast-paced, exceptionally well-crafted and edited, full-length standalone historical medieval time travel romance with paranormal, supernatural, and fantasy elements and filled to the brim with compelling drama, pulse-pounding danger, edge-of-your-seat action, daring adventure, nail-biting suspense, heart-wrenching angst, steamy passion, and heartwarming romance. The narrative is beautifully written in the third person with multiple perspectives and this story had quite a few. I stopped counting at eight! lol… In some instances, multiple points of view can be somewhat confusing to a reader if not skillfully written, but Hunter does an excellent job, and all the perspectives are clearly discernible. I always enjoy stories written with clearly defined multiple perspectives. It allows me to know the thoughts of all the primary characters, not just the protagonists, and I especially enjoy when we know what’s going on in the convoluted minds of the bad guys. I think it adds so much more depth and understanding of the story. The dialogue is smart, engaging, and flows effortlessly. Obviously, Hunter did her research. I found the language and terminology of the era to be articulate, exceptionally well executed and authentic to the era. In other words, Hunter’s fourteenth-century characters spoke like fourteenth-century Scottish Highlanders. In reality, none of us would be able to understand an actual fourteenth-century Highlander, but Hunter did make them sound as realistic as possible, which definitely added to my enjoyment of this story, plus she included a handy-dandy glossary of terms in the back of the book. But without a doubt, my favorite element of all Hunter’s books is the characters, and this story is no exception. Hunter gives us a large cast of intriguing, engaging, and well-developed characters who literally explode from the pages, grab your imagination, demand your undivided attention, and completely capture your heart. I fell head over heels for the two protagonists, present-day war veteran Gavin McShane and Catriona Haral, fourteenth-century druidess and lone survivor of the Druid Moon Wake Tribe of Everbay Isle. Gavin is the twin brother of Jema McShane and was accidentally transported with his twin sister from a present-day archaeological site in Scotland to the past in Tormod, Book Four of the series. We discovered in Tormod that archaeologist and self-professed ditch digger Jema McShane had Druid blood which gave her certain abilities in the fourteenth century, so it’s safe to assume her twin Gavin was also Druid and blessed with some sort of magical ability – and he does, but I don’t do spoilers so no hints from me! lol… OMG! I loved these two characters! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed all the characters but I became smitten with the handsome, courageous Gavin McShane, veteran and former member of The Black Watch, when he was introduced in Book Four of the series, although I did want to knock him upside the head several times during the course of Jema’s story. The beautiful, kindhearted druidess Catriona captured my heart immediately. Cat may not have been a warrior like some of the other women of the series but her love for animals spoke volumes of her kindness and sweet nature, and the revelation of her past just ripped my heart right out of my chest. These two characters were so perfect together and complemented each other brilliantly. After reading Book Four, my heart broke for Gavin and I so hoped he would also find his happy ending – and he did! There wasn’t as much humor in this book as the first two of the series, but there’s just as much emotion, if not more since this story also includes two time travelers, and I’m not talking about Jema being the second. Oops-slight spoiler! But that’s only one of MANY hidden surprises in this story! Heck, I still have whiplash from all the twists and turns in this story, and there were quite a few scenes that just ripped my heart right out of my chest but by the end, I was happy, satisfied, well entertained, and completely smitten with former Black Watch veteran Gavin McShane and lovely druidess Catriona Haral! Actually, this book may be my favorite to date because everything is finally revealed and all the loose threads are finally woven into place. Well, almost all, but still no spoilers from me. Yeah, I know I say the same thing after every book but I can’t help it, especially since it’s true! lol… I don’t really know how to explain it, except to say that this book was so much more – more danger, drama, angst, action, adventure, passion, romance, plus all our favorite characters, and just more everything!
After falling through a time portal from a present-day archaeological site in Scotland to the fourteenth century Highlands, Gavin McShane wants nothing more than to live out his life in peace-alone. He had no intention of trying to return to his life in the future nor allowing his twin sister to know he survived the battle. It was enough that she cared for him while he died a slow agonizing death from ALS. In this time, he was healthy and could look after himself, but more importantly, his sister was in love and happy with her life. After his experience with the Thora the Merciless and the undead Roman legion, Gavin wanted only to be left alone to live out the rest of his days in peace, which is why he chose to build a home on a small deserted island all the locals said was cursed. But Gavin didn’t believe in curses so he had nothing to fear from the infamous Blue Lady of Marr that supposedly haunted the island. But what if the lady did exist and what if she wasn’t a ghost? Catriona Haral didn’t trust the handsome Highlander currently building a cottage near the abandoned village where her entire tribe had been slain. She could never allow anyone to know of her existence and had done everything she could to covertly sabotage his plans, but the hulking beast of a man seemed determined to stay. Unfortunately, her efforts were all for naught and she couldn’t seem to stop herself from secretly admiring the man – until she was caught and could no longer deny the attraction she felt for the strange man who somehow seemed so familiar. But what will fate have in store for Gavin and Catriona? We’ll see!
Did I like this book? No, I loved it! I was glued to my seat, white knuckling my ereader, completely captivated with my heart fluttering wildly in my chest as the time flew as quickly as the pages! I could not stop reading! I’m totally smitten with this entire series and can hardly wait to see what Hunter has in store for her readers next! Would I recommend it? You bet and I a but only for adult readers since it does contain several explicit love scenes! If you enjoy well-written medieval historical tales with supernatural elements, and liberally seasoned with time travel, action adventure, danger, drama, passion, and romance, then this book is screaming your name! And if you loved the movie and series Highlander, this story will, most likely, tickle your fancy! Will I read this author again? Absolutely! And finally, was I entertained? Completely! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read! Well done, Hazel Hunter! Well done, indeed! I have no idea how Hunter will top this book, but I have every confidence she will!!!