THE HIGHLANDER NEXT DOOR – Janet Chapman
A Spellbound Falls Romance , Book 6
Jove Books
ISBN: 978-0-515-0-15322-4
September 2014
Paranormal Romance

Present Day Spellbound Falls, Maine

Whether or not magic has always dwelt in the mountains of Maine, there is no question is has existed here for a couple of generations ever since a Scottish wizard transported ten twelfth-century warriors (and their horses) to the area. Does magic attract magic? Perhaps, because more magical beings have come since, even the creator of the fabled lost city of Atlantis. The wizard, or demigod, Titus Oceanus, prefers Theurgist as a title. But that's no matter in this story. What he did was also bring other Highlanders from the past. The hero of this tale is one Niall MacKeage—related to some of the original arrivals—who is now the Chief of Police for Spellbound Falls and nearby Turtleback Station. This area exists by the now famous inland sea recently created by a great earthquake (which did no damage to people or their homes). Niall was Laird of his clan until brought into the twenty-first century. He's adapted well, though his neighbor, Birch Callahan, the social worker who runs the new crisis center for women, might not agree about that when they clash over Niall's dog Shep. The large Chesapeake Bay Retriever has taken a fancy to Birch's tiny white poodle, Mimi. Is this a case of like master, like dog? For the large, testosterone laden Scot is intrigued by the tiny, redheaded spitfire.

An import from Canada to run the shelter, Birch has quite an attitude and is a fierce protector of women who have been physically or mentally abused. It doesn't help that she grew up watching her mother marry four times. Birch is unaware that Niall is a time-traveler or of any of the other magic that surrounds her. She's slow to understand the feelings stirred up by this dominant male with a strong protective streak who tends to give orders. Their interactions are fun to watch

Birch and Niall are but two of the many interesting characters in this tale, many of them from earlier books. This series and previous ones make up a fantastic and fascinating world. I urge any readers who have not yet entered this world to do so. No matter if you've read earlier books or not, you'll enjoy every one.

Jane Bowers