Rating: 
Summary: So embarrasing!
Review: I live in a community next to the pool, and I finally came out of my total absorption in this book to hear some, um, comments. Not clearly, of course, just somewhere in the neighborhood of "What is that crazy loon next door laughing about now?" As I am in the AZ region all the windows are open. Hmmm. Note to self: close windows when reading Katie MacAlister. Men in Kilts was one of the gut-busters I love so much. Kathie the American at the Murder in Manchester conference in London quickly becomes a moron in the presence of a lovely Scotsman, Iain (well, in my book, how could a big Scot not be lovely?). For some male macho reason Iain finds Kathie's witlessness very amusing. The story line of two cultures and mindsets meeting, clashing and totally crossing signals is entertaining with it's freshness. And how many of us ladies have not dreamed, even if knowing it to be completely impractical and possibly yucky, of a simple life with a lovely Scots sheepherder? Or something like that. To read this gem is to love it and keep it to read over and over. As another reviewer said, order a second book for when this one wears out and never, ever loan it out. Now, from my education of growing up with a dear friend whose family owns a large sheep ranch, I can say Katie got it right. That's what makes this book not just fluff. This lady did her research of a working sheep farm, understood it and described it well. It was something like reading a journal of my very enthusiastic experience helping my friend's family out with all the moments of owning sheep. For that alone, Men in Kilts could have been somewhat dry until you throw in Kathie Williams, mystery writer, and Iain MacLaren, mystery reader. Sensual, witty; I think I'll go and read it again. Just to make sure I didn't miss any good parts!
Rating:
Summary: So embarrasing!
Review: I live in a community next to the pool, and I finally came out of my total absorption in this book to hear some, um, comments. Not clearly, of course, just somewhere in the neighborhood of "What is that crazy loon next door laughing about now?" As I am in the AZ region all the windows are open. Hmmm. Note to self: close windows when reading Katie MacAlister. Men in Kilts was one of the gut-busters I love so much. Kathie the American at the Murder in Manchester conference in London quickly becomes a moron in the presence of a lovely Scotsman, Iain (well, in my book, how could a big Scot not be lovely?). For some male macho reason Iain finds Kathie's witlessness very amusing. The story line of two cultures and mindsets meeting, clashing and totally crossing signals is entertaining with it's freshness. And how many of us ladies have not dreamed, even if knowing it to be completely impractical and possibly yucky, of a simple life with a lovely Scots sheepherder? Or something like that. To read this gem is to love it and keep it to read over and over. As another reviewer said, order a second book for when this one wears out and never, ever loan it out. Now, from my education of growing up with a dear friend whose family owns a large sheep ranch, I can say Katie got it right. That's what makes this book not just fluff. This lady did her research of a working sheep farm, understood it and described it well. It was something like reading a journal of my very enthusiastic experience helping my friend's family out with all the moments of owning sheep. For that alone, Men in Kilts could have been somewhat dry until you throw in Kathie Williams, mystery writer, and Iain MacLaren, mystery reader. Sensual, witty; I think I'll go and read it again. Just to make sure I didn't miss any good parts!
Rating:
Summary: A rollicking good read.
Review: I loved this book. A fantastic read! This bought back so many memories of growing up and of the farm, and Iian was simply stunning. Cannot wait for the next book Katie write faster luv!
Rating: 
Summary: KATIE'S BRILLIANT!!!
Review: I PICKED THIS BOOK UP AND FINISHED IT IN ONE DAY!! I WAS DRAWN IN DURING THE FIRST CHAPTER AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN....KATHI WILLIAMS IS HILARIOUS AS SHE FINDS LOVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND LEARNS A NEW WAY OF LIFE....I HAD TEARS ROLLING DOWN MY CHEEKS FROM LAUGHTER!! AUNT AMBER WAS THE MOST ENTERTAINING FAMILY MEMBER TO GO TO A WEDDING IN A LONG TIME......THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS..........KATHLEEN
Rating: 
Summary: Get a LIFE!
Review: I started reading this book as part of an online book club and loved it. I went to the library (thank God I didn't pay for it) and checked it out. Kathie is 37 years old and she acts like a 19 year old! Can this woman not have an adult conversation to save her life? Are all Scots the rudest people on the planet? (I know for a fact they are not.) PLUS, she's supposed to be a writer researching a book. She does no writing and little investigating. All she cares about is trapping Iain into marriage. The whole thing is juvenile. I loved Iain character, but why he would be attracted to Kathie is beyond me. Ugh.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed by book Men in Kilts
Review: I was so disappointed by this book! I had received the first chapter via email from a book club and I couldn't wait to get the book. I put it on my Christmas list, my birthday list, and I finally got it for myself. The snippet I had received in my email was witty, and fun, but the book was boring and overdone. This book was very easy to put down.The first 100+ pages of the book are about the main character's lustful sex with a dishy Scot. (I liked it, but not for 100+ pages!) Then the next 92 or so pages are about the main character trying to get the Scot to marry her. The rest of the book picked up pace, which was nice. There was a "mystery" but right from the beginning, they knew "who" and "what", they just didn't have proof until later in the book. Some mystery. I cannot believe how one dimensional the Scot was. He is a sexpot, good in bed, and has a good heart. That's it. I really liked the voice the book was written in, and that was refreshing but just spending the first 200 pages of any book reading over and over about the main characters having sex and the woman trying to manipulate the man into marrying her is not my idea of a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed by book Men in Kilts
Review: I was so disappointed by this book! I had received the first chapter via email from a book club and I couldn't wait to get the book. I put it on my Christmas list, my birthday list, and I finally got it for myself. The snippet I had received in my email was witty, and fun, but the book was boring and overdone. This book was very easy to put down. The first 100+ pages of the book are about the main character's lustful sex with a dishy Scot. (I liked it, but not for 100+ pages!) Then the next 92 or so pages are about the main character trying to get the Scot to marry her. The rest of the book picked up pace, which was nice. There was a "mystery" but right from the beginning, they knew "who" and "what", they just didn't have proof until later in the book. Some mystery. I cannot believe how one dimensional the Scot was. He is a sexpot, good in bed, and has a good heart. That's it. I really liked the voice the book was written in, and that was refreshing but just spending the first 200 pages of any book reading over and over about the main characters having sex and the woman trying to manipulate the man into marrying her is not my idea of a good read.
Rating:
Summary: No Plot
Review: I,...had the same issues with this book as I did with "Improper English". I was all set to be dazzled (because I loved "Noble Intentions" and was trying to forget "Improper English") and I was sorely disappointed. The heroine wasn't quite so bad as in "Improper English." I didn't actually throw the book across the room. I just got angry with her. The poor hero was mostly loveable, but I didn't see how the two would end up together. He was close-mouthed and pragmatic and she was manipulative and silly and a bit weak. The hero seems to be two different people--the one from the first couple of chapters who is romantic and slightly impulsive, and the one from the rest of the book--a quiet, taciturn sheep farmer. Also, this book didn't really seem to have a purpose. There wasn't any character growth or even a plot, really, and I didn't come away with something wonderful and new. It was just sort of there. Is that how Katie felt writing it? I hope not. I'm still waiting with terrible anticipation for "A Girl's Guide to Vampires" but do yourself a favor and give this one a miss.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and romantic...
Review: Kathie Williams makes a few blunders as the only American writer at an English mystery conference, but she does manage to do one thing right, falling head over heels for Iain MacLaren. Before she knows what has happened, she finds herself back home in Scotland with him. However, legalities and visas might cut short their romance, which would suit his snarky eldest son and "witchy" man hunting neighbor just fine. Kathie has managed to fall out of lust and into love with her handsome Scot, and is determined to win him as her own, if for no other reason than to keep the said witch's claws off him. Marriage does not guarantee bliss though. The neighbor is still around, and causing more and more problems. The youngest son is a staunch ally, but the older would just as soon send her back to America. She also has the language barrier to navigate and learn that farm animals are not pets, no matter how cute. **** There is a laugh a minute in this realistically hilarious novel. Kathie handles every situation, no matter how much of a challenge they might be, with flair. The villainess is someone you can justifiably hiss at, and Iain is entirely too good to be true. However, he does get a bit dense at times, as do all men. He is handsome enough to make that forgiveable. While you will be laughing on almost every page, the final sentence is so touching, you might have to wipe away a tear. **** Reviewed by Amanda.
Rating:
Summary: With her improper English takes on men in skirts!!
Review: Katie Macalister with her Noble Intentions gave us delights and out-right howls as she blithely waltzed her way through Regency England. In her second book, she taught us romance with Improper English, a brilliantly witty book with characters to live long in the imagination and heart. Her third book found her once again in Regency era, and she proved yet another time she has a way with the clumsy heroine. Her fourth full book finds Katie back in contemporaries, this time doing to the Scots what she did to the Brits in Improper English. Another of her 'first person' adventures that will have you laughing till your sides are sore. Personally, I find writing in 1st person a pain, and I usually have a problem reading them. It makes me feel like I am crawling around inside someone's head. However, Katie Macalister is at home in first person, a master at it, so she soon makes one forget this 'immediate' narrative is not how everyone should do it. Katie avoids all the 1st person pitfalls that make the structure slightly claustrophobic with all the I, me and my...she sparkles, intrigues and is just one of the freshest voices to hit romance (and young adult, too, as Katie Maxwell for Dorchester's Smooch Line). So buckle up, for Katie gives you romance, love and the whole damn thing - sheep included. She blows the lid of the time honoured secret of what DOES a Scotsman wear under the kilt? It is wildly comical, and fast becoming Katie's trademark - she gives you the less than perfect heroine. I find it so comfy her females are so very human. Kathie Williams is a mystery writer in England for a writers' conference. She is a bit overwhelmed by jet lag and ends up sleeping through a big part of the first day - unfortunately it is in the hotel lobby! Not bad enough she naps in public, she drools on her new silk blouse! Embarrassed, Kathie is ready to crawl under the table and hide ...but for one thing: Iain MacLaren. The handsome Scotsman is also attending the mystery writers conference. Sparks fly between the two and suddenly, she believes in love at first sight. Kathie falls desperately for the Alpha Scot, so she is delighted when Iain insists she come visit him in Scotland after the conference ends. Wow what a storybook romance, right? You meet the man of your dreams, he is to-die-for sexy, has a kilt and does not mind you drooled on yourself in public! Wrong, as Kathie soon finds out. Iain is divorced with two grown sons. The first one hates her on site and thinks she is a floozy. Luckily, the second one is more welcoming. But then, waiting for them is Iain's neighbor, once upon a time lover, and she is determined to break up the romance in quick order. Despite a man less than forth coming about his true feelings, a neighbor who wants to bury the hatchet - in Kathie's head, a son-in-law to be from hell, and flocks of smelly sheep, love finds a way. Then Kathie has to face a Scottish wedding from Hell, with her domineering mother and Iain's first wife making it the wedding event of the year. Katie writes about Scotland with a true voice. Being a Scot, I often have the cringe at some of the mistakes of Yank writers when they use Scotland as a setting. She keeps it true, right down to the sheep and the realities of business side of it. I laughed, I cried. Don't think it gets any better! Keep them coming, Katie! They are a sparkling delight!
|
