The Gift: A Highland Novella

By: Margaret Mallory

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

2015 National Readers Choice Award, Best Romance Novella

2015 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Best Novella

Lily's well-honed sense for trouble tells her no healer is safe in London while gangs roam the city looking for witches to burn. In the dead of night, she escapes on a northbound ship, intending to return after Christmas celebrations calm the city's witch fever. But when Lily lands in the wilds of Scotland, her skills for surviving in the city can't save her.

Roderick MacDonald is on a secret mission for his chieftain when he finds a lass near death on a barren hillside and is forced to take her with him. Though this mysterious Sassenach may have the gift his clan needs - and he burns with passion for her - he's determined to resist the enchantment she weaves on his scarred heart. When love blooms amidst the harsh winter beauty of the Highlands, will these two obstinate souls from different worlds accept the Yuletide gift?

©2014 Margaret Mallory (P)2015 Margaret Mallory

THE PREDICTION OF A LOVE

I loved and enjoyed this book immensely. The part I enjoyed most was when Lily was about to fall and she realize how much she truly wanted to stay and become Broadrick's wife. Honestly I liked the whole story so much it was hard to chose one portion of the book I liked best. That shows just what a good narrator Derek Perkins is. He kept me so entranced in the story that the story as whole was great. Overall the book, from start to finish, was great and I would recommend it to whoever choses it to listen to it.

Love would have always found a way to unite them

She fled London's persecution of possible witches. She end up on a highland hillside lost and exhausted.
His grandmother convinced his Laird to send him into the Lowlands, on a mission for the Clan.
He found and protected her, and over time.. well that's a good story, best told by an excellent author and gifted narrator. I can only recommend you read or listened to the audiobook for yourself.

Pretty darn good, for a novella!

I rarely enjoy a novella, especially when it is an individual story and not an addition to a novel. However, this novella came across as a pretty complete story. Of course, I would have preferred it to be a 12 hour novel but, I didn’t feel like the story was incomplete. This was a great romance package listen. I would not have spent a credit on it, however, due to it’s short length.
-V from Kansas

Destiny

Audiobook narrated by the very talented Derek Perkins. This was a fun Novella to listen to. Lily is a strong independent woman who is not easily swayed by a handsome Highlander - not that she isn't tempted! She is determined to make her own way in life and not depend on others. Lily has a talent for healing and well she knows it. Nothing wrong with a woman knowing her self worth and having the confidence to say so. Lily does not make it easy for Roderick MacDonald. The story reminded me of someone finally coming home. The epilogue was the perfect ending to a great story.

A very good story

This was a good little read just enough to make sure you come back for more.

short cute story

I thought this book was cute and fun and the couple were good together. I wish there was more about them but in the authors note the characters are referenced in other books which is cool. anyway, hope you enjoy it as much as I did. it was just what I wanted.

Just too short....

Oh, how I wanted more. After reading the three previous books from the Highlander series, I just can't get enough of these period romance stories. Margaret did an excellent job with this short story.

A Fun and Enchanting Scottish Yuletide Romance!

What did you love best about The Gift: A Highland Novella?

THE GIFT: A HIGHLAND NOVELLA was an fun and enchanting Scottish Christmastide romance. Even though it's short in length, it was not rushed in the least and felt like a full story. I was mesmerized from the start and the narrator's performance was nothing short of swoon-worthy. I can attest that the book works very well as a standalone.

Since I enjoyed this prequel so much and have committed to listening to the rest of the series, I was glad to find out that this tale precedes The Return of the Highlander series by seventy two years and introduces the parents of famous seer Teàrlag, a key character in the author's Return of the Highlanders' series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Gift: A Highland Novella?

One scene that I've not been able to forget is when Roderick found Lily in the snow.

The scene begins as Roderick is on his way home after successfully completing a mission that his chieftain had assigned to him, when he comes upon a lad obviously near frozen to death in the snow. He rescues the lad, but quickly discovers that the lad is not as he seems.
“Good God, the lad is a lass!”
His grandmother had told him to keep his eyes out for a lass with "the gift." Could this be the lass his clan needs?

Which character – as performed by Derek Perkins – was your favorite?

I can't just pick one! He performed all the characters with aplomb! He was superb! This was the first time I've listened to Derek Perkins. Oh my! He delivered a well-paced, professional performance enunciating a wonderful Scottish brogue. I could listen to him all day and remain infatuated. He seemingly effortlessly differentiated between the characters, so I always knew who was speaking. I would not hesitate to pick up another book that he has narrated. Indeed, I plan to seek other books he's voiced. This rendering had me adding additional workouts so I could hear more. As I neared the end, I noticed that I had thirty minutes left and I just couldn't leave it. I sat in my garage, closed my eyes and just listened. His performance was perfection as I hung on each word.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It most definitely was! When I saw that I only had thirty minutes left, I just couldn't leave it. I sat in my garage, closed my eyes and just listened.

Any additional comments?

This is the first book I've ever read by Margaret Mallory, but it will not be the last as I plan to pick up the rest of the series soon. You should know that this novella includes a wondrous epilogue that provides a truly perfect ending. It certainly left me with a huge smile. I know this fantastic prequel has certainly whetted my appetite to listen to more of this series and certainly more by this narrator. I highly recommend THE GIFT: A HIGHLAND NOVELLA to anyone who enjoys historical Scottish romances with an entrancing fantasy element.

Short and Stubborn

Loved Roderick, but I swear I could have smacked Lily for all her stubborn ways. She was almost unworthy of him. The Narrator was wonderful as always.

Very good story BUT....

It was too short!!! I love the characters and story so much that I was not ready for it to end. Sometimes I wish they would take more time with these really short stories because more often times they are the best ones.