Thank you to Shalini at Digital Reads Blog Tours for the opportunity to be on this tour today!

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Synopsis

Music is not bound by time…

Adeena Stuart is a struggling cellist ready to give up on her dream of landing a spot with the National Arts Centre Orchestra. All that changes when she receives a musical score, lost for almost 300 years in a Scottish castle, sent by her dying grandmother.

When the score is played on the oldest surviving cello ever made in the UK, the music connects Adeena directly to the past as Katharine Carnegie, struggling to find words to complete her symphonic tour-de-force in the midst of 18th Century political rebellion that is tearing apart Scotland and England.

But Adeena is not a scientist or historian. What she wants more than anything is to create and compose. As she is buffeted back and forth between the past and present, she grows to want more of the past, even though the promise of her most yearned-for professional dream is coming true.

With a clear voice that sets us in modern day Ottawa and old world Scotland, Song for a Lost Kingdom, Book I, begins a journey of discovery between two women who share the same musical soul and love for the same doomed man.

My Thoughts

“Your playing. It comes from a place deep inside of you, a place most people don’t even have. Don’t give up. Music is who you are.”

This was definitely an enjoyable quick read! I’ve read many time travel romances, but I will say that the one thing that made this one unique was the fact that usually the person finds themselves somewhere and an object or something transports them JUST through time, to the same place they were, but in the past. In this novel, Steve Moretti has his character transported through time AND location through a certain instrument, and a certain piece of music. It was a fun concept, and a cosy way to pass an evening.

The first thing I will say is I LOVE PHILLIPE. Seriously, Adeena?? Girl? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! He is adorably wonderful! If I had a man who wanted to get me my favourite food, top up my wine when I needed is, draw me a bath and massage my head?? …I would hold on like GRIM DEATH. But, no. She wants to dip her toe in the time travel dating pool! What is it Adeena? What happens in the 18th Century, STAYS in the 18th Century?

A couple of things that irked me a little about the book (“niggled” at me, if you would) were that:

1. Adeena cries. She cries ALL THE TIME. Seriously, every scene that she is in “tears streamed down her face”, she “sobbed” or “her eyes filled with tears…. Geez, girl. WHAT ARE YOU EVEN CRYING ABOUT?? She gets proposed to? She cries. She Travels Back in Time? She Cries. She comes back? She cries. She has sex?? ….yup. You guessed it! SHE CRIES!
2. The use of modern words with no one REALLY being confused by it. “awesome”? Apparently people will just smile and say “oh, so you approve.” (HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW THAT IS A WORD OF APPROVAL?) , tell someone to “chill”? It may note a confused question in their diary, but apparently no direct questions.
3. I’m not a fan of Adeena constantly using her body to get what she wants.

“He looked at Adeena in confusion. She smiled at him and raised her pencil-tin eyebrows in friendly fire. Her piercing green eyes and long coppery hair came in handy at times like this, as Michael took in all 5 foot 9 inches of her shapely outline and inviting face.”

I will say that for 1745 Adeena and James get pretty close, pretty quickly when it would be COMPLETELY inappropriate to do so! (not that I’m saying I MIND…)

“He took most of his cape, still wrapped around his neck, and placed it around her, drawing her in. He placed his arms over her shoulders and pulled her closer . Adeena felt warm inside his cape, and as natural as if she had done this with him a thousand times. She placed her arms around him, his back taut and muscular. She closed her eyes and laid her face on his shoulder.”

All in all a light enjoyable time travel romance, and I would love to read more of the series!

Get your copy Here! (Free for Kindle Unlimited!)

Amazon

And get a FREE Prequel to Song For a Lost Kingdom HERE!!

 

Author Bio

I have always been drawn to passion and creativity in all its forms. I am equally fascinated by the mechanics of the universe and the characters of history. I have a special affection for the power of music which I believe is the universal language of human emotion. My writing journey started in journalism, public relations and advertising then continued into software development (yes that involves writing)! Recently I finished a screenplay and my first novel, and am now embarking on this a full-time career. I grew up in London, Ontario and also lived in Pompano Beach, Florida as a teenager. I moved to Ottawa and attended Carleton University many years ago and now live just south of the city with my wife, daughter and four dogs with attitude. I look forward to your feedback. Sign up for my mailing list at stevemorett.ca and I’ll send you a FREE copy of the Prequel to the Song for a Lost Kingdom series

AUTHOR AMAZON PAGE / WEBSITE / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER  / FACEBOOK 

Song For a Lost Kingdom is Best Served with a Rob Roy

What’s best for a time travel book about going back to 16th Century Scotland, than a Rob Roy?? Simple and Delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces good-quality blended Scotch whisky
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• Dash of angostura bitters
• *Maraschino cherry”

Directions

1. Add the Scotch, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice. Stir, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
2. Drop in the maraschino cherry and serve.
3. CHEERS!!