Brenna Cameron has returned to Scotland on her twenty fifth birthday to keep a promise to her deceased aunt. She seeks the lord of ruined Castle Stour so that she can learn more about her family. When he tells her that its present state is all due to her, Brenna is more confused than ever. Brenna goes to bed that night and wakes up on a ship in storm which is full of pirates. When they try to kill her, she is rescued by a dwarf. Hegarty plays a pivotal role in the events that follow.

Rourke Douglas never wants to go near Scotland again. His ship is his kingdom and an opportunity to redeem himself from his past mistakes. The only reason he is hugging the coast of Scotland is a promise to honor a prophecy. When Brenna appears on his ship, Rourke knows that all his plans will be for naught. He is caught up in a sequence of events which will lead them both into a danger that they cannot envision.

My first thought on reading the back blurb was that this was going to be another time travel. Don't be fooled. This is an interesting, exciting read with some unique twists. Ms. Montgomerie has crafted the first in a series based around a set of jewels which can create magic in the right hands.

Brenna and Rourke are intriguing characters who must deal with uncertainties and the guilt of past mistakes. Only by working together can they learn the truth of past events and affect the future. Brenna's need for information has led her to a foreign land and a twisted path to the answers she seeks. Rourke's a tortured soul who seeks to escape from his nightmares of a past that has affected everything he has done since.

I look forward to the next in this series. With memorable characters and interesting twists and turns, this is a satisfying read.