When a time travel read is well written, it grabs the reader and transports them into the story. This tale accomplishes that, but with a little twist on the usual "falling back in time" scenario. Caitriona has dreamed of the Pictish king, Brodyn Mac Cuill her whole life. Unfortunately, the dream also includes his death. The dream led her to pursuing a career in archaeology, specifically Pict history. During the search for Brodyn's burial place, she ends back in his time. Can she prevent herself from falling in love with a doomed man? The reader is aware from the beginning of Brodyn's fate. HEA's are usually guaranteed 99% of the time, but it is the 1% you have to worry about, especially when you are wrapped up in the characters. The author keeps us wondering until the very end. I do not believe that I have read other books by this author, but will certainly be reading more of her books. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Catriona Murray dreams of death, the death of the man she is fated to love, but not in 2023. Excavating caves in Scotland, she looks for the cave with his remains, finds them and falls back in time to 685. Distrust, pain and anxiety for Catriona and the Pict king she loves are the basis of this book. Passing back and forth through time will bring both goodness and tragedy. A passionate romance without a regular cookie cutter ending that makes me feel the book is unsettled. More books to come in the series.
Heat level 2.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Excellent Time Travel Romance

Cait went on an archeological dig and was transported over a thousand years into the past to find the man who visited her dreams all her life. Brodyn was the king of the Picts, and history told that he was meant to die a brutal death in a battle with his enemies. Did Cait travel through time only to lose the man of her dreams? The cave took Cait to the past, but she was not the only visitor of her time. Brodyn was surrounded by enemies from the present and the future. Cait did not intend to fall in love, but what could she do when her destiny beckoned? This is one of the best time travel romances I have read. It is full of romance, mystery, and suspense that will keep you turning the pages.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
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It’s so nice to have a new series from Mia, I’ve always enjoyed her books and her writing.
This book is just the start of what is a very promising series.

I enjoyed the characters and the setting immensely, it’s an age that is not written about very often, which is a shame.
This is a wonderful adventure that had me totally hooked.
I can’t wait for more.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Another great book another great read. Fast pas I could not put it down, neglected what I needed to do and read in two days. As always a must read.

The past meets the present time in this absorbing romance. Although Caitriona, Cait to her friends, has dreamt of the Pictish king for most of her life, the reality of coming face to face with him was far more than she was prepared for. The plot gives interesting insights into a period hidden in the mists of time, where it is up to archeologists to sort through the remains to determine the quality of life in a given era. Discovering that she is required to marry King Brodyn, Cait does everything she can to avoid the outcome, but she quickly comes to realize that the role she has to play is far more important than she could have expected. The attraction between Cait and Brodyn is dynamic and the supporting characters bring their own part to the story, but not without danger and tension, which escalates as the novel comes to a conclusion. The ending is unexpected but nevertheless romantic and heartwarming. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Scotland is a land of lore and legend, but archaeologist Caitriona Murray prefers physical evidence to ancient tales. Joining a major excavation off the northern Scotland coast, Caitriona cannot wait to discover a cave’s buried secrets. Because of reoccurring dreams of an ancient man’s death, she is convinced that a Pictish king is buried within those cave walls. Finding herself face to face with the man who haunts her dreams, Cait is thrown into the lost world she’d spent her entire life studying and is faced with an undeniable reality: she has travelled back in time, this king believes she is his bride, and Cait isn’t sure she will ever make it back home. King Brodyn Mac Cuill is determined to keep his people safe, even if it means marrying a strange woman from a rival tribe. An alliance is his only chance at gathering an army large enough to defeat their southern enemies, the Angles, who challenge him daily.
The first in a new series & what a read it was – I couldn't put it down. If asked do I like time travel romances, my answer would be they’re OK but to be honest I’ve not read a bad one & in fact have read several good ones & this is a very good one. I think it’s time I revised my stance on the trope! I loved Brodyn & Cait their chemistry was electric & I thoroughly enjoyed their journey with all the trials & tribulations. The characters are wonderful & the pace never lags – I loved it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A promising timetraveller series to become submerged in!

The allure of the mystical pulled me in and compelled me to read, WHERE THE THISTLE GROWS, but Pride's writing, packed with vivid details, rich imagery and multifaceted characters, will have me eagerly coming back for more. As she Illuminated an intriguing snapshot into the lesser known tribes of Scotland, the Picts bringing to life an absorbing timeloop traveller romance I thoroughly enjoyed.

Years of experiencing the same heartbreaking dream has given Caitriona an intellectual drive and deep bond with the Picts that deeply calls and connects her to the legend of the Pictish king, Brodyn Mac Cuill. Opening up an intriguing tale and heart pounding romance that jumps from present day 2023 to AD685, Northern Scotland. That wrapped me up and thrilled with the uncertainty and perilous backdrop of tribal warfare and powerplays of the time, as forged alliances, betrayal and secrets swirled and hung over their heads, as they tried so desperately to deny the strong visceral tug that bound them together, due to the harrowing prospect of disastrously reshaping Scotland's future. As a love sparked, unravelled and statisfyingly kept pulling Cait and Brodyn back together through the veil of time.
Combining to create a fun read that beguiles in the wonder of 'what if' and engages in the well defined, intriguing depth of the characters that become so delightfully entangled together.
A series I'm keen the follow where ever it shall lead... very much looking forward to Emilie and Goodwin's tale and will definitely be hunting out Anya's too.

snagged a copy of this book on Netgalley.
2 reasons : 1 )I love Dragonblade books and 2) Mia is on my " love this author " list.
If you like OUTLANDER, then you'll enjoy this book immensely! I read it in one day !
The characters are notable and with the time travel( yay) souls reliving their lives over and over , this book left me satisfied and asking myself " what if" and "why not" , isn't anything possible?
Mia , you've done a spectacular job with this book and I look forward to reading the sequel! So yeah , I'm hooked!![author:mia-pride]

While yes the story is a fast pace, intriguing and steamy. But that being said I did enjoy reading it. Over a good book. It is a captivating and emotional historical romance you should not miss.