Kenna MacKellar is on vacation in Scotland touring Urquhart Castle when she is suddenly swept up and deposited into the year 1296.  She’s a retired U.S. Army veteran, and her years as an MP have prepared her for everything except time travel or 13th century men like Lord Iain MacAlister. 

Iain MacAlister has to marry—or else.  The ultimatum was given by Edward Longshanks, the invading English king who is determined to crush the Scots.  Iain only has one week.  When a mysterious woman suddenly falls into his lap—literally—he decides to take advantage of the situation. 

The biggest obstacle to overcome is Longshanks, and the ultimate task is to convince Kenna to marry him.  The feisty Sergeant Major is more than a match for the sexy Scotsman.   Besides, a woman with eight tours of duty can hold her own in war torn Scotland, especially if she is accepted, loved and supported by the right man.  All’s well that ends well when Iain proves to be Mr. Right.

Iain MacAlister proves to be everything and more in Her Highland Destiny, and I think that is what bothered me the most about this story.  He was too perfect.   Perhaps, he is so confident that he can overcome all things.  Who knows?  His main ‘weakness’ was in failing to secure his kinsman’s property from the English usurper king, Longshanks.   Everything about this story challenged my ability to believe in it, to feel it.  I realize that the Celtic women (and the ancient Picts) were warriors and fought beside their families on the battlefield.    How convenient that Kenna is glaringly of Scottish descent. 

Ms. Marshall uses a few plot twists to explain Kenna’s presence, which proves intriguing at first.  A lot is easily explained or dismissed.  There are elements where I felt that Iain would have a difficult time accepting Kenna on her terms.  Kenna seems to take things in stride, and the argument could be that she is a soldier first, able to adapt to anything.  The build up to where they consummate their passion is good but it didn’t knock my socks off either.