Her father dies, her boyfriend dumps her and she moves to Maryland to become a golf pro. But Mechi's life is about to change. One minute she is about to give a golf lesson to Liz Stewart in Aberdeen, Maryland. And the next thing she knows, she is coming to on some guy's lap. On a golf course. In Aberdeen. Scotland. In 1561.

And what is Mechi doing in Aberdeen, Scotland? She is meeting Mary Queen of Scots and James, Lord Darnley, battling anthrax, tangling with royal plots and falling in love with R-r-r-r-r-obert Keith, the Viscount of Kintore, and the man of her dreams.

Now here's where it gets a little confusing; Mechi decides she is going to save Mary Queen of Scots from Lord Darnley's plots because Darnley is in cahoots with Elizabeth I of England. Mechi herself is related through her mother to Lord Darnley. Eventually we found out the relationship is through a bastard of Darnley's so that Mechi's interference does not jeopardize her own existence. Is it Queen Elizabeth's magic amulet that brought her to this time? Is there a job she has been sent back in time to complete, or is it simply her fate to be with Robert Keith? To say any more would spoil the story.

Ms. Smith has written a comic mystery time-travel romance, which playfully introduces elements of contemporary culture to the sixteenth century. I am impressed with the extensive historical research Ms. Smith must have completed resulting in her using the correct spellings of Stewart/Stuart. Mary Queen of Scots was born a Stewart, but in France became Stuart (French spelling because France at the time had no "w"), married Darnley and became Stewart again, but after his death, reassumed the French spelling Stuart because of Darnley's unpopularity. Now, how many people know that? Entertaining read if at times a bit heavy on sixteenth century politics.

Reviewed By Allie B
© July 2004