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The Shadows #5
A Highland Christmas
Brianna didn't expect to find love in the Highlands…
Brianna O’Connor had been looking forward to spending Christmas in Spain with her friend, Susan. Instead, she found herself in her sister’s car heading for the Scottish Highlands to spend it with family she barely knew.
Andrew McKinnon had come to the Highlands to share Christmas, and a secret that was about to change his life forever, with his parents.
Surrounded by family thrust together by Brianna’s well-meaning brother, Daniel, Brianna and Andrew are attracted to each other, something Brianna had never expected would happen. Bruised and damaged as a teenager, can she now trust God to overcome her distrust of men and open her heart to this softly spoken handsome Scotsman?
A heart-warming Christmas story that can be read all year round, "A Highland Christmas" can be read as a stand-alone novel, or as the final book of the highly acclaimed “The Shadows Series”.
Brianna O’Connor had been looking forward to spending Christmas in Spain with her friend, Susan. Instead, she found herself in her sister’s car heading for the Scottish Highlands to spend it with family she barely knew.
Andrew McKinnon had come to the Highlands to share Christmas, and a secret that was about to change his life forever, with his parents.
Surrounded by family thrust together by Brianna’s well-meaning brother, Daniel, Brianna and Andrew are attracted to each other, something Brianna had never expected would happen. Bruised and damaged as a teenager, can she now trust God to overcome her distrust of men and open her heart to this softly spoken handsome Scotsman?
A heart-warming Christmas story that can be read all year round, "A Highland Christmas" can be read as a stand-alone novel, or as the final book of the highly acclaimed “The Shadows Series”.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 5, 2017
About the author
Juliette Duncan
98 books340 followersJuliette Duncan is a USA Today bestselling author of Christian romance stories that ‘touch the heart and soul’. She lives in Brisbane, Australia and writes Christian fiction that encourages a deeper faith in a world that seems to have lost its way. Most of her stories include an element of romance, but the main love story in each of her books is always God's amazing, unconditional love for His wayward children.
Juliette and her husband enjoy spending time with their five adult children and eleven grandchildren, When not writing, Juliette and her husband I love exploring the wonderful world we live in.
Please feel free to contact Juliette by email (author@julietteduncan.com) or via Facebook.
Juliette and her husband enjoy spending time with their five adult children and eleven grandchildren, When not writing, Juliette and her husband I love exploring the wonderful world we live in.
Please feel free to contact Juliette by email (author@julietteduncan.com) or via Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 29, 2017
While this is the 5th book in the Shadow Series, you do not need to have read the first books in order to read and enjoy this book. A quick easy read. I enjoyed reading this book. While it was a romance book, I love that it is a clean romance. I would have no problem giving this book to my daughters/students/nieces.
A family of 10 kids, that were separated when their mom died. They were farmed out in groups of 2 or so to different relatives. Now they are reuniting at Christmas many years later. Several are married and have children. This particular book mainly focuses on Brianna's life but other family members are included and their storyline is continued.
A family of 10 kids, that were separated when their mom died. They were farmed out in groups of 2 or so to different relatives. Now they are reuniting at Christmas many years later. Several are married and have children. This particular book mainly focuses on Brianna's life but other family members are included and their storyline is continued.
November 4, 2017
I loved this book. The author weaves the story and draws you into the feelings and actions of the characters until you feel you have been there with them. As all of Juliette’s books, the situations are true to life, filled with emotions that we all deal with during our lives. The book is clean Christian romance with the struggles we face. (I received a free copy of this book. The review is strictly my personal opinion.)
October 29, 2017
Once again Juliette has written a book that holds the attention of the reader and leads the reader to the truth's of God's amazing care and love for people. This was one of my favorite books by Juliette. I definitely would recommend getting a copy of this book.
October 28, 2017
Another great book by this author! She always has God in her books which I love. There is also struggle, faith and romance in her books. Just really great books with a little bit of every emotion. Everyone should read this author!
December 21, 2019
Really wanted to like this one - because, I mean, it IS set in Scotland, so...! A Highland Christmas is the fifth book in the series, but is said to work as a standalone, too. Unfortunately, I don't think it does. There's WAY too many characters, and I feel like the people the back cover copy reads about (the love story I assumed would BE the story) become lost in the shuffle.
For me, I also found too much of the story repeating itself, but that could just be me, too.
Content note: This one is "clean," but does mention rape, which may be a sensitive subject for some readers.
For me, I also found too much of the story repeating itself, but that could just be me, too.
Content note: This one is "clean," but does mention rape, which may be a sensitive subject for some readers.
December 23, 2017
`A Highland Christmas` is a Christian woman's fiction book based at Christmas time by Juliette Duncan. It is book 5 in `The Shadows Series`. There are 5 books total in this series and it is not necessary to read the other books to enjoy this one. The ebook I reviewed is an ARC.
The setting is Glasgow, Scotland, December 1988 (My husband and I had only been married a few months). Brianna, the female protagonist, was preparing to spend Christmas with her family in the Scottish Highlands.
The characters seemed real to me. The siblings haven't seen each other for years. (my siblings and I only get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year we won't get together at all) After not seeing each other for so long would they get along with each other? My favorite character was Andrew, the male protagonist because he was kind, understanding, and really cared about Brianna.
My favorite part of the story was when Andrew was teaching Brianna how to snow ski. It seemed realistic and each time Brianna fell I could imagine her embarrassment. It's interesting that we learn the most about ourselves at the places that are the most challenging.
I recommend this book to readers who like good, clean romance stories.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free ARC copy of this ebook. All opinions are my own."
The setting is Glasgow, Scotland, December 1988 (My husband and I had only been married a few months). Brianna, the female protagonist, was preparing to spend Christmas with her family in the Scottish Highlands.
The characters seemed real to me. The siblings haven't seen each other for years. (my siblings and I only get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year we won't get together at all) After not seeing each other for so long would they get along with each other? My favorite character was Andrew, the male protagonist because he was kind, understanding, and really cared about Brianna.
My favorite part of the story was when Andrew was teaching Brianna how to snow ski. It seemed realistic and each time Brianna fell I could imagine her embarrassment. It's interesting that we learn the most about ourselves at the places that are the most challenging.
I recommend this book to readers who like good, clean romance stories.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free ARC copy of this ebook. All opinions are my own."
November 6, 2017
Wouldn’t it be fun to spend Christmas in the Highlands? Go there, with this book!
Brianna heads for the Highlands, when she’d rather be going to Spain with her friend, for Christmas! But, after meeting Andrew, she is wondering if maybe she can fall in love, despite her past. There is some suspense as well as romance, and it is a book that is hard to put down for longer than a few minutes. I love how Juliette Duncan writes, making me feel like I am standing there, watching the action! And, the Highlands setting adds to that! I highly recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I was given an advanced copy of the book, from the author. I wasn’t required to leave a review, but am glad to give my honest opinion of it! I might add that some think it is hard to follow, if they haven't read the previous books; but, I disagree. There are enough details to satisfy the needed backgrounds for the central characters.
Brianna heads for the Highlands, when she’d rather be going to Spain with her friend, for Christmas! But, after meeting Andrew, she is wondering if maybe she can fall in love, despite her past. There is some suspense as well as romance, and it is a book that is hard to put down for longer than a few minutes. I love how Juliette Duncan writes, making me feel like I am standing there, watching the action! And, the Highlands setting adds to that! I highly recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I was given an advanced copy of the book, from the author. I wasn’t required to leave a review, but am glad to give my honest opinion of it! I might add that some think it is hard to follow, if they haven't read the previous books; but, I disagree. There are enough details to satisfy the needed backgrounds for the central characters.
March 26, 2018
This well-done story by Juliette Duncan is truly a Christmas filled with love, possible tragedies and surprises for all, and not just in the wrapped gifts. When large families get together for Christmas, one can generally expect some surprises and this bunch from broken and divided families are no different - from the preachers to the jailbirds. The story really warms up nicely when sweet Brianna, with a sad and broken past of her own, meets up with handsome Andrew, who also has a past unknown to his family and friends.
This author does an amazing job with her editing and her story telling and I gladly recommend this book to young teens all the way up to the aging grandma's. It's a delightful read!
This author does an amazing job with her editing and her story telling and I gladly recommend this book to young teens all the way up to the aging grandma's. It's a delightful read!
January 1, 2018
First, let me say that while this can be read as a stand-alone, I think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the other books. While things are somewhat explained (there’s only so much room to recap), I felt as if I was missing a few threads to the characters personal stories.
Author Juliette Duncan did a good job with character formation. You feel the emotions from each one as they work through challenges. True to life and clean, this story still handles the realities we all face, along with the love and forgiveness of Jesus woven throughout.
A wonderful Christmas read, I recommend it!
A received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Author Juliette Duncan did a good job with character formation. You feel the emotions from each one as they work through challenges. True to life and clean, this story still handles the realities we all face, along with the love and forgiveness of Jesus woven throughout.
A wonderful Christmas read, I recommend it!
A received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
January 4, 2018
I haven't read books 1-4 of the series, but the info during the story can help a lot to know the past of the huge family and not annoy the reader:
the book ia easy to read as stand-alone book, but I'm curios to read all the other 4 books, love story!
What about this book? the story is simple and well written: a Christmas meeting and a big Thank-you for God to be blessed to be all together again.
All the characters seem real, because they have all their own features, past, think.
it seems to be there with them in Elim Community, chatting and playing, enjoing the time.
the little Clare i so sweatheart ! when she speaks, I'm almost in tears, so lovely!
the book ia easy to read as stand-alone book, but I'm curios to read all the other 4 books, love story!
What about this book? the story is simple and well written: a Christmas meeting and a big Thank-you for God to be blessed to be all together again.
All the characters seem real, because they have all their own features, past, think.
it seems to be there with them in Elim Community, chatting and playing, enjoing the time.
the little Clare i so sweatheart ! when she speaks, I'm almost in tears, so lovely!
January 31, 2018
Juliette Duncan’s fifth in a series.
I First of all, I love Juliette Duncan’s books. So far I’ve enjoyed everyone I’ve read.
I was so impressed with the families coming together. Lizzie’s parents were there. And her father has come down off his perch. Her Mother had come around some time ago. Daniels brothers and sisters were there, even the one that spends so much time in jail. What a good guy. When Brianna got married they were there. Even the one that gets in trouble so often. I do think the rest are rubbing off on him and he’s finding God. I really connect to the people in her books. I feel like I know them.
I First of all, I love Juliette Duncan’s books. So far I’ve enjoyed everyone I’ve read.
I was so impressed with the families coming together. Lizzie’s parents were there. And her father has come down off his perch. Her Mother had come around some time ago. Daniels brothers and sisters were there, even the one that spends so much time in jail. What a good guy. When Brianna got married they were there. Even the one that gets in trouble so often. I do think the rest are rubbing off on him and he’s finding God. I really connect to the people in her books. I feel like I know them.
May 4, 2018
Real life stories
I totally enjoyed The Shadow Series. Juliette Duncan has a way of telling the most complex real life stories and showing how God can intervene when we allow His love and His grace to comfort us. I'm not going to lie, the heart wrenching stories in this series had me in tears many time, but I rejoiced when one by one as several characters came to the saving knowledge of God's love accepting His perfect gift of Jesus as a loving savior. And furthermore I long to visit England, Ireland, and Scotland after reading this series. Thank you Juliette Duncan for allowing God to use your skills so masterfully!
I totally enjoyed The Shadow Series. Juliette Duncan has a way of telling the most complex real life stories and showing how God can intervene when we allow His love and His grace to comfort us. I'm not going to lie, the heart wrenching stories in this series had me in tears many time, but I rejoiced when one by one as several characters came to the saving knowledge of God's love accepting His perfect gift of Jesus as a loving savior. And furthermore I long to visit England, Ireland, and Scotland after reading this series. Thank you Juliette Duncan for allowing God to use your skills so masterfully!
December 24, 2018
sweat story for all the seasons!
I haven't read books 1-4 of the series, but the info during the story can help a lot to know the past of the huge family and not annoy the reader:
the book ia easy to read as stand-alone book, but I'm curios to read all the other 4 books, love story!
What about this book? the story is simple and well written: a Christmas meeting and a big Thank-you for God to be blessed to be all together again.
All the characters seem real, because they have all their own features, past, think.
it seems to be there with them in Elim Community, chatting and playing, enjoing the time.
the little Clare i so sweatheart ! when she speaks, I'm almost in tears, so lovely!
I haven't read books 1-4 of the series, but the info during the story can help a lot to know the past of the huge family and not annoy the reader:
the book ia easy to read as stand-alone book, but I'm curios to read all the other 4 books, love story!
What about this book? the story is simple and well written: a Christmas meeting and a big Thank-you for God to be blessed to be all together again.
All the characters seem real, because they have all their own features, past, think.
it seems to be there with them in Elim Community, chatting and playing, enjoing the time.
the little Clare i so sweatheart ! when she speaks, I'm almost in tears, so lovely!
November 7, 2017
A Highland Christmas mixes the Christmas season with the ups and downs of family visits, redemption, forgiveness and acceptance. A family who was separated because of parental death comes together for the Christmas Holiday and finds new connections to one another and some of them find God's love as well through the love of their siblings. A young man finds the woman he wants to spend his life with but then has to tell her his secret and also face disappointing his parents. Well written with lots of characters. I did not read the others in the series first but am going back to read them all!
November 29, 2017
A Highland Christmas is a sweet Christmas read about siblings who were separated into two groups after their parents’ deaths. Most of them have had troubled lives at some point. They are now reuniting for the Christmas holiday at a shelter in the Highlands of Scotland. You will enjoy this creative story of love and how some of the siblings reconnect and discover the true meaning of Christmas. I received a complimentary advance copy of A Highland Christmas from the author. This is my honest opinion.
December 27, 2017
A Highland Christmas is book 5 in "The Shadows Series". I have read this one first and you can read it as a stand alone. Brianna O'Conner had plan to go away this year for Christmas and miss all the family drama. But she ends up going her family. Being abused as a young girl has turned her not to trust men. So how can she be attracted to this handsome Scotsman? Pass secrets coming out that can change his life forever? Will Brianna still like him after she finds out? Wonderful story. Loved the characters and it is well written.
November 2, 2017
Juliette Duncan can be counted on to deliver a well written, clean story. This 5th in the Shadows series follows another sibling of Daniel's. I love how his siblings are coming to know Jesus, one at a time, in each of these books. Not preachy in the least but believable characters struggling with real life situations. Highly recommend.
I received an Advance Reader Copy without the expectation of a favorable review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received an Advance Reader Copy without the expectation of a favorable review. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 6, 2017
Brianna is spending Christmas with all of her siblings. She meets her mentors son Andrew and they are both instantly attracted to each other. Brianna has had such hurt in her life but is now relying on the Lord's grace to overcome her past and move forward. Andrew is such a sweet guy. Enjoyed seeing characters from previous books. A beautiful cover and a great romance with several storylines. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Hoping there is one.
November 15, 2017
Brianna and Andrews story is truly remarkable. Watching these two will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. The characters in this story are all very special people. You will feel God working throughout this whole book. I had the honor to review this book for the author for a honest review. I would give this book a higher rating than a five star review if I could. Juliette Duncan is a amazing author.
November 20, 2017
Great Christian Romance
The characters were lovable, and believable. The story was fast paced.
I was sad that Brianna and Andrew went from dating to marrying so quickly. I would have enjoyed reading more of thier dating lives first.
The characters aren't perfect, but that is what makes them more real.
All in all a great read.
The characters were lovable, and believable. The story was fast paced.
I was sad that Brianna and Andrew went from dating to marrying so quickly. I would have enjoyed reading more of thier dating lives first.
The characters aren't perfect, but that is what makes them more real.
All in all a great read.
December 14, 2017
I enjoyed this updated story about Brianna & the other characters I met in secrets & sacrifice. Brianna has definitely come a long way from her past & drug addiction. So thankful for this story of how GOD works bad things for good. And His mercy never changes. And being reminded again how much GOD wants a relationship with us.
February 13, 2018
Sad to see the series end.
There's only one thing I would change about this book and that would be that it would not be the last one in this series. I'd love to see what happens with the rest of the siblings. One of the best sets of books I've read in a long time and so very spiritually impactful.
There's only one thing I would change about this book and that would be that it would not be the last one in this series. I'd love to see what happens with the rest of the siblings. One of the best sets of books I've read in a long time and so very spiritually impactful.
June 10, 2018
A time for connecting!
This whole series has been a blessing to read! The whole family came together for Christmas and they were brought closer together from everything they went through. A few surprises and a lot of love made this book a great read. Juliette Duncan is a wonderful writer!
This whole series has been a blessing to read! The whole family came together for Christmas and they were brought closer together from everything they went through. A few surprises and a lot of love made this book a great read. Juliette Duncan is a wonderful writer!
December 21, 2019
I enjoyed this story of family coming together for Christmas--with their differences as well as their love. And, of course, the sweet romance that kept the story going through all its ups and downs. I think I jumped in the middle of the series and must go back to Book 1 in The Shadows Series to learn more about these interesting characters. I highly recomend this sweet and clean book.
April 25, 2023
The Shadows Trilogy from Juliette Duncan isva well-written clean romance based on Christian principles. It's a series lots of depth and faith building. The characters are true to life and you get to know them well. The story is a moving and captivating one which is engaging till the end. The only pity is that the series is finished.
October 30, 2017
A gripping and yet realistic story of falling in love while overcoming past failures and pains. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I would have benefited from reading the previous books in the series to better grasp the relationships between the characters. Still an awesome read.
December 19, 2017
The Love of God
This series challenged my own life. How sad it was to follow the darkness & despair of these orphaned kids lives. But oh how amazing was it to watch the grace of God unravel their lives from despair to hope & love.
This series challenged my own life. How sad it was to follow the darkness & despair of these orphaned kids lives. But oh how amazing was it to watch the grace of God unravel their lives from despair to hope & love.
January 3, 2018
Christmas
I love Juliette books, they are so true to life , although I'm in my 70s it's lovely to see how God works in changing people. Turning past experiences to work for good. I have now read all the Shadows Series & loved every one.
I love Juliette books, they are so true to life , although I'm in my 70s it's lovely to see how God works in changing people. Turning past experiences to work for good. I have now read all the Shadows Series & loved every one.
February 11, 2018
I really loved this series of books.
I laughed and cried at times. The characters are so human and real. One of the best Christian series of books I have ever read. Couldn't put them down till I had finished each one.
I laughed and cried at times. The characters are so human and real. One of the best Christian series of books I have ever read. Couldn't put them down till I had finished each one.
December 27, 2018
Changes
Good characters going through changes in the highlands. Great setting at Christmas time in the highlands. The plot or should I say mini plots kept you reading without setting the book down.
Good characters going through changes in the highlands. Great setting at Christmas time in the highlands. The plot or should I say mini plots kept you reading without setting the book down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews