Books – Book Review – The Return of the Black Douglas – Elaine Coffman

This book was sent to me courtesy of Sourcebooks.


A new genre is emerging in the historical romance novels: people traveling back to the Highlands of Scotland.


Elizabeth Douglas is there , doing genealogical research, instead of being on her honeymoon. Her fiancé decided he wasn’t ready to marry her.

Despite having degrees in anthropology, Elizabeth was a romantic at heart. Her twin Isobella, on the other hand, was logical and clinical; she was about to complete her medical residency at Johns Hopkins.

They are transported to the past in the same location to the early 1500s, but they don’t realize it at first. When Alysandir Mackinnon, the head of his clan, sees Elizabeth walking around in shorts and a blouse, he just couldn’t believe his eyes.

Elizabeth is really enjoying her time in the past. As an anthropologist, there is a treasure trove for her to find

The funniest part happens when Elizabeth is trying to prove that she is from the 21st century. She shows Alysandir a movie trailer of Braveheart from her Iphone. He points out what is historically incorrect. Elizabeth also tries to speak an English that has less of the Romance language influences, so that no one is asking her what she is saying.

Elizabeth does long to return to her time. She wants a shower, she wants to brush her teeth, and she wants to be able to read books, activities that are not so common in the 16th century.

The novel has good historical information, that was fun to learn. But as much as enjoyed reading this novel, I still don’t want to live in those times.