Raised by an aunt who was a time traveler, the heroine grew up learning old medicine and survival tactics from hundreds of years ago. Which comes in handy when she's thrust back in time via a funeral ritual. What's even more helpful is the fact that before she went to live with her aunt, she was a foster kid who frequently got into bar fights. So is becomes pretty apparent that she can handle herself in an altercation. She's immediately kidnapped by the hero who needs her, or rather her aunt, to use her visions of the future is inspire an Irish rebellion. They don't start off as friends-to say the least but what's always plainly obvious is the attraction between the two. Both characters are betrothal or engaged to another person but it's obvious that neither is a love match. The hero is marrying a wealthily girl for her dowry and her fathers business, while the heroine is marrying a dull, same accountant who won't push her past her comfort zones. The heroine has got to be the best female character I've read about is a very long time. She's very quick witted-both in a banter and in an argument but she's seriously stubborn. She's terrified to let anyone in so she's built these massive walls to protect herself. When they are attack but English after her escape and hero takes a beating in an attempt to save her, she immediately sees him to be a friend rather than an enemy and just like that, she's willing to stick by him. It's like anyone who is able to prove themselves to her gains unshakable loyalty. The hero is also amazing. He's just as quick and the two have such funny, eye opening conversations in the weeks spent traveling the wilds of Ireland. He's very charming and he doesn't hide the fact that he's a rake and will keep a mistress when he marries. But he isn't a grease ball, he's just a produce of his time. He gradually opens himself up to the heroine's modern way of thinking. The chemistry between the two characters are off the charts. I'm talking about HOT! When they're threaten discovery in the inn and must pretend to be having sex to hide themselves, the scene was like a bomb going off, I swear. It was full of so much passion that is surprises it. The love between the two characters was so grand and inspiring that you can only hope to find even a portion of it's like in your own life. Safe to say that I absolutely LOVED this book. ( )