There is no force greater than a strong woman's will-not even time itself.


686 AD


She is a woman ahead of her time.


As the sister of the powerful King of the Picts, Murielle Mac Cuill is expected to marry strategically. Clan feuds threaten their borders, and Murielle understands her duty: she must marry a rival king to solidify peace. But when every king falls short of meeting expectations, Murielle dares to pursue the man she truly desires. Her brother and her guard both found happiness with travelers from the future. Now, it's her turn.


Since the day Samuel stepped onto their land-and into their time-Murielle has been drawn to him and his tales of the future. She is strong-willed, curious, outspoken, and intelligent-an unfortunate combination of attributes for a woman to possess in her era. But Samuel respects her free spirit, and Murielle is determined to marry him and live in 2023... until the day an unexpected visitor arrives from the south. His name is Aldfrith, King of the Britons, and much to Murielle's dismay, he's a perfect marriage match. A union between the Picts and their southern rivals would lay generations of feuding to rest. He's handsome, intelligent, and progressive. His only flaw is the one Murielle cannot accept: he isn't Samuel Sullivan.


He is a man trapped by time.


Archaeologist Samuel Sullivan has been stuck in the same time loop for more lives than he can count. In every lifetime, he is born remembering his duty: he must unite the warring Celtic clans so they will one day form a united Scotland. He always succeeds at achieving peace, but does he ever succeed at finding love? Cruelly, he has no memory beyond saving the timeline, and pursuing the woman he desires may destroy everything. His love for the king's sister is dangerous, for she must marry a king, and he cannot intervene.


When Murielle runs out of proper suiters, Samuel allows himself to hope for a future with her-until King Aldfrith arrives. Regarded as prosperous, fair, and revolutionary, King Aldfrith may be the Pict's greatest chance at securing peace with their southern neighbors. If Murielle is meant to marry King Aldfith, Samuel must walk away to prevent destroying all he's worked hard to create... even if leaving means destroying his chance at happiness.


Bereft and brokenhearted, Samuel returns to 2023, desperate to focus on work and move forward without Murielle. But Murielle will not simply let him walk away from the life they both want. If he insists on returning to his time, she will follow him to the future. Is Murielle Mac Cuill prepared for the year 2023?


Is the year 2023 prepared for Murielle Mac Cuill?


Pict by Time
Where the Thistle Grows
Where the Stars Lead
Where the Ocean Ends