Winners Stirling, 2 Scots, Match in Heaven and Replacement

CONGRATULATIONS

to Winners!

Scots/Highland Giveaway: TWO Books - THREE Winners.

The Brunette Librarian, mamabunny13 and wanda f

Giveaway 2 Copies of Match Made in Heaven by Shari MacDonald

There were three entrants and I happen to have three books so each of you get one. :-)

Linda K, mamabunny13 and Krystal

Guest Post and Giveaway by Lisa Renee Jones

Mary

 Replacement Winner

 Giveaway Turning Up the Heat from Forever Romance - Two books and Three Winners.

 

Michele

ALL WINNERS please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form so I can mail the books out and let Publishers know to mail books to winners.  Please reply within 72 hours! 

Book Review: Highland Hero by Amanda Scott

This has sweet romance in a story rich with history and intrigue.
Highland Hero
By Amanda Scott

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446574309
• ISBN-13: 978-0446574303

     Genre:  Historical Romance (heavy on historical)
     My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Series: Scottish Knights | Publication Date: October 1, 2011
LADY IN DISGUISE
Lady Marsi Cargill refuses to marry a man who wants her land rather than her love. To escape her arranged betrothal, she disguises her noble lineage and accompanies her young cousin--the future King of Scots--on a secret journey across the Highlands. Their guide is a mysterious knight known only as Hawk. Heat flares between the beautiful maid and the brooding warrior, but when Marsi's true identity is revealed, Hawk's desire gives way to fury...

KNIGHT AT THE READY
Summoned by the King to guard his son, Sir Ivor "Hawk" Mackintosh now has two royals to protect. This daring, willful woman has invaded Hawk's every thought, and laid siege to his heart. Soon the solitary soldier is yearning for a life with Marsi at his side and in his bed. But as their passion grows, so too does the danger surrounding them. Powerful enemies watch their every move, and to survive, Hawk and Marsi must fight for Scotland's future-as well as their own new-found love.

Review: Hawk is a surprising hero to a child and a damsel in distress.

Marsi is a character who grew on me. She is a Royal ward so it is not so surprising that she is rather spoiled and accustomed to her own way.  The Queen has died leaving her week husband in command. The youngest son, eight year old James, will be sent away to keep him from the hands of Albany who seeks to control the Kingdom, through manipulation if not through murder.  Marsi is James cousin and, to avoid an unwanted betrothal, she disguises herself as a nursery maid to hide with James and their nursery mistress. 

The King is afraid of Albany’s influence and has called upon Ivor, “Hawk”, to escort the young heir to safety. Hawk is attracted to the bright young woman and, considering her manners and saucy tongue, soon suspects that she is more than a maid. Marsi is cautious with Hawk but slowly finds herself trusting him and feeling safe - and other things - when near him.

Hawk is a stern character but kind, smart, trustworthy and a handsome Highlander to boot. Marsi is young, impulsive and spoiled but her strengths - smart, warm hearted, brave and beautiful - win out.  I liked how young James’ character is portrayed as arrogant but kind hearted. There is danger as the group travels through a countryside covered with enemies, spies and gossips.  I learned some interesting details about marital contracts in Scotland; also a sweet tidbit about the ring on the third finger.

I really enjoyed how the romance developed slowly, sweetly and with some irony but definite integrity.  The romantic scenes are sensual and a smaller feature within a story full of history and intrigue.  It read a little slower as I was keeping track of the noble politics. I like this more than I expected (I’m not sure what my reluctance was).  Now I want to go back and read the first in the series and look forward to the next one.

A Fav Quote:
"You will find me," she murmured, feeling warmth at the very thought of him.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing this book for review and giveaway.  Please see the review of The Sinner right before this one and look at the next post for the Giveaway post.

Book Review: The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

This is a Scottish Highlander romance with strong, sexy characters.

The Sinner (Return of the Highlanders 2)

by Margaret Mallory

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Original edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446583103
• ISBN-13: 978-0446583107

Genre:  Historical Romance (heavy on the romance)
My Rating:  3.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Series: Return of the Highlanders 2 | Publication Date: November 1, 2011

THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK 2
Four fearless warriors return to the Highlands to claim their lands and legacies. But all their trials on the battlefield can't prepare them for their greatest challenge yet: winning the hearts of four willful Scottish beauties.

IRRESISTIBLE DESIRE

Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty-and defiant ways.

Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex's past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?

Review:  There minds said they didn’t want to marry but their passion said something else.

Glynis was married to a Scottish oaf against her will. Within a few months she was disgusted by his open philandering and she left him after pointing a knife at his sensitive parts. Now she is set on avoiding another marriage. To escape her father’s efforts to find a new husband she decides to go to her mother’s family.  Glynis blackmails Alex to take her to Edinburgh since he is headed that way.

Alex has a reputation with the ladies and has no intention of settling down even when his clan leader is implying that an alliance would be helpful.  Before leaving home the local prophetess advises Alex that he will be called upon to help three women: one will bring danger, one will give him a surprising gift and the third will fulfill his deepest desires. Alex agrees to go to another clan to negotiate support but not a marriage alliance.  When he first meets Glynis she is disguised as a lumpish figure with red face marks that are slipping.  He finds her attempts to avoid attention very humorous. The second time he sees her he is awed by the beautiful nymph on the beach. Against his better judgment he agrees to escort her to Edinburgh.

As they travel together Alex is tortured by her temptations. Finally Glynis decides that before she becomes a celibate old maid she wants to have a quick affair with Alex.  The couple proceeds to have a passionate affair while each continues to claim they do not want to marry. Then they are put in a situation where they must marry. Glynis agrees that marrying Alex is better than alternatives but she she doesn’t trust him to be faithful.

I enjoyed the underlying story and I did like Glynis and Alex as strong, fun characters. However much of the book is steamy love scenes. I understand that the intimacy helps give depth to their relationship and creates conflict for the distrust issues, but it was too much sex action for me. Fortunately there was some intrigue and action and the whole story moved pretty quickly.  I still like the author’s writing and I like the series enough that I will try the next one in hopes that the plot substance out weighs the sexual scenes.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for providing this book for review and giveaway.  Please see the Giveaway post for two books - the next post after the second review of The Highlander Hero.

Blog Tour: The Great Scots & Highland Heat Nov 18-22

Do you love the Scots and Highlander stories? Here is your chance to learn about two new releases and maybe win both books! The tour schedule is below - check back 11/19 for my reviews and giveaway.

The

Great Scots & Highland Heat

Blog Tour with

Amanda Scott

and

Margaret Mallory

When Scotland’s Queen Annabella dies, her devastated niece, Lady Marsaili Cargill, takes charge of the seven-year-old prince James, who is second in line to the throne. But rumors abound that the King’s brother—the Duke of Albany—will stop at nothing to fulfill his ambition to govern Scotland. But before Marsi can help the young prince escape to the safety of St. Andrews Academy, she will need to confront the men seeking to use her—and accept the help of the King’s devoted master archer, Sir Ivor Mackintosh. With traitors and assassins all around, Marsi and Ivor must risk all for the little prince James, while hoping for a future that will allow their love to flourish.

HIGHLAND HERO
By Amanda Scott
ISBN: 978-0-446-57430-3
Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE
Available now in mass market

Alex MacDonald is known for his skill as a warrior, his prowess with women, and his vow to never take a wife. But now his chieftain has asked him to make the ultimate sacrifice: wed Glynis MacNeil, a lass famed throughout the Highlands for her exquisite beauty—and defiant ways. Familiar with heartbreak, Glynis refuses to fall for another handsome scoundrel. Yet when Alex’s past sins force an unlikely union, Glynis gives in to temptation and becomes his wife. Will their newfound passion be strong enough to fight the enemy that threatens their home, their clan, and their very lives?

THE SINNER
By Margaret Mallory
ISBN: 978-0-446-58310-7
Published by: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
Genre: FICTION, ROMANCE
Available November 1 in mass market

The Tour is November 18-22

Posting Date    Tour Participation    Blog URL
11/18/11    Review & Giveaway    http://blog.readaholic.info
11/18/11    Feature and Giveaway    http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/
11/18/11    Feature    http://www.dgr8mom.com/
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://www.justanothernewblog.com
11/18/11    Giveaway, Q&A    http://www.sosaloha.blogspot.com/
11/18/11    Interview      http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://asthepagesturn.blogspot.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://takingtimeformommy.com
11/18/11    Review, Interview, and Giveaway    mybookaddictionandmore.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://maryinhb.blogspot.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://bodicerippernovels.wordpress.com
11/18/11    Giveaway    http://hangingwithbells.blogspot.com/
11/18/11    Giveaway    www.lovetoreadforfun.com
11/19/11    Interview & Giveaway    http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
11/20/11    Giveaway    http://brokenteepee.com
11/20/11    Giveaway    http://thefictionenthusiast.blogspot.com
11/20/11    Review    http://saveyspender.com
11/20/11    Review    http://onebookshy.blogspot.com
11/21/11    Review, Interview, and Giveaway    http://www.seducedbyabook.com/
11/21/11    Giveaway    http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com
11/21/11    Other    marygramlich.blogspot.com
11/22/11    Giveaway    http://paranormalromanticsuspensereviews.blogspot.com
11/22/11    Review    www.BoekiesBookReviews.com
11/22/11    Review    http://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com
11/22/11    Giveaway    http://www.startingfreshnyc.com/2011/07/historical-romance-group-blog-tour.html