Review & Giveaway: The Hunter by Monica McCarty

The Hunter
(Highland Guard, #7)
By: Monica McCarty
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: June 25, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating:

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Prized for his unbeatable tracking skills, Ewen “Hunter” Lamont accepts a dangerous assignment: locate a missing undercover courier. But this is no ordinary target. Ewen has met his prey before as “Sister Genna,” a fiery, forbidden woman forever etched in his memory after one stolen, sinful kiss. Now that he knows her real identity, he’s more determined than ever to keep her safe. But without the protection of the veil between them, fighting the allure of the beautiful lass may be the toughest battle this extraordinary warrior has ever faced.

After her ill-fated attempt three years ago to rescue her twin sister, Janet of Mar has found salvation acting as a royal messenger—until she surrenders to a darkly handsome warrior whose rough, sensual kisses stir feelings the woman in her can’t deny. But when betrayal leads to danger, and a crucial communiqué is put in jeopardy, Janet has no choice but to put her faith in the hunter who can find anything—perhaps even her heart.

I'm a fan of this series. I've read 4 books from it so far (all out of order) and highly enjoyed every one of them. I love that the stories can be read out of order because their individual stories don't build throughout the books. However, the story of King Robert the Bruce does develop throughout the books but these stories primarily focus on the main characters with the Bruce in the background.

Janet has been disguising herself as a nun to not only hide from the English but to pass messages to King Robert the Bruce about what the English are up to. It isn't until she ends up with 2 warriors for bodyguards that things seem to go downhill. She finds herself in more hot water with them around then when she was on her own.

When Ewen was tasked with escorting the nun safely to deliver her message, he had no idea that the nun he kissed was non other than Janet, Lady of Mar. She's also the presumed dead sister of one of his brethren wives of the Highland Guard. He's upset that not only had he thought he committed a grave sin by kissing a nun (and she never corrected him) but King Robert the Bruce is allowing her to be in danger every day so that she can be a courier while everyone else presumes her dead, even her sister. However, now that he knows that she's not a nun, he can make her his but the Bruce squashes his hope. He has intended to have Janet marry the son of the man who took Ewen in. With loyalty like that, Ewen will do everything in his power to bring back Janet so that she can wed another man.

I really liked these characters. Both of them were strong characters in the regards that neither bowed down easily to orders. They liked to be in control and take charge. Neither are used to being told what to do, and that is exactly what goes on here. Ewen decides not to tell Janet about the plans that the Bruce has for her, so she's under the illusion that she can pick up with Ewen where they left off before with the kiss. So throughout the book there is a lot of sexual tension. There is also a lot of action as well. Janet and Ewen are being chased throughout the entire book. Ewen of course with his warrior looks, stands out like a sore thumb and his way with words, or lack there of, doesn't help him blend in either. So, there was never a dull moment in the story.

I will definitely be continuing the series as well as going back and reading the books that I missed. I'm a suck for highlander books and this one is no exception. I usually lose interest in a series by the 3rd book but this one is fresh and new with every book. 

"Are we talking loud enough for you, wife? I wouldn't want you to miss any of our private conversation.", Robert said, looking up. His expression was chastising, but his eyes were soft as they fell upon his wife.

Margaret didn't miss a beat. "That is quite considerate of you, Robert. I'm sure it is all beyond my poor woman's, understanding, but if you could speak a little louder that might help."

Her eyes danced as she leaned down and whispered to Janet, "Although I 'd hardly qualify the exchange of a few words and the occasional grunt a conversation. I don't know which one of them is worse."



Previous reviews from Highland Guard
The Chief
The Hawk
The Recruit

 What do you get when you mix a legal career, a baseball career, motherhood, and a love of history with a voracious reader? In my case, a Historical Romance Author.

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Review: Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

Highlander Most Wanted
(The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)
By: Maya Banks
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: March 19, 2013
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating:



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In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

My thoughts...
In the last book we met Graime and Eveline but in Highlander Most Wanted we meet Graime's younger brother Bowen. Even though this book involves two different main characters, I recommend reading the books in succession. There is a lot that takes place in the last book that rolls over into this one. It had been a while since I read the first book and it took me a few minutes to get my bearings before I remembered what had happened previously.

Even though I didn't like the heroine as much as the last, I still found Genevieve to be interesting and complex. She was abducted on the way to her betrothal and was raped and forced to be a whore by her captor. She's looked down upon and abused by pretty much everyone in the clan. She's learned to don a blank mask and shut herself out to those around her but when Bowen comes riding in to take over the clan's land, she finds herself slowly softening towards him.

Bowen was a great hero in my opinion. He comes into the keep, guns blazing ready for a fight, only to find the Laird of the clan has deserted his people. Not only that but he stumbles across a woman who's been sorely abused by both the Laird's son and the people of the clan. He immediately takes her safety upon himself and sees to make sure that she doesn't come to further harm from the other clan members. However, there is more to her story than originally thought and he finds himself battling family, loyalty and his heart.

Neither of these characters were simple, nor was the story. There is a lot that takes place in this story and I liked that Graime and Eveline make an appearance. However, I felt like some of the drama that takes place was unnecessary. At one point Bowen believes that Genevieve was a willing whore and is quick to judge her. Of course the truth comes out and he feels horrible for his assumptions but he seemed to have done that a lot. He would think poorly on certain things when it came to Genevieve when he didn't have all of the facts. Needless to say, there were a few times where I just wanted to yell at him.

I loved seeing the characters from the last book and it seems like we will continue to see them throughout the series. I can't wait to find out who stars in the next book.  

Favorite quote...
"The most unlikely of champions, and the most unlikely woman to inspire a man to champion her cause. She was naught but a scarred whore, and he was so handsome that he turned heads wherever he went." 

 

Review & Excerpt: It Stings So Sweet by Stephanie Draven

It Stings So Sweet
By: Stephanie Draven
Publisher: Berkley
Published: Feb. 5, 2013
Genre: Historical Erotic Romance
Rating:


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They vibrated with incendiary Jazz. They teemed with sexual abandon.
The Twenties were roaring and the women—young, open, rebellious, and willing—set the pace and pushed the limits with every man they met… In the aftermath of a wild, liquor-soaked party, three women from very different social classes are about to live out their forbidden desires.

Society girl, Nora Richardson's passionate nature has always been a challenge to her ever-patient husband. Now he wants out of the marriage and she has just this one night to win him back. The catch? He wants to punish her for her bad behavior. Nora is offended by her husband's increasingly depraved demands, but as the night unfolds, she discovers her own true nature and that the line between pain and pleasure is very thin indeed.

Meanwhile, Clara Cartwright, sultry siren of the silent screen, is introduced to a mysterious WWI Flying Ace. If Clara, darling of the scandal sheets, knows anything, it’s men. And she’s known plenty. But none of them push her boundaries like the aviator, who lures her into a ménage with a stranger in a darkened cinema then steals her jaded heart.

Working class girl Sophie O'Brien has more important things on her mind than pleasures of the flesh. But when her playboy boss, the wealthy heir to the Aster family fortune, confronts her with her diary of secret sex fantasies, she could die of shame. To her surprise, he doesn't fire her; instead, he dares her to re-enact her boldest fantasies and Sophie is utterly seduced.

One party serves as a catalyst of sexual awakening. And in an age when anything goes, three women discover that anything is possible

At home, from the safe height of my fancy penthouse apartment with its gilded furniture and velvet drapes, I find my stash in the sideboard and pour myself a shot of hooch. Downing it too quickly, I cough at the burn. Then I wipe my lips and hurriedly hide the evidence of my distress only moments before the doorman brings me the red roses and the note attached.

The man who sent them is waiting downstairs.

“Can’t you shoo him away, Charlie?”

“He’s not the sort to be given the bum’s rush, madam,” the doorman replies.

No, I don’t suppose he is. Leo Vanderberg has come at the worst time, but I find that I want to see him. Maybe the reckless aviator is just the tonic I need. “Alright, send him up. Wait fifteen minutes, then have the car brought around, won’t you?”

The penthouse, the doorman, and the driver are all perks of being a kept woman. I can afford without Teddy Morgan’s generosity, of course. But like I said before, I never turn down a gift. The days when I was clawing for crumbs in a cold one-bedroom apartment are over, but I haven’t forgotten them and I’m never going back.

When I hear the aviator’s footsteps in the hall, my pulse quickens. I can see his lean body in my mind’s eye, and those dark looks, hot and heavy. I still remember what he whispered in my ear, and it makes me a little shaky to think of it. I don’t have to guess what he wants.

When he comes in, I don’t turn around right away. “Why, Mr. Vanderberg, I didn’t expect to see you again so soon, much less bearing gifts,” I say, arranging the roses so that blooms are on fine display. I have to admit, their perfume lifts my spirits. “Are you falling in love with me?”

“Of course not. That would ruin the whole arrangement.”

I want to turn around and look him in the eye, but I don’t. “What arrangement would that be?”

“The one where I’m planning to debauch you and you’re planning to let me.”

My lips part in amusement. “I’m afraid I was thoroughly debauched long ago.”

“I’d like to test that—” He catches his breath when I finally turn from the mirror. He has both hands in his pockets, a languid slope to his shoulders, a snappy hat shadowing his face, but he can’t hide his surprise.

And his wide-eyed astonishment makes me laugh. “What’s the matter, Ace? Haven’t you ever seen a girl without powder on her nose before?”

“I—I just . . . I just need a second to get used to it, is all.”

“Is my skirt too long, my hat too wide, or don’t you recognize me without my war paint?”

“You look younger . . .”

“Like a farm-fresh freckled milkmaid? Like a sweet daisy ready to be plucked from a field?”

He shrugs. “Something like that.”

“Well, don’t let the baby face fool you. I only go out like this when I don’t want anyone to recognize me.”

“You’re Clara Cartwright. Why the devil wouldn’t you want anyone to recognize you?”

There is nothing I can do but lie. “Because, I’m going to a matinee at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. I can’t go there looking like myself. My handprints are in the concrete forecourt right next to Charlie Chaplin’s. I’d spend the whole afternoon signing autographs.”

He smirks. “Must be hard to be you.”

“Positively a trial.”

He’s still smirking—and I see it’s his natural expression, as if he has the utmost contempt for the whole world. “If you’re going to the matinee, Clara, let me take you. My treat.”

My voice is low and husky with regret. “I’m not interested, Mr. Vanderberg.”

“Yes you are. And like I said before, you can call me Leo.”

“I haven’t decided if I want to be on a first-name basis. At the party I got the impression you weren’t just another wet blanket . . . you seemed reckless. A little bit dangerous. But flowers and a movie? Rather conventional, wouldn’t you say?”

“The courtship’s for your benefit, doll, not mine.” Then he leans in and everything turns deadly serious. “See, it’s like this. When you’re in bed with me, squirming in embarrassment for all the filthy things you’ve let me do to you, it should comfort you to remember that I did court you as a lady . . . even though I intend to treat you as anything but.”

This book contains 3 separate but entwined stories. Some characters from the main story make appearances in the others and everything always comes back to the party that started it all.


Love Me or Leave Me
Nora and Jonathan are on the brink of a divorce due to Nora kissing another man. Jonathan is livid and when Nora claims that she'll do whatever he wants to prove that she loves him, he has her dance with other men at the party to see if he can figure out who the mystery man is. But when he finds out who that guy is, he punches the guy which starts a fight.

I must say that I wasn't overly sympathetic to Nora. She was spoiled and well, I'm not a huge fan of cheating. However, towards the end of the story I was rooting for them.


When I'm Bad I'm Better
Clara is a big name movie star. The party that takes place is in honor of her. She's not one for serious relationships. In fact she's content to be the mistress to the biggest pocket. Leo has admired her on screen well before they met. He actually has a sex tape that she starred in. In fact, Clara would like nothing more than destroy the tape and forget about it. However, Leo has other plans. If Clara lets Leo take the reigns on her sex life for a little while he will give her back the tape.

Leo and Clara were interesting characters. Leo knew how to push Clara to new limits and always seemed to know what she'd like. Their exploration of each other was an interesting read. I must admit that I wasn't a whole fan of the blackmailing that takes place in the beginning but once Leo started to show his feelings towards her, it lessened the blow.


Let's Misbehave
Sophie's boss calls her into his office to discuss something that's been brought to his attention. Her fantasy diary was confiscated from her work locker. However, instead of reprimanding her, Robert suggest they play a game. They will act out the fantasies in her diary.

Robert was in all three stories and it was nice to see him get his own story. Their encounter is innocent and a lot slower moving than the previous two. However, it doesn't take long for things to heat up.  


Considering that I'm not a short stories person, I really enjoyed this. I think it helped that all the stories were intertwined, so we got to meet the characters before their stories began. Even though a couple of the circumstances were less than ideal, I still really enjoyed the book as a whole. Since it is 3 short stories, there isn't a lot of filler. The author gets right down to business, sometimes quite literally, with her writing. This is a great story for anyone who is a fan of romance and novellas containing a bit of smut.

"I hope your list numbers in the hundreds... this way, when you admit I'm the best you've ever had, it'll really mean something?" -Leo

STEPHANIE DRAVEN is a bestselling, award-winning and RITA-nominated author of historical, paranormal, and contemporary romance. Her newest project, IT STINGS SO SWEET is a collection of 1920s historical erotic romances that celebrate sex, women, and the Jazz Age. Her most recent novel with Entangled Publishing, IN BED WITH THE OPPOSITION, is a mix of humor and sex-appeal set against the backdrop of a zany political campaign inspired by the career of Baltimore legend William Donald Schaefer. Both novels are fun departures from her more serious Greek mythology-inspired series for Harlequin's Nocturne line, the debut novel of which was nominated by Romantic Times for Best First Series. The series has earned critical praise for its originality and awareness of social issues and garnered the 2012 SWIRL award for excellence in multi-cultural romance literature as well as the CataRomance's Reviewers Choice Award. Writing historical fiction about Cleopatra’s daughter as Stephanie Dray, she won the Golden Leaf Award for SONG OF THE NILE. Stephanie is currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies. She lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.

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Review: The Laird's Choice by Amanda Scott

The Laird's Choice
(Lairds of the Loche, #1)
By: Amanda Scott
Publisher: Forever
Published: Dec. 18, 2012
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating:


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DUTY BOUND

Lady Andrena MacFarlan has been different since the day she was born. Possessing the power to sense others' most intimate desires, she knows her duty is to marry the man who will take the MacFarlan name as his own and help her father regain the chiefdom of their clan. But her unique gifts don't prepare her for the day when a mighty warrior suddenly enters her life. The attraction between them is undeniable -- and insatiable.

DESIRE UNLEASHED

Hunted by brutal enemies, the wounded Magnus Galbraith washes up on MacFarlan land where he is rescued by a laird's lovely daughter. Andrena is like no one Magnus has ever known. She has the uncanny ability to both calm and enflame him in ways he never dreamed possible. But she has other unknown-and dangerous-powers. Now, as Magnus seeks to avenge a brother and protect a king, the young beauty could prove his greatest ally-or his ultimate undoing . 

My thoughts...
This wasn't at all what I thought it would be. Based off of the synopsis I thought it would be a historical romance but instead the majority of the book is about the two of them running between clans trying to warn everyone of a plan set in motion to over throw the king. But let me back it up a bit.

Mag has been held captive as a slave for a year and a half now. When he finally manages to escape he washes up on MacFarlan land and ultimately meets Andrena. Her father seeks a husband for Adrena and before you know it the two are wed. However, while being held captive, Mag heard about a plot to overthrow the king to take his crown. So once married Mag and Adrena set off to meet the king to tell him of the news. After meeting the king they go back to Adrena's father to tell him what came of the meeting and then to Mag's clan land to let his father know of the plot and to see whether his father stands with the King or not and then... well you get the point. 

There is a ton of traveling, a lot of strategizing and a very minimal amount of romance, which is what I signed up for. I found myself really struggling through this. I couldn't seem to connect with the characters for some reason and even though the concept sounded like a win to me, I found myself not really getting into it. It would be perfect for someone looking for historical fiction but for someone like me who was looking for romance, I found it lacking in that department.

Favorite quote...
"It is no wiser to taunt a man with words than to poke a wildcat with a stick." -Mag

 

Review: The Recruit by Monica McCarty

The Recruit
(Highland Guard, #6)
By: Monica McCarty
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: Oct. 30, 2012
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating:


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Scotland’s King Robert the Bruce is retaking his kingdom from the invading English. To win, he’ll need all the grit and courage of his elite band of warriors, the Highland Guard, men who fight without fear and love without limits.
 
Fiery, aggressive, and bold, Kenneth Sutherland is a true champion—skilled with any weapon and driven to win. Now Kenneth is ready for his greatest challenge: joining Robert the Bruce’s secret army to fight among the elite. Kenneth’s best chance to attain that honor is by winning the Highland Games. Focused and prepared for victory, he is caught off guard by a lovely wisp of a woman—and a stolen moment of wicked seduction. Her innocent arousal and her shameless hunger fire his blood. He will win his place in the guard—and in Mary of Mar’s bed.

The ruggedly handsome hero-in-the-making stirs a heart that should know better. Mary vows that her surrender will be sport only—no promises, no heartbreak, just one night of incredible passion. Nothing, she swears, will persuade her to give up her hard-wrought independence and put her fate in the hands of another powerful man. But with every gentle touch and heart-pounding kiss, Kenneth makes her want more. Now Mary wants his heart. But is this determined champion willing to surrender everything for love?

My thoughts...
Great continuation of the Highland Guard series. It was interesting to see the lengths that one goes through in order to prove themselves worthy of being part of the Guard. Not only between the training but the missions as well.

Mary's late husband was executed for being a traitor to the English king. He was also a huge scoundral and made no secret that he sought out other company to warm his bed at night. So when Kenneth comes along and shows interest in her, she's very weary of his intentions. She makes it clear that any man that she's with will be faithful and not put her or her son in harm. She has no idea that Kenneth is on a covert operation to get information about the king to bring back to the Bruce.

The story was good and I actually liked the addition of Mary's young boy to the story. It added more depth than just two people falling in love. Since after all, her son has been under English thumb since he was 6 months old, he acts more English than the Scot that he is. So not only do you have Mary wrestling to keep control of her heart and Kenneth trying to get Mary to love and trust him, so that when his secret is out, she will flee the country with him. But with her son so brainwashed by the English, getting him to come to Scotland may prove a bit difficult. Even though I've only read the fist and second book in this series (that's all my library carries), I really enjoy this series. You definitely have to read the first book to under stand all the planning that went into making the elite team, but I think after that you can skip around in the series if you want. There is mention of the Guard but it seems like the majority of the stories are about the two main characters with a sprinkling of the Guard mixed it.

Favorite quote...
"Kenneth couldn't bring himself to use MacKay's war name of "Saint". The appellation couldn't be farther from the truth. "Satan's spawn" suited him much better."



Previous reviews from Highland Guard
The Chief
The Hawk

 

Review: The Hawk by Monica McCarty

The Hawk
(Highland Guard, #2)
By: Monica McCarty
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: Aug. 31, 2010
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating:



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Handpicked by Robert the Bruce to help him in his quest to free Scotland from English rule, the elite warriors of the Highland Guard face their darkest days. When Bruce is forced to flee, his bid for freedom rests on the shoulders of one extraordinary warrior.

Erik MacSorley is a brilliant seafarer who has never encountered a wind he could not harness or a woman he could not win—until he drags a wet, half-naked nursemaid out of the waters off the Irish coast. Ellie's ordinary appearance belies the truth: She is in fact Lady Elyne de Burgh, the spirited daughter of the most powerful noble in Ireland. Worse, this irresistible woman is determined to prove herself immune to Erik's charms—a challenge he cannot resist.

Her captor may look every inch a rugged warrior, but Ellie vows that it will take more than a wickedly suggestive caress to impress her. Yet Erik will sweep away Ellie's resistance with a desire that resonates deep within her heart. Still, he is a man driven by loyalty, and she is a woman with secrets that could jeopardize Bruce's chance to reclaim his throne. As the battle for king and country sounds across the shores, will Ellie's love be enough to finally tame the legend known as the Hawk?

My thoughts...
The second book in the Highland Guard series does not disappoint.

When Ellie's younger sister calls her boring and challenges her to take a swim in the annual Virgin's Plunge, Ellie accepts the challenge. She decides to go for a swim away from the action and ends up coming across pirates apparently making a deal with one of the guards. She accidentally gives away her location and before she knows it, she's a captive on the pirates ship. However, these aren't your typical pirates. They seem more noble than most men.

I thought this was a great continuation to the story. I enjoyed Ellie a lot more than the protagonist from the last book. Ellie is smart and stubborn and she is not going to let the captain "Hawk" intimidate her, nor will she allow him to woo her over with his roguish charms. Which throws Hawk for a loop because ever since he was little, all he needed to do was flash his dimples and ladies ate out of the palm of his hand. So when he grudgingly takes Ellie onto his ship until his mission is complete, he is not too thrilled that she appears to not only refuse to listen to him but she constantly tries to boss him around and tell him what to do.
 
There is even more background woven into this story like the fact that Bruce is married to Ellie's sister. We don't really get a lot of time with the other members of the guard but I cannot wait to catch up with the other men and read their story.

Favorite quote...
"Erik was shocked into rare silence. For once a quick response did not slip from his tongue. Had she just compared him to a bloody peacock? First a dog, now a bird? He was one of the most feared warriors in the Highlands, personal guardsman to a king, henchman and kinsman to one of the most powerful leaders in the Western Isles, and chieftain on an ancient clan." 


Previous reviews from the Highland Guard series
The Chief

 

Review: Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Never Seduce a Scot
(The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)
By: Maya Banks
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: Sept. 25, 2012
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating:
 


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This sinfully sexy new romance from Maya Banks features a remarkable woman whose rare gift teaches a gruff Scottish warrior how to listen with his heart.
 
Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

My thoughts...
Eveline is thought to be daft since her spill on a horse years ago. So when the king forms a marriage between two enemy clans regarding Eveline's hand in marriage, her family is outraged. However, to refuse the marriage would be defying the king, but, they do not let her go to their enemies hands lightly and are quick to inform Graeme of Eveline's condition. When she happens upon Graeme and her father speaking, she is instantly taken with him. He is the first person she has ever been able to hear. Granted, she can't make out words but she can feel the vibration from his deep timber voice and the fact that that is the first voice she's noticed excites her.

Graeme is not too thrilled with this arranged marriage but like the Armstrongs, there is naught he can do about it without gaining the wrath of the king. So he goes along onto enemy land to marry a daft girl. A girl who will most assuredly, due to her condition, never produce an heir, thus ending his line. What he wasn't expecting was a beautiful woman who not only seems taken with him but shows great intellect and awareness as well. He is instantly protective of her and when problems arise back on Montgomery land with his clan not accepting her, he is quick to squash the problem and make an example of those whom are harassing her.

This was a great historical romance. I admit that this is the first Maya Banks novel that I have read and I can honestly say that it won't be my last. In fact, I look forward to more from this series. Banks has a great way of telling a story and painting the picture of the grassy green hills of Scotland. I instantly fell in love with the characters and look forward to catching up with them in the next novel. The romance between Eveline and Graeme didn't by any means feel rushed since for a good portion of the book, Graeme thinks her daft and tries to respect her as an innocent woman. I even enjoyed the secondary characters and am quite pleased to find out that this is part of a series.

Favorite part...
Once arriving on Montgomery land after the marriage Eveline is taking to her chamber. Note the "her" and not the "their" chamber. She is not pleased at all that unlike a normal marriage, her husband has placed her in a separate room to his own. So she sets out to rectify this immediately and is caught by Graeme's sister Rorie when she's trying, unsuccessfully I might add, to move her trunks to which ever room might be his. So she asks Rorie to help her not only find Graeme's room but to assist her in moving all of her belongings there.

"Rorie burst out laughing. Her sister-in-law wasn't happy over her accommodations and she wanted to move into Graeme's chamber. She should be loyal and sternly inform her brother's new bride that if Graeme had wanted her in his chamber he would have put her there. But the devil on her shoulder told her it could be quite fun to aid Eveline in her endeavor and give Graeme a shock when he retired later."