Men in Kilts! Sourcebooks' HOT July Steal

I couldn't resist passing on this information I received from the fabulous Danielle at Sourcebooks.  It is in regard to one of my favorite things to look at, dream of and read about: 

Men In Kilts

 There’s just something about kilts…  Scottish Highlanders are among historical romance fans’ favorite heroes, and Sourcebooks has its own batch of tough warriors (with a soft side, of course) for readers to enjoy! This week we have a FABULOUS eBook deal: 5 of our readers’ favorite men in kilts, for ONLY $0.99!   Go to Sourcebooks to find out where to get your copies.  Offer ends July 18.   

Awaken the Highland Warrior

by

Anita Clenney

A man from another time…

Faelan is from an ancient clan of Scottish Highland warriors, charged with shielding humanity from demonic forces. Betrayed and locked in a time vault, he has been sleeping for nearly two centuries when spunky historian Bree Kirkland inadvertently wakes him.

She’s more fearsome than the demon trying to kill him, and if he’s not careful, she’ll uncover the secrets his clan has bled and died to protect…Could he be the treasure she’s been seeking all her life…

When Bree inherits an old treasure map, she discovers a warrior buried in her backyard. But the warrior isn’t dead. Bree shocks Faelan with her modern dress and her boldness, and he infuriates Bree every time he tries to protect her.

With demons suddenly on the move, Bree discovers that Faelan’s duty as protector is in his blood, and that her part in this fight was destined before she was born. But nothing is ever what it seems…

Highland Hellcat

 by

Mary Wine

He wants a wife he can control…

Connor Lindsey is a Highland laird, but his clan’s loyalty is hard won and he takes nothing for granted. He’ll do whatever it takes to find a virtuous wife, even if he has to kidnap her…

She has a spirit that can’t be tamed…

Brina Chattan has always defied convention. She sees no reason to be docile now that she’s been captured by a powerful laird and taken to his storm-tossed castle in the Highlands, far from her home.

When a rival laird’s interference nearly tears them apart, Connor discovers that a woman with a wild streak suits him much better than he’d ever imagined…

The Highlander’s Sword

by

Amanda Forester

A quiet, flame-haired beauty with secrets of her own…

Lady Aila Graham is destined for the convent, until her brother’s death leaves her an heiress. Soon she is caught between hastily arranged marriage with a Highland warrior, the Abbot’s insistence that she take her vows, the Scottish Laird who kidnaps her, and the traitor from within who betrays them all.

She’s nothing he expected and everything he really needs…

Padyn MacLaren, a battled-hardened knight, returns home to the Highlands after years of fighting the English in France. MacLaren bears the physical scars of battle, but it is the deeper wounds of betrayal that have rocked his faith. Arriving with only a band of war-weary knights, MacLaren finds his land pillaged and his clan scattered. Determined to restore his clan, he sees Aila’s fortune as the answer to his problems…but maybe it’s the woman herself.

 

Wild Highland Magic

 by

Kendra Leigh Castle

She's a Scottish Highlands werewolf, but no one's ever shown her how to use her powers…

Growing up in America with a father who hates his own nature, Catrionna MacInnes has always tried desperately to control her powers and pretend to be normal. Now her father has brought her and her sisters to Scotland to reunite with the pack they fled years ago…

He's a wizard prince with a devastating secret…

Bastian an Morgaine has found sanctuary among the MacInnes werewolf clan but no relief from the soul-searing curse that haunts him. The minute Cat lays eyes on Bastian, she knows she's met her destiny. In their first encounter, she unwittingly binds him to her for life, and now they're both targets for the evil enemies that are out to destroy their very souls…

Highland Rebel

by

Judith James

Amidst the upheaval of Cromwell's Britain, Jamie Sinclair's wit and military prowess have served him well. Leading a troop in Scotland, he impetuously marries a captured maiden, saving her from a grim fate.

A Highlands heiress to title and fortune, Catherine Drummond is not the woman Jamie believes her to be. When her people effect her rescue, and he cannot annul the marriage, Jamie goes to recapture his hellcat of a new wife...

In world where family and creed cannot be trusted, where faith fuels intolerance and war, Catherine and Jamie test the bounds of loyalty, friendship, and trust...

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review + Giveaway - The Guardian by Margaret Mallory

TITLE:    The Guardian
AUTHOR:    Margaret Mallory
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 354 pages
PUBLISHED:   Forever, 2011
SOURCE:   Received from Publisher for Review and Book Tour

FROM THE PUBLISHER:    THE RETURN OF THE HIGHLANDERS: BOOK I



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.

PASSION IGNITED


After years of fighting abroad, Ian MacDonald comes home to find his clan in peril. To save his kin, he must right the wrongs from his past . . . and claim the bride he's long resisted.

As a young lass, Sìleas depended on Ian to play her knight in shining armor. But when his rescue attempt compromised her virtue, Ian was forced to marry against his wishes. Five years later, Sìleas has grown from an awkward girl into an independent beauty who knows she deserves better than the reluctant husband who preferred war to his wife. Now this devilishly handsome Highlander is finally falling in love. He wants a second chance with Sìleas - and he won't take no for an answer.

MY TAKE:    I had heard of Margaret Mallory, but hadn't had an opportunity to read anything by her.  That was until I was introduced to her writing in this FREE bonus content from Hachette:  We Love Scotland.  It included a lovely sneak peek into The Guardian - I was hooked!  When I was offered a chance to review an ARC, I jumped at it.

The author now has a semi-rabid fan.  Her writing style draws the reader right into the world she has created.  I felt like I could almost feel the cold and damp in some of the scenes.  She is very descriptive without overloading you with too much detail.  The action flowed very smoothly, the danger felt real and the romance was sweet and steamy at the same time. 

Characters are what make this story a must read.  The four warriors:  Ian, Connor, Duncan and Alexander are what Highlander dreams are made of!  I want one..or all.  Ian is a bit of a mess in the beginning.  He is fighting his head against his heart with duty and honor weighing in.  When he was forced to marry his childhood friend Sileas, she was just that ~ a child.  He is away for five years and doesn't even recognize her when he returns.  His wife is a raving beauty who is thoroughly ticked at him, as he deserves.  You can't help but falling for Ian as the story progresses.  He is loyal to a fault, as well as stubborn. But, he is a Scot you know..

Sileas (SHEE-las) is a heroine that I found very easy to become fond of.  She is hard-working, loving and quite smart.  Her beauty is pretty much a distraction to all of the men around her, including her errant husband.  They all tend to overlook the fact that she has a brain and puts it to good use.  She has kept Ian's family intact while he's been away and he has a hard time processing that.

I really enjoyed this story and read it quickly as I had a few hours with no interruptions (how rare!).  It was very engrossing and I can't wait for the next installment, The Sinner, to be out in November - so far away :(  But I do know it will be well worth the wait as we will learn how Alexander fares with the lovely Glynis.  I highly recommend this series and am looking forward to reading the other series by Margaret Mallory: All the King's Men.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:  Amazon and The Book Depository

To learn more about Margaret Mallory and this fantastic new series as well as her other books, you can find her at:

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

MargaretMallory.com

The lovely Ms. Mallory and Hachette Books are offering THREE of you equally lovely readers a chance to win your own copy of The Guardian!  Aren't you the lucky ones?

• Must be at least 13 years old
• US and Canadian residents
• NO PO Boxes
• Leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL and tell me if you'd prefer an Ian, Connor, Duncan or Alexander.  If my husband wouldn't complain, I'd order one of each!  Wouldn't want to break up a complete set :)
• Contest ends on May 16th
• Only one copy of this title may be won in any of the drawings being held in conjunction with this blog tour
• Winners will have 48 hours to respond to win notification

Good luck and as always,

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review - Healing the Highlander by Melissa Mayhue

TITLE:    Healing the Highlander
AUTHOR:    Melissa Mayhue
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 355 pages
PUBLISHED:   Pocket Books, 2011
ISBN#:   978-1-4391-9020-3
HOW I GOT IT:   Received from Publisher for Review

FROM GOODREADS:    ANDREW MACALISTER longs for a cure to free him from the excruciating pain caused by an old wound, but when he rescues a drowning woman, he has no idea how much his life is about to change. All Drew knows is that this mysterious woman is hiding secrets—and that he’s never felt such a consuming desire before. Yet he cannot deny her request for help, even if it means bringing the detested English army to his Highland clan’s home.



LEAH NOBLE MCQUARRIE still harbors a deep hatred of the Fae who tortured her eleven years ago, forcing her to escape back in time to the thirteenth century. A descendant of the Fae, Leah denies her heritage and her magical healing abilities. But the English army is holding her beloved adoptive grandfather captive, so Leah must seek help from the Fae—and the captivating man whose touch she craves.

Then Drew discovers Leah’s secrets, and he’s torn between old loyalties and trusting a woman who has the power to give him the future he’s sought—but could destroy his clan forever. . . .

MY TAKE:    This is the first book I've read by this author and I know it won't be the last.  I was sucked right into this tale and didn't want to close the book. Melissa Mayhue knows Highlanders!  Healing the Highlander is her latest addition to the Daughters of the Glen series. With a lovely blend of Fae magic and Highland intrigue, the author creates a tale that is mesmerizing.  It is easily enjoyed as a stand-alone novel, but I think it will be a pleasure to read the rest of the stories. 

Character development is very well done.  You feel the hope and pain of both Leah and Drew as they are pulled to each other.   They fight what they perceive to be the untrustworthy Fae magic.  Both have had dealings with the Fae that ended poorly, so they can't trust that this could be a good turn.  The unselfish deeds performed by each of them makes you root even louder for their happy ever after.  Other rich characters add to the atmosphere and Scottish/Fae color of the story.  I am looking forward to catching up with all of their stories in the other books, both the ones published and the new ones coming up.
 
The plot of Healing the Highlander is fast-paced and fun.  The action is non-stop and full of surprises.  Descriptive dialogue and backstory help the reader feel as if they are there in the thick of things.  The author has a way of conveying what she is seeing in her mind so you can almost taste the rich foods. You can feel the cold sea water as the men....., you can feel the sting as Leah.... ~ sorry, not going to tell you as it could spoil part of the story. 

I was impressed with this tale and highly recommend it to fans of Highland romance and those who love a touch of magic.  There is an element of time-travel in the series as well which just adds to the overall fun.

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

WHERE TO BUY IT:    Amazon, The Book Depository, Powell's Books, IndieBound

Other books by Melissa Mayhue:

  

   

                             coming soon...

 
~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review + Giveaway - Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

First installment in the magical new Highland Warriors series..

TITLE:    Sins of a Highland Devil
AUTHOR:    Sue-Ellen Welfonder
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 373 pages
PUBLISHED:   Forever, 2011
ISBN#:   978-0-446-56178-5
HOW I GOT IT:   Received from Hachette for Blog Tour & Review

FROM GOODREADS:   The first book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan does not take over their Glen of Many Legends. At the same time, three women plot to marry these heroes to ensure peace.



In SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL, James Cameron is concerned when the King's decree states all three neighboring clans must have a battle to the death in order to lay official claim to the scared Glen of Many Legends. James attempts to make a pact with the heads of the other clans to fight this decree. But he ends up fighting his own fierce desire when coming head-to-head with Lady Catriona of the opposing MacDonald clan, who has her own plan for peace.

MY TAKE:    This is the first book in a fantastic new series from bestselling author Sue-Ellen Welfonder.  I found it to be a very enjoyable read, in fact I stayed up with my little book light to finish it in one sitting.

The characters are well written and charming, if not difficult.  The heroine is Catriona MacDonald.  Frankly she is a head-strong, spoiled brat of a girl, but she has a heart of gold.  Unfortunately, that heart is pounding for James Cameron ~ her clan's sworn enemy.

James is a proud warrior who has the weight of his clan, if not the entire glen riding on his shoulders.  He's stubborn and what we women dream of in a hunky, kilt-wearing man.

I loved that the story is written with lots of humor.  Catriona teaming up with James's sister Isobel was great.  Poor men don't stand a chance when the women gang up them.

Ms. Welfonder's vivid descriptions of the glen make me want to move there NOW.  Scotland is my dream destination anyway and this magical place just seals the deal.

One of the things that I didn't particularly get was in the later part of the story when there is a mysterious group of men terrorizing the three clans.  I don't know if this might be a lead-in to the next book, but it wasn't really a favorite part of the book for me.  It didn't really flow for me. 

We meet many of the other characters that will be playing starring roles in the next two installments.  I can't wait to see how it progresses.  The next title in the series Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel will be out on August 1st!  Looking forward to it.
  

Out of 5 JEWELS, I give it:

Here are Five Fun Facts from the author:

1. Sue-Ellen is proud of her ancestral ties to the MacDonalds. For centuries, her family held the title of Hereditary Keepers of the Records for the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles.

2. Blackshore is based on Castle Tioram, once mighty stronghold of Clanranald. Tioram still impresses from its tidal islet in Loch Moidart. Catriona enjoys racing the tide to reach the castle. Sue-Ellen once tried this and was stranded at the ruin until the tide receded.

3. Rannoch, the magical stag, was inspired by Big Boy, a friendly red stag who loved greeting visitors in Glencoe. Deer have been beloved to Highlanders since time immemorial. Legends abound, including that fairy women took deer form. Sue-Ellen combined Celtic lore with Big Boy’s memory to create Rannoch.

4. Sue-Ellen loves dogs. Hector and Geordie are senior canines in Sins of a Highland Devil. The dogs in Sue-Ellen’s books are always loved and treated with respect. They’re all heroes and live forever. If she had one wish, it would be for dogs everywhere to be so blessed.

5. Catriona has an enchanted amber necklace. Sue-Ellen owns its twin: agedly beautiful ambers she kept on her desk while writing Sins of a Highland Devil. She suspects it’s the very same necklace.


To learn more about Sue-Ellen Welfonder, check out her WEBSITE.  For now you can
Read the Prequel to the trilogy HERE!

WHERE TO BUY IT:  Amazon, The Book Depository, Powell's Books, IndieBound

Hachette Books and the author have generously offered TWO of you your very own copy of Sins of a Highland Devil! 

• Leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL to enter.  Tell me your dream place to live.
• Open to US and Canadian residents.  NO PO BOXES.
• You don't have to be a follower, but you'll get an extra entry if you are!
• Only one prize will be sent per household, no matter how many times you win at various blogs.
• Drawing ends January 31st, midnight California time.
• Winners will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner.  Please check your spam folder as winning notices get lost sometimes :)

Good luck to all of you and as usual,

 

~~~~~ Disclaimer:  All opinions expressed on this blog are 100% my own.  I do not receive monetary compensation for my reviews but do utilize affiliate links.  I may receive books in  order to facilitate a review, but this does not guarantee a good review - only a completely honest one.  Each review post denotes how I obtained the book.

Review + Giveaway - Seduced by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

This Giveaway is now CLOSED

Seduced by a Highlander

TITLE:    Seduced by a Highlander
AUTHOR/EDITOR:    Paula Quinn
INFO:    Paperback, Fiction, 372 pages
PUBLISHED:   Forever: Hachette Book Group, 2010
ISBN#:   978-0-446-55237-0
HOW'D I GET IT:   Received from Hachette Book Group

FROM GOODREADS:  SINS THAT CAN'T BE FORGIVEN...Tristan MacGregor is famed throughout the Highlands as a silver-tonged seducer and an unrepentant rogue. Bold and charming, he's dallied with many women, yet none as mysterious as the lass he steals a kiss from at king's court. Little does he know this beauty is one of his clan's greatest enemies.

PASSION THAT CAN'T BE DENIED...Isobel Fergusson has despised the bloodthirsty MacGregors ever since they murdered her father. She's horrified to learn that the handsome stranger she kissed is of this clan. But Tristan means to possess her at any cost and Isobel's body turns traitor at his touch. Can a man she's sworn to hate be the only one she can ever love?  

MY TAKE:   This was one of those fun, can't-put-down books.  From page 1, I was hooked.  The author really fleshed out her characters so that the reader feels as if they are right there in the scene, a part of the story.  I was very impressed with her excellent attention to the minute detail.  Little things such as which particular herbs were needed for specific ailments or injuries are important to the story.  When an author doesn't spend the necessary time to make sure these type of facts are correct, it can ruin a book for me.  Not the case here though! 

The storyline is sad, funny, thrilling, romantic and heart-warming at different times throughout the book.  The various settings used to tell the story really give the reader a full picture of what life may have been like for these people.  I enjoyed the scenes at court just as much as those on the farm, in the fields.  The interaction between Tristan and Isobel's brothers (especially the youngest) was one of my favorite parts of the book.  There is major tension, sarcastic wit, and true warmth in abundance.  Family pride and obligations play a pivotal role in this story, which adds much to the charm.   

I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to the next upcoming installment in the series, starring Tristan's strong and wilful sister, Mairi.  For now, I will be snagging the other books in this series:   Laird of the Mist (Warner Forever), A Highlander Never Surrenders, and Ravished by a Highlander.  ~ While these books are part of a series, they are all excellent, stand-alone reads as well. 

To find out more about this great author and the other books, visit her at her website: PaulaQuinn.com.    

MY RATING:    4/5

WHERE TO BUY IT:  Amazon.com  

The author and publisher have generously offered to give TWO of my readers their very own copy of Seduced by a Highlander.  The requirements are simple:  you must be a resident of either the US or Canada, have a mailing address OTHER THAN a PO Box, and be a FOLLOWER of this blog.

Leave a comment on this post and tell me the first word that pops into your head when you hear/see the word HIGHLANDER?  Hmmmmmm, I think of bare legs :)

Good luck to all of you.  The contest will run from Monday, August 30th until Friday, September 10th.  I will notify the randomly chosen winners and they will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

~Please note, Hachette Books is requesting that there be only one winner per household.  Only one prize will be shipped to you, no matter how many times your name is chosen in different contests.  If you do win on another blog or contest, please let the host know that you've already won so they can choose another lucky winner.  Thanks for cooperating with our great sponsor!