Review: One Rogue Too Many

Title: One Rogue Too Many
Author: Samantha Grace
Publication:   Jan 7, 2014 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Reviewed by: Taryn
Rating: 3 stars
Reason for Reviewing: Ebook provided in exchange for an honest review.

When two of the ton's most eligible bachelors fall for the same young woman, only one will win her heart...

Anthony Keaton, Earl of Ellis, and Baron Sebastian Thorne have been competing since childhood. Now, they both have their eyes set on Lady Gabrielle.

Gabby feels like a fool for trusting in Anthony—but she doesn't know the whole truth. Determined to guard her heart this time around, she's looking for a man who is steadfast and eloquent.

Sebastian knows this is his one chance to steal her heart. He has everything she's looking for. But when Anthony finally reveals his true feelings, how will she choose between the two?

 

Lady Gabrielle Forest is secretly betrothed to Anthony Keaton, Earl of Ellis. They grew up together, and he is her brother Drew’s best friend. Gabby has always had feelings for him. Lately, Anthony has been in Wales, but Gabby does not know the true reason for his absence and isn’t quite sure if she can trust him. Anthony isn’t yet ready to reveal all of the secrets of his past, including his first wife’s betrayal and the true father of their child, Annabelle, who is now being raised by an aunt. To make matters worse, Gabby is given false information about Anthony, which makes her question his integrity and trustworthiness.

Baron Sebastian Thorne has been competing with Anthony since childhood. He has set his sights on Gabby and decided that he will win her heart. Lords Corby and Ledbery bet on how long it will take Thorne to woo Gabby and steal her away from Anthony. When Anthony discovers that Gabby has been seen on a carriage ride and dancing with Thorne, he doesn’t believe it. Deep down, Gabby knows her heart belongs to Anthony, but she also feels inexplicably drawn to Thorne, who is keeping secrets of his own. Both men must prove their love to her and try to win her hand in marriage.

One Rogue Too Many was an entertaining read, but I thought the competition to woo Gabby started off a bit silly (for example, the men were both challenged to write her a sonnet). And some of the events (I won’t spoil them!) seemed kind of far-fetched, and I found it hard to believe that the conflicts that arose would be resolved so easily and without scandal. At times I was frustrated with all of the main characters because their lack of communication led to misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions. Being open and honest would have save them all a lot of heartache and trouble!

I really like when romances develop between people who were friends first, so that was a fun aspect of this book. There was a flashback at the beginning to when Gabby and Anthony were younger. I wish there had been a few more of those included to get a glimpse into their past and why Gabby fell in love with Anthony in the first place! Despite the complaints, I did enjoy reading this fast-paced story, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a light, fun read with not one, but two handsome love interests competing to win the heroine’s heart.

Review: Never Seduce A Scot by Maya Banks

Title: Never Seduce A Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)
Author: Maya Banks
Expected publication: September 25, 2012 by Ballantine Books
Reviewed by: Isalys
Reason for Reading: I purchased this book because I was in the mood for some romance ;)

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.

Strolling through the aisles of Barnes & Noble, I had walked by these books dozens of times but my unfamiliarity with Maya Banks' work made me drag my feet on buying one.  It was at the recommendation of Amanda from On A Book Bender that finally convinced me to bite the bullet and start one of Maya's Highlander Series.  Thank you, Amanda!  I could not put this book down...quite literally!

The Montgomerys and Armstrongs, the two most powerful clans in the Highlands, have been at war with each other for generations.  King Alexander is tired of his two greatest allies always being at odds so he commands that the young Montgomery Laird marry the only daughter of the Armstrong Laird.  If they do not agree to this betrothal, then there will be hell to pay.  With no choice but to obey, Graeme Montgomery rides into enemy territory to claim his bride.

Graeme was strong, commanding, understanding, and practical.  Although he wasn't pleased by the king's command, he understood the importance of following orders in order to protect his people and he did so with an open mind.  He believed the rumors of Eveline Armstrong's instability to be true, yet upon meeting her he was greeted by a beautiful woman who was far more keen than she was given credit for.

I simply loved Eveline!  Gentle, kind, resourceful, determined, and fiercely protective, she is the ideal heroine.  After suffering from a nearly fatal riding accident, she used her disability (deafness brought on by the accident) as a way to escape marriage to a cruel man from the neighboring McHugh clan.  Unfortunately, in doing so, her family began to think that she had injured her mind and was now daft or "not quite all there".  After several years, she was content to accept a simple, quiet life with her family...until she met Graeme Montgomery.

There was an almost instant connection between Graeme and Eveline.  Not quite love at first sight, but definitely acceptance at first sight.  Despite their families' bitterness, they both sought to make the best of bad situation.  

Graeme and Eveline faced two challenges.  The first was getting the Montgomery Clan to accept Eveline as their new mistress.  This was no easy task.  Eveline nearly worked herself to death in an attempt to fit in and she accepted the ridicule with aplomb.  Graeme tried to be patient and understanding of his clan's animosity toward her, but when he learned of all that they put her through he felt that he had no choice but to threaten them.  He would not allow his people to punish an innocent woman.  I loved this about Graeme!  I wanted to be right there with him, yelling at his people for their abusive behavior.  His goodness showed in everything he did.

The other challenge was Ian McHugh.  Eveline thought she escaped him, but Ian decided that he was not done with her yet and used her to gain the upper hand and be "top dog" in the highlands. I don't want to say anymore about what happens because it was a turning point for not just Graeme and Eveline's relationship but also the relationship between the Montgomerys and Armstrongs.

There were a couple of details that were unclear, but frankly, I loved the romance so much that it overshadowed the necessity for the missing information.  The romance moved along at a good pace and by the time they declared their love, I had a huge, dopey smile on my face.

"I love you, Eveline," he whispered, though he knew she could not hear him. "Somehow, I'll make you hear me and you'll know that I love you as fiercely as it's possible for a man to love a woman." 

You better bet your plaid that I'll be getting my hands on "Highlander Most Wanted", which is the story between on Graeme's brother, Bowen and a lass named Genevieve.
 

Review: Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Title: Beyond The Highland mist 
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publish Date: March 9th, 1999
Pages: 375
Reviewed by: Vanessa
Reason for Reading: Pleasure! *evil grin*

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . 

An alluring laird...
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart--until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length--but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

A prisoner in time...
She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. 

I’m not usually one to pick up a romance novel. Lord knows I’ve been known to wrinkle my nose a bit every time Isalys mentions a ‘Lord’ or someone’s ‘quivering member’. So I was just as surprised, as some of you may be now, when I decided to pick up one of ‘those’ books. I knew that if any would catch my attention it would have to be one with a highlander. Luckily for me, I chose the perfect one!

Beyond the Highland Mist begins with Hawk, a devilishly handsome man who has made a name for himself by ‘tupping’ practically every lass he’s met. Including the Queen of the royal court - Tuatha De Danaan [the fae]. She speaks of Hawk’s ‘special abilities’ to her husband and thus sets the course for the book. Her husband, and his assistant [a.k.a ‘the fool’ a.k.a Adam Black] set to get revenge on Hawk for dishonoring them. Adam Black is commanded by the king to ‘Go now through the centuries. Go forward - women are more independent and self-possessed there.’ Adam who can time travel then travels forward through the centuries to find a scorned woman; one who has sworn off men and absolutely loathes the beautiful ones; one who would be perfect for breaking Hawks heart.

Enter, Adrienne de Simone. A beautiful, intelligent, broken-hearted woman who has...you guessed it…sworn off men! She is, quite literally, tossed into the 16th century, and as soon as she lands [on someone’s lap] she’s thrown into a marriage with a man who doesn’t even bother to show up, and instead sends his assistant to stand in for him! The nerve! Once she meets him, she immediately dislikes him. Not only is he gorgeous but he’s conceited as well and reminds her too much of the very man who made her loathe men to begin with.

Adrienne is determined to figure out what’s happening and find her way back to her own century, even if it means leaving the gorgeous highlander and going back to face her demons.  Hawk, on the other hand, is determined to make her his and wants her to see him for the man he really is; not the man he was forced to be. All the time, fighting for her love and affection against his competition; Adam Black.

In a bitter love triangle, will love win? Especially when the opponent uses magic, persuasion, and time travel?

This book is definitely on my ‘Top’ list! It was an incredible page turner that had me laughing, worried, screaming at the book and also looking for my fiancé so he could kiss me like the Hawk, lol. I especially loved Hawk’s fighting spirit. Adrienne frustrated me a bit because she was so adamant about hating Hawk, but when you finally find out her dark past, you realize why she does what she does…breaks Hawk’s heart.

Now, if only he were strong enough to find the truth for himself …

*sigh* I’m off to read the next one!

Blog Tour / Giveaway: Seduced by a Highlander by P. Quinn

Title: Seduced by a Highlander

Author: Paula Quinn
Published: September 1, 2010 by Forever

ISBN-10: 0446552372 |ISBN-13: 9780446552370

Pages: 352 pgs, Mass Market Paperback

Reason for reading: Participating in Blog Tour/Giveaway courtesy of Hatchette Book Group.

Synopsis: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?
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?

MacGregor and Grant Family Trees

Author Website
Paula Quinn on HBG
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REVIEW:
For the past ten years, Tristan MacGregor has felt responsible for the boyhood fight that sparked a feud between his family and the Fergussons; a fight where both families lost loved ones. He lost his uncle who he loved like a father and admired for his unwavering sense of honor. In retaliation, Callum MacGregor (Tristan’s father and chieftain of the MacGregor clan) killed Archibald Fergusson (chieftain of the Fergusson clan). And thus, the MacGregors and Fergussons became sworn enemies.

As a grown man, Tristan and his family visit England’s Whitehall Palace to celebrate the new king’s coronation. While visiting the palace, he meets a woman that enchants him with her simple yet alluring beauty. They spend the afternoon engaged in conversation and flirtatious glances. However, all too soon he learns that she is Isobel Fergusson, daughter of their enemy.

Isobel is enraged to learn that this insanely handsome, velvet-tongue rogue that nearly bewitched her with his smooth words and radiant smile comes from the family that is responsible for her family’s demise. She immediately vows to put Tristan MacGregor behind her and never think of him again. Oh, if only it were that easy!

Somehow, despite all of Isobel’s efforts to make Tristan understand how much she despises him and his family, he manages to creep into her life and into her heart. Tristan has never thought twice of the same woman, but he just can’t seem to let Isobel go. Not only does he physically ache for her like never before, but he wants to redeem his family in her eyes. The MacGregors are not the barbarians that she thinks they are and ten years has been long enough to hold to old grudges.

While visiting the Fergusson’s home, he is attacked by a devious eleven year old boy (Isobel’s youngest brother). Over the course of his recovery, he manages to win over almost all of Isobel’s brothers, but can he win over Isobel herself? Isobel’s resolve is indeed weakening but worse than falling in love with him, she fears he’ll discover a secret that she’s kept for ten years; a secret that can reignite the bloodshed all over again.

I really enjoyed this second installment of Paula Quinn’s Children of the Mist series. Once again, Quinn delivers a wonderful story of star-crossed lovers filled with romance, mystery and drama. Tristan and Isobel were entirely different from their predecessors in Ravished by a Highlander. Tristan was such a charmer and although he knew just how to wrap a woman around his finger, he had a deeply rooted sense of honor and honesty that made him even more lovable. Isobel was fiercely loyal to her family and would even risk her health to protect them. Both characters were incredibly stubborn which I found to be frustrating at times. Although Isobel’s hatred for Tristan’s family was understandable, I felt she was too hard on him most of the time. Conversely, Tristan was too persistent and it didn’t seem worth the fight. It wasn’t until they both conceded to their love that the cat and mouse game became worth it.

I also enjoyed getting reacquainted with the MacGregor family members that we met in the previous book as well as meeting the Fergusson men introduced in this book. appreciate the interesting and rich variety of characters that Quinn offers in this series as well as the authentic setting and language. She did a great job of making the distinction between classes and helping the reader to understand how very different life was during the middle ages. I look forward to reading the third installment involving Tristan’s fiery sister, Mairi and the highlander that got away.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Giveaway
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