Too Scot to Handle (Windham Brides #2) by Grace Burrowes-Review, Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway
TOO SCOT TO HANDLE
Windham Brides #2
by Grace Burrowes
Genre: adult, historical, romance
Release Date:July 25, 2017
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 25, 2017
As a captain in the army, Colin MacHugh led men, fixed what was broken, and fought hard. Now that he’s a titled gentleman, he’s still fighting—this time to keep his bachelorhood safe from all the marriage-minded debutantes. Then he meets the intriguing Miss Anwen Windham, whose demure nature masks a bonfire waiting to roar to life. When she asks for his help to raise money for the local orphanage, he’s happy to oblige.
Anwen is amazed at how quickly Lord Colin takes in hand a pack of rambunctious orphan boys. Amazed at how he actually listens to her ideas. Amazed at the thrill she gets from the rumble of his Scottish burr and the heat of his touch. But not everyone enjoys the success of an upstart. And Colin has enemies who will stop at nothing to ruin him and anybody he holds dear.
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REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!
EEEEEE .. Grace Burrowes fellow readers. Enjoying one of her novels is like returning to a comfy home you didn’t realize you missed until you returned to it. I just love her writing style.
Too Scot to Handle by Grace Burrowes is the second book of her “Windham Brides” series. This is an extension of her “Windham” series, and while it’s always nice to understand the backstory and be reunited with older characters, you do not need to read that series first as this can stand all on its own quite well … BUT … Grace really writes a fantastic novel so if you love the historical romance, do yourself a favour and check out her other series as well.
Anwen Windham (seriously love this name) is a redheaded, typically quiet, polite, sweet natured and extremely protected by her loved ones due to a childhood illness, proper lady. BUT … when it comes the orphaned boys she cares for, she is fiery, protective, intelligent and a fighter who will do what she needs to do to keep her orphans safe and sound.
Colin MacHugh is the brother to a Duke, an army Captain who has experienced battle and leadership, handsome, smart, a little out of his league when it comes to being a member of the proper ton, and so not interested in anything to do with marriage. He also is fiery when it comes to something he believes should be fought hard for.
Anwen and Colin become in-laws due to their siblings marriage, so they are some what familiar with the other. When Anwen requests assistance in finding funds for her orphans, Colin agrees, only to find that these boys are truely remarkable and worth fighting for. The boys also need the the firm commanding nature that Colin brings, with the admiration that his position holds. He treats them the way they should be treated and Anwen cannot help but admire this.
This is a friends to lovers kind of read. Neither of our main characters were looking for love, but love seems to have found them. I love this kind of book. It starts with a little indifference, to admiration and ultimately ending in realization. These two are well matched, and seeing them fall madly in love with the other for all the right reasons totally made me smile while reading. Of course there is douchebag to add some conflict to the story, and this is the kind of douchebag that I love to hate. It was charming to experience Anwen and Colin come together for the greater good. Grace always writes her love scenes honest, passionate, sometimes awkward (which I love) and very satisfying.
Another fantastic book by one of my fave historical romance authors and I am eagerly awaiting the next one. A fantastic summer read on a lazy afternoon! 🙂
HAPPY READING! 🙂
Click HERE for Rachel’s review of book 1-THE TROUBLE WITH DUKES
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Rachel T
Anwen liked the unhurried part exceedingly. Lord Colin held her not as if she were frail and fragile, but as if she were too precious to let go. His arms were secure about her, and he’d tucked in close enough that she could revel in his contours—broad chest, flat belly, and hard, hard thighs, such as an accomplished equestrian would have.
Soft lips, though. Gentle, entreating, teasing…
Anwen teased him back, getting a taste of peppermint for her boldness, and then a taste of him.
“Great day in the morning,” he whispered, right at her ear. “I won’t be able to sit my horse if you do that again with your tongue.”
She did it again, and again, until the kiss involved his leg insinuated among the folds and froths of her riding habit, her fingers toying with the hair at his nape, and her heart, beating faster than it had at the conclusion of their race.
“Ye must cease, wee Anwen,” Lord Colin said, resting his cheek against her temple. “We must cease, or I’ll have to cast myself into yonder water for the sake of my sanity.”
“I’m a good swimmer,” Anwen said. “I’d fish you out.” She contemplated dragging a sopping Lord Colin from the Serpentine, his clothes plastered to his body….
“Such a sigh,” he said, kissing her cheek. “If ye’d slap me, I’d take it as a mercy.”
“I’d rather kiss you again.” And again and again and again. Anwen’s enthusiasm for that undertaking roared through her like a wild fire, bringing light, heat, and energy to every corner of her being.
“You are a bonfire in disguise,” he said, smoothing a hand over her hair. “An ambush of a woman, and you have all of polite society thinking you’re the quiet one.” He peered down at her, his hair sticking up on one side. “Am I the only man who knows better, Anwen?”
She smoothed his hair down, delighting in its texture. Red hair had a mind of its own, and by the dawn’s light, his hair was very red.
“No, you are not the only one who knows better,” she said, which had him looking off across the water, his gaze determined.
“I’m no’ the dallyin’ kind,” he said, taking Anwen’s hand and kissing it. “I was a soldier, and I’m fond of the ladies, but this is… you mustn’t toy with me.”
Everlasting celestial trumpets. “You think I could toy with you?”
“When you smile like that, you could break hearts, Miss Anwen Windham. A man wouldn’t see it coming, but then you’d swan off in a cloud of grace and dignity, and too late, he’d realize what he’d missed. He wouldn’t want to admit how foolish he’d been, but in his heart, he’d know: I should ne’er have let her get away. I should have done anything to stay by her side.”
I am a bonfire in disguise. “You are not the only one who knows my secret. I know better now too, Colin.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. “It’s our secret.”
TRC: Hi Grace and welcome back to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of TOO SCOT TO HANDLE, the second installment in your Windham Brides series. For anyone new to Grace Burrowes, please tell us something about yourself?
Follow Grace: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Grace: I keep at least two dozen stuffed animals in my law office at all times. I’m a child welfare attorney, so the inventory tends to need replenishing. Shopping for stuffed animals is FUN.
TRC: Would you please tell us something about TOO SCOT TO HANDLE and the Windham Bride Series?
Grace: The Windham Brides have been lurking in my imagination for years, as I wrote the stories for their eight cousins, from the ducal branch of the family. These four ladies are all aristocracy, of course, but they end up with four very different happily-ever-afters. TOO SCOTT TO HANDLE features the youngest sister, Anwen Windham, and her swain, Captain Lord Colin MacHugh. Colin has never taken much of anything seriously, and Anwen has never been taken seriously, but with Colin, she’s changing the game. She also gives Colin a purpose for which he’ll put everything on the line—his life, his reputation, and even his heart.
TRC: What are your thoughts on historical accuracy when writing a fictional historical romance novel? Do you believe the readers want historical accuracy in the story line?
Grace: My thoughts on this topic are hard to condense into a few sentences, but basically, the litmus of test of what goes into the story should be whether a fact, quote, or snippet of description pulls the readers into the tale or kicks them out of the tale. My obligation to the reader is to entertain, first and foremost. The difficult aspect of historical romance is that what pulls one reader into the story is likely to bore another reader witless. Worse, you can be entirely accurate about your history (Yes, there are circumstances when a duke will be addressed as “Duke,”), but if you contradict established lore, you will not only throw readers out of the story, but antagonize them with your accuracy. It’s a tricky balance, and I’ve yet to meet an author who could get it right for all of the readers all of the time.
TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the story line direction? Characters?
Grace: Yes, I do listen to music, and in fact have a degree in music history, BUT I don’t listen to music when I’m writing. Instead, I use the music (maybe Handel’s “Messiah” for a Christmas story, for example) as background when I’m driving, folding laundry, walking on the tread desk. I can’t listen to music and write at the same time, but I think hearing what Regency characters would have heard helps with the world building and generally boosts me more deeply into the characters and story.
TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?
Grace: That we mostly write only when we feel like it.
TRC: Thank you, Grace, for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on all of your success.
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Great review, Rachel. You make this sound like a must read. I also know that you are a big fan of Burrowes.
Looks like a wonderful regency romance. Thanks, Rachel.
Great review Rachel. Thank you Grace for the great answers. It is always our pleasure to feature the author at The Reading Cafe.
Great review Rachel. I loved the excerpt and interview too. You definitely made me want to read this book.
Thanks for the wonderful review. Congratulations ? to Grace on the new release.
Excellent review Rachel. Grace writes some wonderful historical romances
Another fantastic review, thanks Rachel. Congratulations go Grace on the new release.
Great review, Rachel. Sounds wonderful.
Thanks for the great review. Congrats to Grace
Terrific review, Rachel. I love the sound of this one.
Another great review Rachel. Congrats to Grace on the new release.