NEVER SEDUCE A SCOT by Maya Banks-a review

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Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks- a review

About the book: Release date September 25, 2012

Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but considered “touched” to outsiders. Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Eveline taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world view her as daft, content to stay with her family. But when an arranged marriage with a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, she accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful she can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled he awakens her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by his new bride, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation, 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.

Review:

Neither the Armstrongs nor the Montgomerys were happy about the marriage between the two clans that was ordered by their King. The two had been blood enemies for decades and the King knew that the only way to try and unite the two strongest clans was to try and intervene in the only way he could: an ordered marriage. And to go against the Crown would have been a declaration of war.

Graeme, his brothers, Bowen and Teague, and a contingent of their warriors set out for the Armstrong Keep for the wedding that neither clan wanted. Even though they were apprehensive, they knew that this would keep them on the good side of their King. Upon arrival at the Armstrong Keep, tension was thick. Eveline’s mother and father we both worried that Graeme would not be worthy of their daughter. Boy, were they ever wrong.

The wedding happened very quickly. Once it was finished, Eveline left the family that she loved and headed for the Montgomery Keep, bound and determined to start her new life and earn the respect of the clan. Needless to say, she was not welcomed with open arms. She was met with downright disdain by some. Graeme knew he had his work cut out for him.

Once Graeme learns that Eveline can read lips and communicate, things start falling into place. He learns that a terrible accident a few years ago left her deaf, not “daft” as she was called. She then tells him her story as to why she allowed her family to believe that she was deaf. It was for self-protection and self-preservation. Rorie, Graeme’s little sister, is one of Eveline’s biggest champions, and along with her brothers, vow to keep Eveline safe. But, after an attack on Graeme on Montgomery land, will they be able to keep their word? Will Eveline’s family work with the Montgomerys to save her or will war break out between the clans?

Never Seduce a Scot is a wonderful story. The love that grows between Graeme and Eveline is amazing. Banks does a wonderful job in building their story. Eveline is breathtaking in her courage and resolve. A deaf woman marries a man from a rival clan and is determined to make it work for both clans’ sake? Let’s just say that she wins over the Montgomery Clan in grand fashion. She will be a hard act to follow in the rest of this trilogy. The way she stands up to the members of the Montgomery clan who don’t think she is worthy is amazing. And Graeme knows what a lucky man he is, as do his brothers. The McCabe Trilogy, in my humble opinion, is the best trilogy I’ve ever read. After reading the first book in this trilogy, the McCabes may have a little competition. 😉 Banks wrote a deaf character in honor of her husband, who is also deaf. I can’t imagine a bigger honor than having such a wonderful love story written with that in mind. Once again, I worship at the altar of Maya Banks and can’t wait to read the second installment. If you haven’t read Banks’ Historical Romances, I have no words to tell you what you’re missing.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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31 thoughts on “NEVER SEDUCE A SCOT by Maya Banks-a review”

      • Don’t even get me started on that trilogy. If Gayle hadn’t told me to read Maya I would never have known about this great series. Love the McCabe brothers, Alaric’s story broke my heart.

        • Oh Marcie………. I had to literally lay down my Kindle a couple of times reading his story. I was crying so hard, I couldn’t see to read! I was just glad Abbi (15 years old) wasn’t here. She already thinks I’m nuts!!

          • The ending of Alaric’s book is possibly the most heart wrenching I have ever read. I wasnt just tearing up, unable to see the pages, I was sobbing. My husband happened to come home at that moment. He was like “what the hell happened!” logically thinking that something had happened to an actual REAL person. And I had to explain to him it was just a book. Lmao. Poor man.

  5. I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. Graeme was just….swooooon. 😉 I love Maya’s Highlanders and can’t wait to read the next instalment. Great review Vickie

  7. Loved this review Vickie. Loved this book. It slaughters the entire McCabe Brothers tiology…which is something I never thought possible. Maya Banks is truly the greatest author the Scottish Historical genre has to offer. Hands down. No competition. I stayed up until 1 am reading this book….which I never do. Simply could not stop. Eveline….the most phenomenally courageous heroine I have read in literature since Kahlan Amnell. I do not know how much higher Banks can take us….where do you improve on perfection?

  8. I’m with Barb: I want to read this…like YESTERDAY!!!!

    Let me be honest, I’ve already read 2 other reviews on this book, both equally great, but yours gave me a different perspective — kudos to you, because TODAY is the day I buy this. Your review is sending me straight to Amazon — they thank you, also!!!! 😉

  9. I loved your review, Miss Vickie!! I have been carrying around my copy for TWO DAYS!!! I know that once I start it, I won’t be able to stop!! I have goosebumps!! I’m soooo looking forward to finally starting the novel!!

    • Goosebumps indeed Jules. It is one of those books that cause such an intense reaction within you. As you are reading it, you know you are witnessing something rare, immense, and profound. Seriously. I did not know what to expect with a mute heroine, considering most women could not write back in this time period as another means of communication. But Eveline most certainly gets her point across. One of the most heartwarming, hurt my cheeks from smiling so widely moments I have ever read–was a moment after Eveline “hears” the rumble of Graeme’s voice upon their first meeting. She is instantly fascinated by the man who will be her husband, and seeks him out to experience this phenomenon again. She sits before him, looking at him expectantly. He is unsure what she wants from him, and she simply walks up, grasps his cheeks and starts squeezing, making his lips move in some semblance of a fish face. Cracked. Me. Up. So endearing. Like Ms. Vickie, I cannot recommend, or praise this book more.

    • Ms. Barb, this is a new series. The Montgomery’s and Armstrongs. Two clans under the rule of one King who is tired of the generations of fueding which lies between them. It introduces Graeme Montgomery and his two brothers. Bowen, and Tregue(sp?) The next novel, titles Highlander most wanted is about Bowen Montgomery….

      The heroine is Eveline Armstrong. This story is multi-layered, brimming with mystery, and new love. The main couple is phenomenal! The story starts off with a promise of the potential for peace between the two clans, and then flows into the beginings of a fragile alliance. Until a shocking incident threatens all out war between the clans, that would essentially label them traitors to the crown if such occurs. The novel not only focuses on the budding love between Graeme and Eveline, but it bears the question of whether or not these two clans can let go of past sins, for a chance at more than peace…but a chance at family.

      The other three novels that we fans speak of in all their glory, is the McCabe brothers trilogy. Not required to read those three books first (In Bed with a Highlander, The Seduction of a Highland Lass, Never love a Highlander) but they are sublime as well. Maya Banks is truly a force of nature in this genre.

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