Highland Vixen (Highland Weddings #2) by Mary Wine-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Highland Vixen (Highland Weddings #2) by Mary Wine-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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HIGHLAND VIXEN
Highland Weddings #2
by Mary Wine
Release Date:February 7, 2017
Genre: adult, historical, Highland, romance

Highland Vixen

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 7 , 2017

Fierce Highland war chief seeks comely lass for fun, frolic, and marriage

Marcus MacPherson is every inch the fearsome Highlander. He’s used to men averting their eyes and women cowering before him. He thinks he’ll eventually settle down with a nice, obedient bride. Instead, he gets Helen Grant… Stubborn as the day is long, fearless and dedicated to raising as much hell as possible, Helen is definitely going to challenge Marcus. And challenge him some more. And then some.

It’s anyone’s guess who’ll win this battle of the heart..

••••••••••••

REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Another fantastic Highland read by Mary Wine! LOVE LOVE LOVE! 🙂

Highland Vixen by Mary Wine is the second book in her “Highland Weddings” series and it sure lives up to its name. Vixen indeed! We met our leading characters in the previous book of this series called “Highland Spitfire” and while I suppose it is not necessary to read the first book you would miss out on so much back story, which in my opinion makes this book so good as the story continues on! Besides, there are returning characters in Highland Vixen, and I love reading how characters progress in a series after they get their HEA! 🙂

Marcus MacPherson is one studly, “don’t mess with me!”, fierce, scary , hot badass Highlander. He is the war chief of the MacPherson clan, second to his half brother (who happens to be the lead in the first book). He doesn’t mess around, and icky love stuff is the furthest from his mind .. despite the little vixen lass that resides as a “protected prisoner” of sorts in his castle.

Helen Grant is our vixen. She is fierce and bold, smart and very angry at her current living situation. While she has shared a steamy moment with Marcus, Marcus won’t claim her as his, but won’t allow another to step forward safely either. She is at her wits end and only wants to return to her home (which Marcus has threatened to burn if she leave MacPherson land).

Circumstance allows Helen to sneak away, but not without Marcus hot on her trail. When trouble comes about for Marcus, Helen agrees to marry Marcus, but NOT consummate the marriage so she can get an annulment once danger passes. Well Marcus is having none of that and despite the danger that comes knocking and threatens to take all he stands for, he has decided he is keeping Helen married to him at all costs! He is going to consummate this marriage one way or another and keep her forever.

YES, this is as steamy, perfectly angsty with a side of sass as it sounds! I love my Highland men all fierce and demanding, but deeply kind and protective, like Marcus … and my Highland woman full of attitude and courage, yet seriously lovely underneath like Helen. They are a perfect compliment to the other. Mary Wine really weaves some serious SOB villains as well! Ones that give you the creeps deep to your soul. You can almost smell their evil.

This is a perfect love story that carries an adventure that one would expect to find in a really fantastic Highlander story. If you love a good back and forth match between two well written characters then I highly recommend this book. The story line and side characters are a very decadent cherry on this perfect Highland sundae! LOL

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel

Copy supplied by the publisher

 

excerpt

 

“I did nae have me hands on ye at all, lass,” he responded arrogantly. “And I owe me sire a wee bit of an apology for me thinking last evening because his advice is sound.”
She rolled over and over and right off the edge of the huge bed, but her knees were shaky, so she stumbled, grasping one of the posts that held the bed curtains. Marcus was watching her, his grin widening as he took in his effect on her. He was wearing nothing but his shirt, and his member was sticking out in the front of it.
He’d lulled her into a false sense of ease. She realized he was every bit as menacing as ever and had simply waited for his moment to pounce on her.
“Do nae look at me like that, Helen.” Marcus sat up on the side of the bed and watched her move away. “Ye told me yer maidenhead was the only thing ye have left that is yer own, so I pleasured ye without taking it. Is it so hard to think of me as a man who does nae want to act the brute to ye?” He patted the surface of the bed. “I want ye to choose me.”
Did she dare?
Dare was certainly the correct word. He was looking at her, every inch the hardened man she’d faced time and again, and yet there was much more to him now. He was attempting to push inside her, to that place where no one had ever been, to her deepest feelings. However, he was offering her a glimpse at his own in return.
Such a tangle of possibilities.
She looked at the pile of clothing that she’d left on the bench, caught between the need to maintain her pride and the desire to simply let it go in favor of… Well, she wasn’t sure what exactly she’d find in his bed. She ended up looking back toward him, seeking the answer in his eyes.
“Naught to say?” he asked. “There is a first.”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” she exclaimed with her hip roll half laced. “There was a time when I knew how to speak kindly. Why do ye needle me until I can nae hold me tongue?”
He flashed her an arrogant grin. “Because I like ye the way ye are, no’ disguising yer nature to appease everyone about ye. Do ye have any idea how long it has been since a lass was honest with me? Since one came to me seeking me, and no’ me position? Ye are not the only one who feels isolated. As War Chief, I must be hard on the young lads, lest they fail to build up enough strength to survive. Smiling at them would be a disservice.”
Sometime during the night, he’d taken the time to pleat his kilt on a table that ran along the side of the bedchamber. His wide belt was already under it. It took only a moment for him to lean back, grasp the sides of the belt, and pull it all around himself. Most men used the floor, but clearly Marcus wanted to be ready, should there be a need to dress in a hurry during the night.
“It fell to me to either take ye or know without a doubt that I’d be sending me own men up against yer brothers because they refused to admit the cattle were ours.” He was buckling a second belt in place to make sure his kilt was secure. “Ye think I enjoyed it?”
“Yes, ye did,” she answered him. “Somewhat, anyhow. Admit it. Yer nature is suited to yer position.”
He offered her a cocky grin. “If ye’ll match me by admitting ye did nae think to notice I do nae always care for what me duty demands of me. That’s the thing about duty. Ye do it because it needs doing and others depend on ye seeing things through.”
“Fairly spoken,” she said softly while pulling her skirts over her head. The waistband caught on her hip roll, and she began to lace the waistband closed. “Ye are no’ a brute.” His smile was widening with victory. “But swine fits well, for ye knew well ye were twisting words last evening to get me into yer bed.”
He chuckled and opened his arms wide. “Taming a vixen requires cunning.”
Helen felt her temper stir at the use of the word taming.


 

 

Guest Post=Black and Red

For me, research is a two part thing. First off is doing the ‘foot work’ so to speak. That’s the researching. You either know that Elizabeth the first was born in 1533 or you don’t. If you intend to set your story in that era, this is information you need to know. Her mother was beheaded and if you want to go deeper, you learn things such as she was given the mercy of a French swordsman for her execution because the ax was often clumsy. Deeper still and you discover that some of the dates she was accused of having adultery were during her lying in, so completely false as her ladies would have been with her.

That’s part one. The dates, the circumstances. I actually love this stuff because for me, after I absorb the dry facts, I start to think about things like…okay, if there was a young daughter attending court, and in service to queen Elizabeth, what would her duties have been? What exactly was a lady in waiting. I would then learn that Elizabeth had ladies of the Bed chamber, of the presence chamber, and one the list goes. The duchess of Norfolk slept on a trundle bed that came out from beneath Elizabeth’s because that’s how close together they lived.

I like to take it all in and craft a book set in the era. Yes, it’s a fantasy story but I want my characters to be people of the time.

A second part of this is something I have done my entire life and that is historical re-enactment. I make the clothing and wear it. I take sword class. Dances that would have been done in Elizabeth’s court? Yes, I know a few. It’s also the little things, like turning bread on a table and trying….grrr….to bake it in an oven that you have to heat up with coals and no yeast during Elizabeth’s era. You learn to hum a tune because there is no music or make sure you are by the fire at night when someone pulls out an instrument.

I love to find little ways to fold all these details into my stories while still letting my charaters fall in love. It’s a challenge and a fun one.

Cheers!
Mary Wine

About The Author Black and Red

Mary WineAcclaimed author Mary Wine has written over 30 works of Scottish Highland romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. An avid history-buff and historical costumer, she and her family enjoy participating in historical reenactments. Mary lives in Yorba Linda, California with her husband and two sons. Website | Goodreads | Facebook

 

Giveaway-redandblack_zps8ff4dc4b

Mary’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of HIGHLAND VIXEN to ONE (1) lucky commenter  at The Reading Cafe

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9.. Giveaway runs from February 7-11, 2017

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An American in Scotland (MacIain #3) by Karen Ranney-a review

AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND (MacIain #3) by Karen Ranney

An American in Scotland

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 23, 2016

Rose MacIain is a beautiful woman with a secret. Desperate and at her wits’ end, she crafts a fake identity for herself, one that Duncan MacIain will be unable to resist. But she doesn’t realize that posing as the widow of the handsome Scotsman’s cousin is more dangerous than she knew. And when a simmering attraction rises up between them, she begins to regret the whole charade.

Duncan is determined to resist the tempting Rose, no matter how much he admires her arresting beauty and headstrong spirit. When he agrees to accompany her on her quest, their desire for each other only burns hotter. The journey tests his resolve as their close quarters fuel the fire that crackles between them.

When the truth comes to light, these two stubborn people must put away their pride and along the way discover that their dreams of love are all they need.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: AN AMERCIAN IN SCOTLAND is the third installment in Karen Ranney’s MacIAIN historical, romance series. This is Rose and Duncan’s storyline. AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary. The timeline of 1863 places the storyline during the American Civil War; the Emancipation Proclamation; and the American South was gradually losing control of the people, the slaves and the war.

Told from several third person perspectives and crossing three continents AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND follows Rose as she endeavors to keep her sister’s family, and the cotton plantation in Charleston from going under. In her attempts to earn some quick cash, Rose heads to Scotland to visit her brother-in –law’s relations to secure a promise to purchase the cotton bales currently in storage. While the US civil war between the North and the South has claimed many lives, Rose’s current situation on her sister’s Charleston plantation is bordering on starvation and ruin. What ensues is a case of mistaken identity when Rose all but convinces the MacIain family in Scotland to help the family back in America. Enter Duncan MacIain, a Scottish businessman who agrees to return to Charleston with Rose in order to help out his extended family. What Duncan does not know is that Rose is not quite whom she claims to be; and Duncan’s cousin is a truly evil human being.

The relationship between Rose and Duncan begins under the guise of a little white lie. Duncan’s family believes Rose is their cousin’s widow, and takes our heroine into their home. Duncan and Rose’s attraction to one another escalates on their ocean voyage to America, wherein Duncan will proclaim that Rose is the woman who holds his heart and his future. The $ex scenes are intimate, but mostly implied.

The world building focuses on the war between the Yankees and the Confederates; slavery in America; and the cotton plantations of the South; as well as the connection between the Bahamas (the British West Indies), and the American slave plantations. Our leading couple travel across the ocean from Scotland, to the Bahamas, through the Blockades, and onto American soil wherein years of war, and a devastating fire have all but destroyed what is left of Charleston, South Carolina. There is some culture shock on both sides of the ocean.

AN AMERICAN IN SCOTLAND is a fascinating and enjoyable storyline with a little bit of suspense and romance. The premise is moving and heartbreaking; the characters are energetic and inspiring; the romance is passionate. Karen Ranney weaves a little bit of American history into a story of romance and love that finds one woman trying to save a family that doesn’t want to be saved.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Highland Guard Series by Monica McCarty-The Saint, The Recruit and The Hunter-combined review

The Highland Guard Series by Monica McCarty -The Saint, The Recruit and The Hunter-combined review

Highland guard

5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

So before I get into this combined review I need to give you a brief synopsis of the previous books. This review consists of books 5, 6 and 7 but to appreciate these books, I do think that the reader should indulge in 1 through 4 first. That being said, Monica McCarty does give brief explanation in each book when other characters from previous books are included.

Our setting is early 1300’s, medieval Scotland/England just after William Wallace was executed. Robert the Bruce is trying to win control of the Scottish crown and has decided to form an elite warrior army. These warriors are the best of the best and each warrior possesses their own particular skill that is crucial to the team. These warriors are not all friends, and truth be told, they come from warring clans. However, to ensure that “The Bruce” wins this war, they put their differences aside. This elite army is top secret, and they are known as phantoms who attack in the curling mist and disappear just as quick. When they strike, it is quick, precise and DEADLY!

Here they are (the warriors that have their own book so far, with more to follow)!

THE CHIEF – Tor MacLoed, team leader and expert swordsman
THE HAWK – Eric MacSorley, seafarer and swimmer
THE RANGER – Arthur Campbell, scouting and reconnaissance
THE VIPER – Lachlan MacRuairi, stealth, infiltration and extraction
THE SAINT – Magnus MacKay, survivalist and weapon forging
THE RECRUIT – Kenneth “Ice” Sutherland, explosives and versatility
THE HUNTER – Ewen Lamont, tracker and hunter of men

Of course it goes without saying … behind every great warrior is a great woman! WINK! LOL

_____________________________________________________

The SaintTHE SAINT – Book 5 of The Highland Guard Series

DESCRIPTON

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Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain and to best his enemies. Called “the Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus hides a painful truth. It isn’t virtue or piety that keeps him silent, but a wound of love and loss that cuts so deep he cannot bear to speak of it. But when the woman who refused him is betrothed to his friend and fellow Guardsman, Magnus is tested by love’s battle cry.

A wild and innocent beauty, Helen chose family duty over her desire for Magnus. Now the anger in his eyes mirrors the tormented regret in her heart. But as deadly subterfuge stalks the King and his Guard, Helen vows to right her youthful mistakes with a woman’s determined spirit. Still, Magnus harbors secrets and an iron will not to weaken to temptation—or heartache—again. But as danger looms, it’s the kiss not of a saint, but of a sinner, that can save them.

REVIEW

Oh Magnus, bless your saintly heart my dear … you never had a chance with a woman like Helen! LOL

Magnus Mackay, the quiet saintly warrior of the bunch, holds a secret injury close. His broken heart. Years ago before this war, he met Helen Sutherland (the MacKay’s and Sutherland’s are warring clans) at the Highland Games. There is an instant connection that leaves a serious imprint. Through many years they secretly meet and fall in love, never consummating their love and leaving it honourable. Magnus proposes to Helen in front of her brother (whom he hates) and Helen is stuck making a quick decision that will alter their entire lives. She says NO! Her father is ailing and she cannot leave his side nor go against her families wishes. They are both heartbroken!

Years pass and Magnus is attending his fellow warrior and best friend William’s wedding. He is completely gobsmacked when he learns it’s to his beloved Helen (Helen is just as gobsmacked to learn her betrothed is BFF’s with her one true love). However, in true honourable warrior fashion, Magnus tells Helen that he doesn’t love her and her future belongs with William. She marries William.

William ends up dying in battle and has Magnus promise to watch over Helen (no one knows that the marriage was never consummated). Magnus reluctantly agrees. Off we go in the cat and mouse chase that these two engage in. However, what I loved about it was that the roles were reversed. Helen does everything she can to chase Magnus and make up for the wrong decision she made years ago. She is a strong girl who knows what she wants and uses her sensuality, healing capabilities to make her a commodity of the elite team, and favour of the king to seduce Magnus.

Secrets are revealed, lust if fed and a love stronger than both of them takes root all in the midst of a deadly war.

_____________________________________________________________________

The RecruitTHE RECRUIT – Book 6 of The Highland Guard Series

DESCRIPTION

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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?

REVIEW

Next to THE HAWK Eric, The RECRUIT was my next fave. There was something about Kenneth Sutherland that made me crave more. We first met Kenneth Sutherland in The Saint, as he is Helen’s brother. Throughout The Saint, Kenneth begins to put the pieces together and discovers that this elite army is exactly his calling. He begs The King to give him a chance, but it’s his brother in law (Magnus MacKay) who stands in his way. Magnus lays it on the line and tells Kenneth if he wins the Highland Games he’ll petition the King on Kenneth’s behalf to consider allowing Kenneth to become a member of the team. Magnus has no intention of letting Kenneth win anything (and plays dirty in the process). Magnus doesn’t end up getting what he wants and Kenneth ends up going through recruit training (seriously harsh) and proves that he can be a contributing member.

While at the highland games, Kenneth is spied upon by Mary of Mar while he is having a “role in the hay” with another lady. There eyes meet and something explosive happens between them. When Kenneth tracks her down she agrees to one night of passion. Well one night isn’t enough and Kenneth is beside himself when he awakens to discover Mary is gone.

Mary of Mar was previously married to a Lord who neglected his family (Mary has a son with this Lord who is removed from her home to squire for an Englishman), while placing them in serious danger so he could participate in the war. Once he was killed, she vows never to marry again and live her life unnoticed. Well once Kenneth finds her, that all goes to the wayside.

The King has announced she is betrothed to Kenneth an it just so happens their brief night of passion has resulted in pregnancy. Slowly, Kenneth begins to peel back the barrier of Mary’s heart and makes her believe that marriage is possible. His secret of being an elite member of this phantom guard however just may change all that!

_____________________________________________________________

The HunterTHE HUNTER – Book 7 of the Highland Guard Series

DESCRIPTION

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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.

REVIEW

Ewen Lamont comes from a scandalous marriage that forever has foreshadowed his own life. He is the son of “WILD” Lamont. A man who lived to beat of his own drum, was a drunk and never backed away from a challenge. After his sudden death, Ewen assumed responsibility of a small strip of land and a clan that has been neglected. In order to provide for his people, Ewen becomes a member of the guard. He is obedient, tight lipped and lives to correct his father’s errors.

Ewen is asked to track down “Sister Genna” who is actually Janet of Mar (Mary’s sister) whom is presumed dead after trying to rescue her sister (this is all in the book The Recruit). She has been a courier for the King, passing along top secret intelligence and using the cross as her cover. After a passionate embrace, Ewen kicks himself for compromising a nun. Once he finds out that she is not a nun however, but the twin sister of Mary, he is FURIOUS. Again he is called upon by the King to bring her to him so he can tell her that she is betrothed to another. While Ewen knows this information, he neglects to tell Janet as he knows she’ll fight going with him.

Through their journey, Janet tries to seduce her way into Ewen’s heart. Ewen does all he can to fight her off knowing that is he indulges in his lust he has more to lose than Janet. He is fearful the King will strip him of his land and force his clan into perish.

Throughout the highlands, these two get to know each other and the attraction only grows. Ewen also makes his position on Janet’s part in the war known and she will not give up the only thing in her life that makes up for past mistakes. A war of wills follows!

So Monica McCarty is by far one of the best highland romance writers I have ever read! She can write a beautiful love story but that isn’t what stuck me in this series. She is basing her love stories off real people and real events. At the end of each story, she includes an authors note. This note consists of her historical research, who is fiction, who isn’t, what battles occurred during that books time, how the English and Scottish worked apart and together. IT WAS FASCINATING to read how she brings it all together. Her books are full of battle and history and so much ACTION. While the fluff is amazing, and the sexual tension between hero and heroine is intense, I was captivated by the war and who stood where and why!

If you love the highlanders, do yourself a favour and snag this series. I have rated every book thus far a 5 out of 5. I have never been disappointed!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Reviewed by Rachel T.

Copies supplied by Netgalley

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