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.