Historical Romance Blog Tour Giveaway

Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn

Seven years ago duty called to Connor Grant, and he left his home and the love of his life, Mairi MacGregor, behind. He vowed he'd come back to her. When she refused his requests that she come and live with him, he thought she had picked her home over him.

Seven years ago Mairi MacGregor lost the love of her life, Connor, to his sense of duty. She begged him not to go. He begged her to come with. She wasn't ready to leave her home. When he never came back she assumed he had picked the King's service and England over her.

Now the two have come face to face again. Each Stubbornly refuses to acknowledge they are still in love with the other. Each waiting for the other to make the first move. Neither wishing to play the part of a fool. Each feeling betrayed that the other didn't make the grand gesture. A meddling mother and Queen, however,  just may pull off what seems to be the  impossible - getting them to admit their emotions.

I really enjoyed this book. I liked Mairi, despite her stubbornness, which almost cost her Connor. I have to admit I felt Mairi was the one at fault for the original break up. I chalk it up to her being young and insecure and not quite ready to part with her home. I loved the drama created by someone trying to kill Conner. I also enjoyed the complications which arose from Lord Oxford and his sister having feelings for Mairi and Conner respectively. I also liked the additional twist at the end (but I don't want to reveal any spoilers).  My favorite part, however, was when Connor and Mairi finally got together. *sigh* 

I also have to mention that I liked that at the beginning of the book all the characters were listed with their titles. Sometimes titles can be hard to keep track of. For example, Lord Huntley and Graham Grant are one and the same person. Without the reference at the front I'd probably get confused. I hope this is a trend we'll see in more books. It was a nice touch. I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses.


Lady of Seduction by Laurel McKee

"I haven't even started learning who I might be." he had told her as they sat together in that freezing warehouse, kidnapper and captive bound together in the moments before the inferno. Bound together by an understanding that was strange and deep.

Several years ago Lady Caroline Blacknall had been kidnapped by Sir Grant Dunmore. In a plan to kidnap Caroline's sister, Anna, whom he wished to marry, Caroline had accidentally gotten ensnared by his trap as well. In that moment before all hell broke loose, she'd seen into his soul. To his true self. They had kissed. It wouldn't be for another year, while she'd been in the midst of planning her wedding, that she'd find out he'd survived....

"Why, Caroline?" he whispered, his voice filled with rough torment. "Why are you here?"
"Because I had  to see you again," she said simply.

A year after her husband had died, Caroline had set off for the tiny island of  Muirin Inish in hopes of convincing Grant to let her see 'The Chronicle of Kildare', a history of Ireland written and illuminated by Brother Michael of the St. Ceolach monastery. She was trying to write a book about the legends of Ireland and the book was vital to her work. That was the lie she told herself....

I absolutely loved this story. I didn't read the previous books, but wished I had. Not because I felt lost, because I most definitely did not, but because I wanted to know about the other stories that were just hinted at in this book. The beginning of the book was brilliant with an attention grabber that had me hooked from the start. I loved how Grant and Caroline's feelings couldn't be denied, yet were complicated by the fact Grant had kidnapped Caroline and her sister years ago. I liked how Ms. Mckee didn't immediately start Grant and Caroline's story up where it left off after the warehouse fire, cleverly avoiding the possibility of Stockholm Syndrome, which may have upset some readers. I loved seeing how Grant was determined to make up for his past sins, and how Caroline had to put her trust in him. I also loved the fact Ms. McKee created her own legend, that of The Daughters of Erin. I really adore that in a story, especially when it involves dragons. The chemistry between Caroline and Grant was incinerating and I love that their true emotions were first sparked in a warehouse fire all those years ago. Also, I appreciated that Ms. Mckee added an Author's note at the end. I had no idea about The Rising of 1803 which is the backdrop to this story. I love it when I can learn a little something about history in my romance novels. I  gave this book a 5 out of 5 roses. 


Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel
 by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

In fall, King Robert III ordered a trial by combat/battle to the death, to decide which three clans would reside in the land now held by the Mackintosh, Cameron, and MacDonald clans. After the combat, the King declared a truce between the remaining clans, and, if not upheld, the clan(s) causing trouble would be severely punished and banished to Hebridean isle. A fate none wanted.

That was the day three young woman decided to take matters into their own hands to ensure the peace endured. Lady Catriona, Lady Isobel, and Lady Marjory were each from different clans, and they made a pact to marry into another. It was their hope that by intermarrying, they could tie the clans together by blood, thereby, uniting them. Each woman picked a potential husband. Isobel had picked Kendrew Mackintosh to be her husband, but for months he wouldn't even acknowledge her. That was about to change. She was determined to catch his eye at the Midsummer's Eve festival, a pagan type of festival held in honor of Odin, a Norse God.

Set in the backdrop of a land of legends, where the ghosts of dragons and dragon masters still roam, this story was magical. I love the fact that Ms. Welfonder created such a fantastical place. It had a bit of the feel of  'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to it because of the assistance of the Gods. I truly enjoyed watching Kendrew denying his attraction to Isobel. I enjoyed the interaction between the two, and  I loved how Isobel handled things with Kendrew. The heat between the two was sizzling, and the ring scene made me laugh. I also liked the story of Daire and Rodan, and how the tale was slowly revealed. This one did get a bit gory at the end, but I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses.  

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I’m giving away 3 sets of 3 books. The books included in each set are:
1.  Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn, 

2.  Lady of Seduction  by Laurel McKee 
3.  Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Rules to be eligible for giveaway:

1. Only residents of the US or Canada are eligible. 

2. Please leave either your email address or a link to your Goodreads profile so I may get in contact with you to get your mailing address. No P.O. Boxes, please. If uncomfortable about giving out such information on my blog, please feel free to email me your information at seducedbyabook@gmail.com.
3. Become a follower of my blog, if you aren't already.

4. Leave a comment about what kinds of things you like to see in a Romance novel.
5. You will automatically get an additional entry if you entered my previous giveaway and didn't win.

Winners will be randomly chosen. Books will be sent directly from publisher. Giveaway ends July 20th,  midnight eastern time. Winners will be posted on my blog and notified by email or message posted to them via Goodreads. Winners will have 72 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.

Paula, Sue-Ellen, & Laurel,

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.

Sincerely,
Lisarenee

Winners

Winnie, Rosie Hong, & Carol L.

Congratulations!

Thank you everyone who entered.

Winners are also posted on the Winners Giveaway page of my blog.