Two-fer Tuesday : Temptation in a Kilt & X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts (Tuesday Intros & Teaser Tuesday)

 

Title: Temptation in a Kilt

Author: Victoria Roberts

Publication: 1 September 2012

Format: Kindle eBook

Amazon Description: 

She's On Her Way to Safety

It's a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong's desperation that she's seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn't care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control...

He Redefines Dangerous...

Ciaran MacGregor knows it's perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he's stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he'll be ready to show her how he really is...on and off the battlefield.

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Title: X Marks the Scot

Author: Victoria Roberts

Publication: 5 February 2013

Format: Kindle eBook

Amazon Description: 

He was a Highland Rogue Wicked with a Bow and Just as Wicked with the Ladies.

Declan MacGregor hadn't a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and a willing woman...until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can't just abandon her to that vipers' nest without protection.

She Never Asked for a Bodyguard...

Liadain wasn't thrilled to be left in the care of her clan's archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows even sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust...

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Ramble-y Teaserish Stuff

I fully admit that the only reason I got X Marks the Scot is because of the X. I only have a few letters left and I'll have the Alphabet Soup challenge finished .... for titles, anyway. Not sure if I'll manage to get authors done, as well. Next year. 

I honestly wasn't expect much aside from another letter crossed off my list. It's the second in a series which would normally make it not happen until the first, but I figured that it would be okay because of extenuating circumstances and all. What I got was a "dangnabbit" moment fairly early on .... and then I went and got the first book in the series. 

I obviously have issues. 

Luckily, I was able to knock them both out pretty quickly. They're pretty much predictable fluff, but sometimes that's what is needed. I even have the third in the series (and a couple from her other series) already lined up for the next time my brain needs a break ... and the time after that ... and ....

Temptation in a Kilt starts the series with the story of Highlander Laird Ciaran MacGregor and Lowlander Lady Rosalia Armstrong. In order to save themselves from financial dire straits, Rosalia's parents offer her to the less-than-enthralling Lord Dunnehl .... so Rosalia runs away to her Highland grandmother's and straight into the path of the way-more-than-enthralling Ciaran. He agrees to escort her as traveling alone would be too dangerous (especially because she's a bit of a sheltered twit who knows next to nothing about survival). Of course, Ciaran is too focused on taking care of his clan, protecting his land from the "bloody Campbells," getting his younger brother to grow up, and being all sorts of alpha male blah blah blah to give in to the feelings he begins to have for the damsel in distress (and she is definitely distressing) .... until he does .... and .... well, you probably can already guess. 

Predictable isn't always a bad thing and there are still plenty of twists to help make it a good start to what is looking to be a good series. I'm glad I backtracked to read it first as there's a fair bit of background that will come in handy for the next two books.

So on to the next...

The second book, X Marks the Scot, is the story of Ciaran's younger brother Declan -- the one who needed to grow up. He's as scoundrel and rogue as his brother was provider and defender. That all starts to change, though, when he wins a competition. Included in the prize package is Liadain, the half-sister of the main "bloody Campbell" from the first book and ..... oh bother. 

See? 

This is why things need to be read in order. 

Besides, the first book gives us more Declan and that is seriously nothing to complain about. Bad boy in a kilt who just needs a good spitfire of a woman to rock his world? 

I am so definitely on board with that. 

I loved Ciaran and Rosalia together, but I think I may love Declan and Liadain even more. Individually they're each more interesting (and she is far from the damsel is constant distress that Rosalia was). Together they're amazing.

"First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros" is from the first paragraph or two
of a book being read now (or in the future) and is hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews. 

"Teaser Tuesday" at The Purple Booker asks for a random line or two
from anywhere in the book currently being read.