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THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION THE PERFECT DUKE by Dawn Ireland is a different kind of story from historical romance I'm used to reading. I like that the author used irony in the title because the duke is far from perfect. In this book we meet Garret Weston and Cara McClure who have have an interesting relationship. There story is a lot like a fairy tale in many ways, which I liked. She doesn't believe herself the "perfect" bride for a duke, but Garret sets out to prove her wrong. The characters couldn't always seem to make up their minds about their actions and sometimes it made them difficult to like, but overall I thought they were both good people who deserved their happy-ever-after just like in the fairy tales Cara always loved. There is some nice tension and mystery that I didn't expect, and overall this was an enjoyable romantic tale. Star Rating : 3 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : 3 1/2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Known as The Marble Duke amongst the Ton, Garret Weston, the Duke of Kendal, sets himself apart from his peers. Nothing will hinder his guilt-driven attempt to become a perfect duke. Nothing, that is, save the alluring and imaginative betrothed he’d thought dead. His intended believes—of all things—that she is a Vicar’s daughter. The “perfect” duke needs a “perfect” duchess, but how is he to discern her suitability? Employing her as a governess to his niece seems like an ideal solution. But whose “suitability” is being tested? His betrothed refuses to see he is beyond redemption. And most grievous of all, she stirs his blood, making him forget what’s important. Cara believes fairy tales really can come true, until she meets the unrelenting and arrogant Duke of Kendal. He looks like a Prince, but acts like a Beast. Why must he challenge her at every turn? Her greatest peril is her attraction to the vulnerable, seductive man behind the title. A match between them would be impossible. But can she show him, without losing her heart, that “perfect” is in the eye of the beholder? Print Length: 328 pages Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing Publication Date: March 11, 2013 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #GeorgianRomance #HistoricalRomance

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION A well-written and fascinating story of a dark time in history. THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTER by Beth Underdown is a different kind of book for me. I like witch stories, but this one is not typical. It follows the story of Alice Hopkins, a young widow left with child, who returns to Manningtree to stay with her younger brother, Matthew. We spend most of the book in Alice's head with her thoughts. This isn't a style of writing I normally like, but the author has changed my mind in this instance. The characters who mattered to me were well-developed and the ones I didn't care as much about hung in the background like interesting extras ready to make an appearance at a moment's notice. THE WITCHFINDER'S SISTER tells of the darkness during the 1600s when women were accused of witchcraft and evil doers were determined to hunt them down and destroy them. The history is quite interesting surrounding the real Matthew Hopkins, and I appreciate that the author explained her research and the fictionalized account with an author's note at the end of the book. The author writes the story a little like a song: The beginning is a gentle easing into Alice's mind and world, then there's a stronger chorus, aka more exciting part of the story, and then it tapers into a haunting melody with a powerful ending. This is one of those books where the reader might not be quite sure what to make of it until they've read it through and looked at the story from Alice's perspective. This is the first e-book I've read in more than a year, and I caved because I loved the book cover and story premise. It was well worth the read and I'll be pleased to add this book to my personal library. Content Note: There are some disturbing, perhaps even terrifying, themes since the author didn't turn the subject matter into a lightness we would expect from many witch-like stories. I didn't find it at all disturbing (perhaps a little spooky) but some readers might. Star Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : See note above | Reviewed by : MK McClintock BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A thrilling debut novel, a literary historical thriller based on the devastating witch hunts in 1640s England conducted by “Witchfinder General” Matthew Hopkins—for readers of Sarah Waters and Katherine Howe. Before Salem, there was Manningtree. . . . “This summer, my brother Matthew set himself to killing women, but without ever once breaking the law.” Essex, England, 1645. With a heavy heart, Alice Hopkins returns to the small town she grew up in. Widowed, with child, and without prospects, she is forced to find refuge at the house of her younger brother, Matthew. In the five years she has been gone, the boy she knew has become a man of influence and wealth—but more has changed than merely his fortunes. Alice fears that even as the cruel burns of a childhood accident still mark his face, something terrible has scarred Matthew’s soul. There is a new darkness in the town, too—frightened whispers are stirring in the streets, and Alice’s blood runs cold with dread when she discovers that Matthew is a ruthless hunter of suspected witches. Torn between devotion to her brother and horror at what he’s become, Alice is desperate to intervene—and deathly afraid of the consequences. But as Matthew’s reign of terror spreads, Alice must choose between her safety and her soul. Alone and surrounded by suspicious eyes, Alice seeks out the fuel firing her brother’s brutal mission—and is drawn into the Hopkins family’s past. There she finds secrets nested within secrets: and at their heart, the poisonous truth. Only by putting her own life and liberty in peril can she defeat this darkest of evils—before more innocent women are forced to the gallows. Inspired by the real-life story of notorious “Witchfinder General” Matthew Hopkins, Beth Underdown’s thrilling debut novel blends spellbinding history with harrowing storytelling for a truly haunting reading experience. Print Length: 336 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books Publication Date: April 25, 2017 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher via NetGalley VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #5Stars #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #ReviewersTopPick #EditorRecommended

Please join us in welcoming author Ken Farmer to Books & Benches. He's here to talk about the Old West and his latest book, FLYNN, The Nations Book #8 . Ken is an author, actor, director, and and narrator—a man of many hats and talents. Check out FLYNN below and continue reading for a Q&A with the author. "With a compelling plot, vivid characters, realistic action, and gripping narrative, THE NATIONS is not just a thrilling saga of the American West—it is a triumph!" —DWIGHT JON ZIMMERMAN, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling co-author of LINCOLN'S LAST DAYS THE BOOK Deputy US Marshals Fiona Mae Miller and Brushy Bill Roberts hunt the mysterious Gentleman Bandit. Who is he? Who is Flynn? Does Marshal Fiona Miller meet her match? A spacecraft crashes near Aurora, Texas, April 17, 1897. The townspeople give the pilot a Christian burial in the local cemetery…but was there a survivor? The sheriff of Jack County, Texas, is somehow involved with Fiona, the Gentleman Bandit and the crash at Aurora. Find out in the third Lady Law novel in the Nations series…FLYNN. AMAZON | TIMBER CREEK PRESS | ADD TO GOODREADS Q&A with KEN FARMER "It’s no wonder Ken Farmer's classical historical fiction is rated best of the best." —Mary Deal, Bestselling Author What can you tell us about your newest release? My newest release is entitled, FLYNN. It’s number eight in the bestselling, sward-winning western historical fiction series, The Nations. FLYNN was released on January 27, 2017 and has hit number one in sales on both Amazon’s Old West and Classic Western categories. In fact, the eight volumes in The Nations series hold the first eight places in Amazon’s Old West best sellers. The series began with it’s namesake, The Nations, featuring the real life character, Deputy US Marshal Bass Reeves as the main protagonist. In the process of my research on Bass, I discovered there was one, count ‘em, one female Deputy US Marshal that worked the Indian Nations under Judge Isaac Parker IN THE 1890s…Deputy United States Marshal F.M. Miller. A local newspaper of the day wrote: “Marshal Miller is a woman of dashing manners…expert shot and a superb horsewoman, and brave to the verge of recklessness.” And no one has written about her…duh? I introduced Deputy US Marshal Fiona Mae Miller in BASS and the LADY, and then the next novel in the series was, LADY LAW, with Marshal Miller as the main protagonist. Since then, she’s been the lead also in BLUE WATER WOMAN. Fiona Miller is reunited with Bass Reeves in FLYNN and my WIP, AURALI RED. Do you consider your books plot-driven or character-driven? Is that how you naturally write, or do is there a purpose for what you chose? My novels are definitely character driven and that is apparently my natural style. I worked for over forty years as a degreed professional film/TV actor and evolved from the structured style (method) they taught in college to the Organic Style. Basically, that means I got the heck out of the way and let the character take over. My writing progressed the same way. It’s called being a Pantser. I don’t write an outline of any sort. I know the general story, but may not know exactly how it’s going to end. I just created the characters, I get out of the way and let them tell the story…Sometimes they surprise even me. Please give us some insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special? My main new character in FLYNN (along with Deputy US Marshal Fiona Miller), Sheriff Mason Flynn has a special Code he lives by: Talk less and say more. When you give your word, keep it…’nuff said. Know where to draw the line. Don’t tolerate rudeness. Protect the weak Respect women Take care of your horse, it will take care of you. When you’re scared, keep it to yourself. He carries a .45 Colt Peacemaker and only uses it when he has to. Deputy US Marshal Fiona Miller’s code is very simple: She doesn’t backwater to any man. What appeals to you most about your chosen genre? Well, like a lot of kids my age, I grew up on the western. Double features, Saturday serials, TV, Classic Westerns and of course books. The one thing I can identify with is there was always a distinction between right and wrong—good guys and bad guys. Like the good guys always wore the white hats. My early heroes were, Tim McCoy, Hoppy, The Lone Ranger, Tim Holt, Johnny Mack Brown, Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea, Dale Robertson, Roy Rodgers, Gene Autry, Ben Johnson, The Durango Kid, Red Ryder and of course John Wayne. My favorite author is Edgar Rice Burroughs and yes, he wrote westerns too. What else have you written? I have written or co-written eighteen novels including six action military: The Black Eagle Force series—Black Eagle Force: Eye of the Storm, Black Eagle Force: Sacred Mountain, Return of the Starfighter, Black Eagle Force: Blood Ivory, Black Eagle Force: Fourth Reich, Black Eagle Force: ISIS, and Blood Brothers. Two contemporary SyFy: Legend of Aurora and Aurora Invasion . Eight Historical Fiction Westerns: The Nations, Haunted Falls, Hell Hole, Across the Red, Bass and the Lady, Lady Law, Blue Water Woman, Flynn and my WIP is Aurali Red. The first book I ever wrote was a ‘how to’ book entitled, Acting is Storytelling . The Nations won the Laramie Award for Best Classic Western - 2014. Haunted Falls won the Laramie Award for Best Action Western - 2013 and our first novel, Black Eagle Force: Eye of the Storm won Best Adult Fiction at the North Texas Book Festival - 2012. Six of my novels have been #1 in sales in their category on Amazon including my current release, FLYNN. The Ringo Kid, aka Alex Cord, endorses The Nations , "Stands alone, unlike any Western you've ever read...Great dialogue. Action packed, blood and guts aplenty. With admirable skill, the authors blend violence and tenderness to move the reader to care about the characters." THE AUTHOR Ken Farmer didn't write his first full novel until he was sixty-nine years of age. He often wonders what the hell took him so long. At age seventy-five…he's currently working on novel number sixteen. Ken spent thirty years raising cattle and quarter horses in Texas and forty-five years as a professional actor (after a stint in the Marine Corps). Those years gave him a background for storytelling…or as he has been known to say, "I've always been a bit of a bull---t artist, so writing novels kind of came naturally once it occurred to me I could put my stories down on paper." Ken's writing style has been likened to a combination of Louis L'Amour and Terry C. Johnston with an occasional Hitchcockian twist…now that's a mouthful. In addition to his love for writing fiction, he likes to teach acting, voice-over and writing workshops. His favorite expression is: "Just tell the damn story." Writing has become Ken's second life: he has been a Marine, played collegiate football, been a Texas wildcatter, cattle and horse rancher, professional film actor and now a novelist. Who knew? Visit the author at www.kenfarmer-author.net . #WesternFiction #HistorialWestern #AuthorInterview

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION A wonderful historical tale of romance in 19th-century Ireland. BROTHERLY LOVE follows the story of Caitriona Brady and Michael Warner, but the book is about much more than that. I love reading books set in Ireland but I didn't know anything about the history of 1835, so I found it really interesting. The dialogue and the characters could have used a little polishing, but even so, my enjoyment of the story kept me reading. I liked both Caitriona and Michael, and the romance in the story is well done, but I really was interested in the history. I thought the author did a good job mixing the history into the story so it didn't overpower—it enhanced. This is one of those books where I feel like I'd be giving too much away if went into detail. This is a good book worth reading, and is sure to be loved by readers who enjoy interesting history with their historical romance. Star Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Ireland, 1835. Faction fighting has left the parish of Doon divided between the followers of the Bradys and the Donnellans. Caitriona Brady is the widow of John, the Brady champion, killed two years ago. Matched with John aged eighteen, Caitriona didn’t love him and can’t mourn him. Now John’s mother is dead, too, and Caitriona is free to marry again. Michael Warner is handsome, loves her, and he hasn’t allied himself with either faction. But what secret is he keeping from her? Is he too good to be true? Genre: Historical Romance Publication Date: February 1, 2017 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance #2017Review

“A compelling mystery that will grip the reader from the start with her crisp storytelling, natural dialogue and high-stakes tension. Scott is a tough alpha male whose fearlessness complements Dani’s strength and tenacity. The chemistry between them is fiercely electric.” — RT Book Reviews New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin “delivers the goods” ( Publishers Weekly ) again with the eleventh title in the gritty, heart-pounding Tracers series. When a lakeside tryst ends in a double murder, police detective Daniele Harper arrives on the scene determined to get answers. Clues are everywhere, but nothing adds up. Dani turns to the Delphi Center crime lab for help, but soon regrets it when her secret attraction to their chief firearms examiner threatens to distract her from the most important case of her career. As a ballistics expert and former Navy SEAL, Scott Black knows firearms, and he knows he can help Dani unravel her case. Scott has managed to hide his interest in his best friend’s younger sister for years, but when her investigation brings them together, the sparks between them quickly get out of control. Scott resolves to keep his hands off Dani and his eyes on the goal—identifying a killer. But when that killer zeroes in on Dani, all bets are off. There isn’t a line Scott won’t cross to convince Dani to trust him so that he can help her take down a ruthless murderer who has her in his sights. AMAZON | B & N | BAM! | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO ENJOY AN EXCERPT from At Close Range Dani watched him. Scott stood beside the car, his back to the victim as he skimmed his flashlight over the ground. The firearms expert was tall and broad-shouldered, with the super-ripped body of a former Navy SEAL. Instead of his usual tactical pants and combat boots, he wore jeans and a leather jacket tonight, so maybe he’d been out when he’d gotten the call. Dani knew from experience that his jacket had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the Sig Sauer he carried concealed at his hip. Something glinted in the grass, and Scott crouched down to tag it with a numbered marker. Two minutes on the scene and already he’d discovered a piece of evidence. He stood and squared his shoulders, and Dani felt a pang deep inside her as he approached. He stopped and towered over her, and for a moment they just stared at each other. “Was the passenger door closed when you got here?” he asked. “That’s right.” “Where’s the girl?” “No sign of her.” She nodded at the woods. “One of our officers is searching near the lake with Travis.” He watched her for a moment with those cool blue eyes. His gaze shifted to the woods. “You need a K-9 team.” She bristled. “I know.” He strode over to his truck and opened the toolbox again. He took out a metal detector, which would help him locate shell casings or bullets, and maybe even the second victim if she was wearing jewelry or a belt. Then again, the killer might have taken her somewhere else. Dani glanced back at the road and got a queasy feeling in her stomach. Where was she? She turned her attention to the lake, visible just beyond the trees. It was a scenic spot, usually--a tranquil little oasis for couples. But not tonight. She glanced at Scott again, and he was watching her closely--so closely it made her wonder what he was thinking. “You coming?” he asked. She nodded at the body. “I’ll stay with him until the ME shows.” Scott walked off, and Dani let her gaze follow him until he disappeared into the woods. The medical examiner’s van rolled up, followed closely by Ric, and Dani’s stomach tightened as she thought of everything she didn’t like about this case. And it wasn’t even an hour old yet. Ric walked over, his expression grim as he took in the scene. “The media has it.” “That didn’t take long.” “It was all over the scanner,” he told her. “I give us ten minutes, tops, before they roll in here with their cameras. We need to barricade the road.” “Daniele.” She turned toward the sound of Scott’s deep voice calling her from the woods. He was a tall silhouette at the edge of the trees, and from his tone Dani knew it was bad. “What is it?” she yelled back. “I found her.” (Copyright © 2017 by Laura Griffin) CONTINUE READING | THE TRACERS “A perfect combination of forensic science, mystery, romance and action make this series one to watch." — Publishers Weekly Laura Griffin's The Tracer Series GIVEAWAY Laura will be hosting a tour-wide giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card and an autographed copy of AT CLOSE RANGE. Ends 02/10/2017 . THE AUTHOR New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LAURA GRIFFIN started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. She is a two-time RITA Award winner (for the books Scorched and Whisper of Warning ) as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award (for Untraceable ). Laura currently lives in Austin, where she is working on her next book. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS This post was provided for our reader's viewing pleasure as part of a virtual book tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours. #ExcerptPost #GuestAuthor #ContemporaryRomanticSuspense #MysteryThriller #AuthororTourGiveaway

"Readers with a weakness for gallant Scottish lairds will be delighted by the simplicity and purity of Murine and Dougall's romance—especially the few wild and erotic scenes out in the elements. A love story as bighearted and exciting as the highlander at its heart." — Kirkus Reviews THE BOOK If there’s one thing Lady Murine will not abide, it’s her virtue being handed over to the highest bidder. When her scoundrel brother does just that—in exchange for a few Scottish horses, no less—she’s appalled, but she refuses to stand by and let it happen. She’s determined to take matters into her own hands, even if it means braving the countryside alone—or worse, with a tempting Scot by her side. Dougall set out to sell a few horses to an English lord; he never expected he’d help smuggle a beautiful fugitive back to Scotland instead. When her brother offered Lady Murine for a few horses, Dougall was disgusted and promptly turned him down. But encountering the runaway lass on the road out of town sets something pounding in Dougall’s heart. There’s something about this fierce woman that makes him want to do more than just help her escape. He wants to protect her—with his life and his heart. If Dougall’s not careful, this Scot might just end up tying the knot . . . From the author . . . The fourth book in my latest Scottish Highlanders series concerns Murine Carmichael, another friend of Jo and Saidh's whom we met in To Marry A Scottish Highlander . Murine is in trouble. Her brother has wagered away her dowry and now he's on the brink of using her as a commodity to stave off his creditors. She has to find a way to escape him before his plans for her come to fruition only transportation is an issue because he also wagered away their horses. Hmm... AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO 384 Pgs. |Heat: 3 | Avon | Jan 31, 2017 ENJOY AN EXCERPT from Falling for the Highlander Chapter 1 "They're here!" Murine glanced up sharply from the message she was writing as her maid entered the room. She waited until Beth closed the bedchamber door before asking, "Did ye find out who they are?" "Nay." The brunette looked vexed. "None o' the maids or the lasses in the kitchen seem to ken, or if they do they're no' telling me." "Oh," Murine said with disappointment, then shook her head and returned her gaze to the message she'd been writing. Mouth tightening, she signed her name to the bottom. "It matters not. They're Scots. Surely their trip home will take them past the Buchanans or the Drummonds and they will deliver this for me." Biting her lip, she began to wave the parchment about to dry it and added, "I ha'e a couple coins left I can give them fer their trouble." "Most like they'll pocket the coins, say they'll deliver it and toss it away as soon as they've left Danvries," Beth said unhappily. "I do no' ken why ye just do no' send one o' yer brother's men with the message." "I have sent three that way and got no response," Murine reminded her grimly. Mouth flattening with displeasure, she admitted, "I begin to suspect Montrose is not sending them at all." "But why would he do that?" "'Tis hard to say with my brother," Murine muttered unhappily. "He's a . . . difficult man." Beth snorted. "He's a selfish, greedy cur, hell-bent on wagering his life away and yours with it. But I see no reason for him no' to send yer messages to yer friends." "Neither do I," Murine admitted unhappily. "But if he did send them, then . . ." She bit her lip, unwilling to give voice to her biggest fear. If Montrose had sent her messages, then Saidh, Jo and Edith just weren't bothering to answer. That thought was a troubling one and made her worry that she had said or done something when last they were together to upset them all. Murine had wracked her brain trying to sort out what that might be, but could think of nothing. She'd then switched to wondering if perhaps her brother wasn't sending them as he assured her he would. She couldn't imagine why, but was actually beginning to hope that was the case. It was certainly preferable to thinking her three best friends had turned their backs on her for some reason. "It should be dry enough now," she muttered and quickly rolled, then sealed the parchment. "How are ye going to get it to the Scots without yer brother seeing?" Beth asked worriedly as she stood up. "I heard Montrose ordering Cook to be sure he has lots of food and drink on hand when the Scots get here," Murine explained as she slid the parchment up her sleeve and checked to be sure that it was concealed and wasn't being crushed. "I shall slip the message to one of the men when Montrose is distracted with eating." "Yer brother is offering food and drink to someone?" Beth asked dryly. "I never thought to see the like. The bastard's so cheap I'd think he'd choke on the offer." "I expect he's hoping to fill them with ale or whiskey to make them more amenable to accepting credit rather than demanding payment for the horses he wants," Murine said, satisfied that the parchment would be fine up her sleeve. "Aye, well, Lord knows he has no' the coin to actually buy them. He's already gambled away all of his own money, and your dower to boot," Beth said bitterly. "Aye," Murine agreed wearily. It was not a subject she cared to contemplate. She'd been horrified when she'd learned that bit of news. She'd thought her situation dire enough when she'd had a dower but no betrothed, but without dower, it would be impossible to find anyone willing to marry her. It now looked like she would live out her days here at Danvries as an old maid, dependent on her selfish brother, and that was only if he didn't tire of her presence and send her off to the Abbey to become a nun. Pushing that depressing thought from her mind, she brushed the wrinkles out of her gown, straightened her shoulders and headed for the door. "Come. We will sit by the fire in the great hall until they come in. Then once the food arrives, we will use that as an excuse to join the table and slip my message to one of the men." "I'd been told your animals were superior and they certainly are that." Dougall waited patiently as Montrose Danvries ran a hand down the mare's side and then circled the horse, examining every inch of her. Lord Danvries next moved on to the stallion and gave him the same attention, examining his withers and legs, sides and head just as thoroughly. His expression was a combination of wonder and appreciation when he paused at the beast's head. Rubbing one hand down the stallion's nose, he murmured, "Exactly what I was hoping for." "If they meet yer expectations, perhaps we should discuss payment," Dougall suggested. Danvries stiffened, several expressions flickering across his face. Settling on a wide, fake smile, the man turned away toward the keep. "Come. Let us go inside for beverages." "I told ye," Conran muttered, stepping up beside Dougall. "The bastard has no' the coin. He lost it all in that last wager with his king." Dougall sighed at his brother's words, recognizing satisfaction amidst the irritation in the younger man's tone. Conran had always liked saying I told ye so. "Come along, gentlemen," Danvries said without looking back. "There is much to discuss." Mouth tightening, Dougall glared at the man's retreating back. Danvries should have tossed him a bag of coins, and bid him on his way. The only time the buyer wanted to "discuss" matters was when he didn't have the coin, or wanted to talk down the price. Dougall was not one to be talked down. Despite knowing this was a great waste of time, though, he waved away his brother's further mutterings and trailed the Englishman out of the stables and toward the keep. He didn't need to look around to know that Conran, Geordie and Alick were following. It had been a long journey here and they were all thirsty. The least Danvries could do was see them fed and watered before they took their beasts and headed home to Scotland. "He'll try to cheat ye," Conran warned, on Dougall's heels. "Bloody English bastards. Most o' them'd sell their mother for a coin." "Nah," their younger brother, Geordie, put in behind them. "It's their daughters they sell. The old women wouldn't be worth a coin. They're too bitter from years living with the English bastards to be worth anything. The daughters, though, are usually sweet and pretty and have not yet grown bitter. Get 'em away young enough and they're almost as good as a Scottish lass. Almost," he repeated, stressing the point. "Lord Danvries has neither a mother nor a daughter, so I'm sure that's no' a worry," Dougall muttered impatiently. "He has a sister though," Conran pointed out. When Dougall glanced to him with surprise, he nodded. "An old maid left to whither on the vine thanks to Lord Danvries wagering away her dower." "He wagered away her dower?" Geordie asked with surprise when Dougall didn't comment. "Is that even allowed?" Alick added with a frown. "From what I heard, he was named her guardian in the father's will so had control over it," Conran said with a shrug. Dougall shook his head and they all fell silent as they trailed Danvries into the great hall and noted the people milling about. There were soldiers at the table enjoying their noon repast, servants bustling about cleaning, and a lady seated by the fire. Dougall's gaze slid over the woman in passing, and then almost immediately moved back to her. She was young. Not in the first blush of youth, but perhaps twenty or so and still retaining some of its dew. Dougall guessed she must be Danvries's bride. If so, he was a damned lucky man, for she seemed to glow as brightly as the fire in that dim great hall. Her gown was a pale rose color with white trim on a shapely figure, and her hair was a halo of golden tresses that poured over her shoulders and down her back. She was peering down at some needlework she was stitching, but when Danvries called for ale, she glanced over briefly and Dougall's attention turned to her face. Heart-shaped lips, large doe eyes and a straight little nose all worked together in an oval face to make her one of the most striking women he'd ever seen. Danvries was definitely a lucky man. CONTINUE READING EXCERPT "To readers’ delight, Sands relies on a classic Scots romance plotline filled with her hallmark style, where mayhem and madness merge with passion and a colorful historical backdrop. As always, her characters are pitch-perfect for the time and place, and readers will relish this enjoyable tale." — RT Book Reviews BOOK GIVEAWAY Avon is hosting a tour-wide giveaway for a print set of books 1 – 3 in the Highlanders Series: Includes AN ENGLISH BRIDE IN SCOTLAND, TO MARRY A SCOTTISH LAIRD and THE HIGHLANDER TAKES A BRIDE (US Only). Ends 02/10/2017 . THE AUTHOR Lynsay Sands is the nationally bestselling author of the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series, as well as numerous historicals and anthologies. She's been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there's occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that's just a big bonus. Visit Lynsay at www.lynsaysands.net . We're pleased to share this excerpt as part of a tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours. #GuestAuthor #ExcerptPost #HighlandRomance #HistoricalRomance #AuthororTourGiveaway

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Lady Murine Carmichael hasn't had the best of luck: her brothers murdered and herself barely escaping. Her father succumbed to his illness and she's now alone while her inheritance passed to her more able cousin because of her weakness—her fainting affliction. She's now the ward of her heavily indebted half-brother who doesn't hesitate to sell her virtue to gain horses from the Brawny Highlander, Dougall Buchanan. Dougall Buchanan was taken with the beautiful woman at Lord Danvries and appalled when he mentioned that it was his sister and willing to exchange her favours for the horses he had brought. Refusing, he departs. When he comes across the fleeing Murine, he offers her his protection. A villain is after Murine and with her life in peril, can Dougall protect her without losing his heart? Will Murine be saved by the Highlander to whom she's surrendered her heart? A sensational story with lots of intense moments and a plot for murder with some sensual moments. Be prepared to laugh out loud with the antics of the couple and make sure a fan is near when the temperature spikes! The reader is in for a treat. Lynsay Sands won't disappoint—she's written another great read. Star Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 4 Hearts | Reviewed by : Maria Rose Dariotis BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands welcomes readers back to the Scottish Highlands, where a gallant warrior vows to protect a beautiful runaway . . . Lady Murine Carmichael has known her share of bad luck. But when her debt-ridden half brother tries to sell her off in exchange for a few Scottish horses, it’s the final straw. If keeping her freedom means escaping through harsh countryside alone, so be it. She has barely begun her journey when she lands an unlikely escort—the brawny Highlander who just refused to buy her virtue. Dougall Buchanan was disgusted by Lord Danvries’ shameful offer, but Murine tempts him beyond measure. Even bedraggled and dusty, the lass glows with beauty and bravery. Dougall wants to do more than just help her flee. He wants to protect her—with his life and his heart—if she’ll only let him. For Murine may be pursued by a powerful foe, but nothing compares to the fiery courage of a Highlander in love. Highlander Series, Book 4 Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Avon (January 31, 2017) Language: English Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HighlandRomance #HistoricalRomance #2017Review

In the thrilling conclusion to Lena Diaz’s EXIT Inc. series, former enemies become unlikely allies--and lovers--as the war between rival agencies culminates in a battle that eclipses everything that came before it. “In this action-packed finale, the story boils down to “Whom do you trust?” As EXIT Inc. is completely dismantled, the remaining Enforcers are being brought in, supposedly for retraining. That operation is at the heart of this chilling entry. Adversaries have to make quick decisions that they hope will reveal their true enemies. When emotions become involved, the stakes are raised, considerably.” – RT Magazine FINAL EXIT Lena Diaz concludes her sexy, suspenseful EXIT Inc. series as an FBI agent teams up with a beautiful assassin to uncover a deadly government conspiracy... After a tragic mistake nearly destroyed his life, Special Agent Kade Quinn will do whatever it takes to save his career. His latest mission? Track and capture the remaining EXIT operatives to determine if they’re still a threat. But his next target—a stunning female assassin—is both elusive and dangerously appealing. Bailey Stark has outsmarted the FBI so far, but she’s tired of running. Tired of watching her friends ambushed by government agents in tactical gear and never seen again. She suspects they aren’t being evaluated—they’re being exterminated—and she’s determined to convince Agent Quinn his mission is a lie before it’s too late. Bailey doesn’t want to rely on him. She definitely shouldn’t desire him. But she knows teaming up with the skilled, sexy agent may be her only hope. Kade doesn’t want to believe Bailey’s claims, but he promises to keep her safe. Trusting one another is difficult. Fighting their attraction is harder. And as they uncover the disturbing truth behind his mission . . . staying alive will be nearly impossible. AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | iTUNES | KOBO 384 Pgs. |Heat: 3| Exit Inc. Series; Book 3 | Avon | Jan 31, 2017 ENJOY AN EXCERPT from Final Exit Chapter 1 Friday, 11:55 PM It was a perfect night to catch a killer. A warm breeze blew out of the south at about six miles per hour. Rain-heavy clouds covered the half-moon, plunging the cliff where Special Agent Kade Quinn stood into darkness. He was betting on the old cliché, third time’s a charm. And also betting on the numbers—that his six, shiny new special agents could take down one highly skilled, remarkably cunning, experienced assassin. Not the kind of odds to go to Vegas over. But he had to work with what he had. If things went as planned, Bailey Stark would soon be in custody like the dozens of other EXIT Inc. Enforcers that his team had managed to capture. The now-defunct company could never again fool the public into believing that all it did was offer vacation packages, so-called “EXtreme International Tours.” The clandestine organization’s true legacy as a corrupt front for government-sanctioned murder would end with the capture of the last few Enforcers. By the time his mission was over, every last one of the assassins who’d worked for EXIT would be functioning members of society. And innocents like Abby would never again become the victims of killers like Bailey. Between the nightmare of his wife’s death and the near-constant ache in his ruined left leg, Kade had his own, very personal, debt with EXIT. And he planned on collecting. He scanned the tree line. Past the red oak and Ponderosa pines, the Colorado Rockies squatted like dark sentinels watching over tonight’s operation. Below him, in the middle of a wide, nearly treeless valley, was ground zero, the two-story cottage that Bailey believed would be her sanctuary. Instead, it would become her last stand. A quarter-mile-long driveway connected a two-lane highway to this remote property. At close to midnight and an hour’s drive from Boulder, the road was essentially deserted. Kade couldn’t have asked for a better place to launch an ambush. And if his intel was correct, Bailey should arrive within the next half hour. Only a few minutes later the two-way radio on his belt crackled to life. “Big Bear to Lone Wolf. Come in.” Kade rolled his eyes and pressed the transmit button. “Kade here. What’s the situation report, Nichols?” “You’re ruining my fun, boss.” He shook his head but played along. He had to pick his battles. “Lone Wolf to Big Bear. What’s the sitrep?” “Much better.” A chuckle sounded through the radio. “A beat-up, dark blue Camaro just turned off the highway. One occupant. Looks to be our target. She’s heading toward the cottage.” “Use the SUV to block the road behind her. If she gets spooked, I don’t want her doing a one-eighty and making it to the highway.” “Affirmative. Big Bear out.” Kade clicked off the mic and belatedly wished he’d downed a handful of antacids before driving out here. Being assigned these eager, raw newbies had to be his penance for his breakdown after the accident. They were also the reason he was here in person rather than monitoring the mission remotely per the usual protocol. Tonight’s target had already tricked his team and gotten away—twice. Kade was here to make sure that didn’t happen again. “Cord,” he said through the two-way. “Sitrep.” “You mean you aren’t going to call me Little Bear?” “Do you want me to?” He was half-afraid of the answer. “Hell no. I’m not in junior high.” “You guys know I can hear you, right?” Nichols chimed in. “Sitrep,” Kade growled. “She just passed my ten o’clock,” Cord announced. “Dom should have her in his sights in a few seconds.” “Already do,” Dominic confirmed. “The car is pulling up to the house. We’re all set.” “Radio silence in three, two, one.” Kade clicked off the transmitter. They couldn’t risk the sound of static or a mistimed transmission alerting their target. Or at least, that was the official reason for breaking communications. Unofficially, he needed a few moments of silence to get his impatience under control. What had happened to the bureau’s standards? Big Bear, Little Bear? Hell, two of his agents—Dom and Jack—had tattoos. Since when had the FBI allowed tats? Quantico was going soft. He looked through the binoculars. Instead of driving into the attached garage as expected, Bailey did a three-point turn and parked the Camaro pointing down the driveway. Was she suspicious? Had she purposely positioned her vehicle for a quick getaway? His hands tightened around the binoculars. The driver’s door opened. A petite woman in dark-colored shorts and a white T-shirt emerged. A pistol was holstered at her waist and her shoulder-length, curly red hair reflected like flames in the soft glow of the porch light. Even at this distance she had the kinds of curves that made men pay attention—including Kade, much to his chagrin. He had more reason than most to despise Enforcers, and yet his breath caught every time he looked at one of her photographs in the case file. He couldn’t imagine the effect she’d have on him if he ever got within a few feet of her in person. It was bad enough that his pulse quickened whenever those deep green eyes gazed back at him from her pictures. But what he hated the most was the odd feeling of kinship he felt toward her, a tug of empathy when he saw the shadows in her eyes, the same shadows he saw every time he looked in a mirror. He couldn’t help wondering what had happened to harden her and make her look so lost, so sad, so incredibly . . . alone. Usually, when those thoughts were going through his head, a fuzzy image of Abby would pop up in his mind’s eye, making him despise himself even more. How could he feel sorry for his enemy when his own wife had been murdered by one of Bailey’s peers? He shook his head in disgust. Down below, the woman who’d caused him so much confusion and self-loathing over the past few months ducked into her car and pulled out a backpack, which she then slung over her shoulder. A few seconds later she was inside the house, seemingly oblivious to the danger surrounding her as the lights flickered on in the front room. Kade let out a breath of relief. She must not have spotted his agents. Kade had decided the safest approach was for his team to ambush her after she fell asleep. They’d already disabled her security alarm, making it seem like it was working when it really wasn’t. Cameras and listening devices had been set up inside and constantly relayed information back to the watchlike device on Cord’s wrist. When Cord was confident that Bailey was asleep, he’d press a button on that insanely expensive piece of equipment that would send vibrations to the similar devices strapped to the other agents’ wrists. Then all five of them—three from the front, two from the back, would quietly enter the home. Their sixth team member, Nichols, was Plan B. If Bailey managed to make it to the highway, the hope was that Nichols would hold her off until the rest of the team arrived. Kade really hoped it didn’t come to Plan B. CONTINUE READING EXCERPT GIVEAWAY Avon is hosting a tour-wide giveaway for 3 print sets of the EXIT Inc. series (includes: Exit Strategy , No Exit , and Final Exit ). Ends 02.10.2017. THE AUTHOR Originally from Kentucky, romantic suspense author Lena Diaz also lived in California and Louisiana before settling in Northeast Florida with her husband, two children, and a Shetland Sheepdog named Sparky. A Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® finalist, she's won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense and has been a finalist for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She loves to watch action movies, garden, and hike in the beautiful Tennessee Smoky Mountains. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS This post has been provided for your reading pleasure during a tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours. #GuestAuthor #ExcerptPost

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION A beautiful and clean romance! A CHAOTIC COURTSHIP, written by Bethany Swafford, is a sweet and clean romance. I liked this short novel, but I would have loved a little more passion or romantic moments between her two charming characters Diana and John. Set in England during the Regency period, an era that I really love. Diana is a shy person, so when she can't make up her mind to say yes or no to a marriage proposal, she runs away. Returning back home, she discovers that John has never forgotten her and still has strong feelings for her. Lots of twists and turns, and their love relationship is so complicated! The title really reflects what’s happening between Diana and John. Personally, I prefer stories with a little touch of spice! Star Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 1 Heart | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Twenty year old Diana Forester, a country bred young woman fears that her inexperience and uncertainties has driven Mr. John Richfield away. On arriving back home from London, she learns that he is already there, ready to continue their acquaintance. If Diana thought that it was difficult in London, courting takes on a whole new aspect when Diana's younger siblings become involved. She finds herself dealing with her own feelings, her sister, her younger brother, jealous members of a house party, a jilted suitor, and a highwayman as she falls in love with the charming Mr. Richfield. Print Length: 204 pages Publisher: Clean Reads Publication Date: August 16, 2016 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance #RegencyRomance #2017Review

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Intriguing and fun romance! This is the first time that I read a book written by this new-to-me author Jamaila Brinkley. I really enjoyed THIEVES' HONOR! Just give this short novel a chance! You won't be disappointed! It tells the story of Thomas Dalton, the heir to a dukedom but also a wizard. When Thomas is asked to step out of hiding to investigate a crime, he becomes very intrigued! But Thomas is a shy person, whose life will be disrupted by a charming thief named Em Stackpole. Let's say that Em is very skilled at the art of stealing! Thomas will ask for Em's help to explore this dangerous world of London's underground. She accepts his proposition but with one condition . . . that I will keep secret . . . no spoilers! Can a wizard and a thief make a good match? Enter their world of secrets, magic, and romance! THIEVES' HONOR was a real delight to read! Star Rating : 4 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : 3 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIE OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Thomas Dalton, Earl of Westfield, is the heir to a duke and a talented wizard. But he’s always hidden in his library, too shy to emerge into society from the shadow of his larger-than-life friends and family. When he’s asked to investigate a crime, he seizes the chance to prove that he’s as cunning and brave as anybody. But he’s quickly out of his depth in London’s underground; especially when he’s confronted with the prettiest thief he’s ever seen. Em Stackpole lives an in-between life; she grew up on the streets, but preys on the Ton by using her skills at illusion to fit in among them at elegant Mayfair events. When Lord Westfield asks for her help finding a missing jewel, she strikes a bargain: she’ll help him learn to think like a criminal if he’ll teach her the magic she needs to get off the streets for good. Falling in love was never part of the deal. But as Em and Thomas navigate magic, Mayfair, and Thomas’ charmingly interfering family, she’ll discover secrets she never knew she had, and the wizard and the thief will have to decide if they can ever be more than just partners-in-crime. Print Length: 126 pages Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing LLC Publication Date: May 4, 2016 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #412Stars #HistoricalRomance #2017Review #ReviewersTopPick

"Another outstanding work by Mr. Dearen. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I've become a fan of his work and look forward to more." —Reviewer Do you love traditional westerns? We're pleased to welcome to Books & Benches, Patrick Dearen, multi-award winning author of more than twenty books. A Guest Post by Patrick Dearen I’ve always been fascinated by treasure legends of the Southwest. They speak to every pioneer’s longing to escape the toil and drudgery of everyday survival on the frontier. In my new novel DEAD MAN'S BOOT (my first since winning the 2015 Spur Award), I consider the power that a potential bonanza can hold over someone. In contrast, I also present the notion that life’s real treasure rests not in gold or silver, but in relationships. Thirty-two years ago, I began researching the Lost Sublett Mine of Texas. In the early 1880s, William C. Sublett found gold west of the Pecos River in an area where gold shouldn’t exist. In the succeeding years, he periodically traipsed west from his Odessa, Texas homestead and returned with nuggets. All attempts to follow Sublett or to wrest the mine’s location from him failed, and he took the secret with him to his grave in 1892. I included my study of the Lost Sublett Mine in Castle Gap and the Pecos Frontier, published by TCU Press in 1988. Twenty-five years later as I considered ideas for the novel that would become Dead Man’s Boot, Sublett and his lost diggings reached across the centuries and grabbed me by the collar. But inspiration came from other sources as well. As I searched the holdings of the N.S. Haley Memorial Library and History Center in Midland, Texas, I came across an 1870s account of a man who found a boot sticking out of the ground along the lonely Pecos River. Curious, he pulled it up, only to find an intact foot inside. As a novelist, I played the “what if” game: What if the boot had also contained a map to rumored gold in the Guadalupe Mountains, the site most identified with the Lost Sublett Mine? A successful novel, however, requires more than a premise and plot. It must also have characters who can engage a reader. My protagonist Clay Andrews, searching for answers in the death of his sister in Central Texas, has ridden to the Pecos in 1869. The person responsible may have fled here, but no one enters this no-man’s land except at his own peril. Comanches are on the prowl, and across the Pecos, Mescalero Apaches range all the way to the mysterious Guadalupe Mountains. Twenty-year-old Lil Casner is searching the Pecos as well—for escape from an abusive marriage. What ensues for each are Comanche attacks, a kidnapping, and a chase through Apache country to Skeleton Cave and on to the Guadalupes. For Clay and Lil, the answers will never come unless they ride into a mountain range where Indian spirits may guard a golden hoard. My hope is that readers will enjoy the journey as much as I did in writing it. THE BOOK From Spur Award Winner, Patrick Dearen Clay Andrews is like a dead man, adrift in an uncaring dark. But he's also searching, and in 1869 he has ridden to the Pecos River to find answers. Back in Central Texas, Clay's sister has died, and only on this river might he learn why. The person perhaps responsible may have fled here, but no one enters this no-man's-land except at his own peril. Comanches are on the prowl, and across the Pecos, Mescalero Apaches range all the way to the mysterious Guadalupe Mountains. In a dead man's boot, Clay finds a map to rumored gold in the Guadalupes. When Comanches approach, he flees upriver and finds Lil Casner at a lone schooner. Long abused in an arranged marriage, she must fend for herself while her obsessed husband combs the Pecos for the very map Clay has discovered. Upstream at the Bar W Ranch, two other haunted figures await. One is an experienced cowboy who has come to the Pecos for reasons that strangely parallel Clay's. The other is a shiftless cowhand in whose mind lurks something evil and deadly. Comanche attacks . . . a kidnapping . . . a chase through Apache country to Skeleton Cave and on to the Guadalupes. For Clay, the answers will never come unless he rides into a mountain range where Indian spirits may guard a golden hoard. Amazon | B &N | iBooks | Target | Add to Goodreads 265 pages | Five Star Publishing | November 16, 2016 THE AUTHOR The author of twenty-three books, Patrick Dearen is a former award-winning reporter for two West Texas newspapers. Dearen has produced nonfiction books such as A Cowboy of the Pecos and Bitter Waters: The Struggles of the Pecos River . His research has led to thirteen novels, including The Big Drift , winner of the Spur Award of Western Writers of America, the Peacemaker Award of Western Fictioneers, the Fiction Book of the Year Award from Academy of Western Artists, and the Elmer Kelton Award from West Texas Historical Association. His other novels include When Cowboys Die , The Illegal Man , Perseverance , and To Hell or the Pecos . Dearen lives in Midland, Texas, and has backpacked the Guadalupe Mountains extensively. Visit the author at patrickdearen.com or follow on Facebook . #HistorialWestern #WesternFiction #GuestAuthor

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Rich historical details abound in THE RELUCTANT HIGHLANDER by Amanda Scott. Lady Fiona meets Adham on a moonlit night when he thought she needed rescuing. In truth, she wanted him to leave her alone even though his intentions and actions were honorable. Fiona is young and has a lot of adjustments to make—many more than her new husband. Adham is intrigued and passionately attracted to his young bride, but his duties and attentions lie elsewhere for a long time. This well-written book is filled with fascinating information on 15th-century Scotland, and many times I thought it read more like historical fiction than a romance. The sweet lovers do not spend a lot of time together on the page, and when they do, it is tender and filled with passion. I like historical accuracy and it is evident that the author did thorough research and paid close attention to the smallest of details. Sometimes the accurate way of speaking got in the way of the story, at least for me, but from a historical viewpoint, it added a lot. I usually like dialogue in between—just enough so I know they're speaking as they should but not so much that I have to look up words. The author did provide a helpful glossary. I would definitely recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a good Highland tale. The author is a talented writer who draws the reader into the story. I enjoyed the author's storytelling style enough to read the next book in the series. Star Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 4 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS An uncertain bride looks for love with a man as wild and mysterious as his Highland home in this new Scottish romance from a USA Today–bestselling author. Ordinarily, Lady Fiona Ormiston wouldn’t think of forming an alliance with an ungroomed, barbaric Highlander, despite the protection he offers. But now, by request of the king, Sir Adham MacFinlagh, a brazen stranger and outsider unlike anyone she has met before, is to be her husband. Torn from solitude and the comfort of her family to make a home with the rugged knight, Fiona surrenders to Adham’s powerfully passionate—and shockingly tender—touch, only to discover her new husband’s family ties may lie with an enemy of the king. A sense of duty may have brought Adham to the marriage bed, but it’s his powerful feelings for his beautiful, willful wife that will be his undoing. Ultimately, the bold knight will have to decide: Does his allegiance lie with his blood ties to the man who hopes to bring down the king or with the bride who has stolen his heart? Series: The Highland Series, Book 1 Print Length: 300 pages Publisher: Open Road Media Romance Publication Date: June 13, 2017 Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS #AReadersOpinion #HighlandRomance #HistoricalFiction #2017Review