Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Beast of Clan Kincaid
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Dalton, Lily; Lenox, Kim
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.lilyblackwood.com/
CITY:
STATE: TX
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
http://www.katybooks.com/event/author-signing-lily-blackwood-and-lark-brennan * http://www.lilyblackwood.com/about/ * http://us.macmillan.com/author/lilyblackwood/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married. Children: two.
EDUCATION:Attended Texas A & M University.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
AVOCATIONS:Cooking, knitting, shopping at flea markets.
WRITINGS
Work represented in anthologies, including Truly, Madly, Regency and We (Heart) the Holidays.
SIDELIGHTS
Lily Blackwood, who grew up in a military family and therefore moved around a great deal in her youth, has said that books were her best friends through all of these adjustments to new places. As an adult, she has channeled her love of books into a writing career. She has produced historical romance novels under the names Lily Blackwood and Lily Dalton.
"One Scandalous Season" Series
She wrote this series, set in Regency England, under the Dalton name. It opens with 2013’s Never Desire a Duke, in which an estranged married couple, Lady Sophia and Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, seek to rekindle their love. They are shut in together during a snowstorm, and their attraction is renewed, but his challenge is to convince her that his days of infidelity are over. Meanwhile, she longs for a child, having suffered a miscarriage. This novel received some positive reviews, with a Books Like Breathing online contributor noting that Dalton “captures angst and draws her characters beautifully.” Another Web-based critic, at Book Cellar, called her “an author to watch.”
The second entry, Never Entice an Earl, deals with a romance rooted in deception. Lady Daphne Bevington, who is devoted to her maid, Kate, disguises herself as a servant on a mission to settle a debt on Kate’s behalf. While in this persona, she meets Lord Cormack Northmore, who is on a mission of his own—to find and take revenge on the man who destroyed his sister’s life. Lady Daphne and Lord Cormack are quickly attracted to each other, and their feelings endure even after he realizes she has deceived him. There are obstacles to their relationship, though. Daphne has vowed to never marry; she felt responsible for her father’s accidental death, and she is seeking to atone by dedicating herself to her family. Cormack, for his part, realizes that Daphne is in danger from the man he is seeking. Both also are very stubborn, and the story pivots on whether they can overcome all this to find happiness together. Several critics praised this book as well. “Never Entice an Earl is a well written romance, [with] engaging characters, sensual delights, a beautifully crafted plot, and a story to keep you fully satisfied,” remarked a blogger at Addicted to Romance. An online commentator at Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews added: “The characters are likable and intelligent and the romance is very sweet.”
Never Surrender to a Scoundrel, the third book in the series, focuses on Lady Clarissa Bevington, Daphne’s sister. Having been jilted by a lover, Clarissa is caught in a compromising position with a family friend, Lord Donovan Blackmer, and forced to marry him to preserve her reputation. He is not thrilled to be married either, and unbeknownst to Clarissa, he is a secret agent for the British Crown. Their feelings change, however, and eventually they fall in love—just in time for a revelation from his past to threaten their relationship. This novel, like its predecessors, received several positive reviews. “Never Surrender to a Scoundrel was a delightful read with lovable characters and an inventive storyline,” observed an online contributor to Long and Short Reviews. An Addicted to Romance commentator noted that the plot has some surprising twists, “but you will fall in love immediately.” This critic summed up the book as “a story not to be missed … a winner in every way.”
"Highland Warrior" Series
Writing as Lily Blackwood, the author began a new series with The Beast of Clan Kincaid, set in late-fourteenth-century Scotland. The titular “beast” is Niall Braewick, a fierce fighter who has returned to his ancestral lands in the hope of reclaiming his family’s holdings, lost when his father, the Laird of Kincaid, died in battle. Niall was a child when that happened, and he returns as a young man, not disclosing his connections to anyone. He is drawn to Elspeth MacClaren, daughter of the current laird, and he decides to romance her as a means of regaining possession of his family’s realm. When he realizes that he truly loves her, it complicates his scheme.
Several reviewers deemed this an engaging series opener. Blackwood “builds a credible romantic story on a stock marriage-for-revenge plot,” remarked a Publishers Weekly contributor, who further noted: “The protagonists’ intense passion will keep readers riveted.” A Canon Book Blog critic did not find Elspeth an appealing character, but added: “The vivid descriptions and intense emotions from Niall more than made up for her.” A reviewer at the Book Binge Web site reported that “Niall was a great hero and really made the book for me” but expressed admiration for Elspeth as well, terming her “a good match for Niall.” This reviewer summed up The Beast of Clan Kincaid as “an unexpectedly good story.”
The follow-up, The Rebel of Clan Kincaid, introduces a brother Niall did not know he had. Magnus has believed all his life that he was the illegitimate son of Laird Alwyn, but he eventually discovers he is the son of the slain Laird Kincaid and brother to Niall. Laird Alwyn was the killer of Laird Kincaid, so Magnus begins plotting revenge, with assistance from Niall. Meanwhile, a beautiful young woman named Tara Iverach comes to the Alwyn castle for an arranged marriage to Alwyn’s son, Hugh. She is to take the place of her sister, Arabel, who has died under mysterious circumstances; her guardian, the Earl of Buchan, wants to strengthen his alliance with the Alwyn clan. She meets Magnus, and they are instantly attracted to each other, so Magnus has yet another mission: to save Tara from marriage to the cold and cruel Hugh.
This entry also received critical praise. “I really love Magnus,” remarked an online reviewer at Harlequin Junkie. “He is witty, caring and incredibly sexy.” Another Web-based commentator, at Romantic Historical Reviews, found both Magnus and Tara “likeable and compelling characters.” Both of these critics thought the plot relied excessively on a major misunderstanding but still offered positive overall assessments of the novel. “The unpredictable resolution of the plot threads and an incredibly romantic ending satisfied me,” the Harlequin Junkie contributor concluded.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Publishers Weekly, April 11, 2016, review of The Beast of Clan Kincaid, p. 44.
ONLINE
Addicted to Romance, https://addictofromance.wordpress.com/ (January 3, 2015), review of Never Surrender to a Scoundrel; (January 29, 2015), review of Never Entice an Earl.
Book Binge, http://bookbinge.com/ (June 2, 2016), review of The Beast of Clan Kincaid.
Book Cellar, http://www.thebookcellarx.com/ (September 30, 2013), review of Never Desire a Duke.
Books Like Breathing, https://bookslikebreathing.blogspot.com/ (September 24, 2013), review of Never Desire a Duke.
Burton Book Review, http://www.burtonbookreview.com/ (January 27, 2015), review of Never Surrender to a Scoundrel.
Canon Book Blog, https://thecanonbookblog.com (June 2, 2016), review of The Beast of Clan Kincaid.
Chick Lit Plus, http://chicklitplus.com/ (November 17, 2016), review of The Rebel of Clan Kincaid.
Dear Author, http://dearauthor.com (December 13, 2014), review of Never Desire a Duke.
Fantastic Fiction, https://www.fantasticfiction.com/ (February 25, 2017), brief biography.
Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews, http://feministfairytalereviews.blogspot.com/ (April 14, 2014), review of Never Entice an Earl.
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (April 25, 2014), review of Never Entice an Earl; (November 27, 2016), review of The Rebel of Clan Kincaid.
Hot Sauce Reviews, https://mrsgiggles.com/ (May 17, 2014), review of Never Entice an Earl.
Lady with a Quill, http://www.ladywithaquill.com/ (December 3, 2016), review of The Rebel of Clan Kincaid.
Lily Blackwood Home Page, http://www.lilyblackwood.com (February 25, 2017).
Lily Dalton Web site, http://www.lilydalton.com (February 25, 2017), brief biography.
Long and Short Reviews, http://www.longandshortreviews.com/ (January 27, 2015), review of Never Surrender to a Scoundrel.
Red Hot Books, http://redhotbooks.com/ (June 3, 2016), review of The Beast of Clan Kincaid.
Romantic Historical Reviews, http://www.romantichistoricalreviews.com (December 8, 2016), review of The Rebel of Clan Kincaid.
Smexy Books, http://smexybooks.com/ (June 2, 2016), review of The Beast of Clan Kincaid.
Lily, since her earliest days, has found a friend in books. Raised an Army brat, her family moved often, and books were constant companions who always smoothed the transition to a new location and a new set of friends. When she was older, her studies focused on English and History…and, well, she just doesn’t even want to talk about the torturous math classes Texas A & M University inflicted on her. She can only say she is relieved they are in her past.
Now, Lily writes Regency-set romance novels, with a focus on authentic emotion and the electricity that happens between two people when they discover, that against all odds, love has found them and isn’t going to let go. Within the pages of her books, you’ll find humor entwined with deep emotion and a rather spicy level of sensuality she likes to tell her mother that her editor forced her to write.
Lily lives in Texas where she writes looking out over a garden tended by her handsome, big-hearted Tex-Czech husband. She suffers endless (fun and always welcome!) interruptions by her two children. And like many authors, she writes with a cat—or two—wrapped around her legs.
Lily loves cooking, baking, supervising the gardener, reading, imbibing all things caffeinated and being in the company of good friends.
She very much looks forward to getting to know you.
Lily Blackwood lives in Texas, with her husband, their two teenagers, a devoted red golden retriever and two rascally cats. She enjoys flea markets, cooking, eating and not cleaning her house! She recently taught herself to knit and has been making a mess with yarn ever since. She loves all things historical, and finds it thrilling to imagine a time period where each day held very real dangers, and true love stories and happily-ever-afters were precious and rare. Lily loves to hear from readers!
Lily is also the RITA Nominated author of Regency romances, Lily Dalton.
Since her earliest days, Lily Blackwood has found a friend in books. Raised an Army brat, her family moved often, and books were constant companions who always smoothed the transition to a new location and a new set of friends. Now, Lily lives Texas where she writes sexy historical romance novels about fierce Highlanders looking out over a garden tended by her own handsome, dashing husband. She suffers endless (fun and always welcome!) interruptions by her two children. And like many authors, she writes with a cat-or two-wrapped around her legs. She is the author of The Beast of Clan Kincaid, Single-Minded, and other books.
Series
Highland Warrior
1. The Beast of Clan Kincaid (2016)
2. The Rebel of Clan Kincaid (2016)
3. The Warrior of Clan Kincaid (2017)
Series
One Scandalous Season
1. Never Desire a Duke (2013)
2. Never Entice an Earl (2014)
3. Never Surrender to a Scoundrel (2015)
Omnibus
Truly, Madly, Regency (2014) (with Anne Barton, Anna Campbell, Vicky Dreiling, Cara Elliott, Jennifer Haymore and Nina Rowan)
Non fiction
We (Heart) the Holidays (2015) (with Karen Akins, Donna Alward, D D Ayres, Sarah Castille, Tiffany Clare, Manda Collins, Elizabeth Essex, Darynda Jones and Kieran Kramer)
LC control no.: no2016084504
Descriptive conventions:
rda
Personal name heading:
Blackwood, Lily
Located: Texas
Field of activity: Romance fiction Historical fiction
Profession or occupation:
Authors
Found in: Blackwood, Lily. The Beast of Clan Kincaid, 2016: title
page (Lily Blackwood) about the author (Since her
earliest days, Lily Blackwood has found a friend in
books. Raised an Army brat, she moved often with her
family. Now, Lily lives in Texas, where she writes sexy
historical romance novels about fierce Highlanders.)
Associated language:
eng
================================================================================
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540
Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov
LC control no.: no2013102610
Descriptive conventions:
rda
Personal name heading:
Dalton, Lily
Located: Texas
Profession or occupation:
Author
Found in: Never desire a duke, 2013: t.p. (Lily Dalton)
Her Website, viewed September 20, 2013 (Lily Dalton, raised
an Army brat, lives in Texas, writes Regency-set romance
novels)
================================================================================
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540
Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov
quoted in sidelights: builds a credible romantic story on a stock marriage-for-revenge plot.. The protagonists' intense passion will keep readers riveted. The Beast of Clan Kincaid
Publishers Weekly. 263.15 (Apr. 11, 2016): p44.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Beast of Clan Kincaid
Lily Blackwood. St. Martin's, $7.99 mass market (304p) ISBN 978-1-250-08473-6
Blackwood's first Clan Kincaid novel, set in late 14th-century Scotland, builds a credible romantic story on a stock marriage-for-revenge plot. Niall Braewick was only 12 years old when his father, the Laird of Kincaid, was killed in a clan battle. Seventeen years later, Niall is a hardened warrior known as the Beast, and he has returned to the lands of his childhood to reclaim his ancestral home. Without disclosing his true identity, Niall quickly wins the favor of the current laird, Laird MacClaren. Niall is especially enamored with the MacClaren's oldest daughter, Elspeth, who attracts him with her beauty and her resilience. But while Niall had initially planned to use Elspeth as a pawn in his game to capture the castle, he starts to care for her and is unwilling to use her so cruelly, even to fulfill his lifelong quest. The romance between Niall and Elspeth develops gradually as their kind and caring natures are revealed in tender moments. The harsh realities of 14th-century life are offset by the raw beauty of the land and the stalwart nature of the people. The protagonists' intense passion will keep readers riveted. Agent: Kim Lionetti, BookEnds. (June)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Beast of Clan Kincaid." Publishers Weekly, 11 Apr. 2016, p. 44. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA449662978&it=r&asid=e809a769773043e70643c543bb920db6. Accessed 21 Jan. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A449662978
quoted in sidelights: an author to watch
Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton Book Review
September 30, 2013 By Erica 5 Comments
Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton book coverNever Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton
One Scandalous Season #1
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Pages: 416
Source: Netgalley
Buy the Book: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Rating: 5 stars
A secret from his past holds the key to their future…
A Marriage Beyond Hope
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Lord Vane Barwick, the Marquess of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom—and a single touch—are all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. But how can she trust the man who crushed her dreams and took away the one thing she wanted most?
A Love Beyond Reason
Lord Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Lady Sophia. Now, after nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he’s ever truly loved. He’ll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves—and the passionate lover she desires. As the snowdrifts deepen outside their ancestral home, can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?
As a stunning new voice in the world of historical romance, Lily Dalton will take the world by storm with Never Desire a Duke. I absolutely loved it from the get go, and was sad to see it end. I already am eagerly anticipating Never Entice an Earl, book 2 in the series, which comes out next April.
I loved Never Desire A Duke’s deviation from many of the typical storylines – in this one, the characters are already married, and Claxton instead is trying to save their marriage. It was so romantic and just perfect.
Sophia is such a strong main character and I adored her. Paired with Claxton, they make up the perfect pair.
I absolutely loved this one – the plot was so intriguing and I absolutely adored the characters. Lilly Dalton is an author to watch – I cannot wait to read another from her!
quoted in sidelights: captures angst and draws her characters beautifully
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Review: Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton
Publisher: Forever
ISBN: 1455524018
Pages: 416 pages
Genre: Romance/Historical/Regency
Series: One Scandalous Season
Challenges- 2013 150+ Challenge , 2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge ,Romance Reading Challenge 2013, 2013 Outdo Yourself Challenge
Buy this Book: Amazon, Indiebound, Powell's
Summary:
A Marriage Beyond Hope
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom-and a single touch-are all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. But how can she trust the man who crushed her dreams and took away the one thing she wanted most?
A Love Beyond Reason
Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Sophia. Now, after nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he's ever truly loved. He'll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves-and the passionate lover she desires. As the snowdrifts deepen outside their ancestral home, can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?
My Review:
Beginning Babble: Lily Dalton is a very new to me author but I read the summary of this one and just about fell in love. It sounded liked just the right amount of angsty goodness. A broken marriage plus misunderstandings nearly always equals a great read for me. And that remained true in the case of Never Desire A Duke.
Characters:
Heroine: Sophia-I really liked Sophia. Granted, there were aspects of her character that very nearly hit all my levels of frustration. She was stubborn, quick to anger, slow to forgive...I could go on. But I found that, in spite of it all, I really did love Sophia. I wanted her and Vane to be happy so very desperately because I wanted good things to happen to her.
Hero: Vane-I loved Vane,too. He was heartbreaking. He made himself a better man for Sophia. Seriously, if Grease was around back then “Hopelessly Devoted To You” would play every time he looked at Sophia. But, of course, past mistakes nearly always come back to bite you in the proverbial behind and they definitely did for Vane.
Chemistry: Honestly, in spite of my love for both characters, I just wanted to shake the both of them. I wanted to jump into the book and tell them to get it together. I wanted them to work out. But this is not a bad thing. I wanted to yell at them because they were so perfect together even in spite of their angst.
Chemistry Rating:
Ending Babble: I think this book proves that my policy of avoiding holiday books like the plague is a bad one. The holidays are there but it's not in your face and even if it was a holiday infested book, I still think I would have liked it. I loved this book from start to finish. It's one of those that I breezed through and even stalled a bit so it could last longer. I think Lily Dalton is one of those authors that I will follow. Her writing style is just my speed. She captures angst and draws her characters beautifully. She's almost Lisa Kleypas-esque I already have her next book, Never Entice an Earl on my wishlist.
I cannot tell you how much I highly recommend Never Desire a Duke. It's one of my favorites of the year.
quoted in sidelights: Never Entice An Earl is a well written romance, of engaging characters, sensual delights, a beautifully crafted plot, and a story to keep you fully satisfied…Book Review-Never Entice An Earl by Lily Dalton
Jan
29
Title: Never Entice An Earl
Author: Lily Dalton
Series: One Scandalous Season
Format:Paperback
Acquired: Library
Release Date: April 29 2014
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 321
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Authors Website|Amazon|B&N| Goodreads| LibraryThing
Blurb
For fans of New York Times bestsellers Elizabeth Boyle, Jillian Hunter, Sabrina Jeffries, and Nicole Jordan…
A ONE SCANDALOUS SEASON NOVEL
A Deception Most Reckless
Lady Daphne Bevington would do anything for her maid Kate-including masquerading as Kate and sneaking around the wrong side of London to settle the poor girl’s debt. Yet her innocent ruse takes a scandalous turn when “Kate” runs into a handsome gentleman on a secret quest of his own. A moment of passion could cost Daphne her reputation, but how can she ignore the stranger’s searing kiss?
An Arrangement Most Wicked
Lord Cormack Northmore is determined to find the immoral peer who ruined his sister. So when he learns that the irresistible woman he knows as “Kate” is the Season’s most sought-after debutante, Cormack plans to use her connections to help him set a trap. Now, the closer Cormack gets to uncovering the villain who haunts the ton‘s ballrooms, the more he realizes that the lovely lady is in danger herself. Will he abandon his quest for revenge-or risk losing his one chance at love?
My Review
Lady Daphne, lost her father in an accident that she blames herself for. And has dedicated herself to her family and their happiness, and has decided to never marry no matter how much her mother wishes to change her mind. When she learns that her closest friend and maid, Kate, has gotten into some trouble, from a debt for her family, she decides to go about London, in the wrong part of it, and act the part of a servant to help pay off the debt. But she doesn’t expect to meet Lord Cormack Northmore, on her adventure, and after sharing some sizzling embraces, she knows that this will be the only night that she will be able to enjoy a night in his arms, never to see him again. But when Cormack recognizes her among the Ton, they engage in a battle of sorts, of passion and discovering secrets…and before they know it, they are uncovering a hidden desire that threatens to inflame them both…
I will say that this book just might be my favorite of the series. After reading all three books, and I did love the third book, but this installment, I just adored. I loved everything about this story, and it had the type of story line that really intrigues me…which can be difficult to do when it comes to regency romance. So many authors write in this sub-genre of historical romance, so it’s always a delight, to find one that really gets my interest from the beginning. Of course Lily Dalton, has the writing style that is very engaging on each page. So you can’t help but get fully into the story from the first few pages. But the way she develops the characterizations and the building up of the story line, really had me. You see how inventive this author is, and the way she puts some unique twists in the story. There is an underlying mystery in play as well, which kept me guessing from beginning to end.
The characters were just lovely, and I just loved both of them. Cormack, was a delight, and boy did he throw some curveballs into the story, but what a fun one he was. He definitely knows how to take Daphne in hand, and doesn’t let her get away with deceiving him. Daphne, was just a good one, and it can be hard to find in historical romance at times, but she is so passionate and stubborn and a bit willful, but I enjoyed that about her. She really seemed to brighten the story up and add some adventure into it too.
Never Entice An Earl is a well written romance, of engaging characters, sensual delights, a beautifully crafted plot, and a story to keep you fully satisfied…TERRIFIC!!
My Rating
5 Blossoms
Heat Level
Warm
Series Order
Never Desire A Duke (1)
Never Entice An Earl (2)
Never Surrender To A Scoundrel (3)
quoted in sidelights: The characters are likable and intelligent and the romance is very sweet. Monday, April 14, 2014
REVIEW: "Never Entice an Earl" by Lily Dalton
Never Entice an Earl (One Scandalous Season, #2)
Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton
(One Scandalous Season #2)
Goodreads -- Amazon
Author Website
For Ages 18+
Historical Romance
Forever -- April 29, 2014
Ebook, 384 pages
Received from Netgalley
THEMES
Beta Hero
SUMMARY
A Deception Most Reckless...
Lady Daphne Bevington would do anything for her maid Kate-including masquerading as Kate and sneaking around the wrong side of London to settle the poor girl's debt. Yet her innocent ruse takes a scandalous turn when "Kate" runs into a handsome gentleman on a secret quest of his own. A moment of passion could cost Daphne her reputation, but how can she ignore the stranger's searing kiss?
An Arrangement Most Wicked...
Lord Cormack Northmore is determined to find the immoral peer who ruined his sister. So when he learns that the irresistible woman he knows as "Kate" is the Season's most sought-after debutante, Cormack plans to use her connections to help him set a trap. Now, the closer Cormack gets to uncovering the villain who haunts the ton's ballrooms, the more he realizes that the lovely lady is in danger herself. Will he abandon his quest for revenge-or risk losing his one chance at love?
FIRST LINE
"At the first glimpse of stonework through the trees, Cormack Northmore exhaled at least half of the breath he'd been holding."
MY THOUGHTS
I adored Lily Dalton's debut historical, Never Desire a Duke, last year and was excited to read more of her work. I found Never Entice an Earl to be a lighthearted, easy read though it wasn't without its flaws. The characters are likable and intelligent and the romance is very sweet.
The main story line of this book involves Cormack who returns from India to discover that his sister is dying after giving birth to an illegitimate son. Cormack feels tons of guilt for not being there for his sister and is determined to seek revenge on the baby's aristocratic father. This starts him on a journey of ferreting out the truth about a secret society of peers who thrive on drinking, gambling, and unwilling women. During one of his investigations, he meets a pretty housemaid named Kate who appears to be in some type of trouble. Things get even more complicated when it is revealed that "Kate" is actually Lady Daphne Bevington.
I really liked both Cormack and Daphne. I'm not always a fan of vengeful heroes, but I could understand where Cormack was coming from and I thought it was nice to see him take an intelligent approach to his revenge. He really endeared himself to me when he became so protective of Kate/Daphne and actually thought about her feelings while pursuing the revenge. His character was also interesting because his family suffered from financial issues until he traveled to India so he does not take his current status for granted.
Daphne took a bit of time for me to get used to her. I was a little annoyed by her recklessness regarding her masquerade as her maid, but the author did a good job of slowly revealing key points of her personality. Like Cormack, Daphne is dealing with guilt over something that was really not in her control and it has taken over her entire viewpoint on life. Because of a long ago event, she is determined to make everyone else around her happy in penance for her perceived failings. This made her much more endearing to me and I loved that she got to find someone (in Cormack) who showed her that she did deserve to be happy.
The romance between Daphne and Cormack was very sweet even if it did start off with deception which is not always my favorite theme. They both are dealing with guilt issues and I think it helped them understand one another. It was just nice to read about two likable people finding someone special amidst a ton of external drama.
Besides the romance, the plot of Never Entice an Earl focused on Cormack's pursuit of his sister's attacker. I was invested in this storyline until the later part of the book when I felt like things got a bit out of hand. The ending (while it satisfied all the plot threads) seemed very rushed and a little too Deux Ex Machina for my taste.
Though I did have some issues with the pacing and the conclusion of the revenge plot, I still enjoyed this book. The character development was easily my favorite part and I think that is something that Lily Dalton really excels at in her stories. The third book in this series is going to involve Daphne's sister, Clarissa, and I can't wait to read it.
I received a free copy of this book from Forever Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 STARS
STEAM LEVEL
Flush -- Detailed descriptions of lovemaking though nothing overly graphic.
FAVORITE QUOTES
"I would marry you now, in this moment, if I could. My darling, I don't believe we shall ever see such a day like this again, ever in our lives. I felt nothing but despair this morning, but now I am the happiest woman alive."
BOOKS IN THE SERIES
1. Never Desire a Duke
2. Never Entice an Earl
3. Never Seduce a Scoundrel (Coming 2015)
Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton
Posted May 17, 2014 by Mrs Giggles in 2 Oogies, Book Reviews, Genre: Historical / 0 Comments
See all articles tagged as Lily Dalton.
Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton
Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton
Grand Central Publishing, $8.00, ISBN 978-1-4555-2396-2
Historical Romance, 2014
oogie-2oogie-2
These days, most authors at least claim to give some lip service to their heroines being independent and feisty. It’s quite a surprise, therefore, to discover that Lily Dalton’s Never Entice an Earl is a straight-up no-nonsense rescue fantasy. The heroine Daphne Bevington doesn’t just run headlong into trouble, she rushes into it with an exuberance usually seen only in televangelists rushing to get dying widows to sign over properties to their church and she vows fervently for at least one repeat performance. I don’t know whether to be in awe or to get a big fork in case I may need to stab a page later. Eventually, though, the heroine makes the choice for me. She’s a determined one.
Well, just listen to her story. Daphne is one of those ninnies who believe that they know everything there is to know about men. She will never marry unless she loves that man, and while she hasn’t worked out how she would determine whether a man would love her, she decides that nobody would do. She spends her London season watching over her sister – Clarissa is the flighty one, naturally, while Daphne is the sensible one – and deciding that she has to venture alone, without telling anyone, into the wildest part of town to help settle her maid’s debts. Her maid is her BFF, you see, and Daphne is an enlightened woman who is very democratic when it comes to showering the household staff with her determination to get sixty thousand ways of violated on their behalf. She would start by letting herself be half-naked and paraded on a stage in this strange establishment…
Our hero Cormack Northmore came home a wealthy man, but instead of finding a happy family ready to be feted by his money, he discovers her sister dying after giving birth to a kid. Determined to discover who knocked her sister up and then abandoned her like that, Cormack now prowls the town on the trail to the possible suspects: a club of hedonistic SOBs who didn’t care who they took pleasure from and weren’t fussy about whether the woman in question was willing. Luckily for Daphne, he happens to be at the brothel when Daphne was about to make her debut as Victim #3,215 Codename: Nobody Cares. She naturally is so overwhelmed by his masculinity that she is gagging for a kiss pretty instantaneously the moment they are in a carriage. Remember, she’s the sensible one who is guarding her heart against evil men. Every other part of her body is game for all kinds of biological experimentation though, because, you know, sensible.
The rest of the story is basically Daphne gagging to be shagged like the overheated nymphomaniac she is, when she’s not running into trouble or getting into trouble due to the repercussions of a recent stupid stunt. It’s been a while since I’ve come across a heroine that desperately needs rescuing as much and as often as her. In fact, by the midway point of this book, I want to see her married, because it’s pretty clear that getting married is the only way she’s not going to end up a bloated rotting carcass in the Thames by Christmas. The dangers in this story faced by women like her are real, which makes Daphne’s determination to keep doing stupid things a painful thing to follow.
What’s sad is that, aside from Daphne’s inability to go past two chapters without being assaulted by all kinds of threat on her virtue, she has very little going for her. She’s basically every bad “idiot dingbat determined to be her favorite Amanda Quick heroine” trope thrown together. Cormack is basically that guy who will get her out of trouble when he’s not being her guinea pig during their biology class. The romance happens just because it has to happen, and the frantic activities caused by the external conflicts end up resolved thanks to a convenient last-minute plot development.
Therefore, nothing is really done right here. Just the author flailing around, trying to keep her ship of faithfully replicated tropes afloat in a sea of pedestrian and frequently purple narrative.
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quoted in sidelights: but you will fall in love immediately. This is a story not to be missed out, a winner in every way!! ENGROSSING ON EVERY PAGE!!
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Book Review-Never Surrender To A Scoundrel by Lily Dalton
Title: Never Surrender to a Scoundrel
Author: Lily Dalton
Series: One Scandalous Season
Format: E Book
Release Date: January 27 2015
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 384
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Where To Find:
Author's Website|B&N|Amazon|Goodreads|LibraryThing
Synopsis
A Reckless Desire...
Lady Clarissa Bevington is in trouble. A reckless indiscretion has left her with two choices: ruin her family with the scandal of the Season, or marry Mr. Kincraig, the notorious scoundrel mistaken as her lover. Desperate and disgraced, Clarissa vows to love and cherish a veritable stranger, a man whose eyes smolder with danger—and undeniable desire...
An Unexpected Arrangement
As an agent for the Crown, Lord Donovan Blackmer has spent the last two years guarding Clarissa's grandfather from an unknown assassin while disguised as the rakehell Kincraig. His mission may now be over, but his duty has just begun. Salvaging his beautiful, impetuous wife's virtue will cost him his fortune and his position as an officer—but it might save him from the ghosts that haunt his own past. When their marriage "in name only" leads to exquisite seduction, Donovan must risk the only thing he has left to lose . . . his heart.
My Review
I received a ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.
Lady Clarissa, fell in love with a man that she met in secret, and she knows she will marry him. But then he betrays her and marries another woman, and she is pregnant, and when she turns to a family friend, Lord Donovan Blackmer, for comfort, they end up compromised and they are forced to marry. Donovan works as a spy for the crown, and for the past few years has kept his profile low and protected Clarissa's grandfather. But when he is offered a prestigious position that is a dream come true for him, he ends up compromising Clarissa and ends up married which is the last thing he ever wanted. In the beginning he is bitter and almost cruel, but he sees Clarissa as a kind and passionate woman who deserves more. So he tries to make the best of the situation, and a desire ignites, passions inflame, and a sweet love erupts, but there is a danger from his past, one that haunts him and could tear Clarrissa from his life forever...
I just love Lily Dalton, her historical's are amazing and every time I get the chance to read her I am always astounded by her storytelling abilities, they always blow my mind. Never Surrender To a Scoundrel is no different for me. Sometimes regency romances will set me back in my enjoyment of romance novels, but Dalton knows how to write a good one, and this story revitalizes the passion of the time. What we have here is two people that are put in a poor choice and even though completely innocent, they are forced together. Donovoan is very bitter, his dreams are faltering, and will have to settle for marriage to the lovely Clarissa. We see how at first he blames her for everything going wrong, and takes her up north to his family's estate, but it doesn't take long for him to soften toward her and the real love story really blossoms. Clarissa is headstrong and tends to go toward a situation with no thought process...just full speed ahead. I respected that aspect of her character, but I also felt like she could use a bit more backbone in certain situations...but she does hold her own with Dalton. He is not a easy man to be married to, and Clarissa really handles him quite well and boy do they have sparks that just fly everywhere. I loved their connection and the intrigue and suspense that is placed uniquely in the plot really adds a certain element to the story that adds more depth to the story. You also see various twists and tumbles in the plot that will surprise you and maybe shock you, but you will fall in love immediately. This is a story not to be missed out, a winner in every way!! ENGROSSING ON EVERY PAGE!!
My Rating
5 Blossoms
Heat Rating
Warm
quoted in sidelights: Never Surrender to a Scoundrel was a delightful read with lovable characters and an inventive storyline. Never Surrender to a Scoundrel by Lily Dalton
January 27, 2015 By completedreviews Leave a Comment
SCOUNDREL
Never Surrender to a Scoundrel by Lily Dalton
Publisher: Forever (Hachette Book Group)
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (284 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn
A Reckless Desire…
Lady Clarissa Bevington is in trouble. A reckless indiscretion has left her with two choices: ruin her family with the scandal of the Season, or marry Mr. Kincraig, the notorious scoundrel mistaken as her lover. Desperate and disgraced, Clarissa vows to love and cherish a veritable stranger, a man whose eyes smolder with danger—and undeniable desire…
An Unexpected Arrangement
As an agent for the Crown, Lord Donovan Blackmer has spent the last two years guarding Clarissa’s grandfather from an unknown assassin while disguised as the rakehell Kincraig. His mission may now be over, but his duty has just begun. Salvaging his beautiful, impetuous wife’s virtue will cost him his fortune and his position as an officer—but it might save him from the ghosts that haunt his own past. When their marriage “in name only” leads to exquisite seduction, Donovan must risk the only thing he has left to lose . . . his heart.
An agent of the Crown and a spoiled girl could never work together, could they? They come from two different worlds, right? Wrong. Lily Dalton makes them work, and work beautifully.
The plot is intense and there are a few twists that spice it up along the way. But the main attraction of the novel by far were the two main characters. The way Dominick acts honorably towards Clarissa despite losing everything because of the situation, and how Clarissa grows up into a determined and fair woman after making a huge mistake was a wonderful insight into their personalities. At first it seems they couldn’t be more different, but through mutually deciding to make the marriage work they become far more alike and compatible.
I especially liked the first part of the novel in which Clarissa and Dominick were thrust into an unwanted marriage and the conflict between them is tangible. Unlike in other historical romances, their union started off with no attraction between them and no desire on either of their parts to be married. Clarissa was even portrayed as a rather frivolous, spoiled girl. But as the story developed and their marriage progressed, we got to see a different picture. The fact that their union started off inauspiciously but they were both strong enough to accept it and make it successful told of the strengths of their characters and made me love them so much more.
I felt the long epilogue was redundant and it spoiled the whole effect by tying up all loose ends rather too neatly. Other than that, the narrative was engaging, the characters as well, even though I haven’t read the previous two novels in the series and I didn’t know anything about them and their histories. But now I want to know all about them and I’ll be sure to read their stories too.
Never Surrender to a Scoundrel was a delightful read with lovable characters and an inventive storyline. The narrative will grip you and pull you into the story until you will sigh with satisfaction at the sweet ending.
December 13, 2014
REVIEW: Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton
JaneC Reviewshistorical romance5 Comments
Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton
Dear Ms. Dalton:
I’m a big fan of the marriage in trouble trope so when I found this book at 99c, I figured there were worse risks to take. (note it’s not 99c at the moment The book opens with the Sophia, Duchess of Claxton, suffering a miscarriage after a fall. She was rushing to her carriage after reading a letter sent to her husband by a former paramour and fell on the icy stairs.
Fast forward and Sophia is alone at Christmas with her family celebrating her grandfather’s 82 birthday. Vane, the Duke of Claxton, was absent having accepted a diplomatic assignment and only infrequently communicating with his wife.
For a man who was supposedly in love with his wife, he treated her shabbily, running away after her miscarriage, maintaining sparse contact, and then returning to London without informing her. Of course she learns from one of his former mistresses. He returns with the purpose of ending the enstrangement so…why act that way?
Some of the reviews did not like Sophia but I thought Claxton was a bit stupid. First, he doesn’t inform her that he’s in town and then is surprised when she’s miffed. He doesn’t even address it–as if he’s so dumb as to not realize that allowing her to learn from other people would make her look bad and feel small. He also admitted to accompanying other women around town after Sophia had miscarried and turned to her family for comfort instead of him. He took to carrying around a french letter but swore to her that he’d been faithful. That she was cold to him seemed reasonable.
The two are soon trapped in a small village on a smallish estate that had belonged to Claxton’s mother. where they are forced to spend time with each other. In some ways, I wish the two weren’t Duke and Duchess. The setting and problems they encountered were better suited to a couple with much less stature, removing some of the atmosphere of the historical.
Parts of the book where sweet and well drawn–particularly when Vane is attempting to woo Sophia. The two embark on a game that Vane’s mother played, in a way for Vane to reconnect to his deceased mother. It is through this game that the two begin to trust each other and communicate.
But overall, the primary conflict is the inability of the two to speak with one another, the repeated misunderstandings wore me down. The behaviors that led to their separation (ignoring each other, not talking, making assumptions) continued during their reconciliation. I’m not sure whether they actually understood this in the end or both of them were just tired of arguing.
There were some unfortunate mistakes made in titles and the fluidity of the social classes. The title thing seemed like such a bush league mistake to make. I’m not much of a historical scholar but I’ve read enough blog posts to know this is an error:
“Listen here, Claxton,” declared Havering, proving his point. “This nonsense between you and her Grace is going to stop right here, tonight.”
“It’s Lord Claxton to you,” Vane said, striding past. “And I don’t see that ‘this nonsense’ is any of your business.”
The downstairs situation there is…not well depicted. There was a married couple that took care of the property and a footman. That seemed to be it. Other servants would pop up if a scene needed it, but the period details weren’t well baked into the narrative.
It’s a timely book given that it is focused around the holiday. The second half is much stronger than the first but I never felt connected to the characters or invested in their happiness. C
Best regards,
Jane
Never Surrender to a Scoundrel by Lily Dalton
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 2015 Release, 2015 Review, Historical Romance
Treat yourself to a sizzling historical romance
Never Surrender To A Scoundrel (One Scandalous Season #3) by Lily Dalton
Grand Central Publishing's Forever imprint
January 27, 2015 432 p. ebk.
Historical Romance/Regency
Review copy provided by Library Journal in exchange for review in Xpress Originals
Burton Book Review Rating:
A Reckless Desire...
Lady Clarissa Bevington is in trouble. A reckless indiscretion has left her with two choices: ruin her family with the scandal of the Season, or marry Mr. Kincraig, the notorious scoundrel mistaken as her lover. Desperate and disgraced, Clarissa vows to love and cherish a veritable stranger, a man whose eyes smolder with danger—and undeniable desire...
An Unexpected Arrangement
As an agent for the Crown, Lord Donovan Blackmer has spent the last two years guarding Clarissa's grandfather from an unknown assassin while disguised as the rakehell Kincraig. His mission may now be over, but his duty has just begun. Salvaging his beautiful, impetuous wife's virtue will cost him his fortune and his position as an officer—but it might save him from the ghosts that haunt his own past. When their marriage "in name only" leads to exquisite seduction, Donovan must risk the only thing he has left to lose . . . his heart.
Historical romance readers will delight with this third installment to the One Scandalous Season Series featuring lords and ladies of the ton. Previous titles involved Clarissa's sisters yet this could be read as a stand-alone. Clarissa is about to announce an engagement to her secret lover when she discovers his unworthiness and moments later Clarissa is found in a compromising position with family friend Mr. Kincraig. Kincraig is forced to marry Clarissa to save her honor which inevitably destroys his own undercover operations for the Crown and leaves him unemployed. The story unfolds as Clarissa learns the true identity of Mr. Kincraig, who happens to be a very wealthy Lord Dominick Blackmer, though he is resistant to the title. Clarissa and Dominick slowly learn to love each other in a heated yet heartwarming and rainy journey to Lord Blackmer's estate where he must confront his own past in order to move forward with Clarissa.
Passionate scenes are abundant as Clarissa discovers what real love can be like as she discovers Blackmer's expertise in the bedroom, yet the story is also intriguing and eventful for those readers who prefer a believable plot with their romance. Complete with pleasurable settings, enjoyable characters and an entertaining storyline which includes poison, Never Surrender to a Scoundrel is an ideal choice for any historical romance lover.
Book Review: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
December 3, 2016
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo
Once again Lily Blackwood has written a swoonworthy romance full of secrets, mystery, and true love! I fell in love right along with the two main characters, making me wish their story didn't end with this book but continued on in the next. Though this book had a darker tone than the first book in the series, it was highly enjoyable, and I read late into the night with unstoppable eagerness to see how everything would turn out.
Tara Iverach has lived in a priory for the past five years following the death of her parents, receiving occasional letters from her elder sister. When her guardian shows up one morning and announces her betrothal to the son of the Chief Alwyn, she also receives news that her sister has died. Stricken by grief, she plans to escape the betrothal as soon as possible. However, on her way to the Alwyn keep, her escort is attacked, and she is saved by a man who claims to be her betrothed. Tara soon learns the man is actually Magnus, the bastard son of the Chief Alwyn, who is the opposite of his cruel brother, Hugh. Magnus instantly feels an attraction to Tara, but he must fight to conceal his desire for her even while he works to save her from her unwanted betrothal. For he has a much larger goal to in mind - avenging his true parent's deaths and taking his rightful place as Faelan Kincaid, the Rebel of Clan Kincaid.
The romance between Tara and Magnus was breathtaking! I felt every soft touch and heard every whispered endearment as they fell in love under the moonlight. Tara, being trapped in a tower during her stay, was scared and unsure of who she could trust upon arriving at the Alwyn keep, but Magnus was always there for her. He was so gentle, so concerned for her well-being, and it was quickly apparent just how good of a person he was. He put others before himself, no matter the danger, and he cared more for justice than obeying a cruel lord. Although some of his actions were foolish and led to a misunderstanding between he and Tara, he admitted when he was wrong and didn't let it stop them from having a happily ever after. Chivalry at its finest.
I cannot wait for the next Lily Blackwood book. I imagine it will be about the third missing Kincaid brother, Cullen, and my heart already goes pitter-patter when I see the name. It will be wonderful to see all three brothers reunited and find happiness.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Book Review: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
November 17, 2016 / Leave a comment
Release Date: December 6, 2016rebel
Reviewer: Andrea
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Summary:
Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.
Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is the wrong eldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?
The Review:
This novel is a sequel; however, even if you haven’t read the first, you’ll have no trouble with this one. Plenty of backstory will provide you with all the information you need to enjoy The Rebel of Clan Kincaid once you pass the prologue.
While this is another “worthy bastard” story, the plot and execution of Rebel is all it’s own. For a part of the novel, Magnus and Tara don’t see each other’s faces, beginning their courtship covered by hoods and whispering through barred windows. The verbal tango, along with the extensive restating of past events, did grow a bit tiresome after awhile, though, and I wished the author would just get on with it.
Once the story truly got rolling, I enjoyed it. Magnus is, of course, the consummate hotty with his defined muscles and golden hair, and his love of Tara is typical but entertaining. In the midst of their obstacle-ridden love, the story of Magnus’s ill-fated family is slowly revealed, and a la deus ex machina, good prevails.
3.5 Stars
Quoted in Sidelights: likeable and compelling characters
The unpredictable resolution of the plot threads and an incredibly romantic ending satisfied me
The Rebel of Clan Kincaid (Highland Warrior #2) by Lily Blackwood
Dec
8
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Purchase Now from Amazon
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.
Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is the wrong eldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?
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Publisher and Release Date: St. Martin’s Paperbacks, December 2016
Time and Setting: 14th Century Scotland
Genre: Historical Romance
Heat Level: 1.5
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review by Jenny Q
I do enjoy a Scottish Highlands tale, and the description of this one really intrigued me. Who doesn’t like a good tale of betrayal and vengeance? The Rebel of Clan Kincaid is second in a series, following right on the heels of The Beast of Clan Kincaid, and while I may have understood some of the politics and secondary characters better had I read it, this one stands alone just fine.
The story begins with Magnus, raised as the bastard son of the Laird Alwyn, discovering that he is really the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid and that he has been serving his parents’ murderer all his life. Initially thrown for a loop, Magnus soon develops a burning desire for vengeance and vows to bide his time until the day he can prove Alwyn guilty and avenge the death of his parents and the loss of their ancestral lands. As a fierce warrior and chief of the laird’s war band, he is in the ultimate position to enact his plan with the help of his newfound brother, Niall. But the arrival of his half brother Hugh’s betrothed threatens everything when Magnus falls in love with the vulnerable yet surprisingly brave beauty.
Tara Iverach, ward to the powerful Earl of Buchan, has spent the past five years in a priory. When the earl pays her a surprise visit, Tara hopes for a life outside the convent, and she is about to receive her wish, but at a terrible cost. Her beloved older sister, Arabel, has died, and Buchan needs Tara to take her place in a wedding designed to strengthen his alliance with Alwyn. But life at the Alwyn stronghold of Burnbryde turns out to be a nightmare rather than a dream. Locked in a tower, deprived of companionship except for a maid and the ailing Lady Alwyn, Tara quickly becomes suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her sister’s death. Her betrothed is a malicious, angry man who takes pleasure in terrifying her, and Buchan’s intentions and ambitions prove to be less than honorable. The only bright spot is her growing attraction to her betrothed’s half brother, the handsome and noble Magnus. But their illicit romance is fraught with danger, and though Magnus promises to help her escape marriage to Hugh, when his ulterior motives come to light, Tara realizes the only person she can rely on is herself. But will she be able to pull off a daring escape by herself? And if she does, will she be able to leave Magnus to his fate?
There were some things I loved about this book and some things I did not. What it has going for it: a good bit of history, following the warring of the clans after King David II’s death and featuring the real figures of the Earls of Buchan and Carrick; likeable and compelling characters in Magnus and Tara; and some last-minute twists I didn’t see coming that really bumped the story up in my estimation. What I’ve marked against it: the romance is more of a love-at-first-sight thing, which doesn’t allow for much relationship development; too much internal dialogue that grows repetitive over the course of the story; a couple of cliched plot devices that cheapen the story, including the big misunderstanding; and villains that were too over-the-top to be believable – although one of them eventually merited some compassion and understanding when one of those big twists was revealed at the end.
The unpredictable resolution of the plot threads and an incredibly romantic ending satisfied me and cemented The Rebel of Clan Kincaid as a book that I can recommend to my fellow romance lovers despite my complaints. If you’re a fan of Scottish romances, this one has a more unique setting and underlying historical thread than most. I was so intrigued by Niall and the mystery surrounding the third long-lost Kincaid brother that I do plan to read the other books in the series.
Quoted in Sidelights: I really love Magnus. He is witty, caring and incredibly sexy.
REVIEW: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Posted November 27th, 2016 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Regency - Historical Romance, Review / 2 comments
I loved Lily Blackwood’s debut novel The Beast of Clan Kincaid; therefore, I was excited to read the the-rebel-of-clan-kincaidsecond book in the series, The Rebel of Clan Kincaid. We met Magnus in The Beast when he discovers that he is not the man he believed himself to be – rather than being the bastard son of Laird Alwyn, he is the legitimate and long-believed-dead son of the murdered Laird Kincaid. He now has a brother he never knew about and a third brother is also believed alive but missing. This news rocks his world for obvious reasons, but he is also astonished and enraged to discover that Laird Alwyn played a hand in killing his parents. Needless to say, he is shaken to his core and feels angry and a little lost.
While growing up, Magnus was treated horribly – like an unwanted bastard – by the Alwyn and his legitimate son, Hugh; therefore, Magnus feels no sadness when he finds out they are not related. He has no problem planning and seeking revenge against both men for their part in his parent’s death. He does not reveal that he knows the truth of his parentage and begins to plot his next steps when Hugh’s betrothed, Tara Iverach, arrives for their upcoming wedding. Tara is opposed to the marriage but her guardian – who colluded with the Alwyn to kill Magnus’s parents – is forcing her to his will. Her sister was previously engaged to Hugh before dying under what Tara believes to be suspicious circumstances.
Tara meets Magnus on the night of her arrival after Magnus saves her from brigands. Magnus realizes who she is but is attracted to her and steals a kiss. They both feel instant desire for each other, but Tara does not yet realize he is the brother of her fiancé. While Tara has no desire to marry Hugh and has even less of an inclination after she does, she has no plans to stay or have a romance with Magnus. Hugh is far more loathsome than she ever imagined, but she is unable break the engagement because of her guardian’s iron fist.
As wedding plans are finalized and Tara vows to avoid marriage to Hugh, her feelings for Magnus involuntarily grow. Magnus also finds himself wanting Tara more and more, but he is conflicted by his feelings because they complicate his plan for revenge. If he rescues Tara and removes her from Hugh’s clutches, he might also lose the opportunity to hurt her guardian, Hugh and the Alwyn and avenge his parents.
I really love Magnus. He is witty, caring and incredibly sexy. The beginning of The Rebel of Clan Kincaid promised an exciting and romantic adventure, but it moved at a slow pace and never really drew me into the story. Tara and Magnus were not together very often in the first half of the book and are kept apart due to a misunderstanding during the second half. The misunderstanding could have been easily cleared up with a little communication; therefore, it was frustrating to not see their relationship progressing. There is so much plot potential around Magnus discovering his identity, wanting to seek revenge and having a brother that it was disappointing to have the “big misunderstanding” trope play such a prominent role in the story.
I did not love The Rebel of Clan Kincaid as much as I loved the first book in the Highland Warrior series, but I still enjoyed it. I will definitely be picking up the third book in the series to read about the third Kincaid brother.
Book Info:
03.5SPublication: 12/6/16 | St. Martin’s Paperbacks | Highland Warrior #2
Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.
Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is the wrongeldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?
REVIEW: Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton
Posted April 25th, 2014 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, HJ Recommends, Regency - Historical Romance, Review / 2 comments
Never Entice an Earl by Lily Dalton: “Never Entice an Earl” is one of those exciting books where there is always something going on, and no shortage of heroic males and resourceful female characters. It is also the second in the “One Scandalous Season” series from the author.
NEAE1The beginning starts with a prologue: Cormack Northmore has just arrived back in England from India after six years away, having made his fortune, and he’s looking forward to seeing his family. However he comes back to tragedy: his sister is dying shortly after giving birth to an illegitimate son and the family have no idea who the father is. Cormack makes it his goal to find the person who impregnated sister and to take revenge.
The main part of the book starts in London two years later. The Bevington sisters are in the conservatory, Sophia, the married oldest sister, is telling her two younger sisters, Daphne and Clarissa about the joys of the marriage bed, and they of course are scandalized but very interested. Close in age, their coming-out party is only in a few weeks. Daphne, the middle sister, is a sweet girl who is concerned about others. She counts among her best friends her lady’s maid Kate. Kate is distressed, since her family is in financial bad shape since her father took out loans and the loan shark is calling in his markers Later on that day Kate and many of the other employees of the household come down with food poisoning and are very ill. Daphne goes to Kate and finds out that Kate had made arrangements in order to work off some of her father’s debts, but since she is sick she cannot do the work. Daphne decides to help Kate by pretending to be her for that night. Daphne is shocked to find out that the Blue Swan is a brothel and her job is to be one of four nearly naked dancers. Luckily for Daphne that night Cormack is following a lead in the search of the blackguard who ruined his sister, and this lead is also at the Blue Swan. Cormack sees Daphne on the stage and immediately knows that she does not belong:
His attention lingered on one of the dancers in particular, one with starlight-blond hair and luminous skin.… He felt as if he’d caught sight of an angel masquerading among lesser mortals, who’d become entangled in mankind’s sin and was now helpless to escape.… He maneuvered closer to the stage, fixated. Inexplicably smitten.… He realized instantly that she didn’t belong in this place.
And when someone touches her Cormack impulsively strikes the man and defends her. The police unexpectedly raid the Blue Swan and Daphne is nearly kidnapped however Cormack and his man Jackson rescue her. Of course Daphne says that she is a maid and Cormack says that he is a simple businessman. Cormack is a gentleman and buys her a dress to replace her torn and inappropriate outfit and Daphne also tells him about the debt that Kate owes (all the while pretending to be Kate) and before they part they share a scorching hot kiss.
He exited the carriage, leaving her to darkness and silence and the overwhelming realization she’d likely just had the most thrilling moment of her life. She’d been rescued and kissed senselessly by a handsome stranger.
Cormack pays Kate’s father’s debt and Daphne find this out the next morning when she receives beautiful orange roses and tells Kate. Kate is shocked thinking at Daphne must have done something awful to get her debt paid off but Daphne assures Kate that nothing untoward happened. Not too many days later Cormack sees Daphne in a park in realizes that of course Daphne is not a maid, and Daphne realizes that Cormack is not just a simple businessman and finds out that he’s actually the Earl of Raikes. Cormack, angry at her falsehoods, and still looking for the person who ruined his sister, blackmails Daphne into inviting him to her to her coming-out ball.
So much more happens after this that it cannot be summarized without giving too much away! Suffice to say that Cormack is affectionate and protective, Daphne is brave and forthright, and they make a fantastic couple. This book has everything: unsuitable and creepy suitors, unexpected fiancées, shady Vauxhall gatherings, a mysterious secret society, a kidnapping or two, and much swoon-worthy smooching. I loved it, the characters, the setting, the writing—until the ending, which left me a little disappointed with a deus ex machine moment which ties up more than one loose end. I know that most readers will absolutely love this ending since it pulls everything neatly together, but I found it a tad contrived, and not necessarily in the spirit of the rest of the novel. Nonetheless, a great, fun, roller coaster of a read and I recommend it.
Book Info:
4S Publication: April 29th 2014 by Forever
A ONE SCANDALOUS SEASON NOVEL
A Deception Most Reckless
Lady Daphne Bevington would do anything for her maid Kate-including masquerading as Kate and sneaking around the wrong side of London to settle the poor girl’s debt. Yet her innocent ruse takes a scandalous turn when “Kate” runs into a handsome gentleman on a secret quest of his own. A moment of passion could cost Daphne her reputation, but how can she ignore the stranger’s searing kiss?
An Arrangement Most Wicked
Lord Cormack Northmore is determined to find the immoral peer who ruined his sister. So when he learns that the irresistible woman he knows as “Kate” is the Season’s most sought-after debutante, Cormack plans to use her connections to help him set a trap. Now, the closer Cormack gets to uncovering the villain who haunts the ton’s ballrooms, the more he realizes that the lovely lady is in danger herself. Will he abandon his quest for revenge-or risk losing his one chance at love?
quoted in sidelights: Niall was a great hero and really made the book for me.
a strong female character as well and a good match for Niall.
an unexpectedly good story
Guest Review: The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Posted June 2, 2016 by Tracy in Reviews | 0 Comments
Guest Review: The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily BlackwoodReviewer: Tracy
The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Series: Highland Warrior #1
Also in this series: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid
Published by Macmillan, St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: May 31st 2016
Genres: Romance, Historical, Scottish
Buy on Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
four-stars
A Highland warrior battles to reclaim his birthright in the first of a new series filled with seduction, revenge, and soul-stirring passion...
They call him the Beast—a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well...
Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian—a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim...but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?
When Niall was just 12 years old his fathers keep was attacked by clan chiefs he thought were his friends. In order to save his people the Kincaid had to surrender. His three sons were sent to hide until things calmed down. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the boys were taken off in three different directions when they heard that their mother and father were killed.
It’s been 17 years and Niall is ready to claim back his birthright – his land and title. He has been working as a mercenary for many years and has hundreds of men who are loyal to him. He returns to the Kincaid keep that is now in the hands of the MacClaren clan. Niall’s plan is to infiltrate it as a friend, and eventually take over from within. He does manage to get into the good graces of the MacClaren but he also finds himself smitten with the MacClaren’s daughter, Elspeth. Elspeth, who is also smitten with Niall, is not free to marry him however, as she’s to be married in a political match to firm alliances with another clan.
When it comes down to taking what’s rightfully his, Niall has an issue with it that he didn’t think he would. He’s fallen in love with Elspeth but can he kill her father knowing how much it will hurt her?
This was an unexpectedly good story. I’m not a huge fan of revenge books but I love a good Scottish romance so picked this one up. I’m so glad I did.
Niall was a great hero and really made the book for me. Yes, he was initially bent on revenge and planned to kill the MacClaren but when he fell in love with Elspeth he realized that killing her father would kill any love she had for him. I loved the alpha man with the compassionate side to him – it made him much more likeable and that’s always a good thing.
Elspeth was a strong female character as well and a good match for Niall. I appreciated how she stood up to her father to a point. Obviously in medieval Scotland women normally did whatever their fathers wanted them to do. She was prepared to make a political match and do her duty until she met Niall. I was happy she made the right decision and made her father’s council agree to the reasoning behind it all.
Now I do have to say that I wasn’t a fan of how quickly Niall and Elspeth fell in love. Yes, they had spent some time together but I would have liked to have seen that romance blossom more before they declared their love for each other. Niall did save Elspeth’s life several times so that obviously brought on some hero worship but I just would have liked a bit more.
Overall the story was good, the writing was engaging and I really liked it. I’m very much looking forward to book two to see what’s up with the other brothers that were “lost” as well.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Guest Review: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Posted December 14, 2016 by Tracy in Reviews | 0 Comments
Guest Review: The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily BlackwoodReviewer: Tracy
The Rebel of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Series: Highland Warrior #2
Also in this series: The Beast of Clan Kincaid
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Publication Date: December 6th 2016
Genres: Historical, Romance, Scottish
Buy on Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
four-stars
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.
Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is the wrong eldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?
Since childhood, Magnus has been led to believe he is the Laird Alwyn’s bastard, and raised to hate the Clan Kincaid. But when he learns he is without a doubt the son of the murdered Laird Kincaid, his life as he has always known it is shattered. Now, hiding his knowledge and his fury, he returns to Burnbryde Castle, awaiting the chance to strike against the man whose treachery robbed him of his legacy. His first act of rebellion: to steal a kiss from the redheaded beauty who’s betrothed to the Alwyn’s eldest son and heir.
Since her arrival at Burnbryde, Tara Iverach has been confined to a tower to guard her virtue before she marries. But after a surprise embrace with a lean, bare-chested Highlander who claims to be the Alwyn’s oldest son, she can’t contain her excitement over her good fate. Unfortunately, he is the wrong eldest son, and she is set to marry his cruel and lecherous half brother, Hugh. Can Magnus conquer his rivals and claim his Kincaid destiny before the woman who’s captured his heart becomes his sworn enemy’s bride?
Magnus has always believed – because his mother told him – that he was the bastard son of Laird Alwyn. He’s spent his life trying to be a good warrior and get his father’s attention. Then he found out that he is actually the son of the slain Laird Kincaid. The Alwyn was instrumental in getting his parents killed and now he’s working with his Kincaid brother to take down the Alwyn. Of course he’s doing this all while in the Alwyn home.
Tara has been in a convent since she was 15 years old and her parents died. Her sister was sent off to court by their guardian and she gets letters from Arabel every once in a while. One day at the convent her guardian and his two sons show up, tell Tara that Arabel is dead and take Tara away to marry Arabel’s betrothed. Tara knows that she needs to get away because that’s not what she wants at all. She ends up at the Alwyn keep however, and meets Magnus. They are drawn to each other and when she finds out that he’s willing to help her escape she’s hesitant to trust him but does it despite her misgivings. When she finds out that Magnus may not be as trustworthy as she thought Tara will have to take it upon herself to get away from the Alwyn’s for good.
This was a great addition to the Highland Warrior series. I really liked book one in the series and this was no different. Magnus was a great hero and I loved reading about him. I felt so bad about the way he’d been treated his whole life. Yes, things started to change for him but it was too little, too late as he’d already found out what a bastard the Alywn was. He was completely enamored by Tara from the first meeting. He wanted to do nothing but protect her from the eldest Alwyn son, Hugh, who was a toad. Magnus was a good person – kind and honorable. He’s damned sexy too. 🙂
Tara was definitely high-spirited in a really good way. She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it. She wasn’t one to sit around and left everyone else decide her fate and I liked that about her. I thought that it was sad that her sister had died and that she couldn’t figure out what had happened to her. She had the determination but no one was willing to give her the info she needed. I did think that she jumped to conclusions with Magnus during the book but I appreciated that the author realizing that herself instead of trying to justify her distrust.
In the end a very good book. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book as I’m sure it will give us the story of the third – and still currently missing- brother.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review: The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
June 9, 2016 By Sheena 1 Comment
Review: The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Series: Highland Warrior, #1
Historical Romance
Released: May 31, 2016
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Reviewed by Sheena
They call him the Beast—a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well…
Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian—a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim…but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?
“I know who you are Elspeth. And I know who I am not.”
Awesome Blurb. Nice cover. I dive in and immediately recognize that new author, Lily Blackwood came to play, with her spirited and sexy debut, The Beast of Clan Kinkaid. I love this world, I simply can not get enough. As a matter of fact, I don’t want to have enough. I am a gluttonous fiend for highland warrior romance but my insatiable consumption has made me quite discerning and I can be a tough audience. Lucky for me, The Beast of Clan Kinkaid is a fun gem that I thoroughly enjoyed. Even the slower parts held my attention and let me tell you…historical fiction can get the lead in it from time to time. As opposed to my usual GET THE FAWK ON WITH IT, ALREADY! flails, one thing I learned about Niall is…you don’t rush Niall. You sit there and you take it and dammit you like it for all your troubles.
Pardon as I get these drool smudges off the screen.
There.
Niall (The Beast) is a man with revenge on his mind and anguish in his heart. We first flash back to Niall as a young man too young for war but right in the thick of it whilst his father perished in the battle. Too young to make heads or tails of his forced orphaning, he is told to be brave, always remember and to avenge the treachery that befell his parents and clansmen. Niall does not witness his beloved ma and da fall, however, the impact is no less savage for in this moment we see a young man die and a ruthless warriors heart begin to beat.
Elspeth is the quintessential Highland lass. She gets it. She is a woman and women are duty bound to do as they are bid for the sake of the clan. She has her own special brand of strength that was respectable but not ornery. I saw enough of her spitfire spirit to know she was no flimsy heroine propped up to give Niall something warm to hump up against. I get it. These beefcake, alpha warriors sell stories, but I can’t tell you how badly underdeveloped, cardboard, cookie cutter heroines have ruined the mojo. None of that with Elspeth! She was interesting, had bite and even her moments of submission made sense in the grand scheme of things. Niall is all anger, hurt and quiet, lethal vengeance and that is a lot of personality to hold up against. Let’s just say, she does a bang up job.
It was but a kiss,” he answered in a passionless voice. “Nothing more.”
Indeed, he spoke the words as if the meant nothing. As if the pain he had inflicted on her meant nothing. How had she once believed he had heart, true feelings for her?
“Only a kiss.” She shrugged indifferently, hardening her heart against him, vowing he would not hurt her again. “Just as yours and mine were only kisses. Is that right, Niall?
He stared at her, his expression a stone wall that concealed any emotion.
She would not play the wounded lover. The one left behind. She had too much pride for that. Nor would she embark upon her new life with only half a heart.
“Go on then,” she said, her voice intentionally cool, sinking back against the cushions. His brows came together, dark and questioning. As if he had never been dismissed. She pushed the opposite curtain open, and looked out at nothing in particular.
“You are dripping on my skirts.
Aye. Contentious business it is, bringing a Highlander man, hell bent on destroying your family, to heel. Be of ease, while Niall pulls a bonehead bull headed move or two, there is no real cheating so never fear any nefarious, wayward kisses. His heart and mind are so full of Elspeth its all The Beast can do but reinforce his emotional armor and keep her at arms length. Funny thing about arm’s length though…it doesn’t work so hot when you keep wrapping your lass up in them. To my pleasure, he soon learns that he will not be taking Elspeth on a ride, only to leave her broken.
Nearly the whole of the novel is Niall’s journey to his own absolution and breaking through his own barriers before he sees himself fit to truly love. His deception runs the nearly the length of the book, however, I didn’t fault him entirely. Niall is gruff and tough and speaks plainly reluctant in his show of faux apathy. There are few things more heartbreaking than a jaded, traumatized highlander who speaks plainly. All of his pain seeps out over every cold word. Niall thinks he is hiding from me Elspeth, with his aloof disconnected attitude, but all he really did was reveal himself, layer by layer until he was stripped bare with the choice in the end lying with Elspeth. He may have duped her and hid his true identify to further his own campaign, but quiet, proud Elspeth held all the cards, for he found himself in love and desperately hoping she forgave and loved him in kind.
What’s a highland romance without action and adventure? Not a highland warrior romance I say! The Beast of Clan Kincaid has significant clear and present danger. Elspeth is at risk by virtue of her family name and well, you have the requisite rescuing of the damsel in distress. There is also a big plot twist that I kinda believed but barely. I can only take so many secrets uncovered, before it starts to feel gimmicky, and I sort of wish that the character that drives this plot twist was introduced and revealed in a different manner. This hiccup did not detract from my overall enjoyment, and it sets up the next novel, because, a next novel is so very necessary! This novel is more sensual than sexual and even with its heft (~320 pages) I did not long for gratuitous coupling. Wrapping myself in the warmth and mystery that is Niall and his Beastly nature was more than enough. Stolen glances, outright obsessive stare and hole boring abounds. This was not read in one sitting. I put it down rather reluctantly a few times, but returned each time giddy to continue. First time author Lily Blackwood is one to watch in this genre. I expect a novel of this caliber from a far more seasoned in the game writer. I am happy to recommend it as this novel is great for a lazy weekend or rainy day or any other time you want to escape into the arms of a (sexy) Beast!
PS. Niall wields his sword like nobodies business!
Grade: B+
Review: Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton
September 27, 2013 By admin 2 Comments
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Never Desire a Duke (One Scandalous Season, #1) by Lily Dalton
Historical Romance
September 24, 2013
Hachette (Forever)
Vane Barwick (Duke of Claxton) has been estranged from his wife Lady Sophia for over a year, but he holds out hope that they can reconcile and put the past behind them. Sophia does not trust Vane, more specifically she does not trust her heart with him for his rumored infidelity and the loss of their unborn child already crushed her heart once. The couple finds themselves snowed in the remote village where Vane grew up, and they have no choice but to spend time together and decide if they really do want to part ways or if they still might have a future together.
As I sit to review this book I am finding it riddled with details that annoy, pieces that don’t fit well, and elements I never really liked. Yet while I was reading this book I was totally enraptured by the author’s storytelling and I simply could not put it down. I suppose this is my way of saying that I would consider this book to be a guilty pleasure kind of read. One that I enjoyed and found charming, yet wouldn’t necessarily recommend, re-read, or grade highly.
What I really liked is that the author took her time building and developing the trust between the couple and the romance. They were both in love with each other, they both want each other, but they hold back and slowly build something richer, more meaningful. It was easy to see why the mistrust and miscommunication built and how a wedge had come between them.
I also enjoyed the adventures the couple embarked upon when a note from Vane’s deceased mother is found. These little treasure hunts and quests were a nice way to bring the couple together but also give the story somewhere to go.
Now for some of the bits that did not work. First and foremost – Sophia strikes me as a spoiled girl playing at being a woman. She repeatedly makes bad choices, likes to run away whenever anything gets rough or she has to face something unpleasant, and she seems to feel that things can, should, and will just go her way.
Of course she overreacted, and in a most irrational and childish manner, but in this moment she did not care.
There is a scene towards the beginning where she is explaining to Vane that they’ll legally separate and she’ll have his baby – but it will be all hers. She thinks she has all the power. Well, nice as that idea might sound in theory I’m pretty sure he (the freaking duke and her husband) has the power. If he really wanted to, pretty sure he could just demand marital rights, and then banish her off to some country estate or something. Not that Vane’s mind goes there. Instead he goes along for a bit with her insane idea for how they can go their own ways.
While she was sweet most of the time, and a character that could be enjoyable, there were definitely moments when I wished she could be smacked. There were things that she did that felt like she was testing Vane, seeing if he would chase her, woo her, follow her like a trained dog. It reminded me of games that teenage girls like to play with boys, not at all like how a woman would communicate with her husband.
Communication, of course, is a big one. When the dust settles what we had here was a couple who had trust and communication issues. There was nothing to forgive. Nothing to be battling over or running away from. For me this took away from the story’s power especially at the end as the characters continued to run in circles around each other instead of just speaking openly.
I mention all of this because I know it will not bother many readers, but it will be a deal breaker for other readers. None of it really bothered me while reading (except Sophia’s antics) but rather are things that came up as I sit and reflect on the book.
Vane, our duke and hero, really came across like a caged beast. I wanted him to unlock the gate and really let loose! I wanted to see him just a little more wild, a bit more raw, and even more direct than he was. I felt like he always had himself on a leash and that was a disappointment. Of course even on a leash – he was a great character that I really enjoyed.
Like the scene where he’s trying to demonstrate to his wife how silly her plan is.
“Your Grace, I would request your company in my bed tonight for the purpose of attempting to conceive my required heir.”
Sophia, naturally, is irritated and fusses at him…
“I apologize.” He stood, his dramatic air falling away. “I don’t have a secretary presently in residence, or I’d submit my proposal for your approval in writing-“ His voice rose to a thunderous volume. “And have it delivered by official courier under the duchy’s wax seal.”
Oh, and later there is a scene where he’s telling Sophia that there is no kissing (her rule), but that he might lick, bite, or suck…
“Correct me if I’m wrong-“ he said quietly. He moved closer, backing her against the wall. His hands smoothed up her arms, feeling warm and strong and oh, so competent. “But I do not recall there being any limitations made on… sucking?”
Yes our friend Vane has quite a history with the ladies, but he’s also totally smitten with his wife and has been since first seeing her. I loved that he never doubted his desire for her and that he always wanted Sophia and only her, and that while apart his fantasies were of her.
One last note – the cover looks a bit holiday/Christmas, and while it is in the snow and there is a brief mention of mistletoe and decorating in general, this story doesn’t really have a strong holiday feel nor did it seem like the tale had to happen the week before Christmas.
If you’re looking for a historical romance that features a second chance for a married but estranged couple, if you want characters with some darkness in their past set in an otherwise fairly light novel then I’d recommend you check this book out.
Grade: C+
quoted in sidelights: The vivid descriptions and intense emotions from Niall more than made up for her.
October 13, 2016
Review | The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Review | The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily BlackwoodThe Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Series: Highland Warrior #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks, May 2016
Pages: 291
Format: Paperback
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
A Highland warrior battles to reclaim his birthright in the first of a new series filled with seduction, revenge, and soul-stirring passion…
They call him the Beast—a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well…
Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian—a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim…but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?
The Beast of Clan Kincaid is out for revenge. Torn from his home at a young age, Niall Braewick has returned to avenge his family’s death and reclaim his clan. A meticulous fighter, Niall has planned out his subterfuge (acting as a warrior for hire) to win back the castle and lands. The only thing standing in the way? His father’s murderer’s beautiful daughter. He can’t get Elspeth out of his mind, and the feeling is mutual. As he tries to refocus and get her out of his mind, she finds her way to his heart.
Admittedly, my first impression of The Beast of Clan Kincaid wasn’t too favorable. In the first scene with Elspeth, her sister’s puppy disappears downstream. Everyone’s reaction? Oh, well. For me, that was just crass, especially with Elspeth’s “she’ll learn to get over it” reaction. Although Niall goes to find/save the puppy and returns him to the girl (major brownie points for him), Elspeth’s “eh” response made it hard for me to identify with her.
I’m glad I kept reading. Blackwood does an excellent job of portraying the politics of a Scottish laird’s court, especially one who still harbors feelings about what happened to Niall’s family. His mixed emotions, colored by history and perception, was one of the underdog golden elements of The Beast of Clan Kincaid.
I loved the depth and description that went into Niall’s character. The conflict of his need for revenge, to secure his home, and to win Elspeth created a fascinating character. His narration was compelling, engaging, and a new take on the Scottish romance.
Unfortunately, I felt like Elspeth fell flat. She didn’t have the same consistency of character: one moment she was fiery, fighting back against the (completely unsuitable) suitors who paid her court; the next, she was the dutiful, doting daughter who did anything her father told her to. I didn’t see her as the vibrant, vivid character Blackwood tried to create. That character would have brought the story to a new level.
Despite Elspeth’s lack of character, The Beast of Clan Kincaid was a good read. The vivid descriptions and intense emotions from Niall more than made up for her.
June 3, 2016
Review: The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
beast of clan kincaidReviewed by Jen
I guess I’m conditioned to expect every book with “beast” in the title to be some kind of Beauty and the Beast retelling –or at least for the hero to have some kind of beastly demeanor or appearance. None of these is the case here, so if you are looking for any of those scenarios, you can move along.
Niall is called “the Beast” because he is a dangerous mercenary. He’s also the rightful laird to the family lands that were stolen from his father nearly 20 years ago. You see, his parents were betrayed and murdered by two clans they thought were their allies. Niall and his brothers escaped and went their separate ways in order to stay hidden. Now that Niall is grown, he is ready to reclaim his birthright.
Elspeth is the eldest daughter of the MacClaren chief. And from the moment she and Niall cross paths, they are drawn to each other. She has no idea who he really is or why he has entered her family’s land. She only knows she wants him more than any man she might be forced to marry for a political alliance. Niall knows his secret and his plan will devastate her, and at first he tries to keep his distance, but it’s only a matter of time before their attraction is something they’re unable to ignore.
The premise, itself, was ok, though it didn’t tread any new ground. My problem with the book was that it felt very superficial. The characters had no depth, nor emotional resonance. Niall wanted his family lands back, but I felt no real anguish or grief… or even rage. Elspeth was totally bland. She was a dutiful daughter, who is falling in love for the first time with a man who ultimately reveals an earthshattering deception. But the angst was virtually nonexistent. The betrayal, weak. Even the sexual tension was meh.
The story wasn’t bad, but it was …benign. And predictable. Even what I suspect was supposed to be a big reveal about one of the side characters, I saw coming from nearly the beginning of the book.
This is the first in a new series. I imagine the future books will feature Niall’s brothers, but I don’t think I’ll be back. I didn’t dislike the book, but it didn’t make me feel anything either.
Rating: B-/C+