The Stolen Bride {Giveaway}

The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight
Published: July 19, 2012 by Eliza Knight
Series: Stolen Bride #1
Everyone once in a while you can't help but crave junk food. You know exactly what to expect with it, and while it may not be worthy of any awards, it's perfect because it meets your needs. The Highlander's Reward is exactly that type of book.

Lady Arebella is traveling to Scotland to marry the English lord decided on by the King of England. Laird Magnus is fighting the English alongside William Wallace. As unlikely a pair as they may be, this is a historical romance and part of a the Stolen Bride Series, so you know exactly how things will go.

They may have been aspects I wasn't a huge fan of, from the way to the Scottish brogue was written to what felt like historical inaccuracies (I can't imagine there were many vegetarians in the 1200s), and I may have wished to be a little more transported to the Scottish highlands, but it's hard to complain knowing what you were getting it.

And actually, I really enjoyed myself with this book. I read it in only a day or two since it was a book I didn't want to stop reading. There are a few steamy scenes which I think is a lot of the fun reading a book like this. While again it may not be the truest representation of history, I still loved this historical backdrop. There are currently seven books in the series, and after reading this one I'd love to get my hands on each one!

4.5/5

If you'd also like to get your hands on this series, I'm giving you all a chance to "steal" a copy! Winners have the choice of a print copy (US Only) or an eBook (International). To enter please use the rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I was provided this book through Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (65)

Another busy week of books for me! So, as always, I'm linking up with Mailbox Monday!
From Paperback Swap
The Runaway by Terry Kay
This is actually our book club book for the month. I actually don't know much about it, except that from the summary it takes place in the South after WWII. But I do love historical fiction and enjoy reading about the South so hopefully it's one I'll enjoy.

From Goodreads
The Deepest Secret by Carla Buckley
I remember loving a Lifetime movie growing up about two little girls who were allergic to sunlight. I can't even remember the name of it, but certain scenes still are vivid in my memories. Which is why I'm so excited about this mystery since one of the main characters is a boy with a similar medical condition where he must avoid sunlight.

From Historical Fiction Book Tours
The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight
I haven't read much about Scotland, but it's definitely a place I'm curious about, which is of course why I'm excited to start this one.

Won at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
Billion Dollar Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
The Cowboy's Mail Order Bride by Carolyn Brown
The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown
Not only did I receive these 3 books, but also this sparkly cowboy boot ornament. I'm not quite sure which of these I'm most excited about, but maybe The Cowboy's Christmas Baby.

What did you find in your mailbox this week?

You still have time to enter my giveaway to win a copy of Marie Antoinette's Head!

An Outlander Love Story

Timeless Desire by Gwyn Cready
Panna Kennedy is a librarian, still getting over the death of her husband two years prior. Her library is facing budget cuts so she searches the library in hopes in finding something to help turn things around. But in her search she instead walks through a door that takes here to the Highlands in Scotland, where she meets the handsome Captain Bridgewater, soldier of the British army.

Going into this I thought it would be cute, and probably a little cheesy. I thought I would enjoy it, but wasn't expecting too much from it. Except the book took me by surprise and I really enjoyed my time with it.

I was afraid the book would be all romance and little history. Not that it would have been a bad thing, and I still would have enjoyed it, but I love reading more historical books. I can't say how historically accurate the situation in Scotland was, but there was enough name dropping (mainly Queen Anne and the Duke of Marlborough) that it felt authentic to me.

At lot of time when I read these romance type books, the love scenes read a little uneasy for me. But after read 50 Shades, this felt really tame. I have a feeling this is going to be true for most romance books I read now, and it's definitely an interesting development.

Again, this book was a great surprise and a fun escape from everyday life. It was the perfect version of a romance meets history for me, and I think I'd really enjoy Cready other books as well.

4.5/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information on where to purchase this book visit the publisher's website.

Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!