Nuts (Hudson Valley #1) By: Alice Clayton

I just want to take a minute to say thank you so much to Gallery Books for sending me an ecopy of this book to review. I can't tell ya'll how much I appreciate you guys sending me all these amazing books. Ya'll are book rock stars out there :D

The New York Times bestselling author of Wallbanger and Rusty Nailed is back with Nuts, the first in a brand new series set in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley.

Roxie Callahan is a private chef to some of Hollywood’s wealthiest, and nastiest, calorie-counting wives. After a dairy disaster implodes her carefully crafted career in one fell ploop, she finds herself back home in upstate New York, bailing out her hippie mother and running the family diner.

When gorgeous local farmer Leo Maxwell delivers her a lovely bunch of organic walnuts, Roxie wonders if a summer back home isn’t such a bad idea after all. Leo is heavily involved in the sustainable slow food movement, and he likes to take his time. In all things. Roxie is determined to head back to the west coast as soon as summer ends, but will the pull of lazy fireflies and her very own Almanzo Wilder be enough to keep her home for good?

Salty. Spicy. Sweet. Nuts. Go on, grab a handful. 

Ok so I guess now is a good time to say that I went into this book completely blind. I do this every now and then, especially if it is an author I religiously follow. And while I loved Alice Clayton's Cocktail series, it is sadly the only books by her that I have read. Until Nuts that is.

And yet here I was intrigued by the title alone... Because what person isn't when the thing is called Nuts and the cover is of a shirtless guy holding a handful of nuts. But seriously, I did what I did on purpose. Kinda as an experiment and just kinda because if I read the synopsis for a book I start trying to guess what will happen and then I spend the entire thing guessing (to which I'm usually right lol) but anyways, I wanted this one to be a surprise and just wanted to enjoy it.

And boy did I enjoy it. This book was so funny. I spent over half of it doing that weird silent laugh you do when you're out in public and are trying to be desecrate but really look like a suffocating dolphin instead. Seriously Warning to everyone who picks up this book... If you are planning on reading this around anyone else be ready for the odd looks and funny stares, because this one will have you rolling. There were so many jokes, and witty banter between the characters. Alice really has a way of creating these characters that take on a life of their own, and each of them have their funny corks and stuff. Which to me made the whole thing so much better. I could totally picture myself walking into Roxie's family diner and joking around with her and THE Chad Bowmen. 

It is just one of those books that will suck you in by the end of the first few pages and let go until the last page is read (Ha! it never lets go. You will be dying for more by the time you finish Wahahahahha) 

But for reals can I tell you how much this small town Alice created appeals to me. I grew up in Florida, and while most people thing oh Florida that's in the south it must be all southern fun and crap and Disney all  the time... LIES!!!!!!! (Ok there was a lot of Disney involved in my life but that's beside the point.) What I'm trying to say is that Florida is by far the most un-southern southern state there is (I shall blame all the tourists for that one) So... That means that I missed out on all the close-nit town stuff. Because so many people come from so many places down there you loose that homey town feel. Plus my city was actually fairly big (That is size wise, There was NOTHING! I repeat Nothing to do there, except go play tag in Walmart at 2 AM on the weekends.) There were 4 high schools in the area so it wasn't like everyone got all excited about Friday night football because everyone split into a billion different directions that night, and we sure as heck didn't have that diner that everyone would go to when they were hungry, or the awesome farm. There aren't a whole lot of farms in central Florida, Orange groves? Yes. Farms? No. And we didn't co-op with those groves either. They were kinda mean actually.
So I guess my point is, that I love these books about the close small towns. They just make me happy, and I really lose myself in books like this. I love the idea of everyone knowing each other and being able to stop in somewhere and just say hi, and talk about their kids and family. To be a part of something like that.

Ok, so away from my small town day dreams. (I do live in Georgia now, and vicariously live through my 14 year old nephew who is in the marching band at school. Football is a big deal and I love going to the games. Plus I know EVERYONE in the town now. I'm getting there ya'll hehe)

So lets talk characters for a bit.

I love Roxie. She is freaking hilarious. The things that go through this woman's mind really had me laughing the whole story. Between her irrational bee fear, and just to quirky little ways she did things or thought made her a really great character. And while I do want that small town thing she has, I understand her need to get away from it all. Things were never easy for me growing up, and while i didn't feel the need to go quite as far away as Roxie did to get away from it, I remember jumping at the thought of college and being away from all the drama that was my family. (I think I actually threatened to go to Alaska at one point if I recall right) So I could relate with Roxie's hesitancy to have to go back to all the things she left.

Roxie isn't one to really put up with a lot of crap either. She tells it like it is most of the time (probably a bit to honest sometimes actually) But that's something that makes her so funny I guess. She never let's anyone assume things are going to be a particular way but the banter she keeps constantly going inside her head is hilarious. I won't give too much away, but her thoughts about the LA women that she works as a private chef too had me laughing and high lighting parts constantly. Normally I am a post-it noter when I read, but I had an eBook copy this time so I had to settle for highlighting my favorite parts instead. And let me tell you there were a lot of those.

Plus Roxie really like making up words, or uh putting situations into really big long one word sentences... Like "Ohmygodthisguycouldwreckmefor-alwaysbutImightbeokwithit" And while things like that amuse me to no end, it's the rest of the content that surrounds that that makes it so much better.

And I guess the last thing I like about her is that she isn't always sure what to do. She thinks she has a nice well laid out plan, and then as she begins to get comfortable with things the edges begin to blur. She isn't sure what she really wants, and I like seeing her have to work through all that and see what really matters to her, and not just what she thinks does.

Time to move on to Leo now I guess.

I really truly liked this guy. Not just because he is a hot sexy farmer either (But it helps haha)
He is generally just a good guy trying to make something of his life that will help people.
I like that despite what his family name may be, he tries to do things that will make him happy and at the same time make a difference.

Not that Leo isn't hot and all about the good loving stuff, he seemed pretty good at that hehe. But seriously I always find the characters that have multi dimensions to be my favorites. They are a little complicated and a whole lot interesting. They make you wonder what is going on in their heads but also wonder what has made them think and act the way they do.

Leo has a lot of things he won't tell Roxie and I spent a majority of the book trying to guess what it could be (let me tell you... I never would have guessed what it actually was) I mean we are talking a real whoa hold the phone no way kinda thing. But I liked the twist and thought it added to the story in a good way.

I know for me this review of the male character is a bit tame. I have a hard time really explaining him for some reason. He's just as funny as Roxie though, and drops jokes like no ones business. See here I go about the laughing again. I'm telling you it will happen. Be ready.

I want to talk about one more character real fast because he is my favorite, Well 2 characters I guess actually. And those are THE Chad Bowmen and THE Logan O'Reilly.

They really made this whole book for me. They are funny and smart and absolutely the best gay friends a girl could possibly have. They added so many things to this book. Between their witty banter and ridiculous jokes, I found myself laughing all the time and wanting to jump into the book to hang out with them. They were sneaky little devils too. Always managing to get what they wanted or to make Roxie see things a different way. Manipulative is a word that works well to describe them hehe.

And I love how they want to learn how to do these odd things you wouldn't think they would want to. Like Zombie Pickle Classes. I'll leave it at that and let you see for yourself (Best part of the book BTW)

But they just make the book so fun, and give a lite side to some of the more serious things going on. Plus they really put things in perspective for Roxie most of the time.


This book was absolutely amazing.. There were so many things I liked about it. And I truly found it to be one of the funniest books I have read in a while too.

I really hope I could convince you to go pick up a copy when the book releases and that you even give Alice Clayton's other books a shot if you haven't already read them. She is a great author and you wont be disappointed in the least.

I give Nuts: *****5 Stars*****

Interview With Sweet Temptation Author Wendy Higgins :D

Hey ya'll, I'm so excited to get to share this super fun Friday post with you.

As I'm sure many of you know, I am a huge Wendy Higgins fan.

She is the author of the Amazing Sweet Evil series. The most recent and last installment in the series, Sweet Temptation just came out a few weeks ago and I have to say it is by far my favorite of the series.

I was given an ARC from the awesome people over at Harper Teen to review back in July and had nothing but good things to say about it.
I loved seeing the books from Kai's POV. There was so much more to the story from his view, and I loved all the extra parts Wendy added that we didn't get to see before. (FYI the ending is my absolute favorite part)

So to get the week started right on this rainy grey morning (at least that is how it is here in Georgia today) I have a fabulous interview that the amazing Wendy Higgins so graciously did with me.

Seriously ya'll she is the best. I got to meet her last year after Sweet Reckoning came out, and she is super sweet and fun to talk to.

Enjoy :D

About Wendy:

Wendy Higgins is the USA Today and NYT bestselling author of the Sweet Evil series from HarperTeen, the high fantasy duology The Great Hunt, and her independently published Irish fantasy, See Me. She is a former high school English teacher who now writes full time, and lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and doggie Rue.

Wendy earned a bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University. She is represented by Jill Corcoran of the Jill Corcoran Literary Agency.

So my first question is pretty simple

• What was your favorite part of writing Sweet Temptation, or really the whole Sweet Series in general? I know I absolutely love the books and could never just pick one of my favorite scenes and I’m just a reader. I’m so mean making you decide that, but I must know Hehe

~ I honestly loved writing Sweet Temptation, all of it, even though it was such a challenge. But having Kaidan live in my head for those two months was a true comfort. I was going through a rough transition—we’d just moved to a tiny town away from everyone we knew, and Kai kept me company. It was the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book. Kai makes me laugh and cry and feel everything.

My next question for you is just for some fun. I like to keep it interesting lol

• Do you have an author you completely fan girl over? If so who? I can admit to it for not only you but Jen Armentrout, Cora Carmack, and Jay Crownover. Ya’ll are seriously some of my favorite authors and I’m sure if you really dug into my blog and FB pages I have many moments that would embarrass me if they happened in person instead of online.

~ I completely understand and I’m flattered you feel that way about me!  I’d have to say I fangirl like crazy over Gena Showalter. She is a queen of the romance genre. She’s HUGE. But she has befriended me, offered advice, blurbed Sweet Temptation for me, and been super supportive. I’m still blown away every time she responds to me and I geek out when she calls me friend!

• What was the hardest part of writing a book from another characters perspective? I write in my free time, just finishing an actual full over 50,000 word book (well I guess it isn’t a book yet lol) and I know it can be hard just getting something like that done from one POV. I can’t even imagine going back and trying to write it from a different one.

~  I pretty much had to read all 3 books again, consult them constantly, decide which scenes to show, which to summarize, and which to leave out altogether, which was HARD. But once I got all of that decided, imagining the scenes from his point of view were simple because I’d pretty much imagined his feelings throughout the original books when I wrote them. I always knew how he was feeling, even when Anna didn’t. ;)

Next question

• Who has been your favorite character to write so far? (From any of your books) Who was the hardest to write as well?

~ Kaidan was both my favorite and the hardest. He’s very complex. He shows you one thing while he’s feeling the exact opposite.

• Is there anything from the Sweet Series that you would go back and change if you could? Personally I love the whole thing and think it perfect as is. Just saying lol

~ Yes, actually, I wish the cast of characters was even more diverse. I really, really wish I’d made Ginger and Marna (the twins) from Latin America or Spain.

Here’s another fun one for you

• Who is your favorite book boyfriend? As much as I love all the new guys in the recent books I read, my favorite is still Patch from Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush Hush series. He was the first book guy and well first book in general I fell for, and that got me really into reading YA back when I was a little sophomore in high school.

~ I will always love Edward and I have no shame saying that. Also, I’m a Daemon Black girl for life.

• I know you have a pretty extensive explanation on how you got published with Harper Collins on your website, but I have a question regarding the process

                Once you got that email saying they wanted Sweet Evil what was it like moving forward from there? I always read about the process of getting to a publisher but never see much about what it’s like once you have one. I’m sure it has to be a whirlwind experience but so much fun.

~ When they offered on my first book it wasn’t actually Sweet Evil yet. It was a standalone book called Angel Prophecy (awful, cheesy title, I know). It was basically the Sweet trilogy but only focused on Anna and Kaidan. None of the other Neph were really in it. That’s the version of the story that I was “discovered” with. By the time the publisher made an offer I’d come up with a plan to turn my single story into a 3 part trilogy, and I had the first book of it written, which I called Sin Legacy. The editor read it, liked it, changed the title to Sweet Evil, and we signed contracts for it. Then they set the publication date for 18 months after that and we got started on editing/revising. I worked closely with my editor and fleshed out all the parts she requested, but ultimately I had the final say about details.

• What scene in particular were you most excited about writing from Kai’s perspective in Sweet Temptation? I have to say my favorite I read was that whole ending chapter. I think I might have even gotten a bit misty eyed (I’m not a crier much either)

~ The first kiss scene was REALLY fun to write from his perspective. Also the (SPOILER) wedding night scene. And of course the final scene from Sweet Reckoning. That seriously makes me cry every single stinkin’ time. (I’m a huge crier though.)

• What is the one thing you want people to take away from your books? I think the thing I see the most when reading these, especially from Kai’s POV is the notion of redemption, that no matter his past, he deserved it just as much as anyone else would.

~ Yes, redemption is a huge one, and second chances in general. I think my two favorite themes, though, are hope and choice. There is always a choice and only we as individuals can make those choices, no matter our past or our lineage or what the world tells us.

• Ok, I’m at my last question for you, and don’t feel like you have to share anything from this if you don’t want to.

                I know you have a new book coming out after Sweet Temptation *Cough cough The Great Hunt* and I was wondering if you would or could minded sharing something from it or about it. Anything you wanted really, I’m not picky hehe but as I said don’t feel like you have to. I’m just greedy and like getting inside info lol

~ I’m super nervous about The Great Hunt! It’s a high fantasy, made-up world and all. It’s just SO different for me. It’s told in 3^rd person point of view from several character vantage points. At the belly of the story is a dark mystery and tension on several levels, and yes there’s plenty of romance. I hope my readers will roll with it and be able to get lost in it like I did while writing it.

Bonus Round:

                Jaws? Or Jurassic Park?

~ Definitely Jurassic Park!!!

Thanks again for doing this interview with me J

~ Thank you for having me!  *hugs*

I hope that ya'll enjoyed this fun interview, and if you haven't had a chance to pick up any of Wendy's books I highly recommend you go grab the first in the series Sweet Evil. You will completely fall for Kaidan and Anna's story :D

(This was from last year when I got to meet Wendy that I was telling you about at the beginning. And please ignore the squinty eyes. When I'm super happy I tend to not open my eyes in photos. You should see all my high school graduation pics, it's ridiculous lol)

Release Blitz: Blow (Tainted Love Duets #1) By: Kim Karr

Hey ya'll. I'm sure you've been able to tell that I am in love with this book by now, but just in case you haven't seen the billion posts yet about it... I hope I can convince you to go pick up a copy today. This one is probably my favorite Kim Karr book yet, it's suspenseful, and hot, and so much oh gosh! (Ok I'm not sure that's really a describing word, but you get my point hehe)

Also I believe this beauty is on sale for only $.99 cents through today, so be sure to scoop it up while it is :D

Blow: Book #1 in the Tainted Love Duet

She’s anything but a damsel in distress…

He knows better than to be anyone’s white knight.

2 fatal sides.

1 epic love.

7 days to survive.

They met in the face of danger. They weren’t looking for love. They both knew better. But they couldn’t stay away, and they fell hard.

He is heart-stopping handsome, fearless—and haunted by deadly ties.

She is breathtakingly beautiful, determined—and in harm’s way.

They should have parted. They didn't. They never should have fucked. They did. And now time is running out. One hundred sixty eight hours. That’s all that remains. While Logan McPherson fights to save them, Elle Sterling is forced to make a choice that could change everything.

When torn between right and wrong, tainted love doesn’t have a chance...or does it?

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | AmazonCA | AmazonAU

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BLOW TRAILER from kim karr on Vimeo

 

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Kim Karr is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She grew up in Rochester, NY and now lives in Florida with her husband and four kids. She's always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, she wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. She went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise her family. Kim currently works part-time with her husband and recently decided to embrace one of her biggest passions--writing.

Kim wears a lot of hats! Writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all around go-to person of her family. However, she always finds time to read. One of her favorite family outings was taking her kids when they were little to the bookstore or the library. Today, Kim's oldest child is seventeen and no longer goes with her on these, now rare and infrequent, outings. She finds that she doesn't need to go on them anymore because she has the greatest device ever invented--a Kindle.

Kim likes to believe in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends, and Happily-Ever-Afters. She loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Page | Instagram

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Blow (The Tainted Love Duets #1) By: Kim Karr

Ok, I want to start this review out by saying thank you so much to Kim Karr for sending me an ARC of this book to review. I have loved all of the books she's written so far and could not wait to dig in to this baby.

I hope you check it out when it goes live on the 21st :D

2 fatal sides.

1 epic love.

7 days to survive.

They met in the face of danger. They weren’t looking for love. They both knew better. But they couldn’t stay away, and they fell hard.

He is heart-stopping handsome, fearless—and haunted by deadly ties.

She is breathtakingly beautiful, determined—and in harm’s way.

They should have parted. They didn't. They never should have fucked. They did. And now time is running out. One hundred sixty eight hours. That’s all that remains. While Logan McPherson fights to save them, Elle Sterling is forced to make a choice that could change everything.

When torn between right and wrong, tainted love doesn’t have a chance...or does it?

Let me just give you a little of an idea of what I was going through when I finished this book. It was after 2 AM (This was the third night of this late night reading business with this book) and I may have considered throwing my phone across the room. Why you ask? Well I'm pretty sure sleep deprivation is one reason, but the other would have to be the ending to this book. I mean pretty much the entire book I had a hard time putting it down. It was so suspenseful, and every time I thought I would be to a stopping point something would happen and of course I had to keep going hehe. Well the problem with the ending is just that. It was the end... And after reading that last sentence I about jumped out of my bed and started pacing and yes there was phone throwing contemplation. I knew that this wasn't going to be the only book, but man if I thought it would end like that. And please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I didn't love it. I did, which is probably why I was so mad. I just NEEDED MORE!!!!!!!! 

So... Just to be clear I loved it. Although I will tell you, I have yet to read a Kim Karr book I didn't like and this one may be close to my favorite, although I really did like Toxic too.


Lately I have seemed to be all over the place with what books I've read. I went on a sports romance kick for a while back between March and May sometime, and then pretty much crashed from it for several months. I had a really hard time picking up another book until July after close to a 2 month hiatus and when I did it just happen to be when Toxic ARC's were being read. So really that should tell you something that her books can pull me out of my slump lol. Anyways, after I finished Toxic I fell into a pretty big romance stint and have been going non stop. So after some pretty incredible books by Emma Chase, Christina Lauren, etc... Finding out this book was next on my list had me doing a happy dance and some major fan girl squeeing. I love Kim's books, but this cover just drew me in on this one. I mean the cover model is gorgeous, but I think it was actually the bright green text mixed with that that pulled me to it. I mean literally I saw the cover to this one and just felt this possessive need to read this one.  Which truth be told is usually my downfall. I am a sucker for a pretty cover, but usually get the book for this reason having no idea what it's about and never being able to finish it. This book was exactly the opposite though. I loved the cover, knew what the book was about, and loved the book as much as its wonderful cover.

***Ok so I kinda just had a moment here where I realized that this book actually has a character from Toxic and I kinda feel a little duh for not realizing that. I mean I just got done talking about how I liked that book and couldn't put it together until I read a post on Kim's FB group. Some reader I am lol***

So like I mentioned before, I found myself unable to put the book down. AM zombie reader right here *points to self. 
It wasn't just because of the suspenseful nature of this book either.

I really enjoyed Elle and Logan's POV's. Both characters were so complicated and I really liked seeing how their pasts unfolded as they began to feel more emotions towards the other. Both of them were so closed off at fist, and as they grew closer their stories just kinda fell out. Both went through so much when they were younger and my heart did kinda break for them. But watching what kind of adults it made them made things better. The fact that two people that were by all intents and purposes were broken were able to start working to being whole through each other really made me happy when reading. I don't want to give anything away, and believe me this book wasn't an easy romance by any stretch. The characters had to work for it, and the delay made it that much better when things finally started to happen.

So lets break things down a little.
I want to talk about both Elle and Logan.

I'll start with Elle.
I wasn't really sure what I thought of her at first to be truthful. She was such a mystery. She had people around her and as I read I tried to figure out all the dynamics. Once the book got going everything came out and it all started making sense. Once I knew everyone's rolls in her life I could better understand her. 
She was a complex character with a bit of a shady? (not sure that quite the word I want) past. You could tell she had a lot of demons she was dealing with, and all the present drama with her sister wasn't helping. 
But as the book progressed we get so see more of her strength, and more of how she came into that strength. 

But I also liked how Elle wasn't afraid to lean on Logan when she needed him. After so long of dealing with things on her own, I think it was good she finally had someone to share all that with. I also love her connection to Clementine. The addition of the little girl in her life really showed Elle's character. She adores the little girl to the point she is willing to risk her own life for her. I liked that she had someone there to protect, that she needed to do that after the childhood she had and feeling like she couldn't do that for her mother. Clementine gave her purpose and a reason to keep pushing forward.

To be honest I'm having a hard time articulating things about Elle. I know I really liked her, and I was extremely intrigued in her back story no matter how sad and terrible it was. But I just can't seem to find the words to keep going on about her. I think ya'll will like her though, and will be able to see what I see. That she is a strong caring woman, and is not afraid to kick some butt if need be. But that she also just needs someone to love her and care about her and only her in every way possible.

I'm going to go ahead and jump into Logan for now, and if I think of anything more about Elle I'll be sure to share it with you later in this review.

So Logan...
I really like this guy. We meet him on sort of sketchy terms at first, but the more we know about him the more his true character shows. In an early Goodreads update while I was reading this one, I made the comment that I wasn't really sure if he was a bad boy with a good streak in him or a good guy with a little bad going on. And now that I've read the whole book and the little snip it we get of book #2 Crush I'm still not for sure. I feel like I had been leaning towards good guy with the bad streak, but as the ending unfurled I was starting to change my mind. He is so complex, and as more of his past unfolds the more I feel like I don't have him pegged down. He is obviously a sweet guy, caring, kind, not afraid to go after what he wants. He doesn't let much get in his way. But he is also tails to this coins heads. He can throw down with the best and is a little broken in ways when it comes to his ability to care and have relationships. Right from the start we can tell he cares deeply for his family. He tries to right the failures of his past, and works hard to protect Elle and Clementine even though he knows so little about them, but there is a thread of wanting revenge on the one person that made is past so bad, and for what they are now threatening in his present. And while it isn't technically a part of this book but the small preview for Crush, we see that Logan just may be willing to do literally whatever it takes to get rid of the threat to him and Elle.

But his bad boy good guy thing isn't the only thing I liked about him, or how determined he is. This guy is sexy as sin. Like whoa there buddy put those abs away before you hurt someone with their abyness. But it isn't just the looks that are so attractive. He is really the whole package. Hes sweet when he wants to be slow and caring even, but man he takes what he wants. I like how concerned he is with Elle though. He always thinks about her first in most of the situations and worries how she will react. I like that he can separate himself enough from his emotions, and carnal lust to be able to do that. 

This whole book in general was really good though. Suspenseful as heck, and even nerve racking at times when I just had to know what was going to happen. But so so good.

I cannot wait for book #2 to be here, and hope that ya'll go get a copy of this book as soon as possible. IT IS THAT GOOD!

I give Blow:  *****5 Stars*****

Blog Tour: When A Scot Ties The Knot By: Tessa Dare

Hey ya'll, I am super excited to get to be a part of the tour for A Scot Ties The Knot.

This book was so good and I cannot wait to share with you an awesome excerpt from it, along with a great giveaway.

Also my review for this book is still to come so be looking for that real soon :D

WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT:

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shy, pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh.  The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

Where to buy WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT:

HarperCollins     

Amazon     

Barnes and Noble     

iTunes     

Google Play     

And as promised her is that awesome excerpt from the book. Hope you enjoy :)

Excerpt:

Prologue September 21, 1808 Dear Captain Logan MacKenzie, There is but one consolation in writing this absurd letter. And that is that you, my dear delusion, do not exist to read it. But I run ahead of myself. Introductions first. I am Madeline Eloise Gracechurch. The greatest ninny to ever draw breath in England. This will come as a shock, I fear, but you fell deeply in love with me when we did not cross paths in Brighton. And now we are engaged. Maddie could not remember the first time she’d held a drawing pencil. She only knew she could not recall a time she’d been without one. In fact, she usually carried two or three. She kept them tucked in her apron pockets and speared in her upswept dark hair, and sometimes—when she needed all her limbs for climbing a tree or vaulting a fence rail—clenched in her teeth. And she wore them down to nubs. She sketched songbirds when she was supposed to be minding her lessons, and she sketched church mice when she was meant to be at prayer. When she had time to ramble out of doors, anything in Nature was fair game—from the shoots of clover between her toes to any cloud that meandered overhead. She loved to draw anything. Well, almost anything. She hated drawing attention to herself. And thus, at sixteen years old, she found herself staring down her first London season with approximately as much joy as one might anticipate a dose of purgative. After many years as a widower, Papa had taken a new wife. One a mere eight years older than Maddie herself. Anne was cheerful, elegant, lively. Every- thing her new stepdaughter was not. Oh, to be Cinderella in all her soot-smeared, rag-clad misery. Maddie would have been thrilled to have a wicked stepmother lock her in the tower while everyone else went to the ball. Instead, she was stuck with a very different sort of stepmother— one eager to dress her in silks, send her to dances, and thrust her into the arms of an unsuspecting prince. Figuratively, of course. At best, Maddie was expected to fetch a third son with aspirations to the Church, or perhaps an insolvent baronet. At worst . . . Maddie didn’t do well in crowds. More to the point, she didn’t do anything in crowds. In any large gathering—be it a market, a theater, a ballroom— she had a tendency to freeze, almost literally. An arctic sense of terror took hold of her, and the crush of bodies rendered her solid and stupid as a block of ice. The mere thought of a London season made her shudder. And yet, she had no choice. While Papa and Anne (she could not bring her- self to address a twenty-four-year-old as Mama) en- joyed their honeymoon, Maddie was sent to a ladies’ rooming house in Brighton. The sea air and society were meant to coax her out of her shell before her season commenced. It didn’t quite work that way. Instead, Maddie spent most of those weeks with shells. Collecting them on the beach, sketching them in her notebook, and trying not to think about parties or balls or gentlemen. On the morning she returned, Anne greeted her with a pointed question. “There now. Are you all ready to meet your special someone?” That was when Maddie panicked. And lied. On the spur of the moment, she concocted an outrageous falsehood that would, for better and worse, determine the rest of her life. “I’ve met him already.” The look of astonishment on her stepmother’s face was immensely satisfying. But within seconds, Maddie realized how stupid she’d been. She ought to have known that her little statement wouldn’t put paid to the matter. Of course it only launched a hundred other questions. When is he coming here? Oh, er . . . He can’t. He wanted to, but he had to leave the country at once. Whatever for? Because he’s in the army. An officer. What of his family? We at least should meet them. But you can’t. He’s from too far away. All the way in Scotland. And also, they’re dead. At least tell us his name. MacKenzie. His name is Logan MacKenzie. Logan MacKenzie. Suddenly her not-real suitor had a name. By the end of the afternoon, he had hair (brown), eyes (blue), a voice (deep, with a Highland burr), a rank (captain), and a personality (firm, but intelligent and kind). And that evening, at her family’s urging, Maddie sat down to write him a letter. . . . Right this moment, they think I am writing a letter to my secret kilted betrothed, and I am filling a page with nonsense instead, just praying no one looks over my shoulder. Worst of all, I shall have no choice but to post the thing when I’m done. It will end up in some military dead letter office. I hope. Or it will be read and passed around whole regiments for ridicule, which I would richly deserve. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Now the clock is ticking, and when it strikes doom I will have to confess. I will firstly be compelled to explain that I lied about attracting a handsome Scottish officer while staying in Brighton. Then, when I do, I shall have no further excuse to avoid the actual rejection of countless English gentlemen come spring. My dear imaginary Captain MacKenzie, you are not real and never will be. I, however, am a true and eternal fool. Here, have a drawing of a snail. October 5, 1808 Dear not-really-a-Captain MacKenzie, On second thought, perhaps I won’t have to explain it this year. I might be able to stretch this for a whole season. I must admit, it’s rather convenient. And my family looks at me in a whole new light. I am now a woman who inspired at least one headlong tumble into everlasting love, and really—isn’t one enough? Because, you see, you are mad for me. Utterly consumed with passion after just a few chance meetings and walks along the shore. You made me a great many promises. I was reluctant to accept them, knowing how our nascent love would be tested by distance and war. But you assured me that your heart is true, and I . . . And I have read too many novels, I think. November 10, 1808 Dear Captain MacWhimsy, Is there anything more mortifying than bearing witness to one’s own father’s love affair? Ugh. We all knew he needed to remarry and produce an heir. To take a young, fertile wife made the most sense. I just didn’t expect him to enjoy it so much, or with so few nods to dignity. Curse this endless war and its effect of hampering proper months-long honeymoons. They disappear together every afternoon, and then I and the servants must all pretend to not know what they are doing. I shudder. I know I should be happy to see them both happy, and I am. Rather. But until this heir-making project takes root, I think I shall be writing you fewer letters and taking a great many walks. December 18, 1808 Dear Captain MacFantasy, I have a new accomplice. My aunt Thea has come to stay. In her youth she was a scandalous demimondaine, ruined at court in France by a wicked comte, but she’s frail and harmless now. Aunt Thea adores the idea that I’m suffering with love and anxiety for my endangered Scottish officer. I scarcely have to lie at all. “Of course Madeline doesn’t wish to attend parties and balls in London! Can’t you see, the poor dear is eaten with worry for her Captain MacKenzie.” Truly, it’s a bit frightening how much she cherishes my misery. She has even convinced my father that I should be served breakfasts in my room now, like a married lady or an invalid. I am excused from anything resembling public merriment, I am per- mitted to spend as much time as I please sketching in peace. Chocolate and toast are delivered to my bedside every morning, and I read the newspaper even before Papa has his turn. I am starting to believe you were a stroke of brilliance. June 26, 1809 Dear Captain Imaginary MacFigment, O happy day! Ring the bells, sound the trumpets. Swab the floors with lemon oil. My father’s bride is vomiting profusely every morning, and most every afternoon, as well. The signs are plain. A noisy, smelly, writhing thing will push its way into the world in some six or seven months’ time. Their joy is complete, and I am pushed further and further to the margins of it. No matter. We have the rest of the world, you and I. Aunt Thea helps me chart the routes of your campaign. She tells me stories about the French countryside so that I might imagine the sights that will greet you as you drive Napoleon to the other side of the Pyrenees. When you smell lavender, she says, victory is near. I must remind myself to appear sad from time to time, as though I’m worried for you. Sometimes, oddly enough, it’s quite an easy thing to pretend. Stay well and whole, my captain. December 9, 1809 Oh, my dear captain, You will be put out with me. I know I swore my heart to be true, but I must confess. I have fallen in love. Lost my heart to another, irrevocably. His name is Henry Edward Gracechurch. He weighs just a half stone, he’s pink and wrinkled all over . . . and he is perfect. I don’t know how I ever called him a thing. A more beautiful, charming angel never existed. Now that Papa has an heir, our estate shall never pass to The Dreaded American, and I will never be thrown into genteel poverty. This means I do not have to marry, and I no longer need a fictional Scottish suitor to explain it. I could claim that we’ve grown apart, put an end to all these silly letters and lies. But Aunt Thea is ever so fond of you by now, and I am ever so fond of her. Besides, I would miss writing. It’s the oddest thing. I do not understand myself. But sometimes I fancy that you do. November 9, 1810 Dear Logan, (Surely we can claim a Christian-name familiarity by now.) What follows is an exercise in pure mortification. I can’t even believe I’m going to write it down, but perhaps putting it on paper and sending it away will help rid me of the stupid habit. You see, I have a pillow. It’s a fine pillow, all stuffed with goose down. Quite firm and big. Almost a bolster, really. At night I put it on one side of the bed and place a hot brick beneath it to warm it all up. Then I nestle up alongside it, and if I close my eyes and fall into that half-sleep place . . . I can almost believe it’s you. Beside me. Keeping me warm and safe. But it’s not you, because it is a pillow and you are not even a real person. And I am a bug. But now I’ve grown so accustomed to the thing, I can’t sleep without it. The nights simply stretch too long and lonely. Wherever you are, I hope you are sleeping well. Sweet dreams, Captain MacPillow. July 17, 1811 My dear Highland laird and captain, You have pulled off quite a trick for a man who is no more than a pillow stuffed with lies and embroidered with a hint of personality. You are going to be a land- owner. Aunt Thea has convinced my godfather, the Earl of Lynforth, to leave me a little something in his will. That “little something” being a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Lannair Castle, it’s called. It is meant to be our home when you return from war. That is the perfect ending to this masterpiece of absurdity, isn’t it? Dear Lord. A castle. March 16, 1813 Dear captain of my heart’s true folly, Little Master Henry and Miss Emma are growing like reeds. I’ve enclosed a sketch. Thanks to their doting mama, they have learnt to say their nightly prayers. And every night—my heart twists to write it—they pray for you. “God bless and keep our brave Captain MacKenzie.” Well, the way Emma says it, it sounds more like “Cap’n Macaroni.” And each time they pray for you, I feel my own soul sliding ever closer to brimstone. This has all gone too far, and yet—if I were to reveal my lie, they would despise me. And mourn you. After all, it’s been almost five years since we did not meet in Brighton. You are part of our family now. June 20, 1813 My dear, silent friend, It breaks my heart, but I have to do it. I must. I can’t bear the guilt any longer. There’s only one way to end this now. You have to die. I’m so sorry. You can’t know how sorry. I prom- ise, I’ll make it a valiant death. You’ll save four—no, six—other men in a feat of courage and noble sac- rifice. As for me, I’m devastated. These are genuine tears dotting this parchment. The mourning I shall wear for you will be real, as well. It’s as though I’m killing off part of myself—the part that had all those romantic, if foolish, hopes. I will settle into life as a spinster now, just as I always knew I would. I will never be married. Or held, or loved. Maybe if I write those things out, I’ll get used to the truth of them. It’s time to stop lying and put aside dreaming. My darling, departed Captain MacKenzie . . . Adieu.

About Tessa Dare:

Tessa Dare is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen historical romances. A librarian by training and a book-lover at heart, Tessa lives in Southern California with her husband, their two children, and a big brown dog.

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Overview:

What he wants he gets...but he's never met her before.

Knox Masters is a quarterback's worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. And...virgin. Knox knows what he wants--and he gets it. All American Football player? Check. NFL pros scouting him? Check. Now, he's set his sight on two things. The national title. And Ellie Campbell. Sure, she's the sister of his fellow teammate, but that's not going to stop him. Especially not when he’s convinced Ellie is the one.

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