Short Book Review-Tamed By A Laird

Tamed By A Laird
 Galloway Trilogy (1)
Amanda Scott
Forever
Paperback
Published July 2009
388 Pages
Scottish Highlands Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-446-54137-4
Author's Website

Synopsis 
National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear.

My Review
 I have read from this author before and just fell in love with her books. I will admit that I had a hard time getting into this one until the end....it almost became a chore. I usually wouldn't have kept up with it so far...but the plot was decent, and I just had to see how it turned out. Even though toward the end I started to really enjoy the story, I found myself skimming almost through the majority of the book...which is a shame. Also I think the strong accents in the book, didn't exactly help any, it takes a while to get used to. Since they are very overly strong, it can be really hard to understand, so it takes a lot longer to read. However I did like the characters, but overall it didn't stand out to me as much as her other books. I think I had high expectations so I got really disappointed. Even though there were a few things that I enjoyed, it didn't sing to me, so I was frustrated quite a lot since it never takes me three days to get a book read. Hopefully the next one that I read of hers will be better.

First Line 
Minstrels had been playing music in the minstrel gallery from the time the first guests of the new laird had entered the ancient castle hall to take dinner with him. 

Favorite Quote 
"Don't try again to tell me my business. I--"
Grabbing her by the upper arms, he gave her a shake that broke off her reply, making her eyes widen and her lips part in shock. 
They looked invitingly soft and rosy. 
He had intended to tell her just what he though of her behavior. Instead, without another thought, he pulled her close and kissed her hard.

My Grade 
2 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In The Series 
Seduced By A Rogue
Tempted by a Warrior
 

Book Review-Seducing The Governess

Seducing The Governess
Margo Maguire
Avon
Paperback
Published March 2011
370 Pages
Regency Romance
ISBN 978-0-06-621821-2

Synopsis
Proper Governess Should Never...

Assist a handsome stranger, alone on an unfamiliar road ... unless the rake happens to be her new employer.

Take a position in a crumbling manor ... especially if the household staff has been replaced by unruly former soldiers.

Allow her young charge entree to her heart ... for once done, it will be impossible to maintain proper distance.

Permit her charge's uncle a breathtaking kiss under a star-lit sky ... henceforth she will most certainly lose composure whenever he is near.

And above all, she should never, ever fall completely, irreversibly in love with her employer ... for nothing good can possibly come of it.

MY REVIEW
Summary:
 Mercy, after her mother dies she knows that she needs to find some work, so she finds a position as a governess with the only staff as retired soldiers....oh boy...Mercy has no idea what she has gotten herself into. Mercy however is charmed by her young charge, a shy and reserved girl who has recently lost both her parents and now lives with a uncle who has barely spoken a word to her. In the beginning when Mercy arrives, there is a spark between herself and Nash her employer, and after they share a sizzling kiss that could curl ones toes, she just knows that she could be in trouble thats for sure....for she knows there can never be a happy ending for her if she falls in love with Nash...

The Hero (Nash Ferris)
Nash Ferris, after losing both his brothers and is now responsible for the Title and must repair his home which is little more than a crumbling pile of stones, and try to find someone to marry with a fortune because if he doesn't he will be left destitute, and now he is responsible for his niece who acts like a skittish mare around him and he knows the moment her governess shows up that she will be his downfall...

The Heroine (Mercy Franklin)
Mercy grew up in a strict home, as her guardians were the Reverand and his wife when she was abandoned as a baby, and even though she is very innocent she also feels a smoldering fire that starts to burn within her when she comes face to face with Nash and when she feels the touch of his kiss she knows she must be careful not to turn wanton as her guardians warned her not to be claiming that her mother was...however she can't resist the burning desire that courses through her veins when she is in close proximity to Nash.

My Thoughts 
There are some books I enjoy from this author and others I don't like very much and I have to say that this is one of her books I liked the least. I felt as I was reading it that it felt choppy and not put together and flowed smoothly as I though it could have been. Although I did like the plot and story line well enough, I felt I had to force myself to get through it and I didn't enjoy reading this book much, and I honestly thought I would really love it. I just have always loved historical romances that deal with governess however I found myself tempted to skim the pages but I wanted to give it a good shot....even though there were small parts I enjoyed it just wasn't enough to be a average read for me. I am usually not very strict when it comes to books...but when I read a book that I have to force myself to read and it takes me some time that it just isn't worth reading. Although I would still recommend read this author on occasion since some of her books are quite well written but this one just wasn't enough for me....

My Grade On This Book 
2 Blossoms