Book Review- A Most Dangerous Profession

A Most Dangerous Profession
A Hurst Amulet (3)
Karen Hawkins
Pocket Books
Paperback
Published Nov 2011
349 Pages
Scottish Highlands Historical Romance
ISBN 978-1-4391-7594-1

Synopsis 
Mysterious, elusive, unforgettable.""The Hurst Amulet continues to lure lovers into peril as "New York Times "bestselling author Karen Hawkins spins her newest scintillating tale of danger and desire."
"AN ENTRANCING THIEF"
For beautiful, seductive Moira MacAllister, the stakes have become terrifyingly high. Her daughter has been abducted and a priceless ancient relic is the ransom. Moira must acquire it at any cost, even if it means confronting the man she once duped and left, a man who still doesn't know she has a child . . . and that he is the father.
"A DASHING RAKEHELL"
Robert Hurst, an operative in the king's service, has never forgiven the mysterious spy who seduced him into marriage and then disappeared without a trace. Now, as he pursues the onyx box that will save his brother's life, their paths cross again. But Robert isn't sure which he longs for more--to satisfy his lust for revenge or to quench his relentless hunger for this bewitching woman.
"A PERILOUS MISSION"
When Moira reveals to Robert her long-kept secret, however, he realizes his burning desires must wait as a treacherous foe closes in, threatening all they hold dear . . . and their second chance at love.

Summary:
Moira MacAllister, knows that she has no choice but do what she is told because she is being blackmailed with the only thing that truly matters to her...her daughter is being held captive by the ransomer, and the father of her daughter who has no idea he is a father is the one who keeps chasing her and trying to keep her from the goal. However when she keeps bumping into Robert, she knows that she will eventually have to tell him the truth....and when the truth comes out Moira wonders that when he does know the truth if he will then take her daughter from her when she has been fighting for everything she has to get her daughter back into her arms...but the passion that she and Robert share is unquenchable, and when danger closes in only when they embrace the love they share for each other will they be able to conquer the perils they face.

The Hero (Robert Hurst)
 Robert. although an operative for the King, and has a deep loyalty to his country, can't deny his love for the one woman who has betrayed him the most. When he runs into her after years of not seeing her, he is shocked and wants to finds out what she is really up to but he never expected the wild goosechase she would lead him on...one that would lead to a chance at love again.

The Heroine (Moira MacAllister)
Moira, although she is beautiful and grew up with gypsies who taught her everything that she knows...is at a loss on how or when she will get her daughter back, a daughter that she would sacrifice everything that she has for her safe return. But when Robert is back into her life and everything seems to be going downhill she starts to realize that the love she once had for Robert is brighter and stronger than ever as they work together to get their daughter back.

My Thoughts 
A Most Dangerous Profession is the third installment in this exciting series by Karen Hawkins. I have to say this would have to be one of my top favorite series done by this author. There was such intrigue, passion, danger and excitement and fully packed with enough love story to last one quite some time.  The one aspect that I truly enjoyed was the 'secret baby' theme, I just love reading those theme like romances, especially it exceeds your expectations....Moira has just cracked me up through the whole book, and Robert was pretty swell....and the little daughter was as cute as can be....I found myself totally engrossed in the story and the details painted so vividly that one couldn't help but fall in love. A Treasure to be savored and enjoyed.

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
 One Night In Scotland
Scandal In Scotland
The Taming Of A Scottish Princess

Book Review-Scandal In Scotland

Scandal In Scotland
Hurst Amulet (2)
Karen Hawkins
Avon Romance
Paperback
Published Jun 2011
333 Pages
Scottish Highlands
ISBN 978-1-4391-7593-4

Synopsis
A DESPERATE BEAUTY

Despite fame and countless admirers, actress Marcail Beauchamp has never forgotten William Hurst, the audacious seafarer she once loved . . . and lost. Now, forced by a mysterious blackmailer who threatens her family, she must steal an ancient onyx box from the one man she's vowed never to see again.

A BOLD ADVENTURER

To save his brother from a ruthless abductor, William must deliver the artifact as ransom. He's stunned when Marcail, more lovely than ever, suddenly appears on his ship. But when she drugs him and steals the box, his fury knows no bounds.

THE TREASURE EVERYONE WANTS

William pursues Marcail, but too late: she has already delivered the box. The estranged lovers realize they must work together -- both to regain the artifact that could mean life or death to his family and to destroy the mysterious blackmailer's power over her family. Thus begins a high-stakes quest through the reaches of Scotland, a quest that stirs up long-forgotten memories and an unquenchable passion. . . .

Summary 
Marcail, a famous actress, is being blackmailed to retrieve an ancient onyx box from William Hurst. A man she once loved but had to abandon thinking there was no future for them. But when she tricks him and gets the box and finds out the real reason why William needs it she goes with him to help find the box. When Williams gets tricked by the one woman who broke his heart, he is more than furious so he is determined to go and find that woman and get his box back, only things never goes as he plans, and he ends up having to take her with him in search of the box, but the passion that once was bright has returned and they both having to work together start to reawaken the love they once had...

The Hero (William Hurst)
William, is desperate to save his brothers life and must deliver the onyx box to save his life. But when the woman he once desperately loved and still does, returns unexpectadely and drugs him and the box gone, he knows he must find her no matter what. Only he never expected the love he once had for her to only come back burning brighter and stronger than ever before and doesn't know if he will be able to protect his heart.

The Heroine ( Marcail Beauchamp)
Marcail, is a famous actress....but more than that has had to take a new name for herself to live her dream. Marcail is from a family that are titled, but in order to protect her family and save them from financial ruin, she decides to take a page from her grandmothers book, and become like a actress. Now she is being blackmailed and must do whatever is required to save her family from ruin and danger even if that means stealing from the one man she still loves....

My Thoughts 
Scandal In Scotland is the second installment in the series and even though there were many moments that I immersed myself in, it was probably my least favorite so far. There were many elements to the book that I really enjoyed. I loved the interaction between the two main characters, the plot was full of excitement and ups and down that can make your head spin. The one thing I would wish was different was the flow, it was uneven and I just felt like it could have been a bit smoother and then it would have been perfect. Overall it was a delicious treat to be savored!!!

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms

Other Books In The Series 
Much Ado About Marriage
One Night In Scotland
A Most Dangerous Profession
The Taming Of A Scottish Princess 

Book Review-One Night In Scotland

One Night In Scotland
Hurst Amulet (1)
Karen Hawkins
Pocket Books
Published Dec 2010
335 Pages
Scottish Highlands Romance
ISBN 978-4391-7589-7

Synopsis 
New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins begins a sparkling new series with this thrilling tale of a desperate beauty on an urgent quest, a , dark earl scarred by his beastly past-----and ,the ancient treasure that binds their fates.

A MYSTERIOUS ABDUCTOR .. .
Someone is holding her brother prisoner in exchange for a gold-and-onyx box covered in mysterious runes, so Mary Hurst boldly sets out from the family vicarage to find the priceless artifact. But the man who possesses it, Angus Hay, the Earl of Erroll, is less than sympathetic to her plight.

A FORBIDDING STRANGER .. .
Himself a prisoner of his dark past, Angus refuses to yield the box -- or allow Mary to leave! Suspicious of the alluring lass's mission, he vows to wrest a confession from her, but unearths a fiery temper and a will as strong as his own.

AN UNBREAKABLE CURSE...
Passion flares between them, but now there is more at stake: an unknown enemy is hunting down the precious box, and will stop at nothing. Risking all for love, Angus must solve the mystery behind the runes ... and trust the only woman who can awaken his forgotten heart.

Summary:
Mary Hurst, when finding out one of her brothers, is a prisoner, and needs to find a certain ancient box to trade for him, she heads up north to Scotland to find the artifact so she can save her brother's life. After traveling long hours and when she finds the Earl of Erroll, he is less than understanding to her 'story' and goes about and keeps her prisoner in his castle. Angus, although he is tempted to believe Mary, he knows that there is someone that is after the priceless artifact and he must be a hundred percent Mary is who she says she is, and knows that keeping her here until he can bring a colleague of his to confirm her identity is the only way. What Angus never imagined was the intense connection that flares between them with just one kiss, and he knows that he must never give in, because if he does than he will fall for her...hard

The Hero (Angus Hay, Earl of Erroll)
Angus, although he is very wealthy, is secluded and lives in a remote castle in Scotland. After losing his beloved wife to a fire that destroyed part of his home, and being scarred himself he knows he doesn't have a choice but living a secluded life, with his cousin, continuing on with his work, dealing with precious artifacts. When Mary shows up his life goes upside down and part of him wants to resist her, and then there is a part of him that wants to give in to the passion that fires up whenever she is near. 

The Heroine (Mary Hurst)
Mary, upon receiving a letter informing her of her brother's situation she knows that she must save his life and do all that she can to get her hands on the artifact. Mary, even though her sisters have been in love and married, it has never happened for her, and now when she meets Angus, she is unexplainably drawn to him and even though he is keeping her prisoner she also finds herself falling for her captor.

My Thoughts 
One Night in Scotland is the first book in the Hurst Amulet series, and I have always loved her books and this was pretty amazing, not my favorite of hers, but enthralling and was like many of her other books where it just draws you into the story vividly. One of the things that I loved about this book is how perfect both Mary and Angus seem to be for each other, even though there are some pretty heated arguments, and violent tantrums that just made me laugh, and think 'oh boy, I hope I never meet a man that makes me want to sing like a banchee or an opera singer just to get his attention'. Although once I really got into the, I started to find myself really enjoying the story, the characters, the plot and the amusing interaction between the characters, that made it a fun tale of romance with a hint of mystery that will make you not want to put the book down and keep on reading until the sun goes down.

My Grade On This Book 
4 Blossoms

Favorite Quote 
Angus had never been so furious in his entire life. Every word she uttered was a deliberate challenge. Well, the chit was about to get what she so desperately desired: an answer for her impertinence. He bent his head and kissed her, pouring all of his discontent, fry, and heated desire into it.  He stepped away and her hands fell away from his lapels.
"Let that be a lesson to you not to try my temper"


Other Books In The Series 
Scandal In Scotland
A Most Dangerous Profession