THE WINTER LAIRD
Mists of Fate #1
by Nancy Scanlon
Available now from Diversion
THE PRESENT
Successful
matchmaker Brianagh O’Rourke believes in happily-ever-afters...just not her
own. She’s convinced passion only exists in her dreams. When she reluctantly
accepts a marriage proposal, Bri decides she needs a vacation―but she didn't
expect it to be in 13th century Ireland.
THE PAST
Laird
Nioclas MacWilliam just wants peace for his clan. The time for him to marry has
come, and after waiting years for his ally to present their daughter, he’s
agreed to marry another. But on the eve of his nuptials, a daring rescue brings
his missing betrothed right into his arms.
And she
does not want to be there.
THE FUTURE
Brianagh
has to return to the future. Nioclas has to marry. He offers a solution for the
both of them: She marries him and stays for three months, and they work
together to convince his clan they are a love match. In return, he vows to
safely return her home. But as the days turn to weeks, they both begin to see
what a happily-ever-after could be. And when the time comes, does Brianagh
return to the life she’s built, or does she remain in the past for a chance at
true love?
My Review:
Life was moving along well for Brianagh O’Rourke.
Her matchmaking business was soaring, and her boyfriend just proposed to her.
So why was she feeling trapped? A getaway was in order, but Brianagh had no idea
just how far away her getaway would take her.
Laird Nioclas MacWilliams had waited as long as
possible for the woman promised him over twenty years earlier to return to
Ireland and be his wife. If he didn’t take another for a bride soon, there
could be trouble within the clans. When the O’Rourke daughter suddenly appears,
speaking strangely, and telling him tales of a faraway world much different from
his own in 13th Century Ireland, he only begins to understand the
meaning of trouble.
It takes Brianagh a while to believe where her
cousin, Reilly, has taken her but it only takes a moment to recognize the man
who has lived, and loved her, in her dreams for nearly a lifetime. Together, can they
protect the future by saving the past? When it’s time to leave Nick to return
to the future, will she be able to, or will love urge her stay?
With a delightful sense of OUTLANDER time
travel, THE WINTER LAIRD is quite different actually. Unlike Claire, Brianagh
discovers she is actually from the past rather than the future even though she
has a hard time believing it. Her destiny lies with Nioclas MacWilliams in the
past yet she is spoiled by the delights of living in the future. So which will
she choose, the love of her Irish Warrior or hot running water and the spoils
of the 21st Century? You’ll have to read this amazing debut novel by
Nancy Scanlon to find out.
Mind
you, I usually read books with steamy sex scenes in them but rarely mention
them except in passing unless the book is a truly page melting, but you’ll not
find any of that in THE WINTER LAIRD. I have to admit, it hinted at some steam
between Nick and Brianagh but that existed only in their dreams. The heat level of this
one is very low but if you’re looking for a good story, a well thought out time
travel plan, and wonderful characters, THE WINTER LAIRD by Nancy Scanlon is a must read. I am eager to see what comes next. Nancy left us with some
mysteries that have me intrigued and I do hope she follows up on them in the
rest of the series. Aiden couldn’t have just disappeared…or could he?
I
highly recommend THE WINTER LAIRD, book one in the Mists of Fate series by
Nancy Scanlon to anyone who loves something different, something thought
provoking, action-filled, humorous, charming, and starring some characters that
you just want to revisit again and again. Comhghairdeas (Congratulations) Nancy!
Happy
Reading Everyone!
***eARC
provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review
Excerpt from THE WINTER
LAIRD:
“The women are spying on
us from under the benches,” Aidan said as he bounced on the balls of his feet,
waiting for Nioclas to finish his drink. Admiring his sword, he added, “Been
there for about ten minutes or so. I give them another twenty before they get
cold and head back into the castle.”
Nioclas sighed. “I’m
unsurprised. Does Erin still think no one knows about her forays into the
lists?”
Aidan shrugged and
quickly crossed swords with his brother. “Of course. I’m certainly not going to
tell her. She’ll skewer me on the end of her sewing needle whilst I sleep.”
“Are you that afraid of
a wee lass?” Nioclas mocked, jumping back and just avoiding the tip of Aidan’s
blade. “I don’t think Donovan has much trouble with her.”
“Oh, I’m sure Donovan
has complete control over his wife,” Aidan replied, and they both grinned as
they hacked away at each other. “I don’t think he’s ever been privy to the full
extent of Erin’s talents, though.”
Nioclas ducked and
rolled out of Aidan’s path, springing back up and crossing blades once more.
“I—oof—doubt he would’ve agreed to marry her, had he known.”
“Marriage. I don’t envy
you, brother. Shackled for life. I hope she is worth it.” Aidan ducked,
narrowly avoiding the at of Nioclas’s blade, then spun to avoid it again.
“Saints, Nick, I was only—oof— is there something you care to talk about?” he
asked sardonically as Nioclas’s attack intensified.
“No,” Nioclas replied
curtly, swinging his arm relentlessly.
“Hmm. I believe there’s
a tale there.” Aidan plunged his sword toward his brother, who leapt backward.
“None I care to tell
you,” Nioclas replied, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his
hand.
“Well, you’re putting on
quite a show for her.” They circled each other. “Mayhap this will be a love
match yet—” Aidan’s sword went flying. He watched, open-mouthed, as it soared
through the air. Someone called out, and men scattered as the blade went
hilt-over-tip, landing about twenty feet from where they stood.
He looked at his brother
in alarm. Nioclas had never bested him by forcing his sword from his hand. That
was something they’d agreed long ago was unnecessary between them. War was
never far, and neither wanted the other without his sword if it broke.
“Love is for fools,”
Nioclas growled before stalking off.
It was a rare thing for
Nioclas to lose his temper, especially in the lists. Bemused, Aidan watched him
go, then threw a wink over to the source of his brother’s obvious discomfort.
Smirking at the feminine
gasps, Aidan collected his sword and sauntered off.
About the Author:
Born and raised near Boston, Massachusetts,
Nancy Scanlon wrote her first romance novel at age 16, when she realized that
fictional boyfriends were much easier to figure out than real ones. In the time
since, she managed to earn a degree in English, obtain a graduate certificate
in creative writing from the University of Cambridge, and marry the man of her
dreams (but she still holds tight to her fictional boyfriends).
Currently, she resides in Puerto Rico with her
husband, two children, and two dogs. When not writing, Nancy spends her time
reading, reviewing, and blogging about romance novels, watching too much HGTV,
and taking care of her family.
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4 comments:
Thank you so much for participating in THE WINTER LAIRD tour!
Thank you for the review, Amy! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
I had such a blast with this one. The lack of heat surprised me a bit, but didn't detract my enjoyment of the story. I can't wait for Aiden's story. Great review.
Just imagine how awesome this one would be with some heat in it, huh, Lover of Romance? I'm with you. I thoroughly enjoyed. I have to admit, I kept hoping for that sexy picnic scene but it was so good, it didn't matter. And Aiden...I love that naughty one. Glad you enjoyed it too, and thanks for coming by. xo
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