Unwrapping a Review of AN ENCHANTED SPRING, a Mists of Fate novel by Nancy Scanlon

As a new voice in romance, Nancy Scanlon thrilled us with her time traveling tale of a girl from Boston finding herself in 13^th century Ireland and falling in love with THE WINTER LAIRD. If you read book one of the Mists of Fate series then you know that Aidan MacWilliam went missing. We find out to where in AN ENCHANTED SPRING, and as I always expect of a debut author, the best is yet to come and it did.

***an advance copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for AN ENCHANTED SPRING:

Nancy Scanlon continues the time-bending saga she began with THE WINTER LAIRD, pulling heroes and villains alike through the portals of time to help save their futures and find their truest loves.

A twist of fate has left Aidan MacWilliam, younger brother of a medieval Irish laird, trapped in the future. Though he’s become a successful entrepreneur in the twenty-first century, Aidan still can’t banish thoughts of the world he left behind. In search of distraction, he heads to New York to scout a publicity manager for his cousin’s matchmaking firm, Celtic Connections.

Emmaline Perkins is the perfect candidate. A PR expert and closet medievalist, Emma has always put work before her social life. When her ex-fiancé resurfaces and threatens her livelihood, her home, and ultimately her safety, a new client proposes an offer she can’t refuse – a job, travel, and security.

As they fall for each other, Emma struggles to keep her professional and personal lives separate, and Aidan’s determined to meld them together. When it’s clear Emma’s ex will stop at nothing to claim her, Aidan realizes that the question is not where she’ll be safe, but when…

~*~            ~*~             ~*~              ~*~

Emma Perkins’s world seems to be constantly in turmoil lately between competition at work, her love life in shambles, and worry that her ex-fiancé will get out of jail and follow through on his threats to come after her, it just seems easier to fall into a bottle of wine than deal. Add trying to land a new account more important to her boss than any other featuring a sexy, handsome man with more money than God and her world is definitely out of control. When she’s fired, her apartment trashed, and her bank account cleaned out, it’s the handsome billionaire who comes to her rescue, only she isn’t the type to be rescued…or so she thought.

Aidan MacWilliam disappeared from 13^th C. Ireland to find himself in a modern world instead…but he has adapted and made do, and made do very well. He is now a man of property and wealth, but still he yearns to return to his home and his family in his proper time. When Colin O’Rourke asks him to go to New York City to inquire about a publicist he has in mind to help Celtic Connections expand, Aidan agrees because he hopes, in turn, she might assist him in obtaining his sword which is coming up at auction in NYC too. When he meets Emma Perkins, he knows there is more to meeting her than planned. When he discovers her in danger, it’s only natural for him to extend his protection to the woman fated to be his.

Nancy has created a wonderful cast of characters in her Mists of Fate series, of which we love to meet up with again, and again, but Aidan MacWilliam was my favorite from the beginning and I was not disappointed in how Nancy turned him into a first-class hero/gentleman/laird/Irish warrior. Emma is a strong-willed force of her own and a perfect match for the charming, and willful Irish knight in shining armor from the 13^th century.

AN ENCHANTED SPRING, book two in the Mists of Fate series by Nancy Scanlon is a wonderful story filled with excitement, danger, a bit of suspense, and although, it is far more a G-rating than I usually go for in regards to sex, I actually didn’t miss it. The sexual tension blooming between Emma and Aidan is enough to blow the pages right out of the book and yet, they never actually consummate their relationship within the bindings. I love it. Aidan is one hot man and justifiably listed among my all-time favorite book boyfriends now. I started falling in love with him in THE WINTER LAIRD, but it didn’t take long to fall under the power of his charms in AN ENCHANTED SPRING.

A wonderful, and delightful story, with clever and teasing banter among Aidan and the guys - Colin, Reilly, and Cian - and Emma is a perfect addition to the Mists of Fate family. I highly recommend AN ENCHANTED SPRING by Nancy Scanlon to everyone who enjoys falling love among the pages of a sterling romance with hints of the supernatural akin to Outlander with a bevy of hot Irish Jamie Frasers in the character list. I wish I could tell you more about the happenings but I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone…these are stories to be experienced without spoilers. So if you haven’t read the first, do so and then read, and enjoy AN ENCHANTED SPRING. You won’t be disappointed. I expect even better things to come in the Mists of Fate series. Nancy is fast growing into a wonderful storyteller.

Happy Reading Everyone!

AN ENCHANTED SPRING, a Mists of Fate novel by Nancy Scanlon, Diversion Books, release date – May 24, 2016, available in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Review Stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for THE WINTER LAIRD, a debut novel by Nancy Scanlon with #excerpt + #giveaway

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 13^th 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 21^st 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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