Review: Never Seduce a Scott by Maya Banks

Never Seduce a Scot

The Montgomerys & The Armstrongs Book #1

by Maya Banks

Kindle Edition 372 Pages

Published September 25, 2012

Ebook obtained via NetGalley

Synopsis via Goodreads:

"Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love."

Get Your Copy:      Barnes & Noble       Amazon         Maya's Website

About Maya Banks:

Maya Banks lives in Texas with her husband, three children and assortment of cats. When she's not writing, she can be found hunting, fishing or playing poker. A southern girl born and bred, Maya loves life below the Mason Dixon, and more importantly, loves bringing southern characters and settings to life in her stories.

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My Review:

First off, I have a thing for Maya's books... I LOVE her work so I was really excited to have the chance to read and review Never Seduce a Scot. Not only do I like her work but I have a tiny obsession with Scottish / Highlander type characters... there's just something about that accent *swoon*

Before I even started Never Seduce a Scot I had high expectations. I wasn't let down. It definitely rose to my expectations and even alittle higher. I wasn't expecting to become as attached to the characters as I did. I cried a few tears, smiled several times, and even got fuming mad at other characters.

Graeme is the perfect male specimen. He's a warrior with a warrior's body and temperament. He's also passionate, loyal, just, honorable... overall he's a great leader. I absolutely love his brothers Bowen and Teague (love their names btw) plus his little sister Rorie. I honestly hope they continue to appear in this series. Then you have Eveline. Deaf due to an accident that occurred, she lets her family think the worst about her mental stability so she doesn't have to marry a horrible, despicable man - Ian McHugh. I can't blame her for taking the route that she took.

This story has so many highs and lows. It broke my heart when Eveline had to leave her family behind since she was forced to marry Graeme but I was excited by the story line. I knew there would be great things coming but I knew it wouldn't happen without struggles. Being judged simply based upon her lineage, Eveline has to undergo one heck of a trial while she tried to fit in with her new husband's clan. Graeme, being the leader, struggled with how to make everyone understand the situation the way he does and accept Eveline into their clan. All the while, Eveline leans on Graeme because she feels safe with him and Graeme learns his beautiful bride isn't quite what she let on to be from the start.
 

I have to say that the first love scene - and that's exactly what it was: LOVE scene - had my heart racing and overflowing because you can feel the love coming through the scene. Absolutely the most emotional love scene I've ever read... beautiful... I can't describe it any other way...
 

Maya writes in a way that makes you feel like you can reach out and feel the animosity on the pages... the mean faces and snippy remarks from characters seem to jump out at you just like you were standing there in Eveline's shoes. When Eveline puts her best face forward, straightens her back, and walks proud, you sit alittle higher in your chair as you're reading.
 

This story took me on a whirlwind of emotions - the most emotional moment being Graeme coming to terms with the fact that he is in love with Eveline. To know the emotions rolling through his mind/heart makes you shed a few tears for their relationship. It's a little like Romeo & Juliet... except in the middle of a beautiful Scottish backdrop of mountains, fresh air, warriors and their horses. Two families who have fought one another for years over deaths of important members of their families, vengeance a priority in their minds... only to be forced together by a King who seeks peace between clans. But the struggle to find peace when it's forced is a hard one... the idea of something being lost  forever is what brings people together....

 

 

I highly recommend this book to readers who want an emotional read about overcoming the worst of challenges...

My Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Cover Rating: 4.5 Stars <-I honestly saw Graeme as being a much bigger, toughing looking type than the guy on the cover but it's a beautiful cover that I would've definitely picked up had I passed it in the store.

Characters: 5 Stars

Plot: 5 Stars <- I honestly can't think of anything that I would've wanted any different...

Climax: 5 Stars <- I was honestly about to jump out of my chair during the height of the confrontation

Ending: 5 Stars <- Beautiful...I can't really say anything else that would describe it any better....