Monday, May 23, 2011

Review -- Scandal in Scotland

Scandal in Scotland
Hurst Amulet Series, Book 2
By Karen Hawkins
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: May 24, 2011







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. . . .


Marcail Beauchamp is a reknowned actress on the London stage, but fame has not brought her the happiness that she once knew in the arms of William Hurst. She enjoys her success, but it has come with a steep price; her father forbids her to associate with her sisters, since being an actress sullies her reputation, in his eyes. Added to that misery, Marcail is being blackmailed and the latest item her blackmailer requires from her is an onyx box. As luck would have it, the box is in the possession of William, and when Marcail goes to him to ask for his help, he refuses. Leaving her no choice, Marcail drugs William and takes the box.

William Hurst is preparing for a voyage to take the antique onyx box to his brother Michael's captors; it is the price of his release. Finding his former lover, Marcail Beauchamp in his cabin on his ship is not a welcome surprise. Her beauty still takes his breath away, but he is still angry at her for leaving him years ago. William refuses to to believe her when she said she needs his help, and when Marcail drugs him and steals the box that is the key to his brother's freedom, William's anger reaches epic proportions.

William catches up to Marcail, much to her dismay, and after he explains the significance of the onyx box---that it may mean the difference between life and death for his brother Michael---Marcail agrees to give it to him. But anything worth having doesn't come easy; the box is taken by the woman who acts as delivery person to Marcail's blackmailer. So William and Marcail begin a game of cat and mouse, hunting down the box, and also rediscovering their passion for each other. But for their passion to turn to the love that is inevitable, they must learn to make peace with their past and learn to trust. As Michael once said:


The past cannot be relived---but the future is the place for atonement.


Scandal in Scotland is an entertaining addition in the Hurst Amulet series. Marcail and William are evenly matched as heroine and hero, both spirited, proud, and passionate. As with all Karen Hawkins' books, there is humor aplenty, as well as tenderness and steamy love scenes. Although this is the second book in this series, there is enough information sprinkled throughout that readers will not feel lost. But, as always, it just enriches the experience to start at the beginning with One Night in Scotland, Mary Hurst's story. There's more fun on the way with Robert and Michael Hurst's books. And if they are anything like their lively siblings (is there any doubt?!), fans have much to look forward to. Reading a book by Karen Hawkins is a guaranteed good time.

~ Gannon


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30 comments:

  1. I have been waiting for this book to be released since ONIS, not very patiently either. LOL
    I love Karen Hawkins' books, they are always well written, wonderful stories with a great deal of humor added to them. I am really looking forward to this book, and the rest of the series.

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  2. The prequel and the first book "One Night in Scotland" were terrific! Can't wait for this one and the rest; and especially more of men in Kilts!!

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  3. 'Scandal in Scotland' - great title. On my list as of now.

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  4. Great review! I have a question, though: when is this book set? (Is it a Regency or is it set before that?)

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  5. I so love Karen Hawkin's books I have the first one in this series on the TBR pile and I will be ordering this one yep I need more time to read LOL

    Great review Gannon

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  6. Great review Gannon! You have definitely piqued my interest in Scandal in Scotland-sounds like a great read! I haven't read any of Karen Hawkins's books yet (I've only ever read her novellas in the Lady Whistledown anthologies) but I will definitely have to check it out!

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  7. June, I love Karen's books, and I'm really enjoying this series.

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  8. fsbuchler, you can never have too many men in kilts. LOL

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  9. Marybelle, it's certainly a title that catches your attention. I hope you enjoy it.

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  10. Antonia, it's set during the Regency period.

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  11. I need more time to read

    Helen, I know what you mean. *g*

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  12. Lisa, if you've never read any of Karen's books you're missing out on a lot of fun. She's a wonderful author!

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  13. I have been waiting on this one for forever! Another auto buy for me and this one is no exception.

    Lisa the novella is what hooked me on all of those authors. Until the Romance Dish came along that is how I found authors. I would get an anthology that included a known to me author and then learn the writing style of the other authors included in that book.

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  14. Thanks Gannon! Due to the premise of the book I had the impression that it was set in the Georgian period.

    I'll pick this book up for sure.

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  15. This book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it. I will have to put it on my TB list. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. I never miss a Karen Hawkins book, and your review, Gannon, makes me even more eager to read this one.

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  17. Dianna, I think anthologies are a great way to discover new authors.

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  18. Virginia, Karen Hawkins is one of those authors that you just can't help but enjoy. And she's also a fabulous person!

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  19. Thank you, Janga! Karen has long been an auto-buy for me, too.

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  20. Great review, Gannon! I love Karen's stuff. She nevers fails to provide an entertaining love story.

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  21. I totally agree that Karen Hawkins books are wonderful.
    I love her heroes.

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  22. Oh yes, Karen Hawkins is an auto buy for me too! Not only is she a fabulous writer, but she is also a great person as well! Someday, I will haul myself the 2 hrs to go meet her if she ever does a book signing in Orlando.

    Have been waiting on this book for what seems like forever too!

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  23. You can't beat a good Highland story and Karen Hawkins' are always fun. I'll be reading this series when they are all out.

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  24. She nevers fails to provide an entertaining love story.

    So true, Buffie.

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  25. Gigi, Karen writes some wonderful heroes, doesn't she?!

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  26. Someday, I will haul myself the 2 hrs to go meet her if she ever does a book signing in Orlando.

    Oh, Jennifer, you really should---Karen is a doll!

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  27. I really enjoyed the Hurst twins (Catriona and Catrina) stories!

    I'd like to read about the other siblings!

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  28. I don't think that I've ever read a book of Karen's that I've not enjoyed. Everything is so very authentic in her stories. Can't wait to read this latest of her's.

    dpd333(at)aol(dot)com

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