Review & Giveaway: Scandal in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

Scandal in Scotland 

Hurst Amulet #2

by Karen Hawkins

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Expected publication: May 31st 2011 by Pocket 

ISBN 1439175934

Courtesy of publisher for review

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. . . .

GoodReads

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My Thoughts:

Scandal in Scotland was a wonderfully romantic and thrilling adventure that I was unable to put down!

This is my first Karen Hawkins read and it will not be my last! I didn’t read the first novel in this series, One Night in Scotland, and I don’t feel that I missed anything to hinder my enjoyment of this story. Scandal in Scotland was a great stand-alone. From what I understand, one of the Hurst siblings has been taken hostage in Egypt and the rest of the family must retrieve an artifact to free him. Mary Hurst was able to attain it from the Earl of Erroll, who she is now engaged to (One Night in Scotland) and now Captain William Hurst is in possession of it and is about to sail to Egypt to rescue his brother…

Boarding his ship the Agile Witch, Captain William Hurst is on a mission to rescue his brother, Michael, from kidnappers in Egypt. He must safely transport an ancient artifact, the Hurst Amulet, and trade it for Michael’s life, but when he gets to his cabin to lock away the amulet he realizes he is not alone.

The woman that held and then shattered his heart years ago is in his cabin and after drugging him, steals the amulet for herself and disappears. But William is determined and with his brother’s life at stake tracks her down to a small village where he learns that all is not what it seems with the beautiful actress Marcail Beauchamp, and maybe it never was…

I was captivated by the main characters William and Marcail and loved watching them grow and mature in their views of past hurts and finally finding forgiveness. They both realized that while yes, they were in love, they were too young and not ready for the intense feelings that they shared for one another. It was a journey of discovery for them and the righting of many misconceptions.

The romance in Scandal in Scotland was heartwarming and the sex sizzling; and I would just like to note that I was wishing for my very own coach and six while reading a certain scene. *wink* The plot was charming and witty with action, adventure, intrigue and blackmail with endearing characters all around, including the side characters. Which I am on a search for now to find out their stories, Karen Hawkin’s book list here I come!

The reason I am rating this as a four instead of a five is because the ending felt abrupt to me, I read it and thought ‘What, that’s it? It’s the end already? That was quick.’ It was boom, boom action and then ‘The End.’ But maybe that was because I was enjoying the story so much it went by so quickly and I didn’t want it to end. *shrugs* Great read regardless and I will definitely be going back to read the first book in the Hurst Amulet series and any new installments Hawkins writes.

Hilarious scene with two batty old ladies and Marcail:

“The only profession where breasts would be an asset would be if one were forced to carry something of weight upon one’s back. Then one’s breasts might act as counterweights.”

And then it goes on, ending with, “ For a woman to be truly liberated, she has to be free of her breasts.”

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses, Loved it!


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~*GIVEAWAY*~


I loved this book so much I asked if I could do a giveaway and the fabulous Ayelet at Simon and Schuster has offered one copy to giveaway to US readers! To enter, just fill out the form below. Giveaway will end at 11:59pm on June 9th. One winner will be picked at random using random.org.