X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Today I would like to give a warm welcome back to Scottish romance author and a lovely lady, Victoria Roberts! 

It’s great to be here at Reading Between the Wines. Thanks so much for having me.

I’m here to celebrate the second book in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series, X Marks the Scot.

Declan MacGregor (Laird Ciaran MacGregor’s brother from Temptation in a Kilt) is back and taking no prisoners. He’s definitely the biggest bad boy of the series. His character was so much fun to write since everything that came out of his mouth was a sarcastic, arrogant remark. Did you know that Declan’s charming personality was loosely based on Ian Somerhalder’s character on The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore? Declan is a wee bit more over-the-top than Mr. Salvatore, but I think fans of the show will see a common thread minus the vampire.Here’s one of the fun excerpts that displays Declan’s brutal honesty.

Liadain wondered how she could be expected to stay here. The room even smelled of his spicy scent. She would just need to keep reminding herself that he was a rogue—a very handsome one, but a rogue nonetheless. 
He dropped her sack on the bed, grabbed a blanket, and spread it on the floor. Not speaking a word, he started to remove his courtly attire. 
She looked away. Perhaps it was her uneasiness, but the room was getting extremely warm. 
“I hope ye donna mind, but I donna wear clothes to bed.” His voice was a soothing murmur that sent a tingling shimmer down her spine. 
Not able to stand the awkwardness, she slapped herhands over her face and groaned.“MacGregor! Will ye please?” 
“Pray untwist your knotted self, healer. I don my plaid.” 
Hesitantly, she lowered her hands and cast him a quick look. His chest was bare and a plaid grazed his hips—very low on his hips, but he was more or less covered. 
The man was massive, filled with self-confidence, and he had a ruggedness and vital power that she couldn’t deny. She needed to keep telling herself that even though he was certainly fair of face, he was sinful enough to make any woman—well, every woman—fall under his spell. 
He nodded to her sack. “Undress, healer. Surely ye willnae wear your gown to bed. I will turn. Let meknow if ye need assistance,” he spoke with an obvious hidden meaning. MacGregor lowered himself to the floor and turned his back—his very broad back. 
Liadain froze, staring at the delicious sight before her. If there was ever a perfect specimen for a man, it would be MacGregor. 
“I donna hear ye changing your clothes. Mayhap ye do need my help, eh?” He smirked. 
He was so arrogant. Looking around for the first thing she could find, she tossed her pillow at him. 
He grunted. “Why is it ye keep throwing things at me?” 
“If ye would cease acting as a rogue, mayhap I wouldnae need to throw things at ye.” 
“I am nae acting.”

At least Declan tells the truth. The man definitely drives Lady Liadain Campbell crazy—in more ways than one. She fights her attraction to him at every turn. In fact, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife. 

Turning on her side, she closed her eyes and there was a heavy silence. How could she possibly sleep knowing the man was on the floor barely clothed? As she rolled onto her back, her eyes flew open and she intently studied the ceiling for some time, watching the light flicker as shadows danced against the wall. 
She tried to force her emotions into order, but they were not listening at all. This was ridiculous. Hearing his gentle rhythmic breathing, she knew he slept. She swore men could sleep anywhere at any given time. Did nothing bother them? Did they never lose sleep? 
Probably not. 
Lifting herself up on her elbows, she stole a lin¬gering glance at him. His arm rested atop his head, blocking her view of his face. His plaid had separated and she could see part of his bare thigh. Blood coursed through her veins like a raging river, and her heart thumped erratically. Even knowing he was a complete and utter scoundrel did not cause her impure thoughts to cease. She began to wonder just what she wanted of him. Flopping back down, she let out a loud, frustrated sigh. 
“I could always join ye and it wouldnae be such torture, lass.” 
He was awake! 
“Ye are fine right where ye are,” she said, speaking the first words that came to mind. 
“Aye, but are ye?” 
Sitting up, she punched the lumps out of her pillow and sank back down on the bed, turning away from him—out of sight, out of mind. This was going to be the longest night of her life.

Why is it that you know it’s downright perilous to get involved with such a man, but your thoughts tell you otherwise? Sometimes you just have to follow your heart. And I’ll tell you a little secret. I think Lady Liadain Campbell realizes that, too. 

Thanks so much for having me today.
Sourcebooks will give away one copy of X Marks the Scot (US and Canada only, please.) Name your favorite bad boy. 

He was a Highland Rogue—Wicked with a Bow and Just as Wicked with the Ladies.Declan MacGregor hadn't a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and a willing woman...until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can't just abandon her to that vipers' nest without protection.She Never Asked for a Bodyguard...Liadain wasn't thrilled to be left in the care of her clan's archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows even sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust...

Purchase/Links: Sourcebooks - Amazon - Barnes and Noble

Praise for X Marks the Scot:

5/5 - Reviewer Top Pick

"Enthralling Highlander romance. One of the best Highlander stories I've ever read. This is one author who just keeps on getting better."

―Night Owl Reviews

“For a complex story brimming over with pride and passion, betrayal, trust and most of all the power to make a bad boy a hero, pick up this read."

―RT Book Reviews/4 ½ Star Review

About Victoria Roberts:

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was named by RT Book Reviews as "one of the most promising debut authors across the genres" and is also a 2012 Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best First Historical novel for her debut, Temptation in a Kilt.Her second novel, X Marks the Scot, is available February 2013 and the third, To Wed a Wicked Highlander, September 2013.Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers, as well as a contributing author to the online magazine, Celtic Guide.Victoria lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband of nineteen years and their two beautiful children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature, and antiques. 

Website - Facebook - Celtic Guide

~*GIVEAWAY*~
Sourcebooks is giving away one copy of  X Marks the Scot (US and Canada only, please.) to one reader today! To enter, just leave a comment on this post answering the author's question and then fill out the Rafflecopter below. Additional entries are available but not required. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway