Saturday, October 26, 2013

4.5 star review! How to be a Scottish Mistress by Adrienne Basso


When newly widowed Lady Fiona flees to Scotland in need of protection, Lord Gavin McLendon is powerless to refuse the British beauty. Especially when she offers herself in exchange. Now that the brooding Scottish warrior can think of nothing else but ravishing his delectable new mistress, even though he’s duty-bound to marry another…

Fiona is shocked when Gavin accepts her scandalous offer—and fretful at the thought that he will discover how little she knows of seduction. But when Gavin proves to be a skilled and achingly sensuous teacher, Fiona doesn’t want their passionate arrangement to end. Now she can’t help but wonder just what it would take to go from Scottish mistress…to Scottish wife.

Type: Historical Romance, Highlanders
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Gah, I love it when a new to me authors blows me away and damn but Basso did just that with How to Be A Scottish Mistress. I devoured this book--read until I just couldn't hold the book open any more then woke up and, yup, first thing I reached for. It was a moving tale of a women who will do whatever it takes to protect what's hers. It had me tearing up, laughing out loud and fanning myself along the way and just pulled me in completely.

This one was all about the heroine for me and her plight for a better life for herself and her son after her husband is murdered and her life changed irrevocably. Fiona, she was...awesome. She's a killer heroine. Loves fiercely, is smart, caring, knows what she wants. And she's willing to do any and everything--including fleeing her country and becoming the mistress of a Scottish earl-- if it means protection for her and her son and eventually getting justice for her husband's death. I loved that she wasn't a damsel in distress. I mean, she was in distress and in need of help, but she didn't just sit back and wait for someone to rescue her. She made it happen. And even though her circumstances were way out of the ordinary and her behavior scandalous she held her head up high and didn't let anyone get her down. Like I said. Really just a stellar heroine.

Gavin was a great hero as well. He's got that whole Scottish warrior sex on a stick thing going for him and is the type of man people flock to. He makes the difficult decisions, fights just as hard as his men and sacrifices so much for his country and what he thinks is right. And, he's just sexy as all get out. Did I mention that already?
Fiona sucked in her breath when she saw Gavin's arm. The would was deep and jagged, tearing away a good portion of flesh.

"It will need stitches," she declared.

Gavin gave her a wary look. "Are you certain? Or are ye just looking for an excuse to stab me with a needle?"

Fiona leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "Well, my lord, you do take every opportunity you can to give me a poke. I think 'tis past time that I return the favor."

He smiled wolfishly, as she had hoped, the wound momentarily forgotten.
The two were great together. I loved that they were both so capable and that even though Fiona's circumstances definitely held her at a disadvantage she held her own. The steamy scenes were hot and sensual and intimate. There's humor between them and respect and you can see their bond growing. He did flub up a bit and I so wanted to box his ears but the man recovered nicely in the end.

So, yeah, pretty much loved everything about this one. The hero, the heroine, the setting. The steamy bits and the parts that made me tear up. Even the drama was excellent. I was really pleasantly surprised by How To Be A Scottish Mistress and can't wait to read more from Basso.


Okay, going with a couple today because this is so him. 
And it fits the book. Just think...1300s, fireplace roaring in the background...

Have you read Basso? What did you think?
Do you have a favorite Scottish romance or scandalous heroine? 

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