Blog Tour - When a Scot Ties the Knot

When a Scot Ties the Knot - Castles Ever After #3
by Tessa Dare

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shy, pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh.  The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

Standalone.

Advance praise: 

“Dare’s marvelous third Castles Ever After Regency romance (after Say Yes to the Marquess) builds a gradual, intense romance between two people who are determined to avoid love and commitment….Dare’s swiftly moving plot is enhanced by the seamlessly developed romance, and the sensuality is heightened by the slow awakening of the pair’s mutual attraction.”—Publishers Weekly,

“Dare delights with another marvelously romantic story that delivers a deep sigh, a tear and a smile. With her painfully shy heroine and vulnerable hero, readers are immediately captivated and will savor the joy of this imaginary-sweetheart plotline. You’ll stay up all night to reach the unforgettable ending.” —RT Book Reviews 4.5 Stars, Top Pick!

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Buy links:

HarperCollins * Amazon * Amazon UK * B&N * iTunes * Google Play   

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!

What I say: Madeline Gracechurch is unusual, funny and awkward as hell. She hates society events and loathes being in crowds. The London marriage market with society balls is her idea of hell. She doesn't want to be a debutant and tries to buy herself more time by inventing a sweetheart. Her make-believe fiancee is Scottish soldier, Captain Logan Mackenzie. To keep up the scheme and avoid being forced to Ton events, Maddie writes letters to her fictitious beau. She eventually kills him off and is left to mourn in peace. Unfortunately years later the real Captain Logan Mackenzie aka the man who has been receiving her letters for years, arrives to claim his bride and her inheritance.
I did take me a while to get into Maddie's and Logan's story but once events progressed I found myself engrossed in their love story. I laughed along at Maddie's many hilarious  mishaps and appreciated her antics with the lobsters (yes lobsters). I really wanted her to work through her social anxiety and standup for herself without the need of a fake fiancee. 
I expected to be annoyed by Logan's heavy-handedness - he does basically force Maddie to marry him, but I actually ended up supporting his cause. I wanted them to find a HEA. I appreciated his dedication to his men, and his dream of a better future for Scots in an English ruled Scotland. Some of my favourite times were when he visited a reluctant Maddie and was promptly dismissed or turned away when he clearly wanted to stay.
There are some great secondary characters including Logan's soldier buddies and Maddie's meddling aunt. Logan has an easier time identifying with his men than he does with others. He often feels undeserving of Maddie and has to learn how to trust and love somebody.
4 Stars in my Sky!

Author Spotlight:

Tessa Dare is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen historical romances. A librarian by training and a book-lover at heart, Tessa lives in Southern California with her husband, their two children, and a big brown dog.

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