Friday, June 8, 2012

Giveaway and Guest Post with Tarah Scott and her newest sizzle Lord Keeper

Happy Friday my luscious romance lovers!!!  Today I have Tarah Scott with me and she is talking about her book Lord Keeper.  One of my commenters with be lucky enough to score a copy of this book, and let me just say it freakin rocks!!!  I want an Iain!!!  Take it away Tarah:


LORD KEEPER

Tarah Scott

Iain MacPherson swears he was nothing like his father, but his kidnapping of Victoria Hockley, Countess of Landsbury, is the first step toward the same obsessive jealousy that fueled his father’s life-long feud against the man Iain’s mother loved.

A kiss, a midnight race for freedom, and a royal missive force Victoria into her captor’s arms. Hallowed ground can’t save her from the devil that followed her from England. Yet the Scottish lord who’s sworn to protect her is far more dangerous.


I adore the sweeping saga that is Scottish Historicals. The drama allows for an intricate story that demands plenty of space to be well-told. Lord Keeper is set during the Renaissance when James IV ruled Scotland. James believed in education, so made learning mandatory for Barons and rich land owners. As leader of his tribe, our hero Iain MacPherson fell under this edict and attended the university in Glasgow. Iain is an educated man. However, his education didn’t stop him from taking part in a bloody feud waged by his father against the man Iain’s mother loved, nor did it stop Iain from kidnapping the woman he wanted. Don’t you just love a man’s logic?

Lord Keeper was inspired by Julie Garwood’s The Bride. From what I understand, The Bride inspired many books. Not surprising. The story is fantastic. In The Bride, the heroine Jamie has a younger sister who visited Jamie at the monastery to which she had fled. The Bride’s hero Alec Kincaid had a right hand man who caught sight of Jamie’s sister and waited—hoped—she would step off holy ground so he could kidnap her. The girl had the good sense not to oblige. I always wondered what the story would have been if she had taken one too many steps in the wrong direction. Hence, Lord Keeper was born.

So I began our story with Iain dragging our heroine across his horse—and hard thighs—after she got just far enough from the abbey for him to be certain he could catch her. Of course, that’s only the beginning. Victoria Hockley doses up medicine Iain isn’t quite prepared for. Isn’t that the way it always goes? What man is really prepared for a woman? Heh heh.

Victoria has her own secrets, but Iain comes to a quick and easy conclusion as to why a woman of breeding would sequester herself in a remote Scottish monastery. After all, if he looks too closely, he might not like what he sees. Victoria, on the other hand, has nothing but questions. Who is this dangerous man, and what could he possibly want with her? These questions eventually lead to the heart of Iain’s motivation, a motivation even he’s not aware of.


Here’s a sneak peek to what Iain’s thinking when he first sees Victoria.


Iain might have been standing on the edge of a dream when the abbey door opened and she stepped out into the morning light. Though separated by a small earthly measure of holy ground, he sensed her mind to be as far from him as heaven was from hell. His heart stilled with the sudden blaze of auburn hair against the Highland sun, and he determined to learn what color eyes matched such fire.


With a nod in response to Father Brennan’s statement that the Menzies clan was rumored to be raiding land to the north, Iain slid a hand along his horse’s neck. The beast nickered and shifted beneath him. Behind him, one of his men’s horses whinnied in answer. Careful not to give away his intention, Iain slid his gaze across the heather covered hills beyond the abbey and covertly monitored the woman’s progress as she strolled along the grounds, a book in hand. Another moment and she would be off Montrose Abbey.


She slowed.


Annoyance flared. Curse the archaic law that kept her safe on holy ground. What if he ignored the civilized directives instilled by his education and simply took her? He dropped his attention to the intricately carved leather wristband that covered his arm from wrist to elbow. A deep scratch spanned the leather, a reminder of the battle that almost took his arm, had taken the lives of many good men, a battle fought in the name of justice.


Iain looked up in response to Father Brennan’s report that four Menzies clansmen had passed the abbey yesterday afternoon. He was in no mood to encounter marauding Menzies on his return home, particularly considering his change in plans. He breathed deep of the Scots pine scent carried on the keening wind. The law forbade him taking the woman while on holy ground, but sanctioned the kidnapping once she entered the outside world. No law would be broken, no war begun when he claimed her.


Ticking off the seconds in his mind, he gauged her progress away from the grassy expanse that marked the distance needed to intercept her race back to the monastery. Any resistance would be hampered by the heavy skirts of her expensive brocade dress. She took the last fateful step. Iain flashed Father Brennan a grin as he grasped the hook on his claymore’s scabbard and unhooked latch from hook. Sword and scabbard dropped to the ground. The priest’s eyes registered surprise, then understanding. He whirled as Iain dug his heels into the horse’s belly and broke ranks with his men.


“Run!” the priest shouted.




Be sure to pop by Tarah's blog and take a look at her up-coming releases!!  Now for the fun part!  Just fill out the rafflecopter for your chance to win!!  Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


41 comments:

Kassandra said...

Really enjoyed Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series.

sionedkla@gmail.com

mcv said...

I haven't read any of Tarah's work, but would love to. I also like KMM's Highlander series, but I would have to say my favorite is Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

Joanne said...

I don't have a favorite Highlander series yet. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to rad it. I put it on my wishlist.

Tarah Scott said...

Kassandra, Karen Moning is amazing, isn't she?

MCV, I read Diana Gabaldon years ago--after I'd written this book! Imagine my shock that I'd missed such an amazing Highland romance writer.

Joannne, the problem is there are too many good Highland series to choose from!

miki said...

hi!
is this giveaway open to international or not?

thanks

Tarah Scott said...

It sure is, Miki. The book is digital, so anyone can enter the giveaway.

Sandy said...

PICK ME! PICK ME! I want an Iain too! LOL This sounds so good.

sandy(dot)wolters(at)q(dot)com

Tarah Scott said...

ROFL. Sandy, you're too funny. Good luck, girl!

divavixenqueen said...

Anything by Karen Marie Moning.

Anonymous said...

I have read a few Highlander books but not a series so I am not sure about a favorite but this one sounds really good.

pefrw at yahoo dot com

Lexi said...

Guess Karen Marie Moning's series is a popular one. It is my fave too, Kiss of the Highlander was the book that got me back into reading romance =)
Can't resist a man in a kilt!

Di said...

Monica McCarty's Highland Guard - I've read the first five - looking forward to the release of more.
sallans d at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Hey thanks for the chance to win and also for introducing me to a new author. Book sounds great and I love the cover!! Fave highlander has to be Maya Banks The McCabe Trilogy--absolutely awesome!!! Thanks again and have a great weekend!!
mariann297@gmail.com

Mary Preston said...

I'm a huge Diana Gabaldon fan. OUTLANDER is my favorite.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Carol L. said...

Please enter me if it's a Print copy. Don't have an e-reader.
It's a tie between Karen Marie Moning and Monica MacCarty's Hghlanders.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Carol L. said...

Rafflecopter kept timing out on me as it always does ":) I didn't enter twice just had to finish entries.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

sienny said...

i don't think i ever read a highlander series before.. and i can't remember a stand-alone book that i've read too..

heather said...

I haven;t read any yet but that doesn't stop me from drooling over the hott covers :) This looks like a great read, Tara!

chamblinh@gmail.com

miki said...

thanks you a lot

my favorite serie so far is the highlanders warrior by anita clenney

all the best

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

Tarah Scott said...

I haven't read Anita Clenny, Miki. I'll have to check her out.

Betty Hamilton said...

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

Yvette said...

Oldy but goodies.....I have always liked Amanda Quick.
Yvette
yratpatrol@Aol.com

Tarah Scott said...

Yvett--Yes! Amanda Quick is a favorite of mine. She is who got me started reading historical romances years ago, and has been a role model for me.

Filia Oktarina said...

I Love Highlands' Lairds series by Julie Garwood.

Unknown said...

Ok, I have to admit it. I've never read any Highlander book. There, I said it. lol I would love to win this to change that though.

Tarah Scott said...

Filia--you and me both. I adore Julie Garwood.

Lauren--that's what I'm here for.

Tarah Scott said...

In fact, Julie Garwood's The Bride, is what sparked the inspiration for Lord Keeper.

Barbara said...

Donna Grant's Dark Sword series.

barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com

Linda said...

I like both of Margaret Mallory's series: Return of the Highlanders as well as All the King's Men

nurmawati djuhawan said...

karen marie moning's highlander series....

thx 4 the giveaway :)

YWLiang said...

I think my favorite is Jennifer Ashley's Highland Pleasures series :)

Thank you for the giveaway!

yiliang0124(at)hotmail.com

Tarah Scott said...

Wow, you all are reminding me of some great authors, and have introduced me to a couple I hadn't heart of. Love it!

Rachel said...

I haven't read any Highlander series, but it sounds like a good time to start :)

Jolene and Family said...

I haven't read too many Highlander books, but I love Janet Chapman's Highlander/time travel books

T. C. Archer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tarah Scott said...

Rachel--it's always a good time to start reading Highlander romances. They are fabulous.

Jolene--Oh yes! Janet's books are excellent.

Tarah Scott said...

Rachel--it's always a good time to start reading Highlander romances. They are fabulous.

Jolene--Oh yes! Janet's books are excellent.

Froggy said...

Donna Grant's Dark Sword! :)

Froggy

Anonymous said...

I love the Highlander books by Maya Banks. I am looking forward to the fourth book in the series.

geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

Helen said...

Karen Marie Moning

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