Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Under Scottish Stars

GIVEAWAY
LAUREANO, CARLA
UNDER SCOTTISH STARS

Recently widowed Serena MacDonald Stewart focuses solely on her children -- to the exclusion of career, artistic pursuits, and her sanity. When her brothers ask her to use her long-ignored business skills to oversee the family guest house on the Isle of Skye, she thinks it might be a chance for a new start. But her hopes for a smooth transition are dashed when, the current hotel manager, Malcolm Blake, turns out to be irritating, condescending...and incredibly attractive.

This is your invitation into a sparkling Scottish romance brimming with heart and heat.

My Review:

A rapturously romantical delight! Be ready to get your swoon on and give your fainting couch a workout because....that part in the synopsis where it says, "brimming with heart and heat." Which brings me to a reader alert:

Warning: This is pure romance -- the kind where hearts and minds mesh to create yearning. If you aren't a fan of passionate kisses, this might not be the book for you. It's always tastefully done, but this  thirty something couple have the maturity to recognize attraction and to appreciate the beauty of it while not taking things too far. It's flirtatious and teasing (fan-inducingly so!) and the banter is worthy of a Regency ballroom only with a 21st century twist. :-)

So, if you're still on board to give this book a try here's what else I loved about it:

The Isle of Skye!!! Seriously, take a moment and check out Google Images. Breathtaking!

Malcolm Blake -- a complicated man who has his priorities straight. Family comes first. Always. But since he's also a thick-headed Scot, that means he has a tendency to bulldoze his way through situations in a kind of Highland Warrior Protector Mode which isn't always well-received by modern day, independent women -- whether that be teenage niece or alluring new neighbour. But his heart is huge and that stubborn streak sure comes in handy when wooing a reluctant lady.

Phew! Give me a moment to grab my smelling salts, I feel a swoon coming on.

Then there's Serena -- and, oh, the irony of that name! She's in the midst of a healing process, reclaiming parts of herself that she thought were lost forever. I enjoyed her awakening and the fact that Malcolm isn't threatened by her transformation.

Adore her wee little family -- the perfect mix of rambunctious and carefree...and wounded. I laughed and I cried over these sweet kids.

Love, love, love when a title ties-in perfectly with a story and this one is brilliant!

And the way the author brings the MacDonald clan back together in this last novel -- well, it made me weepy.

I appreciated the subtle faith thread that grows along with Serena and Malcolm's relationship as they learn that trusting in God's plan beats messing up their own over and over again. :-)

Truly stunning and breath-taking and the romanticalist of romanticals.

Oh -- and I listened to the audible edition, narrated by Erin Bennett which increased my 'reading' enjoyment tenfold!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Under Scottish Stars, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 1 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

48 comments:

  1. Mention a Scot for a hero and I'm in....toe-curling kisses and all!!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Exactly right! Good luck, Trixi!

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    2. Hey Kav, I sent an email about winning the book for my hubby and gave you my mailing address. I'm just checking to see if you received that? Thanks!

      You're usually quick about answering, so that's why I'm asking :-)

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    3. Yes, thanks, I got your email. I send my reply once I order the book but I haven't done that yet. My poor computer keeps seizing up in the heat. It's supposed to break today...I'm impatiently waiting -- it's nearly five p.m.!

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Tracey. Such an incredible story! Happy Sigh.

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  3. What a book!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's pretty amazing. Good luck, Melanie!

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  4. I'd love to visit Isle of Skye some day. Will have to use this story to visit for now.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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    1. So would I. The scenery is breathtaking. Good luck, jana Leah!

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  5. You've convinced me so yes count me in on this one. rrwalter34atgmailDOTCOM

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    Replies
    1. Glad my persuasive technique worked. :-) Good luck, Becky!

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  6. Oh, this sounds good! As you suggested - I went to Google to look at images - beautiful. Some years back I had looked around online at the area, as I was doing genealogy and have an ancestor from there in the early 1700's. We readers and genealogists do a great deal of "armchair travel". LOL

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    1. You definitely need to armchair travel to Skye! The author does a marvelous job of bringing it to life. Good luck, CC!

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  7. Totally need to read the sister’s story! Thanks for the opportunity.
    mindyhoung at msn dot com

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    1. And you'll love the way the author brings them altogether in this book. Good luck, Mindy!

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  8. Replies
    1. Ohhh -- almost twin dancing. I'll pencil you in on my dance card, shall I?

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  9. WOW! MUST READ! :D

    Hugs, Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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  10. I have this book at my fingertips to read next! Love your review, Kav.

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    1. Oohhh -- I'm kinda jealous that you get to experience it for the first time. Happy Reading, Jackie!

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  11. I need to read this series! I love Carla's writing so I know I'll enjoy it!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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  12. I absolutely loved Five Days in Skye so I’m looking forward to reading this third book! Thanks so much for your review and the opportunity to win a copy!

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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  13. When I finished reading the first two books in this series several years ago, I was disappointed that the final one wasn't available. I'm happy Under Scottish Stars has released. Thanks for your review and giveaway. I'd love to win a copy.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I've heard a few people say that. The wait was worth it! Good luck, Pam!

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  14. This sounds absolutely swoon worthy! Melmo2610ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Sooooooo swoonworthy! Happy Sigh! Good luck, Melmo.

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  15. "UNDER SCOTTISH STARS" sounds like a wonderful book. The photos of The Isle of Skye when I google searched it are gorgeous! Your review has earned this book a place on my TBR list. Can't wait to read it.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas.net

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    1. Stunning scenery! Can you imagine waking up to that panorama every morning? Good luck, Kay!

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  16. Love the dreamy cover! "UNDER SCOTTISH STARS" sounds like an exciting adventure. KAV, Thank you for your excellent review and the opportunity to win a copy.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  17. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book, it sounds very good.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  18. Okay, Kav, you convinced me with your swoony review that I need to read this! Actually, as soon as I heard the title, it was on my wish list--Scotland, Isle of Skye, kilts, bagpipes! Definitely one of my *heart* places! We were able to go to Skye but couldn't stay long enough to really see much. I'd love to go back! Thanks for the chance to win!

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. lol -- glad I could convince you because I think everyone should read this book! Good luck, Winnie!

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  19. Glad to hear this third book was worth the wait! Romantical sounds good=)

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Good things come to those who wait, right? Good luck, Patty!

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  20. I love the enthusiasm you put into your reviews Kav! And sometimes you just need those smelling salts!! I love it! And would love to read this one. Thanks for giving us a chance at winning it.
    Blessings
    ibjoy1953 At Yahoo dot com

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    1. What can I say? I'm just an enthusiastic reader. :-) Good luck, Joy!

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. I have been waiting years for this book! I had already gotten the first two in this series before they were unpublished and then had to wait for them to be re-published before I could get my hands on this one.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  23. I’ve never read anything by this author but I hear amazing things about this series and this one sounds like a winner. Also, there are not as many books set in Scotland as I strongly believe there should be. Love the review!

    Ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot) com

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  24. This one looks great! I’ve been following Carla for a while.
    paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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