Hello lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Maxine
Mansfield and her new book, “Heart of a Highlander”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish
Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in
this post.
Be sure to make it to the
end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Maxine
and to increase your chances of winning!
Thanks for stopping
by! Wishing you lots of luck in this
fabulous giveaway!
Heart of a Highlander
by Maxine Mansfield
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GENRE: Time Travel/Romance
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BLURB:
Staff
Sergeant Ian Mackay didn't care if he lived or died. He'd left what really
mattered strewn across Afghanistan three years ago. All the self-help groups
and doctors in the world couldn't assuage his guilt. But when an accident takes
his life and Fate steps in with an offer to fix what was once unfixable, he
jumps at the second chance to save his men. Now he's stuck in a strange land,
in an even stranger time, and expected to bed his equally strange but desirable
new bride. Healer Aila Gordan of the Sutherland clan thought her betrothed
dead, had even seen his lifeless body the night before their wedding. Why then
is her sworn enemy, Ian Mackay, standing before the priest, waiting for her to
repeat the vows that would make her his wife? The fairies must have possessed
his body, a frightening notion, indeed. But marriage to the handsome laird,
possessed or otherwise, couldn't be any worse than living in her brother's
castle where, like all women in 1643 Scotland, she has no freedom. And if the kiss
at the altar is any indication, she could just steal the heart of a highlander.
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EXCERPT ONE:
Ian
took a deep breath. “So, you’re saying if I go back in time and take up where
this other guy left off, then I’ll be given a chance to change what happened to
Danny and the other men I lost in Afghanistan?” He held out his hand to shake
on it. “Sign me up.”
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MY BOOK REVIEW:
This book was such an entertaining, exciting, romantic,
historical adventure!
This
book has a creative storyline, fantastic writing style with vivid scenes,
well-developed characters, is steady paced, and keeps you completely
entertained through the last page.
This
is the second book I’ve read from the incredible writer, Maxine Mansfield. A few years ago, I had the privilege of
reading her book, “Time for a Highlander,” which is part of the Real Men Wear
Kilts Book Series and I totally loved it, so I was very excited to read her
latest work – which also happens to fall in the same series. “Time for a Highlander,” is Book One in the
Real Men Wear Kilts Book Series, while this new book, “Heart of a Highlander,”
is Book Two.
Maxine’s writing continues to improve and grow with each
book! I know she will be an author I
will continue to read over the years!
Unlike
in the first book, where the focus is on a heroine that is given a second
chance and time travels backwards, this book, features a hero that Fate rescues
and offers him a similar second chance opportunity. Ian McKay, a former Staff Sergeant, is significantly
depressed, suffering from PTSD, and emotionally circling the drain. After a terrible incident in Afghanistan that
killed all his men (he was the sole survivor) – which he also feels completely
guilty for; Ian is heartbroken, tormented, distraught, and full of regrets. One day, while driving he dies, while swerving and
flipping his truck over to help save and avoid hitting a young Amish girl on the road. Fate then comes to intervene and offers Ian an
opportunity to go back to Afghanistan and save his men if Ian will do a “small” favor first, which
Ian jumps at the chance. Ian is then
transported to Scotland in 1643 into the body of his late ancestor and is to be
wed to a bride, Aila, he has never met. A new
place, a new time, a new bride – this is not exactly what Ian had in mind when
he made the agreement with Fate.
I
really liked the main characters, Ian, Aila, her brother Fergus, and of course, the ever so entertaining Fate. I loved Ian and Aila together! I enjoyed their chemistry and passion that leaped
off the pages! I loved how they pushed
each other’s buttons and at times drove each other crazy lol!
I
liked how Aila helped Ian work through his emotional baggage, PTSD trauma, and helped
him over-come personal obstacles – while also helping him adjust to his new life
in 1643. I liked how Ian gave Aila the
freedom and independence she wanted. I
really liked how they completed each other.
I think the author
did a fantastic job on her character development as these characters were so
real and personal on many levels.
I
loved the scenes where Ian was trying to explain modern-day advancements to
Aila. I’ve never thought about trying to
explain electricity or cell-phones or airplanes to someone who never grew up
with those things. I guess, I too, I
would be skeptical about hearing about the government sending someone called an
astronaut to walk on the moon lol!!!
I
also found it interesting to reflect back on the differences and similarities between these two
time periods. Ian went back about 400
years which seems like it was forever ago – and yes, at many intervals it
was. However, how much really did change…?! There is still war, incurable illness, famine,
gender inequality, greed, hate, and pain.
It was intriguing to see after 400 years how our world is still battling
and dealing with some of the exact same issues, even with all of our modern-day
accomplishments.
The
author’s writing is strong and eloquently detailed. She really provided so much detail in her
writing that is was easy to picture!
There were a few times I found myself totally caught up in the story!
This
is one book that I can truly say I really enjoyed the ending. No spoiler alerts here!!! But I definitely needed a couple
tissues. And was glad that this book
ended with a messy-free, bow-tied HEA!
I
really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing
this book. It was clear she was very
familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of Scotland. I honestly did not know much about life over
there. However, the author provided so
much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few unexpected
twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
This
book is book two of the Real Men Wear Kilts Book Series. I have read the first book before reading
this book, and I would strongly state that there is not any requirement for
having to reading it first. This book
can absolutely be read as a standalone.
Although, I have thoroughly enjoyed both books so I would suggest
checking them both out – in any order!
All
in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend not
only this book, but this author as well!
I was truly impressed with the quality of writing, intriguing storyline,
and excellent character development! I
will definitely be continuing to follow this author and check out her upcoming
books! I think all time-travel romance
readers will like this book too! So, be
sure to add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R3TDT1Q5VHEZTZ
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AUTHOR BIO:
Hi,
my name is Maxine Mansfield and
I write erotic romance, be it Fantasy or Time travel from my easy chair in the
great state of Alaska. A magical place where the summer days are long and bright,
and the winter nights even longer.
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CONNECT WITH MAXINE:
Website:
Blog:
Email:
maxine-mansfield@hotmail.com
Facebook Fan Page:
Facebook Personal Page:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
BookBub Author Page:
BookBub Book Page:
Goodreads Author Page:
Goodreads Book Page:
Amazon Author Page:
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon Kindle eBook:
Amazon Paperback:
Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:
Kobo eBook:
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Maxine will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC
to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a
purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this
blog. This does not cost you anything,
it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**
This contest is sponsored
by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish
Promotions. Prizes are given away by the
sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish
Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
Maxine ~ Good morning! Welcome back! It is so great to have you here again! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour! I really enjoyed reading and reviewing your book, thanks for providing the copy! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Ally for your wonderful review Of Heart of a Highlander. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I can't wait to send you Loving a Highlander as soon as it's finished. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I appreciate getting to find out about another great book. Thanks for all you do and for the hard work you put into this. Greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAt which age did you have your first book published?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteSounds seriously amazing!! My favorite genre! 💛💛💛
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteBernie I was first published in 2012 at the ripe young age of 57 :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your review.
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks really good!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read
ReplyDelete