No Easy Fix for Julia London’s Latest Highland Groom [REVIEW]

A seemingly easy trip across the Scottish countryside puts a confirmed bachelor’s heart in peril in Julia London’s new novel. (Photo by Frank Winkler, CCO)

He always says he likes a challenge. But soon the job he thought would be a piece of cake runs into complications… albeit beautiful complications… in the form of a young woman determined to forge her own destiny in Julia London’s latest addition to her Highland Grooms series. 

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Nichol Bain is one of the most sought after men in Scotland. He has a knack for making problems go away, and the aristocracy keeps him busy with one scandal after another. The more complicated the dilemma, the better in his opinion. So when the prominent Garbett family comes calling in hopes that he can mend the broken engagement between their wretched daughter, Sorcha, and her former fiancé, Adam Cadell, he almost doesn’t take the job. But it is easy money, a job he can basically do in his sleep, and since he has another job waiting in the wings, he decides to intervene before tackling the meatier case.

Maura Darby is an orphan. Taken in by the Garbett family after her father’s death, she has always tried to be accommodating and stay out of the Garbetts’ hair. She can’t help what she looks like, just as she can’t change the fact that Calum favors her more than his own daughter. And she certainly can’t prevent Sorcha and Mrs. Garbett’s jealousy of her, especially after Adam Cadell makes unsolicited advances toward her, an event which threatens the future of the Garbett dynasty as well as Sorcha’s impending nuptials. Unfairly banished and stripped of the only thing of value she has left in this world, a valuable heirloom necklace passed down from one generation to the next, she has every right to be angry, especially when the man she’s sent to live with is a disgusting pig.

When Nichol finally arrives on the scene, it doesn’t take him long to assess the situation between Adam and Sorcha and come up with a viable solution. The only problem now is what to do with Maura. He proposes that she marry a friend of his in Luncarty, an aging bachelor who Nichol is certain will treat her like a princess. But when Nichol steals her away from her tower prison, she proves most difficult, especially since she has absolutely no intention of marrying someone she has never seen. To make matters worse, she soon becomes quite infatuated with Nichol himself, a complication he doesn’t need, nor did he ever see coming. What’s more, he quickly realizes that he is just as enamored with her. What’s a fixer to do when the problem he needs to dispose of becomes the object of his affection? Find out in Julia London’s Seduced by a Scot. 

This sixth installment of London’s Highland Grooms series is as fresh and delicious as a raspberry cranachan, the traditional Scottish dessert. It introduces readers to two memorable and likable characters we quickly realize are perfect for one another, even if their situation is less than ideal. Both Nichol and Maura are feisty but tender-hearted, brave yet mistreated, and shrewd even in the face of their optimism. They are full of fire and spirit, have a firm faith in justice and a clear vision of all that is fair and good, and it makes for some authentic, and frequently hilarious banter between them. They are both beautiful and strong, traits that get them in a kettle of trouble more often than not. Nevertheless, their story is one for the ages, one that is equally fun and infuriating, and ultimately lushly romantic. Readers of Diana Gabaldon, Hannah Howell and Paula Quinn are going to love this story!

Julia London

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including the popular Secrets of Hadley Green series, the Cabot Sisters series, and the Highland Grooms historical romance series. She also wrote the Lake Haven contemporary romance series.

She is a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction, and RT Bookclub Award recipient for Best Historical Romance for Dangerous Gentleman. 

She lives in Austin, Texas. Readers may visit her home on the Web at JuliaLondon.com, subscribe to her newsletter, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

SEDUCED BY A SCOT
By Julia London
384 pgs. HQN. $7.99

Purchase Seduced by a Scot at one of these fine online retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBound, and Powell’s.

Seduced by a Scot is brought to you in association with TLC Book Tours.