Name: The Winter Laird: Mists of Fate - Book One
ISBN: 9781626817258

Nancy Scanlon

A time traveling romance perfect for the fans of Outlander

The Winter Laird: Mists of Fate - Book One

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance


  

 
  
    Summary 
  
 
Brianagh O'Rourke is a successful matchmaker and runs a business matching couples in the most professional way. She wants passion and romance,  but might just have to settle for less that what she has dreamed of to find. She has a dream mate, a man that is strong and passionate and cherishes her. She only wishes that her most recent fiancee could produce more feeling than platonic. When traveling with her cousin, Ry, she is shocked to learn that her true parents are still alive, she is a legacy, and in order to save their family line, she must go back in time for good. At first she thinks her cousin must be a little crazy, but when he brings her clothing to wear from the 1400's, and she is caught up in a whirlwind, and is kidnapped by men with swords....she knows that this is the real thing and she has never been more scared than now. She has always known safety and love from her family, but now she is brought into a world so unknown to her. The man she will need to marry is the man from her dreams, and her fate has been sealed....but Brianagh is determined to fight fate and return back to her home and family.
 
  
    The Hero 
  
 
Laird Nioclas MacWilliam is the laird of his clan, and all he wants to have is peace and security for those he protects and cares for. Every man, woman and child matter to him. Even if that means marrying a woman he doesn't know or love, so that his clan is safe. Nioclas is shocked to learn that the woman with whom he has been betrothed to for years, has returned and has been kidnapped by his enemy, he joins with the O'Rourke's clan to go rescue her. He marries her but makes a pact with her since she is so determined to return to her home...wherever that may be. But Nioclas cares for Brianagh and wants to keep her for life, is she would have him. Nioclas is one of those swoon-worthy heroes you just want more of. He is passionate, driven, protective and a bit possessive. He is a leader and has a commanding presence, but is also kind and understanding. He deals fairly with those he interacts with. He has a playful and mischievous side at times.
 
  
    The Heroine 
  
 
Brianagh, is close to her family. She believes her parents were killed when she was young, and was raised by her aunt and uncle and their children, and was loved as one of them. Brianagh runs her own business and she has a sense of which people would be best matched. She is a believer in true love and passion...she has seen it happen for many couples that she has matched, but she has yet to find that desire and love for a man other than her mysterious dream lover. Brianagh is a heroine you can easily relate with. She is kind, she has a talent when working with people, and she is driven to succeed. Her family is the most important thing in her life, and will do anything to be with them. What I grew to admire about her was her inner strength and fortitude.
 
  
    Plot and Story Line 
  
 
The Winter Laird is the first of a new series and is the first debut novel of this author, and what an adventurous ride this book turned out to be. I wasn't sure what I was expecting from it, but I am impressed with this author's ability to get this reader so drawn into a story and I couldn't put it down, I was having way too much with this one. I don't get a chance to read time travel romance too often, but Nancy Scanlon has created a beautifully woven story that will melt your heart and make you want more of this world she has created for us.

The romance is so emotionally driven, that is the primary focus of their relationship. The sexual tension is slowly built up, but it is very light in heat but I was A-okay with that one. Mostly because it had a different tone to it, and it was quite refreshing to just read a love story without a ton of sex in it. The writing is well mastered and will have you wrapped around its finger instantly. I loved the history, the story is based in the 1400's and I love this time period. Its a great setting for a historical romance, and it was quite moving to see the way this clan is with each other. I loved the commadarie between the characters most especially between Nioclas, Aiden ( his brother) and Donovan.

I really loved seeing Nioclas and Brianagh work through their issues, and come to common ground. In the beginning of their relationship, they have an agreement between them. But there is tension between them, they don't always agree and sometimes Nioclas can be a bit overbearing at times but Brianagh (being a modern woman) won't stand for it....which tends to amuse our hero rather than infuriate him. And the kisses....I will say this, for the lack of heat in the book, this author knows how to write a good kissing scene. I mean literally, I just wanted more kisses against the wall.

There is quite a bit of adventure and mysterious and a hint of danger that is put into the story that makes you just want more with each page you read. I couldn't get enough of the clan, of Nioclas and Brianagh, and the friendship between the three men. I enjoyed the way that Brianagh makes her place in the clan, by taking a professional look at what needs to be done. Because quite frankly, she is bored and needs something more to do than taking walks and stitching. She wants to be productful and she begins matchmaking---which was very entertaining. The story does leave us with a teaser, of the brother Aiden. I do hope in the next book we get to see him with his brother again. But who knows??!! If its anything like this book....we will be in for a wild and lively adventure!
 
  
    The Cover 
  
 
I really like this cover, mostly because of the background....I love the snow on the mountains and the lake. Makes me want to just enter the cover, so pretty. Love the blue themed colors, really adds the whole "winter" setting in a perfect way. And look at that lovely male specimen....I love his stance so confident and self-assured. I wouldn't want to go against him in battle that is for sure.
 
  
    Overall View 
  
 
The Winter Laird is a vibrant and stimulating romance that will make you sigh, it's a sweet romance that is packed with adventure, magic and a poignant love!! GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU FALL HEAD OVER HEELS.


  


“The women are spying on us from under the benches,” Aidan said as he bounced on the balls of his feet, waiting for Nioclas to finish his drink. Admiring his sword, he added, “Been there for about ten minutes or so. I give them another twenty before they get cold and head back into the castle.”

Nioclas sighed. “I’m unsurprised. Does Erin still think no one knows about her forays into the lists?”

Aidan shrugged and quickly crossed swords with his brother. “Of course. I’m certainly not going to tell her. She’ll skewer me on the end of her sewing needle whilst I sleep.”

“Are you that afraid of a wee lass?” Nioclas mocked, jumping back and just avoiding the tip of Aidan’s blade. “I don’t think Donovan has much trouble with her.”

“Oh, I’m sure Donovan has complete control over his wife,” Aidan replied, and they both grinned as they hacked away at each other. “I don’t think he’s ever been privy to the full extent of Erin’s talents, though.”

Nioclas ducked and rolled out of Aidan’s path, springing back up and crossing blades once more. “I—oof—doubt he would’ve agreed to marry her, had he known.”

“Marriage. I don’t envy you, brother. Shackled for life. I hope she is worth it.” Aidan ducked, narrowly avoiding the at of Nioclas’s blade, then spun to avoid it again. “Saints, Nick, I was only—oof— is there something you care to talk about?” he asked sardonically as Nioclas’s attack intensified.

“No,” Nioclas replied curtly, swinging his arm relentlessly.

“Hmm. I believe there’s a tale there.” Aidan plunged his sword toward his brother, who leapt backward.

“None I care to tell you,” Nioclas replied, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Well, you’re putting on quite a show for her.” They circled each other. “Mayhap this will be a love match yet—” Aidan’s sword went flying. He watched, open-mouthed, as it soared through the air. Someone called out, and men scattered as the blade went hilt-over-tip, landing about twenty feet from where they stood.

He looked at his brother in alarm. Nioclas had never bested him by forcing his sword from his hand. That was something they’d agreed long ago was unnecessary between them. War was never far, and neither wanted the other without his sword if it broke.

“Love is for fools,” Nioclas growled before stalking off.

It was a rare thing for Nioclas to lose his temper, especially in the lists. Bemused, Aidan watched him go, then threw a wink over to the source of his brother’s obvious discomfort.

Smirking at the feminine gasps, Aidan collected his sword and sauntered off.

 

 



  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Winter Laird: Mists of Fate - Book One

Reviews

Highlights