Tasty Book Tours Review: The Winter Laird by Nancy Scanlon

November 16, 2015 Blog Tour, Review 44 ★★★

Tasty Book Tours Review: The Winter Laird by Nancy ScanlonThe Winter Laird by Nancy Scanlon
Series: Mists of Fate #1
Published by Diversion Books on November 17th 2015
Genres: Adult Historical Romance, Time Travel
Pages: 262
Format: Paperback
Source: Blog Tour
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Rating: 3 Stars
Heat Rating:two-flames
This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

I received this book for free from Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THE PRESENTSuccessful matchmaker Brianagh O’Rourke believes in happily-ever-afters...just not her own. She’s convinced passion only exists in her dreams. When she reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal, Bri decides she needs a vacation—but she didn't expect it to be in 13th century Ireland.
THE PASTLaird Nioclas MacWilliam just wants peace for his clan. The time for him to marry has come, and after waiting years for his ally to present their daughter, he’s agreed to marry another. But on the eve of his nuptials, a daring rescue brings his missing betrothed right into his arms.
And she does not want to be there.
THE FUTUREBrianagh has to return to the future. Nioclas has to marry. He offers a solution for the both of them: She marries him and stays for three months, and they work together to convince his clan they are a love match. In return, he vows to safely return her home. But as the days turn to weeks, they both begin to see what a happily-ever-after could be. And when the time comes, does Brianagh return to the life she’s built, or does she remain in the past for a chance at true love?

alpha coverlove historical magical ROMANCE

Brianagh O’Rourke is one of the most coveted matchmakers in the business. It’s only a shame that she herself cannot find a love match. When a family secret comes to light, the last thing Bri expects was to be thrown back into the past, without warning, by a man she trusted her entire life.

Now she is back somewhere in the 1400s, and must fulfill her sire’s promise to the laird of the MacWilliams clan in joining their clans in marriage and her duty of producing children in order to save history. There, Bri comes to face to face with literally with the man of her dreams and the revelation stuns Nick just as much.

I liked the story. I thought the romance was sweet. I liked how Nick went out of his way to try and woo Bri into loving him because he realized he could not fulfill his promise to her of letting her go. Bri was a strong woman, but not powerful enough to deny the depth of the attraction between them. Her personality is to take charge and no sooner after arriving at the castle, does the boredom of being the lady of the castle, drives her into taking charge and making some changes.

Overall, as far as the story goes and the romance it was a good read. It was clean, and I came to admire both Bri and Nick. I liked watching their love for each other grow into something undeniable. I also really loved Reilly in this book and hope he eventually get’s his own story.

My only gripe is the historical accuracy with this book. First, the blurb mentions 13th century Ireland, but in the book Bri goes back to the 15th Century Ireland. Second, the Irish heads of the clans during that period were often called the Irish Lords. Lairds were a Scottish term for the highlander clan lords in Scotland, not Ireland. If you are looking for a highlander romance, this is NOT it as Highlanders originated in the Scottish Highlands. Also, Irish lords didn’t really wear kilts, which is what it looks like on the cover. They did wear leine, which is accurate in the book.

I also wished that Bri wasn’t so accepting of her faith so quickly. For a modern girl, she did not act like being thrown into 15th century Ireland and having everything ripped away from her was a problem.

Also don’t believe okay excited in 15th century 😉


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About Nancy Scanlon

Born and raised near Boston, Massachusetts, Nancy Scanlon wrote her first romance novel at age 16, when she realized that fictional boyfriends were much easier to figure out than real ones. In the time since, she managed to earn a degree in English, obtain a graduate certificate in creative writing from the University of Cambridge, and marry the man of her dreams (but she still holds tight to her fictional boyfriends).
Currently, she resides in Puerto Rico with her husband, two children, and two dogs. When not writing, Nancy spends her time reading, reviewing and blogging about romance novels, watching too much HGTV, and taking care of her family.

 

44 Responses to “Tasty Book Tours Review: The Winter Laird by Nancy Scanlon”

    • Lily B

      ha I actually got my husband involved in this conversation, he HATES romance and always looks at me funny when I read it. But he loves history, so I guess he didn’t mind setting me straight

      Reply

  6. Kelly

    Ooh, Ireland. I’ve actually been using your reads to purchase for my mum for Christmas Lily. She really enjoys the historical type romance, those bodice rippers. I don’t read them myself, so it’s awesome to be able use your recommendations. This one sounds perfect for her, especially being Irish herself. I don’t think the inaccuracies will really bother her too much, a tad annoying though. I’m glad you were still able to enjoy this one beyond those few issues Lily and as always, incredible review hun <3 <3
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  7. Renee (Lover of Romance)

    oh this sounds like a fun one. Not sure how I feel about the historical inaccuracies though. But I haven’t read a time travel in a while, and I am planning on reading this over the next couple of days so I am pretty excited. Great review

    Reply

  8. Carol L

    I too thought it was Scottish but I love reading stories set in Ireland as much as Scotland.Clans and Highlanders as well as time travel are my favorite reads. This series is already on my TRL.
    Carol L

    Reply

    • Lily B

      i like the ireland setting, just the fact that there was a bit confusion is what made my head spin. this is not a highlander book :)

      Reply

  14. Braine

    I get nitpicky too when it comes to historical reads. If there’s even one detail that doesn’t feel right, I’m automaticall outraged. lol

    I mean I’m not the only one who wants to travel back in time when I pick up a historical read. So sell it like you mean it, don’t give me half-assed worlds because I’ll figure out the discrepancies sooner or later.
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  18. Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

    I absolutely love time travel in romances, Lily, so when I saw that Brianagh suddenly found herself in the 1400, that got me really excited. On the other side, I need things to be consistent in those kinds of stories, and also… what’s up with the differences between the centuries from the summary and inside of the book? Also, was the name ‘Nick’ all that common in Ireland back then? 😉
    I might give this a try anyway, though, because the characters sound like I’d really enjoy them.

    Reply

  19. Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)

    Hmmm. This one sounds good but not great? The author is a fellow Avon Addict (she’s round one, whereas I’m round five!), so I’ve been curious about her books. I love Highland novels but it sounds like this wouldn’t be what I would expect? Still, I’m glad you somewhat enjoyed it, Lily. 😀 Great review!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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  20. Jenny @ Supernatural Snark

    Sounds a little like Outlander in terms of romantic setup with the time travel and everything, and I do so enjoy time travel romances:) The word Laird definitely made me think Scottish Highlander romance though, so thanks for giving me a heads up that that’s not the case! Lovely review.

    Reply

  21. Wattle

    The inaccuracy there sounds a little annoying, but it’s great you were able to enjoy the novel overall. I am a little curious, I must admit (I am a sucker for time travel lol)
    Wattle recently posted…Shelf Control #2My Profile

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  24. Lola

    This sounds like a fun time travel romance! I haven’t read a lot of those so far. I like the sound of the romance and that’s sweet he’s trying to woo her. That’s a shame though that it wasn’t historical accurate on a few points. While my knowlegde of history is limited, I do like it when I feel the author knows what she’s talking about in a historical romance and get a feel for the time and setting. I can imagine that being thrown back in time to a few centuries ago is quite a big change, so that’s weird the main characetr accepted that so easily. Great review!
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