Book Review and Giveaway - Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee - CLOSED

This Giveaway is CLOSED - Please check out my other Giveaways

This is the first book in a new trilogy by Laurel McKee (the pen name for Amanda McCabe).

Countess of Scandal


Here's what the back of the book says:

 As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.

Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.

When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.

Laurel McKee's Bio:

Laurel McKee is the pen name for regency romance writer Amanda McCabe.
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)


She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.


When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
Email her at laurel@laurelmckee.net or visit her online at http://laurelmckee.net/

Here's What I Say:
I am not sure if you read my post about Stinkers a few weeks ago, but I mentioned that I usually adhere to the rule of 50. If I am not grabbed by page 50 of a book I close it up and move on to another book. So there I was, reading this book that I was so graciously given to review and thinking do I throw out my own rules and finish it no matter what? Or do I stick to my guns? Then, no joke, on page 48 things got really interesting! This is not your typical "First love lost and reunion story". Set against the backdrop of the Irish uprising in the 1790s, McKee has woven a powerful tale of true love and all that it can conquer. She allows Eliza and Will to be each other's heroes as apposed to your typical damsel in distress story. There is plenty of action, adventure, deception, and cunning to keep you turning the pages. And talk about passion! The images of desperation and need are beautiful. If you love Diana Gabaldon and Sara Donati - you will love Laurel McKee. I am very excited to read the next two books in this trilogy. Book Two, Anna Maria Blacknall’s story is due out in December 2010.Book Three, Caroline Blacknall’s story is due out in April 2011.
Thanks to Anna at the Hachette Book Group I am able to giveaway 3 copies of Countess of Scandal to 3 very lucky readers!




Here's How It Works:



A Few Rules: (per Hatchette Book Group)

You must be a US or Candian Resident. You must provide a Street Address upon notification of winning (NO PO BOXES)

Mandatory Entry: (you must do this one first or I will be forced to remove all of your entries)

Leave a Comment with your email address (feel free to use the antiSPAM version - yourname[at]yourserver[dot]com) telling me what your favorite guilty pleasure is when it comes to books!

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I wish you the best of luck! All entries but be received by 11:59pm PST on March 16th, 2010 to be counted.

Disclaimer: Although I did receive a free copy of this book for review, I was in no other way compensated to post this review. These are my real impressions of the book.

If you are an author or publisher and you would like for me to review your book, please contact me directly: polsen11[at]comcast[dot]net