Tuesday, April 10, 2012

[Review]: "Love is a Battlefield"



Love is a Battlefield by Tamara Morgan
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (February 14, 2012)
Series: Game of Love Series, 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance

It takes a real man to wear a kilt. And a real woman to charm him out of it.

It might be modern times, but Kate Simmons isn’t willing to live a life without at least the illusion of the perfect English romance. A proud member of the Jane Austen Regency Re-Enactment Society, Kate fulfills her passion for courtliness and high-waisted gowns in the company of a few women who share her love of all things heaving.

Then she encounters Julian Wallace, a professional Highland Games athlete who could have stepped right off the covers of her favorite novels. He’s everything brooding, masculine, and, well, heaving. The perfect example of a man who knows just how to wear his high sense of honor—and his kilt.

Confronted with a beautiful woman with a tongue as sharp as his sgian dubh, Julian and his band of merry men aren’t about to simply step aside and let Kate and her gaggle of tea-sippers use his land for their annual convention. Never mind that “his land” is a state park—Julian was here first, and he never backs down from a challenge.

Unless that challenge is a woman unafraid to fight for what she wants...and whose wants are suddenly the only thing he can think about.


Warning: The historical re-enactments in this story contain very little actual history. Battle chess and ninja stars may apply.

 

Where to Buy*:
More Info:


Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from Amazon.

Book 2, out June 5th, 2012!




My Review:
Hilarity ensues when the battle of the sexes (and the battle of the countries) begins! Soon the prize is no longer about the state park, but rather their hearts...

Kate Simmons' life revolves around one thing: The Jane Austen Regency Re-Enactment Society. Nothing matters more, and honestly she'd probably be happiest living in the actual Regency period. When she's given the task of planning the biggest ball of the year for the Society, she's happy—finally, she gets to show them what she can do! But finding a place to hold it is turning out to be a bit, well, difficult. Until she finds the perfect park to use, Cornwall Park—and finds out later that it's already been taken by the sexy and strong Scottish Highland Society!

Julian Wallace believes that there is only one thing that matters in the world—the Highland Games. After a rough childhood growing up with no father, when his mother remarries he finds the perfect role model in his new Scottish stepfather. Harold teaches him everything there is to know about being a man, about being strong and responsible—and winning. When he died, leaving Julian, his mother, and his two sisters alone, Julian believes that he has to step up and be the man of the family. He pushes himself even hard to win, to work, all in the hopes of making enough money to allow his mother to finally quit working so hard, quit worrying so much. But has he lost sight of what's really important? And did his beloved stepfather fib a little about his own family history?

When Julian sees Kate, he's enchanted by her—and definitely attracted to her. But until the Games are over, he doesn't have time for distractions—of any kind! And when he finds out that she wants his beloved park on the same weekend as his Games, the war begins. He won't give up his Games for anyone, no matter how much he may like her (maybe even love her...). And he comes to find out that Kate won't give up either; she's been pushed around and ignored for too many years, and now she's decided to take a stand. However, perhaps she should have picked a different time to do so. After all, she can't honestly believe that her tea-party ladies in old gowns can actually beat the brawn and strength of the Highlanders—can she?

I loved this book! Besides the obvious reasons (hello—Highlanders! Okay, so they weren't actually from Scotland, but still, it's in their blood—plus, as Julian teaches us, it's not only about what country your family came from, it's about so much more than that!), this book had it all! Wit, fantastic banter between Julian and Kate (and many of the other characters, as well), sexy men and women who actually have a backbone! Plus, let's not forget that battle being forged—can you say hilarious? Between the guys trying not to ogle the women during the camping weeks, as well as the revenge tactics used by both sides, well, you'll be laughing a lot during this book!

I couldn't put this one down; I had to force myself to do so for a few hours (because, unfortunately, life doesn't stop while we read), but as soon as I had even a few minutes I had my nose back in the book, anxious to find out what would happen next between these two! And can I tell you, after reading this book, I'm totally going to start stalking the Highland Games. I don't know why the thought never hit me before, but Love is a Battlefield drove it home for good! I've already got a few fellow Highland-lovers lined up to join me, so please, jump on board—the more the merrier! :)

I'll admit that at times Julian was a bit of a jerk, but it was because he grew up believing that the Games was all he had, and that just wasn't true. But once he realized his mistake (waaaay late in the book), I was able to forgive him. Not that it was that hard for me to do so! I mean, come on—between his outstanding strength (physically and otherwise), the fact that he wants to take care of his family, his wickedly good looks—and let's not even mention the tattoo, which I want to spend all day licking! Oh, and the kilt. We cannot forget the kilt. Shirt? Completely optional! Julian is a perfect example of a Highland hero, even if he wasn't actually from Scotland at all. It takes more than just Scottish blood to make a true Highlander, and Julian had all the essentials!

Plus, he's willing to be a true Highlander and go commander under his kilt. Yummmm.......

Sorry, where was I? :) Oh, right, the story.

I think the only problem I had with the book was Kate's “friend”, Jada. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to take a brick to that girl! She was too pushy, too flighty, and too silly. She had a few moments (very briefly) when she was a hoot, but the rest of the time? I had the brick in hand, waiting! Now, I know that is just how Jada is, so it's not Ms. Morgan's fault at all, and let's face it—we all know a woman or two like Jada in real life. I can't believe some of the things she stooped to, and still called herself Kate's friend! I was thrilled when Kate finally stood up for herself and stopped letting Jada push her around---you go girl! :)



4.5 STARS! I cannot wait to read more of Tamara Morgan's work, as Love is a Battlefield was simply amazing! And I'm anxious to read more about some of the hunky men participating in the Highland Games—I hope that many of them get their own stories, or at least do a few appearances in future books! For a fun, laugh out loud time, be sure to pick up this book! Besides the hunky men, which should make it an auto-buy anyway, the writing and characters make it damn near perfect! I will definitely be reading this one again, and when book two comes out? I'm all over it! Now, excuse me while I check and see if there are any Highland Games in my area.....


PS---I just found Tamara's website, and you won't believe the fun you can have on there! Three words: Julian Paper Doll. Yep! You get to see Julian in all his glory (well, okay, not commando, sorry!), tattoo included, AND put his various outfits on him. May I say, he looks even better than I imagined! Now if only I could get those pesky briefs to come off..... :D








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I received this e-book from the author, in exchange for my honest review.
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I'll have Tamara here on the blog for an interview on April 30th, and a guest post next month (May 21st), so be sure to check back!




Also, Love is a Battlefield is April pick over at the Sizzling Book Club Chat! Be sure to head over on April  26th to chat with Tamara and other readers who read and loved the book! :) I plan on joining in on it, it should be tons of fun!


Enjoy!





Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

1 comment :

Em said...

I have this on my TBR too, need to read it soon.