[Review]: "Haunted Laird" + Giveaway!

Haunted Laird by Tara Nina

Publisher: Ellora's Cave (November 30th, 2012)

Series: Cursed MacKinnons, 4

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Lynn’s ghost-hunting trip in Scotland takes an unpleasant turn when she’s kidnapped from her camp by a group of men rambling about curses and a brotherhood. In a daring escape, Lynn falls over a cliff and awakens in a cave being guarded by a ghost, who insists she’s the key to freeing a man who has been cast in stone by an evil curse. And what a man he is…

Padon has been imprisoned for over two centuries, frozen in stone. He is awoken when a sexy siren recites the anti-curse, but he is only partially free. Stone by day, man by night. Passion ignites between him and his savior immediately, which makes falling to the curse each morning that much harder. He and Lynn seek a resolution by making the trek to Padon’s family castle. But the kidnappers have other plans and will do whatever they must to make sure this couple never makes it to their destination.

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My Review:

I really need to stop jumping into the middle of a series. After finishing Haunted Laird I knew that this was such a series where I should have read the previous books. I felt a little lost, and many things were mentioned in passing that had happened in the first books. Despite this, I still liked this book, and I think I'll go back and start the series in order some day soon.

Cursed Scottish warriors? Um, yes please! :) Padon definitely made my heart pound a little harder, and all but made me melt a time or two. Every time he called Lynn “mi wee one”, a sigh escaped my mouth. I want my own Padon!

I do wish that we could have seen a bit more of the relationship between Padon and Lynn... It felt rushed, as if within the few days that they knew each other, everything was set and they knew they'd be together forever. No problems, no questions asked. On the one hand, I like the whole “I just met you but I can't live without you”, but on the other hand I want more than just insta-love holding the couple together. I'd like to know how things are going to work out for Padon, suddenly living in modern times, and he was born a few hundred years ago. His new life will not be a walk in the park!

3 STARS! This was my first time reading any of Tara Nina's books, but I don't think it will be my last! I have book one, which I picked up while it was a freebie from BN a while back, and I may have to start it soon. I liked the idea behind this series, and I loved the spicy heat to the story, but I think the only thing missing was a bit more connection between the hero and heroine before their HEA. All in all, a good book, and one that I read quickly.

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review during the tour.

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WELCOME TO THE BLOG, TARA! :)

Hot Romance~Sexy Attitude best describes Tara Nina’s writing style. She creates for Ellora’s Cave in sensuality ranges from steamy hot to simmering sweet, which includes paranormals, contemporaries and romantic suspense. She is a Southerner living in the northern wilds of New Jersey complete with grown children, three dogs, and a mountain man for a husband.

 

 
Where to Find Tara:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Enjoy this great excerpt from Haunted Laird!

An Excerpt From: HAUNTED LAIRD

Copyright © TARA NINA, 2012

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

She looked through the thinnest area of the waterfall and focused on the statue. Light from the menagerie of lanterns Jasper had provided shone on the stone surface, giving it an oddly beautiful appeal. Lynn felt compelled to speak the verse as she stood in the mist of the falling water.

“Ceum saor de clach

Be Ye Biast air duine

’Tis Gaol dara slighe

Ge Ye be mèinne

Dh’oidche mur dh’là”

Seeing nothing happen, a slight bit of disappointment filled her. She took a breath and leaned her head into the more rapid pulse of the waterfall and rinsed the suds from her hair and body. Lynn stepped back from the stream, brushing the hair and water from her eyes. The moment she regained her focus, she froze. The gasp lodged in her throat.

Was she dreaming?

 

When he woke, the realization he was no longer at Castle MacKinnon hit him in the chest with an invisible solid blow. What happened? Where was he? And most importantly, where was his family?

Padon stumbled forward with his sword held tightly, ready to strike. MacGillivray was behind this. He felt most certain that dark-eyed devil lingered near. He swung around, trying to gain his bearings. Shock shook him to the core as he recognized his surroundings.

He was in the hunting cave. But how? Last he remembered he was aiming to kill MacGillivray for attacking his brathairs. Padon surveyed the area for any signs of life, knowing only he and Jasper knew of this cave’s location. Jasper had to be behind his being here.

He shook his head. Had it been a dream? Try as he might he couldn’t remember clearly what had happened. Had he been on a hunting trip with Jasper, drunk too much and dreamed the whole brathairs-turned-to-stone-by-MacGillivray scenario? The tension in his chest eased a tad but not entirely. He lowered his sword and knelt by the stream, cupping some water for a drink, hoping to wash away the severely dusty sensation from his mouth.

He had barely swallowed when he saw her. A vision most beautiful stood washing her hair in the waterfall. ’Twas it a dream? He splashed the water on his face and blinked but she still remained. How had she gotten here? No woman had ever ventured into their hunting cave.

“Go to her. She is your salvation.”

The words whispered to his ears in the sound of his friend Jasper’s voice. He jumped to his feet and spun around but didn’t see him. Anger, confusion and fear mixed within him. What the hell was going on? What sort of sorcery was this? Hearing voices but seeing no one… He slowly turned to the vixen who now stood staring at him from the other side of the waterfall. No one was here but her.

Maybe she had the answers he sought, since Jasper seemed to be playing games with him.

Taking deliberate steps, he shortened the distance. Before entering the water, he set his sword on a large rock and dropped his kilt to the ground. No need getting his only clothing wet while he interrogated the woman. He smiled inwardly, knowing he was no small man and being naked only added to his intimidation strategy. At least that’s what he hoped when it came to the weaker sex. Determined to get answers, he forged through the water and onto the ledge.

Coming face-to-face with her rattled his fierce demeanor. She was not simply a woman, but a gorgeous specimen of female flesh. Though she tried to cover herself with her hands, she failed miserably. He doubted even his oversized hands would hide those scrumptiously large breasts. Taut pink nipples peeked from beneath the arm and hand that attempted to shield them. Instant hunger pitted in his stomach for a sample of their flavor.

Her other arm and hand did their best to cover the treasure between her thighs. It disappointed him to not get even a glimpse of her mound. Would she balk if he removed her hand so he could see? Padon shook off the idea. He needed answers, not sex. But his body pleaded otherwise as his shaft stirred to life. The awakening of his senses kept him perusing her attributes and muddled his thoughts with desire.

Though she was short in stature, she made up for it with her incredibly voluptuous figure as far as he was concerned. If her bottom was round and filled his hands, she’d be perfect. Absently he flexed his palms, curling his fingers in and out as if he could somehow feel her there without actually touching her. It didn’t help ease the growing tension in his bawls for this woman. Being in her presence made him remember he was a man as his cock twitched and stiffened even more.

Padon forced his gaze to lift from her assets and look upon her face. Its shape was that of a cherubic angel. Auburn curls carelessly framed her features. Her lips trembled and it pained him to read fear in her bright-blue eyes. In an attempt to calm her, he reached to cup her cheek but she leaned away from his touch. He dug deep to find his voice and hoped it came across soothing.

“I will nay hurt thee, mi wee one. I only ask thee for answers.”

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Also:

For USA Buyers of Double Dilemma, Portal to Passion and  Night Prey will be mailed both a signed cover flat and a signed book plate for their book. All other USA buyers Tara Nina books purchased will get a signed book plate.  Please email a copy of your purchase receipt to Vickie@innovativeonlinebooktours.com along with your mailing address.

Be sure to check out the rest of the tour!

 

• 12/28 First Chapter Coffee Beans & Love Scenes
• 12/28 Review T B R
• 12/31 Review Kindle Fever
• 1/1 Review & Guest Post Inside BJ's Head
• 1/21 Review My Cozie Corner
• 1/25 Review TBQ's Book Palace 

Enjoy!




Until Next Time,



*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!