There’s no matchmaking an unruly heart When a prominent Scottish family faces a major scandal weeks before their daughter’s wedding, they turn in desperation to the enigmatic fixer for the aristocracy, Nichol Bain. Remarkably skilled at making high-profile problems go away, Nichol understands the issue immediately. The family’s raven-haired ward, Maura Darby, has caught the wandering eye–and … eye–and rather untoward advances–of the groom.
Nichol assuredly escorts Maura toward his proposed solution: an aging bachelor for her to marry. But rebellious Maura has no interest in marrying a stranger, especially when her handsome traveling companion has captivated her so completely. Thankfully, Nichol loves a challenge, but traveling with the bold and brash Maura has him viewing her as far more than somebody’s problem. Which raises a much bigger issue–how can he possibly elude disaster when the heart of the problem is his own?
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was hooked, I didn’t want to put it down.
Maura had so much go wrong, yet she never lost her personality.
As for Mr. Bain, he found himself.
*Ireceived my copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
Guest Review by mom, romance fanatic, and (someday) published author Summer Raines!
I used to be a historical romance addict with a penchant for consuming several novels of that subgenre alone per week. In the last few years, I’ve had to try five or so at a time before I found one I liked. I was beginning to think I’d outgrown historicals altogether until this adorable adventure fell in my lap. (Thanks Jennifer!)
Maura Darby is an impressive heroine. As a ward of the family, she does everything society dictates, yet she’s constantly beaten down and blamed for everything. Including the latest debacle in this household. The family is trying to marry off their daughter, but the intended groom keeps harassing Maura! And of course, it’s HER fault for seducing him. (I’m glad she escapes this cruel “family”)
Since the groom can’t keep his hands off Miss Darby, and the mother and daughter are screaming she’s always beguiled the potential suitors, the father calls in a highly recommended fixer. The marriage between his daughter and the son of his partner must happen to cement their new business partnership.
Nichol Bain thinks the fathers should’ve been able to put an end to this nonsense themselves. Therefore, he quotes a pricey fee and thinks of an easy fix. He’ll marry Maura off to one of his bachelor friends. She’ll have a fine home and husband, the arranged wedding can go forward once she’s out of the house, & Mr. Bain collects a tidy sum for his efforts. But Miss Darby is more than he bargained for.
Maura has had enough of people ruling over her with no regard to what she wants or needs. Every decision thrust upon her, has made her life more difficult with every passing day. She decides she can make better choices for her life. As Mr. Bain escorts her to her future home, Miss Darby expresses her thoughts and feelings- rather adamantly. Nichol admires her spunk, but patiently explains that she can’t. In the 1750’s, a man must be responsible for her.
He’s too sweet, too understanding. Maura sees him as a good man who would respect her opinion if they were together. Their friendship has captivated her heart and she doesn’t intend to let him go. Nichol, who loves a challenge and a woman with moxie, is drawn to the raven-haired beauty in ways he never thought possible. He soon finds himself on a magnificent estate, trying to give away the only woman to ever touch his heart.
This book was such a joy to read. It had villains I could raise my fist in anger to. It had a heroine who I respected and could root for. It had twists, surprises and action. And let’s not forget the hunky Scot who actually stands up for poor Miss Darby. Friendship, esteem and loyalty are slowly earned by both the hero and heroine’s actions, making the love that eventually develops real and lasting.
I really don’t think you have to be a fan of historical romance to enjoy this book. If you ARE a fan, you’ll LOVE it.
Full disclosure: We received an ARC from the author, free of charge.
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When Calum Garbett’s ward, the lovely Miss Maura Danby is embroiled in a scandal that may cost him a lucrative business deal, the Duke of Montrose recommends that he summon Nichol Bain.
If you have been following the series, you will remember Nichol as the secretary of the Duke of Montrose – the man who tried his darnedest to keep Hamlin and Catriona apart. Nichol is a “fixer”, he has an uncanny knack for finding solutions to the toughest problems and Garbett’s problem seems like a walk in the park. He will help Garbett’s daughter Sorcha and her fiancé reconcile and then he will marry Miss Danby off to a former client, collect his fee and be off to Wales.
Maura is done being the demure, complacent young lady she promised her father she would be. The Garbetts took her in as a girl and made her life hell. She has borne it for years, staying out of the way and never complaining – but when Sorcha’s would be husband kisses her and then proclaims her a temptress, she is cast out of the house and her only true possession is stolen from her. She will not blindly follow Nichol to a marriage – she will get her necklace back and then she will figure out the rest of her life – she doesn’t need a too good looking, too smart man meddling in her affairs! She escapes from Nichol and heads back to the Garbett’s, she is bound and determined to get her necklace and perhaps a pound of flesh. Nichol catches up with her and convinces her to let him fix this – he is more enamored with her than he should be, but knows that nothing can come of it – he has no home to offer her, he will marry her off to Dunnan Cockburn and try to forget her.
They reclaim her necklace and set off to meet Dunnan – Maura knows she is falling for him, but has promised to go along with his plans for her. They sidetrack to his family estate and Nichol is dealt a blow he never expected. Maura understands Nichol’s pain, she too has been betrayed by those who should have loved her. She comforts him and their relationship takes a turn. She knows she cannot marry Dunnan, but Nichol is adamant, he has NOTHING to offer her and she deserves a good life.
They arrive at Dunnan’s and things go from bad to worse. By the time Nichol comes to his senses and realizes that he needs Maura, it may be too late for a HEA.
This was a well written, well paced book with two very wounded souls, the story is in turns emotional and amusing, Maura is a force to be reckoned with and Nichol is much more approachable in this book than he was in the previous story, once you learn about his past, his action and manner make a lot more sense. The book is a bit steamier than the others I have read by Ms. London (THAT IS NOT A COMPLAINT!) and the story a bit more complex and maybe a bit overly dramatic. There is some question in my mind as to the resolution with Nichol’s family and the same title error from the last book reappears in this one, but overall it was a good read and I would be happy to recommend it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
This book was good. My heart really went out to Nichol, when he wrote the letter to his father. I also rooted for he and his brother Ivan to find away to come together again. This was a good story.
Reviewed by Rachel
Book provided by Netgalley
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I always go into a Julia London book with a smile on my face. Her characters always have incredible depth and are interesting with just enough sexual tension to keep the reader invested, and this gem was no different.
I have to admit to almost having trouble loving Maura at first, and then as the story of her treatment unfolded I started to see she’s almost like this kicked puppy, constantly unloved, unwanted, and at the same time being told she should be thankful. She gave the family everything and still they treated her horribly. The only one that wasn’t too horrible was the father but even then he proved to be evil because he allowed his daughter and wife to let their jealousy rule them. Maura has no choice but to be sent away to a distant Uncle and when she’s found there its soon discovered she’s been living in filth and hiding from his advances.
Enter in Nichol Bain, a fixer. He’s basically a guy that rich families pay to make their problems go away and he’s ridiculously good at his job, not to mention good looking. He has secrets of his own that are revealed about his parentage which end up making the story even that much more juicy plot wise. His only job is to get Maura married off to a distant friend who is in need of a wife, the only issue is that the more he gets to know Maura the more he beings to respect her and obviously fall in love with her, but he’s never not finished a job so even though his heart is breaking right along with hers, he knows he needs to leave her.
I have to admit that around a third into this book I was already getting nervous about what would happen between all the characters. I felt for Maura she just wanted someone to love her and Nichol is giving the opportunity to be a different person to her. It’s heartbreaking but the ending is totally worth all the tears you shed to get there.
Beautiful prose, incredible imagery, and fast paced dialogue make this one of my favorite historicals I’ve read this year.
Highland Grooms Book Six
Maura Darby has caught the eye of her foster sister’s fiance and in doing so, has lost the only family she has. Nichol Bain is a fixer contracted to find a solution for Maura’s situation. Maura is furious with the family for betraying her, but mostly she just wants the one possession reminding her of her birth family, a necklace, to be returned to her. The necklace is the only thing she cares for until Nichol shows her that not all men are scoundrels. Nichol is determined to marry Maura to his friend, even though Maura captivates him.
If you’re looking for a high-spirited lass and a man with no ties to anyone, this is the book for you!
Maura has become tired of everyone telling her what she can’t do. Now she is like an angry and fierce cat with her back arched and ready to lash out at anyone or anything that gets in her way. Unfortunately for Nichol he is the the one obstacle that seems to be blocking her. As they travel and spend time together they realize they have many things in common. They fall in love and realize they were just what each other were searching for to make their lives complete.
Everytime i read a historical romance i’m always left feeling a bit angry with the way how women were treated back then. This story is about a girl trying to find a way to live in a world that seems to be against her and a man who hides himself while resolving other people’s problems. It broke my heart to see that everyone was looking out for their own intrest insted of hers. That was until Nichol gets to know her. I loved how their love progresed in the stroy. Its filed with both characters having to overcome their fears and let themselves be hold and most importantly be loved.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Nichol is a man that gets things done, he has a way with settling issues but when his services were requested he had no idea what he was getting into. Maura has had to rely on the kindness of her father’s friend after his death, she was moved in to strange house with the Garbett family which should have been great, she would be a playmate to the family’s daughter and it would have been the perfect situation if it were not that Maura out shined the Garbett’s daughter. That was how the she became a mixed up in a bad situation she found herself being kissed by the wrong gentleman. Maura has had to accept that she was just a charity case but finding herself riding out with a stranger after being thrown out with little more than the clothes on her back and a promise to marry a stranger really shook her up. Great read, with wonderful characters and humor, this one is not to be missed. Maura is independent but also has a warm heart, Nichol is knows the same loneliness Maura has experienced, now he’s finding it hard to hand of the entice creature to some other man.
Seduce by the Scot by Julia London, book six in her Highland Grooms series, is a passionate romance and the author swept me away with the storytelling. This story contained drama, mystery, passion and love, Maura and Nichol deserved to be loved and wanted by another. I loved how passionate these two were and was ecstatic knowing they found happiness and love. Nichol was an enigma to me until I learned more of his story. Unfortunately for him and us we would never learn why his father believed what he did and with his mother being long dead, the story would never come to light. Neither of them deserved to be treated as they were or, in Maura’s case, to end up in the circumstances she found herself in. I adored how Maura became stronger and more independent as the story went on. It was hundreds of years before women were given the rights Maura believed they should have. She was definitely ahead of her time.
Ms. London wrote an emotional, and moving story filled with sexual chemistry, wonderful dialogue, and endearing characters that is not to be missed. Not all characters were likeable, as I wanted to slap a few of them sill or find a quick death for them, which added another level as to why this story was so wonderful. I highly recommend this story to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Seduced by a Scot by Julia London is book 6 in the Highland Grooms series. This is the story of Maura Darby and Nichol Bain. This can be a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Nichol is known as a fixer of problems and goes forward to help a prominent Scottish family whose family ward is tempting to ruin a future family marriage agreement. Maura has tried to stay in the background to keep please the mother and daughter of the family she is staying with but that isn’t working. Nichol feels that he can fix their problem but getting the couple back together. Then take Maura away to meet another client who would possible marry her. But what Nichol’s hadn’t counted on was being attracted to her nor building feelings towards her on their time traveling together.
I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more stories from Ms. London.
SEDUCED BY A SCOT (The Highland Grooms #6) by Julie London is a historical romance set in 1758 Scotland. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be easily read as a standalone.
Nichol Bain is a “fixer” for the aristocracy. He prides himself on finding a solution for any problem or making it disappear for a price. When a prominent Scottish family is on the verge of having a lucrative business deal fall apart, which is also tied to the marriage of their children, Nichol is summoned to find a solution. To save the deal and the problem of the family’s ward, who has been accused of enticing the future groom, Nichol believes he can easily use the ward to solve another of his problems of a rich bachelor looking for a bride.
Maura Darby has been a ward for several years after the death of her father. As she has grown into her beauty, she has been increasingly detested by the mother and daughter of the house. She has done her best to fade into the background, but it is never enough. She desperately wants to be able to make her own choices for her future, but it is just not possible in her current situation. When Nichol arrives to escort her to her new situation, he is captivated by her spirit and beauty.
As their journey takes them closer to the solution Nichol has thought out, he finds he is not at all sure it is the right one for all involved. He is challenged by Maura at every turn to see her a person rather than a problem to be solved and to see things from a different point of view. When he discovers a secret from his past, it could be that he needs a problem solver himself. Could it be he needs Maura for himself?
I enjoyed Nichol and Maura’s story. They both had unique backstories which made the plot more entertaining. The story moves at a good pace with several plot twists that keep the couple reevaluating and adjusting to their situations. The sex scenes are well written and appropriate to the growth of the romance. The romance plot and the H/h make this story a little different than your normal historical romance read and I enjoyed it as I have enjoyed so many of Ms. London’s previous books.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
An enchanting story that will pull at the heart and engage your emotions. Maura Darby had lost her parents and relied upon others to take care of her. When the family’s daughter was about to be married, disaster was about to happen when she caught the eye of the groom. So they turn to Nichol Bain, the “fixer” of the aristocracy to take hold of Maura and gain a solution.
His solution is to marry Maura off to an older bachelor who she has never seen. Maura of course has no desire to marry a stranger. She had really been mistreated most of her life and only wanted a little happiness. As she and Nichol travel together, she becomes attracted to him. Each of them have had hardships in growing up and they begin to get to know each other.
Will Nichol hand Maura over to the man his has in mind for her? Or will he decide she is for him?
I love every book I have read written by this author and this is no exception.
Nichol Bain has made a life for himself as a “fixer” but with this latest “job” things don’t go quite as he planned. Maura hates that she has no control over her own life, and, now it seems Nichol has the planned the rest of her life. Determined to have more of a say, she starts making decisions counter to what Nichol wants for her. The more time they spend together, the more they fit together. Maura has her work cut out for her, convincing Nichol that she knows what is best for her future – him.
London writes fun stories with entertaining characters, and this was no exception. Both characters had baggage, and I enjoyed watching them discover what made them happy and how much more important that was in life, even if it wasn’t exactly “the plan.”
If you haven’t read the rest in the series, you won’t be lost this one works well as a stand-alone novel. It’s an entertaining page turner you will want to keep reading until the last word.
#SeducedbyaScot #HighlandGrooms #JuliaLondon
I finally found the time to read this — and did it in 2 sittings! It took me a while to remember all the characters – the Duke of Montrose was familiar but until his background was mentioned I’d forgotten who he was (sorry!) It was also good to see Catriona as well.
Anyway, watching Nichol and Maura interact was great. Two stubborn, sad people, both with horrible childhoods, both with different ways of overcoming their pasts as much as possible. Neither believed that they could be loved, and watching them work through this was fun. Their interaction was believable, and the other characters were also well-written. I had a big grin on my face when I finished!
ARC was provided by the author through NetGalley for an honest review.
A well-written story with interesting characters
Book 6 in the Highland Grooms series, this is only my second book by this author. Note that while there is some carryover from the earlier books, this works well read as a standalone.
I loved how spirited and determined Maura was, and how she acted to make choices for herself in spite of what everyone around her was trying to get her to do. I enjoyed Nichol as well, the man who has spent his life fixing other people’s problems and who is a bit flummoxed when Maura turns out to be much more than just a problem to fix. The plot had some interesting twists, some of which I half-expected and some I was surprised by.
I have to say I’m a little on the fence about this book. Part of that is my personal preferences and my current state of mind—while I typically enjoy historical romances, I just found it a little hard to be reading right now about a woman suffering after getting blamed for a groom’s wandering eye. There were so many characters to dislike—either thoughtless and self-centered or actually mean spirited—and Maura’s prospects seemed so dismal, the story dragged for me at times.
A well-written story with interesting characters and an ending that I loved, this just had more angst than I wanted when I was hoping for something a little more light hearted. 3.5 to 4 stars
B2B Kelly
Seduced by a Scot (Highland Grooms, #6) by Julia London… I have loved this series and I am sorry it is ending…thanks to Julia London, the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book .. This is Nichol and Maura’s story.. they both have had loss and tragedy in their lives from a young age.. he is a fixer and she really needs fixing(so does he). This book grabbed me from the beginning and never let me go… This book has tears, laughs, hardship, happiness, adventure, steamy sex, the Mackenzie’s all and of course a very HEA.
This was a solid addition to this series. This one is the story of Nichol Bain, a character who has been referenced in earlier books as a problem solver, and Maura Darby, an orphan ward trying not to outshine her guardian’s shrewish daughter, Sorcha. When Sorcha’s betrothed is caught kissing Maura, the entire situation is blamed on Maura and she is banished from her guardian’s home as a temptress, with Nichol called in to smooth things over. His plan is to marry Maura to his friend Dunnan, but along the way he realizes he needs her himself. I loved getting the backstory on Nichol and his reasons for behaving as he does. These two protected each other through the tough situations they were put in and that was great to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5*/3.75*
I’ve received this eARC at no cost to the author.
Seduced by a Scot is the sixth book in the Highland Grooms series written by Julia London . After such a good fifth book, I thought it might be difficult to come back to that excellence. But Maura and Nichol came pretty close to it. Maybe because Maura (after leaving her house, of course) reminded me of Catriona? I don’t know. What I do know is that I really enjoyed this book.
Both Maura and Nichol have had a hard time in life and, in this book, both of them find themselves without a place to call home. Even if it might seem that the attraction isn’t immediate, we can feel the sparks growing.
We have a strong perspective of how women were seen in the past (I mean, some of us today are still experiencing this – sadly), and how most males thought it was always their fault that they caught someone’s eye. Because, of course, even if she pushes them aside, it’s still her fault because she’s pretty? Thankfully (and as expected), the hero treats her like a real person, even if he tries to lead her to a life she doesn’t want. He believes it’s the best for all involved, but when things between them start to change it’s hard for Maura to keep to the plan, and Nichol showed a huuuuge resolution almost to the end. Sometimes, his prerogative in forcing her to this “good life” that he envisioned for her as a bit too much. It felt like he was doing the same that had been done –no, forced on to her for her whole life. And didn’t really like that.
Also, for a very intelligent and resourceful man, Nichol wasn’t the brightest in the bunch when it came to understanding why the Baron MacBain acted the way he did. I knew right from the start, he literally tells him to his face. I can understand that a child might not put the pieces together, but adult Nichol (and Ivan – his brother – to be honest) should have known the truth a loooooong time ago. He even says so himself!
Anyway, those are the only reasons why this book has a lower review score than the previous one (which was 4.5*).
Maura was so determined and I’m pretty sure she would have made it on her own (which would have been interesting to see). The story contains a bit of a Cinderella and Rapunzel vibe to it, which some readers might appreciate.
In the end, it was a sexy book, with determined characters that overcame their struggles and past emotions, even if sometimes behaved unlike themselves.