Constance Campbell, the Duchess of Kilmaine, once believed that all she needed in life was a duke. But everything unraveled when she realized her perfect husband was a perfect monster. Now broken beyond repair, she hides her misery behind a perfect Society mask…even from her childhood friend, Alec.Dr. Alec McGuiness reluctantly finds himself back in Scotland, and checking up on the only woman … only woman to ever get under his skin, Connie. After she spurned him many years ago, he knows his humble life as a doctor could never be enough for her. But when the Duke of Kilmaine is murdered in cold blood, with Connie sleeping right next to him in bed, Alec knows he must protect Connie at all costs from those who would frame her for the duke’s murder.
Now on the run, Connie feels a freedom she only ever dreamed about, and an unexpected attraction to the man who is keeping her safe. But even if they can win her freedom and clear her name, could she ever open her heart up to someone again?
** Content & trigger warning: this novel features themes, imagery & content that my be triggering for some readers. Discussions of domestic violence, physical abuse, rape & death appear within. Scenes depicting anxiety, panic attacks & graphic violence/death also appear *
Each book in the Saints & Scoundrels series is STANDALONE:
The Devilish Duke
* The Elusive Earl
* The Sinful Scot
more
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. The Sinful Scot by Maddison Michaels is the first book I have read by this author, and she had me hooked from the very beginning of the story.
Constance and Alec McGuiness have known each other for a while, but circumstances lead them to escape from the law and determine the truth behind the murder of the Duke, Constance’ husband. There is intrigue in this story, as well as a whodunnit aspect, but most importantly, there is the budding romance between the hero and heroine. A spectacular read!
This was a great book, but it was so FULL* that I had to take breaks in reading it.
*which made it quite long.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved it! Does this make sense?
The Sinful Scot is my first book from Ms Michaels, but it definitely won’t be my last! There’s two books in the series before this (though I obviously haven’t read them yet, no worries, because this one worked fine as a standalone) and at least one that must be coming, so watch out, TBR!
I really enjoyed Connie and Alec’s story. It has just the right amount of mystery/suspense to both throw the hero and heroine together and keep the reader turning the pages, trying to figure out exactly what is going on. I have to honestly say that I wasn’t sure “whodunit” here until the big reveal–well done! (And yikes. That individual was…something. Whoa.) Add in the romance, and you’ve got one heck of a story here! I loved watching Connie find herself–and Alec–again. And even though I wanted to smack his stubborn head more than once, he is quite the hero. And fortunately, a doctor too 🙂
And that teaser for the next (Lorelei and Iain’s) book? Bring. It. On!
(Quick heads-up, though–domestic abuse–and beyond–is a major part of the story. There is a warning at the beginning of the book, but the blurb itself really just hints at it. To call the duke “a monster” is an insult to monsters, quite frankly. I did like how Ms Michaels dealt with the subject here, but forewarned is forearmed, and all that.)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The Sinful Scot was my first read by Maddison Michaels. It’s a standalone in a series of standalones that all tie in together with each other.
Alec saves Connie and soon they’re both being chased. When they let down their guard, their banter is funny and risque. The story itself doesn’t have much steam, it’s just mostly alluded to.
The blurb really sounded great, but to me the story just didn’t hold up.. It took me a couple of chapters to get a start as there seemed to be just so much going on that I didn’t know where she was taking the story. Once it settled in and I could see where it was going I enjoyed it a little more. The best part was that bit of a twist at the end! So while this wasn’t my fave, it wasn’t bad either. Never know how you’re going to like it until you try. I’m going right down the middle of the road with this one at
3.5 Stars
Murder
An abusive husband is found dead and his wife is the number one suspect in his murder. Alec McGuiness has known Connie for many years and comes to her rescue. Who did it is what they want to know. On the run, they find themselves the target of the real murderer. A who done it historical romance. (Did the words bathroom and teenager exist in Scotland and England in the 1850’s?)
This book didn’t contain your usual run of the mill hero and heroine. Connie was a woman who let her need for her mother’s love and approval lead her to a dangerous decision. That being, marrying Duncan, the Duke. Oh, he was handsome, and charming and she was young and innocent. She hadn’t seen the monster under all that facade.
Both of the main characters had suffered betrayals. Which makes this quite the emotional read at times. Connie had another betrayal other than her abusive husband. Her mother had no concern about the truth of Connie’s marriage or the danger she was in. It was all about titles, image and prestige to her. And at one of Connie’s darkest times, her mother shows her true colors. Alec had his trust destroyed by several people beginning with his father, mother and later his brother Ian. There is more to the story though when it comes to Ian.
I do have to say that at times this story seemed to slow down and I didn’t enjoy those times as well. It was mainly because each of the M.C.’s were hashing and repeating the same issues over and over that plagued them.
But….
When Connie and Alec go on the run things get really interesting, as more danger chases even closer behind them. At times, enemies are even getting a bit ahead of them too.
There is a mystery woman shielded in black who really is a mystery. At about 77% on my kindle I began to finally suspect who she could be. And it was finally confirmed but with a huge surprising twist that I never saw coming! I really liked that!
In the beginning, the romance was more about Connie and Alec regaining their friendship and moving past old hurts and learning to trust again. They do become more tender with each other even as they try to protect themselves from further hurt. The attraction is still there between them and they can only fight that for so long.
I finally decided that the book did deserve a 4 star rating on Amazon because of the chase, mysteries and twists towards the end.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
The Sinful Scot is a friends to lovers historical romance filled with murder, mayhem and suspense. It was at times sweet, other times sexy and enjoyable despite having figured out who the murder was as soon as they stepped onto the page so to speak. I recommend it.
Copy won in a contest hosted by author
Though The Sinful Scot is the third book in Maddison Michaels’s Saints and Scoundrels series, it can be read as a standalone novel. This book comes with a trigger warning in the beginning as Michaels takes on a tough subject—especially for the romance genre, and does it with sensitivity—spousal abuse and spousal rape. Connie is raised to marry a man chosen by her parents, one most likely to elevate the family status. Unfortunately, the duke they choose turns out to be a sadist who beats his wives and mistresses indiscriminately. Connie confides in her mother who urges Connie to be a better wife and to not antagonize her husband. She remains committed to the relationship only to protect her stepdaughter. She awakens one morning to find her husband dead in her bed and his blood all over her. Soon she realizes she’s being framed for a murder she didn’t commit. Her estranged childhood friend, Alec, has become a physician. When he realizes her situation, though, he vows to help her. Alec helps her escape, taking her on the run to clear her name. Their undeniable chemistry results in the requisite epilogue with a happily-ever-after and a bun in the oven.
Rating: 2.5 stars
(5 star hero)
Though the synopsis really intrigued me, the writing of this new to me author just didn’t consistently engage me enough to want to keep reading. Here’s to hoping it was just me, folks. After the point where the heroine wakes up with a murdered, evil, abusive husband in her bed and flashbacks of graphic OTT physical spousal abuse, I soon found the characters actions wooden and the script on and off again mechanical/repetitive enough I started skimming through it.
I’ve no doubt the alpha protective, strikingly handsome, super understanding, half Scottish/half English, good guy doctor hero saves the day for her, and they wind up HEA. This despite the fact she snubbed him in the past for reasons we are just supposed to roll with and be understanding of, but actually still irked me because it was petty and vain of her. Yet, this guy still carried a torch in his heart for her. I’m assuming her character is supposed to appeal to us because of her angelic beauty and upsetting damsel in distress/victim of abuse past history. My favorite part was definitely the hero’s character.
I wish the main couple and this author continued writing success. This book just wasn’t as engaging as I needed it to be. I am curious who actually killed the husband. It came across as someone unexpected, since the #1 suspect would have been entirely too obvious.
P.S. What is up with that book cover? I’m I the only one thinking his hands would have looked better on his hips. Is he fooling with his zipper???
Title: The Sinful Scot, Author: Maddison Michaels, Pages: 400, stand-alone, graphic spousal abuse content, great alpha protective good guy hero, fragile/damsel in distress heroine you do feel sorry for.
Book 1 – The Devilish Duke
Book 2 – The Elusive Earl
Book 3 – The Sinful Scot
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley)
This story depicts a very brave woman in the character of Connie. Despite all her suffering when she is wrongly accused of murdering her husband she decides to fight back. Her protector is the fearless Alec who is truly a gentleman and a scholar. The two go in search of answers and discover all manner of evil. They are doing this while trying to stay ahead of a killer and the police. This is a remarkable story of strength, determination and courage on both their parts. It is a journey that allows for redemption, forgiveness and love to bloom.
Scotland, 1857
A story that runs a gamut of emotions that tore at my heart from the first page as I had a strong visual and physical image of Connie in my mind. Maddison Michaels has an amazing gift with her pen that bring her characters alive and invest the reader in suspense, a mystery and a slow building romance that is beyond compare.
A mask of perfection. That is what she wore when she was forced to present herself at the ball her husband was hosting. The Duke. The Monster behind the smile. How fooled she had been, but at her mother’s insistence she was to marry a title and endure.
Dr Alex McGuiness was reluctantly attending the ball due to the insistence of his sister Sophie, Connie’s best friend. Alex had known her since she was young and sweet. But all that changed with her debut when it seemed all she cared about was her appearance and catching a Duke.
When he finally did see her, he knew something was wrong and figured it out. But she would not confide in him.
But everything changed the next morning when Connie woke up beside her husband who had been murdered. Blood everywhere. She remembered nothing….
Gripping, mesmerizing, page turning and a story I will not soon forget. One of the best books I have read, although not surprising coming from this author. I highly recommend!
Maddison Michaels has done it again with her new whodunit romance . I absolutely thought I knew for sure who the killer was about halfway through the book , but surprise, I was wrong !
Constantine ( Connie ) was raised to marry a Duke . It was the one thing drilled into her by her mother growing up. Since she wanted the love and acceptance of her mother Connie complied to her mother’s wishes , putting her childhood friendship with Alec , the second son of a Earl, at risk . Connie had thought she had married the fairytale when she married the handsome Duke of Kilmaine, Duncan Campbell , that is until he starts beating her viciously and belittling her , telling her she is useless and undesirable . Connie endorsed this hell for three years until on the morning after her and Duncan have hosted a ball she awakens next to him in her bed , bloody with a dagger stuck in his chest and absolutely no memory of how he got there ! Of course, Connie is the number one suspect of the murderer and is locked up in the tower for holding until the a police can arrive.
Doctor Alec McGuiness is in Scotland to check on his father’s failing health to discover that it is simply a ruse to mend the bad blood between Alec and the rest of his family . His friend Sophie , Connie’s best friend from childhood , has asked Alec to stop in on his way back to England to check in on his former friend Connie after months of silence . He attends the ball at Kilmaine and notices bruises on Connie from her latest beating . Even though Connie jilted him years earlier he is concerned for her well-being . Connie insists nothing is wrong . Alec doesn’t believe her and decides to stay until Connie tells him the truth . The next morning he returns to the castle to find that Connie has been locked in the tower and accused of Duncan’s murder by Fergus , Duncan’s brother the next in line for the dukedom
Alec with the aid of the housekeeper helps Connie escape from the tower with the intent to take her back to England for safety . However Connie convinces Alec to take her to Inverness to investigate the murder of Duncan . Duncan has taken many trips to Inverness over the years and Connie thinks this would be a good place to start looking for his murderer .
While trying to find the murderer Connie and Alec both discover that the feelings that were squelched by Connie’s mother are still smoldering and it doesn’t take much for them to ignite .
We first met Alec in the Devilish Duke and I was happy to see him finally get his HEA . I highly recommend this book .
THE SINFUL SCOT by Maddison Michaels is book Three in the Saints & Scoundrels Series. This is the story of Alec McGuiness and Constance ‘Connie’ Campbell. I have read the previous books but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Constance and Alec where once friends but they ended up going their separate ways. Constance has been drilled that she needs to marry a title which she did end up marrying Duncan Campbell, the Duke of Kilmaine who moved her to Scotland to live in the Kilmaine Castle. But things were not all dreams because Duncan was a very abusive husband that did awful things to her. Alec who is the second son of an Earl went on to become a Dr. A few years later Alec was attending the Kilmaine ball where he checks on Constance who takes his breath away. The next morning Constance wakes to her husband being murdered but his brother and other start to think she is the one that did the deed. Alec ends up helping her to leave the castle where they more or less are on the run together.
This story does have some trigger issues for some.
Series: Saints & Scoundrels #3
Publication Date: 1/27/20
Number of Pages: 400
While there is no trigger warning in the book blurb, there is one at the beginning of the book. Of course, you wouldn’t see that until you’d already bought the book, so, I thought I’d go ahead and mention it here. If you are particularly sensitive/susceptible to reading about those kinds of things, you should be aware that domestic abuse – severe beatings and rape – are talked about in this book. I thought the author handled that subject matter well and got her point across without getting overly graphic. I thought it was all really well done.
One would think that Constance and Alec were opposites and could never be a good match. Alec is a self-made man who works for a living even though he is the second son of an earl and his working is frowned upon. Alec works tirelessly to help, as a doctor, those who have no champions. Constance’s sole goal in life was to marry a title – specifically, a duke. Well – she sure managed to reach that goal. What is missing from that scenario is that, as children, they knew and liked each other very much. Then, Constance (Connie) was sweet and loving and greatly admired Alec. What happened? Well – there are parents – particularly mothers – who seem to be spawns of Satan.
The opening chapter shows what Constance Campbell’s life has been like for the last three years – since she married Duncan Campbell, the Duke of Kilmaine and moved to Scotland to live in Castle Kilmaine. It also shows that she’s stronger than you’d think given the weak-willed way she bent to her mother’s desires rather than her own. She’d certainly have to have some strength to her to endure all she has for the last three years and not be a huddled, whimpering, mass of fears. So, while I didn’t admire the way she acquiesced to her mother’s desires, I did admire that she had managed to endure her brute of a husband and had managed to survive without going stark-raving mad. I liked her very much.
Alec McGuiness is only attending the Duke of Kilmaine’s ball in order to speak with the Duchess of Kilmaine – and he’s only doing that because their mutual friend Sophie asked him to do so. When she finally appears on the stairs, he loses his breath because she is still so very beautiful. Then, when he speaks to her, his sharp physician’s eye notices the telltale signs of the abuse to which she is subjected. How can he help her?
When Constance (Connie) awakens the morning following the ball, she feels groggy and disoriented – at least until she sees the lifeless body of her husband sprawled across her bed. He’s been viciously stabbed and there is blood all over the place, including all over Connie. Did she finally snap and murder him? She’s not sure, but she knows her first order of business has to be to get her step-daughter, Amelie, away from the castle to protect her from her uncle Fergus.
Everyone immediately assumes Connie snapped and killed the duke – including Fergus, the duke’s brother. Alec doesn’t believe a word of it and quickly helps Connie escape the castle where she’s been confined. Once they are away from there, everything breaks loose – everybody is chasing Connie and Alec and Connie and Alec are trying to find out who the real murderer is. The answer will surprise you – and perplex you.
One thing that perplexed me was a ‘monthly dowry’. That is one I’ve never heard of, but maybe it was possible. I can’t imagine any circumstances under which a potential groom would agree to that – but – it just doesn’t seem feasible to me and every time I saw it mentioned it just jarred me right out of the story. ** Note — I asked the author about this and she said it was possible. However, I also asked several other knowledgable British authors about it and they said this would not have been possible.
I also have to add that I thought Connie’s falling for Alec and being able to relax around him and even allow him to touch her came a little too quickly. We all heal at different rates, but Connie’s recovery seemed remarkable – to me. ** Note ** I asked the author about this and she said that in her experience, healing of this type could occur quickly.
I enjoyed the read and I hope you will as well. The stories in this series are stand-alone, so you don’t have to have read the other books in the series in order to enjoy this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Sinful Scot is book three in Maddison Michael’s Saints & Scoundrels series. I enjoyed the first part of the book. But somewhere along the way, the pace slowed and I began to lose interest. I actually put it down for a few days. Once I returned to it, the pace seemed to pick up again and the story finished with an exciting bang. All that to say please – press through. I liked the heroine Constance Campbell. She is a lovely character with strength and wit. The hero Dr. McGuiness is a swoon worthy Scot who can be frustrating at times, but still quite the heart throb. I just wish the book had been a bit shorter. But the story has a few twists and turns that I didn’t expect. I enjoy Ms. Michael’s stories, so I am looking forward to reading more. I was given a copy of this book.
The Sinful Scot is an enjoyable historical romantic suspense. While the beginning opens up with a brutal murder, the romance does develop over time while Constance and Alec attempt to discover who killed her abusive husband.
Several readers are sure to enjoy this story; however, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters. If you are a fan of this genre, I’d recommend giving it a try.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **