Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. - John Muir, Scottish American founder of The Sierra Club
This is an apt quote to kick off my review of Mia Marlowe's PLAID TIDINGS, Book 1 of Spirit of the Highlands:
Christmas in the Highlands...
Not any dashing English lord’s idea of a good time. But now that Lord Alexander Mallory has won a Scottish estate in a hand of cards, he is the unlikely laird of the wild, snowy Bonniebroch. Worse yet, the ancient pile of stones comes with a betrothal. To a fiery red-headed virgin. And a curse.
Alex will have his hands full honoring the first, seducing the second and breaking the third … all by Twelfth Night.
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| Bonnie is pretty; broch is tower. Craigievar Castle could be Bonniebroch! |
PLAID TIDINGS is one of the best books of 2013 ...
1. Marlowe delivers the majesty of Scotland - her customs, her people, and her landscape can't help but serve up a romantic backdrop for two unexpected lovers across different borders.
2. PLAID TIDINGS allowed me to cuddle up for a holiday adventure. Yet PLAID TIDINGS is an endearing story that would be a great read anytime of the year ... including a summer fling in the Highlands!
3. Marlowe incorporates the pageantry of the Regency Era ... Scottish Style!
4. Alexander is honorable yet conflicted. Lucinda is determined but pragmatic. As they clash with each other, the reader is treated to the Alexander's wit, Lucinda's warmth, and their ignited passion.
5. Marlowe captures the mystique of Scotland with the spirits who interact with Alexander and Lucinda. Their good intentions add a lighthearted paranormal element to PLAID TIDINGS. And it is the ethereal beings who inspire Alexander and Lucinda to climb the mountains and find their good tidings!
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| The Highlands |
I received an ARC from Marlowe for this review. I posted this review on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link). I am giving away a print copy of PLAID TIDINGS to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about mountains - do you have a favorite mountain? I felt a real connection with the Wai'anae Mountains - I enjoyed the view every morning during my walk along the Pearl Harbor channel.
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, October 12, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 13.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
To learn more about Mia and her books, including the prequel novella PLAID TO THE BONE, check out her website at miamarlowe.com.
For more kilted men, check out my pictures from the Maryland Renaissance Festival at this link and link.
I think the Canadian Rockies are breathtaking! I had the chance to visit British Columbia and some of the west provinces, and found their mountains majestic.
ReplyDeleteLast June, I was in Scotland, and the view of the landscapes of the Highlands was also breathtaking!
We visited the Canadian Rockies in Alberta....they are beautiful. I also love the Grand Teton Mountain Range in Wyoming.
ReplyDeleteThis past May my son and I traveled through the American North West. We saw saw so many different mountains throughout the area. But the ones that left us breathless were the Grand Tetons. They were absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeleteI live up on a massive plateau & to reach it you have to go up The Range - capitals because it's very steep & impressive. When I go to the coast I know I'm almost home when I spot The Range in the distance. It's immense & scary & beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEverest! Ahh.. to conquer that peak!
ReplyDeleteThey are older but I love the Appalachians.
ReplyDeleteEvery year that we drive to Florida we go through the Appalachians mountains but my favorites are still the Rockies.
ReplyDeleteNot really... But we drove through the Rockies in Canada long time ago. It was a long trip!
ReplyDeleteI've had the pleasure of driving over the Swiss Alps, which was breathtaking, and also "holding my breath at the sheer drop", and praying that the brakes didn't fail. I've also had the honor of flying over the Swiss Alps on my way home to England, a few years ago. That was definitely a sight to behold.
ReplyDelete"Plaid Tidings" sounds amazing, and I'd love to read Alexander and Lucinda's story.
Plaid Tidings sounds like a must read. I have been reading quite a bit about this book.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite mountain range is the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada. My parents, brother, and I went there on vacation when I was 16, and they were beautiful.
Wow - I better read this book after those glowing comments!
ReplyDeleteMountains - many years ago I was on the top of a mountain in Switzerland - it was summer and there was still snow up there - that was quite fabulous. Last Thanksgiving I was on top of a Blue Ridge mountain in Virginia - I was with family so that was wonderful too. I do love a big view from a mountain!
sounds fantastic!!! I have only seen the Rockies when I was a kid. But it was a harrowing drive up, let me tell ya :)
ReplyDeleteThat book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteWe have Mount Charleston here and I like going up there during the summer here because it's always cooler.
No, not really. We have the Alleghenies which are old and more like large rolling hills than magestic mountains lol.
ReplyDeleteWe camped in the Grand Tetons and it's really beautiful there.
ReplyDeleteGrandfather Mountain and the Linville Gorge here in NC are my favorites and my stomping grounds here locally. It's where I go to find my inner peace. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't have a fav one
ReplyDeleteI don't have a favorite. Have enjoyed mountain ranges across the country and found each to be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a favorite one, but I used to live in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. I think they are beautiful, however, very boring for a teenager. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI love to see mountains when the leaves are changing color. I love the smell also. :)
Living in North Carolina I am in close proximity of some beautiful mountains. Mt. Mitchell would probably be my favorite.
ReplyDeleteblueshedevil32 AT gmail DOT com
I don't have a favorite mountain. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteMia's Highlanders are some amazing heroes and I can't wait to read Plaid Tidings as well as the prequel Plaid To The Bone.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Cairngorm in Scotland is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI love the mountains in Alberta (Canada). Going to places like Banff in the winter is heavenly!
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a favorite but probably the Canadian Rockies.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad Mia has a new book out for me to snatch and read! Especially if it takes place in Scotland! I just can't get enough of those guys in kilts. :-) And I live in Northern California where we see the Rockies every single day...go to them in the snow during winter. Thanks for asking, Kim. jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDelete