Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Eveline Armstrong and Graeme Montgomery's book




Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs book 1)

By Maya Banks

Book Blurb:Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions. 

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

I've read Maya Banks' first Scottish trilogy, "The McCabes" and absolutely loved them. I have to say though, I didn't fall in love with this first "Montgomery & Armstrong" book. I think this story was rushed. It felt like I was reading a draft copy and the more detailed parts were to come. I hope I explain this clearly. It felt like I was reading a simple writing outline and the author was going to come back and add in more later. Never Seduce a Scot gave me the impression that it was just the early draft to the story. It just wasn't the depth that I have come to expect from Maya Banks.  

I had continuity problems with Never Seduce a Scot. A quick example could be something simple like when Eveline would have a bath and wash her hair but then no mention of drying or brushing her hair before she left her bed chamber for dinner. Did she just leave with her hair dripping wet? That is what I mean about the story being first draft. 

I also had problems with Eveline's ability to turn around her mute situation and immediately start talking right away with only the occasional mention of a sore throat. Seemed as though she had perfect speech too. I understand that she can read lips but she ALWAYS understood everything everyone was saying. There were never mix ups. What a wonderful opportunity to have had some funny situations where Eveline mixed up what people were saying. For instance if you mouth the phrase "elephant shoe" without your voice, your lips can be interpreted as saying "I love you". Try it. You'll see. But for some reason, Eveline never mixed up any phrases. 

I did really like the animosity between the Armstrongs and the Montgomerys. It felt true and the hostility between the clans was warranted. I liked the fact that just because a marriage took place, it doesn't mean that the past could be forgiven.  

Graeme Montgomery was a wonderful hero. I liked him a lot. He was sacrificing a lot with having been forced by the king to marry a woman who was believed to be daft. He was gentle and kind to Eveline even though he was angry at the situation. 

I want to know what Maya Banks has against kilts. Her first trilogy had the men all wearing trews and in this book the men were wearing tunics and stockings. I want men in kilts! 

I also LOVED that Never Seduce a Scot did not end with Evenline becoming pregnant. Finally a historical romance that didn't need to be completed with a baby being born. 

Teasers: parental love, deception to keep safe, dungeon rescue