Book review/giveaway Countess of Scandal

Title: Countess of Scandal (The Daughters of Erin)
Author: Laurel McKee
Category: FICTION, ROMANCE
Format: MASS MARKET
Publish Date: 2/1/2010
Price: $6.99/$8.99
ISBN: 9780446544788
Pages: 368


Synopsis:

As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.

Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.

When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.

Seeing as how Countess of Scandal takes place in Ireland I was of course instantly drawn to it. You are transported back in time to Kildare, Ireland in the 1790's, a time of rebellion, spies, and resistance. Eliza and William are fighting for opposite sides of the struggle between Ireland and England. Laurel McKee does a wonderful job telling their story during a very brutal time in Irish history. The tension of their love and of their causes almost bursts from the pages.

Don't worry if you think it's all about history; there are plenty of steamy scenes also. Here is an excerpt from one of the steamier parts...

"I don't really know you, Will," she said.
"Not really, not anymore. And yet there is some connection still. Do you feel it too?"

"Yes," he said hoarsely.

Eliza held her breath as his fingers traced that heartbeat, the swell of her breast through the thin silk dressing gown.

His other hand grasped her waist, drawing her up against him until there was not even a breath between them, Their bodies were pressed together, hard angles against soft curves, fitting perfectly as if the were made to be so. She felt dizzy. As if she were falling, falling, into him, where she would vanish completely.

His tongue touched hers, and she tasted wine, mint---oh, yes, she remembered the taste of him well. But their younger selves had never kissed like this. There was nothing tentative, careful, or artful about their kiss. It was frantic, hungry, and passionate, full of the dreams of years, of adult need, of fear and darkness and the force of life itself.

Want more? Take a listen to the prologue here or visit Laurel McKee's website. In fact, you can also check out her other books written as herself Amanda McCabe.

Countess of Scandal is the first book of  The Daughters of Erin. Three tales of the extraordinary Blacknall sisters, as they find love, danger, and adventure amid the splendors of Georgian Ireland! Coming in December 2010 and April 2011

I received a copy from Hatchette book group via The Product Review Place to review...and they are letting me giveaway three copies.

Prize: Three readers will win a copy of Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee

To Enter: Mandatory Entry (one time only): Leave a comment recommending a book OR tell me why you like historical romance novels...... If this rule is not followed your entry will be deleted or removed from consideration.

Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each one) :

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This giveaway will end on Monday March 1 at midnight EST...

The Winners will be emailed on Tuesday March 2... So, please make sure your blogger profile has your current email address OR leave a valid email in your posted comment. (ie. weeshenanigans (at) gmail (dot) com) The winners will have 48 hours to reply or new winners will be drawn.

Please note that Sponsor is responsible for prize fulfillment.

Good Luck to everyone

*Disclosure: I received the same item being given away from the company for hosting this giveaway. Product for this review/giveaway was supplied to me by the company or pr representing the company for the sole purpose of reviewing and/or giving away. No monetary compensation was provided for this post. All opinions in this post are that of myself and do not represent the views of the company. Reception of product does not influence my views on the product and I will always give an honest candid review of product received.