LAUNCH PARTY + GIVEAWAY: X MARKS THE SCOT by Victoria Roberts

It’s great to be here with you today to celebrate the release of the second book in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series, X Marks the Scot.

 

Declan MacGregor (Laird Ciaran MacGregor’s brother from Temptation in a Kilt) was so much fun to write. The rogue was so good at being so verra bad. He’s definitely the biggest bad boy of the series. Since everything that escaped his mouth was basically a sarcastic arrogant remark, I even wanted to throttle him at times. 

Here’s one of the fun excerpts that displays Declan’s wry sense of humor.

“MacGregor!”

With lightning speed, he bolted through the trees toward the sound of her voice. He spotted her still form and stopped. Cautiously, he raised his bow while searching the surrounding landscape. Once he knew for certain there was no viable threat, only then would he attempt to approach her. 

He remained alert, trying to decipher what was amiss. The healer was frozen with her skirts lifted up, giving him a perfect view of her creamy thigh. 

Tears choked her voice. “Please, MacGregor.”

Following her wide-eyed stare, he recognized the reason for her distress. The culprit was making a beeline toward her. Lifting the bow, Declan took his shot, and as soon as the arrow made impact, he realized his mistake.

When the tip penetrated the reptile, the snake involuntarily jumped…right onto her foot. Her shrill screams rang through the trees and she jerked back several feet. To his surprise, the lass did not stop there.

She hiked up her dress even higher. She bounced up and down as though her feet were afire. Curses were thrown like stones as she swore like a man in the heat of battle. The shocking spectacle made any words that came to mind wedge in his throat.

The lass suddenly turned and raced back through the woods. Declan gaped as he caught glimpses of her bare, shapely legs fleeing through the forest trees.

What the hell was that? He threw back his head and roared with laughter. Who would have thought that the woman who resided under the same dangerous roof as the bloody Campbell was deathly afraid of snakes? Hell, she had lived with one. The idea was truly unbelievable. Honestly, he had never thought of her as faint-hearted.

He shook his head and walked back to the horses. He hoped the lass had enough sense to stop running and that he would not have to chase her down. Although the way she behaved, nothing would have surprised him.

The healer sat upon her mount, her back stiff and straight. When he approached, she cast her eyes away from him and shifted in the saddle.

“Why did ye run? The snake was dead.”

“I donna like snakes. I donna, donna, donna. I really donna. It touched my foot,” she blurted out and then shivered.

Declan tried not to chuckle, but one involuntarily escaped him. “I gathered that ye donna favor snakes, but ’tis dead.” He extended his hand to her. “Come down and stretch your legs before we ride again.”

She waved him off. “Nay, I am fine right where I am,” she said as she studied the ground. “I had more than enough stretching.”

“There are nay more snakes, lass. Come down.”

“Unless ye intend on pulling me from my horse’s back, I am nae moving,” she said stubbornly.

The words were out of Declan’s mouth before he had a chance to stay them. “Ye know, they could as easily be in the trees above your head as they could be upon the ground.” He patted her horse on the rump. He was teasing her, affectionately, not maliciously.

She paled and became watchful of the branches above. “Ye know? Ye may think ye are humorous, but let me assure ye that ye arenae.”

“Suit yourself.”

Boy that certainly sounds like something my husband would do. But don’t worry. Lady Liadain Campbell gives Declan a run for his money.

Thanks so much for having me today.  

One copy of X Marks the Scot is up for grabs. Name your fear and be entered for a chance to win. Mine…spiders. *cringe*

Winner drawn via random.org on February 14, 2013.

He was a Highland Rogue—Wicked with a Bow and Just as Wicked with the Ladies.

Declan MacGregor hadn't a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and a willing woman...until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can't just abandon her to that vipers' nest without protection.

She Never Asked for a Bodyguard...

Liadain wasn't thrilled to be left in the care of her clan's archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows even sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust...

5/5 - Reviewer Top Pick
"Enthralling Highlander romance. One of the best Highlander stories I've ever read. This is one author who just keeps on getting better."

―Night Owl Reviews

“For a complex story brimming over with pride and passion, betrayal, trust and most of all the power to make a bad boy a hero, pick up this read."

―RT Book Reviews/4 ½ Star Review

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was named by RT Book Reviews as "one of the most promising debut authors across the genres" and is also a 2012 Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best First Historical novel for her debut, Temptation in a Kilt.

Her second novel, X Marks the Scot, is available February 2013 and the third, To Wed a Wicked Highlander, September 2013.

Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers, as well as a contributing author to the online magazine, Celtic Guide.