Spotlight & Giveaway: To Wed a Wild Scot by Anna Bradley

Posted September 19th, 2019 by in Blog, Spotlight / 60 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Anna Bradley to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Anna and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, To Wed a Wild Scot!

 
Hello everyone, and thank you for having me today!
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Sure! To Wed a Wild Scot is an enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience story about a stubborn Highland hero named Logan Blair, and an even more stubborn English heroine, Lady Juliana Bernard. Juliana needs a husband, Logan is her only option, and neither of them is at all sure they want to marry the other! The story takes place in Scotland, in 1818, four years after some of the most devastating of the Highland Clearances.
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

Juliana’s first impression of Logan:

This man was too rough, his features too aggressive, his manner too stern to be mistaken for Fitzwilliam, who was all smooth, polished charm. His mouth was too wide, with a hint of ferocity in the lower lip. His voice was deeper, too, and though not unkind it was raw somehow, as if he were accustomed to barking commands, and had done so a few times too often.

And Logan’s of Juliana:

Her eyes went wide as he drew closer. They looked as if they’d swallow her pale face, the way the tender new grass swallowed the last patches of winter snow.
Green eyes. Not just any green, but an unusually bright green, like a spring leaf lit by the sun. No doubt those eyes are what got her seduced in the first place.

 

What inspired this book?

Well, I spent a few years living in Scotland (Edinburgh), so I’ve always been inspired by the culture and history of that country. I’ve been wanting to write a romance with the Highland Clearances as the historical backdrop, too. What better series to write it for than the Besotted Scots series, right? Like many readers I have a thing for Highland heroes, and so Logan was just an irresistible character for me.

 

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

I go into a book with some idea of who I want the characters to be, but I don’t really get to know them until I start writing them. And yes, they constantly surprise me! It’s amazing how a character will take on a voice almost independently of the writer. I think Logan surprised me the most – he has a playful side I didn’t fully anticipate.

 

What was your favorite scene to write?

My favorite scenes to write are always the dialogue scenes between the hero and heroine. I love that I can include humor in the scenes, and I love making the characters spark off each other. I’m sure I’m drawn to enemies-to-lovers stories because the conflict between the characters leads to such great dialogue. I have a lot of favorite scenes in To Wed a Wild Scot, but I think my absolute favorite is the scene at the very end that takes place in The Sassy Lassie pub. Juliana is furious at Logan, and he’s all, “What did I do?” I just love her in that scene.

 

What was the most difficult scene to write?

OK, I’m just going to say it…love scenes! I always find them difficult to write because I feel so strongly that the scenes have to really reflect the natures of the characters, and also the particular physical and emotional dynamics between them. I end up picking endlessly at the love scenes to make sure they’re right. To Wed a Wild Scot has quite a few loves scenes, too, and they’re on the steamier side (fair warning!)

 

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

I think it’s fair to say this book showcases my style. The first book in this series was a bit unconventional, but this one is more in line with what readers have come to expect from me, i.e. a wicked, but heart-of-gold hero, an outspoken, unconventional heroine, and humor. This book also has a lot of references to events in Scottish history.

 

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

Like most writers, I want the reader to fall in love with the characters and believe in their romance. If I were to choose a central message or theme here, I’d say the story makes the case that it’s a mistake to stereotype or dismiss someone before you’ve given them a chance to surprise you. Both Juliana and Logan make assumptions about each other that turn out not to be true. I guess what I mean is, an open mind leads to an open heart!

 

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

Well, I have a new Christmas novella, THEN IN A TWINKLING coming out as part of the Yuletide Happily Ever Afters anthology (releases Oct. 1), and Book 3 in Besotted Scots, FOR THE SAKE OF A SCOTTISH RAKE, is out in February of 2020. Right now, I’m working on the first book in a brand-new series called The Swooning Virgins Society. The first book is THE VIRGIN WHO RUINED LORD GRAY, and I am thrilled with it so far! It has a murder mystery element to it, which is something I’ve never tried before.

 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: Three e-book copies of TO WED A WILD SCOT, and (grand prize!) a $20 Amazon gift card.

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Dear readers! Tell me what you love most about Scottish romances! Is it the wild Highland setting, with the craggy Scottish mountains and heather-swept moors? The castles and firths and the fine Scottish whisky? Or is it (and tell the truth!) the fierce Scottish hero in his kilt? I know what my answer is…

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from To Wed a Wild Scot:

“Logan Blair, you owe me an explanation!”
Juliana burst into their bedchamber, ready to take Logan to task for his most serious transgression yet, but as soon as she caught sight of him, she stopped short. “Oh. What are you doing in the bath?”
“Fitz dumped an entire bucket of herring on me. He claims he tripped and it was an accident, but I know he was lying. Grace and Duncan nearly laughed themselves sick.”
Juliana grinned. Fitz and Logan tormented each other relentlessly. They were so merciless Juliana and Emilia had decided they were making up for their lost youth together, starting at about age nine.
Of course, there was nothing else remotely juvenile about Logan, and at no time was that more evident than when he was in the bath. Juliana’s eager gaze moved over the smooth, slick flesh stretched tight over his hard muscles, and her cheeks heated.
Logan was leaning against the back of the copper tub, his dark hair slicked back from his face. He noticed her blush, and a wicked grin crossed his lips. “What’s the matter, neach-gaoil? Haven’t you ever seen a man in the bath before?”
She had indeed seen a man in the bath before—she’d seen this man in the bath—but it was a sight that never failed to render her speechless. His spread arms rested on the rim of the tub, leaving the hard, muscular plane of his bare chest completely exposed to her hungry gaze.
When she didn’t answer, he gave her a lazy grin. “Come closer, bhean, and I’ll explain anything you like.”
Juliana’s gaze snapped from his chest to his face. Oh, yes, that’s right. She’d come to demand an explanation from him, hadn’t she? She crossed her arms over her chest and did her best to look outraged. “I had a most enlightening conversation with Emilia just now. She overheard me call Grace bhig galla, and do you know what she did, Logan?”
The playful grin she loved so much hovered at the corners of Logan’s lips, but he didn’t answer. Instead he crooked his finger at her, beckoning her forward.
Juliana swallowed. His wet skim gleamed, and the sprinkling of dark hair on his chest made her think of that alluring trail of hair low on his belly. It was just as well that half of him was submerged in the water, or else she’d never get this scolding over with.
“Her eyes went as round as tea saucers, and she asked me where I’d heard that phrase. I told her you called me that, and then do you know what she did?”
The grin widened, but Logan only crooked his finger at her again.
Juliana hesitated. Well, perhaps it wouldn’t do any harm to take a tiny step closer. “She laughed, Logan. She laughed so hard I began to fear she’d give birth right there in the drawing room.” Juliana inched another step closer to him, but took care to remain out of his reach. “It seems bhig galla isn’t the sweet, loving endearment I thought it was.”
“Closer, dùr bhean.”
Juliana edged a bit closer, but she was enjoying teasing him too much to give in just yet. “Well? What do you have to say for yourself? Bhig galla, indeed.”
“Closer, Ana, or I’ll have to come get you myself.”
Juliana took two tiny steps forward, until she was mere inches away from the edge of the tub. “She also told me what beag deomhan means, so don’t think you’ve gotten away with that one. Really, Logan, what sort of husband calls his wife a little demon?”
“The sort of husband who has a little demon for a wife. Take your hair down, leannan.”
“Ah, now leannan is much better. Sweetheart is a proper endearment for a wife.” To reward him, Juliana began to draw the pins from her hair. When she’d discarded every pin, she shook her hair loose, letting it fall over her shoulders and down her back in thick waves.
Logan’s blue eyes darkened as he watched her. When he spoke, his voice was low and husky. “Now your dress. Take it off, àlainn bana-bhuidseach.”
Juliana was about to obey, but her fingers paused on the button at the back of her neck. “Alainn bana-bhuidseach? You’ve never called me that before. What does it mean?”
Logan’s gaze swept over her and an impatient growl rose from his chest. “Take off your dress, Ana.”
“No.”
Logan raised an eyebrow at her. “No?”
“That’s right, no. Not until you tell me what àlainn bana-bhuidseach means.”
Logan’s blue eyes glittered at the note of challenge in her voice. “It means beautiful witch. Now take your dress off.”
Beautiful witch? It wasn’t really a proper endearment, but his rough voice and heated gaze made a shiver of desire dart down her spine. Juliana quickly loosened the few remaining buttons and slid the dress off her shoulders.
Logan stared as she slowly worked the dress down, his gaze devouring every creamy inch of skin as it was revealed. “Your chemise, too.”
Juliana drew her chemise over her head, and Logan crooked his finger at her again, his lips curved in a seductive smile. Juliana gazed at him—the damp, dark waves of his hair, his taut, muscular body, the smile in his hot blue eyes—and she gave up the fight. There was simply no resisting her husband.
Logan took her hand as she stepped daintily into the tub. They both sighed when she was nestled against him, with her back pressed against his broad chest and his long legs wrapped around her. He ran his hands through her hair. “So, Emilia told you what bhig galla means?”
“Yes. It means little vixen.” Juliana tried to sound affronted, but there was a smile on her lips.
He chuckled against her ear. “Aye, it does. Did she tell you anything else?”
Juliana titled her head to the side to give him access to her neck. “No. She tried to, but I couldn’t pronounce any of the others well enough for her to understand me.”
Logan was quiet as he traced rhythmic circles on her stomach with his fingertips. When he spoke again, the teasing note had left his voice, and it was hoarse with emotion. “Àlainn and breagha both mean beautiful. Breagha bhean. Àlainn bhean. What does it mean, Ana?”
“Beautiful wife.” Such a simple phrase, but it made Juliana’s heart swell in her chest. She tried to turn in his arms them, but he slid his hands up to her shoulders and held her gently against him, stilling her. “Neach-gaoil means beloved. Bhean ghràdhach. Beloved wife,” he murmured, his lips against her neck. “That’s what you are to me, Ana. Tha gaol agam ort, bhean. Tha thu mo chridhe.”
I love you, wife. You are my heart…
Logan drew her tightly against him then, and took her lips in a kiss that left her breathless.
Juliana made up her mind right then and there to learn Gaelic. “How do you say, ‘kiss me again’”?
“Pòg mi a-rithist.” Logan’s lips hovered over hers.
Juliana gazed up into the blue eyes that had mesmerized her since the first moment she saw him and whispered, “Pòg mi a-rithist.”
He did, until the fire died to embers, and the bath water ran cold.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Some brides like it wilder…
A single lady of birth, beauty, and large fortune should not have this much trouble making a match. Yet after two failed betrothals, Lady Juliana Bernard is in a bind. She must find a husband at once or lose guardianship of her beloved niece. Her childhood friend the Duke of Blackmore is her last, best hope, but once she tracks him down in Scotland, she receives startling news.
First, the duke is already engaged. Second, it’s his brother Logan’s fault Juliana is now lacking a bridegroom. So, what’s a lady to do when she’s lost her betrothed? Marry his scandalous brother, the Laird of Clan Kinross.
Wooing does not go well at first. But just as Juliana begins to welcome the boisterous but tenderhearted Scot into her life (and her bed), secrets come between them once more. And it will take a determined husband indeed to ensure that a marriage begun in haste leads not to heartache…but to love.

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Anna Bradley writes steamy, sexy Regency historical romance. Anna’s first book, A WICKED WAY TO WIN AN EARL, won a Romantic Times Review’s Choice Award for Best First Historical. Anna lives with her husband and two children in Portland, OR, where people are delightfully weird and love to read.
Readers can get in touch with Anna via her webpage at http://www.annabradley.net, or, for all things romance (and an occasional “hot hero” pic!) please visit Anna on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/annabradley472.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads |

 

 

 

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60 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: To Wed a Wild Scot by Anna Bradley”

  3. Jeanna Massman

    I definitely like the fierce highland warriors and the kilts. Definitely the kilts.

  6. Jennifer Shiflett

    I love a hero in a kilt, but I also love the scenery, which is so different from where I live.

  12. carol L

    First it’s that Scotsman in his kilt and that sexy brogue. His loyalty and strong will. Did I mention him in his kilt ?
    Carol Luciano
    Lucky,4750 at aol dot com

  18. Cyndi Bennett

    This book is and has been on my radar since you first started alking about it!!!!
    My love of and for Scotland was enhanced while living in the U.K. ! I think I found and left a HUGE part of myself whike there, after what’s not to love about Scotland and her people ,land and history!
    Thanks for the chance at possibly winning a copy of TO WED A WILD SCOT! I’d be so stoked!

  20. erahime

    I’m not gonna lie, it’s the characters, particularly the Highlanders in kilts.

  30. Natalija

    Scottish heroes tend to be on the bigger size. Just one of many things I love.

  35. Karina Angeles

    I love the accents, castles, and the moors! Scottish romances are my favorite.

  36. Jennifer Beyer

    I love the setting. I can picture the hills and lakes and ocean views!

  38. eawells

    All of the above!! I love the Highland setting, with the craggy Scottish mountains and heather-swept moors as well as the castles and firths. Then there are the fierce Scottish hero in his kilt with his lovely accent. Sighhhhhhh.

  44. Anita H.

    Love it all but can’t really go wrong with the Scottish hero in a kilt! 😉

  46. laurieg72

    The hero who commands loyalty to the clan, inspires camaraderie between his followers, and of course, his accent and his physique in a kilt. I admire their strong legs and fighting spirit. The rugged scenery and beautiful castles and lochs adds to the adventure.

  52. Jo-Anne B.

    The thing I like most about Scottish romances is the Scottish hero. They are fierce, loyal and willing to fight for what is right.