Victoria Roberts' X Marks the Scot

Welcome back to History Undressed, my good friend and fellow Scottish romance author, Victoria Roberts!  Her latest release, X Marks the Scot is an adventurous tale with a hero that will both charm you with his bad boy ways and a heroine you'll admire. I'm in the midst of it now, and just loving it! Leave a comment for you chance to win a copy!

It’s wonderful to be back at History Undressed. Thanks so much for having me, Eliza Knight!

With my new release, X Marks the Scot, I had a lot of fun making Declan MacGregor the bad boy he was meant to be. Every comment, every move, I had to think like an arrogant man. Sometimes it was downright exhausting. Declan often took things over-the-top. After all, he’s emotionally scarred, headstrong, arrogant and reckless, which made for a rather interesting combination. Here’s a prime example in the excerpt below.

  

“Praise the saints for small favors. What did ye bribe the maids with to have it cleaned so quickly?” She shook her head. “Ne’er mind. I donna want to know. I think I am able to manage now on my own. Ye can wait outside.”

Closing the distance between them, he peered down at her intently. “’Tisnae as much fun if I wait outside,” he murmured with a wanton purpose. His hot gaze slid over her body.

Her breath quickened and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “MacGregor, I donna understand ye.”

“’Tis naught to understand, healer.”

“Why do ye behave this way?”

He was about to answer when she held up her hand to stay him.

“’Tis as if ye are two completely different men. One man is an arrogant arse who is always chasing lasses, and the other man is kind and filled with compassion. I believe I am much fonder of the latter,” she said dryly.

“Ah, lass, but I am one and the same. I will always chase the lasses with kindness and compassion.” He winked at her.

“Ye insult me.” She smacked him in the chest. “Ye treat me the same as the women ye bed, and unlike them, I donna welcome your advances. When will ye get it in your head that I will ne’er be one of the many women that have shared your be—”

Before he realized what he was about, his lips crashed down upon hers and Declan silenced her with a brutal, punishing kiss. How dare a Campbell invade his mind and render him witless? He would make sure she knew he was no gentleman and never would be. He knew she would be cross with him, but honestly, that would make it so much simpler to push her away. No woman ever consumed his thoughts, nor should any be allotted that privilege.

His mouth did not become softer as he kissed her and his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth. He pulled her roughly to him in a firm embrace. He wanted her to know what she did to him. No female had ever made him lose such control. Lady Liadain Campbell drove him completely mad.

At first, she tried to twist out of his hold. He held her firmly in place, waiting for her to further fight his advances. But then the very air itself changed. The healer gave in freely to the passion of his kiss.

As you can see, Lady Liadain Campbell fights Declan’s advances—well, most of the time. One thing she’s grown tired of is men and their games. In the excerpt below, our heroine is conflicted between Declan’s good looks and his outrageous behavior. 

Liquid fire fueled Liadain’s veins. Initially, she wrig­gled in MacGregor’s arms, arching her body, fighting to become free. But he only gathered her closer, his firm hands locked against her spine. Instinctively, she placed her fingers against the corded muscles of his chest, and that was her undoing.

His grip tightened around her and the warmth of his arms was so male, so bracing. She buried her hands in his thick hair and returned his kiss with reckless desire. Her thoughts spun. It had been far too long. She missed the warmth and touch of a man. Blood pounded in her brain, leapt from her heart, and made her knees tremble.

She drew herself closer to him. God help her. Her desire overrode all sense of reason. She could feel the thrill of his arousal against her, and the knowledge made her feel even more wanton.

MacGregor’s touch was purely divine. Her whole being flooded with pleasure.

Without warning, he pulled back. The smoldering flame she saw in his eyes startled her. “I will wait outside your door and donna say ‘ne’er,’ healer.” He smiled provocatively and simply turned and strutted out with pure male satisfaction.

Liadain stared tongue-tied at the closed door. Her embarrassment quickly turned to raw fury. He was MacGregor…a rogue. What was she thinking? He was a master at getting whatever he wanted from women. She knew that and yet did not have enough strength within her to stop. Her emotions whirled and skidded as his words haunted her.

Donna say “ne’er.”

She was an idiot.

The sparring between these two was so much fun to write. As my fingers flew across the keyboard, I could actually feel my blood pumping. Some of the words escaping Declan’s lips came out faster than I could even type them. At times, I felt like slapping some sense into the rogue myself. But the end result was well worth the effort. I hope you agree!

Thanks so much for having me today.          

X Marks the Scot Blurb:

He was a Highland Rogue—Wicked with a Bow and Arrow 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...

Praise for X Marks the Scot:

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

About Victoria Roberts:

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.

Victoria lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband of nineteen years and their two beautiful children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature, and antiques.

Purchase/Links:

Sourcebooks: http://www.sourcebooks.com/store/x-marks-the-scot.html

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/X-Marks-Scot-Victoria-Roberts/dp/1402270097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357084005&sr=8-1&keywords=x+marks+the+scot

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/x-marks-the-scot-victoria-roberts/1112689759?ean=9781402270093

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M27gsMb4Ro

Website: www.victoriarobertsauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/victoria.roberts.395

Celtic Guide: www.thecelticguide.com

Sourcebooks will give away one copy of X Marks the Scot (US and Canada only, please.) Who is your favorite bad boy of all times?