Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee - Review and Giveaway CLOSED

Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
ISBN #978-0-446-54478-8
First Printing: February 2010
$6.99 US / $8.99 CAN

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.

This was a wonderful book, and drew me in from page 1! The story revolves around Eliza Blacknall, the eldest of three Blacknall sisters (please tell me Laurel will be telling their stories as well!) and is set in 1790 Ireland. The story reads true to period, and pulls you into the turmoil between England and Ireland at that time. Eliza was married at 15 to a suitor her parents recommended, and widowed shortly thereafter. As her late husband was more interested in cards and his mistresses then his young wife, Eliza has much freedom that she uses to aid Ireland in it's quest for freedom from English rule. When widowed, she dedicates herself to the cause even further, and soon finds herself on thin ground, as the English government begins to piece together her involvement with the freedom presses. Will is wonderfully written into the story, as both her childhood friend and betrayer, as he had left years ago (before she was married) to join the English army.

Definitely 4.75 out of 5 stars (5 out of 5 if the series continues!).

Connect:

Listen to an excerpt.
Five Fun Facts.
Author website.

Purchase:

Countess of Scandal, and other books by Laurel McKee can be purchased at mass retailers or on Amazon.

Win!

Hachette Book Groups is offering 3 lucky SSF&G readers a copy of Countess of Scandall! Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents (books cannot be mailed to PO Boxes) and ends 2/15. Winners selected via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. Books provided, and shipped directly by, Hacette Books or their affiliate.

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I received product(s) free to review - the opinion in this post is entirely my own. I found this opportunity through my membership with The Product Review Place.