Scandal in Scotland (The Hurst Amulet, #2)

by Karen Hawkins

William Hurst has always been an adventurer. But he's never been on a journey like this one before. Armed with an onyx box containing just a fragment of a map, William prepares to set sail in search of his kidnapped brother, Michael, and their lost family heirloom, the Hurst Amulet. But when someone tries to steal the box and prevent his success, things spin further and further out of control.

After being blackmailed into the attempt and caught red-handed, Marcail Beauchamp--William's fiesty former lover--is at the man's mercy. That is, until his ship catches fire on the pier and a realthief snags the box's contents in the fray. Now, William and Marcail must work together to track and recapture the stolen map they both need--all the while unknowingly capturing each other's hearts.

• ISBN10: 1439175934
• ISBN13: 9781439175934
• Publish Date: 7 July 2011 (first published 24 May 2011)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Imprint: Pocket Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[rakesandrogues]

I was craving a historical romance read, so I decided to pick SCANDAL IN SCOTLAND by Karen Hawkins for my possibly only adult read during my I Heart Simon and Schuster Month Read-a-thon. I have not read any of her books prior to this book. While SCANDAL IN SCOTLAND is not quite a new favorite, I would be very interested in reading more of Hawkins's books.

I guess what I didn't get about the book is the big deal that they were making out of this gold and onyx box. Was this explained in the first book? I understand that William needs it to use to bargain his brother back, but who exactly wants it and what's the fuss with the map? Treasure, ok but it better be a really big one.

As for the characters, William didn't really stand out to me in any way. He's still hurt that Marcail left him all those years ago with a petty explanation that he will never be rich or powerful enough in the social standing for her. He's angry and resentful, but he can't deny that there's still attraction between the two of them. He lacked that extra oomph for me for a reason I can't explain.

But I have to give Karen Hawkins some props, because SCANDAL IN SCOTLAND was one steamy read! She can really write a good scene which is one of the reasons why I would definitely pick up the next book.

To be honest, while Marcail and William had chemistry, the overall story did not appeal to me. I am looking forward to the other books in the series, and I might even read the first one. Robert and the elusive redhead sounds like a fun read, while Michael and his assistant also sounds more like my cup of tea.

Overall, SCANDAL IN SCOTLAND was an okay historical romance novel, but it did introduce me to a new writer that I will keep my eye out for.