Publication Date: August 25th 2015 by Avon
About the book:
On the cusp of her
first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and
talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen.
She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So
Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she
invented a sweetheart.
A Scottish sweetheart. One who was
handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never
around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain
MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when
he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures
of London society entirely.
Until years later, when this kilted
Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain
Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not
entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters…
and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.
My
Thoughts:
Madeline Gracechurch is an introvert and freezes up into a
panic when confronted with large crowds. So at the age of sixteen before she
came into her first season Maddie invents a fiancé, Captain Logan MacKenzie. His creation saves her from all the awkward
social gatherings her well-meaning family would’ve forced on her. Captain
McKenzie is conveniently in the army and she continues to send him letters not dreaming for a minute that there might
be a real life Captain actually receiving them, until he shows up at Lannair
Castle ready to marry his betrothed.
Logan has been receiving Maddie’s letters for years wondering
what she looked like. He received sketches
of snails, and moths, in addition to her letters, but never of Maddie
herself. Doesn’t matter what she looks like,
though, her letters have provided a the perfect opportunity to give the small
band of men in his command a chance at their dreams after years at war left
them without land or sweethearts to come home to. With Lannair Castle and the
surrounding land they can make a home. Logan was fine on his own, but willing
to sacrifice for the good of the men who had become his family through the
tough years of war. Maddie took him by
surprise, with her beauty and big heart.
Maddie invented Logan just so she could avoid the situation
Logan has thrust upon her. She never
wanted to be forced into a convenient, loveless marriage, even if it is to the
dashing real Captain Logan MacKenzie. Maddie
has her own hopes, dreams and goals.
Observing and sketching life has long been her passion and now she’s has
the opportunity to make that dream profitable as an illustrator for gentlemen who
want to catalog, and share their world explorations. This sham of a marriage
threatens to ruin everything, but Logan threatens to ruin Maddie’s reputation
if she doesn’t go a long.
Maddie had a perfectly satisfying life without Logan, maybe
a bit lonely at times, but this is no tale where the helpless female must be
rescued by a strong man. Instead Maddie
and Logan come to respect each other and enrich each other’s lives with
attraction, sensuality, and finally love!
And despite all her
best attempts not to, she’d come to care for him—the real, imperfect Logan. The
man who set her body aflame with incendiary kisses and infuriated her with his
arrogant presumptions and pushed her to emerge from her icy, frozen cocoon.
One of the things I love most about this series is the clever
banter, and witty humor Tessa Dare infused into each story. The many names of
Captain Logan (assigned by Maddie according to mood) cracked me up! Jealous:
Captain MacEnvy, tired: Captain Mac Sleepy, while addressing Logan in her
letters it was Captain MacWhimsy, MacFantasy, or Imaginary Captain MacFigment.
Haha!
The Castles Ever
After Series is historical romance at its finest! Tessa Dare combines clever
humor, a strong, independent heroine, and a worthy hero, even if he is a bit of
a rake and ravager. Come on, who wouldn’t want to be ravaged by a gorgeous
Highlander in a sexy kilt?! All three romances
in this series were deliciously sensual, and beautifully written. I don’t think I can pick a favorite because I’ve
loved each and every installment!
5 Suns
Excerpt:
Quotes
“Dare’s marvelous third Castles
Ever After Regency romance (after Say Yes to the Marquess) builds a gradual, intense romance between
two people who are determined to avoid love and commitment….Dare’s swiftly
moving plot is enhanced by the seamlessly developed romance, and the sensuality
is heightened by the slow awakening of the pair’s mutual attraction.”—Publishers
Weekly, **STARRED**
“With sharp, clever banter, breathtaking sensuality, colorful
descriptions, and solid cultural detail, this compelling, often hilarious
escapade puts a refreshing spin on the [‘imaginary lover’ theme and adds
another winner to Dare’s rivetin
g ‘Castles’ series.”
—Library Journal, **STARRED**
“Dare’s latest begins with a fairy-tale twist of fate, then leads
readers on a mesmerizing and intense emotional journey that explores love in
many forms and the powerful pull of dreams.” —Kirkus, **STARRED**
“Dare delights with another marvelously romantic story that delivers a
deep sigh, a tear and a smile. With her painfully shy heroine and vulnerable
hero, readers are immediately captivated and will savor the joy of this
imaginary-sweetheart plotline. You’ll stay up all night to reach the
unforgettable ending.” —RT
Book Reviews, **4.5 Stars, Top Pick!**
About TESSA DARE
Tessa Dare is the New York
Times bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen historical
romances. A librarian by training and a book-lover at heart, Tessa lives in
Southern California with her husband, their two children, and a big brown dog.
Connect with Tessa Dare:
As part of this tour Avon has generously provided a $25 Gift Card to the winner's e-book retailer of choice! Awesome, right? Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.
