Audio Review ~ Never Seduce a Scot ~ Maya Banks

Never Seduce a Scot
The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1
Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Genre: Adult, Historical Romance
Source: Purchased on Audible
Rating: 5 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her "touched." Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn't speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty--unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme in intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

The Montgomery and Armstrong clans are sworn enemies because the Armstrongs killed the former laird, and Graeme's father. To implement peace between the two clans, the king of England mandates a marriage between Graeme, the laird of the Montgomerys, and Eveline, the daughter of the Armstrong laird.

Eveline, although seen by her clan and outsiders as daft, is truly a brave, resourceful, and crafty young lass. She's propagated the belief of her "touched-ness" in order to stave off an unwanted marriage. However, when the king mandates a marriage, it's something she can't avoid. And although Graeme is willing to forgive her the sins of her father, finding acceptance among the Montgomerys is something Eveline finds very challenging. But it's a challenge she willingly accepts as she realizes that her husband is an exceptional man.

Graeme is a warrior - rough, strong, but very handsome. He's also a very kind, fair, and just man. While he understands his clan's reluctance to accept his new wife into the clan, he will not allow them to mistreat her. As Graeme gets better acquainted with Eveline, he also finds that he's been given a gift in his wife. 

It was a delight to witness Graeme and Eveline learn about each other. Eveline was happy to see that Graeme was a good leader and brother. And Graeme was thrilled to learn his wife was far from daft. Their affection was genuine and their chemistry a slow burn. The story touches on themes such as prejudice, and even bullying, really. It was exciting to see people learn they shouldn't judge others as new friends were made, new alliances formed. 

Meeting the cast of characters - Graeme's brothers, Bowen and Teague, and sister, Rory, as well as Eveline's family, made the story that much richer. Banks' characters are robust and brought life to the story of feuding clans putting their differences aside for a common goal. I'm eager to get to know them all better. Banks' description of life in the keep was realistic and well-crafted. Even listening as a typical day unfolded drew vivid images in my mind.

With a title like Never Seduce a Scot, I was expecting a light, steamy read. Lesson? Never judge a book by its title. Never Seduce a Scot was a deep, complex read. One that brought tears to my eyes, gasps to my mouth, and smiles to my face. I had no idea Banks wrote historical fiction but I'm hooked and can't wait to listen to more.  

I'm an audio newbie - this is only my third listen. I was beginning to think there was something wrong with me that I couldn't do audio. I don't want to take anything away from either of the other books I've listened to. I liked both stories and both narrators. But this story and this narrator had me anxious to listen and loath to stop. Kirsten Potter ROCKS a Scottish accent and even after moving on, I could still hear her voice in my head. It was incredible and I will definitely listen to her again.