Never Seduce a Scot

Montgomerys and Armstrongs, Book 1

By: Maya Banks

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Romance, 2013

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 is 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.

©2012 Maya Banks (P)2012 Tantor

An Amazing Story

What did you love best about Never Seduce a Scot?

I love the story itself, I hardly write reviews and I have over 200 Audiobooks, but this one had me feeling that I just had to share something so that others would not hesitate to get this one. Maya Banks is an amazing writer and I love her books, but this one let me feel something, it made me feel so proud of Eveline and Graeme both. I was proud of her strength dealing with all that she encounters and for his Strength for standing up for her no matter what. Through the Narration I felt the love and all the feelings that these two people felt.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Never Seduce a Scot?

The most memorable moments is when Eveline finally opened up and spoke to Graeme, telling him all her fears and all about herself. That he felt protective and more love for her than he even realized made that moment so memorable for me

Which character – as performed by Kirsten Potter – was your favorite?

Graeme because of his strength, but Rory because she makes me smile.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The first time that Graeme and Eveline made love. That was touching that her opening up allowed them to reach a new level of closeness that they could finally come together as man and wife.

A Very Enjoyable Highlander Series

I've read most of Maya Banks' books and I think I enjoy her Highlander novels the most. The characters are well developed, the storylines are excellent and the entire experience of these stories has been enjoyable and entertaining. She seems to have backed off of these books in favor of other pursuits, which is a shame and a huge disappointment. Hopefully, she will return to these soon.

I also would like to comment on the performance of Kirsten Potter. I've listened to her narration of countless books and even used to complain (in the beginning) that she sounded a bit porn star at times. I've since either changed my opinion or she has simply grown as a narrator to the extent that I really enjoy her performances. Having said all of that, she really does a fantastic job with the Scottish accent for the American listener and carries through the personality of each individual character flawlessly.

The first three books, the McCabe stories, do not need to be read prior to the Armstrong stories but the stories within each series should be read in order.

Wow.......

I have really enjoyed Maya Banks' book especially Highlander Series. What made the Highlander Series so enjoyable for me was the Narrator.........WELL......the Kirsten Potter (Narrator) did it again!

Great story; however, I did find it very similar to the Highlander Series, but it was no less enjoyable and Kirsten Potter made it even more special!!!

What a great new discovery! Love, love, love!

There are many more detailed reviews so I will save the paragraphs and tell you this is not a hard core erotic novel, thankfully, it is a great contemporary romance set in the Highlands with a WONDERFUL narrator, a great and realistic story line and fascinating characters and heroin. Buy it, well worth it!!! Can't wait to start the next ones.

a tear jerker

this book gave me many moments of laughter and tears. a joy to listen to

Wish I had an extra star to give it!

I did not want to stop listening to this book!!!! I love the characters and the story line. I will most definitely be listening to this book again.

Very Well done! Hard to put down

Would you consider the audio edition of Never Seduce a Scot to be better than the print version?

I only have the Audio and it was better than a read. I listened to the whole Series and can't wait for the next one! Hurry up Audible

Which character – as performed by Kirsten Potter – was your favorite?

Evellen, it was amazing how she managed the transition between all the different characters. This series is captivating and very well done by Kirsten Potter. I will look for more books this nararator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The Story and the series was so well done, it took you from scene to scene making you want more there is not any one moment that was better than another.

Any additional comments?

Highly pleased with this Audio Experience!!

Great story that I couldn't put down!

A great book that I have finish in 2 days, even though I had to work.

Fabulous romance and narration

4 1/2 but closer to a 5 than a 4 so I'm rounding up.

The Montgomery and Armstrong clans have been at odds for so long they don’t even remember how the feud began but they despise each other all the same. The king needs them allied and forces a marriage between the chieftain of the Montgomery clan and the fiercely protected daughter of the Armstrong clan. There’s nothing like a forced marriage to make peace, right?

Graeme is not pleased. Not only is he being forced to marry, he’s being forced to marry his enemy’s spawn who is rumored to be “touched” but he doesn’t let it show. Even when Eveline’s mother attempts to discourage the match he reacts with humor.

“She doesn’t speak. Hasn’t since she awakened from a deep slumber of over a fortnight.”

“Tis all? She doesn’t speak?” Some husband would be grateful for such a gift.

He doesn’t want to declare war against his king and resigns himself to the fact that his wife is one he’ll have to “take care of” rather than love. But from the moment he meets Eveline he realizes the rumors may not be entirely fair. She appears to understand him and she listens to him with her entire focus despite the fact that everyone believes she’s daft. She is lovely and sweet and determined to be a real wife and soon he is very conflicted about his longing for her.

This was a refreshingly old style historical Scottish romance that was incredibly charming. Eveline is not daft but she is deaf and we get to know her very intimately through her thoughts in the early scenes. From very beginning she is amenable to marrying Graeme because the timbre of his voice registers with her and breaks up the deafening silence that fills her days. The story is almost completely character focused until the last quarter or so which is probably why I enjoyed it so very much. It tells of Eveline’s struggle to fit in, her sweet and tender romance with Graeme who may be a rough and tough clan leader but is also one of the kindest, compassionate heroes around. Rounding out the characterization is Eveline’s friendship with Rorie and her attempts at becoming an accepted member of the clan.

I loved the romance development between Graeme and Eveline. They have an immediate connection and were able to communicate non-verbally. I was wondering how the author was going to handle that bit but she did it well. Eveline is very likable and intelligent and Graeme realizes it right away. He was understanding, patient and surprisingly tender towards her even in the very beginning. He wasn’t a typical man slut or a-hole warrior type. The two were very well matched and I enjoyed reading about them.

Eveline and Graeme’s younger sister Rorie’s relationship was, for me anyway, almost as engaging as the main romance. Rorie is tough and mischievous and lonely. She is a great ally for Eveline who really needed one. It was sweet watching them become so close and work through the language barrier quite amusingly.

“You did manage to tell me, although let me say this is the most one-sided conversation I've ever had in my life. I'm quite worn out now.”

Eveline smiled.

“I was prepared to dislike you.”

Eveline flinched. Dislike was nothing new to her and yet it still managed to make her feel inferior.

“But I find that for whatever reason I’m unable to. You have a certain charm, I suppose. And now since I like you, it means I’m going to have to protect you from the rest of the clan, which also means they aren’t going to be happy with me.”

Rorie shrugged as she made the statement.

“They don’t much like me either, just so you know. The women think I’m hopeless and the men think I’m too focused on matters that shouldn’t concern a lass my age. They mostly ignore me, but if my brother weren’t the laird, I would be treated with higher disdain.”

I definitely recommend this book if you’re a fan of character driven romances. The plot wasn’t anything new if you’ve read a few of these “feuding clan and arranged marriage” plots but I didn’t care because the characters were so engaging. There are no big battles and political crap taking over the story. I hate it when that happens. The pace isn’t fast and furious but I never once found my mind drifting while listening.

Narration Notes: In a word? Fabulous. The accents were beautifully done and I didn’t want to stop listening. The narrative was pleasant but those accents, oh my! The narrator really brought the characters to life and I couldn’t get enough.

Heartfelt Story

Where does Never Seduce a Scot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

By far this is one of the best listens. The narrator was great and the story flowed seamlessly.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Never Seduce a Scot?

I am not one to cry or be emotional but there were some tear jerker moments. I loved when she revealed the truth to Graeme. His reaction. The way the narrator did wonderful job w/speech deflection and it all seemed so real.

Which character – as performed by Kirsten Potter – was your favorite?

My favorite character would have been Evelyn. She was smart and brave. Even when things weren't going her way she was determined to not let those that oppose her see her at her weakest.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were several moments in the book that moved me but to say may be a spoiler alert.

Any additional comments?

This was a well used credit. The narrator did the voices very well. The characters and the plot were well written. I only wish there was an epilogue at the end to say how Graeme's people treated her after everything was all said and done.