Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid (Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared Hearts #2) by Julie Johnstone-Review & Giveaway

Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid
Scottish Scoundrels: Ensnared Hearts #2
by Julie Johnstone
Genre: adult, historical, romance
Release Date: October 30, 2020

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 30, 2020

Free-spirited Lilias Honeyfield has a secret. She’s certain the rich and powerful Duke of Greybourne is meant to be hers. He just needs to reappear in her life and stop denying his love for her before she’s forced to wed another. Though it’s been seven years, she has never forgotten the beautiful but tormented man hiding behind the mask of moody boy, nor does she believe she imagined the searing passion between them. But the day Nash Steele finally returns to Town, the rogue destroys her hope by claiming he never returned her affection.

Nash Steele is haunted by his mistakes and the memories of the impetuous, headstrong beauty who breached his heart and soothed his soul years ago. But innocent Lilias was never meant to be his. And if he ever doubts it, he reminds himself of the tragic accident he caused soon after they met. His life is now, and will always be, one of penance. Unable to have the one woman he wants, the easiest thing to do is to flee. So when duty eventually forces him home, he intends to keep his distance from the ravishing creature. Yet when danger threatens her, he cannot sit by and allow her to be harmed. Every moment in her presence is sweet torture, and soon the need he has kept caged for years refuses to be contained any longer.

Swept together by burning desire but ensnared in a tangle of secrets and guilt, Lilias and Nash must fight to turn tragedy into triumph and the past that threatens to destroy them into the very thing that heals their hearts.

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REVIEW:Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid is the second novel in this series. It’s the story of Lady Lilias Honeyfield and Nash Steele, Duke of Greyborne.

They met as children/teenagers in Cotswolds, England. Lilias, Owen, and Nash became friends. It started when she and Owen (Earl of Blackwood and future Marquess of Craven) were crossing the River Eye on a log. Lilias was barefoot and wanting to show Owen a special spot she liked. Nash was standing near the bridge, watching. He saw her fall in and dove in to help. She was panicked and ended up breaking his nose with a kick, but he managed to get them out of the water, while Owen watched from the bank. Owen tried to be protective of Lilias, but she was having none of it. She was determined to make Nash their friend. He told them no more than his first name and left them, trying to keep to himself.

Nash was still reeling from his twin brother’s death a year earlier. He had always been told to let his brother Thomas win and to protect him. Thomas was born with weak lungs and a twisted leg. He was smaller than Nash, so his parents task Nash with trying to make Thomas feel better. Which got to be a little much, so one winter day Nash rebelled when Helen, their doctor’s daughter, was visiting and flirting with him. He kissed her, knowing Thomas liked her. Thomas got angry and charged out on the ice to stop Nash and fell through the ice. Nash dove in and tried to save Thomas but couldn’t find him in the murky freezing water. Nash now carries the idea that he doesn’t deserve to be happy…

That’s the very basic setup. There is so much more to this backstory, but I love the details and you really need to read all that happened for yourself.

Nash goes away to school, and only remains in contact with Owen. He feels he has no right to feel the way he does about Lilias and that Owen would be better for her. Over time, Owen tells him Lilias doesn’t ask about him and that she’s told Owen she loves him. Not just exaggerations but outright lies. Seven years later the inevitable begins when Nash comes home.

Julie Johnstone has created a wonderful story of such heartache and yet hope. The first novel in this series was wonderful and this one follows that path. The characters are unique, and each has much in their background to make their actions logical. It’s a wonderful tale of the times and yet shows the heartfelt stirrings of what a woman (and sometimes the men) sacrificed to their society. The conversations are rich and fun. The circumstances are interesting and add real depth to the storyline when the main characters find out much of what their parents were going through as well. It’s a fabulous read and I simply cannot wait for the next in this series.

Click HERE for Georgianna’s review of book one LADY GUINEVERE AND THE ROGUE WITH A BROGUE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Georgianna

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Author Julie Johnstone first fell in love with romance fifteen years ago when she picked up her first romance novel in an airport gift shop on the way to Conroe, Texas for a family reunion and spent her whole weekend reading rather than water skiing, which up until then was one of her favorite things to do.

Julie is staying up way too late and typing furiously on her keyboard to finish her next book or blog with her fellow authors at Ladyscribes. Julie is married to an amazing lawyer and when she is not running her two precocious children to one activity or another she is trying to seek out some time to stay in shape and see her dearest friends.

Julie Johnstone is graciously offering an ebook copy of LADY LILIAS AND THE DEVIL IN PLAID to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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