Countess of Scandal (The Daughters of Erin) [Mass Market Paperback]

Laurel McKee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010 | Series: The Daughters of Erin (Book 1)

As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.
Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.
When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Countess Eliza Clare knew becoming involved with the United Irish cause was dangerously close to treason, but she didn’t realize just how hazardous politics could be until Major William Denton arrived in Dublin. Years ago, Eliza and Will had indulged in a harmless flirtation, but after Will joined the British Army, they lost contact. Now Eliza is a widow, whose new friends just happen to be radical pamphlet writers and Catholic lawyers, while Will is one of Her Majesty’s officers, assigned the mission of crushing any hint of rebellious activities in Dublin. Suddenly entangled in a risky game of deception and desire, Eliza and Will are equally determined to be the one to win this battle of wits. McKee’s intriguingly nuanced characters and deliciously subtle sense of humor provide the ideal counterpoint to the perfectly executed historical setting that gives Countess of Scandal its refreshingly different literary flavor. --John Charles

Review

"McKee sets the stage for a romantic adventure that captures the spirit of Ireland and a pair of star-crossed lovers to perfection." (4 Stars, RT Book Reviews )

"Laurel McKee's magical pen captivates you instantaneously! [A] a love story that will be forever etched in your mind." (RomanceReadersConnection.com )

"Eliza's and Will's happy-ever-after, once reached, is both powerfully satisfying and forever engraved on the reader's mind and heart. Every word sings with unyielding intensity... Beautifully written, COUNTESS OF SCANDAL reads like a captivating love story of epic proportions. The ultimate page turner." (RomanceJunkies.com )

"Countess of Scandal delivers on all fronts. The story raced along, zigging and zagging from Dublin to the countryside, from uneasy peace to all out war. And the romance . . . very satisfying!" (MyShelf.com )

"My kind of story!" (Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author )

"COUNTESS OF SCANDAL has a strong sense of time and place. [T]his story of Ireland does justice to both the setting and the characters." (AllAboutRomance.com )

"Laurel McKee captures the excitement and magic of romance." (Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author )

"A hero to steal your heart!" (Elizabeth Boyle, New York Times bestselling author )

"An unforgettable love story." (Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author )

"An immensely satisfying and sophisticated blend of history and romance. I loved every gorgeous, breathtaking page!" (Julianne MacLean, USA Today bestselling author )

"Captivating and poignant! Laurel McKee wields her pen with grace and magic." (Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 edition (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446544787
• ISBN-13: 978-0446544788
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #818,037 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Daughters of Erin, Book One, February 5, 2010

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Countess of Scandal (The Daughters of Erin) (Mass Market Paperback)

Set mainly in Kildare, Ireland. When they were children, lady Elizabeth "Eliza" Blacknall and William "Will" Denton were often together. They had been close friends. But in the year 1790, Will purchased his commission in an English regiment and went to England, leaving fifteen-year-old Eliza behind in Kildare.

Seven years have now passed. Eliza is now a widow, Lady Mount Clare. The young Irish countess is still the vibrant, intelligent, and independent lady that Will recalls so well. Will has returned, as an English soldier, to crush the Irish uprising. And it seems that Eliza is in the middle of it all. The last thing he wants is to see her neck in a noose when Lord Lieutenant Camden and his generals unleash their forces. All too soon Ireland is embroiled in bloody conflicts. Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines. Will worries not only about Eliza, but his mother too. Battle lines become blurred and Will must choose between all he cares for and his honor and duty to the king.

**** FOUR STARS! I found this story to have a deep and serious plot, very political. But the romance between Eliza and Will came across to me as unbelievable in the early parts of the tale. After all, early in the story Will admits to Eliza that he is determined to climb high in the English ranks and about how he believes in the Crown. He seemed to truly believe in his English duty. So I found it difficult to accept that he would put it all on the line for a lady from his past, no matter how close they had been. Otherwise, this story is intense, with action and high drama. I proudly recommend it to all fans of Historical Romances, as well as to fans of History. It is MORE than clear to me that the author has done her research and understands this era very well. BRAVA! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laurel McKee brilliantly creates love out of the tragedy of war, January 26, 2010

By 

Mary J. Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer" (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Countess of Scandal (The Daughters of Erin) (Mass Market Paperback)

With rebellion and war raging all around them can two lives that have been separated by time and upbringing be brought together again to find the true meaning of love and life? This is absolutely the case with Lady Elizabeth "Eliza" Mount Clare nee Blacknall and Major William Denton. These two people grew up together, explored the innocence of young love and survived being torn away from each other as teenagers when Will went to fulfill his commission as a soldier in the English Army. Yet once they are reunited with the backdrop of chaos and confusion surrounding the Irish Rebellion against England the love between them is still there and longing to be tapped into.

But when they are reunited conflict comes between them as Will is defending England against the Irish rebels that Eliza is fighting to protect and shelter. But it seems that with a quiet whisper and a stolen kiss they can only remember the past and their feelings for one another regardless of the present or who it will affect the future. While they may have been physically apart that was never the case with them emotionally and that their love was forged with such a strong and deep bond that even though they are on different sides their bodies are as one and their heart beats with the same rhythm. But when Will is ordered to return to his childhood home to "spy" on the activities and keep an eye on Eliza it is then he starts to question the decisions he has made and whether everything that seemed so right can now be so clouded with distrust. When Will is seriously injured and it is Eliza's family that cares for him the truth of what has to be done becomes clear and the steps he takes to correct the past misdeeds is forged with danger and despair. But Will knows that with Eliza by his side nothing will be wrong and all he need to is convince her of what has to be done to make them safe and able to forge a life together.

How is it possible to take such a devastating time in history and turn it into a heart-warming, tender love story - good question! The answer it appears is the writing ability of Laurel McKee and the talent to turn what could be seen as only sadness and despair into love and romance. This book gives you a history lesson that makes you understand how personal this fight was and help the reader understand how tragic the circumstance was but yet how two people that really love one another can make the best of the worst times. You have to learn to trust even when the person you love may be the one who is spying on you. Excellent Read!

Mary Gramlich ~ ("The Reading Reviewer") ~ www.marygramlich.com

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a Great Romance Novel, May 19, 2011

By 

ReaderJMC "ReaderJMC" (MA,USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Countess of Scandal (The Daughters of Erin) (Kindle Edition)

This book was more about the war in Irland than romance between the characters. Once I realized how this book was turning out,it was never ending. The ending of this book was weird as well. Now, I will debate on getting the next installment. I rather read about the characters involvement with each other than their freedom belief. Down load the sample and maybe you will understand what I'm trying to say, unfortunally I didn't. For the price its a long book, so maybe its worth it for you. Good reading!!!