Monday, September 25, 2017

Blog Tour and Book Review: A Strange Scottish Shore by Juliana Gray



I'm excited to be a part of this tour because, this seems to be the year for historical fiction, whether mysteries or romances, you name it, there are some amazing books out there and this series truly was a treat to discover and kept me turning the pages up until the very end. 





Title: A Strange Scottish Shore
Author: Juliana Gray
Series: Book Two in the Emmeline Truelove Series
Genre: Historical Mystery/Fiction
Published By: Berkley Books
Release Date: September 19, 2017


Book Description:
Scotland, 1906. A mysterious object discovered inside an ancient castle calls Maximilian Haywood, the new Duke of Olympia, and his fellow researcher Emmeline Truelove, north to the remote Orkney Islands. No stranger to the study of anachronisms in archeological digs, Haywood is nevertheless puzzled by the artifact: a suit of clothing, which, according to family legend, once belonged to a selkie who rose from the sea in ancient times and married the castle’s first laird.

But Haywood and Truelove soon discover they’re not the only ones interested in the selkie’s strange hide, and when their mutual friend Lord Silverton vanishes in the night from an Edinburgh street, the mystery takes a dangerous turn through time, which only Haywood’s skills and Truelove’s bravery can solve… 






About the Author:


Juliana Gray is the pen name of New York Times bestselling author Beatriz Williams. She lives near the Connecticut shore with her long-suffering husband, two scheming cats, a beagle of dubious origins, and four largely unsupervised children.








I very rarely pick up books out of order in a series but since time was short and I really wanted to read this, I took a chance and dove right into the somewhat murky waters that is this series. 

Being that I at the time was craving the historical setting of Scotland, it was hard to resist such a story. I can say without a doubt that while I don't like just diving into a series, I did so with this one with relative ease and little discomfort. 

What I didn't expect was this not to be your typical historical mystery. Oh no, not by a long shot. With the added supernatural theme, a romance that is every bit as swoon worthy as you would expect from this time, and an unexpected time traveling element, this book kept me on my toes in a very good way. 

Overall it was a delightful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

27 comments:

  1. I adore that cover! It sounds like it does a great job and blending romance, mystery, historical and supernatural elements. I need to check out these books as they sound right up my alley.

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    1. It was fun and definitely a good mix of genres.

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  2. Great review Kindlemom and I've never read anything by Beatriz's alter ego but everything by her. She is in fact my favorite all time author.

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    1. Oh how funny Debbie, I had no idea! I'll have to check her other stuff out then under her real name.

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  3. It feels like I haven't read any historical for a very long time. And wow, those cover looks gorgeous. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

    Vanessa @ Blushing Geek

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  4. I love Scotland settings, I did not realize this had a bit of paranormal in it. I'm going to see if I can find book 1, pretty sure its around here somewhere

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  5. I love the unexpected when it works. I also like the setting. Oh I think you have me curious. I have no problems reading in the middle of the series.

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  6. A supernatural element..I love it. This does sound good, and like you I love the setting.

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    1. Settings can be so much fun and really add to the story line can't they?

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  7. Cool. I like that it has those other elements too.

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  8. I love the sound of the mix of historical setting, supernatural theme and romance. I will need to check out this series. Great review!

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    1. It really was fun and makes a nice change from the norm.

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  9. Sounds like a interesting book. You had me at Scotland. If I can find it on audio with a good narrator would be even better. I can't resist a good Scottish accent.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. Oh yes, a Scottish accent would have made this so much better!

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  10. I'm glad the book managed to be surprising in ways you didn't expect. I love when that happens :)

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  11. You had me at supernatural element. Great review.

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  12. Oh yes I'm curious about this one!

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  13. Oh I like the cover this sounds like a lovely book darling
    xx

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    1. It's kind of a fun retro looking cover isn't it?!

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  14. Historical, mystery with a selkie angle and a Scotland setting? Sounds great, and I love that awesome cover.

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