Showing posts with label Men In Kilts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Men In Kilts. Show all posts

May 11, 2016

Teasers, Exclusive Characters Interview & Giveaway! Illuminate the Shadows, Shatterproof Bond #1 by Isobel Starling


The thrilling, funny sequel to 'As You Wish'. 

A Scotsman and an Englishman fall in love… 

After the most amazing week of Declan Ramsay's life, at Dunloch Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, in Scotland. The charming, mysterious Samuel Aiken has turned Declan's life upside down. Declan has experienced a remarkable change. He has come to terms with the fact he is bisexual, and he has fallen head-over-heels in love with his boss’s son Sam. 

However, falling for his boss’s son was never going to be an easy path to happiness, mainly because the boss in question is multi-millionaire property tycoon and former MI5 operative, Sir James Aiken. 

Sir James is repulsed by his son’s homosexuality, and so discovering that his employee Declan Ramsay- the man he installed to run his luxury property rental empire- is in a relationship with Sam, does not go down well. 

The lovers cannot hide from the looming presence of Sir James Aiken for long! Soon enough James makes his move, and Declan finds out what he will have to endure to stay with Sam, and what he will have to give to feel worthy of Sam's love. 

**The story continues in "Return to Zero" (Shatterproof Bond #2)** This second book will be released on 6th June 2016

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Mikky: Today I'm very lucky to be interviewing San Aiken and Declan Ramsay, main characters of As You Wish and Illuminate the Shadows, both by Isobel Starling.
Guys, welcome and thank you for agreeing to this interview smile emoticon We're so excited to host you on our blog today.

Dec: Hullo Mikky, great te be here. 

Sam: Hi Darling,

Mikky: God, I don't even know where to begin. It's my first character interview and I'm a little bit nervous. Bear with me, please. For those who don't know you yet, tell us a little bit about yourselves.

D: Sam, if you dinnae mind, shall we introduce each other?

S: Fine, lead on MacDuff!

D: Sam Aiken is the most amazing man i've ever known. He may only be 23, but he's lived a thousand lives in that time. He got a degree in Linguistics from Oxford at 16, and has been working all over the world as an interpreter. He speaks eleven languages, and has many special skills that I'm having fun discoverin'. Sam's very English, and most definitely an 'old school' charmer. It never ceases te fascinate how people are drawn te him, an' open up, telling him their deepest secrets. It took him only a day te wear me down, and i consider meself a tough nut te crack! Apart from his blond, boyish looks an' ball-achingly hot body, Sam's a joker. Life with him is full of intrigue, sex and laughter. Oh, did i say, I love the man, cos I do!

Mikky: MacDuff! lol Oh, Sam ..

S: Declan Ramsay was the archetypal grumpy Scotsman when i first met him. But i knew at once, t beneath that scowl there was one hell of a handsome man. The fact that his deference were so tight was quite a challenge, and I had such fun breaking him down and taking his cherry. But what i didn't count on was falling so hard for him. Declan works for my father, Sir James Aiken. My father is homophobic, and so our relationship was always going to be tricky. Declan is strong, confident,masterful and very much in control when he's at work, showing London mansions to the rich and famous, but underneath his masculine demeanor lies the truest of Scotsmen. Declan has such a big heart, and he never does anything by halves. Once Declan has made a decision he sticks to it, no matter what. Having his love changed my life and now I couldn't imagine being without him.

Mikky: You two are so sweet!

D: I know I sound like a jessie, but when ye meet the one, it doesnae matter who knows.

Mikky: I totally agree. You should never have to hide who you are and who you love. Declan, first question for you. We can say that a new life has begun for you since you've met Sam. Or should we say since he, literally, ran into you? lol If you could change something, to start from that moment at the airport again, what would you change? Aside from the obvious. You know what I'm talking about.

Sam, same question for you.

S: Hey. He ran into me and nearly floored me with his bloomin' suitcase!!

D: Ye shoulda been lookin' where ye were goin' 

S: Err, so should you. I mean, who could miss a blond hottie like me!

D: Ye were dressed like a hairy hippy

 S: I was not! I was rugged and macho..

D: Aye, *snickers* Course ye were darlin' ! Sorry Mikky, that was very rude. Actually, I wouldnae change a thing. On the plane Sam was just an irritation that i couldnae wait te get rid of. Yes, I had no idea who he was at that point, and i was in such a foul humor that he coulda had the sun shining outa his arse and i wouldnae have noticed... well, me'be. But I think if things were different and Sam tried it on earlier, I may have reacted badly. It took me a while to realize what i was feelin', y'know I shudder te think about what a mistake that woulda been te reject him! Thank God fer "The Princess Bride" Movie!

S: Hmmm... If i could change anything, it would be my father!

Mikky:LOL! Let's just say you were both distracted and leave it at that. 
Sam, I had a feeling you would say that.

S: Declan is just about perfect for me, and the way we got together was completely hot. I would change nothing about the way we met. Actually, thinking about it. I would ensure that Declan wore his kilt all the time. Yes, I think i could live with that!

Mikky: Perv!

S: Is that a problem?

Mikky: No. Not at all grin emoticon I should book a trip to Scotland as soon as possible. It's been on my bucket list for years.

D: Oh aye, let us know when yer comin' we'll take ye out to the hills... me'be fer a wee dram!

Mikky: I would love that! Now that we know how everything started, tell us how does it feel to be, in a way, forced to take the next step in your relationship when neither of you was really ready for that? How has moving together impacted you both as a couple?

D: Well, hearin' Sam had moved in was unexpected, and really, I had no choice in the matter. I've never had a live in lover before and used te enjoy my alone time, but the apartment is big and seriously, when it comes down to it, I now have my lover and best friend te sample mah cookin', and blow jobs on tap. What's not te love?

S: I think living together has bought us closer. We fell in love and then were parted for months, so we never even had a first date. Living together gave us the opportunity to get to know each other fast. I love having someone to come home to. I love having someone to kiss goodnight... and the wall to wall sex... let’s just say I have no complaints!

Mikky: These are the benefits. Let's hear the annoying parts about living together. What habits does your partner has that makes you want to hit him upside the head? Tell us something that we don't already know, something that it's not in the book.

S: Oh Declan's a bit of a closet gourmet, so he'll stick just about anything in his mouth! He loves smelly cheeses. He has some 'Stinking Bishop' cheese in the fridge last week, i was nearly sick when i smelled it. I told him to eat it all, to get rid of it, but I swear his spunk tasted weird afterwards.

Mikky: LOL! You're killing me!

D: Sam doesnae know, but, he talks in his sleep. 

S: No I don't. 

D: Aye, ye do. It's kinda entertaining actually. Sometimes ye wake me up wi' all yer crazy talk and I ask ye questions.

S: What? Have you been implanting words in my brain? I bet one day you'll say a random word and I'll start dancing the Charleston. 

D: Me'be, me'be not. You'll just have te wait and see! *snickers*

Mikky: Go, D! You should be afraid, Sam. Very afraid. Lol

Speaking about dates, How does your ideal date night look like? We all know about Valentine's so, give something else.*snickers*

D: We take turn's when it comes te dates. Sam loves te go dancin'... I'm no dancer, but I love te watch him move. I love te see that hungry look in other men's eyes, and know he's comin' home wi' me! Personally, I've done the whole online dating thing and I hated it. There is no ideal date. Sam knows I'm happiest if we're at a nice restaurant, wi' good food an' good company... then go home te bed! 

S: Yes, I love to shake my booty, but when we go dancing, my sister Annabelle and her girls usually tag along, they feel like they need a token gay to get access to gay clubs, and who am I to refuse. Declan really doesn't mind. He knows that he's in for some fun once we get home! For intimate dates, I prefer it when we stay at home and Declan cooks for me. He does the main course, I do dessert! 

D: Generally, ye ARE dessert!

Mikky: We don't know much about your hobbies. What do you like to do in your spare time?

D: Aye, ye do! Ye know i like collecting rocks, reading, movies, cookin', fuckin'. We go te the gym at The Connaught Hotel and jog around Hyde Park when we have time.

S: Oh and don't forget the clothes shopping!

D: Och aye, we like te browse fer designer suits,but i'll usually no' buy until the sales.

S: Even though we can afford them now!

D: Are ye mad? Some of the prices are ridiculous! I wouldnae pay those kinda prices!

S: My hobbies... their rather sad and solitary actually. I love to read, I do yoga, we watch movies and sometimes go to gigs, but to be honest, when i'm not working I really just want to be in bed with my man... he is my favourite hobby. 

Mikky: Where do you guys see yourselves in, say.. 10 years?

D: Together. I dinnae care where in the world we are, just as long as were together.

S: I couldn't agree more. My only other hope is that by that time,my father will have found a new hobby.

D: Aye, chasing parked cars me'be! *They both snicker* 

S: Thanks for the interview.

D: Aye, Thanks Mikky, that was a good laugh.

Mikky: Thank you so much for the chat and for taking the time to answer my questions! Al the very best to both of you xx

SALE ALERT!!!







~~Mikky's Note: Every beautiful image in this blog post belongs to the author. They have been painted by her. Yes, she is a great artist, isn't she?~~



Inspiration strikes at the strangest of times. 

Born in Germany, Isobel Starling spent most of her twenty-year professional career making art. She relocated to the UK and,faced with the dreaded artist’s creative block, Isobel started to write and found she loved it more than making art. 

Isobel’s first novel “Schonling” was a best seller in the GLBT-Bisexual genre on the ‘All Romance ebooks’ site. 
She has just completed her sixth book, and signed French translation rights for novella “As You Wish”. 

She adores the M/M genre and enjoys writing about wounded souls and the complexities of personal relationships. 
Despite not having found proof yet, Isobel believes in love at first sight and endeavours to give her men a thrilling journey and a satisfying ending!

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October 5, 2015

Release Day Review & Excerpt! As You Wish by Isobel Starling


1 wedding, 2 best men, one hell of a love story!


Declan Ramsay's brother Oliver was marrying Annabelle Aiken at a fairy tale Castle on the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland. The bride and groom decided, so that he didn’t feel left out, Annabelle's gay younger brother Sam Should share the best man duties with Declan. 

Declan had never met the kid who was to be his joint best man.
Sam Aiken was abroad, working as an interpreter and finishing his studies. He wouldn’t meet Declan until a few days before the wedding, so the best men communicated and planned their speech by email for more than a year.

But on meeting Sam Aiken, Declan is surprised to realise the kid isn't a kid at all, but a tall, blond and athletic young man. Declan is sure he's straight, so he's alarmed by the ferocious attraction he feels for Sam. And as the attraction is reciprocated, the events at Dunloch Castle change everything Declan has ever believed about himself.

But is Samuel Aiken all that he appears to be?



Sam watched as the kilt was secured around Declan’s waist. 

Fuck Braveheart… 

Declan’s sex appeal just went through the roof, in Sam’s mind. Sam didn’t know what it was about the donning of a kilt that made him want to launch himself at Declan and pin him to the floor. He bit his own knuckle to mute his desire. 

“Nice skirt,” Sam jested, his eyes sparkling with laughter.

 “Are ye lookin’ for a slapped arse?” Declan spat defensively. 

“Now… there’s a thought!” Sam snickered, dodging Declan’s lunge and heading to the wardrobe to retrieve his own kilt. 

“Seriously, never call it a skirt. I’ve known many men to get their arses kicked for sayin’ that—” Declan warned. “—and ye have such a lovely arse, I’m no done with it yet!” he added affectionately.


Let me start by stating that Isobel Starling is a huge tease.

Now we can proceed to the review. LOL

Sam and Declan have to stand as best men to their siblings’ wedding and they have to share every duty the title involves. 

One problem –those two never met in person and, while they liked each other well enough while emailing back and forth, that can’t be said for the moment they literally bump into each other.

Sam is funny, extremely intelligent, easygoing and good looking while Declan is a non nonsense kind of guy. Always brooding and not just as willing to make friends even if he’s one good looking SOB.

As the wedding day approaches and they have to spend almost every waking moment together, they get to know each other better and things get … sort of complicated.

There’s so much more behind Sam’s charming façade, and finally Declan comes to realize why exactly he never managed to have a decent relationship.

You’ll find a little bit of everything in this novella. Hot Scots in kilts, a good amount of kinky sex, funny underwear (Sam has a twisted mind), and a good dose of humor.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.

Aaaand, the best part is that a full length novel is coming soon!! Sam and Declan’s story continues!

As You Wish can be considered an extended prologue and Miss Starling did an awesome job. The narrative is fast pace, captivating and very entertaining. You won’t be able to put it down.

I highly recommend it!

Happy Reading!



At heart Isobel Starling is a romantic. She is fascinated by the psychology of attraction and the intricacy of relationships. Isobel has lived in many countries and worked her way through numerous jobs ranging from confiscating camera's from Madonna fans at Wembley stadium in the '90's to Nannying for Models in New York City. Isobel went on to study Fine Art and has worked in the Arts,Theatre and Film for nearly 20 years.
Isobel writes M/M and occasionally M/F and Fantasy. Her characters are always broken in some way.(Aren't we all!) She loves discovering their past and working out where their lives went wrong. Most of all Isobel loves watching her characters grow and heal when they meet that special someone! She is a sucker for a HEA!



July 21, 2015

Excerpt & Giveaway! The Highlander Takes A Bride, Highlander #3 by Lynsay Sands



A bold, seductive laird meets his passionate match in a scintillating Highland romance from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands.

Sword fighting, swearing, and riding astride come naturally to Saidh Buchanan. Simpering and holding her tongue-definitely not. Raised alongside seven boisterous brothers, Saidh has little interest in saddling herself with a husband…until she glimpses the new Laird MacDonnell bathing naked in the loch. Though she’s far from a proper lady, the brawny Highlander makes Saidh feel every inch a woman.

She has an angel’s looks, a warrior’s temper, and seeks out his kisses with wanton eagerness. Little wonder that Greer is intrigued by his comely guest. When reckless desire overtakes them, he’s more than willing to make an honest woman of her. But Saidh is the target of a hidden enemy, and Greer faces the battle of his life…to safeguard the woman he wants above all others.


“Which is so unladylike,” she lectured herself under her breath. Her mother would be most disappointed in her, she knew.

“What is so unladylike?”

Saidh stiffened at the amused question from very close behind her. She instinctively started to turn, but her mother’s voice in her head made her stop. Sighing, Saidh shrugged in a way she hoped appeared nonchalant, and confessed, “I am. Or so me mother always told me.” Wry amusement filling her voice now, she admitted, “I fear being raised with so many brothers made me less o’ a lady than I should be. Me mother did her best to rein me in, but me father and brothers were o’ little help in the endeavor and in the end …” She shrugged. “She was fighting a losing battle.”

“Ye seem ladylike enough to me.”

The voice had moved away again and she could hear the rustle of material. He had no doubt laid out his plaid on the ground and was now crouched beside it, pleating the cloth in preparation of donning it. At least that was her guess, and she imagined him in her mind’s eye doing so, the rising sun glinting off his wide back. Shaking her head to remove the image, she cleared her throat and said, “I fear ye’ll no’ say that, once ye’ve heard me cursing like a warrior.”

“Cursing?” he asked, sounding startled at the very suggestion.

Saidh grimaced, but nodded. “Aye. ’Tis a bad habit I learned from me brothers. And they ha’e taught me the most foul curses.”

A sudden chuckle nearly had her turning again, but again she caught herself. Lifting her chin defiantly, she added, “I also wear English braies under me gowns so that I can ride astride. I ken no ladies who do that.”

“English braies?” This time he sounded rather bemused.

Saidh nodded and then caught a bit of her gown in hand to lift it to knee level and reveal the bottom of the braies she wore beneath.

“Where the devil did ye come up with that idea?” he asked with what might have been shock.

“It was me mother’s idea,” Saidh admitted as she let the gown drop back into place. “First she tried to stop me from riding astride and running about, climbing trees and rocks with me brothers, but when that did no’ work, she had the braies made for me.”

“Yer mother sounds a clever woman,” he decided, still sounding amused.

“Aye, she was,” Saidh said sadly.



LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author of the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series, as well as numerous historicals and anthologies. She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there’s occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus. Please visit her on the web at www.lynsaysands.net.




April 5, 2015

Book Promo & Giveaway! My Highland Lover, Highland Hearts #1 by Maeve Greyson






Maeve Greyson unleashes a thrilling tale of magic and desire as a feisty Southern gal falls into the arms of a rough-hewn Highland chieftain.

As the proprietor of a homeopathic store in rural Kentucky, Trulie Sinclair knows that her neighbors think she’s strange—but they have no idea how strange she really is. Trulie was born in Scotland in the thirteenth century to a line of time-traveling Highlanders. When Trulie’s grandmother convinces her to return to their homeland,Trulie jumps back in time, right onto the powerful chest of Gray MacKenna. Just as his steely good looks send ripples through her body, their fierce attraction will send ripples through the ages.

After his parents murdered, Gray is consumed by thoughts of revenge. As the new chieftain of the MacKenna clan, he has reason to believe that there’s a traitor in his midst, and nothing—not even the bonny lass who suddenly drops from the sky—can distract him from his single-minded pursuit of the culprit. But when Gray learns that this sassy beauty possesses gifts beyond the sparkle in her eye, he allows his gaze, and his heart, to linger. While he hunts for the murderer, Gray finds in Trulie a precious companion—and a timeless love.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.



No one has the power to shatter your dreams unless you give it to them. That’s been Maeve Greyson’s mantra since she was a girl. When she’s not at the full time day job at the steel mill, Maeve’s writing romances about sexy Highlanders and the women who tame them. Tucked away in a five acre wood, Maeve listens to the wind singing through the trees and hears her characters telling their stories. Her work is proofed by her sharp-eyed dog, Jasper, and her greatest supporter is her long suffering husband of over thirty-five years who’s learned not to throw away any odd sticky notes filled with strange phrases.