This book was amazing. Both the story and characters kept me entertained from beginning to end. I found myself rooting for them. I couldn't put it down.
Thank you Maeve Grayson, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

A wonderfull read. Maeve Greyson has written a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you spellbound as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale they come off the pages and pull you in, steamy passion, suspense, and superstition of the era. With setting descriptions and action sequences that are wonderfully vivid that brings the story to life and as the uncertainties and the ability to trust. A Scot to Have and to Hold is the second in the series A Scot of her Own and can't wait to read the next in series

This book was absolutely fantastic. I could not put it down! I love the way the story was written and how engaging the characters were.

A Scot to Have and to Hold (Book 2, Once Upon A Scot) - Meave Greyson



I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write an honest review.

Meave Greyson is an American author who has travelled the world while being part of the US Air Force. Meave writes a lot of historical romance novels such as her Time to Love a Highlander series.



Ross MacDougall is a fearsome warrior and is known to enjoy the company of woman, especially those that do not belong to him. Renowned for his fighting skills as well as his prowess in the bedroom. So as penance for his latest dalliance his Lord saddles him with the last thing that MacDougall wants – a wife of his very own.

But as MacDougall comes to realise his wife is just as reluctant about the arrangement as he – but due to misgivings of her own unfortunate circumstances. Elise was forced into a marriage to a cruel and vile man against her will and was kept as a slave until she was able to escape. Unfortunately, she was captured by another, different master who was just as cruel.

Elise also suffers from a rare affliction, namely a red birthmark upon her face. This has often caused her to be treated with much cruelty and revulsion. Wary of each other, MacDougall and Elise soon form a friendship which grows into a tender love, and can’t bear to part from one another.

Then when they are their happiest, Elise’s first husband comes back into her life to claim her and tear her from MacDougall. Now the newly betrothed couple prepare to fight for their love and to stay with each other. Will fate cruelly tear them apart just as they have found what they have always denied themselves?



“A Scot to Have and to Hold” is a short historical romance novel, that though it is short it does not leave the reader wanting. It’s full of romance and action and a little intrigue. I absolutely loved reading it and wish there was more to devour. I laughed along with the characters and felt poor Elise’s heartbreak has her tale unfolded on the pages. The cheeky line at the end of the book gives me hope was to what the third book in this series will cover.

Such a sweet story featuring a grump that just needs to be loved and understood! I loved the writing style and plot, it was my first time reading Maeve Greyson and won't be my last.

Turning Curses into Blessings

It takes special people to turn curses into blessings, and Elise and Ross are certainly special. He is a man of honor and gentleness, and she is a woman of strength. Ross is not at all sure about his gift because he does not trust his liege. However, when he sees Elise, he does not allow her to be humiliated because of the red mark on her face. Because of it, people stay away from her, and they call it “the devil’s mark.” Elise does not expect things to change, but Ross is quite a surprise. When she expects cruelty, she finds only kindness and love. How could these two extraordinary people turn hatred into love and curses into blessings? The odds are not in their favor, and the past is catching up with Elise. The lady has a secret she’s keeping, but with Ross on her side, she just might conquer her demons. I enjoyed this delightful novella and would recommend it to lovers of Scottish Medieval romance.

I have to say, I am enjoying the Dragonblade Flame stories the stories are full of combustible chemistry between the MCs 😍


**Sometimes the best revenge is to thrive…

When Ross MacDougall, fearless warrior, frequenter of brothels, and seducer of other men’s wives, receives word that the Lord of Argyll wishes to reward him for their latest campaign, he’s skeptical. His liege’s gifts are often dubious blessings. Oftentimes, more like curses. Turns out he’s right to be leery. The reward is an Irish lass who looks like a grubby boy meant to work in the stables. And she's not intended to be Ross’s slave. She’s meant to be his wife.

Men turn away from Elise O’Cleirigh because of the accursed red stain on her right cheek. Her father called it the devil’s mark. Her mother promised it meant nothing. All Elise knows is that it’s brought her nothing but suffering. This arrogant Scot looks to be no different from the others, and that’s fine by her. She escaped her first ruthless husband. She’ll flee this one as well. But this Highlander turns out to be sly. He fights with weapons she’s ill-equipped to counter: kindness, respect, and a gentleness that makes her heart hurt. The man even apologizes when he behaves like a selfish goat. He makes her want to be wanted. And needed. By him. Not a good thing at all because come spring, she’s gone.

She’s the victim of a cruel jest. He dared fate one time too many. An unlikely pair, a winter together reveals they’re not so mismatched after all. But the past proves inescapable, returning with a vengeance to destroy them.
***

If you haven’t already read other reviews about this story let me start by saying - the Hero is Ross MacDougall, a Galloglaigh warrior, who enjoys the pleasures of flesh with vigor. When his overlord, Alexander MacDougall, Lord of Argyll, decides that enough is enough he plans the “perfect” way to really teach Ross a lesson. What could be more off-putting for Ross who enjoys all ladies than to have to A. Get Married, and B. Marry a lass brought in chains, covered in filth and starving. As we all know, sometimes plans change and sometimes plans fail, the planned punishment fails to have the desired effects!

I really wish the story was longer and I wish it was more evenly paced. The story just felt incomplete.

Overall 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised.

Once Upon a Scot
A Scot of Her Own
A Scot to Have & To Hold

📚I received a review copy from Dragonblade Publishing and all opinions are my own. 🦄

A Scot to Love & Protect

Lord of Argyll wishes to reward fearless warrior Ross MacDougall with a wife. Ross is quite the ladies’ man, even woman married ones too. He’s skeptical his liege’s gifts are not usually gifts at all but dubious blessings, a wife what’s the catch? An Irish lass who looks like a boy who. A good story with Elise O’Cleirigh has been shunned all her life since she bears the devil’s mark on her face. She’s had a hard life with no love or respect from anyone so far. She escaped her first husband and she will this one too. Ross is not quite what she expects, he’s kind and gentle making her want him. They spend time together getting to know each other before the past tears them apart. I have voluntarily read and review this book.

I enjoyed this fast read by Maeve Grayson, though it does feel a little like the middle got cut out. Second in a series (my first), it starts off fairly strong, with downtrodden and defeated Elise being presented to Ross as his bride, a union being forced on them both, though neither seems particularly upset or shocked by the turn of events. However, the action peters out about halfway through.

Elise is used to being mistreated as a result of people believing her birthmark is a devil's mark (also, because people are jerks), so perhaps for her, being forced to marry is just another day (and not her first rodeo). Ross' complacence is a bit more surprising because he's described as a man who loves the ladies, and you'd think he'd hate have a wife thrown at him. However, he's also described as not having an issue sleeping with other men's wives (yick), so maybe he doesn't initially see the problem.

Anyway, he's a "great guy" (air quotes mine) and doesn't have an issue with Elise's birthmark. Indeed, he feels great compassion for her situation and just wants to help her. If he finds himself attracted to her, that's just a giant bonus. Pretty soon, he's in love and finds a new worry: keeping her.

The whole premise works for me, except for Ross' (former) playboy lifestyle--I have a hard time getting past infidelity, and nothing in this novel even attempts to rationalize it. The execution of the premise, however, could use little more time. Although I tend to like plots where the couple figures out they belong together early on with the story focusing on a threat or obstacle they must face together, I think this novel needed more of the latter. They never really face much opposition, and even the birthmark--the very thing that brought Elise to the brink of despair--becomes a non issue pretty early. There were also characters that seemed underdeveloped or at least under described, but perhaps reading the first book in the series would have helped there.

In the end, this novel is worth reading, and I'd probably read more in the series. However, I'd go into another with average expectations.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

This is book 2 in the Once Upon a Scot series. I haven't read the first book but had no trouble following this story. Ross is a warrior and a womanizer. The Lord of Argyll wishes to punish him for his recent indiscretion so he commands Ross marry the woman he presents to him, brought forth in chains and looking more like a grubby boy. Most notably the woman, Elise, has a red mark on her cheek which is seen as a curse. She has known nothing but cruelty all her life because of his mark, so she doesn't expect anything different from Ross. Ross, although a fierce warrior, is kind-hearted and wishes to rescue this girl who has been treated so cruelly and is more than willing to offer her his protection. When he proves her expectations wrong, their relationship grows beautifully, but Ross still needs to convince her that she deserves to be respected and loved. This is a beautifully written story that had me completely engaged from start to finish. I'm looking forward to the next book and would also love to go back and read book 1!

I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I loved this! Ross and Elise are the perfect compliment to each other. You’ll definitely find yourself rooting for them. 5 stars!!

Elise has a red mark in her face, the mark of the devil and has been abused and mistreated her whole life. When her fathers new wife sells her to a man promising that Elise is lucky and can bring him to a treasure, she is sold, married to the man and then abandoned. She escapes and is soon captured and held as a slave. When she meets Ross, it is to be his wife. Ross is a mighty Highland warrior, but he is a ladies man and has crossed to many people. His punishment is to marry the cursed woman. But all Ross sees is a beautiful woman in need to protection. Gah, I love Ross! He sees how frail and beaten Elise is and vows to protect her by marrying her. When it comes to light that she is already technically married to the other man, Ross says he doesn’t care and carry on as husband and wife and fall in love. But when Elise’s husband comes to collect, Elise and Ross must fight for each other!

I love this book! It was so so sweet and Ross is just my favorite. He works on breaking down her walls and building up her trust. They are the cutest couple I’ve read in a long while.


Tropes
Historical Romance, Medieval Era, Scotland, Beta Hero, Highland Warrior Hero, Rake Hero, Soldier/War Hero, Protective Hero, Titled Hero, Abused Heroine, Damaged Heroine, Damaged Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Forced Marriage, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella Trope

I received an arc of this book; my opinions are my own. I enjoyed this novella; it was an entertaining read . Both of the characters were interesting. Elise had a rough life and I felt deeply for her. Ross , on the other hand , was a womanizer in his youth. He regrets it later and tries to atone for his sins. They' re thrown together in this story and make they're own happy ending. The only thing I didn't like was that as it was a novella. It was really good and I would have like a little more. I am greedy this way. lol
I recommend this book for all that want a good romance that makes you feel good at the end. Steam was about 3 out of 5.
Overall a good book.

A Scot to Have and to Hold by Maeve Greyson is a lovely story about a womanizer, yes, they had them back in the 1200's, and how he fell in love with a woman he initially thought was a boy. Ross MacDougall had been called before his liege, Laird Alexander MacDougall. The missive said he was to receive a reward for a task well done. As he entered the keep he saw that many of the men were staring at him smugly. That had him a little concerned. She wasn't a boy. She was Elise O'Cleirigh and the Earl of Connacht thought he would be put off by the birthmark on her face. He wasn't. He was put off by the thought of a wife. There didn't seem to be an option, though. But Alexander sweetened the deal with the offer of a property, which Ross worked into much more: food for the winter, stock, materials to repair the keep, and labor to do the job. He was determined to make the best of it all.

This was a story about falling love slowly, about discovering the worth of another through daily contact. Elise refused to love him, as she knew he would be taken from her. Everything else had been. As she came into her own, she was a kind woman, a hard-worker, and a passionate partner. She was bonny now, with meat on her bones. She knew how to put people in their place, politely, and effectively. It was a book about building a keep and a life. Until the day, the man who had bought her from her stepmother arrived and it all began to slip away. She had known this would happen. She was distraught. Ross begged her to have faith. A good story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Scot to Have and to Hold by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #maevegreyson #ascotothaveandtohold

Ross MacDougall is a Galloglaigh warrior. He just can't to seem to keep his hands off of the ladies. Alexander MacDougall, Lord of Argyll, thinks to punish him for his last indiscretion he commands Ross to wed a lass brought in chains, covered in filth and starving. WOW. Not liking the red mark on her cheek he decides he will resue her, he has a plan. Some twist. A little violent but I loved it.

A reward with a sting in the tail proves to be the making of Ross MacDougall. When presented with his wife, Ross immediately sets out to shame the Lord of Argyll by extracting as much reparation as he can for the insults he has heaped on Lady Elise O'Cleirigh's head. When gifting Ross with a blemished wife, Argyll did not take into account Ross' history or that he would willingly give Elise the protection of his name. Having fought for her very survival, Elise is like a feral cat, but with gentleness, kindness, and consideration, Ross quietly tames her and wins her heart. Unfortunately, the cruelty of men knows no bounds and when Elise's past comes back with a vengeance, they find support in unexpected quarters. This novel is stirring and heartwarming, despite being rather short. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

A quick and easy Highland romance. Ross is a warrior, along with his brothers, and he is called to his boss' castle and is awarded Elise, a fiery Irish lass, with a birthmark. Sadly it frightens many, but not Ross. Liked this one, and enjoyed this author now and in the past. Would highly recommend.

Ross MacDougall has received a prize. But just what could it be? Or could it be a curse? As he stares at the dirty chained skinny boy, just what is he to do with that. Turns out his reward is supposed to be his wife. It is a woman sent to be his wife, but he does not need or want one. Elise O’Cleirigh is an Irish woman with a red stain on her cheek that makes her unwanted. Sold to man as a cruel joke by her stepmother; that did not want her, she has been passed on, again. What a story this turns out to be. This is an emotional romance that keeps you turning the pages, hoping for the best. Just how will the playboy Ross manage a woman such as Elise? Thank you, Maeve, for an interesting idea in your series.

Ross MacDougall is a respected commander but he also has got into lots of bother by sleeping with lots of women. His liege has the perfect punishment diguised as a reward for him.
Elise O'Cleirigh is a terrified runaway who has been caught and sold. Her face is the only thing that has saved her from more abuse.
This is an emotional historical romance with a very sensitive hero. There are more than a few problems to solve, and lots of fun along the way.
This is the second book in the series about three fierce warrior brothers, but easily read on it's own. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book.
Great fun.

An emotional story that pulls together two people, unexpectedly and leads to love.

Fierce warrior, Ross MacDougall, has just ended a successful campaign and is awarded a woman. When he sees her all chained up like a slave he feels compassion. She is to become his wife.

Elise O’Cleirigh has had a terrible life. She doesn't trust men and has suffered due to the red mark on her cheek. When she is forced to marry Ross, she knows nothing will change.

But it does.... Ross begins to do his best to build up her self esteem and make her realize he does care for her.

A sigh worthy story!