#monica mccarty

[fated-mates]

An episode for the old school romance readers in the audience, we're talking about kidnapping this week! A trope that either absolutely works for readers (aka us) or absolutely doesn't, we talk about why that is, how the original romances of the 80s and 90s installed these buttons and how we still see the bones of old school kidnapping in delicious romances of today. That, and Jen reminds Sarah of books she wrote one time.

[triviareads]

Any good medieval hr you would recommend?

The Conquering of Tate the Pious by Sierra Simone: This is a novella; Adelais is a Norman warlord who takes over from her late husband during the Norman Invasion, and Tate is the abbess of Far Hope Abbey, an ancient place with *secrets*, which Adelais is trying to take over, and Tate offers herself up to Adelais for three nights to prevent this.

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught: A classic I really ended up enjoying; Jenny is a Scottish heiress accidentally kidnapped (long story) by the English enemy warlord Royce. Cue them trying to fuck with each other in a variety of ways (torn clothes for soldiers, killing his horse which was an accident!, a spankin', etc.). The chemistry is fantastic even when they're like "i TOTALLY hate you".

The Prize by Julie Garwood: Another medieval Royce.... guess it was just a popular name back then? This time, Saxon heiress Nicholaa attempts to defend her castle from Norman warlord Royce. She amuses William the Conqueror so much that he offers her any husband she wants and she DOES choose Royce 75% out of spite.

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Highland Guard books:

The Chief by Monica McCarty: This takes place in medieval Scotland during the time of Robert the Bruce; Tor is the leader of a secret group of *elite* soldiers serving Bruce. The heroine Christina is forced to compromise him so they're hastily wed and while the chemistry is great, he's hiding his extracurricular soldier activities from her.

The Viper by Monica McCarty: Lachlan and Bella are slightly older mcs who have DEEP trust issues which results in a great enemies to lovers arc; Lachlan was betrayed by his wife and now has a reputation as a heartless mercenary, and Bella broke with her husband's politics to crown and support Robert the Bruce and she's imprisoned and hung from a cage for her troubles, and Lachlan has to rescue her.

The Saint by Monica McCarty: So every title in the Highland Guard series refers to the hero's nickname and Magnus is nicknamed the Saint basically because everyone thinks he's tragically celibate and I'm pretty sure he is after being rejected by childhood sweetheart Helen, who is now betrothed to one of his fellow comrades. The vibes are very King Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot with a side of Persuasion.

The Recruit by Monica McCarty: The hero is Helen's brother Kenneth who did the most for me early on when the heroine Mary caught him having sex in the stables with another lady and he MAINTAINED EYE CONTACT while finishing. Mary is a widow but basically hasn't had good sex before until Kenneth arrives on the scene.

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Scandalous Passions by Nicola Davidson: A Scottish throuple consisting of James IV's ex mistress, a super repressed knight who's also a switch, and an innocent but horny debutante. Nicola isn't afraid to Go There when it comes to sex stuff, and her style is very earthy, bodice-ripper explicit, if that makes sense, and this is one of my favorites by her because of it.

The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands: Saidh is a tomboy with zero wiles and seven brothers (so she's one of the guys lol) but new laird Greer is super into that. There's also a murder mystery and I'm pretty sure Saidh gets an arrow to the tit.

The Highlander's Promise by Lynsay Sands: The hero is one of Saidh's biiiiig scarred brothers; Aulay finds an unconscious woman on the beach who it turns out has amnesia. The doctor's orders? Pretend to be her husband so her *delicate* state will be undisturbed.

[smartbitches]

Amanda tells me in this week's episode that the Highland Guard is "What if Navy SEALs in historical Scottish romance?"

ok, sure!

[antebellumite]

So.

[triviareads]

This is exactly how I got super into a hero named Kenneth of all things.

To all the reviewers who say that it’s inconceivable for a lead to fall in love with their love interest after catching them having sex with a random early in the book

A) ….. judgmental prude

B) exactly why does “knowing your love interest fucked someone other than you before they fell love with you” ruin a future love affair in romance world, I will never understand this logic

[wrenaspun]

HELLO! you're one of my fave lamen writers and fave fic writers EVER and I wanted to ask if you would recommend any books/authors? sending love and deep gratitude for the lamen AGENT au

AW what a lovely ask, thank you anon !!! My face looked like this reading it: 🥰I hope you like the (rest of the) fic!!! And this list of some books I like:

the Lymond series really got its hooks in me this year-- I'm only through book 4 but it's made me LAUGH, it's made me GASP, it made me WEEP UNCONTROLLABLY. Dunnett is an insanely good writer I think even if or perhaps because I am so slow getting through her stuff

Also really enjoying the Peter Wimsey series right now -- I'm up to book 6 and I just love the way Dorothy Sayers writes, her turns of phrase are outstanding, Peter is such a weird little guy, the details of the setting are just incredible... what's not to love

The Locked Tomb series -- enough said. I feel like heaps of people have read or at least heard of this one. I do think it's good and I was completely blown away by book 2. I love HARROW

Random Harvest by James Hilton, sorry. It's even available on archive.org! Read for free with no account! Or read a slightly nicer version for free with an account! If this niche book from 1941 has ten fans I'm one of them, one fan it's me, no fans I'm dead. It's not perfect but I really did find this amnesia story so touching and compelling and the final pages made me cry. Go in unspoiled if possible, read this first, and then watch the 1942 film!!!

The Stars Undying by Emery Robin -- another one whose final pages just knocked me flat. "Cleopatra in space" is a hook that's both compelling and also somehow doesn't capture the expansiveness and creativity of this novel at all. Mark Antony was, as promised on my back cover, the hottest butch girl in space. I'm waiting so so hopefully for the sequel

Jasper Fforde -- a friend once called his work 'English major fever dreams' which I think is accurate. Love his worldbuilding, love his insane worlds. I actually read his Nursery Crimes books first and secretly The Big Over Easy is still my fave, but Thursday Next is probably better known / regarded and they're also such good romps. There are always so many spinning plates and somehow it all gets pulled together

Honourable mention lightning round: The Phillip Marlowe series, twisty hardboiled pulpy fun from Raymond Chandler -- the Trickster duology by Tamora Pierce was, I have to admit it, extremely formative for me -- I'm also 8 books into the Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty and they're ridiculous but very fun if you like romancelandia stuff (and super buff guys; I think every hero thus far has been the biggest meatiest slab of muscle in all Scotland) -- Ion Curtain by Anya Ow, super fun space opera which also has me pining for a sequel -- Between Silk and Cyanide, the memoir of a codemaker during WWII who comes across as a vaguely smug but very funny personification of chaos -- Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier, gorgeous descriptions and I did really enjoy the romance; this one also got made into a film in 1944. With Joan Fontaine! In glorious Technicolor! In period gowns!!!

Thank you for the ask anon!! I hope this was interesting (?) or edifying (?) or satisfactory in some sense. Sending kisses!!

[imogenkol]

— OCS AS HISTORICAL ROMANCE HERO ARCHETYPES

tagged by @corvosattano @jackiesarch @inafieldofdaisies to do this uquiz and I found it way too entertaining to do it for my she/her fuckbois (+ a token Boy boy) thank you lovelies 💕💕💕

tagging: @jillvalentinesday @marivenah @kyber-infinitygems @chuckhansen @adelaidedrubman @voidika @queennymeria @shegetsburned @risingsh0t @shellibisshe @indorilnerevarine @socially-awkward-skeleton @florbelles @aceghosts @simonxriley @v0idbuggy @unholymilf @roofgeese @shallow-gravy

GENTLEMAN IN THE STREETS, FREAK IN THE SHEETS

He's a GENTLEMAN. He has STANDARDS. He will not abide by a single WRINKLE in his trousers. But he willlllll fuck you from behind while fish-hooking your mouth and leaving bruises. That's just how he rolls. A coveted type, this gentleman puts on a stern facade and doesn't have a lot of patience for nonsense--but he's also solicitous, polite, and seemingly respectful. Until you give him a bit of lip in the garden. Never go with him to the garden. Or DEFINITELY go with him to the garden, if you want to get defiled. Which, let's be real, you absolutely do. This hero will wipe cum off your tits with the most expensive handkerchief known to man, fold it and place it in his pocket, and be like, "I apologize; I was quite overwhelmed by your charms. Gentleman recs: "The Duke Gets Even" by Joanna Shupe, "The Duke Who Knew Too Much" by Grace Callaway, "Waking Up with the Duke" by Lorraine Heath, "The Earl I Ruined" by Scarlett Peckham, "The Truth About Cads and Dukes" by Elisa Braden

THE SCOT

"Get on your (yer) hands and knees lass" is something you have a 60% chance of reading in a Scottish historical, and honestly? Bless. These heroes are from Scotland, which is in historical romances, "England but with an autumnal vibe" or "England but they do manual labor while also being rich and titled". They're usually (always) FUCKIN' GIGANTIC, a bit rougher around the edges, and more down to earth. Is this all stereotyping? Yes. Are they probably going to deliver a baby animal, go "look at its wee legs" and then fuck you in a stable? Yeah for sure. Scot recs: "When A Scot Ties the Knot" by Tessa Dare, "When A Girl Loves an Earl" by Elisa Braden ("put yer filthy Scot inside ye"), "The Taming a Highlander" by Elisa Braden, the entire Highland Guard series by Monica McCarty, "The Madness of Lord lan Mackenzie" by Jennifer Ashley, "When A Girl Loves an Earl" by Stacy Reid

THE TORTURED HERO

Look--he just doesn't wanna talk about it. The tortured hero has a dark past, which probably involves his childhood, may involve one or both of his parents dying (or a dead wife), and will be withheld from you for at least the first half of the book. He fucks like an absolute demon (usually to make you forget about the questions you asked regarding his scars; it's effective), he may have nightmares where he says what you think is his old lover's name so you steam about it for 20-50 pages and he's like "no, that's my childhood dog, which I had to eat when food became scarce", maybe his dad didn't love him, and he is more likely to be self made than some other heroes. Though he may also be a duke whose actions had consequences. There's a *distinct* possibility that he's mentally unwell, but everyone needs love. Your one big issue is that he... may not think he's worthy of touching you with his filthy hands. Somehow, you must overcome this. Tortured recs: "My Darling Duke" by Stacy Reid, "Dreaming of You" by Lisa Kleypas, "A Lady for a Duke" by Alexis Hall, "Pippa and the Prince of Secrets" by Grace Callaway, "Duke of Midnight" by Elizabeth Hoyt, "The Duke I Tempted" by Scarlett Peckham, "A Rogue by Any Other Name" by Sarah MacLean

THE GOOD GUY

Isn't that great for you? The good guy isn't a NICE guy. He doesn't expect sexual favors because he's nice to you; and he's so charming, he can probably get laid elsewhere. He may have a tragic backstory and a fatal flaw, but that's not going to get him down. He doesn't play at alpha male bullshit, and he may not be a duke, or a lord, or the owner of the world's first department store. But he's a Solid Guy. He will love, honor, and obey, and he will NOT! Do a nonsense. He will, however, eat pussy. He's a good guy. Good guy recs: "Unclaimed" by Courtney Milan, "Scandal in Spring" by Lisa Kleypas, "My Fake Rake" by Eva Leigh, "Unmasked by the Marquess" by Cat Sebastian

[littlefreya]

Do you read smut novels? And if so do you have any recommendations?

Hey love, I do tend to read erotic novels every now and then, however, the queen of recommendation on that genre is @wolvesandhoundshowltogether. So if you want, feel free to leave her an ask. She'll be more than happy to assist. I'm more of a fantasy/horror/thrillers/historical and magical realism savvy :)

Now onward to my recommendations.

Landscape with Animals - Cameron S. Redfern

This is one of the first erotic novels I bought and read and even though it's been almost 20 years since then I can never forget about the journey it took me through. The main characters are nameless and we know very little of their past and current lives. What we do know is that their relationship is quite the taboo...

At some sense it feels a bit like voyeurism as we get a chance to experience their very intense, feral and doomed relationship. While this is not a classic plot-book and more driven by the characters' perspective, it's loaded with emotions and will get you hooked.

More under the cut

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

It was only a few paragraphs ago where I mentioned loving thrillers! So this book is actually a combo of historical thriller and passionate erotic romance. What grasp me is how evocative and how well written it is, and of course I can't say no to murder mystery.

More books under the cut

Beautiful Stranger - Christina Lauren

Allow me to give you the synopsis from Goodread

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement and passion without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner—and speed—with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

I think that's nuff said. Mr sexy brit reminded me of a certain agent Walker throughout the story. And it definitely delivers as promised.

The Red: An Erotic Fantasy - Tiffany Reisz

Another book that Marta texted me with "sfsafka Freya!!! you must read it, ASAP"

Yet another mysterious british man making our dear protagonist an offer she cannot refuse. Or is it? This book has quite the delicious surprise... and the smut is... top notch. It's not as romantic as its debaucherous.

The Chief - Monica McCarty

Currently reading this one, though quite slowly. This is another book recommend to me by Marta. Historical romance, highlands 👀 and again, really well written.

[triviareads]

As I continue my selective Highland Guard reread, there's this thing I've noticed where men in romance novels relate a little too hard to random animals they come across, like Sir Arthur Campbell is watching Anna cuddle a puppy that's the runt of the litter and Arthur is getting all existential like "I can't tell her to reject that runt...... because once upon a time *I* was that runt"

[the-book-queen]

Hide your wallets, it's that time again! Your daily thread of romance deals is ready, FREE to $2.99!

FREE ✦ A Lighthouse Cafe Christmas by Jennifer Faye

Second chance. Waitress + tech entrepreneur.

Contemporary Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/4dGtUCg

$0.99 ✦ Reaching for Forever by Tara Eldana

A teacher who is helping a friend out by going undercover as a stripper for the night ends up going home with the hero and oops accidental pregnancy.

Contemporary Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/4fmGesP

$1.99 ✦ Dark Desires by Kresley Cole

A ruthless demon mercenary and the lovely halfling Valkyrie who is his fated mate.

TBQ Rec

Paranormal Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/4f4j4ah

$1.99 ✦ The Ghost by Monica McCarty

An undercover warrior and her sworn enemy play a seductive game of cat-and-mouse.

Historical Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/3Yn3Yag

$2.99 ✦ The Scoring Secret by Ainsley Booth

1st POV. You've Got Mail meets Tinder as anonymous sexting pals start to fall for each other, not realizing they're neighbors who don't get along. He's a hockey player.

KU Title

Contemporary Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/487SB9y

Putting these lists together takes time. If you appreciate this content, please consider buying me a Ko-Fi. http://ko-fi.com/danielletbq

[arrthurpendragon]

Has anyone else read The Highland Guard novels by Monica McCarty?

[mermaidsirennikita]

Do you have any recs for someone looking for an escapist Scottish hist. Romance? I just got asked out for coffee by a Republican finance bro and for ridiculous reasons I kinda have to go, and I'm dreading it.

Well, I would definitely NOT go if you can avoid it, and if you can't never go again! Trust me when I say that any time spent around a Republican man is just not worth it and frankly increasingly unsafe for many.

But that being said, the ultimate escapist fun romcom Scottish historical would be When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare, because Tessa Dare is really everything fun and escapist while maintaining a heart and an eye for the complications of life (in this case, loss and anxiety).

Elisa Braden's Midnight in Scotland series is a great route, as is her Scottish historical in a separate series, When A Girl Loves an Earl.

My favorite Scottish romances of all time are Jennifer Ashley's first four Mackenzie Brothers books, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (hero's on the spectrum, heroine is a widow, they begin a casual affair but things get complicated), Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage (marriage in trouble as separated couple is brought back together by circumstances), The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (rakish single dad gets entwined in a mystery with a quiet widow), and The Duke's Perfect Wife (my favorite, second chance romance between a growly alpha duke and his ex-fiancee who doesn't give a fuck about his whole Deal). Rules for a Proper Governess, The Stolen Mackenzie Bride, and Alec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction are also good.

One Season with the Duke by Addy Du Lac. An heiress runs away to Scotland with her childhood best friend (a Scottish duke) so that they can marry before an asshole can force a marriage with her. Love ensues! Very fun and fluffy and sweet.

Scandal's Bride by Stephanie Laurens. An English hero (with a Scottish mother he never knew) ends up in an insane situation after the Scottish heroine drugs him into impregnating her because her goddess told her he was meant to father her children... but she also wants him to just knock her up and not know about it so she doesn't have to talk to him ever again.... Obvious dubcon, but if you can handle that (the hero... profoundly doesn't care about the consent issue, he just cares that she wasn't gonna call him basically lol) it's the ultimate escapist insanity and I laughed approx. 60 times reading it.

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks. A classic medieval arranged marriage between warring clans book, with a deaf heroine.

Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series, in which a bunch of medieval Scottish heroes do various swashbuckling things in the name of Robert the Bruce, with their wild and wacky heroines in tow.

[qudachuk]

Bridget McCarty has been making miniature versions of film and TV sets for 15 years

[triviareads]

Can you recommend a book with a good doggy style scene?

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas: I was surprised I'd forgotten this one! I think what made this hot was that Lillian is so out of it after one orgasm (and one he deliberately withholds) that Westcliff is "arranging" her on her stomach before they do it doggy-style.

Duke of Depravity by Scarlett Scott: The transformation of Crispin from pathetic -> not is complete with this scene; he's very "tell me you're mine", gets a little spanky, a little bite-y, and when Jacinda finally agrees, he goes for it.

Wicked Again by Kathleen Ayers: They're hot. They're older (she's 49, he's 40). A little thing like an ankle injury isn't gonna stop Haddon from going "we're MORE than a dalliance bby!" as he bends Marissa over.

When A Girl Loves An Earl by Elisa Braden: James is muddy and doesn't want to *soil* Viola but Viola can't be stopped, which ends with her on all fours on a couch and Jamie uttering the winning line, "Take yer filthy Scot inside ye now, Viola."

The Chief by Monica McCarty: An emotional doggy-style scene; for background, Tor thought Christina was a prostitute his buddies had sent him (and she was there to get compromised) so he nearly took her from behind. Now when they're married and she asked for it, he's all "are you sure?!?!?" and the funny thing is even after they go at it doggy style he flips her over because he wants to see her face when they orgasm.

I would like to note that I nearly added McCarty's The Saint to this list but when I checked, Magnus only said to Helen "I hope you like it from behind" because he thought she was someone else, but he stopped when he realized it was her and never following through in the entirety of the book so now I'm sad :(

A Rogue's Rules for Seduction by Eva Leigh: The tail-end of Dom and Willa's fuck cabin sex marathon; a standout more so because of everything that comes before it and when he does just before it (he eats her ass; a rarity in HR), but it's very hot.

His Countess by S.M. LaViolette: More of a historical erotic romance; you know that when they do it doggy-style after he a) eats her ass, and b) asks if she's been doing her kegels (30 minutes a day! for his pleasure and hers!).

A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman: Post-bear chase! It's adrenaline-fueled and a little rough in a very good way.

Also, if you'd like a list of specifically bending-her-over-the-desk moments, here it is.

[kingxhood]

The Highland Guard series

by Monica McCarty

I've read (well listened on Audible) these books twice now and I am still shook by how incredible they are. Here's the premise:

Where the legend of the Highlander began... Journey back to the time of Braveheart, when Scotland was fighting to free itself from English tyranny, and Robert the Bruce was fighting for a crown. To defeat the superior forces of the heavy mounted English knights, Bruce knows he needs a new kind of warrior. He looks to the barbarian lands, to the most feared warriors in Christendom, to the ultimate guerilla fighter... to the Highlander.

Scouring the darkest corners of the Highlands and Western Isles, Bruce handpicks eleven warriors to form a secret elite fighting force like the world has never seen. They are the ultimate “Special Forces,” the best of the best, chosen for their superior skills in each discipline of warfare and brought together into one elite fighting force known as the HIGHLAND GUARD. Bound together in a secret ceremony, they are a phantom force, identifiable only by their extraordinary skills, their war names, and the lion rampant tattooed on their arm.

Vowing death before surrender, Bruce’s band of shadow warriors will stop at nothing but invincible warriors will face the one thing they can’t defeat: love, and the remarkable women who claim their hearts.

With a combination of action, suspense, war and romance it's a thrilling series of twelve books and two novels. Yes that's right TWELVE. With each book comes another warriors story, each of these Highland warriors have to face their own demons and fight for Scottish independance all while fighting the urge to fall in love with a woman.

I give the action in this series a 6/10. The battle scenes were few, some more present in certin books then others, and I would have liked to see more action and more descriptions of the battles.

The romance I give a 8/10. I throughly enjoyed each book and the romance that followed, like any true historical romance they all have happy endings, though it was usually hard won. Some characters going through great loss and tragedy before finding happiness in eachother.

Character development I give 7/10. In some books like The Viper and The Striker and even some in The Recruit I found more character development then the others. Most of the time all the main characters seemed to stay the same throughout the books. This isn't necessarily a bad thing considering all these characters are present through a twelve long series and we see a glimpse of pretty much everyone even if it isn't his book. Like in the Viper we got to know more about Alex "Dragon" Seton as well as William "Templar" Gordon and Magnas "Saint" MacKay. This was espically exciting reading the series through the second time having already known more about them and was able to see the foreshadowing McCarty did for these characters. So that character development I appreciated.

Platonic/familial relationships I give 9/10. This was probably one of the best parts about these books. In The Saint and The Recruit we got to see interactions between brothers and sister and how much they loved and supported each other. In The Ghost we got a glimpse of a healthy platonic relationship between a member of the guard and a woman. I loved the friendship between MacKay and Gordon, and the somewhat reluctant affection between the two cousins Eric and Laclan. Over all I loved these relationships and would have loved to see them explored further.

All in all this is probably my favorite series in the Highlander Romance genre. I will defiantly be reading these books again, and in the meantime i'm going to try and get others to check this series out and start up a fandom on these epic romance novels!