Scars Upon Her Heart - Sorcha MacMurrough

Lady Vevina Joyce and her brother are forced to flee Ireland after being falsely accused of treason. On the road with Wellington's army, they meet an unexpected ally in the enigmatic Major Stewart Fitzgerald. Side by side they fight with their new-found comrades in some of the most bitter battles of the Napoleonic Wars.

Even when her fortunes seem to be improving, a series of seemingly random suspicious events begins to look like a pattern to Vevina. Soon she uncovers a plot so momentous, that all she loves is put in jeopardy, engineered by the person responsible for her family's disgrace.

Vevina is forced to question the very foundation on which her new life has been built. Is Stewart really all that he seems? Appearances can be deceptive...

Stewart was in love once before back home in Ireland, but the bitter sting of betrayal is more than he can bear. To love is to risk everything, and he can't be sure Vevina is worth the gamble. For despite her seeming patriotism, she has been labeled a traitor. Does he dare risk everything for love?

Vevina must clear her name, protect those she loves, and stop the Grand Army from taking over the whole of Europe. She is willing to risk everything she holds most dear to stem the tide of Napoleon's quest for power, and win the love of the man who has come to mean more to her than life itself.

Once inside, Vevina removed her blouse with her back to Stewart, while he brought the bowl of arnica.

The warm fingers applied the soothing cream gently, and Vevina let out a sigh of relief and contentment.

"I'm sorry I hit you during the fighting practice. How is you nose now?" she asked softly.
Without thinking, she turned to face him.

The sight of her magnificent breasts was almost more than Stewart could stand.

Stewart managed to stammer, "Fine," before he insisted daringly, "You lost. I won the bet, and I'll take that kiss now."

Vevina's eyes locked with his, and for an agonizing moment Stewart thought she was about to walk away. Her eyes flicked over his face and she understood the raw desire in his eyes. Though she blushed, she stretched up to reach his mouth.

Go slowly, his mind warned him, but his hands came up to cup her feminine fullness, and she gasped.

Stewart took advantage of her opened mouth to plunder the honey-soft cavern with his tongue.

Vevina found herself clinging to him with an abandon she had never thought possible in herself.
"Vevina, you're so lovely," he breathed, as he moved down her neck to her right shoulder, and then to the delicate pink tip of her breast.
Sensation flooded through Vevina, and she held his head to her while he teased the silky crest.

Her legs began to shake, and Stewart knelt down, bringing her onto the floor with him, while he moved to taste her other breast.

Her hands caressed his shoulders and chest longingly, bringing him closer to her....

Stewart murmured into her skin, "You are so beautiful, beyond anything I've ever dreamt of," as he turned his sensual attentions to her other breast.

Vevina's body felt on fire, and she writhed under him in a tormented ecstasy of undefinable sensations. So this was what it was like to be made love to by a man, she thought in amazement.

But she also knew it was more than mere physical desire. Her whole universe was becoming centred around Stewart, and it was at once both completely fulfilling and dangerous.

"Stewart, I think we have to stop," she whispered against his ear.

Stewart raised his head to look straight into her eyes. "Do you really want to, Vevina? Tell me...."

Scars Upon Her Heart
Book 1 of The Scars of the Heart Series
Sorcha MacMurrough
Word Count: 121,000
Setting: Spain and Portugal, Peninsular War, 1811-1812
Genre: Historical, Regency, Napoleonic
Rating: Sensual
Price: $5.99

A selection of Scars Upon Her Heart Reviews:

4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for historical romance lovers
By C. Penn "WordWeaving"
Lady Vevina Joyce has gone from the toast of Dublin and Cork society to camp follower in only six months. To protect Viv, she and brother actually claim to be husband and wife as they aid the fight against the French as Napoleon Bonaparte seeks to control all of Europe.
Major Stewart Fitzgerald rescues Viv from fellow soldier Sergeant Hawkes, who seems determined to not only harm Viv, but also her brother. Stewart feels as if he's known Viv before, little suspecting that she was the woman who once changed the course of his life. Taking both Viv and her brother under his wing, Stewart finds Viv to be an enigmatic and alluring woman whom he can't resist. Her beguiling mix of sensuality and innocence stir his passion.
When their father was falsely accused of treason, Viv and her brother lost everything. But it was Stewart's brother that causes their horrible change in fortune, making Viv's rescuer's motives suspect. Hawke's interest in Viv and her brother clearly demonstrate an enmity that links to Stewart's brother himself.
Deception and treachery lead Viv from war-torn Spain to the magnificent Alps, vividly created with talented author Sorcha MacMurrough's deft pen.
While Viv's a little too perfect at times (I want to be able to accomplish as much as she can in a single day), the cleverly woven plot and magnificent sweep of history create a memorable tale of love and danger. SCARS UPON HER HEART is fascinating reading. Highly Recommended.
Wordweaving Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars
An historical romance novel to treasure
Scars Upon Her Heart is a non-stop adventure romance set amid the Napoleon Wars of 1811-12. The author offers us an trio of unforgettable characters in Vevina Joyce and her brother Will, and the man who befriends them, Stewart Fitzgerald, a Major with Wellington's army in Spain. Stewart rescues Vevina from the pesterings of the evil Sergeant Hawkes, and offers her and her brother gainful employment at her headquarters.
He believes they are married at first, but this is just one of the secrets he uncovers with regard to the gorgeous Vevina. He soon learns that she and her brother have been accused of treason, and have lost everything, lucky to escape from Ireland with their very lives.
Their accuser? None other than his own greedy brother Samuel. Soon a series of strange events have pit them all against one another, but Vevina knows love has nothing to do with logic, and everything to do with the truth of the heart.
Stewart and Vevina's love story is literally an epic one as they support their commanding officer Wellington to turn the tide of the war and expose all the plots against them, risking everything they love in the process.
Their romance is second to none, fairly scorching the pages. The historical details, mystery, settings and vivid characters, all make this historical romance novel one to treasure.
Evelyn Trimborn

5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Amazon Customer
If you like Sharp on TV, you will love this-great characters, rousing action, and a lot of fasciating facts and thrilling espionage. This author really knows the history of the period, and the romance is great.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast-paced and intelligent
Amazon Customer
I loved it. Fast-paced, intelligent, with sizzling romance to boot. The women are compelling, the men intelligent and sexy! Even if you don't know anything about the history of the Napoleonic wars, it completely sweeps you up into the action. The many twists and turns Ms. Mac Murrough provides are worthy of the finest mystery novelists, and the ending is superb. A cracking good read. I dare you not to finish it in one sitting.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Barnes and Noble reviewer
I couldn't put it down for a second! Wonderful characters, a fascinating time period, lush settings, all sorts of mystery and intrigue, and glorious romance as well, make this a real keeper.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb-a wonderful adventure romance
Barnes and Noble reviewer
This book had it all, from excellent characters to mystery, to adventure and drama. Every single one of the characters from the hero and heroine on down to the supporting cast, were people I really cared about and got involved with. The turmoil of emotions from love, to mistrust and fear of betrayal, were all here as well.
The mystery was fantastic. I couldn't wait to find out the motives behind the actions of the villain, and whether or not the hero was really involved in all of the intrigue and had betrayed everyone he cared about.
As if all the fabulous characters and events were not enough, there is excellent historical background, which reminds me of the Bernard Cornell 'Sharpe' novels. My only complaint is, that this book was so well-rounded, don't know if the author would be able to produce a sequel. More like this one, please.

Scars Upon Her Heart
Book 1 of The Scars of the Heart Series
Sorcha MacMurrough
Word Count: 121,000
Setting: Spain and Portugal, Peninsular War, 1811-1812
Genre: Historical, Regency, Napoleonic
Rating: Sensual
Price: $5.99